DESPISE NOT THY YOUTH

Shortly after a recent seminary graduate had assumed his first pastorate, he and his wife went visit his family one Saturday. His mother sensed that her daughter-in-law was unhappy, but—not wishing to be meddlesome—pretended not to notice. As they departed, she heard her daughter-in-law say, “All right, we can go by the church and you can practice baptizing me just one more time. But remember this—when you have your first funeral, you are not going to practice burying me.”

1 Timothy 6

1 Timothy 4:6–16 KJV 1900

6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. 7 But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. 8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. 9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. 10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. 11 These things command and teach. 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. 13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. 15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. 16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Ministry, Preparation for

Shortly after a recent seminary graduate had assumed his first pastorate, he and his wife went to visit his family one Saturday. His mother sensed that her daughter-in-law was unhappy, but—not wishing to be meddlesome—pretended not to notice. As they departed, she heard her daughter-in-law say, “All right, we can go by the church and you can practice baptizing me just one more time. But remember this—when you have your first funeral, you are not going to practice burying me.”

1 Timothy 4:6 KJV 1900

6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

The good minister (4:6)

i Timothy 4

The good minister (4:6)

a. 4:6. The following instructions were directed to Timothy, a minister of the gospel.

i. To all Christian leaders. But Paul’s words were not for the select few.

ii. They apply to all believers in Christ.

b. Paul referred back to the warnings he has just given about false teaching.

i. He told Timothy, If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus.

ii. Leaders cannot afford to let doctrinal compromise or wrong ideas creep into their congregations.

iii. These fundamental issues of faith and right action must be guarded.

c. Paul reminded all Christians that a good minister is one who continues in the truths of the faith and the good teaching.

i. Constant spiritual nourishment is essential.

ii. Out of it our lives and teaching flow.

iii. Ministry work must never become so demanding that the first priority of spending time in personal spiritual renewal, and growth is ignored.

iv. Ministry will lose its power and effectiveness when leaders neglect their spiritual development.

1 Timothy 4:7–11 KJV 1900

7 But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. 8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. 9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. 10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. 11 These things command and teach.

2. Warnings and directions (4:7–11)

a. 4:7. Not everything promoted as spiritual is good for our development.

b.Some things fall under the category of godless myths and old wives’ tales.

i. These are to be strictly avoided. Paul declared.

ii. In our own time these may come in the new theologies, popular spiritual movements, curiosities about numbers, pyramids, and dates.

iii. We must be aware of all the false and distracting “knowledge” that presents itself as spiritual.

iv. Then stay far from it and warn others of its ungodly results.

v. To be able to discern the false from the true, a believer must be solidly grounded in the truth of God.

b. We can safeguard ourselves and those we lead or influence by training ourselves to be godly.

d. The Greek word gymnazo is translated “train.” It means to exercise ourselves.

i. Doing this takes discipline and purposeful decision.

ii. Nobody ever wakes up and stumbles into exercise.

iii. The person who benefits most from exercise does it routinely and with determination.

iv. The athlete stretches and runs because these exercises lead him toward the greater goal of fitness.

v. In the same way; prayer, fasting, Bible study, and other disciplines are not ends in themselves but means to a fuller relationship with God.

vi. We pursue righteousness, peace, and love because we pursue God.

1 Timothy 4:8 KJV 1900

8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

a. 4:8. Paul declared, Physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things.

4:8. Paul declared, Physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things. Physical training is limited to just that—the physical dimensions of life. Godliness, on the other hand, penetrates every aspect of life. Godliness affects everything: our view of self, marriage, parenting, business, civic responsibilities, environmental outlook, relationship with our next-door neighbors. Nothing escapes godliness; it covers everything.

i. Physical training is limited to just that—the physical dimensions of life.

ii.Godliness, on the other hand, penetrates every aspect of life.

iii.Godliness affects everything: our view of self, marriage, parenting, business, civic responsibilities, environmental outlook, relationship with our next-door neighbors.

iv. Nothing escapes godliness; it covers everything.

v. Godliness is not limited only to the present; it also extends to our life to come:

vi. Godliness holds promise for both the present life and the life to come.

vii. It does not matter if a person invests in physical exercise or careful dietary plans.

viii. Inevitably, death confronts us. Jesus addressed this truth when he said,

Mark 8:36 KJV 1900

36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

: 9-10

1 Timothy 4:9–10 KJV 1900

9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. 10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.

a. 4:9–10. Spiritual growth and nourishment and disciplines for godliness.

What we become in this life we carry into eternity.

