1Timothy 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.
The pastor should be an example in his words. It
should go without saying that a man of God should not have a
filthy mouth. Not merely in preaching but his everyday, normal conversation.
He should be an example in his conversation, or his behavior. The pastor needs to labor to live in a way that reflects the glory of God in all walks of life.
He should be an example in his conversation, or his behavior. The pastor needs to labor to live in a way that reflects the glory of God in all walks of life.
The pastor needs to be an example in love. His love for God.
His love for his neighbors. His love for goodness. His love for God's Word. His
love for the lost.
In spirit. He should be an example in his inner life. He
should be an example in meekness of spirit and humility.
In Faith. During trials and hardships, the man of God needs
to be stalwart in the faith, looking to God's promises and clinging to Christ.
In purity. The pastor should be an example in his
chasteness. He should flee fornication.
These virtues are to be pursued by all Christians, but
especially the pastor. These are the great needs of churches, to have men who will live godly lives as they minister to the churches. There have been great orators whose life out of the pulpit was a far cry from the messages preached in the pulpit. If the ministry is to be despised, don't let it be on your account. If men will not hear the Word of God, don't provide them with an excuse with a life out of order. Churches have lists and ideas what the pastor should be and how he should act. There are countless opinions of how the man should dress and spend his time. God's concern is his inner life.
The pastor needs to be the example, not the imitator. Some churches want the pastor to conform to the image they have of what a pastor should be, when in reality, it is the other way around. The pastor should live in such a way that the church can look to him as an example. Of course, no man is perfect and no man ever was the perfect example, except our Lord. But of the followers of Christ, the men of God should be always striving to follow the example of Jesus. This was the way Timothy could overcome his disadvantage, to live a life for God's glory. No matter what physical disadvantage you may be up against in your ministry, physical weakness, too young, too old, you can overcome that weakness with your people by being an example of a godly man. If preaching the truth and being steadfast in holiness isn't enough for a congregation, nothing ever will be.
The pastor needs to be the example, not the imitator. Some churches want the pastor to conform to the image they have of what a pastor should be, when in reality, it is the other way around. The pastor should live in such a way that the church can look to him as an example. Of course, no man is perfect and no man ever was the perfect example, except our Lord. But of the followers of Christ, the men of God should be always striving to follow the example of Jesus. This was the way Timothy could overcome his disadvantage, to live a life for God's glory. No matter what physical disadvantage you may be up against in your ministry, physical weakness, too young, too old, you can overcome that weakness with your people by being an example of a godly man. If preaching the truth and being steadfast in holiness isn't enough for a congregation, nothing ever will be.
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