Encouragement
The apostle Paul has so much to teach us in his writings in the New Testament. The subject of ministry is especially addressed in his letters to Timothy, a young leader in the emerging church. When I am talking about ministry, I am not talking about a position. Ministering in its simplest terms is helping other people through the love of God, which everyone is called to do. One way we can learn from Paul is to take a passage from I Timothy and break it down into today’s language.
“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 prophesy 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.” I Timothy 4:12-16 NKJV
Jesus talked to the people in parables so I will use simple true to life stories to illustrate this passage. Verse 12 talks about Timothy being an example despite his youthfulness in word, conduct, love, spirit, faith and purity. I know a young couple that exemplifies this; though barely out of their teens and newlyweds they have become assistants in youth ministry. At this stage in their lives, they could want life to be all about them but instead are taking time and energy to build relationship with each youth personally, praying for the youth as a couple and being a model that older couples could watch and learn from.
As far as giving attention to reading, exhorting or encouraging and learning and teaching, my father was my example growing up. Though stricken with a neuro-muscular disease in his early thirties and living the rest of his life as a paraplegic, he faithfully read and studied the Word, sometimes meditating on one verse for a month at a time. He was always learning more about the Word of God and sharing it with anyone who came to see him. Being in the day before personal computers, he would dictate letters to my mother, who typed them out and sent words of encouragement interlaced with the message of salvation to lost family and friends. He would strongly minister in love to any Mormon or Jehovah Witness who happened to drop in to visit. He read the Word, learned the Word and gave it out in doses blended with love and encouragement.
Verse 14 is one of those verses that actually help keep me focused and on track when discouragement and hopelessness attempt to abort my gift of writing. I don’t want to neglect or hide under a bushel the talent God has given me but use it for His glory. Friends and family have invested prayer time, financial help and just “reading” something else I wrote and encouraging me too often to neglect the gift.
The next two verses, 15 and 16 warn us to meditate or take care of what we just discussed, giving yourself to them and taking heed to continue which can save both you and others. The word Save in the concordance means to save, deliver; protect; heal; preserve, save [self], do well, be [make] whole.
The church today is full of women doing just that. Sadly, many congregations are made up primarily of single ladies or ladies attending church without their husbands. I see women every week who faithfully attend church, give what money they can and are raising their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord without a husband or one that doesn’t attend with her. These women believe this verse and others that give hope that what they are doing is for the Lord and not in vain.
Significant ministry is ministry that involves loving God and people at a core level, where they live. Paul was trying to impart the message to Timothy that it is living the Word, not religion or legalism that makes a difference to people, in their day and today as well. To paraphrase:
Don’t worry because of your age. Be an example in what you say or think, your behavior, and your love to others [especially to those less fortunate], your reasoning, logic and convictions. Have a pure heart for God; not idols. Pay attention to your reading, the way you console and comfort others and what you teach and are being taught. Don’t forget the gift that was given to you when the elders laid their hands on you and prayed for you. Take care of all these things completely for all to see. Pay attention to yourself and the teaching. Keep them up and you will save yourself and those who hear you, physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
Reader Count & Comments
Date
The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com. This is especially true with articles that
deal with personal healthcare and prophecy. We encourage the reader to make their own decision in consultation with God, His Word, and others as needed.
This article has been read 1083 times < Previous | Next >
Read more articles by Jennifer Hallmark or search for other articles by topic below.
This article has been read 1083 times < Previous | Next >
Search for articles on: (e.g. creation; holiness etc.)
Read more by clicking on a link:Free Reprints
Main Site Articles
Most Read Articles
Highly Acclaimed Challenge Articles.
New Release Christian Books for Free for a Simple Review.
NEW - Surprise Me With an Article - Click here for a random URL
God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You
...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
LEARN & TRUST JESUS HERE
FaithWriters offers Christian reading material for Christian readers. We offer Christian articles, Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, Christian Bible studies, Christian poems, Christian articles for sale, free use Christian articles, Christian living articles, New Covenant Christian Bible Studies, Christian magazine articles and new Christian articles. We write for Jesus about God, the Bible, salvation, prayer and the word of God.