[Pastor Ralph]

Q4. (1 Timothy 4:12b) Rigid, unsmiling orthodoxy can teach right doctrine, but cannot produce godliness. Why not? Why is a strong example of godliness in church leaders essential to a healthy church?

[iam4-1god]

Q4. (1 Timothy 4:12b) Rigid, unsmiling orthodoxy can teach right doctrine, but cannot produce godliness. Why not? Why is a strong example of godliness in church leaders essential to a healthy church?

People will believe that we are self-righteous if we don't show love and a willingness to reach out to those who are lost. I wouldn't want to approach someone who couldn't get their nose out of the clouds long enough to witness to me.

We have to lead by example. If I'm not living a godly life, then I will lead people astay, or cause my flock to go elswhere.

[Elwood C O'Dell]

Godliness comes from with in as the Spirit of Christ dwells in us and He lives through us. Godliness comes as a result of a personal, intimate, fellowship and relationship with God as we spend time seeking His face, His presence, His indwelling in our lives.
In regards to church leaders we must remember that people learn to do what they see in action. Therefore, people must see practical, Godly living demonstrated in the lives of their leaders if the church is to be healthy.

[charisbarak]

Teaching strict rules and working to adhere to them is a form of playing church. It is very unappealing to the unbelieving community and does not draw them to Jesus.

People need to feel God's love through us. They need to see we love & care for each other. This is what will bring Jesus' words to life for watching unbelievers!

Our leaders do need to be godly examples, as we need to be godly parents/examples to our children. Many leaders have corrupted their churches, their flocks. Yes, let this godliness begin with me!!

A thought from my 3rd grade Sunday School class today: "Persevere! Don't Give Up!"

[Stan]

Q4. (1 Timothy 4:12b) Rigid, unsmiling orthodoxy can teach right doctrine, but cannot produce godliness. Why not? Why is a strong example of godliness in church leaders essential to a healthy church?

Because it just teaches the rule but drives out the desire to act apon them. With out the pure heart for Christ just know the word does us no good scripture says that satan know the scriptures and shudders but does nothing to obey. To live Godly lives we need both knowledge and the heart to obey. Strong examples by our leaders help those of us who are weak to see and remember what we are striving for and give us hope that we can suceed. We need a constant reminder to be strong in the Lord and the Power of His Might and we too can become good examples.

[Greta]

Leaders who teach in a rigid and unsmiling way are not displaying the fruits of the Holy Spirit, so the full lesson cannot be absorbed.

It is a bit like "Do as I say and not as I do"; eg: If we tell our children not to argue or swear and then procede to do just that in front of them, then they are more likely to do what they see and hear us doing than what we tell them to do.

A strong example of godliness in the leaders will do more good to the health of the church when good doctoring is preached, than if only words (even if they are good) are preached without godliness.

God bless

Greta

[choice]

Q4. (1 Timothy 4:12b) Rigid, unsmiling orthodoxy can teach right doctrine, but cannot produce godliness. Why not? Why is a strong example of godliness in church leaders essential to a healthy church?

rigid unsmiling orthodoxy doesn't produce godliness because those are words not examples or right living. you have to be an example because lips lie and actions don't.

[masika]

