Command and teach these things – 1 Timothy 4 v 11 – 16

A common accusation you often hear being levelled at Christians by unbelievers is how Christians are hypocrites. That whilst we attend church and do all the things associated with church, our lives outside of church are no different to everyone else’s.

Jesus you will remember frequently crossed swords with the Pharisees over their hypocrisy. In Chapter 23 of Matthew’s Gospel, Matthew records how on 6 occasions Jesus publicly accused them of being hypocrites, and he also rebuked them as ‘blind fools; snakes; and a ‘brood of viper’s’.

Jesus didn’t hold back from telling the Pharisees exactly what he thought of them, and what they really were. Now the English word hypocrite derives from the Greek word ‘hupokritas’ which, back in Jesus’ day, was used to describe an actor playing a character in a play.

Actors often wore masks to portray the character they were playing, and the mask also hid the face of the actor from the audience. They were essentially pretending to be something or someone they were not. And that was what Jesus was accusing the Pharisees of.

That whilst they professed to love God and live their lives by the Law, their behaviour and conduct said otherwise. They were pretending to be someone they were not. They were hypocrites.

And the sad truth, is that there ARE Christians in churches up and down the country who are just like the Pharisees – who are hypocrites. They profess to love God and live their lives by God’s Word, but their conduct and behaviour outside of church, especially behind closed doors, tell a completely different story.

They are pretending to be someone they are not. And when Christians do that, not only do we lack integrity, but we will also lose credibility which in turn will destroy our witness. So, if we are to avoid accusations of hypocrisy, and if we are to remain a credible and effective witnesses for Jesus, then we must practice what we preach.

We must live out, both inside and outside then church, what the Bible teaches, ESPECIALLY those of us who preach and teach God’s word, which is who the passage this morning is primarily aimed at.

It is essential that those who teach and preach God’s people are ‘doers’ of God’s word. That those who God has called to Shepherd His people, set the example for God’s people to follow.

In verses 11 & 12 we read these words of instruction from Paul to Pastor Timothy: ‘Command and teach these things. Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but SET AN EXAMPLE for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity’.

Throughout his letter to Timothy, Paul frequently uses the phrase ‘these things’ to refer back to what he previously said. In this instance, Paul is referring back to the need for ‘godliness’ or ‘godly living’ within the church which, you will recall, was the focus of my sermon the Sunday before last. So Paul is essentially telling Timothy to ‘command and teach’ the Ephesian congregation about godliness.

He was to make sure the congregation fully understood that ‘godliness’ was NOT an option. Timothy was to use his God given authority as the Pastor of the church, to see to it that the congregation were left in no doubt as to what God required of them in terms of how they were to behave and conduct themselves both inside and outside the church.

As the Pastor, Timothy was to teach the church with the authority given to him by God, but as the Pastor, he was to also lead by example. Paul wrote, ‘But set the example’.  Timothy was to back up his words of teaching with his life. Unlike the Pharisees whose attitude was ‘do as I say and NOT as I do’, Timothy’s was to be ‘do as I say, and do as I do’.

Now ‘leading by example’ was especially important for Timothy because Timothy was a young man who was probably younger than most of the congregation. The general consensus among commentators is that Timothy was probably in his early thirties when he became Pastor.

But because he lived in a culture that placed huge value on maturity and life experience, his age may have been an issue for some within the church – which is why Paul stresses how he is to ‘command’, and how he is to ‘not let anyone look down on him’.

The primary reason religious male leaders back in Paul’s and Timothy’s day were called Elders, is because it was assumed that older, mature men with years of life experience, would be perfect to lead and guide the people.

An Elder was normally associated with someone with maturity and life experience, so it’s highly likely some within the church considered Timothy too immature and too inexperienced to be an Elder.

The Apostle Paul however, knew otherwise. Paul knew and saw for himself that, despite his age, Timothy had all the spiritual qualifications necessary to lead the church – that he was perfect ‘Elder’ material.

For Paul, it was spiritual maturity and gifting that mattered the most. And because Timothy proved his maturity and gifting to Paul, especially during his travels with Paul, he had no trouble in appointing Timothy to be the Elder or Pastor of the church in Ephesus – which reminds us how age is NO barrier to serving God and to being called by God into Ministry.

There are many very gifted young Pastors, preachers, and leaders in churches all around the world who have been called by God into Ministry, and there are also many very gifted mature Pastors, preachers, and leaders who have been called by God into Ministry.

Friends, never, ever, think that because you are a certain age God cannot use you or call you because you would be wrong in your thinking. It doesn’t matter of you are 22 or 72. If God wants to use you or call you, then He will.

Timothy then is to set an example to the church, and in verse 12, Paul lists 5 areas where he is to set the example. He wrote ‘But set an example for the believers ‘in SPEECH, in LIFE, in LOVE, in FAITH, and in PURITY’.

The first area Timothy was to set an example was in the area of SPEECH, and whilst Paul doesn’t specify exactly what kind of speech he had in mind, like for instance preaching or teaching, the commentators I read all agreed that Paul had in mind ALL kinds of speech, be it preaching, teaching, general conversation, and so forth.

