Be Thou An Example - Pastor Stacey Shiflett
- Pastor Shiflett
- 2 minutes ago
- 6 min read
Be Thou An Example
1 Timothy 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Intro: After Missions Conference, there has been a predominant thought on my mind. A missionary on the field must represent true Christianity in every way.
They must be an example of what a true Christian really is.
· In their personal walk with God.
· In their marriage.
· In their parenting.
· In their everyday interactions with people.
Then I realized – that is no different for us as church members here in the States.
We too are missionaries.
We too are to be examples of true Christianity.
In this text, Paul was clearly talking to Timothy.
But what he said is no less relevant to us as believers.
Notice the word he used.
EXAMPLE: the mark of a stroke or blow, print
2) a figure formed by a blow or impression
2a) of a figure or image
2b) of the image of the gods
3) form
3a) the teaching which embodies the sum and substance of religion and represents it to the mind, manner of writing, the contents and form of a letter
4a) in the technical sense, the pattern in conformity to which a thing must be made
We are commanded to be an example to the unsaved.
· Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
We are commanded to influence each other as believers.
Turn to Philippians 3:15-17
These verses come at the end of a section where Paul is describing the Christian life as a pursuit.
We are pressing forward toward Christlikeness (Philippians 3:12–14).
Paul has just said he has not yet “apprehended” perfection but is pressing toward the mark.
A. The Mind of the Mature Believer
Philippians 3:15 “Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.”
“As many as be perfect”
The word perfect here does not mean sinless perfection.It refers to spiritual maturity.
Greek word: teleios — meaning full-grown, mature, complete.
Paul is saying those who are spiritually mature should have this mindset.
What mindset? The mindset he just described:
Never becoming satisfied with spiritual progress.
Continually pressing forward toward Christ.
Forgetting past accomplishments.
Pursuing greater holiness and knowledge of Christ.
Mature Christians know they are not finished growing.
“If in any thing ye be otherwise minded”
Some believers may not yet understand this attitude of continual growth.
Paul essentially says: “Some of you may think differently right now.”
“God shall reveal even this unto you”
Paul trusts that God will correct sincere believers through:
Scripture
The Holy Spirit
Spiritual growth
Teaching
In other words, God matures His people over time.
B. The Manner of the Mature Believer
Philippians 3:16 “Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.”
This verse emphasizes consistency and obedience.
“Whereto we have already attained”
You may not know everything yet, but you already know some truth.
Live up to the truth you already understand.
Example: If you know:
You should pray
You should read the Bible
You should witness
You should forgive
Then walk according to that light.
Many Christians want more revelation while ignoring present obedience.
Paul’s point: Don’t wait for deeper truth before obeying the truth you already have.
C. The Marking of the Mature Believer
Philippians 3:17 “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.”
This verse explains one of the most powerful methods of spiritual growth - imitation of godly examples.
“Be followers together of me”
The word followers means imitators.
Paul is saying follow my example as I follow Christ.
Paul said something similar in:
1 Corinthians 11:1 “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”
This is not arrogance—it is leadership responsibility.
Spiritual leaders should live in such a way that others can safely imitate them.
“Mark them which walk so”
The word mark means: observe carefully; take note of; identify
Paul says believers should identify faithful Christians and follow their example.
“For an ensample”
An ensample is a pattern or model to follow.
NOTE: Same Greek word as EXAMPLE in our text.
Christian growth often happens through seeing truth lived out.
Examples include:
A father showing his children how to pray.
A soulwinner showing others how to witness.
A faithful church member showing consistency.
A pastor modeling spiritual leadership.
People often learn more from what we do than from what we say
Let’s look at this verse at all the ways we are commanded to be an example.
I. An Example of the Label - be thou an example of the believers
If you say you’re a Christian, ACT LIKE IT!
II. An Example with your Lips – in word
If you say you’re a Christian – TALK LIKE IT!
Ephesians 5
· 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
· 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
· 1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
Colossians 4
· 5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
· 6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
III. An Example with your Lifestyle – in conversation
· manner of life, conduct, behaviour, deportment
If you are a Christian, LIVE LIKE IT!
· Philippians 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ:
We are commanded to be an example to the unsaved.
· 1 Peter 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by [your] good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
The believing wife is commanded to be an example to the unsaved husband.
1 Peter 3
· 1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
· 2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
IV. An Example with your Love – in charity
If you are a Christian – LOVE LIKE IT!!
· Thessalonians 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
V. An Example with your Liveliness - in spirit
If you are saved and going to heaven, ACT LIKE IT!
· Romans 12:11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
VI. An Example with your Leaning – in faith
Who or what are you depending on?
Who or what are you leaning on?
Who or what are you relying on to help you in life?
· Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
VII. An Example with your Longings – in purity
What do you long for?
What does your flesh desire?
Are they fleshly lusts and desires or godly longings and cravings?
· Psalms 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Can you say with David:
· Psalms 63:1 A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, thou [art] my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
· Psalms 84:2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.
Conclusion: Can the world look at you and get an accurate representation of Christianity?
Can other believers look at you and learn what it means to be a real Christian?
If not, get it together! BE THOU AN EXAMPLE!