Q4. (1 Timothy 4:12b) Rigid, unsmiling orthodoxy can teach right doctrine, but cannot produce godliness. Why not? Why is a strong example of godliness in church leaders essential to a healthy church?
It is natural for the flock to follow the shepherd; if he go wrong, they will go wrong also.
"Himself a wanderer from the narrow way,
His silly sheep, no wonder if they stray."
Though, according to the just judgment of God, they who die in their sins have their blood on their own head; yet, if they have either gone into sin or continued in it through the watchman's fault, their blood will God require at his hand. How many have endeavored to excuse their transgressions by alleging, in vindication of their conduct, "Our minister does so, and he is more wise and learned than we." What an awful account must such have to give to the Head of the Church when he appears!
In word In doctrine; teach nothing but the truth of God, because nothing but that will save souls.
In conversation. In the whole of thy conduct in every department which thou fillest in all thy domestic as well as public relations, behave thyself well.
In charity. In love to God and man; show that this is the principle and motive of all thy conduct.
In spirit. In the manner and disposition in which thou dost all things. How often is a holy or charitable work done in an unholy, uncharitable, and peevish spirit! To the doer, such work is unfruitful.
In faith. Be faithful to thy trust, to thy flock, to thy domestics, to the public, to thy GOD. Fidelity consists in honestly keeping, preserving, and delivering up when required, whatever is entrusted to our care; as also in improving whatever is delivered in trust for that purpose. Lose nothing that God gives, and improve every gift that he bestows.
In purity. Chastity of body and mind; a direction peculiarly necessary for a young minister, who has more temptations to break its rules than perhaps any other person. "Converse sparingly with women, and especially with young women," was the advice of a very holy and experienced minister of Christ.

[JustJeff]

What is attained by our human nature is of the earth; earthly. What is attained by the Spirit is of heaven; heavenly. Only by the Spirit can we attain the likeness of Christ which is godliness and it is this which leads the true church.

[JanMary]

Q4. (1 Timothy 4:12b) Rigid, unsmiling orthodoxy can teach right doctrine, but cannot produce godliness. Why not?

Because knowledge doesn't equate to experience...rigid orthodoxy imparts information, but only the Holy Spirit indwelling and having Lordship/control in a life can produce godliness.

Why is a strong example of godliness in church leaders essential to a healthy church?

Leaders are examples and shepherds of the flock, and therefore must set the example to be followed. We follow Christ, but these are living examples of Him...or living patterns. We can learn by observing godly behavior. The leaders set the tone for the body of Christ. A parent who says "Do as I say, not as I do", fails, because children will inevitable "do what they see done"...

[CHARLENE G.]

Q4. (1 Timothy 4:12b) Rigid, unsmiling orthodoxy can teach right doctrine, but cannot produce godliness. Why not? Why is a strong example of godliness in church leaders essential to a healthy church?

Can godliness be taught? I would think that it comes from each persons relationship with the Lord. Our leaders can lead by example. Seeing godliness in others makes me strive to draw closer to the Lord. A church leader MUST be godly to have a healthy body of christ. To be godly our leaders must have a strong personal relationship with the Lord. Those that do, encourage the church body to strengther their own relationships with the Lord.

[kenny]

Q4. (1 Timothy 4:12b) Rigid, unsmiling orthodoxy can teach right doctrine, but cannot produce godliness. Why not? Why is a strong example of godliness in church leaders essential to a healthy church?

In order that be recognized in society and among ones peers as being “Godly” (striving to be like Him) One must display the fruits of the Spirit openly in our daily lives so as to encourage others to want these traits in their own lives. As one grows in their walk with the Lord these areas in our lives should become more apparent. (Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance)Remember that new commandment “love one another as I have loved you” and by this shall all men know that you are my disciples. It is this love which attracts those around us and speaks a thousand words.
A healthy church requires Spiritually healthy and fruitful leaders in order in order let our Lords light shine with loving brightness in a dark world.

[Jen]

Q4. (1 Timothy 4:12b) Rigid, unsmiling orthodoxy can teach right doctrine, but cannot produce godliness. Why not? Why is a strong example of godliness in church leaders essential to a healthy church?

There is no love in rigid orthodoxy just rules. Love comes from the Holy Spirit in us. Romans 5:5.

How can you have a healthy church without godliness in the leaders? They are missing the Holy Spirit from which comes godliness. Without the Holy Spirit I am nothing but an empty GONG in all that I do.