Now when it comes to the words you and I use, the Bible has a lot to say. And much of what it says urges God’s people to guard their mouths, and to make sure what comes out of our mouths is good and wholesome.

For example, in Psalm 34 verses 12 – 13 we read, ‘Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies’.

In Psalm 141 verse 3 we read ‘Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips’. 

In Ephesians Chapter 4 verse 29 Paul wrote, ‘Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen’.

And of course, in James Chapter 3 which centres upon the importance of God’s people controlling their tongues, James writes, ‘With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be’.

As the Shepherd of God’s people, Timothy was to set the example in respect of speech by ensuring that what came out of his mouth was wholesome and good, that built up and nourished God’s people, and that glorified God.

His words were to be befitting of someone who was a Disciple of Jesus and a Pastor of His church. And of course, not only does God expect that of all His Pastors and leaders, but he also expects it of anyone and everyone, who claim to be a Disciple of Jesus.

We are all to guard our mouths against ungodly speech like filthy talk, swearing, lying. gossiping, and so forth. We are to make sure that our speech, including the words we post on social media platforms, honours God rather than dishonours God.

The second area Paul highlights is LIFE. The Greek word Paul used for life also translates as ‘behaviour’, so Paul is instructing Timothy to set the example in terms of his behaviour and conduct, which as we also heard in my sermon 2 weeks ago, is at the heart of godliness.

Timothy was to set the example by behaving and conducting himself in a godly way – in a Christ like way. Now before moving on, I need to emphasise that although Paul is specifically addressing Timothy, and indeed all pastors and teachers of God’s people, it does NOT mean the rest of God’s people can ignore Paul’s instructions.

Whilst me and my fellow Pastors are to set the example in respect of godliness, God’s people are to FOLLOW our example. They are to put into practice what, hopefully, they see us practising.

So if my speech is good and wholesome – which I hope it is; if my behaviour and conduct is Christlike – which I hope it is; and if I demonstrate love, faith, and purity, which I hope I do and we will look at these in just a moment, then you are to follow my example.

Now I acknowledge that like everyone else, I don’t always get it right and that I need to continue to work at these things. Even though I am a Pastor, I am still flawed, and I still sin. But when I do get it right which, I hope, is more often than not, then I also hope that I set a good example for the rest of you to follow.

And the final 3 areas Timothy is to set the example are ‘love, faith, and purity’. The Greek word Paul used for love is ‘agape’. And you will remember that this is the word the Gospel writers used to describe Jesus’ love.

‘Agape’ love is an all giving, unconditional, sacrificial love. It was ‘agape’ love that Jesus poured out for the world as he hung upon the Cross, and it is ‘agape’ love that Pastors especially are called to demonstrate and pour out into the lives of those God has placed under their care. Agape love is to be at the heart of all ministry – not just pastoral – and any ministry without agape love, is no ministry at all.

With regard to ‘Faith’, this, like agape love, is also essential to serving God. Not only are Pastors and teachers required to build God’s people up in their faith through the preaching and teaching of God’s Word, but we are also called to live out our faith as a powerful witness to God’s people. If we preach and teach faith, then we must actively live it out in our public and personal lives.

And with regard to ‘purity’ this, again like ‘love and faith’ is also essential if we are going to teach God’s holy word to others. The Greek word Paul used means ‘cleanliness; to be clean’, so Pastors and teachers of God’s word must ensure that spiritually, we are clean as we deliver God’s word.

We are God’s ambassadors which means we represent God to others when we teach them God’s holy word. God and His word, is holy – that’s why it’s called the ‘Holy Bible’. So, if we fail to set an example in purity, who will believe our message, and our teaching? Who will be able to take us seriously? If we are to remain credible teachers of God’s word, then we must set an example of cleanliness for others to follow.

Having instructed Timothy on the areas he is to set as an example to the believers under his care, Paul turns his attention to Timothy’s gifting and how he is to devote himself to them and not neglect them.

In verses 13 & 14 Paul writes, ‘Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you’.

The ‘gift’ Paul is referring to, is the gift of leadership and teaching that the Holy Spirit imparted to Timothy a decade or so before when the church elders prayed for him and commissioned him, which is represented by them laying their hands upon Timothy.

Most commentators believe Timothy’s commissioning took place in Lystra which was where Paul first met Timothy and enlisted both Timothy and Silas to join him on his missionary travels – Acts Chapter 16.

And now that the prophecy regarding Timothy becoming a leader and teacher had been fulfilled, it was important Timothy fully devoted himself to his gifts and not neglect them. The Greek word Paul used for ‘devote’ means ‘to give your full attention to something; to devote both thought and effort’.

Because the Word of God is central to the ministry of the church, it was important that Timothy as the leader of the church, gave his full attention to the reading, preaching, and teaching of God’s Word.

Now 2000 years ago, the public reading of Scripture, which would have been the Law, along with other Old Testament writings like the Prophetic books of Isaiah and Jeremiah, and also the Psalms, were an essential part of Jewish worship in the Temple and Synagogues.

And 2000 years later, the scriptures remain a central part. In many ways, the public reading of scripture back in Paul’s day was even more important due to there being less literacy and less access to the Scriptures among the people.

