Kenton Beshore is Executive Producer of the small group curriculum Liquid, a new revolutionary video-based resource for small groups and church-wide campaigns. Visit www.experienceliquid.com to learn more.
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RISK IT
1 Timothy 4:10-16
All of us have moments in our life when we face really big challenges:
Start a business
Getting Married
Having a child
For some – Dive in bet it all
Other extreme - risk adverse and break into a sweat
Others of us know, it is the challenging moments that define our lives. They teach us to soar and grow.
CHALLENGE
“for our hope is in the living God, who is Savior…Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them, Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young…”
vv 10-12
Paul is speaking to Timothy in Ephesus. Timothy is discouraged and feels overwhelmed. Ephesus being a metropolitan city Timothy was challenged because of his youth and telling Paul “I just don’t think that this is going to work.”
Paul encouraged Timothy with this letter.
• Proclaim hope: the Living God….Savior
We have a relationship with a living God while some serve dead things like … money, jobs.
Our God is a living God … Hope of Eternal Life
• Teach God’s Word
Teach Truth Anchor yourself in scripture
• Lead with Passion and Courage
God’s inspired word
YOUNG LEADER’S LIFESTYLE
Be an EXAMPLE
“…be an example to all believers in what you teach, in the way you live, in your love, your faith and your purity.” V12b (NLT)
• Speech Low ---------------------------High
Look at your life - Out of the heart the mouth speaks
How does your heart speak – love, kindness, compassion or anger and criticism
• Conduct Low -----------------------------High
If your measurement is low you say: “Do what I say”
If your measurement is high you say: “Do what I do”
• Love Low -----------------------------High
Are you patient, kind, thoughtful, forgiving or childish, self centered and competitive
• Faith Low -----------------------------High
“My heart is not proud. O Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I will not concern myself with great matters, or things too wonderful for me. But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child my soul is within me. O Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore.” Psalms 131 NIV
• Purity Low -----------------------------High
Where is your thought life
Paul told Timothy your most powerful resource is how you live
Build PEOPLE with God’s Word
“ Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encourage the believers, and teach them” V13 NLT
Where are you looking for your answers? God’s word must be an authority in your life
• Read
• Teach
• Encourage and Apply
YOUNG LEADER’S LIFESTYLE
Remember your CALL, gift and commission
“Do not neglect your spiritual gifts you received though the prophecies spoken to you when the elders of the church laid hands on you” V 14 NLT
• Tell your story – for yourself
• Tell your story - for others
Make your goal…PROGRESS
“Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on your teaching…” vv 15-16 NLT
• As an example
• Authority - the Bible
• Call, gift and commission
• Diligence and perseverance
• Life and Teaching
God calls us to be humble and honest. I have to be honest and open to tell you where I am growing
Dishonesty – promotes hypocrisy and doubt
Trust God to LEVERAGE your life
“…Stay true to what is right, and God will save you and those who hear you.” V16 NLT
RISK IT AND LEAD
