"BE THOUGH AN EXAMPLE"

Here Paul is encouraging Timothy to be an “example”. We might ask, “An example of what?” The answer is—godliness ().

We have spent a few weeks speaking to you on the subject of godliness. In our previous lessons, we spoke to you on the importance of practicing or exercising ourselves unto godliness. Today we see why it is important for us to put in so much practice—that we might be examples of godliness to others!

In our previous lessons, we have been speaking to you on the importance of practicing godliness. Today we see why it is important for us to put in so much practice—that we might be examples to others!

Godliness is to be the criteria by which we judge men, especially our leaders. We do not judge men by how smart they are, successful, rich, handsome, stylish, relevant, popular, good speaker, etc. It’s our character, not your age or your education that is going to determine your ability to lead and influence others. There is no aptitude test, but there is an attitude and character test!

In fact, this is our Mission Statement: “We’re committed to sharing the message of Jesus Christ through teaching and EXAMPLE.” In other words, we’re not just supposed to tell people about God. We’re supposed to show men what a life of godliness really looks like! That it is not an impossibility.

What does it mean to be an example? Is it the same as being a mentor?

What does it mean to be an example? Is it the same as being a mentor?

Being a mentor is about teaching, advising, training, etc. Also, mentoring requires a certain amount of expertise and a relationship with your mentee.

Being an example is a bit different. When we talk about being an example we are talking about being a pattern; modeling the kind of behavior that someone should imitate or follow (). Furthermore, being an example doesn’t have the same amount of restrictions as there are in being a mentor.What does it mean to be an example? Is it the same as being a mentor?

Definition of EXAMPLE – means a model of behavior; pattern; something to be imitated () or avoided ().

Setting an Example is a reoccurring theme in Scripture:

This is really a reoccurring theme in Scripture. For example,

Setting an Example is a reoccurring theme in Scripture:

—Here Jesus reminds us to follow His gentle example.

Also, “purity” refers to sexual purity.

—Here we are encouraged to follow hiChrist’s example of being patient in suffering.

, — Here Paul invites men to follow his example of suffering.

Here Paul commands Timothy to “be an example.” However, he starts by saying, “Let no one despise thy youth.” The word despise means to look on someone or something with contempt (having no value).

A lack of experience

At the time of this epistle, Timothy was probably around the age of 30. It was easy for someone like Timothy to be despised or disregarded on account of his age because in that day a man would be considered young until the age of 40.

There are many barriers we feel keep us from being an example. One is…A lack of experience

Lack of Experience (Age) How old do you have to be to be an example (, )? Can you be an example even if you’ve made mistakes in life (, )? Remember, you cannot truly teach unless you repent (). Anyone can be an example, even an ant ().

Many were looking down on Timothy because of his age, which at the time was probably around 30 years of age. (A man in Timothy’s day was considered “young” until the age of 40.)

If you grew up in a household where you were the oldest child, you were probably required at a very young age to be an example to your younger siblings. The same is true of athletes. Regardless of how young a professional athlete may be, he/she is expected to be a role model to boys and girls.

The young are not only a pattern to those who are younger. Sometimes they are a pattern to adults (, ).

Having made too many mistakes

But, the fact that you’ve made mistakes doesn’t mean you can’t be an example (, ).

Here Paul reminds us that he is an example of God’s grace and mercy. Paul is proof that no man hold back from coming to Christ. Even David, after committing adultery with Bathsheba and murdering her husband Uriah, he promised God that after he was restored, he would teach transgressors and be an example for others to follow ()!

Remember, you cannot truly teach unless you repent (). Anyone can be an example, even an ant ().

There is, however, one legitimate barrier that will keep us from being an example and that’s a lack of consistency.

The phrase “give attendance” is really a nautical term that means to hold a ship in a particular direction. Being a good example requires that we find the right course and HOLD IT.

When we talk about being an example of godliness, what does this mean practically?

We are to be examples of godly speech, godly conduct, godly love, godly faith and godly purity and Godly zeal (spirit).

We are we to be examples of? Godly speech, Godly conduct, Godly love, Godly faith and Godly purity and Godly zeal (spirit). Thankfully, we are not left to ponder on how God expects us to be an example.

Godly speech (words): We are to set an example in our speech (). Speech is an index (indicator) of a person’s true character (). Thus, we are to let no corrupt communication proceed from our mouth ().

Godly conduct (life): Is not just about the words we say. We must be a pattern of good works, not just good words (Titus 2:7).

Godly love: Everything we say and do must be motivated by love ().

Godly zeal (spirit): this is godly zeal or attitude (; ).

Godly faith: Men in the world are full of self-confidence. Yet, believers shy away from faith (confidence) in God. We must remind men that we do these things because God is working in us (, ).

Godly purity: This refers to sexual purity (). A lack of moral purity can ruin your reputation and your ability to influence others. Purity is also about integrity—not just doing things in front of people, but doing them when no one’s looking.

(Some people think just because they are of a particular age they are able to influence or lead men. Others assume that their gift enables them to influence and lead others.)

We are to show men what a life of godliness is and that it is not an impossibility.

You will never strive for better until you see yourself as an example. One of the reason we continue to live the way we do is because we do not see ourselves worthy of being anyone’s example.

(Some people think just because they are of a particular age they are able to influence or lead men. Others assume that their gift enables them to influence and lead others.)

Here we learn that godliness is inseparable from effective ministry. Spirituality (godliness) is just about how we conduct our lives, it’s also about how well we discharge our duties. False teachers like to present a one-sided gospel. But, godliness involves the whole person.

Conclusion

What’s keeping you from being an example of godliness? How can we avoid being despised by others? Remember that respect is earned by being an example/pattern. The way to gain influence over people is by being an example. Men are mostly influenced by what they see, not by what they hear. We are to show men what a life of godliness is and that it is not an impossibility.

The only legitimate way to win men’s respect is by demonstrating these virtues. These virtues protect us against contempt.

You will never strive for better until you see yourself as an example. One of the reason we continue to live the way we do is because we do not see ourselves worthy of being anyone’s example.

God is about to move us from practice to being proficient. It’s not enough to merely “practice” godliness. We must become proficient so that we can be examples. In fact, this is our mission statement: “We are committed to share the message of Jesus Christ through teaching and EXAMPLE.” Also, our vision statement is: “To be a church of spirit-filled believers who are able to make known the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

It seems everyone is looking to receive a reward, but few are looking to be an example (; ).

When we look at the definition of the word example we discover that it means a model of behavior; a pattern; something to be imitated or followed () or possibly avoided ().

This is really a reoccurring theme in Scripture. For example,

—Here Jesus reminds us to follow His gentle example.

—Here we are encouraged to follow hiChrist’s example of being patient in suffering.

, — Here Paul invites men to follow his example of suffering.