Introduction—
1. Testimonial about your experience with HYC—
2. Particularly about how God used a book (Hope for a Hurting World) when I was in the process of becoming a Christian.
3. I thought, "there is so many hurting people I have no clue about in this world; how is my life making a difference."
4. Yes, I had my problems that felt like a hundred tons, but in those times I knew the problem was greater than my problems—others also felt darkness, loneliness and despair, and to a much greater degree.
5. I went to Russia—what a plane ride; first time I'd been out of the country.
6. God was dealing with so much—I remember back to how God demolished many of my "life-consuming fears of rejection, and thoughts of not being accepted!"
7. Start out by reading 2Timothy 3:1-5
8. Before reading, note to focus on the character of the person's heart being described. Try to get a picture of their heart.
9. Key passage: 2Timothy 3:5 NASB 5holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.
10. The word godly here is the same word meaning: "1) Reverence, respect, and 2) Piety toward God," [1] but it is actually used to describe someone who is ungodly.
11. The person described is very ungodly in how they are being godly!
12. The parallel passage describes those "who suppose that godliness is a means of gain" (1Timothy 6).
13. Both passages describe the poser of godliness!
14. Who has been called a poser? Who doesn't like to be called a poser?
15. I don't know about you, but I see a poser of godliness in myself from time to time.
16. I'm really convicted by this passage because it shows me so many the ugly sins I see in my heart!
17. I'm only 25 years old and so many dreams have come true—
18. I remember praying desperately for God to save me at a very dark time when I had no clue about Him, and He led me to a relationship with Him by cleansing me with the precious the blood of Jesus!
19. I prayed specific prayers for a wife—now that I remember, even that I would get married before 24—and my wife is so high above me—everything I want and everything I need!
20. I prayed to become an evangelist when I was inspired by the Great Commission to follow Jesus, and I get to evangelize full-time at one of the largest college known to mankind!
21. There are so many other things I can mention—Like what God has done in my physical family!
22. God has done some big, amazing, miraculous things!
23. He has answered some huge prayers!
24. God is so good to me, I am so very blessed! Why would I ever forget what He has done and start relying on myself!?
25. I can slip into a discouraged, insecure state, and then have my doubts whether God wants to use me to show Himself powerful!
26. When I do that, (possibly similar to the apostle Peter) my denying is a pushing away of God's greatest power – embracing the miracle of Jesus dying for my sins.
27. But it breaks my heart when I realize that I've done this, and I want to say I'm sorry. I want to surrender, humble myself, connecting with Him in His death so that I will be lifted into His powerful life!
28. Satan is real—in many ways, but especially by acting the part of a "good person" rather than persevering in godlike character—because it takes a lot of courage to consistently deal with your heart!
29. These heart sins are so hard to get in touch with – although some sound real obvious – "abusive…brutal, without self-control, not lovers of the good, even treacherous" – you would think that would know if a person were those things?
30. Maybe the byproduct of hurting other people, but remember that they're all disguised in "being a good, religious guy"!
31. If the heart is not dealt with, those ugly things will be you (period, fact)!
32. They are very tricky because you actually think your righteous—it's called self-righteous.
33. I believe it is the Holy Spirit in our lives that makes us sick of superficiality—right now I need this time to lay it all out and live like Jesus—
34. It is so refreshing to just jump in and only care what God thinks.
35. I want to get into some practical things to help us in this mission, but whatever particular shape or form it is for you, we are like the poser of godliness when we deny God's power to work through a godly life!
36. Know that the godly life is one of power or being a poser !
· I want to spend a little time describing the poser.
· We need to let God's word convict our hearts! That is the best way to deal with our hearts!
· We will definitely not shy away from talking about sin on this trip because God wants us all to be powerful, godly people!
· The poser of godliness is:
37. Greedy – 1Timothy 6:9 just says, "a desire to be rich." Who would desire to be poor? Proverbs are full of passages about the pitfalls of poverty. This may sound mediocre, but how many of us just desire to be content? The bible says, "…godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment" (1Timothy 6:6 NASB).
38. Pride/conceit – This person has moved into a distinct position of elevating themselves over other people. One can imagine a person who once learned from and was converted by another disciple of Jesus now insisting on their "knowledge" and ability to teach. Are not the greatest teachers in God's Kingdom those most willing to be taught? There are so many example of Jesus using the childlike heart to illustrate how we need to always be teachable! Let's have faith in the power of the Holy Spirit to work through us—give and take!
39. Discontentment – Behind the plastic smile (of the poser) the grace of God is not enough! The attitude of a godly person: "we were brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. If we (just) have food and clothing, we will be content with that…" because we are incredibly rich with the grace of God! Let us begin to get a good taste of a godly attitude on this mission!
40. Irreverent – Not really in submission to God. Not really having a heart that worships God. Not really in awe of God! (verse on seeing God and being humbled to reverence)
41. Discord—Since the heart of a poser is not really at peace with God, there is constant contention with other people.
à (I'm the kind of person that likes discussion/dialogue, but it is also real easy for me to get into arguments. At times I can forget that discord and contention are fruits of the sinful nature, not of the Spirit. I need to humble out before God, realizing that I don't have to be right—it is better to be wrong and right with God!).
42. There is a little poser in all of us (mention that we need to have an attitude to fight this or else we will becoming these people—I am pointing out Satan's tactic).
43. I'm convinced that no one who is really trying to be godly will be a poser because ulterior motives are what make a poser of godliness.
44. The poser is not the person who wants to be godly, but rather the person who uses godliness to their own advantage.
45. Seeing an advantage in being godly is not bad, for the word even says, godliness with contentment is great gain (1Timothy 6).
46. We know the example of the person going to church in order to get a girlfriend/boyfriend/good family/worldly motivations!
47. Believe it or not, if it is not out of a love for God it is ugly and wicked, and it rears its head in all of us!
48. But we are here, not as posers, but as godly men and women!
49. It is necessary that we have the faith: seeing the godly life as powerful!
50. We need to see the benefit in being godly – "the godly life is powerful!
51. Before you undertake the great strides you will make toward godliness, you need to have faith that the godly life is a powerful life! "It all starts with faith that the godly life is powerful!"
52. A godly life shows our awesome God!—use 2Corinthians 2:14-17 passage about being the aroma for Christ and other verses about being a light to the world.
53. A godly life makes an eternal difference in people's lives – a power that gives the power to others! (Eph.3:14-21)
54. Romans 8:9; 2Timothy 1:7 – A godly life makes you confident, mature, complete, the best you can be!
55. From this point forward, lets be determined in our faith to never deny the power of a godly life, but rather believing God works His awesome power through those who imitate Him!
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