Kingdom Training (1 Timothy 4:6-11)

Sermon Notes for Sunday Service on 17 May 2026 by Bro Boonkiat

Introduction

The book of 1 Timothy is a letter written by the apostle Paul around AD 62. At this time, the Romans were in power. Timothy had met Paul about 10 years prior to the events of the book. Timothy was likely to be in his late teens, and had followed Paul in his missionary journeys. This letter was written between Paul’s first and second imprisonments. Paul sees Timothy as his son. They had travelled to Ephesus, where Timothy stayed, while Paul went on to Macedonia to continue to preach the gospel. Paul had placed Timothy in Ephesus, because there were false teachers infiltrating the church. Timothy’s task was to lead the believers in the truth and restore order in the church.

Message

The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. - 1 Timothy 1:5

Paul’s intention is for believers to have a pure heart and fully trust in the Lord.

If you explain these things to the brothers and sisters, Timothy, you will be a worthy servant of Christ Jesus, one who is nourished by the message of faith and the good teaching you have followed. Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. Physical training is good, but  training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Saviour of all people and particularly of all believers. Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them. - 1 Timothy 4:6-11

Where is the Kingdom of God?

It is here, now. It cannot be seen (Luke 17:20). It will be fully established by the return of Jesus Christ, where He will be King. But Jesus also said that the kingdom is among us, in our hearts; it is how we connect to Him. So the kingdom of God is about where your heart is.

What is our identity in the Kingdom of God?

In the Kingdom of God, we are His children and also His servants (John 1:10-12; Romans 6:22). Instead of being slaves to sin, we become slaves to God, and do things that lead to holiness.

In the Kingdom of God, there is a constant spiritual warfare directed against God’s enemies and against our fleshy self (1 Timothy 1:18; Ephesians 6:10-17).

Timothy, my son, here are my instructions for you, based on the prophetic words spoken about you earlier. May they help you fight well in the Lord’s battles. - 1 Timothy 1:18

Stay close to the Lord. The ways of the world we are in are always contradicting the ways of the Lord. You have to make a choice - whether to choose blessing or curse. In comfort or in struggle, the decisions you make impact whether you have blessings or curses to your soul.

Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked. - 1 Timothy 1:19

We have to fight well. And whose battle is it? In the Kingdom of God, the battle belongs to God (2 Chronicles 20:15). So what do we do? We do not need to fight, but we should take our positions, then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory (2 Chronicles 20:17). So let us train our hearts, our courage, our way of living. Let us train ourselves based on the Word of God. This is so that our soul is powered by the spirit and not by the flesh.

We are all called to train for godliness. ‘Holiness’ and ‘godliness’ are different.

‘Holy’ means cleansed from all sins and fully set apart for God. ‘Holy’ is our spiritual character. (1 Peter 1:15-16).

But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.” - 1 Peter 1:15-16

Your holiness does not come from your works. It comes from God; it is who we are in Christ. When you receive Christ as your Saviour, you are made holy. No one can take away this holiness, unless you choose to depart from God.

‘Godliness’ means acting in ways that please God. It is about what we do in Christ (Romans 6:12-13; Galatians 5:16).

Now we have the holiness of God in us then we ought to train for godliness in our lives - 1 Peter 2:11

The Greek word (in the language of the original book written by Paul) for ‘train’ is ‘gymnazo’, which means to practise or exercise naked. During the time of the book, in Greek-Roman training, athletes trained without clothing to free themselves of restricted movements. The takeaway for us is to train our spiritual body without any distractions.

The training of godliness -

1. happens everywhere

2. happens individually

3. happens in practices

Train godliness to fight a good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12). Hold tightly to your faith.

Closing

Live out His Word by training ourselves to do things that please Him, rather than our own pride and desires. Strip off our flesh and anything that is hindering us to do His will. Battle for the truth against sin and self-ambition, and only for God’s Kingdom.