A Pattern of the Believers

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Short Summary
The discourse emphasizes the importance of mentoring and being a positive example in the Christian faith, drawing on the relationship between Paul and Timothy as a model. It highlights key qualities such as living a life of love, faith, purity, and sound teaching, urging believers to embody these traits in word and deed to inspire others and remain steadfast in their spiritual journey. The speaker also reflects on historical examples and encourages self-examination to progress faithfully along the narrow path.

Long Summary
Detailed Summary of the Discourse on Mentoring and Christian Example Based on 1 Timothy 4:10-16

Theme Introduction: Mentoring and Setting an Example
– The discourse focuses on mentoring, with 1 Timothy 4:10-16 as the foundational scripture.
– Key verses from 1 Timothy 4:10-16 (RVIC reading) emphasize laboring with hope in the living God, being an example in word, manner of life, love, faith, and purity.
– Verse 12 specifically urges Timothy: “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.”
– The Greek word *tupos* (translated as “pattern” or “type”) is highlighted as significant for understanding the role of a Christian as a living example.

Historical Context: Paul, Barnabas, and Timothy
– Background from Acts 15-16 highlights the early missionary journeys.
– After the Council of Jerusalem, Paul and Barnabas planned a second journey, but a disagreement about John Mark caused a split.
– Paul took Silas and later Timothy, a young disciple, to visit and confirm churches in Asia Minor.
– Timothy was of mixed heritage (Jewish mother and Greek father), well-known in Lystra and Iconium, and was circumcised by Paul to aid ministry among Jews (Acts 16:1-3).
– Timothy’s sensitivity and dedication are noted, including Paul’s fatherly affection (2 Timothy 1:2, 2:1; 1 Timothy 1:2), and personal struggles such as health concerns (1 Timothy 5:23).

Mentoring in Practice: Personal Examples
– The speaker acknowledges mentors in their own Christian life, emphasizing the importance of guidance and encouragement.
– The example of Charles Taze Russell is given—a young boy who, despite early grief and doctrinal confusion, grew into a knowledgeable and respected Christian leader by age 21.
– This example reinforces the exhortation “Let no man despise thy youth,” showing young believers can be powerful examples.

Role and Characteristics of Timothy as a Model
– Timothy was raised in a devout Jewish environment by his mother Eunice and grandmother Lois (2 Timothy 1:5).
– His mixed cultural background made him a valuable missionary in a diverse region.
– Paul’s advice to Timothy to be an example encompasses:
Word: Speak wisely and kindly; control language as it reflects the heart (Matthew 12:37, Colossians 3:17).
Manner of Life: Live a Christian life that attracts others, demonstrating the faith’s reality beyond doctrine.
Love: Reflect the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-5) and Christ’s command to love neighbor as self (Mark 12:28-30). Love develops in stages:
1. Duty love—loving God in obedience.
2. Principle-based love—growing appreciation for righteousness and God’s character.
3. Brotherly love—sympathy and care for fellow believers.
4. Love for enemies—complete purging of hatred, embracing all mankind (Galatians 6:10).
Faith: Hold fast without wavering, as faith is the anchor of the soul (Hebrews 10:23; Romans 5:1). Lukewarmness is a danger (Revelation 3:15-16).
Purity: Maintain chastity and inner purity, not just external obedience (Psalm 119:9-12). This includes continual cleansing and moral integrity.

The Importance of Being a Living Example
– The Greek word *tupos* implies Christians are “types” or “patterns” for others to follow.
– The 144,000 “living stones” in the heavenly temple (Revelation) symbolize faithful believers as examples.
– Different believers represent various “gems” (diamonds, sapphires, amethysts, carbuncles) reflecting unique qualities and roles in God’s plan.
– The goal is to be an example worthy of imitation in all aspects of life.

Scriptural Encouragement and Warnings
– Believers must guard their words and hearts, aligning speech with Christ’s teachings (Psalm 19:14).
– The manner of life must visibly demonstrate Christian influence, correcting spiritual conditions as Christ did.
– Love is foundational and must progress towards the highest form—loving even enemies.
– Faith must be steadfast to withstand false doctrines and lukewarmness.
– Purity is essential for effective Christian witness and spiritual growth.

Final Exhortation and Reflection
– The discourse closes with a call for self-examination: Are we living as examples in word, life, love, faith, and purity?
– Only through diligent effort and reliance on God’s guidance can believers progress in the narrow way.
– The speaker invokes 2 Timothy 1:10-14 to encourage perseverance and faithfulness.
– Blessings are extended to the audience, encouraging them to continue growing as mentors and examples in the Christian community.

