Be an Example

1st Timothy 4:12

INTRO: Good morning church. I’ll start with a little story this morning on how I came to this sermon. A short time ago Dale had received an email from a young evangelist, now at the Chalmette church of Christ, who had been doing work in New Zealand. This young man sent an article entitled; Evangelism. It’s what we do.

After reading the article my thoughts turned to Timothy. Timothy (his name meaning 'honoring God') was still a young man, (1 Timothy 4:12) but was one of the most faithful co-laborers of Paul. He was the son of a Greek father and a Jewish mother named Eunice (u-nis). His mother and grandmother Lois had taught Timothy the Holy Scriptures from his childhood. (Acts 16:1; 2 Timothy 1:5; 2 Timothy 3:15). Timothy is the model of a devoted and faithful servant of the Lord, and so I wondered what we might learn from Paul’s letters to Timothy concerning our own devotion and service. The idea being devoted to God, being willing to serve God under all circumstances.

Paul’s purpose in writing to Timothy is to focus on the responsibilities and Godly character of the evangelist, preacher or teacher. Paul is mentoring Timothy and helping him prepare to be able to do the job that God tasks him with in preaching the Gospel.

We don't know a lot about Timothy's life before. Scripture tells us that Timothy was a person of good reputation. That he was well spoken of by the brethren at Lystra and Iconium. (Acts 16:2). He knew the Old Testament scriptures and he was dedicated to God.

From what we know I would suggest that Timothy was well known among the brethren whom Paul was writing to, both among the Jews, and also among the Gentile congregations. We might say that Timothy was Paul's protégé and would be someone to follow in Paul's steps in preaching the Gospel. In 1st Timothy 3:15 Paul tells him, “… I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God,…”

When we look at the general context of these epistles, we might come away with the idea, “I'm not going to be a preacher, and so what's that to me? I don't plan on being an evangelist. I'm not going to follow in Paul's footsteps in that regard. Is there anything in this that's for me?” First, I am reminded that it’s the responsibility of all of us to teach the Gospel. We'd be amiss to believe that there is nothing in these epistles, including what is said specifically about Timothy's personal responsibility, that's not applicable to ourselves.

I believe this really comes into view in the passages I want us to look at this morning.

I. Let no one despise your youth - Let us start by looking at 1st Timothy 4:12. Paul said to Timothy, “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”[NKJV] When we think about being a Christian, about living the Christian life, do we picture ourselves as being examples? Do we picture ourselves as individuals that others look up to, and consider following in our footsteps? Paul wants Timothy to be an example. What does that mean? How we are to see that as something applicable to ourselves?

A. Paul begins by telling Timothy let no one despise your youth. How old would you think Timothy was when he received this letter? Was he a teenager? Probably not. The Greek word for youth or youthfulness, neotēs, was used to describe the rich young ruler in Mark 10:20. Scholars tell us in this culture, someone could be called a “youth” (neotēs) until they were “up to forty years old.” So when we think about Timothy I suspect we can picture him as a man in his early to middle thirty’s at the time.

1. Could Timothy's age get in the way of him preaching the gospel? There is a sense in which Timothy's position as a young man, being a teacher, or an instructor, might very well be an obstacle.
2. What Paul tells Timothy is, let no one despise your youth. Do not allow anyone to dismiss you or what you say because of your age. The original word for despise, kataphroneō, is a compound word meaning distain, think little of, think nothing of, disregard, think against, disesteem.
3. What the word means here is to look down on someone, to discount them or dismiss them because of their age. You despise someone by thinking that what he's saying doesn't really matter. Therefore you despise them.
4. It doesn't necessarily mean the idea of hate. It can simply mean that you do not regard them or you think of them lightly in terms of what they're saying or doing.

B. In Romans 2:4, the same word is used to describe the aspect of our approach to God. “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?”

