1 Timothy 4 reminds me of “Show and Tell”. In elementary school, kids were to bring in and discuss something they were passionate about. I discovered very early that I learned best from a verbal explanation combined with hands-on experience. For me, to see it and touch it was to understand it. Today’s lesson is about being a living example of hope. Paul continues his instruction to the young pastor with a dose of reality. “In later times some will abandon the faith”. Today, many young adults leave the church to pursue the thrills of the world. God gives us free-will. Each of us must individually see our need for salvation. Some return after the world leaves them empty. Others leave over man-made doctrines not taught in God’s Word. Paul warns against “hypocritical liars” teaching with a seared conscience. The teacher that deviates from God’s Word can drive a permanent wedge. Paul notes, it is not biblical to “forbid people to marry” or “abstain from certain foods”. Marriage is one of the first institutions God created. It is the foundation of companionship, intimacy and the family structure. Very few are designed for a lifetime of celibacy. It is unnatural for most. He seems to relate banning foods to denying that “everything God created is good”. Everyone that has received God’s grace should display an attitude of gratitude. Living “with thanksgiving” says a lot about our Savior.
Next Paul says, to be a “good minister of Christ Jesus”, Timothy must continue in “the good teaching… you have followed”. That is, good teachers will personally adhere to what they teach. A pastor should never say “do as I say, not as I do”. In 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul wrote, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ”. He continues, stick to the “truths of the faith”, and “Have nothing to do with godless myths”. Jesus has no co-redeemers. He alone is fully God, and fully man. He was tempted in all things, yet remained sinless. He is singularly able to pay the debt of our sin by the shedding of His blood. Paul urges Timothy to train himself to be godly. Though “physical training is of some value”, we are saved through faith in Christ. Our good works cannot make us righteous. Rather, our good works are our reaction to this gift of grace. “We labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people”. Do you labor with joyful hope?
The chapter concludes with encouragement and exhortation. “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young”. Paul adds a component of competency; “set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity”. Don’t just talk about it, but actually do it. In other words, show the world the joy of salvation before you tell the world how to live. Demonstrate love, demonstrate faith and demonstrate purity. No one cares what you believe until they see your belief in action. Paul instructs this preacher to “devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture”. A sermon that does not include scripture, is not a preaching. A major part of a pastor’s role is “preaching and… teaching” his church family. Paul adds, “Do not neglect your gift”. Each of us have gifts that God can use for His purposes. What is your gift? It is important that we recognize and regularly use the talents we are given. That is why Paul tells him to “Be diligent”. Talents improve with practice. Paul cautions, “Watch your life and doctrine closely”. Both are important. When things get tough, “Persevere in them”. Paul gives Timothy a promise, “if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers”. Jesus came to rescue and redeem the lost and the broken. The one thing I want you to see, and feel, and understand is that we are the hands-on Gospel of Christ. Here is the best news of all; we may show and tell about God’s grace, but friend, you and I are God’s passion. Be a blessing today!