Let No Man Despise Thy Youth

TEXT: 1 Tim. 4:12

INTRODUCTION:

A.      TIMOTHY WAS A YOUNG MAN.

B.      TWO THINGS HERE COMMANDED BY PAUL:

          1.       "Let no man despise thy youth."

          2.       Be thou an ensample to them that believe.

                   a.       Timothy as a teacher had certain responsibilities

                             ( James 3:1;  Rom. 2:17-21 ).

                   b.       Ye all are to be teachers( Heb. 5:12 ).

                   c.       Our lives must be consistent with our teaching( 1 Tim. 4:16 ).

                   d.       Unseemly behavior causes the you to lose their influence

                             and God to be blasphemed( Rom. 2:24;  Titus 2:6-8 ).

I.      THE POWER OF A GOOD EXAMPLE.

A.      COMMANDS RESPECT IN SPITE OF AGE OR YOUTH.

          1.       Modern concept of youth is often wrong...Young people are underestimated. 

                             Best teachers & hardest workers seem to be the young at heart.

          2.       "Tell me the character of the young, and I'll tell you the

                   character of the next generation in the church."

          3.       Great responsibilities.

B.      OUR INFLUENCE DERIVES FROM CONSISTENCY IN OUR RELIGIOUS

          LIVES.  OUR TEXT SUGGESTS SOME AREAS IN WHICH OUR INFLUENCE

          MAY BE PUT TO SOME GOOD USE.

          1.       Speech( Mat. 12:34-37;  Eph. 4:29;  5:3-4;  Col. 4:6 ).

          2.       Manner of life.

                   a.       Worthy of the gospel( Eph. 4:1;  2 Tim. 2:22 ).

                   b.       Where do we find the best sermons?( JC Roady ).

          3.       Love( Matt. 22:34-39 ).

                   a.       Obedience( John 14:15 ).

                   b.       Action( 1 John 3:18 ).

          4.       Faith ( Heb. 11:6 ).

                   a.       Paul( 2 Tim. 4:6-8 ).

                   b.       Jesus( Heb. 12:1-2 ).

          5.       Purity - Without carnal contamination.

          6.       Spirit - KJV includes this( Phil. 1:27 ).

II.     JESUS ON INFLUENCE( Matt. 5:13-16 ).

A.      SALT'S FLAVOR AND PRESERVING QUALITY.

B.      LIGHT.  IT CAN'T BE HIDDEN, SO IT MUST BE GOOD.

C.      THE ULTIMATE PURPOSE OF A GOOD EXAMPLE( vs. 16 ).

III.    SOLOMON ON YOUTH( Ecc. 11:9-12:1, 12-13 ).

A.      REJOICE, REMOVE, REMEMBER.

B.      THE ULTIMATE PURPOSE AND FATE OF ALL( vs. 13-14 ).

C.      NOW IS THE DAY( 2 Cor. 6:2 ).

CONCLUSION

A.      DON'T WASTE YOUR LIFE. 

B.      USE ALL OF IT FOR HIS CAUSE.