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Encouragement for a Young Preacher
Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. (1 Timothy 4:12)
This verse has been a source of encouragement to many young men since Paul first wrote it to Timothy. It has built up young evangelists to be who they are called to be in local churches as they teach and preach the word of God. As a young man I can testify to how daunting it can feel to work among a group of Christians who are older than me, both in age and spiritual maturity. What exactly is Paul saying to help us young evangelists do our work?
The first half of the verse addresses the congregation at large. Though our translations obscure the meaning a bit, the sense of what Paul says is “no one [in the church] must look down on you [Timothy] because you are young.” Paul is not commanding Timothy to demand respect. No leader gains respect by demanding it of their followers; this often will have the very opposite effect. Instead, Paul is commanding the church at Ephesus to accept, listen to, and honor Timothy’s teaching and example insofar as he is faithful in his work.
There sometimes is a temptation to despise the messenger if he is seen as naïve, inexperienced, or “green.” This is only human nature. Remember, though, the authority is not found in the messenger but in the message he delivers. Daniel revealed the meaning of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream when he was probably only a young teenager (Dan. 1-2). Jeremiah was called to prophecy hard words to Judah even though he was young (Jer. 1:5-8). The important thing is that we listen to what God says, regardless of the messenger he chooses to send. Any preacher, young or old, is only a jar of clay bearing the treasure of the gospel (2 Cor. 4:7). Do not reject the content inside because the vessel looks weak on the outside.
How are we to gain the respect of our hearers? The second half of the verse answers this question. Paul says Timothy is to set an example of what believers should be. Paul details five areas in which your life will be on display for the church to see: the way you speak (both in and out of “the pulpit”), the way you behave and carry yourself, the way you love genuinely and impartially, the way you show deep trust in God and his word, and the pure, irreproachable character of your life. As the saying goes, actions speak louder than words. Applied to a proclaimer of the word, this means you daily life will speak much louder than the 30-minute sermon you deliver on Sunday.
Paul says the same thing to Titus: “In all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us” (Titus 2:7-8).
None of this means that preachers are perfect and do should not have spiritual struggles. Nor does this mean we should pretend to be perfect and be above spiritual struggles. We are human just like everyone else, so we need to lean on others for strength and confess our sins when appropriate (remember Peter?). It does mean that the way we conduct ourselves has a great impact on both the way our message is received and the influence we have on our hearers. Hypocrisy is one of the most subtle but destructive pitfalls in a preacher’s life. The Pharisees of Jesus’ day are the product of ignoring these principles.
Respect is gained by bringing our lives into harmony with our message. Otherwise, the results are disastrous. But respect is not really the goal of our work – it is the salvation of souls. “Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:16).
I turned 30 this year. I am still a young preacher and will be for a while. But I am thankful to be a part of a church that holds God’s word in high regard and listens patiently when it is spoken, regardless of the messenger’s imperfection. I pray for you, fellow young preacher. And pray for me too – that we will be faithful to speak the truth, both in word and in deed!