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Key Bible Verses Quoted or Referenced:

– 1 Timothy 4:10-16 (RVIC reading, especially v.12)
– Acts 15-16 (Paul’s missionary journeys and Timothy’s introduction)
– 2 Timothy 1:2, 4, 5; 2:1 (Paul’s affectionate references to Timothy)
– 1 Timothy 5:23 (Paul’s advice about health)
– Ecclesiastes 12:1 (“Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth”)
– Psalm 119:9-12 (Purity and cleansing by God’s word)
– Matthew 12:37 (“By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words shalt thou be condemned”)
– Colossians 3:17 (“Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus”)
– Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (The Shema – love God)
– Mark 12:28-30 (Jesus affirms the Shema and the second commandment)
– Romans 8:4; 13:10 (“Love is the fulfilling of the law”)
– John 4:19 (“We love him, because he first loved us”)
– Galatians 6:10 (Love to all men, especially the household of faith)
– Hebrews 10:23 (“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering”)
– Revelation 3:15-16 (Warning against lukewarmness)
– Romans 5:1 (“Being justified by faith, we have peace with God”)
– Psalm 19:14 (“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer”)
– 2 Timothy 1:10-14 (Encouragement for faithfulness)

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This discourse thoroughly explores the biblical foundation and practical application of mentoring young believers, using Timothy as the prime example. It stresses the importance of being a living pattern in all areas of Christian life, emphasizing that youthfulness is no excuse to be disregarded but rather a platform for exemplary Christian witness.

Transcript

Our theme for this convention is one that really is an exciting theme because it deals with the broad. Okay, we’re going to get into the specific to do list, but it deals with mentoring, and I’d like us to turn together in your Bibles or scroll together on your phone to first Timothy 4. But we’re going to start with verse 10. We’re going to start with verse 10 dot and in this case, I, I’m going to be using the rvic reading.

For to this end we labor and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God who is the Savior of all men, but especially of them that believe these things. Command and teach, let no man despise thy youth, and I am delighted to see the young ones here. Lord bless you. Be an example to them that believe and you’ll notice the diaglot, the Wilson Diaglot says pattern.

We’re going to talk about that word in a little detail.

In word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity, till I come. Give heed to reading, to exhortation, to teaching. Neglect not the gift that was in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Be diligent in these things. Give thyself holy to them, that thy progress may be manifest to all.

Take heed to thyself and to thy teaching continue in these things. For in doing this, thou shalt save both thyself and them that hear me. Now we’re going to go back about a decade or so before this first epistle to Timothy and we find the record of Paul and Barnabas considering a second missionary journey, and once again to the districts in Central Asia Minor. The Council of Jerusalem that you can read about in Acts 15 had been a hard fought success for bringing the gospel to the Gentiles.

And Paul and Barnabas had labored so well together.

There was a special relationship between Paul and this young disciple Timothy that he was mentoring. A part of our challenge today is mentoring, and I, I have to thank the Lord. I’m not going to specifically name them, but I have to thank the Lord for those brethren who took the time out in their lives to assist and to guide me in my Christian development, and I, I believe if we had a testimony we would find each and every one who’s here has had special guides and mentors in their Christian life who said the right thing at the right time, answer the right question that was in their mind, just added on that little thing that said, you know, I want to give my Life in full consecration.

And, and both Paul and Barnabas wanted to visit the newly established churches. But there was a strong disagreement, okay, between Paul and Barnabas, and this was over whether John Mark should accompany them or not. John Mark had not proven steadfast during the first missionary journey, and he’d left them. Well, this disagreement split the partnership of these two extraordinary evangelists.

Barnabas departed with John Mark, and they set out for Barnabas home, which was Cyprus. So they’re probably going to follow the course exactly of the first missionary journey to Asia Minor, which would mean that they would be on the east side. But of course, I have to remember stage direction on the east side of Asia Minor, and what did Paul do? Well, we pick up the account in Acts 15, verse 40.

Paul chose Silas, and of course, that’s a nickname for Sylvanius, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God. How did he travel? He’s not going by boat. He travels through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches. Now, Salisha is important because that’s actually the district in which Paul’s hometown of Tarsus was near the sea.

