2024-08-02
Given by Jide Olawabi
1 Timothy 4.12
12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Paul is writing at the end of his life, in between his two imprisonments, to Timothy. Paul died a martyr for the faith.
Timothy was a covert of the apostle Paul, like a son to Paul. Paul calls him "my son Timothy". Timothy was special to him, perhaps if you thought about the closest worker to Paul, you may think of Silas or Tikikus, or maybe Luke, but no, it is Timothy. Timothy was the most like him.
Timothy had a good report ( Acts 16), likely a teenager when he was saved. A young person can be saved and stand fast, even in an age of temptation. 2 Timothy 3 testifies of the tremendous influence his grandmother and mother have on his upbringing. Timothy was sent to Ephesus to minister there, given a colossal responsibility.
Some think Timothy was timid, thinking that is why he is charged here to be strong, I don't think that is entirely fair to Timothy. Perhaps he had a retiring personality, a disposition that was shy, and perhaps given his youth and his calling to set the churches in order, Paul sees the need to charge and exhort Him.
We won't go into the context of v12, but dive in to it.
"The youth of you, let no man despise" is the literal.
Timothy is probably in his late 20s, early 30s, a young man. When you consider that to the Ephesians, through the Greek culture, they put great emphasis on age, and so Timothy was liable to being scoffed at and ignored. Timothy would have been intimidated, from a provincial town which would have been seen as unsophisticated. He had all the odds stacked against him which is why Paul says this in v12.
You may think that Paul is challenging Timothy to speak up, to show them who is boss. Is that what Paul is saying? To retaliate with venom?
Paul means here don't give people reason to look down on your youth. Though young, ensure your conduct is not disreputable. That word "despise" comes from the word to "think down" or to "think little of". The same word is used in Luke 16.13
Luke 16.13
13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
What things accompany youthfulness that can cause looking down on?
One thing is instability. Young people are easily tossed to and fro, perhaps in opinions, no backbone, no convictions, they can be told something and they take it. When a new wind of doctrine comes, there is no solid doctrinal foundation. They have never grasped hold of a good book that summarises doctrine like Body of Divinity, or A Summary of Christian Doctrine. When a new doctrine comes along, are they bowled oveR?
Another thing is impulsivity. We heard about Peter yesterday, being impulsive comes with youth, a lack of self-control and restraint. We live in a therapeutic age, being led by what we feel. "I feel like..." Fashions perhaps sweep us aside, following the tide. Impulsivity can often lead to covetousness and showiness.
Another thing is irresponsiblity. So many are irresponsible and undependable, no sense of duty and looking beyond my own cares. Mother in 60s in an agony of soul. , son who stayed at home all day, watching TV, month after month, no effort to work or contribute to income, so lazy.
Never forget that your life as a Christian is a message.
Here is the positive - to be an example. This word "but" is a strong word in the Greek, showing a strong contrast. The idea comes from a mark of a blown or a print, a stamp, an image, something that can be copied or traced, a pattern to be imitated, that is the word used there.
His life should be such, that the people could observe him and say "yes this man's manner agrees with his message". The same is for us, our conduct should match our confession.
"Holiness has honour, youth seasoned with the fear of God is not easily despised
Perhaps we may ask how can I be an example. Timothy though perhaps a teen, grew in grace and maturity, even before he followed Paul. We see this in Acts 16, not just from his family, but different cities, knowing his godliness. Can we say the way we live our lives can be a model for other people? Can I strive to live for integrity? Will my witness not fall on deaf years? Can I say I am conscious to avoid things that would be stumbling blocks to young Christians? I heard someone say that the church is full of hypocrites, wanting to get to the top, wanting lots of money, describing the prosperity gospel churches and many others. The lack of witness can cause a person to not want to come to Christ. An older Christian who is a blessing to others can be loved dearly, but we can take them for granted. But when there is a young believer who is so dedicated, and mature beyond their years, you want to gawp and stop and take notice, considering, no longer is their age something to be despised but commended. The attention is turned to the Christ-likeness within them.
Timothy has been charged to preach, but now to live what he preaches. In our speech, we are to be examples, both in public and in private.
The tongue can be used to build up, but also to destroy. Does both sweet and bitter come from the same tongue? Paul says in Col 4.6
Colossians 4.6
6 Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
When was the last time I gave a word of encouragement to someone? How do I use my tongue? What about the amount that I talk? Do I talk too much?
Ecclesiastes 10.12-14
12 The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
14 A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
James gives great wisdom
James 1.19
19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
Perhaps I talk too little, guilty of sinful silence.
Let us think of some verbal geometry. Is there depth to what I say? Or is it always superficial, surface level. What about the width? Is it narrow? Limited in scope? Is there scope? What about the length? Am I only interested in the here and now, not of the future, not of Heaven. What about height? Does what I say soar to glorious things?
What about the music I sing along to? Growing up I was exposed to all sorts of music, some useless and mindless, yet sung to with such gusto and feeling. It is a shame when you cannot hear the person next to you singing when singing a glorious hymn.
