1 Timothy 4:11-16

A Portrait of Spiritually Fit Servant

1 Timothy 4:11-16

How does a person become great in the kingdom of God? Jesus gives the answer to this question in twentieth chapter of the gospel of Matthew. “The Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Greatness in the kingdom comes through sacrificial service to the King of the kingdom.

Those of us who have given our lives to Christ, who have repented of our sins, placed our faith in Jesus, surrendered to Him as Lord, and received the gift of the Holy Spirit are all servants of Jesus Christ.

Last week we learned from 1 Timothy chapter four just how to be good servants of Jesus Christ. How can we be good servants or spiritually fit servants of Jesus Christ? It begins by nourishing ourselves on the word of God. Then we must disciplines ourselves toward godliness. The goal for doing such activity is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Spiritually fit servants of Christ eat the right food, do the right activity, and have the right goal.

In verses eleven through sixteen we continue with the thought of being spiritually fit servants of Jesus Christ. In these six verses you will find ten imperatives or ten commands that Paul gives to Timothy. They are commands to be followed if he is going to be a spiritually fit servant of Jesus Christ. And when Timothy or any believer follows these commands they are in essence giving a portrait of what a spiritually fit Christian. Obedience to these commands show us just what eating the right food, doing the right activity, and having the right goal looks like in a person’s life.

We are all to strive to be spiritually fit servants of Jesus Christ. The first characteristic of a spiritually fit servant of Christ found in verse twelve. There we see that a spiritually fit servant of Jesus Christ has a pattern of life worth personifying.

I. A Pattern worth Personifying (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.

The first command we see is in the form of a negative. In this negative command we see that youthfulness does not determine usefulness.

a. Youthfulness does not determine usefulness

This negative command is given first as an encouragement to Timothy. Timothy lived in a society that put a lot of stock on a person’s age. There were many in the church at Ephesusin leadership positions that were older than Timothy. Timothy was probably about thirty-five when Paul wrote this letter. But Timothy was not to let his youthfulness hinder his usefulness.

This command was also given for the benefit of those in the church. Most likely Timothy would take this letter and read it aloud before the congregation. In doing so they would here this command come from Paul and know that Timothy had authority to do his ministry.

But Timothy had to be real careful about how he carried himself in this authoritative role. Instead of lording the over the people his authoritative position he was to show them that his usefulness was determined by his godliness. Timothy was to live his life in such a way that it would be a pattern for all believers to follow.

b. Usefulness is determined by godliness

“show yourself an example of those who believe” Paul makes a strong contrast between the negative command the positive. The command that he gives is simply to be an example. The Greek word “tupos” is the word we translate “example.” It can also mean, “pattern.” Timothy was to show his usefulness by the way he lived his life. He was to be a pattern for all believers to follow.

Back in verses seven and eight of this fourth chapter Paul commanded Timothy to exercise himself towards godliness. Now he is saying be a godly example so that others can follow. Exercise yourself towards godliness so that you can be a pattern of godliness for all to follow. What kind of examples are we to be so that others can personify our examples?

a. In Speech

The first area that Paul touches upon is the area of speech. This is referring to the Christian’s conversation. Our conversation needs to be seasoned with grace and mercy. Our conversation needs to be the kind that can be followed by other.

b. In Conduct

From words Paul now moves to deeds. Here Paul is referring to our behavior, and it covers all areas of our life.

c. In Love

Our lives are to give evidence of love, both for God and for fellowman and brothers and sisters in Christ.

d. In Faith

In faith means that our lives give evidence of a trust in the Lord. We are to be people of faith, he constantly put are faith in the Lord.

e. In Purity

In purity refers to moral purity. Our lives are to be characterized by moral purity.

All Christians are to be examples to other believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity. We are to pattern our lives in such a way so that others can personify our lifestyle.

Illustration:

When Benjamin Franklin decided to interest the people of Philadelphiain street lighting, he hung a beautiful lantern on the end of a long bracket attached to the front of his house. He kept the brass brightly polished and carefully lit the wick each evening at the approach of dusk. Anyone walking on the dark street could see this light from a long way off and come under its warm glow. It wasn’t long till Franklin’s neighbor started doing the same thing and eventually the whole city followed his example.

We are to live our Christian lives in such away so that others will follow our example. Albert Schweitzer once said, “Example is not the main the in influencing others. It is the only thing. The most valuable gift you can give another is to have a pattern of life worth personifying.

Another characteristic of a spiritually fit servant is that they have a passion for participating.

II. A Passion for Participating (13-14)

“Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching.” Timothy was commanded to be actively involved concerning the word of God.

a. The involvement concerning the Word

Timothy was to pay attention to reading, exhortation, and doctrine, all of which concern the word of God. It was customary for a great deal of time to be given to the reading of the scriptures. This was the practice that was done in the synagogue and was brought also into the public assembly of the church.

