July 31, 2010
(SMUMYFP Retreat: Speaker)
Let No One Despise You for Your Youth
A Vision for the Next Generation
A Vision for the Next Generation
Four brief observations:
Youth are often looked down on because of attitudes and behaviors that are annoying or immature. Some of the things people often associate with youth are disrespect, rebellion, self-absorption, cliquishness, conformity to peer pressure, indifference to serious issues, and a fixation on fun as the only thing that satisfies. If these are pronounced, people can even despise youth. Paul implies that in saying, “Let no one despise your youth.”
2. Youth Should Not Be Indifferent to What Adults Think
Paul is telling Timothy to do what he can as a young man to keep that despising from happening. Don’t be indifferent to what older people think. Care about it. Take steps to win their approval. “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”
3. Youth Should Not See Adult Opinions As Supreme
But the way he tells Timothy to overcome being despised is not to adjust to their attitudes. He does not say, “Let no one despise you for your youth, but find out what they want and act that way.” Peaceful relationships between older and younger is not of supreme value. Adaptation to older people is not the point. He does not absolutize adult expectations. He does something very different.
4. Youth Should Look to Ultimately God’s Standards
Paul says, The way I want youth to pursue not being despised is look to God’s standards of love and faith and purity. In that way, even young people can become examples to older people. “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”
The point is not: Find out what older people want and give it to them so they don’t despise you. The point is: Find out what kind of words and conduct God wants and do that. He gives love and faith and purity as examples of what we should do in our words and conduct. Let all your words and actions come from faith in Christ. Let them be loving. And keep yourselves sexually pure.
Now that may make some adults despise you. If you stand up at school for the way of sexual abstinence before marriage, there will be adults that despise you. But you will be right, as well as the adults who really matter, and God himself will not despise you.
So Paul’s main point is that Timothy should not have low expectations of the impact of his life toward those who are older. He should look to God, believe in the gospel, do what God calls him to do, and in that way become an example to the rest… Now step back with me to get a larger biblical picture of the perils and possibilities of youth. Let’s move in order from original sin to a bold life of God-centered gospel-obedience beyond all low expectations.
I. IN WHAT YOU SAY. “In Word”
2. The standard is love.
3. The standard is purity.
1.
Paul describes what he means by “in conversation.”
·
How
you love, “In Charity.”
o See need, give.
2)
In Your Attitude (Zeal). “In Spirit.”
·
The
kind of attitude it takes to preach in season and out of season.
3)
In Your Faith. “In Faith.”
4)
In Your Purity. “In Purity.”
·
We
become pure by leaving behind the sins of the flesh and by the blood of Jesus, 1 Cor. 6:9-11
III. GOD'S USE OF YOUNG PEOPLE
A. TO SAVE
ISRAEL IN TIME OF FAMINE...
1. It was
through Joseph that God provided Israel a means to survive a famine
2. He was
seventeen when sold as a slave to Potiphar - cf. Gen 37:2
B. TO DELIVER
ISRAEL FROM THE PHILISTINES...
1. As when God
used David to defeat Goliath
2. Even though
he was "but a youth", according to King Saul - 1Sa
17:33
C. TO LEAD
ISRAEL TO ITS GREATEST HEIGHTS...
1. God had David
appoint Solomon to succeed him
2. Who when he
became king, thought of himself as but "a little child" - 1Ki 3:7
D. TO RESTORE
JUDAH TO THE TRUE WORSHIP OF GOD...
1. When eight, Josiah
became king, and was a good one - 2Ch 34:1-2
2. When sixteen,
he sought to serve God - 2Ch
34:3
3. When twenty,
he instituted religious reforms throughout Judah - 2Ch
34:3
E. TO PROPHESY
TO THE NATIONS...
1. Speaking of Jeremiah,
who tried to escape his prophetic call- Jer
1:4-6
2. But God told
him to not say, "I am a youth", that He would bewith him - Jer 1:7-8
F. TO REVEAL THE
SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD OVER THE NATIONS...
1. This God did
through Daniel, likely 12 to 15 when taken into captivity - Dan 1:3-5
2. Making him 15
to 18 when starting as Nebuchadnezzar's counselor - Dan
1:18-20
G. TO BRING THE
SAVIOR INTO THE WORLD...
