1 Corinthians 4:16
Introduction
: I few reasons for this message…piggy-backing on Father’s Day and today’s graduates and children singing.
Paul was able to say with confidence, ‘Follow me as I follow Christ.’
Application: You have heard it said that, ‘imitation is the sincerest form of flattery’.
1 Corinthians 11:1
, ‘You are to imitate me, just as I imitate Christ’.
Philippians 3:17
,
‘Join one another in following my example, brothers, and carefully observe those who live according to the pattern we set for you’.
Philippians 4:9
, ‘Whatever you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, put these things into practice. And the God of peace will be with you’.
1 Thessalonians 1:6
,
‘And you became imitators of us and of the Lord when you welcomed the message with the joy of the Holy Spirit, in spite of your great suffering’.
2 Thessalonians 3:9
, ‘Not that we lack this right, but we wanted to offer ourselves as an example for you to imitate’.
Transition
: To his young protégé Timothy, the Apostle Paul states this,
1 Timothy 4:12
‘Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit
1
, in faith, in purity’
. (NKJ)
1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit1, in faith, in purity. (1Ti 4:12 NKJ)
[
Let no man despise thy youth
]
It is clear from this that Timothy was then a young man, but his exact age there is no means of determining. It is implied here:
(1) that there was danger that, by the levity and indiscretion to which youth are so much exposed, the ministry might be regarded with contempt; and
(2) that it was possible that his deportment should be so grave, serious, and every way appropriate, that the ministry would not be blamed, but honored. The “way” in which Timothy was to live so that the ministry would not be despised on account of his youth, the apostle proceeds immediately to specify.
[
But be thou an example of the believers
]
[
In word
]
En logo
= In “speech,” that is, your manner of conversation. This does not refer to his “public teaching” – in which he could not probably be an “example” to them-but to his usual and familiar conversation.
[
In conduct
]
En anastrophee
. In general deportment. See this word explained in the notes on Phil 1:27.
[
In charity
]
En agapee
. In love and goodwill to God and man; show that this is the principle and motive of all thy conduct.
[
In spirit
]
En pneumati
. 1 In the government of your passions, and in a mild, meek, forgiving disposition.
[
In faith
] En pistei.
[
In purity
.]
En hagneia
. In chasteness of life; see 1 Tim 5:2. There should be nothing in your contact with the other sex that would give rise to scandal. The papists, with great impropriety, understand this as enjoining celibacy-as if there could be no “purity” in that holy relation which God appointed in Eden, and which he has declared to “be honorable in all” (Heb 13:4), and which he has made so essential to the wellbeing of mankind. If the apostle had wished to produce the highest possible degree of corruption in the church, he would have enjoined the celibacy of the clergy and the celibacy of an indefinite number of nuns and monks. There are no other institutions on the earth which have done so much to corrupt the chastity of the race, as those which have grown out of the doctrine that celibacy is more honorable than marriage.
Transition
: 10 practical ways to lead by Example (Carl Golden)
Wealth & Justice
James 5:1-6 Introduction: James 5:1–6 is a strong prophetic warning about wealth, injustice, and God’s coming judgment. James speaks particularly to wealthy people who gained riches by oppressing others and living selfishly. Below is a clear breakdown of the passage. “Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you.”…
Here Comes the Judge
James 4:11–17 Introduction: I am old enough to remember a funk song popularized in1968 by comedian Dewey “Pigmeat” Markham through his comedy sketches and a funk song of the same name, often cited as an early influence on hip hop. Key details: ———————————————————-Predominant Theme of Section: Pride Puts Us in God’s Place James 4:11–17 — Humility Before…
Setting The Example
1 Timothy 4:12 “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” (NKJV) Introduction: Leadership Usually comes Without someone knowing that they are leading. Paul writes this letter to Timothy, a young pastor leading the church at Ephesus. Timothy…
Get a Little Closer
Getting Closer to God (James 4:1–10) 1. Recognize What Pulls You Away (vv. 1–3) James says the real problem isn’t external — it’s internal. “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?” Key idea: Unchecked desires create distance from God. When our hearts are ruled by…
Godly Wisdom
James 3:13-18 James 3:13–18 is all about what real wisdom looks like—and how you can tell if it’s from God or not. Here’s the big picture 👇 James starts by saying wisdom isn’t proved by sounding smart or winning arguments. It’s proved by a good life, specifically by humility and gentle behavior. If someone claims…
Godly Wisdom
James 3:13-18 James 3:13–18 is all about what real wisdom looks like—and how you can tell if it’s from God or not. Here’s the big picture 👇 James starts by saying wisdom isn’t proved by sounding smart or winning arguments. It’s proved by a good life—specifically by humility and gentle behavior. If someone claims to…
The Tongue
James 3 Introduction: Oh, the tongue! The tongue is a bodily organ humans use to form words. Thus, James applies the tongue as a metaphor for speech. He informs Bible readers that “no one can tame the tongue” (James 3:8, NLT). This statement is part of James’ teaching on the challenging problem of controlling our…
All God’s Favorites
James 2:1-14 Introduction: Today, James takes us to a touchy subject. Let’s visit the topic of favouritism and prejudice. Question: So, is there any difference between favouritism and prejudice? Favouritism is partiality or bias. To show favouritism is to give unfair . preference to one person over others with equal claims. It is similar to…
The Double-Minded
James 1:5-8 Introduction: I’d like to speak to you today aboutFaith, Expectations & Stability. Read text: James 5:1-8 Wisdom in the Proverbs: Proverbs 1:7 ‘The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction. (NKJ) NKJ Proverbs 2:6 ‘For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and…