Be the Example

Good morning everyone, I’m going to be reading from 1 Tim 4:12 in the ESV, and let’s stand for the Word of God

Text: 1 Tim 4:12 “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”

Introduction:

My Title of this Sermon is “Be the Example”

As Paul pointed out to Timothy, we as the next generation of holy spirit empowered preachers, teachers and the like need to set an example regardless of our age

In many points in history, even in the recent past of the US and the church, the young were looked down on

We are living in times where the youth will be used for big things in the ministry, to change hearts, to change lives, and to most importantly show Christ in us.

This generation of youth will be used mightily for the Lord, but we need to set an example to the body and to those outside. There are three ways we can stand out as an example to those our age and to those older than us. To show Christ in us

In Conduct

Be the difference

As young believers, we are to be different than those around us. We are to stand out in our stature and our Spirit. We need to be different. And let me tell you, we are already different, because of Christ in us, amen?

But hen we first come to know Christ, we begin the process of sanctification. If you don’t know what sanctification is, it quite literally means to be set apart. To be the difference in our conduct we have to be set apart.

This is how we are set apart in our world today. in the way we speak, in our actions. I’m preaching to myself right now too, I can openly admit to you that this is an area I need to work on too

We need to have integrity in every aspect of our lives. Everything we do needs to be able to glorify the Father & Our minds need to be renewed constantly through the Word! Paul says it best in Philippians 4:9 (ESV)

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Doers of the Word

As young believers, we need to be doers of the Word. Well, what do we know about being doers of the Word? This means that we take the commands, the precepts and the perfect law of God and we DO IT. We just don’t take the Word have it enter one ear and out the other

James 1:21-25 says it best “But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves...”

James compares this to looking at a mirror and forgetting our natural face. We literally deceive ourselves by just hearing the Word. We need to take the Word, apply it to ourselves and bring it to the World, because this World is fading and people need to hear the saving Gospel of Christ. We need to love those around us. Which leads to my next point. [TRANSITION]

In Love

Love is Necessary

We can be doers of the Word as much as we want, but this is all meaningless without LOVE.

1 Corinthians 13:1–3 ESV

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

You can be the most hip and on fire preacher, worship leader, or evangelist but that means NOTHING if you aren’t moving and operating in love, it’s meaningless.

I’ve seen many preachers and evangelists, especially some so called “in evangelists” that yes, preach the fire of the Holy Spirit but spit and condemn even the fellow believers.

You think you’re popular and on top of the world with your 750 followers on instagram or 1,000s of views attitude? No, you’re just a jerk who uses your position to hurt people and that’s not the love of Christ at all. Young believers, this is not the standard we are called to live by and love others by. We need to be an example and yes operate in our gifts but through our love will Christ be made known.

Don’t be a Jerk

We need to love like Christ did

Christ

We need to set the standard in our faith [TRANSITION}

In Faith

Stand in your faith

Isaiah 7:9 “... If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.’ ””

We need to know what we are standing on. And what are we standing on? We are standing on the rock of salvation, the solid foundation, the chief cornerstone!

Psalm 40:1–2 ESV

I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.

Jesus is our rock. When we are challenged, when the storms of life blow against us, we need to hold on and stand firm. Young believer, there will be many trials in life, but we can set the example by digging our heels in, holding firm and watching the waymaker make a way for us! He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He will not fail you

Do not waiver between faith and doubt

The Lord is asking of you today, “how long will you waver between two opinions?

Your God is good, and he is God almighty. Do not let the enemy make you think that you won’t be able to make it, or become the person you are called to be.

Consider Abraham, God made him a promise with little evidence that he could actually see. But in Romans 4:20 this is remarked of Abraham “No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God,”

Abraham grew strong in his faith. He wasn’t perfected, but He believed in what God could do, and the covenant made with God and Abraham was fulfilled.

Young believer, be confident that God is able to do what he promised. Don’t doubt the creator.