Scripture:
I Timothy 4:12-16 NKJV
[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. [13] Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. [14] Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. [15] Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. [16] Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
Observation:
As we know the Books in the bible that we know as 1st and 2nd Timothy were letters written by Paul to a young man named Timothy who had a calling placed on his life. Paul had been a big part of all this and thought of Timothy as a son of the faith. Although Timothy was young Paul did not want him to consider his age to be a roadblock to what he had been called to do. So he encouraged him to not let anyone think of his youth as making him unworthy to be in the position that he was in. His instructions for Timothy are simple… be an example not only in word but in the way he conducted himself as well. Showing love, faith, and purity in his spirit. Paul wanted Timothy to know that it was his responsibility to continue to read and explain the bible to those whom GOD had placed next to him. He knew that it could be a while before he had the opportunity to come back and needed Timothy to continue until he did. Feed the sheep. Tell them the truth of the word. Make sure what you say is proper and not watered down. Seeing Timothy receive his calling through prophecy and the laying on of hands and never wanted Timothy to forget that and encouraged him to operate in that gift. I love verse 15 because it gets down to the point of what’s being said. Meditate on GOD’S word think about it act on it search it for answers and do what it says. Give yourself entirely to it. This makes me think about Proverbs Character 3 verses 5 and 6.” Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding acknowledge HIM in ALL your ways and HE will make your path straight.” Verse 16 brings us to a close this morning. Paul is telling Timothy to be an example to those he has been placed next to. That by the way he conducts himself others will want what he has and act according.
Application:
Being a leader is a lot harder than people may think. Do have to do what you say and say what you do. It’s important to keep GOD’S word fresh on your mind and in your heart. You can’t get complacent or sit back on what you know you have to. Press on constantly and sometimes the pressure can be unreal but that doesn’t change the fact that the position you have been given by GOD is still there. GOD’S calling on your life is without repentance. That means you can’t say you didn’t know. I believe HE makes it painfully obvious and you can’t just say I’m sorry and move on. HE will not leave you alone. It is our responsibility to step in and step up. Once we do then it’s our responsibility to live the word. We have to lay down our old life and pick up the life of faith lived by the Spirit. Searching HIS word for answers, not our emotions. Pressing on when we can’t see the outcome. Looking to HIM as the author and finisher of our faith. So let me tell you a little secret. If you are a mother or a father you have been called to lead. The point is there is always someone watching someone paying attention. The question is are you living what you are saying? Are meditating on GOD’S word and living it out to the best of your ability. Or are you saying one thing and doing another? I am going to tell you from experience I have wanted to react to what’s going on in my life. But couldn’t because I was going to live GOD’S word to the absolute best of my ability. I can’t say one thing and do another. Someone once told me your actions speak so loud that I can’t hear what you are saying. It makes sense to me. Jesus Christ says why do you call me LORD LORD but you don’t do what I say? GOD has given so a road map to HIS glory. But it’s up to us to choose whether to follow the directions or not. When we take the time to think about what HE says and put it into practice. HE will always do HIS part. If we follow HIM they will follow us. Stand in faith today, and let the world know that you see what it looks like… but you know what HE told you as well. March around Jericho and shout your war cry of praise to the Father. Be doers of the word. Hearing it and acting on what it says. You have been called to lead so do it with integrity. Find out what GOD’S word says about your situation and do it without question. It’s not about you. It’s about HIM and those whom HE has placed next to you.
Prayer:
Father, this life is not our own. You have a plan to teach us to rely on you and you only. You have called us to follow you. In a cloud by day and fire by night. You have provided manna every morning. But only enough for the day. You desire that we depend wholeheartedly on you for all our needs. Every breath we take has been provided by you and we want you to guide every step we take. We know that you have put us where we are because it’s part of your plan. A plan to help us seek your face with our whole heart and act on what you say. Laying down who we were and picking up who you say we are. Help us to stand firm in what you have said. To live your word not just speak it. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.