Seeking Jesus First July 8, 2025

Apostle Paul wrote this to Pastor Timothy

“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” (1 Timothy 4:12–16, NKJV)

Don’t act like a child. The only way to allow someone else to despise your youth is to be immature in the way you act. Even a fool is thought to be wise when he doesn’t speak like a fool. A young believer who listens and grows and follows the example of mature believers will not be despised but encouraged.

Instead, be an example to other believers in the ares of:

• Word or Speech - we talk like the High Priest of our confession
• Behavior - we order our conduct according to God’s word
• Love - we imitate Our Father and walk in love; we are motivated by love
• Spiritual strength - we stay continually filled with The Spirit; we are led by the spirit
• Faith and Faithfulness - we walk by faith and not by sight
• Purity - we do not allow mixture in our heart; we are filled with light

We give attention to and are faithful in:

• Reading the word of God
• Encouraging and building up ourselves and others
• Studying the word of God

We do not neglect:

• The gifting and callings of God on our life
• The prophesies that we have received

Instead, we meditate on all of these things and give ourselves entirely to them so that everyone around us will see the fact that we are making progress in our walk with The LORD. We stay faithful so that our example will produce the manifestation of the promise in us and in those around us.