1. The Authority of Truth

Vs. 11 “Command and teach these things.”

2. The Pattern of Christian Leaders

Vs. 12 “No one should despise your youth; instead, you should be an example to the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”

Outward: Speech and Conduct

Inward

Love: Meeting your needs at my expense

Faith: Trusting Christ to do for you what you cannot do for yourself; staying plugged in

Purity: Refusing to mix sinful compromises with a righteous life

3. The Priorities of Christian Leaders

Vs. 13 “Until I come, give your attention to public reading, exhortation, and teaching.”

Reading: Provides Information… Appeals to the mind & memory

Exhortation: Provides Motivation… Appeals to the emotions & to the will

Teaching: Provides Explanation… Appeals to the understanding & spiritual insight

4. The Empowerment of Christians for Leading

Vs. 14 “Do not neglect the gift that is in you; it was given to you through prophecy, with the laying on of hands by the council of elders.”

Do not neglect the gift - That is, by letting it lie unused

The Gift: A gracious gift from God

A specialty in Christian service, supernaturally empowered by the Holy Spirit

6. The Influence of the Leader’s Growth

Vs. 15 “So that your progress may be evident to all.”

Let Them See You Grow The Ongoing Influence of Ongoing Growth

7. The Results of the Leader’s Perseverance

Vs. 16 “Persevere in these things”

Persevere: To stay with it

“By doing this, you will save both yourself and your hearers”

Persevering leaders produce persevering followers

Perseverance:

Perseverance is a condition to go to heaven

Perseverance is the inevitable result of the new birth

We persevere because God preserves

Perseverance is a human responsibility… a command to obey