August 23, 2020

NO MATTER WHAT—MAKE A DIFFERENCE
August 23, 2020
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Do you have a passion for a certain work, or a talent for something that you love doing? How have you used that to benefit others?

Open:

Do you ever wonder what kind of impression you made on a person (or a group of people) after you have left them? Perhaps you self-criticize everything you said, replaying it all in your mind, wishing you had said or done a million other things. Paul had a very succinct admonition to Timothy: Command and teach [the things I’ve taught you], don’t let Satan make you feel less than you are because of your lack of years, and be an example in your speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. Those are sound instructions for each of us, every day, leaving the impression we make to God.

Key Verse: 1 Timothy 4:11-13: (CSB) Command and teach these things. Let no one despise your youth; instead, you should be an example to the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, give your attention to public reading, exhortation, and teaching.

Focal Passage: 1 Timothy 4:11-13.

BE AN EXAMPLE

  • Read 1 Tim. 4:11. When have you had a doctor or someone in authority “command” you to do what you know is good and profitable for you physically? Explain. How was it profitable for Timothy to command and teach the various churches those things that Paul had taught him?
  • Read verse 12. There is really only one way that people will listen to what you have to say; what is it? If you are a young person (Timothy was perhaps 30), how do you need to conduct yourself so that others listen to you?
  • What were some ways in which Timothy had to be an example to the new believers, and the ones he hoped to win to Christ? Would this come about naturally, or did Timothy (or we) have to be intentional?

SPEECH

  • Read 1 Tim. 12 (again). What are ways words that come out of our mouths are able to destroy our testimony? What are some examples?
  • Read Matt. 12:34. Where did Jesus say the words that come out of our mouths originate from?
  • Can you share how you handle conflict behind closed doors? How do your spouse and children see Christ in you when you are in conflict with one of them? Do they hear what you say as godly, reflecting whom you say you love? Read James 3:6-12. Is this someone you know when they’re at home?
  • What are some ways in which your speech reveals the inner spirit of Christ, so that you don’t have to worry about what might come out of your mouth?

CONDUCT

  • What are some examples of your conduct that makes an impression on others? Which of your actions do you need be concerned about when someone knows you call yourself a Christian?
  • Is there ever a time when your life can be used for worldliness, and it not come back to bite you? Share your thoughts.
  • Read 1 Peter 2:12. How does Peter tell us how to live in such a way that those around us will observe our holiness?

LOVE

  • What are some of the issues on Facebook that get you stirred up? How would Jesus have handled those people who have made the remarks?
  • Why is it so hard to love unconditionally? As followers of Christ, do we have any luxury to hate another person? What is in 1 Cor. 13 that effects you most?

FAITH

  • Do you have little trouble believing that Jesus was God, came in the flesh, lived a sinless life, died a cruel death, and rose to return to heaven? Why, then, is it so hard to trust Him with our finances, our children, our desires?
  • How would you define your faith in Christ?

PURITY

  • What are some of the most prevalent areas of sexual immorality? How can we minister to someone who’s fallen into one of those deep pits?
  • Read 1 Cor. 6:18-20. What about in your own family, are you able to calmly discuss the sinfulness that is the bottom line in the life of one of your children?

Close:

Recently a passage in a book had a mother, taking her sons’ faces in her hands as they left for school, and saying, “Don’t forget who you are!” It was her way of instilling self-worth into the lives of her boys. It would be good for us to look in the mirror daily and remind ourselves, “Don’t forget Whose you are!” Being a Christian is not an on-again, off-again relationship.

The instructions that Paul gave to Timothy have often caused us to assume he was a young man, perhaps around 20 years of age. It is amazing that Timothy was approximately the age of Jesus when He began His ministry. Paul was able to encourage, edify, build up, and instruct his young disciple to keep himself from the world, in order to gain Christ. Do we live our lives in this way?

If there are areas in today’s sermon where you feel weak, or feel the enemy can easily get a foothold, go back and read the entire books of 1 and 2 Timothy until your inner spirit has absorbed the tremendous truths and instructions that are found in them.

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