This word here means conduct. In the time of the KJV translators, conversations meant your relational aspect with people, your manner of life, your dealings with others. Do your beliefs deeply impact your behaviours and attitudes? Or is it just empty talk? You may profess, but is there real change that happens in your life? Still hanging with the same worldly friends, the same sins?
The believer is a new creature, a pattern of righteousness.
What about love for believers? For one another? Do I think the best of my brothers and sisters? Or am I quick to judge and pounce? Love is humble and seeketh not her own. Love is not showy or bombastic. Love is outgoing.
Self-love is what needs to be put to death everyday. Does my love extend beyond my circle of friends? Do I reach out and speak to others older and wiser than I am?
An older Christian recounted before, finding a church which was very warm and hospitable. This Christian struck up a conversation with someone 50 years his senior, and he was surprised how he got along, there was a fount of wisdom, a rock, a guide, someone who he could go to. What a blessing to have a cross-generational relationship.
Do we venture out or do we stick to the same group?
We take this as spiritual-mindedness. Don't be seeker-sensitive, bringing numbers for the sake of it, but preach in and out of season. Pray, read the scriptures, be spiritually minded. We are to be spiritually minded in all things.
Perhaps we are thinking about who we might marry, are we spiritually minded? Is the top of my list more superficial things? Young men, are you just thinking about her looks? Young women, are you just thinking about his sense of humour? Are we thinking about godly character? Are we thinking about dedication? Are they gospel centred?
Do we promise and underdeliver? Are we faithful? Are we trustworthy and dependable? Are we faithful to our church to where the Lord has set us? Do I seek to be a member of the church, to join hands with those who I love? To take the gospel further and further, seeking the Salvation of souls? Do I think big for the Lord? "Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God"
Perhaps I am young at university, do I invite people for evening services? Do I ensure my church is on the list for the Christian Union? Am I thinking about how I can bring people to the Saviour?
I read of a Christian at university who had a dramatic experience. He plucked up the courage to witness to friends from the rugby team, they were preached to, taking "Behold the Lamb of God" as the text, saying frankly "either Christ as to take your sin, or you have to take your sin". This one friend stormed out. Ringing this friend a few days later, this friend said "If you really believed this message was true, how come you never told me for 2 years? Do you really believe these things?" The Christian was stunned, and resolved to never hide his faith, and to share the word, that friend was soon saved.
Are we faithful? Willing to cross that pain threshold?
Purity in conduct, but in mind also.
We live in a hook-up culture. This is a major contributor to the breakdown of society, and a fountain-head of much sorrow. There is much pressure to conform to what the world says and to forget God's gift of marriage. We live in an era of relationships without rings. You may say that is in the world, but it has broken into the church. 70 years ago, cohabitation was so frowned upon, but now so commonplace. Studies show that 50% of teenagers from religious backgrounds think it is ok to live with someone before marriage. 66% (2/3) of professing Christian men view indecent images and porn every week. 54% of pastors said they had viewed indecent images in the last year.
No wonder Timothy has to be charged here. It is not just about the act, but the mind too.
Matthew 5.28
28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
Marriage is honourable in all. It is priceless and precious. We don't need empirical data, but it supports scripture. Studies confirm marriage's superiority. Those who keep pure before marriage enjoy it the most physically and spiritually. Those who keep pure are less likely to divorce. Those who have less intimate relationships are more satisifed in relationships.
Children of divorced parents are at higher risk of depression, suicide, teenage pregnancies, crime. These are secular studies, repeated constantly. Just because people come from divorced homes, that does not mean that their life is over. I know a brother whose mother had 5 husbands, who is now an accomplished professor, but he will tell you of the carnage in the family.
If we love ourselves, if we love our bodies and our souls, if we love the Lord, why would we choose alternative morality to biblical marriage? You may say the urges and temptations are too strong. But the Bible says that
Romans 6.12
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
God gives the equipment, the spiritual armour, no longer under the tyranny of sin. Others may say it is too late, I have made the mistakes, there is forgiveness with the Lord. You start from today, seeking purity, and the Lord will have a blessing for you. Live uprightly, strive for holiness.
Always remember that we are in spiritual warfare. Satan has his strategies, are you aware of them. Do you know how he works? Do you understand your own weaknesses?
Develop a hatred for sin. Look at what it did in Eden, the chaos and confusion and sadness and suffering in the world. It affects all of Adam and Eve's children. Look at what it does to individuals and families. Look at what it did to Christ on the cross.
Flee youthful lusts.
2 Timothy 2.22
22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Flee the vicinity of sin. If there is an environment you are weak in, extract yourself from them. If there are things you watch that feed that lust, flee away.
Set your mind on things that are true.
Philippians 4.8
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Is your mind set on scripture? Are you a lover of hymns? Do you pray? Do you substitute a bad thought with a good one? Set your things on these things.
1 Timothy 4.12
12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.