Conduct: Be an example
Life as the church - book of 1Timothy • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 1:03:52
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Conduct Matters!
Conduct Matters!
Actions speak louder than words, bet you have heard that before. But words are used and words matter too. Paul gives some word instructions regarding conduct to Timothy. We can learn and apply from the matters of conduct instructions.
What does conduct mean?
Conduct (n): the manner in which a person behaves, especially on a particular occasion or in a particular context. The action or manner of managing an activity or organization.
12 And don’t let anyone put you down because you’re young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity.
Wait, better give you a translated version vs. interpretive
12 Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.
Paul is encouraging and commanding Timothy to be an example to the believers.
The word example in this verse comes from Greek word “Tupos”, meaning: an example to be imitated: of men worthy of imitation, Philippians 3:17; with a genitive of the person to whom the example is offered, 1 Timothy 4:12
This morning we are going to look at the instructions Paul gives to Timothy on the kind of example, something to be imitated, he is to be. And here is how we will break it down this morning.
Our points for today:
Those who ought to be examples
The kind of examples one ought to be
Those who ought to be examples
Those who ought to be examples
Think about people in your life that have been good examples. How about people who have been bad examples? How do you know the difference? Did you know the difference then? Paul is giving some clear things on who should be an example, a good example.
People that should be good examples:
Ministers/Evangelists (1Tim4:12; Tit2:7-8)
From our verse today, Timothy was instructed to be an example, a good example.
12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
Another one is Titus
7 in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, 8 sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.
(Transition) So preachers, evangelists, ministers should be a good example, don’t just talk the talk, but walk the walk.
Elders/Pastors/Shepherds/Bishops (1Pt5:1-3, Heb13:7)
Peter speaks of Elders
1 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;
3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.
as does the Hebrew writer
7 Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.
Faithful Christians (Php3:15-17; 1The1:6-8; 1Tim4:12)
I think when it comes to example it should hold true. Mature Christians should be a good example.
15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; 16 however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.
17 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.
As you can see in this passage, now Paul by his life offers himself up as an example worth following.
Did you know new Christians, baby Christians can be a good example too?
6 You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.
8 For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything.
Well, regardless of maturity (mature, new believer) or age, Older or in Timothy’s case younger, there are some great biblical examples for us to look at, learn from because:
(You are an example picture inserted here)
(expand on the responsibility of being an example, a good one)
The kind of examples one ought to be
The kind of examples one ought to be
Some key words regarding the kind of examples that we have read in the passages today are: speech, conduct, love, faith, purity, doctrine, dignified, beyond reproach and not for sordid gain. We are going to focus on a few of these words as given to Timothy on the kind of example we ought to be.
12 Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.
An example in speech, in other words, word (Eph5:19, Eph4:31; 5:4; Col4:6; 1Tim4:6, 13, 16)
Our words, our manner of speech matter
19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;
Here is a good example of how we are to speak
31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
Here is an example of what do to do regarding speech. And here is another one
4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
Can I add another?
6 Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.
You are salt, and share salt by our words! Words filled with grace.
Conduct, be an example with your words, this includes the doctrine, some believe that is what Paul had in view here in this passage, the doctrine He was speaking.
Consider this:
6 In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.
and just a few verses later
13 Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching.
and
16 Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.
So be it in public like Timothy, Titus, Peter or Paul, or if in private, Christians should be a good example in speech.
(Illustration) how people talk different around me, talk the same everywhere in everything. for that has to now do with your conduct.
An example in conduct (Jm3:13, 1Pt1:15-19 1Pt2:11-12)
Conduct, here in the NASB, KJV uses “conversation” the ASV uses “manner of life.”
Thayer bible dictionary has the Greek word “anastrophe” defined as “manner of life, conduct, behavior, deportment.”
Barnes picks at the use of the word conversation for in context if does not fit, but in general it means conduct including our manner of speaking, but not limited to that and conduct is a better translation of the word, or manner of life.
Now to some scripture regarding being an example in conduct
13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.
By good behavior and deeds, done in gentleness of wisdom!
Peter adds some to it, check it out
15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
17 If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers,
19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.
You were purchased by the precious blood of the Lamb, so let your behavior (conduct) show it.
Not only are we to be an example to believers as our passage 1Tim4:12 says, but to unbelievers too
11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. 12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.
An example in love (Mt22:37; 1Jn4:11; Mt5:44)
love is commanded by Jesus, the command is active good will for others, love God and love others.
37 And He said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 “This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 “The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
God loved us, so we should love others.
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
But, love is not always easy is it? Jesus says we are to love our enemies too.
44 “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
We know we live in a cynical world where love is not the norm, Christians should be an example of love. And that leads us to another virtue, another example we should be:
An example in faith (Rev2:10; Jm2:18; Heb11:6)
Faith, we don’t have enough time this morning to properly look at this subject but I can touch on it. Touch on being an example of faith.
18 But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”
Let our words, our actions show our faith.
10 ‘Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Even in the hard, difficult times, stay strong in your faith until death and receive the crown of life.
6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
For without faith, we cannot please God. So let your example of faith be evident, may it be strong, may it be pleasing, may it be true.
Next example:
An example in purity (1Tim5:2; 2Tim2:22)
Timothy is instructed to instruct women in all purity (1Tim5:2) but look at this too
22 Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
Purity of heart! May we be an example of a pure heart, a sincere faith and a love that is looking for the best for others and may we live in peace with one another. Leaving the lusts of this world behind by being an example of God’s love in us and God’s love through us with the right heart, the right spirit.
An an example in “spirit” (TIt2:14; Eph2:10; Rom12:11; 1Pt1:22, 4:8 )
In spirit is not found in every translation, that is why I put at the end here. I offer this up with some application.
14 who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
That we be with the right heart, right spirit zealous for good deeds
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
Good deed, works, prepared beforehand. In service to our Lord
11 not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
and may you consider
22 Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart,
this just ties up the things I was just stating
and add one more
8 Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.
Love, from a sincere faith, a purified heart covers a multitude of sins.
Let me put one of the verses back up again, and let’s think on, ask ourselves some questions before we close
22 Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.
Are we fleeing from the things that can stimulate youthful lusts, the things of this world that can hinder our Christian example?
Are we pursing salvation and righteous living?
Are we being faithful in love and peace and in fellowship with one another to fulfill one of the purposes of the church? To edify, encourage and build up one another?
(insert call on the name of the Lord picture here)
First we need to call on the name of the Lord personally
Invitation!
(Song) (Prayer) (Exit)