Sermon Tone Analysis

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Are you living a life shaped by the Gospel?

Society now has this misconception on what it means to be a Christian.

Some say morality does not matter as long as you believe in Christ.

However, is that true?

Can you be a Christian, and yet believe and live out things that are not true.

Timothy was the main pastor in Ephesus.

He was facing many of the same things we are today.

Like is their more than one truth?

Or does living upright lives really matter?

It is important to note that this letter was first written to Timothy who was a Pastor.

However it does not mean that there is not a lot of practical information for all believers.

Timothy was facing Judaizes and others opposed to truths of the gospel.

Many of them where trying to add too or take out truths that were found in Scripture.

Paul calls out Timothy to rightly teach and live out God’s Word while being an example for others.

A life shaped by the gospel transforms us to the image of Christ.

The question is how can we live a life where we are becoming more like Christ?

Once we have been called from death to life our goal should be to be like Christ.

Our text today will be -16E SV.

However I want to start in verse 6 to lay the context.

If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.

Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths.

Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance.

For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

Command and teach these things.

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.

Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.

Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.

Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching.

Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Are you living a life shaped by the Gospel?

Society now has this misconception on what it means to be a Christian.

Some say morality does not matter as long as you believe in Christ.

However, is that true?

Can you be a Christian, and yet believe and live out things that are not true.

Timothy was the main pastor in Ephesus.

He was facing many of the same things we are today.

Like is their more than one truth?

Or does living upright lives really matter?

Timothy was facing Judaizes and others opposed to truths of the gospel.

Many of them where trying to add too or take out truths that were found in Scripture.

Paul calls out Timothy to rightly teach and live out God’s Word while being an example for others.

A life shaped by the gospel transforms us to the image of Christ.

The question is how can we live a life where we are becoming more like Christ?

Once we have been called from death to life our goal should be to be like Christ.

Our text today will be .

However I want to start in verse 6 to lay the context.

If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.

Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths.

Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance.

For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

Command and teach these things.

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.

Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.

Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.

Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching.

Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Point 1: A Life Shaped by the Gospel will be an example to others.

This truth had great importance to Timothy.

Timothy was young compared to many other leaders in that time.

He was no doubt looked down upon because of his age.

Most scholars believe, Timothy would probably have been less than forty years old.[1]

One Commentator put it like this, “In a culture where “elders” were highly regarded, and in a church where the elders would have been older than he, this is not an insignificant encouragement.

But for the same reasons, it is likewise a word to the community, to let them know that, despite his youth, he has Paul’s own authority to command and teach these things (v.

11).”

[2] No doubt this was a powerful reminder to Timothy that he was called to lead the church despite his age.

John Piper notes, “So Paul’s main point is that Timothy should not have low expectations of the impact of his life toward those who are older.

He should look to God, believe in the gospel, do what God calls him to do, and in that way become an example to the rest.”

[3]

However, Paul wanted him to be an example to his people.

This example would no doubt help defend his call to ministry.

It is one thing to be a teacher, but it another thing to be an example to the church.

Luckily Timothy had a great example in Paul.

We see this in it says, “You however have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me.”

Paul had been through a lot, and he remained faithful.

He wanted young Timothy to be faithful as well.

So Paul charged Timothy with five examples.

They are speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.

One commentary says, “The virtues Timothy is to model for them are those that some scholars have felt to be missing in the list of qualifications for church leadership, but even here they stand in contrast to the conduct of the false teachers.”

[4] These examples are not just for Paul.

They were for all believers.

In terms of Speech all Christians are called to speak in a way that is pure.

A great example is found in were Paul states, “let your speech be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”

A Christian’s speech is important when it comes to beings an example.

Another example is conduct.

says, “but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy, in your conduct.”

Personal holiness is an important to those who are in Christ and right conduct shows that you are Holy.

The next example is love.

In the Greek agape means a strong non-sexual affection and regard for a person and their good as understood by Gods moral character; especially characterized by a willing forfeiture or rights or privileges in another person’s behalf.

So really this kind of love is self-sacrificing love.

This love was contrary to that of the false teachers of the day who were all about themselves.

Paul commands Timothy and us to live a self-sacrificial life that is shaped by the Gospel.

Faith is our next example.

What about faith?

A faith that is believing?

I don’t believe that is the kind of faith Paul is telling Timothy here.

I believe Paul is telling Timothy to be faithful and committed to his call.

At the beginning of this book Paul says in , “The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith.”