LEADING BY EXAMPLE

LEADING BY EXAMPLE

1 Timothy Chapter 4: 6-16 Apostle Paul is addressing and guarding the truth in the church, in the face of Apostasy and Timothy’s Personal Responsibilities. Apostasy: means abandonment or renunciation.

A Good Minister Scripture: Vs. 6 - If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. Introduction: What is a good Minister: 1. beautiful, valuable, honest, worthy and honorable. 2. Attendant, teacher, servant, and someone who works for God. Background: Titus who had love for the church for the Corinth brethren has volunteered readily for the task of leadership. He was the stronger and more mature of the two, but Titus was not Apostle Paul’s choice. Main Body: Apostle Paul is encouraging Timothy to continue on and not allow men to undermine his abilities in leadership. Point 1: Focus on the brethren – not on the distractions from the devil. He only seeks to divide. Point 2: Be honest and your brethren will see your value and know you are a worthy and honorable servant. Point 3: Remember what you and your brethren have in common (faith & truth). Conclusion: That being honorable is beautiful and that if you’ve been chosen by God for a task, it doesn’t matter to compare the qualifications of self or others. A pure heart for the love of your brethren, the fullness of the word and believing that you share faith and truth is what encourages another to follow.

A Good Doctrine Scripture: Vs. 6 - If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. Introduction: What is good doctrine: 1. beautiful, valuable, honest, worthy and honorable. 2. good for instructions, teaching, training, precept, delivering and divine ordinances. Background: Reminder: from the title: A Good Minister: We are dealing with Titus who had love for the church for the Corinth brethren has volunteered readily for the task of leadership. He was the stronger and more mature of the two, but Titus was not Apostle Paul’s choice. Main Body: Timothy shared in Paul’s spirit and example and therefore Apostle Paul felt that Timothy could teach effectively what was taught to him. Point 1: Your character should always remain honorable Point 2: God’s instructions are divine and require teaching Point 3: Teaching: a. Word of God b. Educate by training others to become disciples Conclusion: That a good doctrine is first delivered by an honorable person so that the recipients will find the teacher worthy to be heard. Then the instructions are to be divine and you must educate and duplicate by creating disciples to continue the teachings.

Who Do You Trust Scripture: Vs. 10 - For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specfically of those that believe. Introduction: 1. Who – The Living God 2. Why – Because He is the savior of all men and as the children of God we believe Background: Apostle Paul is talking about himself and Timothy when he says “we both”. The work of the kingdom will require a steadfast heart and trust in the one who sent you…. Until the day you will meet face to face and rejoice in heaven. Main Body: Part of your trust is who you believe in. Then you will believe in what they also stand for. That’s why a relationship with Christ is necessary to deepen the relationship and create a bond that you trust. It’s much easier to belief if you have a relationship and it’s built on solid ground. Point 1: You’ve got to believe or there is no trust. Point 2: This belief comes with two points. 1. Labor – work - 2. Suffering - pain Point 3: Jesus Christ is our savior that we will trust, believe and be should be willing to put in work and endure pain along the journey. For we know there is a greater reward in heaven. Conclusion: The price of our salvation is that we duplicate the journey and work of our savior…. And believe in the one that came in the flesh and died for us that we might have a right to the tree of life.

The Gift and the Gift Giver Scripture: Vs. 14 - Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Introduction: 1. What is your gift? 2. Who gave it to you 3. For what purpose? Background: Apostle Paul is speaking to Timothy about the spiritual gift to be a minister and teacher and how this was sanctioned and confirmed, by God. Main Body: This type of gift that Apostle Paul is speaking to Timothy about is not the gift to sing or dance. This is a gift of favor of charisma and Christian knowledge, a free gift, undeserved, but none the less given to Timothy. Do not neglect this gift or disregard its power. Use this gift as it has been specifically set aside for you. Point 1: This is a gift for the office and qualifications. Point 2: Endowment/Prophecy which means prediction or foretelling. Point 3: Presbytery – to sanction. The Estate of Elders or Council of Elders. The governing ecclesiastical body that manages the public affairs of the church. The laying of hands by the Elders was the reminder to Timothy to recall, his work is not that of mortal man, but one that comes with authority and approval from God c/o the Holy Ghost. Conclusion: By the means by which Timothy was ordained into the ministry. This gift was to be regarded as special and the power cultivated to perform the works was faithfully the duties of that office that Timothy received favor from on high. Do not forget to use all of your resources in your work for the kingdom. The gift is special because it comes from the Father and it has energy to accomplish what it was sent out for.

What Type of Example Are You? Scripture: Vs. 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. Introduction: Don’t let anyone look down on you because you’re young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. Background: There is an overall concern about Timothy’s experience, age and ability to handle such a task of leadership. Paul is explaining that others may see you lack because of worldly qualifications. But when you have God on your side you are fully qualified in every task. Apostle Paul motivates, teaches and reminds Timothy to stay focused and allow God’s work in him to speak louder than any other worldly element of confirmation, and men will follow. Main Body: The church could be regarded with contempt and the ministry could be blamed and not honored for the lack of experience due to Timothy’s youthful age. So Apostle Paul tells Timothy that his example will speak for the lack of age that he offers as confirmation that he is qualified for this position. Point 1: Lead by example – your behavior and conduct should be blameless. With integrity, honesty and purity. Point 2: In spirit, in faith and in purity uplifting always. Point 3: Teaching nothing but the truth of God, because nothing but that will save souls. Conclusion: Be an example of the believers. A Minister of the Gospel. Live so that your people should closely follow your rendering and their salvation will be secure.

Amen!