Model Behavior

William H. Banegas April 12, 2015

Scripture Passage: I Timothy 4:12 “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.”

Theme: Show the world what it means to be a believer!

Introduction: Role models. Probably as I reference this phrase, you can think of people who impacted your life in a positive fashion. People whose actions, character and word choices stood out to you as something that you wanted to emulate. Our world today doesn’t lack for individuals that are set up on a pedestal as successes whom others want to pattern their lives and follow after. In fact as some of you drive to work you may hear on the radio advertisements for programs designed to put young people in a positive environment where they can learn how to live from a “Big Brother or Big Sister”. On the flip side, there are some individuals who are set on this pedestal not by virtue of their sterling character but rather because of their influence, albeit at times negative. In the abundance of those who model behavior for the world, we as Christians are called to model the highest ideals as presented in the Christian life. And so, I ask you to consider with me today the challenge to: Show the world what it means to be a believer!

As we continue, I want us to consider the question, “Why did Paul instruct Timothy to be a model believer?” To answer this question we really need to take a long hard look at ourselves. Because you see Paul identifies on the surface and by implication that...

Fallen Condition Focus: Daily pressures and our own our own corrupted desires will potentially discourage model behavior if we let them.

Discouraging Model Behavior

Corrupt Influences. (1 Timothy 4:12)

You see, according to this verse, some people, likely older than Timothy, were trying to influence him to a lifestyle they wanted him to live.

Paul recognizes the sinful qualities of giving into such peer pressure as he encourages Timothy to not only reject their influence but gives him the pattern for the believer’s model behavior as we shall consider later.

If Timothy were to give into their discouragement, he would turn away from living the life of a model believer and therefore disobey this admonition and be guilty of sinning.

We find similar influences, or Peer Pressure, today that would encourage us to live a lifestyle of sin.

According to an article on the Business Standard website, a study was published in the Journal of Adolescent Health in which 30,000 teenagers were surveyed and determined that “most kids turn delinquent because of pressure.”

The study went on to identify that 60% of those surveyed, or around 18,000 teens, were considered the peer pressure group with each having committed, on average, “44 acts of delinquency over the past year.”

The Bible warns us against those who would influence us to sin, “My son, if sinners entice thee, Consent thou not.” (Proverbs 1:10, KJV 1900)

If sinners invite you to join in their sin, reject their invitation.

That, my friends, is an RSVP that you should mark as “declined”.

Transition: Why does the Bible have to tell us not to join in the sinful activities of others? It’s because, we want to.

Corrupt Desires. (1 Timothy 4:12)

You see folks, if Timothy were to give in to the negative influences of his peers at Ephesus, he would not only be submitting to their influence but would demonstrate that it’s something he wanted to do all along.

Ultimately, people are going to do what they want to do and they will go to great lengths to do it.

Because of the sinful quality of this influence, if Timothy were to give in he would have demonstrated the corrupt nature of his desires.

James 4 makes it very clear that having corrupt desires is a universal condition.

Where do all of the world’s problems come from? They all start with our corrupt desires.

Romans 3:10-12 goes even further to specify that we don’t even want to do what is good.

This doesn’t mean that we are incapable of showing kindness towards others.

Rather, because of the corrupt nature of our desires, we can never do anything that is truly good apart from God’s help.

When you combine the influence of others and the pressure to do what is wrong with our corrupt desires you end up with sin, but then again, none of us needs encouragement to sin as it comes naturally.

Transition: But how did our desires become corrupted? Our desires are corrupted through our corrupt nature.

Corrupt nature

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” (Romans 5:12, KJV 1900)

You seek folks, this condition is nearly as old as humanity.

The very first couple, Adam and Eve, created in God’s image, made to enjoy permanent fellowship with Him, briefly enjoyed the bounty of God’s goodness in His gracious provision of all things.

However, they chose to disobey the Good God of the universe, reject all of God's kindness and plunge all of mankind headlong into sin.

Very simply, death is separation.

When a person’s body dies, they are separated from their body, the things they accumulated and from those that they left behind.

Though thanks to the first couple, funerals are a grievous reality, that is not the worst of it for when the first couple disobeyed God they lost a right relationship with Him and not just for themselves but for all of humanity.

Since that time, God has been on a mission to restore man to being rightly related with Himself forevermore and now we as believers have the opportunity to demonstrate to the world the joys of what it means to be a believer and in a right relationship with God.

Ultimately, we must choose what influence we are going to allow to dominate: the influence of others or that of God’s Word.

Are we going to allow the world and others who are not following after Christ to pressure us to abandon model Christian behavior and therefore give in to our own corrupt desires and nature

Or are we going to submit to the authority of God's Word?

Transition: In order to live a life which appropriately models the right kind of behavior for believers, you must have the right kind of motivation.

Motivating Model Behavior

Because Jesus saved you. (1 Timothy 4:10)

Jesus is an equal-opportunity Savior.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16, KJV 1900)

Here we see both the greatest love as demonstrated by God and the greatest opportunity as freely offered to all of mankind to have a permanent right relationship with God.

