The Power Of Godliness 2 Tim. 3:5 1

“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” “having a form of godliness but denying its power”(NKJV) 2

“having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power” (ESV) “Keeping up the form of religion, but resisting its influence” (Goodspeed’s translation) 3

1. Godliness defined Reverence and deep respect toward God joined with obedience to His word If we truly love and reverence God we will obey him Our obedience to God is evidence that we do reverence him 4

2. A form of godliness Those who claim to be religious and may even belong to some church Those who “talk religion” 5

3. Deny the power of godliness They belong to some church or claim to be religious or “talk religion” but still live in sin Drunk or high on dope on Saturday night but “in church” on Sunday morning 6

“In church” on Sunday and cuss and cheat their neighbor in Monday The religion they claim does not bring about any changes in their life 7

Their religion does not restrain their sinful passions They live as if they had no religion at all They claim to have religion but you never see any evidence of it 8

Have you ever known members of the Lord’s church who were like this? 9

Titus 3:1-5 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 10

Without natural affection (for parents & children) trucebreakers (untrue to one’s promises), false accusers, incontinent (without self control), fierce (not-tame, abusive, savage) 11

despisers of those that are good (they hate that which is good and those who do good), Traitors, heady (headstrong, rash, reckless) highminded (exalted with sinful pride) 12

lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away 13

The godly life of an individual Christian can have a great influence on many people! 14

4. Influence with God Abraham’s intercession concerning Sodom and Gomorrah was a godly thing which had influence with God 15

Gen. 18:32 And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake. 16

David’s godliness had such power with God that He would not destroy Solomon’s kingdom in Solomon’s day 17

1 Kings 11:12-13 Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father's sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son. Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant's 18

Js. 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much 19

5. The power of godliness upon other people A. The power through Paul – to turn the Gentiles from the power of Satan unto God 20

Acts 26:16-18 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 21

To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. 22

B. Power in godliness to win souls 23

Js. 5:19-20 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. 24

C. Christian influence – as powerful as light, salt, and leaven 25

Mt. 5:14-16 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 26

Mt. 13:33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. 27

D. Powerful influence in the home 28

2 Tim. 1:5 “When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.” 29

E. Power to convert one’s spouse 30

1 Pet. 3:1-4 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. 31

Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, 32

in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 33

F. May cause a whole family to fear and serve God 34

Acts 10:1-3 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. 35

He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. 36

6. Those that have only a form of religion Deny the power of reading the Bible See no need for VBS, Bible classes, gospel meetings See no benefit to good gospel papers – House to House, Christian Worker, Spiritual Sword, etc. 37

Do not see the benefit of using the radio, TV, internet etc., to spread the gospel See no benefit in praying for the lost, doing personal work etc. 38

Some deny the power of a godly life Do I? Do you? Watch out for those who do! 39

References Adapted from material by Gus Nichols 40