Command And Teach These Things Series

INTRO.- Command and teach! Strong words.

ILL.- It’s been said that it is not the dog’s keen smell or hearing that has endeared him to modern man, it’s his uncomplaining readiness to obey and lavish affection on his human friends.

A dog is loyal, loving, and lovable, even if his master can boast none of these qualities. The Prussian monarch Frederick the Great hit the nail on the head when he said: “The more I see of men, the better I like my dog.”

A dog’s readiness to obey. What about us humans? Are we quick to obey anybody? The boss? The police? Our Master?

Luke 6:46 "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?”

ILL.- During the War Between the States, General Lee one day sent word to Stonewall Jackson that the next time he rode in the direction of headquarters the Commander-in-Chief would be glad to see him on a matter of no great importance. General Jackson received the message and immediately prepared to leave the next morning. Rising very early, he rode the eight miles to Lee’s headquarters against a storm of wind and snow, and arrived just as Lee was finishing breakfast. Much surprised, Lee inquired why Jackson had come through such a storm.

General Jackson replied: “But you said that you wished to see me. And General Lee’s slightest wish is a supreme command to me.”

And the Lord’s slightest wish should be a supreme command to us! But often it is not. A big problem that we all have is that we are very self-centered. We prefer to do what we want, not want anyone else wants. And often, it doesn’t make any difference who that person is! However, the Lord’s commands should be supreme to us!

Paul told Timothy to both command and teach. I’m not so sure about this business of commanding people. I’ve never used that word in preaching, in the sense of telling a church that I commanded them to do something, because I didn’t think it was my role to do that and it wouldn’t also probably backfire on me.

There are some preachers today who claim to have direct inspiration from God, as in “God told me” thus and so. Consequently, they may also think they have the right to command to do “thus and so.” But it won’t float very often.

Paul said to Timothy to both “command” and “teach.” Teaching is more like it. It’s more like what Jesus did in His ministry and it’s more like the Bible teaches us to do. We must TEACH people the truths of God’s Word and then apply it to our lives. And these will make a difference in the lives of people!

PROP.- Command and teach things that affect our lives.

1- Don’t let others look down on you

2- Devote yourself to ministry

3- Don’t neglect your gift

4- Diligence will pay off

5- Doctrine is important

1. DON’T LET OTHERS LOOK DOWN ON YOU

11 Command and teach these things. 12 Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

Looking down on others is prideful snobbery. I don’t like it but I’ve seen it in the world and even in our churches.

ILL.- When I worked for Safeway stores back in the early 1960‘s I had two bosses: the manager and the assistant manager. The manager acted like he knew everything and seemed to enjoy telling people what to do. The assistant manager on the other hand was quick to work side-by-side with the other employees and didn’t act bossy. NOW WHICH DO YOU THINK WAS MORE WELL-LIKED?

ILL.- In one church when a new family came into our church another lady remarked, “They are not our class of people.” I’ll never forget that prideful remark.

Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”

James 4:6 “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Quote from Proverbs 3:34.

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

We do often look down on young people today. Why? Because many of them do many stupid or foolish things. DID YOU? Do you remember or do you try to forget?

What’s the cure for youthful foolishness? Training. Good training. Biblical training. Moral training, etc. Don’t let anyone look down on you. How can you avoid this? Be the best person you can be! That’s why Paul said to set an example for the believers in speech and conduct, etc.

When we work at being the best person we can be as a Christian people won’t look down on you! THEY WILL LOOK UP TO YOU! So work at your faith. Study scripture. Live by scripture. Spend much time in secret with the Lord and He will make you into a better person and perhaps, the image of Christ.