Transcript

The Pastor and Personal Fitness

1 Timothy 4:8
November 17, 2009 • Jersey Shore Evangelical Minister's Fellowship
Pastor Randy Smith

---

Opening comments:

"Too many people confine their exercise to jumping to conclusions, running up bills, stretching the truth, bending over backward, lying down on the job and side stepping responsibility" (author unknown).

The excuses are legion:

• I have no time!
• 
  
• It is too boring!
• 
  
• I just don't want to do it (too lazy or no discipline).
• 
  
• I don't know what to do or how to do it.
• 
  
• I don't need exercise because I'm already healthy.
• 
  
• Exercise makes me feel worse (or it's too difficult).

Let's face it, as pastors we work hard but much of our work is behind a desk.

We are not burning the calories off and much of our fellowship is centered around food.

Instead of "buffeting our bodies" (1 Cor. 9:27) we are buffeting our bodies with appetite and ease.

Biblical rationale:

1 Timothy 4:7b-8 - "On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."

• In our age of body idolatry we have allowed the pendulum to swing too far in the opposite direction. I agree that there are many biblical warnings against vanity (1 Sam. 16:7; Pr. 31:30; 1 Pet. 3:3-4), but that does not mean we must ignore the physical altogether.
• There is no doubt this verse teaches that personal holiness is the primary objective, yet it still says, "bodily disciplines is…of little profit." Maybe it is not as important as godliness but it does have some value.
• There is a call for priorities and balance between the body and the soul.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body."

• Like everything else given to us by the Lord, we must be a good steward of His resources (Mt. 25:14-30).
• The body ultimately belongs to Him. Are we being a good steward if we suffer from heart disease, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol level, and osteoporosis? How will we give account on the Day of Judgment for this resource?
• Bodily discipline glorifies the Lord.

3 John 1:2 - "Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers."

• Good health is a thing to be desired.
• It is presumptuous to pray for good health and do nothing yourself to achieve it. How can we ask God, "Do not take me away in the midst of my days," and then eat three Whoppers every night for dinner? Dare we pray, "Do not lead me into temptation," while carelessly exposing ourselves to the very things that tempt us? We must always seize the means to cultivate the blessing for which we pray.
• Again, prosperity of the soul is preeminent in this verse, but good health is alsocommendable.

Historic examples:

Abraham - "Abraham breathed his last and died in a ripe old age, an old man and satisfied with life; and he was gathered to his people" (Gen. 25:8).

Moses - "Although Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died, his eye was not dim, nor his vigor abated" (Dt. 34:7).

Job - "And Job died, an old man and full of days" (Job 42:17).

Jonathan Edwards - "He typically spent up to 13 hours a day in his study but always punctuated his labor with some sort of recreation, usually walking or riding or, if the snow was too deep, chopping wood for half an hour or so. In the warmer seasons he commonly rode two or three miles "to some lonely grove," where he would dismount and walk for a while sometimes jotting his thoughts on small pieces of paper that he would pin to his clothes for the ride home" (America's Evangelical by Philip Gura).

Why do we as pastors need to "care for our bodies?"

1. Feel better
   • One doctor said, "People don't realize how bad they feel. They get used to feeling bad. Then when they start exercising they feel so much better."
   • Do we not only want a longer life but also the ability to have more life in those years which we live?
   • A healthy body affects your countenance, attitude and disposition.
2. Boost energy levels, endurance and productivity
   • When we consider a pastor's many responsibilities, long hours and emotional/physical drain, how can these not be desired commodities?
   • Necessaryto fulfill the biblical passages that stress diligence and discipline (Pr. 6:6-11; 1 Cor. 9:24-27; 2 Tim. 2:5-6; 4:7).
   • "Whateveryour hand finds to do, do it with all your might" (Ecc. 9:10).
   • "It is the part of a Christian to take care of his own body for the very purpose that by its soundness and well-being he may be enabled to labor for the aid of those who are in want, and thus the stronger member may serve the weaker member" (Martin Luther).
3. Greater focus and concentration
   • Studies show a correlation between exercise and healthy brain activity.
   • We need our mind to be at its sharpest potential as we labor in study, lesson preparation and problem solving.
   • Enhances more attentiveness in meditation and prayer.
4. Improved sleep
   • Fall asleep quicker, sleep better and walk-up feeling more refreshed.
5. Healthier eating
   • Body will crave healthier foods.
   • Discipline to choose healthier foods.
6. Helps to reduce and manage stress
   • We surely need this one!
7. Helps to mortify sin
   • Specifically the sins of self-indulgence, gluttony, love of ease and pleasure.
   • Body and soul are so integrated that the habits of one often lead to the habits of the other.
   • Indulgence in sensual pleasures lead to indulgence of the soul so we must learn to avoid gratifying bodily wants. Often one who is undisciplined in the realm of the physical is also undisciplined in the realms of devotional life, emotions, time and use of possessions.
   • "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified" (1 Cor. 9:24-27).
8. Love for spouse and family
   • Most relationships start off based on physical attractiveness (see Song of Solomon). In loving our spouse we should reasonably maintain that attractiveness and not adopt the mentality that says, "Get the ring and let the body do its thing."
   • Do we exercise love toward our family if we die a premature death due to physical neglect? Is it a loving act if our grandchildren live the majority of their lives without us (either due to death or inactivity) because we chose an undisciplined lifestyle?
   • Are we a source of our child's glory (Pr. 17:6b)? What do we communicate to our children through our posture, frame, vigor, stamina and strength? Are we a source of admiration for them?
9. Appearance
   • Based on our physical condition are we "above reproach" in the areas of self-control, self-discipline and temperance (moderation)?
   • Allows us to preach with greater conviction on certain issues. Gives power to our lesson and avoids hypocrisy.
   • First Peter 5:3 teaches us that pastors are to be examples to the flock.

How may we care for our bodies?

Resting

• Get a sufficient amount of sleep.
• Long term and short term recreation. Give the mind a break. Take some time away from the daily grind of church ministry. Find outlets suitable to your personality.
• Change your schedule around for variety.
• There are many biblical accounts of Jesus "withdrawing" (Mt. 14:13, 23). Granted these were times He spent with the Father, but if the crowds could do without Him for a season, they can do without us as well! And if the Son of God saw the need to "get away" what does that say about us?
• A refreshed pastor will always be a more effective pastor.

Eating

• Exercise some self-control!
• What do you do for lunches? Consider fasting! It reduces caloric intake, but moreover, it is an excellent way to stay more alert, dedicated to prayer and feel the desperate need for God.
• Eat foods that allow your mind to stay sharp and your body from becoming weary.
• Drink a lot of water throughout the day.
• Avoid junk food.
• Keep in mind the principle of moderation.
• Examine what they ate during the biblical times.

Exercising

• Consider a formalized exercise regime outside the office that involves deliberate exercise for flexibility, muscular strength, muscular endurance and cardiovascular endurance.
• Combine exercise with your daily responsibilities (prayer walks, walking while counseling, and simple breaks from the desk to stretch).