Godly Suggestions For Growing Ministers

Subject: Godly Suggestions for Growing Ministers

Text: 1 Timothy 4:12-16 “Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them. 12 Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. 13 Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them. 14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. 15 Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.”

Introduction: The relationship between Paul and Timothy is one of the most profiled cases in the Scriptures. Paul is a Father in the ministry, who was mentoring Young Timothy in the ministry. Paul knew Timothy's family, his ministry, and his potential for greatest. From a prison cell in Roman, Paul uses all his influence to encourage Timothy in his spiritual walk with God. Paul had witnessed his conversion, baptism, circumcision, and his call into the ministry.

In chapter 4. Paul warns for the coming apostasy in the church. He talks about three classes of ministers: good ministers with persuasive preaching, godly ministers who practiced what they preached, and growing ministers who were making notable progress for the kingdom of God.

(1) Good ministers were leaders who are highly gifted and mightily anointed by God, who have accomplished great things, but gradually departed from the faith and give heed to seducing spirits of the age. Money, popularity and acceptance and praise are powerful attractions.

(2) Godly ministers were leaders who stayed true to the basic tenements of the gospel. They avoid profane fables and old wives tales, showed little interest in bodily exercises that excited the flesh or man-made flashy rituals of little spiritual value. They had only one interest, pursuing holiness and living godly lives.

(3) Growing ministers, who were ever learning, those who made notable progress in the word, in their preaching and improving the craft. Timothy must be a good minister who constantly nourished himself in the word and teach the Church the Truth of the Gospel. He must share the truth with sincerity. Remembering that sincerity is not the test of truth. Truth is the only test of truth. Then his example must be one of ever pursuing truth, ever pursuing godliness, and ever pursuing true holiness. Paul advises Timothy to endeavor to make continual progress in spiritual things.

Then Paul says to Timothy and to us, "Let no man despise your youth." Timothy was near 30 years old, so Paul was probably referring to the time of life when one is young in ministry; the period between your beginning ministry and spiritual maturity; the early years of existence, growth, or development. Not only those young in age, but those young in ministry, in the faith, in experience, in positions of service. This message is to all of us, some are young in years, others limited in ministry experience, and those on a growth journey. The exhortation is, "let no one despise your youthfulness. "Let no one," not those with more seniority, more talent or ability, or educated or even more experienced. Then again, don't despise your own talents, abilities, and experiences. If you do, you will spend your time complaining about what you don't have, what you cannot do, and what you cannot control. Do not allow the devil to frustrate you with your present limitations.

1. Growing Ministers Experiment With Your Unlimited Possibilities – Paul is excited in this letter about Timothy’s unlimited possibilities. Timothy, like each one of us has tremendous potential for growth, learning and experiencing more of what God has placed in him. The young are normally zealous, creative, and hungry. Think of all the gifts, talents, and abilities you bring to the table. When God called you, you were fully loaded. Continuing education is one of God’s ways to stir your gift. I am here to fan the flames! To do any thing less than experimenting and investigating the fullness of your gifting is wicked and sinful. Matt 25 Jesus was teaching us how the Kingdom works, (the parable of the talent) The number of talents (5, 2, 1) were determined by the owner and the servant’s abilities. Each servant had all he needed. Each servant knew the day accountability was coming. No other instructions were given. Each servant must experiment, use wisdom and life’s opportunities to use the talents. Failure to use the talent to their full potential was critical. Only one servant was called wicked, slothful, and casted out. His talent was taken and given to another. Kingdom principle, what you fail to use, you will ultimately lose. Growing Ministers experiment with their unlimited ministry possibilities.