Exhortation refers to the preaching of the word of God and doctrine refers to the teaching of the word of God. Exhortation is done with the purpose of moving the will. Whereas teaching is done for the purpose of informing. These three things concerning the word of God Timothy was to pay attention too. Why? Because he God had given him the gift to do such a task.

b. The involvement concerning the gift

“Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery.”

The gift that is spoken of here is the gift of the Holy Spirit and the gifts that accompany the Holy Spirit. Every true believer has the gift of the Holy Spirit, which is bestowed by God at the moment of conversion.

But there are times when God calls us into a special ministry of service, and when he does he imparts the spiritual gifts for the task. For Timothy the spiritual gift that was imparted to him came by God when they set him aside for the task that he is now trying to fulfill.

When God calls us to a task he enables us. But if we are not careful we can neglect the gift that God has given us. To neglect our spiritual gifts is to not think about it, which then results in an inappropriate response to that gift. To neglect our spiritual gifts is to disregard it. But the one who is spiritually fit for the ministry is the one who has a passion to participate in ministry by cultivating their spiritual gifts.

God always gifts us for what he calls us to do. The gift is the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit can distribute the gifts freely as he wills. But we must be sure not to neglect our gift. We must be sure to be passionate about participating by using our gift for the glory of God.

Illustration: A mother dropped off her son at the school because he was auditioning for a part in the school play. He was so set in being in it. The mother was concerned that he was not going to get a part and was going to be discouraged. When she came to pick the boy up she asked him how he did. He said, “I have been chosen to clap and cheer.”

Everybody who is a Christian has been chosen to participate in the work of the ministry. We all have different manifestations of the Spirit; some have the gift of service, some teaching, some hospitality, and some exhortation. However the Spirit has manifested himself in our life, we must be sure not to neglect our gift. To be spiritually fit for service we must passionately participate the work. A third characteristic of a spiritually fit servant is a personality that is progressing.

III. A Personality that is Progressing (15-16)

“1 Tim. 4:15-16 (NASB-U)

Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. [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.” The first thing I want to show you is the progression in spiritual growth.

a. The Progression in Spiritual growth

Paul tells Timothy to meditate on these things and to give himself entirely to him. The things that he is talking about are the things he just said concerning being and example and using his spiritual gift for the glory of god. The reason he is to give himself entirely to such things is stated in the phrase “that you progress may be evident to all.” To progress is to make one’s state better through advancement. We get a better understanding of what Paul means by progress in the latter part of verse sixteen.

“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.” At first glance this statement seems to imply that salvation is something your work for, but that is not what Paul is talking about. There are three aspects to salvation, the first is conversion and regeneration, the next is sanctification, and the third is glorification. Conversion speaks of the past. Glorification speaks of the future. Sanctification speaks of the present. Sanctification is the growing into Christ-likeness. Sanctification is about our personalities progressing more and more into the image of Christ.

A personality that is progressing is one that is progressing in spiritual growth, in sanctification, in Christ-likeness. Furthermore, it is progress that should be visible to others. Do people see spiritual progress in your life? How do we have a personality that is progressing in sanctification?

b. You must have Dedication and Determination

Notice the imperatives that Paul gives in these two verses, “Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things,.”

The word translated “take pains” can also mean, “practice.” Practice on these things! The second imperative “be absorbed in them”, is speaking of a total dedication and commitment to the things that he just spoke of. Remember what the things are? Being an example in word, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity, and not neglecting spiritual gifts. This means that we are to progress not only in our character, but also in our ministry and service.

Not only would it take total dedication, but it would also take total determination as well, “Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things” we are to have perseverance and determination. It will take determination and perseverance in the word of God, in the will of God, and in the work of God that will bring about a personality that is progressing.

Conclusion:

In the novel The Mysterious Island the author tells of five men who escape a Civil War prison camp by hijacking a hot-air balloon. As they rise into the air, they realize the wind is carrying them over the ocean. Watching their homeland disappear on the horizon, they wonder how much longer the balloon can stay aloft.

As the hours pass and the surface of the ocean draws closer, the men decide they must cast overboard some of the weight, for they had no way to heat the air in the balloon. Shoes, overcoats and weapons are reluctantly discarded, and the uncomfortable aviators feel their balloon rise. But only temporarily. Soon they find themselves dangerously close to the waves again, so they toss their food. Better to be high and hungry than drown on a full belly!

Unfortunately, this, too, is only a temporary solution, and the craft again threatens to lower the men into the sea. One man has an idea: they can tie the ropes that hold the passenger car and sit on those ropes. Then they can cut away the basket beneath them, As they sever the very thing they had been standing on, it drops into the ocean, and the balloon rises.

Not a minute too soon, they spot land. Eager to stand on terra firma again, the five jump into the water and swim to the island. They live, spared because they were able to discern the difference between what really was needed and what was not. The “necessities” they once thought they couldn’t live without were the very weights that almost cost them their lives. The writer to the Hebrews says, “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles”.

What is keeping you from progressing in your personality? What is keeping you from being the spiritual fit Christian that God’s wants you to be? Is it the fact that you don’t know Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Then trust him today! Is it a lack of dedication and determination on your part? Then surrender all to him today!