February 2, 2015

Verse 7 tells us to have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales. Verse 13 sums up beautifully where our minds are to be focused: “Devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.” If there is one thing you can’t go overboard on it is the Word of God. The Bible says to meditate on it day and night (Psalm 1) and that your life will be planted or established as a result.

2. Train Our Hearts to Hope in Christ Alone. (vs. 10) “We have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.”

Christ needs to be our Source for hope. That means when the unexpected or unwanted happens, He is the FIRST place we go. It is to Jesus first that we should go because He has the ability to impact how the tough times will play out! Why should I allow myself emotionally or physically or spiritually drown when I can call on Jesus and let Him carry me through the deep water? When our hope is in multiple streams, rather than in the Living Water alone, God can’t direct our path and bless us as He desires. (See Proverbs 3:5-9)

3. Train Our Whole Lives as an Example For Others

I Timothy 4:12-“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.”
Regardless of our age, we need to be training to become the kind of person others could desire to follow as they follow after Christ. Paul says in verse 15, “Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.” Train so that people can clearly see if we are truly following Christ. If we once were lost and now we are found, we need to make sure we aren’t living like a lost person, but like a found person.

Paul said in verse 14 that Timothy should strive to become a Christian example of what it means to live for God in speech, life, love, faith, and purity. In every area of your life, Paul encourages that we should strive to leave no room for doubt. Don’t be so close to the line in your speech, in your life, in your love, in your faith, or in your purity that others will question if you are the real deal. Let your life speak so clearly that if people want to follow Christ they don’t have to question if following you would lead them down the right path.

I don’t know a lot of Christians who willfully set out to sin. But I do know a lot of Christians who allow compromise into their lives which leads to sin. What happens when we compromise is that our consciences become desensitized to sin, and sinning becomes more of a natural inclination than holiness does. You see, Satan doesn’t have to get Christians to sin. He just has to get them to compromise. No one who embraces compromise becomes the kind of example Paul is urging Timothy and his church to become.

Why are these three areas of training so important? Because lives are at stake. Verse 16 says, “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” Your example could lead to the salvation of others.

Let’s train for maximum impact!

Pastor Melissa