Introduction: Introduction: Building GodlinessBuilding Godliness• Godliness means God-likeness: Godliness means God-likeness: It is It is

God revealed in us. God revealed in us. 2 Peter 1:5-62 Peter 1:5-6

• Godliness pulls the other traits together and we are seen as a God-like individual, influencing others for good! Mt. 5:16Mt. 5:16

• Some argue that we can in no way be like God.

Gen. 5:1; Rom. 8:29; Jas. 3:9Gen. 5:1; Rom. 8:29; Jas. 3:9

Godliness Commanded:Godliness Commanded:• By Peter: 2 Pet. 1:6, 2-3; 2 Pet. 3:11

• By Paul telling us to “work at it!”

1 Tim. 4:7; Titus 2:11-13

• Commanded to serve God with two characteristics in Heb.12:28.

“…by which we may serve God

acceptably with

reverence and godly fear.”

Ways We Can Strive To Be Like God:

• In Love:In Love:– God loved us while we were sinners and God loved us while we were sinners and

allowed His Son to suffer for us. allowed His Son to suffer for us. Rom. 5:8Rom. 5:8– Therefore to be God-like we must love Therefore to be God-like we must love

Him in return. Him in return. Mt. 22:36-40; Col. 3:5-10Mt. 22:36-40; Col. 3:5-10– We must love the brethren. We must love the brethren.

1 Jn. 3:10; 1 Jn. 4:7, 111 Jn. 3:10; 1 Jn. 4:7, 11– To be God-like we must also To be God-like we must also

love the unrighteous. love the unrighteous. Mt.5:43-46Mt.5:43-46

• In Impartiality: In Impartiality: Acts 10:34-35–God is no respecter of persons.

1 Pet. 1:17 And if you call on the Father, who And if you call on the Father, who without partialitywithout partiality judges according to each judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay the time of your stay here in fear; here in fear;

–To be God-like we too must not be a respecter of persons.

James 2:1-9

Ways We Can Strive To Be Like God:

• In Mercy:In Mercy:– Mercy is an attribute of God. Mercy is an attribute of God.

– Mercy defined: Mercy defined: Kindness in excess of what Kindness in excess of what may be expectedmay be expected

Titus 3:5 Titus 3:5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy His mercy He saved us, through the washing of

regeneration and renewing of the

Holy Spirit,

– Again to be God-like we must have mercy on others. Luke 6:32-36

Ways We Can Strive To Be Like God:

• In Holiness:In Holiness:– God is holy in all His ways. God is holy in all His ways.

Ps. 145:17 Ps. 145:17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.

See 1 Chron. 16:29 1 Chron. 16:29 – We must imitate our God.

Mt. 5:48; 1 Pet. 1:13-16– Holiness consists in thinking as

God thinks, willing & doing as God

wills.

Ways We Can Strive To Be Like God:

Godliness Is Often Misconstrued:Godliness Is Often Misconstrued:

• Some think that gain is godliness. 1 Tim. 6:3-5

• Some practice an outward form of godliness. Mt. 23:27-28

2 Tim. 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:

from such turn away.

Results of Godliness:Results of Godliness:

• It ensures persecution. 2 Tim. 3:12• Godliness works deliverance from

temptation! 1 Cor. 10:13; 2 Peter 2:9• Godliness with contentment is great gain!

1 Timothy 6:6 “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”

• Godliness prepares us for the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:8

Conclusion:Conclusion:• We should pray for conditions that are even

more favorable to practice godliness.

1 Timothy 2:1-2

• The godly people are set apart for the Lord. Psalm 4:3

• Good works become professors of godliness. 1 Tim. 2:9-10

• If we strive to be like Him here, then we will be like Him in eternity! Ps. 17:15; 1 Jn. 3:2-3

Be Saved Today!Be Saved Today!

• Come to Jesus for eternal salvation!2 Timothy 2:10

You need to…• Hear – Heb. 5:9; John 6:45

• Believe – Mark 16:16

• Repent – Acts 3:19

• Confess – Rom. 10:10

• Be Baptized – Acts 2:38