1. To not give something serious thought, to just consider it in a trivial way, is the meaning of this word despise.
2. Paul was concerned about that for Timothy. Look in 1st Corinthians 16:10-11 “Now if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear; for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do. Therefore let no one despise him…” Paul is encouraging the Corinthians to not despise Timothy.
3. There may have been a tendency, because of Timothy's age, by others who were listening to him to think, he's a young guy, doesn't really know what he's saying.

C. Well, gray hair has its perks. People tend to take you more seriously if you are older. This is especially true in regard to leadership or instruction. A younger person may be viewed as inexperienced, and many times those who are older are unwilling to be instructed or corrected by someone younger.

1. One of the perks of gray hair, rightly or wrongly, is it shows people that you might be a little more experienced in life, and therefore they'll give you a little bit more credibility than someone who's young.
2. Let’s say you've been on your job for a number of years and they bring in this new person who is now your boss. 20 years younger then you. How are you going to listen to this young person? After all you have been at the job longer then he has been alive.
3. Sometimes it is a challenge for the older folks to listen to the younger. I think it is because we put a premium on the aspect of experience, sometimes rightly so, or we might dismiss the individual simply because they are young.
4. Thinking about this in the context of teaching the gospel, Timothy was tasked with an enormously important job. He was commanded to teach others on some very personal subjects (money, submission, discipline); he was to be involved in the appointment of elders and deacons, and give instructions concerning the role of men and women in the church.

D. He's going to even have to rebuke an older person on occasion and Paul tells us it needs to be done the right way. Paul says if a person is in sin you have to recognize this. It is the aspect of instructing someone, correcting someone. Timothy will need to talk about subjects to other people who have more experience than his.

1. For example, how to live life in a self-disciplined way and be in control of your passions. Who do you think has more experience doing that, the older person or the younger person?
2. How's that going to work for this young man to attempt to teach older people these things or give instructions about the role of men and women or talk to them about marriage? That poses a difficult obstacle for the person who's going to lead or teach.
3. Paul says to Timothy up front; do not allow anyone to discount you or dismiss you because you are a younger person. It's not based upon the aspect of your age or even your experience. The things that you're going to deliver come from a higher source. He's putting Timothy in the right frame of mind to understand the authority by which he would teach and how he should approach others.

E. Paul also makes a point about God's willingness to use a person in a significant role in spiritual matters. In 1st Timothy 3:6, talking about the qualifications of an elder he says, “not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil.” Paul tells Timothy if a person going to lead a congregation, he needs to not be a novice. Novice here means a new convert, a neophyte. The elevation of a recent convert to the eldership might generate inordinate pride in their part; and therefore, wherever possible, men of settled experience in living the Christian life should be chosen. Experience has something to do with the aspect of positions of leadership.

1. Going back to youth now, there are several occasions in scriptures where God tells us through example, that He will use a young person in a very prominent role.
2. Joseph was young when he was in Egypt resisting the temptations of Potiphar's wife. He was setting an example of faith, and God blessed him.
3. When David met Goliath in the valley, he was just a young person. 1st Samuel 17:42, “And when the Philistine looked about and saw David, he disdained him; for he was but a youth, ruddy and good-looking.” Goliath distained the young pup before him, and how did that all turn out? From the standpoint of David and Goliath, the young person was not at a disadvantage as long as that young person was faithful to God and serving Him.
4. Daniel, when he was a young person in Babylon was elevated to the very highest level of the court. Daniel and his three friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, teach great lessons of dedication and faith. Those young people were beacons of Godliness in the very dark society in which they lived.

F. In the book of James as we have been studying, we have seen God is not a respecter of persons and we are not to be either, we are not to show preference or disregard to people.

1. I would suggest to you that this is what Paul is talking about when he says let not one despise your youth. Older people need to be careful not to despise them or disdain them simply because they're young.
2. Young people can be enormously useful tools in God's kingdom for expressing faith and showing Godliness. We need to be careful that we don't get caught up in this generational gap of society and apply it to the kingdom of God.

