Godly Example Through Youth
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Introduction:
Introduction:
In today's lesson we will be talking on how to not let your young age stop you from serving the Lord. It is very important that you start very early in your service for Christ, for the habits you make now, as far as your efforts of service to Christ,dictate how you will serve when you are older.Because
1 timothy
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. The Commission (Vs. 12b
I. The command (Vs. 12a)
So many times in life, we as the younger generation let our age stop us from fully serving Christ.
We think we can’t make a difference.
I.
We think no one will take us seriously.
We think we don’t have much to offer to the cause of Christ.
So we sit down and wait until we are “older” to start serving.
Timothy was facing the same fears as we face in thinking of our age.
But Paul has made it extremely clear to us to not
Timothy had many oppositions coming to meet him as he was readying himself for the pastorate at the church of Ephesus.
Timothy was probably the age of fifteen when he took over this church.
And the thought of his youth was making him fearful of his upcoming ministry.
Paul lovingly charges Timothy to let no man despise his youth.
He did not want Timothy to let the fact that he was young allow others to look down on him.
To
To allow this to make his ministry of little to no affect.
To let men despise him for the shear fact that he was younger than them.
The word despise here literally means to look down on.
It also means to treat with contempt.
To think little of.
To disregard.
As well it means to think highly of ones self.
This is interesting to point out.
For when people are thinking little of you that usually means they think too highly of themselves.
So Paul was being very clear to Timothy to not let the sheer fact of his age be grounds for others to have contempt for him.
To not take him seriously.
To disregard him as a kid who doesn’t have any usefulness.
Likewise we need to take this charge from Paul upon ourselves.
We must not let anyone stop us from serving Christ just because we are young.
We need not let their words cause our effectiveness for Christ to be hindered.
So in Paul’s charge to Timothy and,likewise to us, he was commanded to not let men look down upon him for his youth.
But just how was he to do this?
How was he, in spite of his age, in spite of the fear of the disdain of others, supposed to have an effective ministry and life in front of others?
Likewise, how are we supposed to be effective for Christ even in our youth?
If you are a true Child of the Living King, and you truly want to serve Christ with your life, NOW.
Than this is what we are called to do.
II. The Commission (Vs. 12b)
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.
1 tim
So we have already established that Timothy was being charged by Paul to not let men look down on him and not let men have contempt for him because of his youth.
But again just how was he supposed to do that.
How would he not let his fears of being young stop him from having a fruitful ministry?
How was he not going to let men discourage him for his age?
How was he going to be the pastor that he needed to be?
Likewise how are we, in spite of our age, supposed to live a fruitful life for Christ?
Not letting the discouragement of others or the devil stop us just because we are young.
Paul was commissioning Timothy to be an example among the believers.
How was he supposed
The word “example” is translated as being a pattern.
Timothy’s life was to literally to be a pattern by which men of God could live by.
It didn’t matter his age.
If Timothy was going to have an affective ministry in spite of his age, his life was going to have to be a Christ-like pattern.
One of which could be
Likewise if we are to not let our youth or the discouragement of others discourage us from having an affective life for Christ, we must live lives that are a pattern of Godliness.
If we are desiring to make a difference for Christ inspite our age
Lives that show forth Christ.
If we are to not let our youth be grounds for a lack of service, but to actually have lives honoring to Christ by which men of all ages can look to as an example.
If we are not let men despise us for our age.
That are obedient to the Word of God.
We, by the grace of God, and for His glory, are to actually have lives so devoted to Christ and so honoring to Christ that we actually set the pattern by which men can follow after, and live by.
That are holy and righteous before our Creator.
This is very possible even at a very young age.
If we are wholly devoted to Christ in everything we do, we can and will be a pattern of Christian living.
Another word for example is standard.
Paul was commanding Timothy’s life to be the standard of how Christians ought to live.
He was telling Timothy that, if his life was being lived as a standard of godliness before men, he would not have to worry about his age.
For others would look to him as a pattern and standard of how they ought to live.
Likewise, we, as young people, by God’s grace can be the standard by which all ages could live.
We could be seen by others, and our lives could challenge them to live better lives for Christ, to the glory of God.
