1. “…BE an example to the believers...”
1 Timothy 4:12

2. Be Thou An Example To The Believers
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

3. Be Thou An Example To The Believers
Quotes on examples
“A pint of example is worth a gallon of advice” - Author unknown “None preaches better than the ant, and she says nothing” - Benjamin Franklin

4. Be Thou An Example To The Believers
The ant - Proverbs 6:6-11
6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: 7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, 8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. 9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? 10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: 11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.

5. Be Thou An Example To The Believers
Introduction
Paul instructs Timothy how to be the proper example to believers in his youth
“Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, Before the difficult days come, And the years draw near when you say, ‘I have no pleasure in them’”
Ecclesiastes 12:1
Word “example” - (Greek - tupos)
A good pattern, example for others to follow
1 Corinthians 4:16; 11:1-2
Paul gives Timothy a 6 point plan on how to be an example to believers!
“...in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity”

6. Who is to be an example? Every Christian Preachers Elders
Be Thou An Example To The Believers
Who is to be an example?
Every Christian
Especially the mature - Philippians 3:15-17
New Christians - 1 Thessalonians 1:6-9
Young Christians (i.e. Timothy) - 1 Timothy 4:12-16
Preachers
As Timothy & Titus - 1 Timothy 4:12; Titus 2:7-8
Elders
As Peter instructs - 1 Peter 5:1-3
As Hebrew the writer instructs - Hebrews 13:7

7. All Christians should strive to be the proper example to one another!
Be Thou An Example To The Believers
All Christians should strive to be the proper example to one another!

8. The kind of example to be
Be Thou An Example To The Believers
The kind of example to be
BE AN EXAMPLE “IN WORD”
Can refer to speech
Must use care in what we say
Ephesians 4:29-32; 5:4, 12
Speech must be with “grace seasoned with salt”
Colossians 4:6
Can refer to doctrine
Timothy was instructed about what he taught
1 Timothy 4:6, 13, 16
Whether in a private conversation or public teaching, Christians must display an example of speaking the truth with grace

9. The kind of example to be
Be Thou An Example To The Believers
The kind of example to be
BE AN EXAMPLE “IN CONDUCT”
From Greek word - anastrophe
Barnes - “It means conduct in general - including, of course, our manner of speaking, but not limited to that - and should be so understood in every place where it occurs in the Bible.”
Thayer - “manner of life, conduct, behavior, deportment”
Should demonstrate meekness & wisdom
James 3:13
Must display holiness, reverence & purpose
1 Peter 1:15-19
Conduct of believers must be honorable!
1 Peter 2:11-12

10. The kind of example to be
Be Thou An Example To The Believers
The kind of example to be
BE AN EXAMPLE “IN LOVE”
“Charity” appears in the KJV
From Greek word - agape
“brotherly love, affection, good will, love, benevolence” - Thayer
Active good will
Love must be shown toward
God & brethren - Matthew 22:37; 1 John 4:11
Fellow man - Matthew 22:39; 5:44
In a world where love is lacking, Christians must exemplify this virtue!

11. The kind of example to be
Be Thou An Example To The Believers
The kind of example to be
zoe - to be hot (boil, of liquids; or glow, of solids), i.e. (figuratively) be fervid (earnest):-be fervent - Strong
BE AN EXAMPLE “IN SPIRIT”
From Greek word pneuma
Refers to inward zeal, disposition or attitude
Christians must be “fervent in spirit” - Romans 12:11
Apollos - Acts 18:25
In good works - Titus 2:14
In our service to God & business - Romans 12:11; Rev. 3:14-19
In love one for another - 1 Peter 1:22; 4:8
In worship - John 4:24
Christians must demonstrate an example of enthusiasm in their service, not lethargy!

12. The kind of example to be
Be Thou An Example To The Believers
The kind of example to be
BE AN EXAMPLE “IN FAITH”
Christians must possess a strong faith
From Greek word pistis
“assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity” - Strong
Can refer to one’s belief, or the faithfulness of one’s character
This must be true regarding:
Faith in God - Hebrews 11:6
Character or dependability - Revelation 2:10b
“At all times, and in all trials show to believers by your example, how they ought to maintain unshaken confidence in God.” - Barnes

13. The kind of example to be
Be Thou An Example To The Believers
The kind of example to be
BE AN EXAMPLE “IN PURITY”
From the Greek word hagneia
“purity, sinlessness of life” - Thayer
“cleanliness (the quality), i.e. (specially) chastity: - purity” - Strong
This word used only here and in 1 Timothy 5:2
Refers to moral or sexual purity, both in thought and act
Barnes - “There should be nothing in your contact with the other sex that would give rise to scandal.”
Clarke - “Chastity of body and mind; a direction peculiarly necessary for a young minister, who has more temptations to break its rules than perhaps any other person.”
Paul would later instruct Timothy that all Christians should “flee youthful lusts” and “pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace…”

14. Be Thou An Example To The Believers
Conclusion
We must call on the Lord out of a pure heart!
2 Timothy 2:22
Our example must be one that illustrates the power of the gospel and manifested in…
Word
Conduct
Love
Spirit
Faith
Purity
What kind of church would we be if everyone followed this example in these things? May this motivate us to examine our lives and correct any deficiencies found!
“Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart”
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 - 1 Timothy 4:12