4:9–10. Spiritual growth and nourishment and disciplines for godliness do not exist in a vacuum. They must be grounded in the living Christ. Paul underscored this idea by stating, This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. This is the thing for which the apostles and followers of Christ labor and strive. They had one purpose in their work. They committed themselves to one urgent and pressing goal—the spread of the gospel.

i. They must be grounded in the living Christ.

ii. Paul underscored this idea by stating, This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance.

iii. This is the thing for which the apostles and followers of Christ labor and strive.

iv. They had one purpose in their work. They committed themselves to one urgent and pressing goal is to the spread of the gospel.

b. Their hope was not in performance, legalisms, or mere talk.

i. The touchstone of faith for all who believe is that hope is placed in the living God, who is the Savior of all men.

ii. The God we follow is living, interactive, and present in our lives.

iii. Our confidence rests in a God who is ever-living.

c.Since only God is the Savior of all people, only one message brings hope to the human condition.

i. There is only one way by which people can be saved into a new realm of God’s rule and righteousness, then it is imperative that we tell others about this way.

John 14:6 KJV 1900

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

ii.Although God is the Savior of all, not everyone will be saved.

iii. He is the Savior especially of those who believe.

iv. There will be those who refuse, some who cling to idols.

v. They will fulfill Jonah’s ancient and prophetic voice.

Jonah 2:8 KJV 1900

8 They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.

Jonah 2:8 KJV 1900

8 They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.

John 2:8 LEB

8 And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the head steward. So they took it.

Jonah

vi. Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.

“Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs” ().

Those who put their hope in the living God acknowledge the truth and embrace the truth. They believe that “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God” and know that “by believing [they] have life in his name” (). We do not believe and then add works to our faith, just to make sure. We do not believe and then make up additional rules for righteousness. We put full trust in Christ, resting in his righteousness.

vii. Those who put their hope in the living God acknowledge the truth and embrace the truth.

viii. They believe that “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God” and know that “by believing [they] have life in his name”

John 20:31 KJV 1900

31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

d. We do not believe and then add works to our faith, just to make sure.

: 31

e. We do not believe and then make up additional rules for righteousness.

(). We do not believe and then add works to our faith, just to make sure. We do not believe and then make up additional rules for righteousness. We put full trust in Christ, resting in his righteousness.

f. We put full trust in Christ, resting in his righteousness.

i.Our spiritual discipline and godly training are designed not to gain favor with God but to reinforce our trust in him.

Ephesians 2:8–9 KJV 1900

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Ephe

1 Timothy 4:11 KJV 1900

11 These things command and teach.

: 11

a. 4:11. Paul’s instruction was for Timothy and all church leaders to command and teach others about the Savior.

4:11. Paul’s instruction was for Timothy and all church leaders to command and teach others about the Savior. Grace is no side issue. Legalism is no weak enemy. Rules are great for discipline but not for righteousness.

i. Grace is no side issue.

ii. Legalism is no weak enemy.

iii. Rules are great for discipline but not for righteousness.

3. Conduct (4:12)

1 Timothy 4:12 KJV 1900

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.

a. 4:12. Chronological age does not necessarily bring spiritual maturity.

Hebrews 5:11–14 KJV 1900

11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. 12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

: 11-14

4:12. Chronological age does not necessarily bring spiritual maturity (). Deep devotion and spiritual strength as well as apathy and weakness can be found among young and old alike. Paul’s encouragement to Timothy, Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, should remind us that the issue for leadership is never age but spiritual development. True spiritual progress is more than exegetical expertise; it is marked by exemplary conduct and love.

b. Deep devotion and spiritual strength as well as apathy and weakness can be found among young and old alike.

(). Deep devotion and spiritual strength as well as apathy and weakness can be found among young and old alike. Paul’s encouragement to Timothy, Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, should remind us that the issue for leadership is never age but spiritual development. True spiritual progress is more than exegetical expertise; it is marked by exemplary conduct and love.

i. Paul’s encouragement to Timothy, Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young.

ii. Should remind us that the issue for leadership is never age but spiritual development.

iii. True spiritual progress is more than exegetical expertise; it is marked by exemplary conduct and love.

c. But whatever the response of those around us, age is never an excuse for speaking or leading.

i. As Christians we are to set an example in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.

ii. It is how we conduct ourselves.

e. It is how we conduct ourselves.

iii. Speech is a valid indicator of a person’s character.

Matthew 12:34 KJV 1900

34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

iv. The principle is to pursue Christ so diligently that the inner spirit is purified, producing only good and appropriate things to say.

ii. The principle is to pursue Christ so diligently that the inner spirit is purified, producing only good and appropriate things to say.

(). Of course, the point is not to muzzle our mouths, for we can be silent and very wicked. The principle is to pursue Christ so diligently that the inner spirit is purified, producing only good and appropriate things to say. The same is true of our outward acts, our lifestyle.

v. The same is true of our outward acts, our lifestyle.