Paul had a way of making himself not permanently welcome in some cities, and Tarsus was. Was one of these places that, you know, he got word out. But no, he didn’t go into Tarsus itself, and if you, if you know what the district’s like there, Tarsus is near the sea.

It’s not a seacoast city. It’s. It’s a little inland. It’s ancient, but there are towering mountains behind it that encompass that part of Asia Minor, and through those mountains, there’s really only one narrow passage that takes you directly inland to what in New Testament times.

This district’s called Cappadocia Scotia. You read about that in the Pentecost, and, and so Paul’s coming in. Paul’s coming in on the east, and he’s going to go and approach Derby and Maestra, and he’s coming in at the opposite. These.

The two brothers are coming in at the opposite ends of Asia Minor. There’s a lot we could say, but that’s not the focus of our discourse. It seems likely that on the first missionary journey, hearing about these two dynamic evangelists working together, Timothy as a very young lad, was actually an eyewitness to those events we see reported in Acts 14. Now, certainly the whole city of Lystra was alerted by the shouting of the people and in the Lycaonian language with their energy and excitement, and, you know, Paul and Barnabas were like, gee, we really don’t know Lyconian.

But the people were exclaiming the gods had come to us. The people of Lystro had been witnesses of a divine epiphany. Barnabas was Jupiter. Paul was Mercury. The gods had proven their power with an undoubted miracle of grace.

A man lame from birth was healed by these two visitors. The priest of Jupiter brought forward an ox and and these oxes would have been festooned with garlands of bright carnations for sacrifice to honor Barnabas and Paul. Well, when Barnabas and Paul saw the ox in the priest of Jupiter, they knew there was a problem, and it was only with great persuasion that Paul was able to interrupt these enthusiastic celebrations. He explained to the people they were but men.

And Paul directed the people to the true source of their power in Christ. Timothy was certainly well aware of all of this as we read in 2nd Timothy 3. 11, but continuing in Acts 16. 1 then he and that’s Paul. Then came he to Derby and Lystra.

And behold, a certain disciple was there named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman. I don’t know why Luke wasn’t more specific, but anyway which was a Jewish Jewish and believed but his father was Greek, which was well reported by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. So Timothy’s reputation spread beyond his hometown. Acts 16:3 Him Would Paul have go forth with him and took and circumcised him because of the Jews that were in those quarters for they all knew his father was agreed 16:4 and they now this would be Paul, Silas and Timothy, who was a resident of that district and obviously would be speaking with the local dialect, went through the cities. They delivered to them the decrees for to keep that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.

Now, when this Acts 16:3 says the Jews that were in those quarters these were likely both steadfast Jews who had rejected the Gospel and actually the newly established brethren in Christ of Jewish heritage who were not pleased necessarily by the Council of Jerusalem.

Word about the controversial decision of that council in Jerusalem had no doubt preceded Paul and Silas, as such things do, and you know, apostolic authority can only do so much for healing disputes because human nature is human nature. Timothy was still considered young as we read in First Timothy 4:12, and while we don’t know more than this about Timothy, I’d like to get an example that’s closer to our time and one we do know about in detail, and this is the early calling of Brother Charles Taze Russell, he was devastated by his mother’s death in 1861 when he was nine years old.

This child had been indoctrinated in the Scotch Presbyterian Church with a dread of hellfire. Young Charles took chalk and wrote on the sidewalks of Allegheny. Admonitions warning of repentance, warning of the dangers of eternal torment for the unrepentant. Young Charles was grief stricken by his mother’s early death and the liberal thinking of the day from those faithful Adventists. Remember not all the, not all the virgins slept.

When the disappointment of the Lord’s return didn’t occur as expected, some really dug in and were trying to understand even more deeply, and this was permeating out into the Christian community, and brother Russell came in contact and was comforted by the tracts and books being circulated about the nature of, of eternal torment not being the Bible’s teaching. It was already clear to him this was not the Bible’s message, and he knew he had to leave the Presbyterian Church and he did so.

And he was not even age 12.

Now Charles was an avid reader and well ahead of his school years in math thanks to his mother’s tutoring, and in these formative years think back into United States history. The bloody American Civil War was going on. The south had very capable leadership, the Southern Confederacy and this spilled over into the borders of the very state that brother Russell lived in, which was Pennsylvania. A lot of battles went on there.

We just, well anyway I won’t get into civil war. Brother Russell consecrated at the age of 12 in 1864. Two years later when he was 14, his Bible class teacher told the other students that Charles knew the Bible so well he was actually teaching the teacher at the age of 21 in August 1873 following the death accidental death of brother Jonas Wendells who had organized this group. The Bible study group in Allegheny organized by Wendell elected brother Russell as their leader, and the rest is history.