In spite of our age, by living a life for Christ, we can be the standard to others of Christian living.
But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
This commission from Paul was not to puff Timothy up, nor give glory to him, also its not to puff us up, or give glory to us, but to bring praise to Christ.
One more word for example is model.
Paul was telling Timothy that his life should be a model of Christlikeness.
If he was not going to let men disregard him for his youth, his life needed to be a model by which they could follow.
Because if he were truly living a life that was a model of the Christian, others would have no choice but to follow.
Also, we as young people are to be models of Christ in our daily living, in spite of our youth.
If at any time we are to receive discouragement, we need to live a model like life in front of those who discourage us and in front of the world.
So that others may see, and not follow us or praise us, but follow and praise Christ.
As a child of God, you are hearing this and you may say to yourself I want to do that.
I don’t want to let men discourage me from living a Christ-honoring life.
I don’t want to let my age stop me from holy living.
I want to live a life that is a pattern by which other believers could live, in spite my age.
Not letting others discourage me.
But just what things in my life are supposed to have a Christ-like pattern.
Paul gives us a few.
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. Communication
Paul was telling Timothy the way he talked was very important.
He needed to speak on things of the Lord, and not on things of the world.
His speech was to show forth Christ.
Literally speaking, the way He talked was to set the pattern by which other men should talk.
His speech was not to be corrupted by ungodliness, but full of Christ in every word.
He was to speak lovingly and kindly to all.
He was to use his words to promote the Gospel.
By doing these things his words could be the model by which other Christians could speak.
Likewise, we as young believers ought to show Christ with our words and the way we talk.
col 4
Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
This command in Scripture is telling us that the way we speak to others ought always to be with love and gentle kindness.
It is the only way to speak to others.
For how do we ever expect to ever make a difference for the Lord if we are hateful in our speech.
prov 4
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: But he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
This verse is teaching us that the person who has control of his mouth can be sure to receive blessing.
But he that can not control a thing he says is literally speaking words of destruction or harm to himself.
prov 15
A soft answer turneth away wrath: But grievous words stir up anger.
This verse is touching on the fact that our words ought to be words of keeping peace.
For if our words are ungodly they make people more angry with us as they roll out of our mouth.
Our words should be ones that actually calm people anger not make it worse.
Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
In this verse we learn of the deadliness of our words.
It speaks of how our tongue while the smallest part of the body is the most dangerous.
It is the most hard to keep control over.
We must remember that every fire starts with just a little spark.
Likewise, our words can be the things that either promote godliness or burns up any reputation we have.
So Paul was commanding Timothy that he needed to be a pattern of Christian living through his words.
Likewise, we as young people ought be patterns to even our elders in how we speak.
What is another thing Paul tells us.
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.
B. Conduct
The word conversation is literally speaking of our conduct.
Paul was telling Timothy that in order for men to have no grounds to disregard him for his age his life was to be a reflection of Christ.
The word conversation or conduct is also translated “way of life.”
So Paul was telling Timothy that the way he lived his life was to be the pattern by which all could live.
It was to be the model.
It was to be the standard.
It was to be holy and devoted to Christ.
Yes, even at a very young age.
Conversation or conduct also means behavior.
Timothy’s behavior was to be Christ-like before all men.
We too are to live our lives like this.
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
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;
Here we see the word conversation or, as we have already established means conduct, or way of living.
This verse speaks of how we ought to live lives that is becoming to or matching the Gospel of Christ.
Paul talking to the Church at Philippi in this verse was saying that whether he was with them or not that he should be able to hear of how they were living according to what the Bible said.
Also we, whether being stared down by our parents, or all by ourselves are to live Christ honoring lives.
1 pet
But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
This is a verse that tells us just as Christ the one who saved you is holy and perfect we also ought to live lives that are holy before men.
In this we can be a Christ-like model even to our elders.
By Timothy living his life in a holy way, men in seeing this could not have grounds to despise his youth, but would rather be challenged by the way he lived, even in his young age.
We too can do the same.
Here is another.
C. Charity
The word Charity is speaking of the word love.
