The Gain of Godliness
Sermon Notes of
Reverend Harvey Alford Matney
(1868 – 1951)
December 25, 1910 – Chappell Hill, Texas
Introduction
One common complaint about the Christian life is that it has no value or is too restrictive to truly enjoying life. If there is no higher authority to judge or condemn, the godless person can satisfy every lust without regard for the safety or welfare of anyone. It would seem that living in obedience to the god of this world is much more profitable. But this view is entirely incorrect. There is enormous value to living a Godly life both in this life and the life to come. This is the message of this sermon. A message that needs to preached to every generation. — Harrison Woodard
Matthew 16:26 KJV
For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
1 Timothy 4:8 & 6:6 KJV
For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. But godliness with contentment is great gain.
The Gain of Godliness
This is an age in which men are carried away with the desire for gain. Give me houses, lands, money, or anything else of earthly value is the cry of the multitude.
This thirst for wealth is both national and individual. The rage for money is taking hold of the hearts and passions of the poor as well as the rich. They almost worship the mammon.
Now the most profitable business in the world is Godliness. Jesus Christ and the apostle Paul is my authority for saying so.
Hear their words: “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
“godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.”
What Is Godliness?
It is more than following (John) Wesley, or John Knox, or Martin Luther, or the Pope, or belonging to the church. Godliness means “God-likeness” or the religion of God.
To begin with there must be some knowledge of God. That knowledge may not be very extensive, but there must be some, and the more we know of Him the more like Him we may be.
Godliness includes the friendship of God. When we say a man is human, we mean that he has a human nature, and is made after the fashion of men. When we say he is God-like we mean he has been born again: by the Holy Ghost, and has received something of the nature of God.
Godliness supposes partnership in God’s business. No difference how subordinate the position, the God-like man holds, God is with him in the business. He shares its burdens, pushes its claims, sorrows over its failures, and rejoices in its success.
Paul says this Godliness is profitable unto all things, in this world and in the world to come.
Now the real worth of things so far as this world goes is neither more nor less than their capacity to secure for us things necessary or desirable; to soften its sorrows, deliver us from its ills; or safeguard against dangers.
Measure Godliness by His standard; begin with the things of this world; taken as a whole the result of honest, truthful, industrious character which Godliness creates; the followers of Jesus are better housed, and fed, than they would have been had they lived worldly godless lives.
Godliness Brings Spiritual Blessings
There is the conscious favor of their heavenly Father; How great a blessing.
There is the privilege of laboring with Christ for the salvation of men. Who can measure the worth of that honor?
Then there is the comfort in sorrow, the hope in a dying hour, and in the world to come, the “well done” of the master; the memory of a life well spent.
Are you in possession of this treasure? Are you godly? If so, your fortune is made; your future is secure; your home is on high.
Stand by the Master’s cause and fear not what men may do. “Be not weary in well doing, for in due season you will reap if you faint not.” Galatians 6:9