So despise not die youth. Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth. Ecclesiastes 12:1, and Timothy had been raised in the Jewish faith by certain women. Well they’re identified in second Timothy 1, 5.

In fact there were were two notable women in the spiritual life of Timothy. He had a godly Jewish grandmother named Lois and a godly Jewish mother named Eunice, and yet Timothy’s father wasn’t a Jew, he was Greek. Timothy was the product of a committed Jewish faith, but he was also a blend of the Hellenic Roman culture that was being introduced into Asia Minor as well as the local culture of Lyconia, the culture of Derby and Maestra.

Paul could recognize the Lord’s blessing and Timothy’s talent as a promising agent for spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, and what else can we say about Timothy? Well, there’s a few details that spill over one possible reading of Paul’s observations about physical training in First Timothy 4. 8. Possibly Timothy may have been spending a lot of time working out at the gymnasium.

That’s a very Greek thing to do. But at the same time, at the same time the Jews weren’t interested in being one step behind the Gentiles, and if you read the first book of Maccabees, you’ll find out that the Jews were as involved with the gymnasium and as the Gentiles or they could be as involved. So that’s a possibility.

Paul expresses this sympathetic concern for one whom he four times addresses as my son in the faith, and that’s 1 Timothy 12:18 and 2nd Timothy 1, 2 and 2:1. So you know, he, he, he knew he was the spiritual father to Timothy and, and he really did treat him as his son. Paul writes about Timothy’s tears. This young man had tears. We read about that in second Timothy 1:4.

You know, we can see in Timothy a very sensitive nature.

Okay, Paul’s curious advice about taking a little wine for the stomach in first Timothy 5:23. By the way, I’ve not made that as a recommendation to any of the young brother in the Chicago class. But anyway, Paul says in First Timothy 5:23 that perhaps Timothy was inclined to suppress all this anxiety and these tears he had to the detriment of his overall still young physical health. But what do we find? We have an intelligent, capable, well educated in things of the Scripture and we’re talking the Old Testament because the New Testament is still a work in progress and a highly descent, a highly sensitive disciple.

In Timothy, Paul was looking for somebody to share his labors as a yoke fellow, and that’s what he found in Timothy, and, and that’s what we, every one of us needs to be encouraging one another in the work and to get the assistance in the work we both labor. First Timothy 4:10. So while this is directed to Timothy, there’s lessons in our theme text for this year for all of us.

Be thou an ensample to them that believe. Now it was appropriate that Paul should impress upon Timothy’s mind that he should be an example of the believers, an example to all the church, and such instruction is implied in other parts of this epistle. But observe that the apostle in our text does not say, be an example to the believers, but rather as part of the body, and we just had such a nice presentation on that.

To be an example, to be participating with them, to be in communion, how different. To be an example of the believers means that we should not only show forth to our fellow workers in the gospel what Christ means to us, but especially to the world, what believers stand for, what they believe, what they teach, how they live. We should see to it that we are setting an example and word as the apostle enjoins in character of our language when declaring the message of truth. We’re not merely to be smooth tongue and unctuous. That means pouring forth of oil.

I found sometimes asking brethren, what does unctuous mean? Well, it means pouring forth of oil.

We are to have kindness, interest on a genuine level from the heart. All of the Lord’s people, all of the Lord’s people, everyone in this room is to be an example.

And let us be an example worthy of imitation.

There’s various translations. Benjamin Wilson uses patterns, example, and sample. I like the original Greek word because this just made me happy. The word here is tupos, our word for type that we use for types and shadows in the tabernacle. This is an encouragement for each of us to be a type.

I think the living stones that are going to be assembled into that great temple in heaven, when fully assembled, will have 144,000 types in there or in samples or examples or patterns of faithful believers, and, and for my Christian walk, I remember those that have had the privilege of. That I’ve had the privilege of knowing, and I’m.

I was young enough to still actually know brethren who had worked directly with Brother Russell. So, you know, they could recount the experiences that they had as young people, and it was a blessing. But I think of the privilege that we’ve had of knowing some of the rarest gems, because, you know, when we think of the 144,000, we know they’re organized into 12 tribes and 12 gemstones, and I liked the relation to the gemstones. We’ve.

