1tim4v12

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Read: 1 Timothy 4:1-16 Text v12 [Series 15]

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

We must read this epistle from Paul to Timothy very carefully
It is not for us to conclude that because it was written by a pastor/minister to a pastor/minister that there is nothing here for us to apply to ourselves
There are always lessons to be learned in the Bible
We see this principle set forth for us in Hosea 12:4
Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake WITH US
The words that were first spoken to Jacob were also for those of Hosea’s day (centuries later) and still for us in our day
Generally speaking, any requirements of pastors are also the requirements in principle for the Christian in the pew
At the very least, if the pew sitters are not to actually rule in the church, then let them learn to support those whose responsibility it is – the lessons are there to be learned
Let us not walk away from any Bible verse on a mere technicality

In our verse, we note that there is a twofold reference to Timothy here – both of which might not strictly apply to us, but neither of which allows us any room for complacency or escape:

[i] As seen before – Timothy was a pastor in the church
[ii] This is new information: Timothy was a young man also

Evidently there had been those (or else, Paul was being perceptive of human nature) who despised Timothy’s youth
They would listen to his sermons/exhortations and reject the bits they didn’t like on the basis that he was young
Would smile knowingly and put it down to the exuberance/youth
Paul says that this was not to be

Furthermore, as a young pastor, he was to be an example to his flock (Greek: type) – a template for others to imitate/use
Perhaps words “Let no despise/youth” means: Flee youthful lusts and immaturity as injurious/ministry
Reality is: Whether in the ministry/young or not – every Christian is to be an example to the believers
We cannot sit back in the pew and say:
“I don’t have to take this business too seriously. I am not a young pastor setting off with great zeal with all his responsibilities.”

As said: We may not be in the ministry or we may not be young – but the requirement is just the same nevertheless
Let no professing Christian ever look for an easy route that allows him to indulge himself in the things of the world

Just before we go down the things in which we ought to be an example to other Christians, let us put to bed the ready excuse that we could never be an example in our own strength
The answer to this excuse is found in the very text itself
We are to be examples to the Believers
A Believer is not only a man who has experienced Acts 16:31
That is only the beginning – the new birth into the Christian life
The Believer is a man who walks/lives by faith in the Son of God
A Believer is a man who says (by faith) I can do all things through Christ that strengtheneth me (Philippians 4:13)
So it is not beyond us if we walk by faith in the Son of God

1) BE AN EXAMPLE OF THE BELIEVERS IN WORD:

A/ Word here means speech – i.e. the things which you say
Calvin denies that it is referring to preaching, but everyday talk
When we read James 3 about the dangers/tongue, we see that Paul pushed Timothy in at the deep end here!
Yet, success here (or limited damage perhaps) is a great success
Words are very powerful things indeed

B/ A word fitly spoken is like apples/gold in pictures/silver
This portrays something that is both beautiful and rich
Such a word can greatly encourage another Christian
Although slightly out/context yet think of Leviticus 10:20
And when Moses heard that, he was content.
Context: Aaron explaining his motives and so caused Moses to withdraw his thoughts of rebuke…but see the impact/words
What contentment you can bring to a soul by your words

C/ When it says: And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God. (1Samuel 23:16)
Are we to suppose that this was done without words?
Jonathan was a godly young man – we have examples elsewhere of his examples/speech and they are impressive
We see him use these words skilfully to (at least temporarily)
assuage his father’s anger towards David
Here (23:16) he used his words wisely to actually strengthen David’s hand in God - note the qualification “in God”
No mere pep talk with the lasting qualities of a soap bubble

D/ OTOH a word ill spoken can devastate someone irreparably
One single word, hissed out in spite/anger or in a mock can lie forever as a stain on a character
Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! (James 3:5)
The matter becomes so much more exaggerated when a pastor becomes guilty of such a thing
Pastors are human and subject to human passions
I remind you that Moses was the meekest man/earth and yet in anger he smote the rock and paid a heavy price
The tongue (of all things) is a slippery customer indeed
Nevertheless…we ought to be an example here
If we can be an example here – it will be noticed

E/ Part/answer (it is not a DIY matter) is very practical indeed
Simple: Study to be quiet (1 Thessalonians 4:11)
Often we get into trouble over things we could have avoided
If we are obliged to open our mouths – remember this advice:
He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. (Proverbs 18:13)
Again: Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. (Colossians 4:6)

But do aim to be an example/Christians in your speech
Do you what will happen if you are?
People will stop talking when you speak and will listen to what you have got to say, knowing that it is worth listening to

2) BE AN EXAMPLE TO BELIEVERS IN YOUR MANNER/LIFE:

A/ Word “conversation” (AV) means your whole way/living
Not only what you say…but what you do
Matthew Henry is fond is speaking about a preacher of whom it could be said that when he was out of the pulpit, the people said that it was a pity, he ever entered in…and when he was outside his pulpit, that it was a pity he ever entered into it

B/ Words – even the best – are cheap if not lived out
An inconsistent Christian, even with quoting the Bible etc., does great damage – he undoes his words with his actions
Really is a case: double or quits…and quits does not suit/Christian
Not talking here (practical terms) about sinless perfection
We would all be dummies if this was the first step to speaking
Such is the way/God that even the world (at large) will excuse a Christian who is less than perfect and allow his overall stand
True: Will always be those who will seek to take advantage of it, but they are seen (even by the world) for what they really are