G. A question that came to my mind is this—was Paul concerned about what others thought of Timothy? His job is going to be making known the gospel, preaching, and teaching. Our job is also to teach others the gospel. Was Timothy to be concerned about what others thought or said about him? Did it matter? Consider this from both sides:

1. Paul was concerned enough about how Timothy would be received among the Jews that he was willing to circumcise Timothy to offset the stigma of his father being a Greek. Since circumcision had nothing to do with his salvation, Paul was displaying some pragmatism in regard to Timothy’s evangelistic efforts. There was no compromise of the truth in that.
2. In his letter to Timothy Paul is concerned that Timothy’s age might present an obstacle that needed to be addressed. Yet, Paul tells Timothy to not allow the opinions or assessments of others to get in the way of preaching the truth. Paul instructs him later to reprove… rebuke… preach the word …in season, out of season – when they want to hear it and when they don’t. 2nd Timothy 4:2. So there is a sense in which Paul is telling Timothy, don’t be concerned about what others think of you – preach the word.
3. How could Timothy obey Paul’s command here? His age was something that he could not control or change. The solution was not for Timothy to acquiesce to the detractors or to alter the message so as avoid being despised.

H. Does God want us to be concerned about what other people think of us? Does He want us to go ahead and do what He wants us to do anyway? I ask this for us recognize that the same type of concern and lack of concern needs to be a part of our teaching as well. It is a part of our character as Christians that we do care… but we don't care about what others think of us. We make concessions in our life, things that do not impact our salvation, do not compromise the truth, so that the word of God, the real important element, can be heard and be received.

1. “Let no one despise your youth” How does Timothy obey this command? Does he do it by saying; you people are just a bunch of “old stick in the muds”. You don't know anything. I'm smarter than you are. You're not going to talk down to me! Is that what Paul's telling him to do? Is he telling Timothy just discount them because they discount you?
2. Or, is he telling Timothy, don't let anybody despise your youth, so make sure that you appeal to these folks. Just tell them what they want to hear, or at least be accommodating to them.
3. No. The solution for Timothy being despised as a young teacher was not in Timothy himself. Could he do anything to change his age? No. Could he just teach what they wanted to hear and serve the Lord? No. Yet, there was something he could do about being despised as a young person preaching the gospel, and that's what Paul's solution focuses on.

II. Be an example to the believers - He says, be an example to the believers. Paul's solution focused on something that Timothy could control. He could live as a mature person, even though he was considered to be younger. He could exemplify the character of God's words and the character of Christ in his life. He could be an example, not just an example to the world, but what Paul tells Timothy, he's to be an example to other believers.

A. Paul's answer is rooted in his relationship to Jesus. That happens so many times when the apostle presents a problem to us. That's a spiritual problem. The solution to that problem is not found in me. It's not found in what I can do right or what I can do wrong. It's found in whether or not I have a relationship with God and whether or not I'm fulfilling that relationship.

1. It was not about Timothy, nor was it about Paul. Paul is saying, if you want to be able to deal with this aspect of being despised as a young teacher, then you need to live what you preach.
2. If you want people to accept what you say, then live it, then they'll not be able to despise your youth. This is how you get the respect you need. You live before Christians like Christ lived, and be an example to them.
3. The Greek word typos, (too'-pos) which is translated as "example" here, means a die (as struck), i.e. (by implication) a stamp; by analogy, a shape, i.e. a statue, (figuratively) style or resemblance; specially, a sample ("type"), i.e. a model (for imitation) or instance (for warning):—example, fashion, figure, form, manner, pattern, print. It is the aspect of something that is as it ought to be.

B. The idea of typos means a pattern to follow. That goes back to our question at the beginning of the lesson; do you consider your life before Christ in that perspective? God wants me to be an example. He wants each of us to be an example to others. He wants us to be someone that others would follow. We all know that we all need to follow Jesus, and again, that same word is used to describe Jesus as an example for us.