We’ve known some of those brethren that are diamonds, some that are sapphires, some that are emeralds and rubies. You know, those are the ones that we remember for their dynamic actions or their teaching, their clarity, and there’s those that have been the examples to us. Like, you know, by the way, there’s always a debate on what these gems actually are, but the one that we’re pretty comfortable with is amethyst, because we still call it amethyst. But this wine colored amethyst is, I think, those brethren who have the joy in doctrine, but they walk with sobriety of purpose, because that’s literally the meaning of amethyst.

They’re precious in God’s sight and lovely. There’s the brethren that are the red carbuncles. These are, and of course, there’s always debate. These are the ones depicting the hot coals in the tabernacle.

That’s what the name means in. In English anyway. The hot coals that consume the sacrifice on the brazen altar, and then, and then you remember, those coals were taken after they done their service on the brazen altar.

And they were brought in a special censor and set on a table right before the most holy of the tabernacle, and incense was placed on that, and we know this is a picture of prayer, a picture of prayer as it proceeds before into the most Holy, pouring out its fragrance, and that doesn’t happen without the carbuncle, brethren. So each of these 12 gems in the high priest breastplate has its own special way of being an example, a pattern, a type, and a type that’s going to teach mankind in the kingdom.

And Paul continues to Timothy saying, be an example in word. Our Lord said in Matthew 12:37, by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words shalt thou be condemned.

What need of wholesome words there is in these times where mere civility and language is nearly dead. Paul encourages Timothy and us to glorify the Lord in our words and how we say things in words that have wisdom of speech. Whoever would be careless in his language reveals a careless heart. Those who hear the Master’s words and say, yea, Lord, but don’t put the Master’s teachings into practice who don’t make his words. Their words are not built properly upon the rock of truth, which is Christ.

They are building upon their hope and their faith.

But this will not stand up. It will collapse. Thus the Lord instructs us not merely to know his words, to know his will, to be doctrinally informed, but he’s looking for character development in us as will bring us into full harmony with his character.

In Colossians 3:17, Paul writes, Whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to the Father by him. So, brethren, let us guard our words, guard our hearts. Let us be an example in our words, so that we speak as our Lord and Savior would speak, and Let us be warned by our Lord’s words to the mighty and powerful of his day. O generation of vipers. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speak us.

We are told to be an example in the manner of life, and you know, Christian religion can only spread properly from this pattern or example of Christian life. It just isn’t a matter of dogma. We show forth Christ living in a way that makes people wonder about us. They under best circumstances, they want to know more.

They want to implore us to reveal the secret of such goodness, and that’s really one of the ways that Christian influence should spread as Christ spread his religion by the enthusiasm for trying to correct the spiritual condition of the age that he was in, and we’re also. Everybody’s in a bad age, okay? Not until the kingdom.

We’re always dealing with a different set of issues.

Our example of, of life should have a positive outflow of energy that will be perceived as well as whatever words of doctrine we, we will add to that, and our Lord said, let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works. We’re told to be an example in love, and here Jesus was aligned with the rabbis. That was nice when that happened.

Didn’t happen frequently. Hero Israel the Lord our God is one Lord, and thou shalt love Jehovah thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, with all thy mind, with all thy strength. Deuteronomy 6, 4 and 5. This is the the first word of this, by the way, in Hebrew, shema, or hear, and so this is called the Shema.

This is at the core of both Jewish and should be Christian worship because our Lord said he affirmed in Mark 12:28 30. This was the chief commandment. The second commandments like unto it, love thy neighbor as thyself. Writing to the Romans, Paul says love is the fulfilling of the law. Romans 8:4 and 13:10.

Here then, we have the definition of what constitutes the beginning of Christian character in the elect. It’s Godlikeness, Christ likeness. This begins as a duty, love for God, and in Philippians 3, 13 and 14, Paul speaks of our being on a racecourse and the importance of pressing towards the mark and exploring that theme. Pastor Russell suggests there’s four stages in the development of love.

The apostle John says it’s not that we first love God. He first loved us first. John 4:19. That’s the beginning of our experience as Christians since, since God so loved us as to redeem us at such a great cost, since God provides us with so great A salvation. It would be our duty to love and serve him in return.

And and so this beginning mark, as the course is traversed, is a duty love, and in obedience to duty love, we find in our hearts a growing appreciation of the principles of righteousness. Indeed, we began to love righteousness, justice, mercy, love, not just at first with the fervency of love, but rather with respect for the glorious qualities of the divine character, plan and law.