C/ But let a Christian live consistently according to his words (being the word/God) and that man will be noted
The world cannot miss him and will even secretly admire him

D/ Consider the testimony which Daniel had – even in heathen Babylon where he had been carried away as a slave
Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God. (6:5)
What a testimony!
This holy man had been scrutinised in his every move – perhaps for weeks – and they concluded that they could only outlaw his (very high) standard by which they lived his life

Be an example to the Christians in what you say and do
The great woman/Samaria (2 Kings 4:9)
And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.
There was something about the way that Elisha conducted his every day business that marked him out as a holy man from God
May it be the same for us whether in the pulpit or the pew

3) BE AN EXAMPLE TO BELIEVERS IN YOUR LOVE:

A/ Paul says (1 Corinthians 13) that the absence of love in any aspect of our life (word/deeds as before) means: we are nothing
If I give my body to be burned – know all mysteries etc., and have not love – I am nothing
It is the same word that is used when salt has lost its savour – it is good for nothing, but to be thrown away as useless (Matthew 5:13)
Salt was used in ancient times to preserve meat or to flavour
But no one would use useless salt to preserve meat or flavour
If you returned to the carcass/meat a few weeks later, it would be rotting meat because the salt was useless – of no value
If you were pouring this salt unto food for flavouring and you couldn’t taste it – you would not so much as lift the cellar
You would not give the salt house room because it is worthless
So too that man who has not love - despite whatever else he has

B/ In our text, Timothy/us is being exhorted not only to show love (real love – not the artificial and superficial love bombing) but to be an example in it – this is the extra mile stuff

C/ More practical advice to help us on the way:
Greatly benefit us to remember what we were and what we deserved when God showered forth His love upon us
Consider too the depths of God’s love towards us:
He spared not His only Son but delivered Him up for us all
John took up this theme also in 1 John 3:1
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
It would be totally useless for John to specifically draw attention to the manner/God’s love if it were not marvellous
No coincidence that a little further down, John goes further:
For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. (v11)
But notice that he laid the foundation first in reminding his readers of God’s marvellous love towards them

How did Paul preach the gospel to sinners in truth and in love (the many waters of persecution etc., being unable to quench his exemplary love? He tells us himself: (2 Corinthians 5:14)
The love of Christ (Christ’s love towards him) constraineth me

4) BE AN EXAMPLE OF THE BELIEVERS IN SPIRIT:

A/ Spirit here means for us to be zealous
Be full of fire for the Lord! Be enthusiastic!
Do not grow weary in well doing and let the ardour dampen down
Maintain the zeal for the things of God

B/ An exemplary zeal is not measured necessarily by its warmth
Zeal is like fire – of great benefit and yet of great danger
Zeal must be kept in the grate if no one is to get hurt
Exemplary zeal is a zeal that is according to knowledge
What is a man profited if he is zealously persuing a wrong path
We must admire the zeal of the Mormons/JW’S (which often puts us to shame) but is it commendable?
Should we be out tramping round housing estates with the WT?
Evidently not - their zeal is not according to knowledge
They are gaining nothing by their dedication and helping no one
But let this zeal be according to Biblical principles

C/ Two things are significant here at this point:

[i] Zeal was not put at the top of the list as if it were everything
It finds itself nestled in between love and faith in the list
They are the grate that keeps the fire/zeal from burning people
We talk about hotheads – the phrase is not a compliment

So being an example here does not mean that we are fanatical
We could never accuse our Lord Jesus as a fanatic
He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. (Matthew 12:19)
Mr Wesley says that it means that he would not scream/streets
Yet, the disciples saw Him and remembered that it was written:
The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up (John 2:17)

[ii] Significant that it is followed by the exhortation of v11 where he is exhorted to be constantly reading good literature

5) BE AN EXAMPLE OF THE BELIEVERS IN FAITH:

A/ Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6)
That which is not of faith (as its foundation) is sin (Romans 14:23)

B/ What is faith? It is trusting God whatever the difficulties
It is to walk with a single eye on the promises/God even though there is no evidence that your hopes etc., will be fulfilled
As the evidence appears – the level of faith disappears

C/ The Christian is saved by faith (Acts 16:31)
The Christian is to walk by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7)
The Christian is to live by faith (Hebrews 10:38)
These are basic things
But Paul wanted Timothy to be an example in these things

Sometimes in the internet/computer world, we are happy to run with the freebee stuff in software that is just about useful and no more – we forgo all the extra’s which could be so useful
Because it costs money – we settle for second best
That’s fine in the internet world – but not in spiritual things

6) BE AN EXAMPLE TO BELIEVERS IN PURITY:

A/ Could have been left unnamed and tucked in under conversation
But Paul named it –being last/list does not denote unimportance
Keep thy self pure (5:22)
We should abstain from all appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22)
Our age is an impure age – constantly bombarded with impurity
God wants us not to be pure but be an example to other saints
Do you remember that verse I quoted you from 1John 3:1?
And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. (1 John 3:3)

If you are the template (Greek word: type) – then others will use you
And that can only redound to the glory of God!

THE END

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