1. Which He did
through Mary
2. Who was but a
young virgin - Lk
1:26-33
H. TO PROCLAIM
THE GOSPEL TO THE LOST...
1. Referring to Timothy,
selected by Paul to join him on his journeys - Ac
16:1-3
2. Who must have
been quite young, for it was over twenty years
later that
Paul tells him to let no one despise his youth!
- 1Ti 4:12
[It should be evident that God has often used young people
to accomplish great things! I believe He
can do much through young people today;
but
what kind of young people can He use?]
IV. THE KIND OF YOUNG PEOPLE GOD CAN USE
A. THOSE WILLING
TO FLEE IMMORALITY...
1. Like Joseph
did, when it would have been so easy for him to acquiesce - Gen 39:7-12
2. As Timothy
was instructed - 2Ti
2:22
-- When
anyone is willing to keep their bodies pure, they can be a temple in which the
Holy Spirit can abide and do much good
- cf. 1Co 6:18-20
B. THOSE WILLING TO TRUST IN GOD...
2. Who later
proclaimed the value of trusting in God - 2Sa
22:31
C. THOSE WHO
HAVE THE PROPER PRIORITIES...
1. Like Solomon,
who realized the value of wisdom - 1Ki
3:5-9
2. And later
exhorted his son to seek after wisdom - Pr
3:1-6
-- If we are
willing to seek the kingdom of God first, our Father
will provide
- Mt
6:33
D. THOSE WILLING
TO SEEK THE LORD WITH HUMILITY...
1. As did Josiah,
even when he was eight years old - 2Ch
34:3
2. Who later was
told that he was blessed because of this - 2
Chr
E. THOSE WILLING
TO BOLDLY DO GOD'S WILL...
1. As did Jeremiah,
even though he had to be reassured at first
- cf. Jer 1:6-8
2. But then
began his ministry by preaching at the gate of the
temple - Jer 7:1-7
F. THOSE WILLING
TO BE TRUE TO THEIR CONVICTIONS...
1. As was Daniel,
who refused to compromise his beliefs - Dan
1:8
2. But as a
result found favor in the eyes of others - Dan
1:9
G. THOSE WILLING
TO HUMBLY SUBMIT TO GOD'S WILL...
1. As did Mary
- Lk
1:38
2. Who accepted
the premise that with God nothing is impossible!
H. THOSE WILLING
TO BE AN EXAMPLE TO OTHERS...
1. As Paul
instructed Timothy - 1Ti
4:12-16
2. An example in
word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith,
in purity
-- For then
can one save not only themselves, but others as well!
- 1Ti 4:16
[Certainly young people who are willing to emulate the
examples of Joseph, David, etc., can be of great service today! But we who are older can encourage them when
we remember...]
V. OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO THE YOUNG
A. RECEIVE
THEM...
1. As Jesus
emphasized when young children were brought to him
2. For in
receiving them in Christ's name, we receive Christ Himself!
B. DON'T PLACE
STUMBLING BLOCKS IN THEIR WAY...
1. We should be
very careful in this regard - Mt
18:6-7
2. The Father is very concerned about
their spiritual well-being
C. ENCOURAGE
THEM...
1. As Paul
instructed the church at Corinth to do for Timothy
2. When young
people are involved in the work of the Lord, the last thing they need is for
the people
of God to discourage them!
D. DESPISE THEM
NOT...
1. As Paul
admonished the church regarding young Timothy - 1Co
16:11
2. As Paul
admonished Timothy himself in our text - 1Ti
4:12
VI. THOSE WHO OUGHT TO BE EXAMPLES
A. MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL...
1. Such as Timothy - 1Ti 4:12
2. Such as Titus - Tit 2:7-8
-- Preachers and evangelists should certainly set a good example for others
B. SHEPHERDS OF THE FLOCK...
1. As Peter charged the elders - 1Pe 5:1-3
2. As the Hebrew writer encouraged his readers to follow their faith - He 13:7
-- Elders (i.e., bishops and pastors) should provide an example worth following
C. FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS...
1. Certainly true of mature Christians - Php 3:15-17
2. Can also be true of new Christians (e.g., the new church at Thessalonica) - 1Th 1:6-8
3. And true of younger Christians (e.g., Timothy) - cf. 1Ti 4:12a
-- All Christians, young and old, should strive to be examples to one another!
[Now let's consider...]