That takes us to the first quarter Mark. The more we learned about these principles of righteousness, the more the divine being of Jehovah God is revealed to the eyes of our understanding. In that proportion the true love of God now is based upon principles and not duty. But as the true love, the right principles, burn into our hearts more and more we learn to sympathize with the entire groaning creation and to love the brethren. We saw in our brothers, others who had learned to appreciate these principles of righteousness and love them as we do, to hate iniquity and further to love God, who is the full embodiment of all that is good in realization that these brethren, like ourselves, were striving for the divine standard and also pressing forward toward the mark that that filled us more and more with an interest in their welfare and rejoicing in their overcoming and praying in their weaknesses as they progressed in the same narrow way.

This love of the brethren is. Is not something that we necessarily, if some of us may have, but necessarily not all of us had this at the beginning. But it marks the strength, progress and, and another attaining of what might be considered one of the marks in. In our race course here.

And you know, but I. But I’ve heard of those who come into the truth because they just love to be amongst the brother, and so you know, the Lord bless them, and yet we’re only at the third quarter mark. We need to make more progress.

For there’s a higher attainment of love, the highest attainment, and that’s for loving our enemies, not merely tolerating them, not merely abstaining from injuring them or thinking evil of them, but far beyond this. It signifies the full purging out of anger, malice, hatred, envy, strife, not only from our actions and our words, but from our very thoughts and sentiments. At this highest level. It means the love of God has been so thoroughly shed abroad in our hearts that we love and do love every intelligent creature and delight to do good to all men, especially to the household of faith. Galatians 6:10 we’re told to be an example in faith, and we’re admonished Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering, for he is faithful that promised we can become lukewarm, as the Hebrew brethren did.

Lukewarm. This is a special warning to us. We’re the Laodicean Church. Revelation 3:15 and 16.

Our faith led us to make a full consecration to the Lord. We believe that God provided the Redeemer for the forgiveness of our sins. We believe that we will be accepted and that our sins would be forgiven through our Lord Jesus Christ, and that we would be made sons of God, heirs of God, joint heirs with our Lord Jesus.

This verse led us to God, and being justified by faith, we found that we had peace with God. Romans 5:1.

Let us earnestly hold fast to this anchor of our souls, lest we drift and be dashed upon the rocks. Unless we hold fast to our faith, we’ll lose everything. For without faith, it is impossible to please God. Without faith, it would be impossible to gird on the armor and go forth to fight the good fight. Brethren, everything depends on our holding fast to this faith without wavering.

We’re told to be an example in purity, and this is the last of the entreaties to Timothy, and this word purity appears only in this epistle. But even though that’s the case, we know what it means whenever our example of life, whatever our love, whatever our faith, we need to have chasteness and purity in our inner lives, and that’s.

That’s what Paul talks about, not what you’re doing. That’s external faith, of course, is inner life and love. But, but this is chastity and, and purity in the inner life and not just something on the outside. We know the typical priests and Levites were instructed to wash and keep themselves continually clean, and that’s the type and sample or pattern for us to be clean.

And I just wanted to read this short section from Psalm 119, 9 through 12. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way by taking heed thereto, according to thy word.

With my whole heart have I sought thee. Oh, let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art Thou, O Lord.

Blessed art Thou, O Lord, and I can hear the Hebrew prayer there.

Well, in closing, what shall we say then?

Have we been transformed into patterns or examples of the believers? Let us be an example worthy of imitation. Have we been an example in our words? Let us pray with that inspired petition. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.

Psalm 19:14 have we been an example in our manner of life?

Have we without preaching shown forth the Christian influence as Christ spread his religion by the enthusiasm for trying to correct the spiritual condition of his age? And we the spiritual condition of our age? Have we been an example in love? Has there been this triumph of love in our hearts, so that we love God supremely? We delight to sacrifice in his service from the love of the principles represented in his character?

Have we remained established in the faith ones who are not being blown about by every wind of doctrine. No human doctrines or teachings should be mixed with the divine message. Our roots of faith must push down deep into the knowledge of God’s plan, and last, have we been an example of purity?

Have we held a chaste life impurity that Paul speaks about here? Well, brethren, only by careful scrutiny of ourselves in the light of his word can we progress in this narrow way. Following thus in our Lord’s leadings can find the only true joy and make the only true progress that Paul writes about in his second epistle to Timothy, second Timothy 1:10 to 14 Brethren, may the Lord be with you, bless you and keep you this week.

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