1. Faith and love are the essence of the Christian life.

2. Faith is our knowledge and confidence in Christ, our deep reliance on what he has done and what he declares as truth.

3. Love is the Holy Spirit’s action in our life, the evidence of our relationship with the God who rules.

4.Purity refers to sexual conduct and integrity of heart.

5. Sexuality seems to be a mysterious picture of our relationship to God.

vi. God is very particular about how we treat our bodies and honor others.

vii. Sexual purity is a symbol of spiritual consecration.

viii. Misconduct in this area of life ruins fellowship with Christ and destroys a person’s influence and reputation with others.

d. Authentic spirituality cannot be separated from inner righteousness.

e. Christianity which is honest and genuine envelopes the entire person, from inner heart and spirit to outward behavior.

4.Spiritual gifts and God’s call (4:14)

1 Timothy 4:14 KJV 1900

14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

a. 4:14. Although this verse is an intensely personal message to Timothy regarding his spiritual gift, the same directive can be leveled to all Christians, especially those who lead: Do not neglect your gift.

4:14. Although this verse is an intensely personal message to Timothy regarding his spiritual gift, the same directive can be leveled to all Christians, especially those who lead: Do not neglect your gift.

b. Each Christian leader has been specifically gifted in some way by God for ministry.

i. The peculiar ability is given for the benefit of the church.

ii. With the gift comes a God-exacted responsibility.

c. The gift Paul referred to here was some capability which Timothy was given.

i. It came through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on him.

ii. It came through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

ii. This is not referring to laying on hand to heal someone, nor is that even possible now days.

iii. This is referring to Timothy’s ordination into ministry, a ceremony of approval by mature Christian leaders signified by the laying on of hands.

iv. This was an affirmation of God’s call upon Timothy’s life for special ministry to God and his church.

v. It made him responsible to both—the God who called him and the people whom he served.

5. Endurance (4:15)

1 Timothy 4:15 KJV 1900

15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

a. 4:15. Having outlined what is required for being a good minister before God and his people.

1 Timothy

4:15. Having outlined what is required for being a good minister before God and his people—what, in fact, is involved in true Christian living—Paul told Timothy to be diligent in all these things. The word diligence means “to keep at it,” “to practice with serious intent.” This is not a once-in-a-while proposition. This is day-to-day dedication.

i. What, in fact, is involved in true Christian living.

ii. Paul told Timothy to be diligent in all these things.

iii. The word diligence means “to keep at it,” “to practice with serious intent.”

iv. This is not a once-in-a-while proposition. This is day-to-day dedication.

b. Paul reinforced this appeal:

1. Give yourself wholly to these matters.

2. This literally this means, “be in these.”

3. Live them, breathe them, immerse yourself in them.

4. This is your life, not a job.

As Thomas Carlyle said, “No man ever became a saint in his sleep.”

vi. Such a life does not happen automatically without concerted effort and desire.

vii. As Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples”

John 8:31 KJV 1900

31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

John

John 8:31 KJV 1900

31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

c. What Jesus saying, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples”

1. A true follower or disciple of Christ abides, or lives, in what Jesus taught.

c A true follower or disciple of Christ abides, or lives, in what Jesus taught.

A true follower or disciple of Christ abides, or lives, in what Jesus taught.

2. If we live in God’s teaching, pursuing him every waking moment, everyone [will] see your progress.

3. A life growing progressively close to God, dynamically changing, cannot be hidden.

d. Timothy was to lead the way by pouring himself into Christian life and ministry.

f. Timothy was to lead the way by pouring himself into Christian life and ministry.

e. The church would respond because it would see progress, the authentic presence of Christ in his people.

6. Paul’s Recap’s (4: 16)

1 Timothy 4:16 KJV 1900

16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

1 tim

a. 4:16. Paul recapped what he has just written in detail:

1. Watch your life and doctrine closely.

2. Timothy could effectively control only himself.

3. We are the only person over whom we have immediate authority.

4. The ability to lead and influence others is connected to the ability to manage and live your own life well.

5. The Christian life hinges on conduct (life) as empowered by God’s Spirit and correct faith (doctrine).

b. Paul could not emphasize it enough: persevere in Christian life and doctrine.

i. Such commitment will be tried again and again.

ii. It has a beginning point at conversion and its full realization when we are united with Christ.

iii. In between is the process of becoming more Christlike in our person and behavior.

d. It has a beginning point at conversion and its full realization when we are united with Christ. e. In between is the process of becoming more Christlike in our person and behavior.

iv. Exemplary living and God’s truth will safeguard the leader and those whom he leads.

v. A leader’s perseverance in godliness will save his congregation from the dangers of false teachings.