Be an Example
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Be an Example!
Be an Example!
Intro: Please open your Bibles to . We’ll read the verse and then pray. If God has called you to preach say amen. This verse was written to a preacher, by a preacher. It is apparent that Timothy had some apprehension about pastoring and preaching because of his age, but Paul encouraged him to not be afraid or held back by it. Paul taught Timothy that if you live what you preach, you can preach it to anyone. You can preach it to young or old and it will carry the same effect. Paul gives Timothy 6 areas to be an example in.
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.
I. Word.
A. Speak the right things. Stop using every new word you hear. Keep your words above reproach. A good English teach of mine taught me that there are penny words, nickel words, dime words, quarter words, and dollar words. You must use the words that make the most sense (cents).
B. Are your words worth repeating?
C. Our words are supposed to be kind.
Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
Our words are to have some grace and Christianity (salt) to them.
Be an example!
II. Conversation.
A. Lifestyle — How do you live? Do your co-workers know you are a Christian?
B. Would other Believers say you live like a real or genuine Christian, or are you just the run of the mill church member? Be an example.
C. , , , , ,
Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
D. Live your life for Jesus Christ! Be an example!
E. Do you live for the now and temporal or do you live for the future and eternal?
F. Your life is an investment, invest in things that will last.
G. Are you living for video games? Is that an example? Are you living for sports (Watching or playing)? Are you living for your girlfriend? Are you living for your secular job? None of these are bad, except for when they overshadow your living for Christ.
III. Charity.
A. , , , — Your love will affect your lifestyle.
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
B. Is your love an example that others would be right to follow, or would we have much strife if everyone had the same amount of love you do?
C. Do the love exercise — Compare with .
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
D. The ministry is loving people, love is an action, not a feeling.
E. You can’t do ministry without love!
F. Be the preacher that everyone knows he loves them. Be an example!
IV. Spirit.
A. Are you spiritual?
B. — Apollos had great spirit even when he didn’t know much, but after he was taught he did much for Christ. 28
This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.
C. You must be spiritual to have life and peace!
For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
D. The Spirit will give passion.
E. Your focus and investment will give passion.
F. Who will pray harder and more fervently? The father whose daughter is dying before his eyes as they are rushing to the hospital or the man who wants to find a good deal on a second car? The father is more invested!
G. Jesus had his passion the Bible says.
It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
H. Get invested in this thing; be spiritual! Be an example!
V. Faith.
A. If your faith real?
Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;
Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;
B. If your faith something worth talking about?
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment. By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
Paul’s was.
Peter’s was.
The Centurion’s was.
C. Is your faith proven?
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
D. Is your faith being tested?
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
If your faith isn’t being tested, and you haven’t recently come out a test, then something is wrong? Have a faith check. Check it with God’s Word. Rom. 10:17
E. Is your faith something that others notice?
F. Do you have “normal” faith? I don’t want a normal faith, I don’t want to be a normal Christian, I don’t want to live a normal life! I want to live a changed life, I want to live a radical life. I want to live a life that makes other people realize they can have more than a ‘normal’ Christianity, a ‘normal’ faith!
G. Have a faith worthy of being an example!
VI. Purity.
A. We are down on this one, but we can’t lose it!
B. Is your life a worthy example of purity? (Private and public)
C. Guys, how are you doing with your cellphone? Pornography has never and will never be ok, it is vile and the opposite of purity. It is easier than ever to make ourselves impure which is why it is more important than ever that we be and stay pure.
D. We are to keep ourselves pure, be simple concerning evil the Bible says. ,
Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.
For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
E. Water can be purified after it is polluted, so can you. ,
And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.
Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh
And intermeddleth with all wisdom.
One way is through heat, water is cleaned by heat! This is God working on us. (Boiling)
Another way is through a filter, it will catch whatever is dirty and remove it from the water. Poor yourself through the filter of God’s Word, see what fits and what doesn’t!
Another way of cleansing is by dilution, the more water there is than the pollutant, then the better it will get. To do this you need a LOT of water, you need a LOT of God’s Word being put into you.
F. Be an example!
Closing: All of this isn’t done in a prideful manner or for the eyes of men, but it is our obligation at the command of God through Paul. If you are preacher, this applies to you! If you are a Christian, this applies to you! If you want to make it in the ministry, you must apply this to you! Be an example! If you haven’t been, you can become one! If you don’t think you can, you are wrong, God can make anyone an example, but you must yield yourself to Him. Be an example!