God Bless!
Jen
Numbers 6:24-26

[Patricia A]

Q4. (1 Timothy 4:12b) Rigid, unsmiling orthodoxy can teach right doctrine, but cannot produce godliness. Why not? Why is a strong example of godliness in church leaders essential to a healthy church? To be a Godly example, we must display the fruits of the spirit in our lives. This means we need to show love, joy, peace and gentleness along with the other fruits of the spirit. God told us to love one another as I have loved you and this should foremost in our lives so that others will be attracted to the Christian life.

[hanks]

Q4. (1Timothy 4:12b)
Rigid, unsmiling orthodoxy can teach right doctrine, but cannot produce godliness. Why not?
Why is a strong example of godliness in church leaders essential to a healthy church?
We need to be enthusiastic about our walk with God. We might have plenty of enthusiasm for a football match, or an election campaign, but so little of it for the service of God. It is only when we have the love of God in our hearts that we will get excited about reading and studying the Bible, prayer, meditation, and witnessing to others. Only then will godliness be produced in our lives. When maintaining fellowship with our Lord becomes a burden we know we will not grow spiritually. We look up to our church leaders to lead by example. If this does not occur it can have a demoralizing effect upon the whole church community and cause huge problems.

[maddog]

Q4. (1 Timothy 4:12b) Rigid, unsmiling orthodoxy can teach right doctrine, but cannot produce godliness. Why not? Why is a strong example of godliness in church leaders essential to a healthy church?

The food we eat does not defile us. What defiles us is what comes out of the heart. You can do a laundry list of rituals/liturgy but, if the reason you do it is to help your way into God's promise, you have missed the boat. Jesus doesn't want us to parade around the Church just to be seen and heard.

A strong example of Godliness is essential for the effective life of the Church. The members come to be fed the truth and examples of Christian living. If not they will leave. Those coming to be saved will become disinterested and leave the Church when the leaders and the members "do not walk the talk." "They are doing the same thing I am doing." The Church is a fish bowl where someone is always waiting for someone to fail.

[Just Jesus]

[quote name='Pastor Ralph' date='Jan 9 2009, 08:02 PM' post='41412']
Q4. (1 Timothy 4:12b) Rigid, unsmiling orthodoxy can teach right doctrine, but cannot produce godliness. Why not?

Because godliness comes from within and is not only an outward show (Matt 23:25).


Why is a strong example of godliness in church leaders essential to a healthy church?

If it is godliness that we leaders are trying to teach, we cannot do it just with words. People learn to do what they see in action. Therefore, people must see practical, godly living demonstrated in the lives of their leaders. If one of the losses of our time is in godliness, then regaining it begins with you and with me.

Our great example, Jeus Christ, taught His disciples through example, the ultimate example being when He went to the cross to lay down His life for the sins of the world. Even through the pain and anguish of the cross, He forgave those who crucified Him and interceded for the thief who repented.

[Robin D]

Godliness comes from the heart, from seeking and loving God. I also believe that in striving for godliness, we should enjoy our lives. A strong example of godliness is essential in leaders in order to be a good role model, to be an encouragement to others, and to lead the lost to Christ.

[sahala p.s.]

Q4. (1 Timothy 4:12b) Rigid, unsmiling orthodoxy can teach right doctrine, but cannot produce godliness. Why not? Why is a strong example of godliness in church leaders essential to a healthy church?

Rigid, unsmiling orthodoxy can teach right doctrine, but cannot produce godliness because it has no enough power to encourage people practice a godly live; in order that people produce godliness, an example of godliness by church leaders is needed, it is not enough just with words.

A strong example of godliness in church leaders is essential to a healthy church because people learn to practice a godly life through seeing it from church leaders; if they do not see it, they will not know how to practice a godly life and are not encouraged to practice it

[squirt1]

Q4. (1 Timothy 4:12b) Rigid, unsmiling orthodoxy can teach right doctrine, but cannot produce godliness. Why not? Why is a strong example of godliness in church leaders essential to a healthy church?

When you go thru the motions, there is lack of understanding and relationship with God. I want to see what they do outside the church, in the lives of leaders. Are they practicing what they preach. We are to show an example to others to show them this is how to live your life.