VII. THE KIND OF EXAMPLES WE SHOULD BE
A. AN EXAMPLE IN "WORD"...
1. Many understand Paul to refer to speech, personal conversation
(cf. Barnes)
a. Certainly Christians are to be careful in their speech - cf. Ep 4:29,31; 5:4,12
b. Their speech should be with "grace" (remember Jesus?) – Co 4:6; cf. Lk 4:22
2. Others think Paul was referring to doctrine, what one taught (cf. Clarke)
a. That one teach nothing but the truth, that which accords to God's Word
b. Timothy was to be careful regarding doctrine - cf. 1Ti 4:6, 13,16
-- Whether in private conversation or public teaching, Christians should set an
example of speaking the truth with grace
B. AN EXAMPLE IN "CONDUCT"...
1. The KJV uses the word "conversation"; the ASV has "manner of life"
a. The Grk. is anastrophe - "manner of life, conduct, behavior, Deportment" - Thayer
b. "The word 'conversation' we now apply almost exclusively to oral discourse, or to
talking. But it was not formerly confined to that and is never so used in the
Scriptures. It means conduct in general - including, of course, our manner
of speaking, but not limited to that - and should be so understood in every place where it occurs in the Bible." - Barnes
2. Regarding our conduct or manner of life, it should:
a. Demonstrate meekness and wisdom - Jm 3:13
b. Display holiness, reverence, purpose - 1Pe 1:15-19
-- Not only is our conduct to be an example to the believers, but honorable among
unbelievers - cf. 1Pe 2:11-12
C. AN EXAMPLE IN "LOVE"...
1. The KJV uses the word "charity"; most other translations have
"love"
a. The Grk. is agape - "brotherly love, affection, good will,
love, benevolence" - Thayer
b. A popular definition is "active good will"
2. The love we are to display is to be manifested toward:
a. God and our brethren - Mt 22:37; 1Jn 4:11
b. Our fellow man including our enemies - Mt 22:39; 5:44
-- In a world where love is often lacking, Christians should
exemplify the virtue
D. AN EXAMPLE IN "SPIRIT"...
1. Most translations omit the phrase "in spirit"; not found in the oldest manuscripts
2. The Grk. is pneuma - as used here, it refers to zeal, disposition or attitude
3. That Christians should be fervent in spirit is clearly taught
elsewhere:
a. In reference to good works - Tit 2:14
b. In reference to our service to the Lord - Ro 12:11; Re 2:4
c. In reference to our love for one another - 1Pe 1:22; 4:8
-- Christians should provide an example of enthusiasm in their service, not lethargy!
E. AN EXAMPLE IN "FAITH"...
1. Nearly all translations read "faith"; the ISV reads "faithfulness"
a. The Grk. is pistis - "assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity" - Strong
b. It can refer to either the belief one has (as in God), or to the fidelity and faithfulness of
one's character
2. Both should be true of the Christian:
a. Possessing a strong belief or faith in God and Christ – He 11:6
b. Displaying the character of faithfulness and dependability
- Re 2:10
-- "At all times, and in all trials show to believers by your example, how they ought to
maintain unshaken confidence in God." - Barnes
F. AN EXAMPLE IN "PURITY"...
1. Virtually all translations use the word "purity"
a. The Grk. is hagneia - "purity, sinlessness of life" - Thayer
b. In the NT, used only here and in 1Ti 5:2
2. Moral or sexual purity, both in thought and act, seems to be the idea
a. "There should be nothing in your contact with the other sex that would give rise to scandal." - Barnes
b. "Chastity of body and mind; a direction peculiarly necessary for a young minister,
who has more temptations to break its rules than perhaps any other person." - Clarke
-- As Paul would instruct Timothy later, all Christians should "flee youthful lusts" and "pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace..." - cf. 2Ti 2:22
VIII. CONCLUSION
1. Are we calling on the Lord out of a pure heart...? - cf. 2Ti 2:22
a. Calling upon Him for our salvation?
b. Calling upon Him for our sanctification?
2. Then let our example be one that illustrates the power of the gospel
to impact...
a. Our words
b. Our conduct
c. Our love
d. Our spirit
e. Our faith
f. Our purity
What kind of church (people) would we be if everyone followed our own example in these things? May this question motivate us to examine our lives and correct any deficiencies that we may find...
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