NOT JUST FOR YOU, BUT ALSO FOR YOUR HEARERS

1 Timothy 4 vs 12 – 16

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 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 prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. 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.”

So, it is a new year and usually this is the time when many of us start setting some new goals and aspirations that we hope to accomplish for the year ahead. This year however, as we sit down to write out these goals, may I use this opportunity to use this passage of scripture as some what of a guide to aid you in determining what some of these goals for the year should be?

Firstly, the writer Paul stated to Timothy that he shouldn’t allow anyone to look down on him because he was young. In essence, Paul was encouraging Timothy to set aside unwarranted limitations.

The truth is many of us when we are setting goals give ourselves limitations. Unfortunately, these limitations are often based either on worldly standards, what others have said about us and even worse, the bad things we think of ourselves. Now don’t get me wrong do everything within moderation. Sometimes God provides us with very good guides and people of wisdom in our lives, however it is imperative that we develop a habit of depending ultimately on the Holy Spirit to act as what I would call a “spiritual sieve”.

Whenever we are faced with a barrage of opinions, we can use our spiritual and scriptural knowledge through the power of the Holy Spirit to know how to differentiate what is true from a lie, what is constructive rather than destructive and what is beneficial from what is detrimental. In Timothy’s case, Paul knew that there was the possibility of persons looking down on him because of the mere fact that he was young, yet he encouraged him all the same not to be phased by this. What are some limitations you think you have allowed others to set over your life? What are some limitations you have placed on yourself from your own damaging thoughts? Let go of these limitations this year and focus on having a kingdom perspective. It isn’t about what you think you are able to do, or what others think you are able to do, this is a matter of what God is telling you, you need to do and what he says you are able to do.

Secondly, I want to highlight that Paul encouraged Timothy to devote himself to the work of Christ. For Timothy this involved publicly reading the scriptures, teaching and preaching. For you however this could mean many things. Take a brief look at the draft list you have in your mind already. Does any of it include helping you get closer to Christ or helping someone else get closer to Christ? Remember, as people in this church body we have a responsibility to preach the gospel as well as to encourage each other in the faith. Jesus’ last charge to his disciples was to go forth and preach the gospel.

Mark 16 vs 5

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature…

Let us not forget that the gospel can be taught not only through words, but through the very lifestyle you live. How you go about your day, how you interact with and treat others around you. Let your very life testify for itself. We as believers also have a responsibility to build each other up in the faith. So, I hope that somewhere on your list of “must dos” this year there are plans that incorporate you becoming a true laborer in the Kingdom!

Hebrews 10

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Lastly, Paul encourages Timothy to not neglect his gift.

God has given you a talent (or a number of talents) for you to use it! Not for you to bury it, leave it in the dark and wait for something to happen. For example, the gift of prophecy that you were told you had at church ten years ago was not a name brand bag for you to wear that day and then lock up the next day for fear of damage. It’s not an accessory to be worn but rather an item to be used. Many of us, have been made aware of gifts that we have received from the Holy Spirit, and have been staring at it in a case instead of taking it out and seeking God and asking him “How do I even use this properly?”. Furthermore, this goes beyond spiritual gifts because some of us truly don’t even know yet what our spiritual gift or gifts may be per-say. However, do you not have the gift of freedom? Do you not have the gift of salvation? Do you not have the gift of deliverance? So why then are you continuing to walk around as if you are still enslaved? The gift of your salvation is also a gift to be used, a gift that ought not to be neglected. Forget not the Lord’s benefits!

Psalm 103: 2 - 5

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.”

I say all this to say, someone somewhere is depending on you to be obedient. Someone somewhere is looking on your life and will be touched through your obedience and you devoting yourself to the calling of God on your life. So, when setting your objectives for this year keep these things in mind. Run this race not only for yourself, set these plans not only to attain happiness for yourself. Do it to please God. Do it for his Kingdom.