Set An Example! | 1 Timothy 4:12

INTRODUCTION

A brief, simple, but expressive eulogy was pronounced by Martin Luther upon a pastor at Zwickau in 1522 named Nicholas Haussmann. “What we preach, he lived,” said the great reformer.

~ Martin Luther.

It’s hard to find people who set a godly example for others.

We have a lot of people who talk the talk, but very few people who walk the talk.

We desperately need more believers who can live lives that are worthy to imitate.

Today’s text talks about the need to set an example for others.

Would you take God’s Word and turn your Bibles with me to 1 Timothy 4:12?

I have entitled today’s sermon “Set an Example.”

In this verse, Apostle Paul exhorts Timothy to set an example for other believers at Ephesus.

The Big Idea of the Sermon: Set a godly example for others.

1 Let no one despise you.

Read verse 12a.

At this time, Timothy was probably about 30 years old.

A person was considered to be young until they reached 40 years.

The phrase “let no one despise you” is a present active imperative (command) with a negative participle that suggests stopping an act that is in progress.

Probably, some false teachers were despising Timothy due to his young age.

Even Goliath despised David because he was young (read 1 Sam. 17:42).

Read Titus 2:15.

We need to be sensitive about how others perceive us.

People at home, school, and even at church can despise us.

We must not allow anyone to despise us.

This must not be done through self-assertion or by being arrogant.

We must not allow others to despise us by being a godly example.

2. Set an example to others.

Read verse 12.

Paul instructs Timothy to set the believers an example since he is leading believers.

Read Titus 2:7.

Read 1 Pet. 5:3.

a. In Speech

We need to set an example in our speech.

Our tongue is in a very slippery place and we often make the mistake of letting our tongue go free and say whatever we want to say.

Read James 3:2.

b. In Conduct

We must be an example in our conduct.

Our conduct must be Christ-like.

Paul is exhorting Timothy to silence his critics through his conduct.

William Barclay writes that “Plato was once falsely accused of dishonorable conduct. “Well,” he said, “we must live in such a way that all men will see that the charge is false.” Verbal defenses may not silence criticism; conduct will.

Read Micah 6:8.

c. In Love

As we know, love is the greatest virtue (refer 1 Cor. 13:13).

We should love God and love others (refer Mk 12:30-31).

Without love, all our gifts, talents, and abilities are useless (read 1 Cor. 13:1-3).

We must be people of love.

d. In Faith

We must set an example in faith.

Read Heb. 11:6.

We must trust God even in difficult circumstances.

We must rely on God even when we don’t understand our situation.

e. In Purity

We must set an example in purity.

Read 1 Tim. 5:2.

We must not give place to impurity in our lives.

Rather, we must live consecrated lives.

We must reflect Christ in purity.

Read Gal. 5:16.

CONCLUSION

The Big Idea of the Sermon: Set a godly example for others.

My prayer is that all of us would set godly examples for people around us and thus glorify God.

I want to encourage you to set an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.