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Scripture Reading:  1 Samuel 17:32-37

LET NO ONE DESPISE YOUR YOUTH

(1 Timothy 4:12)

Intro.
1.  Nearly everyone wants to be respected; many do not appreciate what respect is & what it takes to be worthy of respect.

2.  Young people yearn for respect (street law:  “Diss me, and you die”).  These do not understand that respect is earned – it is not a privilege one can demand from others, but a blessing that results from how we live our lives.

3.  Timothy was a young man who stood up for Christ; a man of conviction & devotion.

  a.  Our respect for Timothy is because of the life he lived, Acts 16:1-2.

  b.  Paul taught Timothy (& young men & women today) how to be respected, 1 Tim. 4:12.

I. LET NO ONE DESPISE YOUR YOUTH:  THE EXAMPLE OF DAVID.

  A.  His Brother Scolded His Boldness as Evil, 1 Sam. 17:22, 28-29.

      -David was driven by the cause of truth, not the pride of cowardice.

  B.  King Saul Doubted David’s Ability Due to his Youth, 1 Sam. 17:31-33.

    1.  Past evidence of David’s faith (lion & bear), 17:34-36.

    2.  Present evidence of David’s faith in God, not himself, 17:37-40.

  C.  Goliath Despised David’s Youth, 1 Sam. 17:42-44.

    1.  Cursed & belittled David:  cf. 17:10 & 17:42.

    2.  Scorned, ridiculed & mocked David.

  D.  David Withstood Every Criticism & Taunt, & Gave Glory to God, 17:45-47.

    1.  He did not seek personal glory & acclaim.

    2.  The greatest is the one who serves others (Mk. 10:43).

  E.  Young Person: Do not Doubt Your Faith & Ability to Serve God.

    1.  Have the faith of David & face the foes of faith.

    2.  Serve unselfishly like Timothy, Phil. 2:19-22.

    3.  Older brethren:  Do not despise youth who are doing the work of the Lord, 1 Cor. 16:10-11.

II.   BE AN EXAMPLE, 1 Tim. 4:12. (Pattern to follow)

  A. Be an Example to Christians.

    1.  Your life affects others beyond your friends & age group.

    2.  You are the future of the church: Your faith & influence is important!  (Matt. 5:13-16)

  B.  Be an Example to those who are not Christians, Titus 2:6-8.

III. SET THE EXAMPLE…  (1 Tim. 4:12)

  A.  In Word, cf. Tit. 2:8 (sound); Eph. 4:29 (not corrupt, needful edification, impart grace to others).

    1.  Obscenity, profanity, irreverent, godless speech (vulgar jokes, etc.), vain talk, Eph. 5:3-4.  (cf. Euphemisms)

    2.  People do judge you by your words; so does God (Matt. 12:36-37).

  B.  In Conduct (“manner of life”), 2 Tim. 4:10.

    1.  Sober-minded (moderate, curbing one’s passions), Titus 2:6-7.

    2.  Conduct comes from the mind; control your mind!  Rom. 12:2

    3.  You must choose to be different, 1 Pet. 4:3-5.

      a.  Your good conduct will make criticism baseless, Titus 2:8.

      b.  Your good conduct can help save others, 1 Pet. 2:11-12.

  C.  In Love.

    1.  Love God before everything else (Matt. 22:37; Jno. 14:15); neighbor as yourself (Matt. 22:39), brethren (Rom. 12:10), enemies (Matt. 5:44).  Why? 

      a.  Love is the response of the one who knows God, 1 Jno. 4:7-8.

      b.  So others know you are a Christian, Jno. 13:35.

      c.  To be like God…to be a mature child of God (Matt. 5:45, 48).

  D.  In Spirit.

    1.  Disposition of humility & godliness, of wisdom & fear of God; of fervent service, cf. Jas. 3:13-18; Rom. 12:11.

    2.  Spirit of respect for your elders (you expose yourself to just criticism when you are disrespectful to your elders), Lev. 19:32; 1 Tim. 5:1-2.

    3.  Young people:  You have a reputation among adults (Prov. 22:1).

  E.  In Faith.

    1.  Diligent faith to do God’s will & to please Him, Heb. 11:6.

    2.  Strong & unwavering faith, Dan. 3:16-18.

    3.  Your victory in this world is your faith in Christ, 1 Jno. 5:4-5.

  F.  In Purity, 2 Tim. 2:22.

    1.  Like Joseph, when Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him (Gen. 39:12).

    2.  Like Daniel, when those with authority over you propose that you compromise your faith (Dan. 1:5, 8).

    3.  Do not love the world (1 Jno. 2:15-16):

      a.  Alcohol & drugs, smoking, sexual immorality, profanity, lewdness of the modern dance, immoral entertainment, music, internet (1 Ths. 5:21-22).

      b.  Do not violate your conscience, either (Rom. 14:23).

    4.  How?  Put God’s word in your heart, Psa. 119:9-11.

Conclusion

1.  Young Timothy was not despised because he had “proven character” (Phil. 2:22):  Tried, true & trustworthy.

2.  Remember God now, when you are young, so that as you get older you will not be content with forgetting & disobeying God, Eccl. 12:1.

3.  By your good example of godliness you will honor God, you will have an effective influence on others, & you will help others honor God.