Being An Example For Jesus

1 TIMOTHY 4:12 "BEING AN EXAMPLE FOR JESUS"

INTRO: Timothy was a young man, therefore there was the possibility that some in the church would have difficulty in accepting his ministry. How could he overcome the opposition to his being so young? There was only one way: he had to prove that he was mature well beyond his years.

He had to live a mature life, a life that would be an example to the believers. Although he was young in years, he was not young in the Lord. He was a seasoned Christian!

The believers at Ephesus soon forgot his youth by recognizing his spiritual experience.

Note the word "example." It means "a pattern; a model; something to be copied or followed.

Everyone is living an example! It’s either good or it’s bad. Fathers - Mothers - Preachers - Deacons

Sun. School Teachers. THE PASTOR HAS THE RIGHT TO EXPECT HIS LEADERS TO LIVE RIGHT!!! 2 Cor.3:2 "Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men."

Tit.2:7-8 "In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works, in doctrine,(pure sound doctrine).

*Paul was jealous of the cross...blood...grace....showing uncorruptness (purity) gravity (honesty),

sincerity, sound speech that cannot be condemned that he that is of the contrary part may be

ashamed having no evil thing to say of you. (The enemy will be ashamed that he opposed such

a message).

Let’s look at some things that Paul told Timothy to be an example of:

(1) IN WORD! *In what he said and the way he said it. He had to control his tongue at all times!

A) We are warned in God’s Word (Matt.12:36-37) "But I say unto you, that every idle................."

**What comes out of the mouth is first manufactured in the heart! Matt.12:34 "for out of the........"

B) Watch the way you talk! Some of you want respect, but you talk as bad as the world!

**You gain respect because you live right. **On your job when things don’t go right, what kind

of words do you use? We need to pray everyday the words of the Psalmist in Psalm 19:14;

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight............."

C) Col.4:6 "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how......."

**Pro.16:24 "Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and health to the bones."

**Ecc.10:12 "The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow...."

(2) IN CONVERSATION! *This is conduct or behavior. This is the way you behave.

A) Act like you’re saved! We are to demonstrate that we are a follower of the Lord Jesus, that we

are living for Him! You can tell if people are saved or not by the way they act!

B) "Preacher, it don’t matter how I act or look on the outside, it’s the inside that counts! "WRONG!

**1 Sam.16:7 "...for the Lord seeth not as ..., for man looketh on...but the Lord looketh................"

C) Eph.4:22-24 says to put off the old man and put on the new man. My friend, your conduct will

change when you get right with God! I’M FOR LIVING RIGHT!!!

D) The only way I can show you that I love Jesus is on the outside! Leaders, be an example in

conversation (conduct). If you don’t, I’ll make you miserable.

(3) IN CHARITY! *This is love! Love is a powerful thing! I don’t know of anything more

powerful than love! Love is the strongest power in the world. {teens in love} "can she cook"

"does he work"

A) I’m talking about the kind of love that lets you get along with one another! When you really love

somebody, you can put up with their differences. (In marriage)

B) All believers, especially those in positions of leadership, should be living examples of pure,

fervent Christian love! Love provided our Salvation!

**Love brought that Salvation down from God to man. Rom.5:5 "The love of God is shed .........."

C) If our hearts are not filled with love, it’s our own fault, because every believer possesses the

Holy Ghost, and the Holy Ghost sheds abroad in our hearts, the love of God,

**meaning, that love overflows in our hearts for God is love!!!

D) The visible church needs a baptism of God’s love. We can win souls by loving them!

**Think what that lost person can be for Jesus instead of condemning him!

**We are commanded to love one another! 1 Jn.4:20-21 "If a man say, I love God and ..........."

(4) IN SPIRIT! *Bible authorities agree this is enthusiasm! This is lacking in most churches today!

A) I don’t believe in holding a barnyard dance in the house of God, nor a falling out experience,