Text: 1 TIMOTHY 4:12

By: Joe Ann Payne

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity”.

God has called us to model Christianity for others

As a Christian, we must lead and live by examples. We should be God pleaser & not man pleaser.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

1. Speech (James 3:2). We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

- This means our speech or words we utter. We must be very careful with our language

- It might also refer to your understanding of the word of God.

- we need to develop an inductive way to study the word. What does it say? What does it mean? What does it mean to me? What does it tell me about God? What does it tell me about myself?

To improve in this area, you might, for example, write down specific goals:

- to give compliments,

- speak kindlier to family members,

- use more pleasant tones and expressions,

- and avoid profanity and offensive language.

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In short Magsalita ng ayon sa kalooban ng Diyos.

2. In conduct and in conversation. This means the manner of our life. (Ephesians 4:22-30) :

22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. 25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”[a]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

3. In Charity. This is a quality of love that is almost divine. It is the supreme love of a person's life. It is an all-absorbing, all-consuming love. (1 Corinthian13:1-8)

1If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

- He gives its qualifying characteristics (Galacia 5:22-23)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

- You are to model this kind of love before the young people that God has put in your care.

4. In Spirit. This is a reference to your temperament. You have heard it said, "He has a gentle spirit." "He has a grumpy spirit." "He is mean-spirited." What do they say about you?

a. Jesus has really modeled this for us. Peter tells us. (1 Peter 2:21-23)

21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”[a] 23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

b. In His call to us to come to Him, He declared that He was meek and lowly in heart.

c. How carefully the kids are watching you when the pressure is on to see how you are going to react.

d. Be a model to them, react as Jesus would react.

5. In faith. It is awfully hard to convince someone that they should trust in God in the time of crisis, if you do not trust in Him in the time of your personal crisis.

- Being with young people will bring you into stressful situations. Be an example of perfect faith and trust in God.

- Don't panic, don't show fear. Speak of God's strength and love. His understanding and His promise to deliver.

- When the disciples panicked in the midst of the storm, Jesus rebuked them for their little faith.

- Faith and fear are mutually exclusive. If you fear, you are lacking in faith. If you have faith, you will not fear.

6. In purity. In another place Paul told Timothy to flee youthful lusts. Run from temptation.

- Be an example of purity of mind, purity of heart, and purity of conversation.

- The world is looking for leaders to follow.

- Too many are attracted to bad examples, and are following them to destruction.

- Set the example and standard that will lead them to eternal life.