Paul is telling Timothy that if his ministry was going to be affective, and if he was not going to let the fear of men disregarding him stop him from serving Christ his life needed to be one of loving others.
This indeed is the greatest commandment.
Paul was charging Timothy that in everything he did it needed to be filled with love for the brethren.
To be directed in helping them grow.
To nourish them with the Gospel.
To not be hateful or unkind to them.
But to show forth the love of Christ to them.
Likewise we, as God’s children, should in everything we do be filled with love to whom we are doing it to.
1 cor
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.
This verse explains to every believer the importance of love.
It says that though I might have the gift to see future events.
And though I might have all the knowledge in the world, and am able to understand everything.
And even if I have the faith to say to a mountain to jump and it does.
If I can do all these things, but do not have love for others, the verse tell us that I am nothing.
Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
So we see how Paul in talking to Timothy was expressing just how important it was for him to love.
In fact we could say that if Timothy did all that Paul told him to do, but did not do this, if he did not love his fellow brothers in Christ, than all the other things would be for nothing.
Timothy needed to love those whom he was the pastor over.
He needed to be the standard in how others ought to love, by obeying the Scriptures that explain how to love.
Likewise if we ought to be an example of how to love to everyone, in everything we do.
C. Conviction
Here we have yet another thing in which Timothy was supposed to set the pattern in or an example in.
His firm stance in what he believed.
He was too, by his life, show forth his firm foundation in Scripture.
Never wavering from what he believed.
There would be times in which his faith would be tested.
There would be times in which there would be opposition or fighting against the truth.
In was in these times and of course in every other time that Timothy was told by Paul to stand firm in what he believed.
To obey the Scriptures.
To honour Christ.
And in doing this he, regardless of age would be the model for all men in how to stand firm in the truth.
For the glory of God.
We as young people should do the same.
1 cor 1
Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
hebrews
But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
These verses plead with us the importance of holding fast to our faith in Christ.
Our profession of Faith.
And our belief in the Scriptures.
Whatever the enemy.
Whatever the challenge.
We are commanded to hold fast to Christ, no matter what.
In doing this we can be light to all men.
Others will not care your age if you display a Christ-like stance in your faith.
So regardless your age, just as Paul told Timothy to be an example to others in his stance in Scripture, so should we.
Lastly we see that Timothy was to be an example in his,
E. Cleanliess (or purity)
Paul’s last command to Timothy was to be an example or a pattern or a model of a pure life.
He was not supposed to have anything going on in his life that would hinder his walk with Christ, thus hinder his ministry.
His life was to be pure, clean, righteous before the Lord, and men.
For with sin in his life he could not serve Christ, or be the model he was called to be, in the way he ought to be.
His life was to be clean.
Others would see this cleanliness of his life, and if they truly wanted to serve Christ they would not care his age but they would follow Timothy’s example, regardless his age.
We also can have the same affect on others.
In living a clean, pure life before men at a young age it could actually challenge them to do the same.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
psalm 119
BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
These verses talk on the importance of a clean life.
Matthew tells us that those Christians that live a pure life are the ones who actually prove their claim of Christianity to be true, and therefore see God.
The verse in Proverbs tells us that to live a clean life we are to follow every word found in Scripture.
One more verse.
prov
Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.
This verse is my favorite in talking of purity in this sermon.
For you might be hearing this and saying to yourself do these things really matter.
Proverbs is clear that even a CHILD is known by how he lives, whether it be PURE or UNCLEAN.
You are known even at your young age of how you live.
In purity and in all things.
So here we see the answer Paul gave to Timothy for His fears of the ministry because of his age.
He tells Timothy to not let men look down on him just because he was young.
But rather be an example, or the pattern, or the model by which men could live.
And just how again was he supposed to do this?
By living a life filled with Godly speech....His Communication.
By living a life that was according to how the the Lord said to live....His Conduct.
By living a life that was filled with love toward the brethren..... His Care.
By living a life firm in his belief and stance in Scripture.... His Conviction.
And by living a life clean, and pure before God and man.....His Cleanliness.
This was how he, in spite his age, could not let men look down on him or disregard him for his age but rather be an example or pattern or model by which all men could live by.
We too, by God’s grace, and for His glory can do the same.