Romans 10:13 underscores the magnitude of this opportunity afforded to all mankind.

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13, KJV 1900)

Jesus will save only those who believe.

It can be generally said that Jesus is the Savior of all men because of this greatest opportunity afforded to all.

But only those who believe will receive the benefits of the salvation that Jesus the Savior offers.

Transition: Not only do we have this positive motivation but we also have a global motivation.

Because this world needs examples. (1 Timothy 1:20; 4:1-5)

You see folks, negative examples abound as much today as it did in Paul’s day. (1 Timothy 1:20)

Though little is known about Hymenaeus and Alexander, two things are clear: they departed from the faith through their blasphemy or their speaking evil of someone or of Christ.

Nevertheless, we see that even in Paul’s day, one needed to be careful as negative examples were everywhere.

Even then, these negative examples will grow worse. (1 Timothy 4:1-5)

Transition: So how do we move from being motivated to model Christian behavior to the act itself? You need to follow the pattern.

Patterning Model Behavior (1 Timothy 4:12)

Model Speech

Consistent Speech (1Timothy 3:8, 11)

Honorable speech

Transition: The best way to demonstrate honorable speech is that the content of their speech would be free from gossip.

Free from Gossip

Transition: unfortunately gossip is a grievous plague to God's people and must be avoided at all costs. Paul recounts how God has graciously saved him and praises Him for His mercy in spite of Paul's tainted background filled with blasphemy and persecution with a violent aggression. And so Paul models for us that we should ...

Share what Jesus has done for you (1 Timothy 1:12-17)

Share with Jesus in prayer (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

Transition: in addition to model speech, Paul identifies that we are to have model conduct, or conversation.

Model Conduct

Focus on godliness (1 Timothy 2:9-10; 4:7-8 [Benefits of godliness])

This doesn’t mean total neglect of physical appearance.

Rather, in spite of the contemporary preoccupation with appearance, focus more on godliness.

Godliness is doubly profitable, both for this life now and the life to come with God forevermore.

Transition: In addition to focusing on godliness, Paul gives a unique admonition in the last two verses of 1 Timothy 5.

Be mindful of your actions (1 Timothy 5:24-25)

This world is watching us very carefully, especially for when we fail.

Therefore we need to be very careful to focus on godliness as there are people who are watching our every move.

Transition: In addition to model speech and model conduct, Paul encourages us to demonstrate model love.

Model Love

Love is an important distinguishing characteristic (John 13:35)

Love within the right priority (Matthew 22:37-40)

Love without prejudice (1 Timothy 1:5)

Undivided love

Love based not on what someone can or cannot do or even what they have or don't have.

Transition: I submit to you folks that this is something that the world could use more of, but especially from believers. In addition to model love, we are called on to demonstrate a model trust. It is probably best for us consider the concept of spirit in conjunction with the model trust Paul calls on us to demonstrate.

Model Trust (Sincere faith, 1 Timothy 1:5)

Confidence in God

Dependability

Genuine faith (1 Timothy 1:5)

More than just lip service.

Faith that stands out during both trying and peaceful times.

Undeterred faith (1 Timothy 4:10)

Nothing will remove you from the foundation of faith established on God and His Word.

Building an undeterred faith requires consistent nourishment from God’s Word. (1Timothy 4:6)

Transition: Nourishment carries with it the idea of being hungry and seeking food to satisfy that hunger. Think about if we were to apply ourselves to the diligent study of God's Word with the same powerful appetite that some demonstrate towards food. Having considered model speech, conduct, love and trust let us conclude by considering purity or model relationships.

Model Relationships

Strive for purity (1 Timothy 5:1-2, 1 Thessalonians 4:3)

Flee from immorality and remain morally pure

Seek to honor others as one should in right relations with family members

Maintain integrity (1 Timothy 1:5, 6:1-2)

Develop a good conscience

Maintain integrity in all of your business relationships

While Paul does not commend slavery, the ancient example which Paul underscores for the master/slave relationship serves as a great pattern for how we interact in our business relationships.

Faithfully execute responsibilities.

Conclusion: In closing, I’de like to share with you A Model Testimony from 1 Timothy 1:12-16. “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.” (1 Timothy 1:12–16, KJV 1900) By Paul’s own confession, he spoke evil of others and attempted to destroy their lives with a violent passion because he formerly did not believe in Jesus. But what changed him? The same thing that can change us. The grace of God working in his life to produce towards Jesus Christ a love for both Jesus and others. Paul puts himself forward as a pattern, an example, a model that though he has a tainted background, through Jesus he can set the example for Timothy as to what it means to be a believer. Subsequently, Timothy can model for the Ephesians what it means to be a believer and because we have these words recorded for us, we are equipped to show the world also. Folks, to those assembled here today who have called on the Name of the Lord and confess Him as your Savior, I charge you and myself, Let’s show the world what it means to be a believer. Others assembled, I challenge you to contemplate the truths put before you today and seriously consider if you want Jesus to be apart of your life.