“Be an Example”

1 Timothy 4:12-16 - 5:1-16

Last week: Paul issued a warning, that some will depart from the faith to follow after deceitful spirits and the teaching of demons

Staggering statistics of 70 percent of the youth will depart after High School

1. (V12) Let no one despise you for your youth, but be an example

(NKJV) “Be an example to all believers”

a) The word youth in the ancient Greek was “Used of grown-up military age, extending to the 40th year”

It seems that Timothy was about 30 years old at this time

The responsibility is great and overwhelming for Timothy

b) Be an example in

Speech (The things we speak)

In conduct (How we live)

In love (Loving towards others)

In faith (Not lacking faith)

In Purity (clean living)

2. (V13) Paul telling Timothy to devote Himself to the reading scriptures, exhortation, and teaching

a) Devote yourself, go all in

devoting yourself requires sacrifice

b) Exhortation

The word most often translated “exhort” or “exhortation” comes from the Greek word paraklésis, which means “to call to one’s side; to summon, encourage, to reprimand firmly, entreat (To ask someone earnestly or anxiously).

To exhort is to develop relationships with other believers for the purpose of encouraging them in their spiritual growth.

My job is to exhort you. Most of the time I will do so through the teaching of Gods word

2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,”

3. (V16) Progressing in godliness is a benefit to you and others

a) Keep close watch on yourself

First we need to make sure that we’re progressing in godliness

If I’m not walking strongly with the Lord how am I going to influence you?

b) Teach sound doctrine

Acts 20:28 “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.”

4. (V1) Do rebuke an older man but encourage Him

1 Tim 5:1 (NLT) “Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father”.

a) Paul telling young Timothy to tread lightly

Remember Timothy is a young pastor and older people may have a hard time receiving from someone with less life experience.

Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”

Illustration of an older man explaining to me the purpose of worship after coming into service late

Sometimes its not what you say but how you say it

5. (V3-16) Helping widows and people in need

James 1:27 “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

No welfare system and the widows are in a vulnerable situation, so God calls the church to help meet the needs

a) What is the criteria?

No other family (Truly a widow)

60 years old

Faithful to the Lord

Not a gossip

b) God calls us to provide for our relatives