Be Thou An Example In...Purity
Introduction:
A. I assume that the subject for this weeks lessons have been 1 Timothy 4:12, for I have been asked to speak on the subject of being an example in purity.
1. Which is an excellent choice for camp, because Paul is telling Timothy, a young man, to be an example, and all of you need to be examples as well.
2. I hope you brought your Bibles, and encourage you to open them to I Timothy 4:12.
B. What does this mirror have to do with you being an example?
1. What do you see when you look in the mirror?
a. You see your reflection!
b. You see what other people see all the time when they look at you.
2. When people look at you, what do they see?
a. Do they see someone they can imitate?
b. Because that is what they need to see!
c. That is the purpose of you being an example. You are setting an example for others to imitate.
You, as young people need to be setting an example for the brethren in purity.
I. What does it mean to be an example in purity?
A. Let's use these glasses of water to illustrate.
1. Here are 5 glasses of water.
a. Each of them are filled with the same water.
b. Each of them are as pure a water as you can get out here.
2. What happens, however, when we add dye to them?
a. 1-drop.
b. 2-drops.
c. 3-drops.
d. 4-drops.
e. But, we do not add anything to this one.
f. Which one is still pure?
B. If you are to be an example in purity, you need to be pure.
1. The scriptures tell us to be pure.
a. I Timothy 5:22.
b. James 1:27.
c. I John 3:3.
2. God is telling us to keep ourselves free from the sin, and ungodliness of the world around us. How pure is pure?
a. 4-drops.
b. 3-drops.
c. 2-drops.
d. 1-drop.
e. No drops.
II. What are some practical examples of where you need to keep yourself pure?
A. Language.
1. There is all sorts of impure language used in this world.
a. Cussing.
b. Dirty jokes.
c. Euphemisms.
2. If you use this type of language are you pure?
a. Your peers may think you are cool...but your not pure!
b. You may fit in better...but your not pure!
c. You may get people to laugh...but your not pure!
3. If you are to be pure, you need to be pure in language.
a. Ephesians 4:29.
b. You can't even use a little impure language, or just use it once in a while.
c. To use it just a little is like adding 1-drop to our water.
B. Dress.
1. What kind of clothes are popular?
a. Low cut blouses.
b. Low cut pants.
c. Short shorts.
d. Pants that hang down to your knees.
2. Is this type of dress pure, and holy?
a. Is it pure to expose ourselves?
b. Is it pure to dress in such a manner so we cause someone else to lust?
c. I Timothy 2:9.
3. Why do you choose the clothes you choose when you go shopping?
a. Do you choose clothes that everyone else is wearing?
b. Do you choose clothes that will make the boys/ girls look?
c. Or, do you choose clothes that are modest, and pleasing to God?
d. Can you imagine the influence you can be by choosing to dress in a pure manner?
C. Actions.
1. There is an old saying that says..."actions speak louder than words."
a. People will remember what we do longer than what we say, and if we do things that are sinful it will take a long time to fix our reputations.
b. If, however, we let our light shine before men, they will see our good works, and glorify our Father which is in heaven (Matthew 5:16).
2. We need to carefully consider what we do in life. We are to...
a. "Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness (Ephesians 5:11).
b. "Abstain from all appearance of evil" (I Thessalonians 5:22).
c. "Flee also youthful lusts:.. follow righteousness"(II Tim.2:22).
3. So, if you are going to be an example in purity:
a. Don't smoke, drink, or do drugs...they have the appearance of evil.
b. Do not cheat, lie, or steal they are unfruitful works of darkness.
c. Don't go beyond a kiss...instead follow after righteousness.
III. When should you be an example?
A. You need to be an example for the brethren.
1. You need to be an example for older brethren.
a. David was an example for the soldiers in Israel's army when he stood up the giant Goliath (I Samuel 17).
b. Samuel was an example to all of Israel when he was very young (I Samuel3).
c. These young men had a major impact upon the older people around them, and so can you.
d. Your purity of life could be the motivation that an older Christian needs to put away sin in his life.
2. You need to be an example to younger brethren as well.
a. Other young people either are, or will be going through the same temptation as you are, but if they see you being victorious, they will see that they can be victorious too.
b. There is an interesting statement in Daniel 1:8: "But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank:"
1) Daniel determined to keep himself pure, and so did his three friends (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego).
2) It is easier to do what is right if you have others standing with you.
c. If you set the right example for other young Christians you will be helping them to do what they need to do.
B. You need to be an example at all times.
1. You need to be an example at home.
a. If you have mothers or fathers that are not Christians, or do unchristian things...maybe your example will cause the to the gospel, or change their lives.
b. You need to be an example to you brothers and sisters.
2. You need to be an example at school.
a. Your fellow classmates have plenty of bad examples, so you need to be the good example.
b. Jesus said it this way...
"You are the light of the world"
"You are the salt of the earth"
c. Your example may help them leave the broad way that leads to destruction, and begin taking the narrow way that leads to life.
Conclusion:
A. So, what kind of an example are you going to be?
B. Are you going to be an example in purity?
C. The choice is yours, and we hope you will make the right one.
D. If there is anyway we can help you in making that choice, we would be glad to do so, and would ask you to come as we stand and sing.