1. The Puritan Thomas Brooks said, example is the most powerful rhetoric. That's an interesting way of looking at it isn’t it? Being an example is a powerful way to talk.
2. The element of personal obedience makes or breaks the works of teaching. I either live it or I don't. It doesn't make a difference how my words flow or how powerfully I can speak them. If I can't live it, then that destroys the ability of individuals to be believers.
3. When we teach, if an example is not there, then the words lose their force. If the example is there, then our words gain understanding in the listener. Think about learning math. You may not understand what the instructor is saying but in seeing and working the examples it usually becomes quite clear.
4. There's a sense in which seeing someone live-it-out helps me to understand what it means.

C. We see that in life don’t we? In scripture we read about being submissive and not provoking our children to wrath. As a young person, I thought, what's that mean? How does that play out in my life? Then through observation I've seen women who submitted themselves to the leadership of their husbands, of parents who sacrifice for their children.

1. I’ve seen a father who understood and who disciplined his children without exciting rebellion in the heart of the child. Now, I know what that means. I know how by example. The example made it possible for me to understand it.
2. That is also an aspect in personal evangelism. In your life as someone who serves God and wants to teach others, if the words are all that is there, if there is no example, or if there is a negative example, then the words lose all their force.
3. Conversely, if the example is there, then the words carry the weight of authenticity. I know what's being said, and now I know the power of what's being said. It doesn't make any difference if it's coming from the life of someone who's old, someone who has gray hair or black hair or no hair; it is from a person living it.

D. We may not necessarily make the application to it as much as we should, but Paul speaks about the imperative of the role of an example in his letter to the Corinthians. 1st Corinthians 4:16 – “Therefore I urge you, imitate me.”[NKJV]

1. We say, I thought we were supposed to imitate Jesus, how can Paul say we are to imitate him? Paul was a follower of Jesus and if you imitated Paul, you imitated Jesus. Paul says this in 1st Corinthians 11:1 – “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.”
2. The whole idea is that being an example is a powerful element of the teaching process. In Philippians 3:17 – “Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.”
3. He says later in Philippians 4:9 – “The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.”

E. The writer of Hebrews exhorted his readers to “Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.” That is the practical way of looking at a person's life, and realizing that the purpose of what they're doing, in addition to obeying God, is to set an example.

1. That's what a leader should do isn’t it? Not just tell people what to do, but do it themselves. Then people follow them. Of course, the greatest example of that is Jesus.
2. In 1st Peter 2:21 Peter said “Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:” It is not only that Jesus taught on this subject or that subject, but in the context it is that Jesus suffered, that He was willing to suffer for the cause of what He was teaching, and so He lived it.

III. What was Timothy to show others? - What Paul is telling Timothy is, you are called to follow a pattern and you are called to be a pattern for other people. Timothy is to show an example of what it means to be a believer. How?

A. Be an example in speech. - Preachers or teachers need to learn how to say the right words. When we teach we need to know our subject, which is one of the reasons we study. Not all teaching is done in a public forum and I strongly suspect from reading Paul’s letters to Timothy, that Paul is not just referring to Timothy’s public speaking either. I'm convinced that Paul is talking about Timothy's private conversations as well.

1. Nothing reveals us quicker or more decisively as our speech. Why would people open their ears to our teaching if the words we speak at other times are ungodly?
2. Paul said in Ephesians 4:49 “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” Through carefully chosen words, the young preacher shows themselves more mature. Jesus teaches that the mouth reveals the contents of the heart. What proceeds from the lips is a direct result of what has been planted in the mind.
3. Paul is telling Timothy… to impart wisdom and counsel to other people, you first must show them by what you're doing, that you know what you're talking about.

B. Be an example in conduct - The word for conduct (anastrophē – an-as-trof-ay’) in our text means behavior or manner of life. Timothy needed to exhibit his faith in every area of his life.

1. James said in James 3:13 – “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.”
2. Peter often spoke of the place of personal conduct in evangelism – 1 Peter 2:12 – “having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.” And in 1 Peter 3:16 – “having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.” You live it even though they try to say bad things about you and slander you. They don't agree with what you're saying, but they can not dismiss the fact that you're living it in your own life.
3. In Philippians 1:27 – “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ…”. What if others never heard your words, but simply did what you did? Where would it lead them? Would that be enough to show them Christ? Our conduct is not just a reflection on us, or the church, but on Christ whose name we wear. Satan has done a very good job convincing those of the world to discount Christ because of the ungodly conduct of those who claim to serve Christ. That's tragic.