Today, nearly 3 billion people worldwide have access to both the Old and New Testament scriptures, the vast majority of which can read the scriptures for themselves.

But 2000 years ago, only those who were educated, who had access to them, and who could read – which would have been the Jewish Priests, Pharisees, and Rabbi’s – would read them out, and following the reading, they would then preach and teach what they had just read.

The Greek word Paul used for ‘preaching’ also means ‘exhortation’, and the Oxford English Dictionary describes ‘exhortation’ as ‘the act of strongly encouraging or trying to persuade others to do something or act upon something; to make urgent appeals’

In preaching, the words of Scripture are explained so the people listening could understand, following which they are urged to act upon them. A classic example of this, is found in Chapter 8 the Old Testament Book of Nehemiah, and in verse 8 we read:

‘They – they in this instance being the Priests from the Tribe of Levi – read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read’.

And then a couple of verses later in verse 12 we read, ‘Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they understood the words that had been made known to them’.

The reading of the scriptures followed by the preaching of the scriptures began in the Old Testament, and it was this pattern that continued in the Temple and Synagogues, and which was later adopted by the early church. In Acts Chapter 13 verses 13 -15 we read:

‘From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem. From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down. After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue rulers sent word to them, saying, ‘Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak’.

And in the writings of the 2^nd century Palestinian philosopher and Christian apologist Justin Martyr, we read: ‘And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the president – by which he meant the leader – verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things’.

Timothy was to NOT neglect his gift of leadership and teaching, and he was to ‘devote’ himself to reading scripture, to preaching scripture, to teaching scripture, and to applying scripture to his own life so that he set an example to those who came under his preaching and teaching.

Now you may not have been officially commissioned to serve God, and you may not have had prophecies made about you that have come to pass, but as a Disciple of Jesus, God has given you gifts for service.

All Christians – regardless of age, background, or levels of experience – have been given gifts by God through His Holy Spirit – Romans Chapter 12 verses 6 – 8. And because God has given you gifts – good gifts – then like Timothy, you must devote yourself to using them.

God has given them to you for a reason. And that reason is to serve Him and His church, and to also glorify Him by using them.  Whatever gift or gifts God has given you be they spiritual or practical, they are meant to be used for His glory, and NOT neglected.

If you are neglecting the gifts God has given you, you need to put that right, and if you are using the gifts God has given you, then like me, you are setting an example to those around you, for which God will reward you on the Day of Christ.

In verses 15 & 16, Paul draws his instructions to Timothy to a close by reinforcing what is required of him and what the outcome will be if he abides by Paul’s instructions. Paul wrote: ‘Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers’.

The Greek word Paul used for ‘diligent’ means ‘to take care of’, and the Greek word he used for ‘wholly’ means ‘to immerse’. Timothy was to take ‘great care over’ and fully ‘immerse himself in’ the matter of setting an example in ‘speech, life, love, faith, and purity; in devoting himself to preaching and teaching God’s Word; and in using his gift of leadership and teaching.

Timothy was to fully commit himself to his calling as a Pastor and to being an example practically and spiritually so that those under his care will be able to ‘see his progress’. The Greek word Paul used for ‘progress’ also means ‘to advance; to move forward’.

As Disciples of the Lord, God expects us to spiritually advance, move forward, as we attend church, as we come under the preaching and teaching of His word, as we use our gifts, and as we spend personal time with God in prayer and in the reading and meditation of His Word.

And what’s more, our progress – our moving forward – is meant to be visible to your brothers and sisters in Christ, and also to those outside the church like your non-Christian friends, family, loved ones, neighbours, work colleagues and so forth.

As the Lord’s Disciples, we are NOT meant to stand still in our walk with the Lord, but we are to be continually moving forward. We are to continue growing and maturing in our faith, in our understanding, and in our relationship with the Lord.

So, with that thought in mind, and as you examine your Christian life, is there visible evidence of progress OR is it invisible? If you were to look back over say, the last 5 years of your Christian life, will you find any visible evidence of advancement in your understanding and in your relationship with the Lord and others, OR, will it be the same as it as it was 5 years ago? I will leave that with you to consider.

But, not only are we to visibly progress as Christian’s, but we are to also persevere – persist – in our walk with the Lord, and we are to also watch – take notice of – our lives and the Doctrines that form the foundation of our faith.

As I said the Sunday before last in my sermon on ‘godliness’, the Christian life takes a lot of effort, discipline, and commitment on our part. There are going to be times when we will experience all kinds of trials and tribulations which will challenge our faith, and there may also be times when we will hear teaching that contradicts the foundational doctrines of our faith.

But it is during such times brothers and sisters that we need to keep going. We need to persevere. And we need to keep watch so that our beliefs line up with the truth of God’s Word, and that our lives line up with our beliefs.

And when we do these things, not only will we be working out our own salvation, but we will also be contributing to the salvation of others as they see and witness our example.

Friends, as I close, Paul urged Timothy to ‘set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity’.

Living in all godliness, and setting an example for others to follow, is one of the greatest honours you and I can give God. May that be what He continually receives from his church that is Hadleigh Baptist. AMEN