Show Yourself an Example
02/17/08 PM
Text: 1 Timothy 4:12
Introduction
This morning our Brother Ron presented a lesson on “The Race” taken from the text of Hebrews 12. He made us aware of many things concerning this race of which every believer is a participant. He made us aware that we are in the race and the attitude we must have to ensure we run in such a way that we will successfully finish the race. He also pointed out that we must run the race according to the rules to ensure we do not disqualify ourselves before we have reached the finish of the race.
Every race has form and conventions which must be followed to be a successful participant. Brother Ron spoke of this in the illustration he used this morning of the man who began a race with all the other runners and finished that event in first place but was not recognized by the judge because he had failed to correctly register for the race and so ran with no authority to be in the race.
This evening I’d like to continue that metaphor and ask that you consider the fact that while we are all participating in the race that in addition to those who run with us, there are those who stand on the side lines and observe our conduct as we strive to successfully run and finish our race. And while they have not yet made a decision to join the race they are watching to see how we conduct ourselves in our efforts to race successfully. In our text we find Paul giving exhortation to the young evangelist Timothy and in these words we find directions which will direct us to proper form and convention as we show ourselves as examples to each other and to the world.
1 Timothy 4:12 “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.”
I.An Example in Speech
A.What’s so special about words?
1.Our words create impressions that either facilitate or complicate all other communication.
a.All types of sinful speech must be avoided by a man of God. That includes any deviation from truthfulness, as Paul makes clear in Ephesians 4:25 when he says, “Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth, each one of you, with his neighbor.”
b.Nothing more surely reveals a sinful soul and more swiftly destroys a leader’s credibility than lies. Absolute honesty is essential for one who speaks on behalf of the “God who cannot lie” (Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18), and who hates lying (Proverbs 6:16–17; 12:22).
c.Ephesians 4:26 forbids angry speech, verse 29 impure speech, and verse 31 slanderous words. Such speech reflects an impure heart.
Ephesians 4:29 “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.”
Ephesians 5:3-4 “But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.”
2.Words which come out of our mouths reflect our thoughts which reflect our hearts.
a.In Matthew 12:34–37, Jesus warned,
“For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. The good man out of his good treasure brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings forth what is evil. And I say to you, that every careless word that men shall speak, they shall render account for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned.”
II.An Example in Conduct
A.Our lifestyle must be worthy of the gospel
1.Philippians 1:27a “Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ…”
2.The Greek word politeuo used in 1 Timothy 4:12 and Philippians 1:27 is sometimes translated as “conversation”, a word we now apply almost exclusively to oral discourse, or to talking. But it was not formerly confined to that and is never used in that context in the Scriptures.
a.It means conduct in general - including, of course, our manner of speaking, but not limited to that - and should be so understood in every place where it occurs in the Bible. The original word means properly “to administer the state; to live as a citizen; to conduct oneself according to the laws and customs of a state;”
b.It doubtless includes our conduct in all relations in life, and refers to our deportment in general; not merely as citizens of the state, but as members of the church, and in all other relations. In our manner of speech, our plans of living, our dealings with others, our conduct and walk in the church and out of it - all should be done as becomes the gospel.
c.The rules of the gospel are to be applied to all our conduct; to our conversation, business transactions, modes of dress, style of living, entertainments, etc. There is nothing which we do, or say, or purpose, that is to be exempted from those rules.
3.Scripture is replete with exhortations to godly living.
a.James writes, “Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom” (James 3:13).
b.Peter had much to say on the subject: “Like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior” (1 Peter 1:15);
c.“Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may on account of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:12);
d.“Keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame” (1 Peter 3:16).
4.We must conduct ourselves as ambassadors of Jesus Christ even (perhaps especially) in the details of daily living.
III.An Example in Love
A.Our motivation must come from love
1.If we say the right words and live the right way but lack love, we fail to meet God’s expectations for His children.
2.Biblical love is far different from the emotion our culture calls love. It involves self-sacrificing service on behalf of others regardless of how one feels.
a.In John 15:13 our Lord said, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” That verse sums up the essence of our example as self-sacrificial love.
b.Read: 1 Corinthians 13:1-7
3.After words and actions have had their say, love makes the message ring true.
a.Galatians 5:6 “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.”
IV.An Example in Faith
A.The source of our conviction and strength
1.Faith here does not refer to belief, but to faithfulness or unswerving commitment, trustworthiness, fidelity.
a.“It is required of stewards,” Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 4:2, “that one be found trustworthy.”
2.Be faithful to our trust, to the brethren, to the public, to God. Fidelity consists in honestly keeping, preserving, and delivering up when required, whatever is entrusted to our care; as also in improving whatever is delivered in trust for that purpose. Lose nothing that God gives, and improve every gift that he bestows.
3.An excellent example is consistently faithful. He does not swerve off the track; he does not deviate from his course.
4.2 Timothy 4:7-8 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
5.At all times, and in all trials show to believers by your example, how they ought to maintain unshaken confidence in God.
B.Examples are available for us to follow
1.Hebrews 11--The hall of fame of faith.
a.How did they get there? Steadfast obedience.
b.Not because any ability, not because of intelligence, but actions
V. An Example in Purity
A.Sinlessness in life
1.Paul ends the list with a rarely used term for virtue and chastity, it implies integrity and consistency and reinforces the entire list.
a.Read: 2 Timothy 2:19-21
b.All these qualities were to be developed, not just for public display, but as the uniform texture of Timothy’s life.
2.2 Peter 3:14b “…be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless…”
CONCLUSION
Throughout Scripture, setting an example is stressed as an important element of discipleship.
Matthew 11:29—“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me.”
Jesus told his followers to learn from his example of gentleness and humility.
Philippians 3:17—“Join with others in following my example.”
Paul urged believers to follow his example of enthusiasm, perseverance, and maturity.
1 Thessalonians 1:6-7—“You became imitators of us and of the Lord…. And so you became a model to all the believers.”
The new Christians at Thessalonica received training in discipleship from Paul, and even in suffering they modeled before others what they had learned.
1 Timothy 1:16—“In me … Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him.”
Paul used his unworthiness to receive Christ as an example of grace so that no one would hold back from coming to Christ.
1 Peter 5:3—“Not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”
Peter taught Christian leaders to lead by example, not by commands.
As the body of Christ, believers must show Christ to the world by being examples. Nonbelievers should be able to see Christ in believers and be so drawn to what they see that they seek Christ and his salvation. What kind of example are you?
Invitation