C. Be an example in love. - Paul told Timothy earlier that “Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith,” (1st Timothy 1:5). The message was to be motivated by a genuine love for others and a concern for their spiritual welfare. That love needed to be integrated into Timothy’s words and life so that others could see it.

1. Others can tell when we are approaching them out of love or from some ulterior motive. Others can see if we are teaching and preaching because we love God, or the praise of men. Jesus didn’t seek to impress people with His knowledge or berate them with the truth. “… He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36). No one can preach like the good shepherd if they don’t love His sheep.
2. Look at how Paul describes his ministry to the people that he is teaching. Paul writes in 1st Thessalonians 2:4-8 – “4. But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. 5. For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness God is witness. 6. Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7. But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 8. So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.”

D. Be an example in spirit. – The word pneuma sometimes is used to describe passion or emotions. Certainly a preacher, teacher, must have their emotions under control. But the word also refers to the disposition of a person. One writer describes its use here as the disposition of heart that causes the servant to want to serve. This again seems to point to motivation. Timothy was to be an example of proper motivation for serving God. An example of a spirit that does not give up in adversity; a spirit that perseveres to the end.
E. Be an example in faith. – We have studied about faith and the faith here is not simple belief, but faithfulness or trust in God. There were troublesome times ahead for the early church and Timothy was to lead the way through, by being an example of unswerving commitment. Unlike Hymenaeus and Alexander who “suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith” (1st Timothy 1:19), Timothy was to continue fighting the good fight, thus encouraging God’s people stay the course.
F. Be an example in purity. - This Greek word for purity hagneia (hag-ni'-ah), is a word that's closely related to the aspect of holiness, and means moral cleanness or moral virtue.

1. “Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, the younger men as brothers, the older women as mothers, the younger as sisters, with all purity.” (1st Timothy 5:1-2). Paul's telling young Timothy this is how you’ve got to relate to people in the congregation. Those older men, they're like your father and you treat them with respect. The older women, they're like your mother, so give them honor. Listen to their counsel and advice and do not discount them.
2. The younger men, they're your brothers, you stand beside them and don't desert them. The younger women, they're your sisters, treat them as sisters in all purity.

CONCLUSION: An example is the most powerful rhetoric. The value of a Godly life cannot be underestimated in any way. We recognize that God wants us to teach the truth, but that our ability to teach the truth relies upon our willingness to live the truth. A teacher’s words will be considered, not only in the light of what they say, but also in the light of what they do.

We have only looked at this one verse but it can't be isolated from the context of the passages that are around it. In the words that follow, Paul provides more counsel to Timothy towards the goal of Godliness, how he ought to be able to teach the gospel successfully.

Paul says, give attention to reading, to meditation, exhortation, and give attention to doctrine. Use what God has given you. Don't discount or treat lightly the gift that's within you, that's provided by God, and commit yourself wholly to it. Live it out.

That's pretty simple, isn't it? How can a young man or woman be successful in expounding the gospel to others? How can people be influential in presenting the gospel of Christ to people who are not Christians? Paul says you live what God's given you.

If you're going to preach meekness, then be meek.
If you're going to preach love, then exhibit love.
If you're going to tell people they need to obey God, then obey God yourself.
If you expect people to sacrifice, then be out in front of them as sacrificing first for God in your own life.
Satan has no answer for that, does he?

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We learn from the New Testament how to be saved. We need to hear the word; believe in Jesus; repent of our sins; we must confess our belief that Jesus is the Son of God; and be baptized for the remission of our sins… If we follow these steps, the Lord adds us to His church.

Perhaps there is someone in the assembly today with the need to be buried with Christ in baptism. If you have never done these things, we urge you to do so today. If anyone has this need or desires the prayers of faithful Christians on their behalf, we encourage them to come forward while we stand and sing.

 

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Reference Sermon by: Dave Schmidt