This Week's Devotional:

SUNDAY SCHOOL

3-4-12

I TIMOTHY 4:11-16, 10

THESE THINGS COMMAND AND TEACH…

Introduction:

Paul is writing to Timothy in these verses and explaining to him that he needs to teach these simple principles about living the Christian life to the brethren so that is what I am going to do this morning! Once you have mastered something you generally become a ________ of whatever subject you have mastered? A teacher. And I believe Timothy probably already understood these things, but Paul was just reminding him to teach others. We are going to look at some of the action verbs that Paul uses in this passage and see how they apply to our own lives.

1.       BE – thou an example of the believers…- Being living proof that Christ is real and what He has done for you is real enough for you to wear your Chrisitanity like a badge of honor. Not something we hide away around certain people. Living your life above reproach in every area. Giving no person reason to doubt your Christianity. And being able to encourage others spiritually

a.       In word…- what we say

b.      In conversation…- how we live our lives in front of others

c.       In charity…- how loving, forgiving, and longsuffering we are

d.      In spirit…- do we let the flesh rule our lives?

e.      In faith…-do we trust the Lord?

f.        In purity…- are we keeping our mind, hearts, and bodies clean before the Lord?

2.       Give- attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine…- Study God’s Word and know what you believe!!! Know how to witness to someone, know what the Bible says about sin, Know what the Bible says about living a holy life. How do we find out what a book says inside? We have to open it, and read it!

3.       Neglect Not- the gift that is in thee…- Remember who you are. Remember that Christ died for you and you can become a profitable Christian. Remember who you represent- everywhere you go and everything you do. Remember who you were and that will motivate you to tell others who Christ is.

4.       Meditate- upon these things; give thyself wholly to them…- Think about God’s Word throughout the day. He will give you Scripture to apply to your daily life if you will just ask Him. He is waiting for you to ask His opinion. Pray before you read your Bible that God would speak to you. Keep a short sin account with God so that He can commune with you freely. Confess sin when you pray. And then meditate on Hid Word all day. You will be surprised when you realize how much of your life is already in the Bible.

5.       Take Heed- unto thyself, and unto doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee…- PAY ATTENTION!!! I cannot emphasize this point enough. Our society is working very hard to get people to forget what they are doing, to downplay their sin, and to be “normal”. There is no “normal” in the Christian life. You were bought with a price which automatically makes you different than the “slaves to sin” you associate with on a regular basis. Know what you are doing. Live the Christian life on purpose! Purpose in your heart to do God’s will. It will not happen automatically, because we have a free will and our hearts our wicked continually. Pay attention to what you are seeing, hearing, doing, and saying. Know what God wants you to do and measure the rest of your life by it.

Conclusion- This may seem a little strange but I wanted to end with verse 10 even though it precedes the rest of the Scripture we used (read verse 10). I am not going to tell you that living the Christian life is easy. You will suffer sometimes. You will suffer things from those you love, those you look up to, the World, and those you respect. But what you must remember is that God is worth serving and without Him you would not have life. He is worthy of our life and He will reward you for your suffering someday. There is a payday! Just remember what He suffered for your sake and it will keep our hurt in the right perspective.