How Our Profiting May Appear to All (1 Timothy 4:12-16)
Introduction:
1. In these verses Paul gave some very important instructions to Timothy. 2. Timothy was to pay careful attention to several matters, including: a. his conduct [the things he did] (vs.12) b. "reading, exhortation, and doctrine" [the things that he studied and learned] (vs.13). 3. Vs.15 shows how important these things are. a. Timothy was to meditate upon these things. b. He was to give himself completely to these things. c. By doing so, Timothy's "profiting" [progress] would appear to everyone. 4. With this information before us, we are examining some additional passages that teach us "How Our Profiting May Appear to All." 5. Let us begin by showing that . . .
Discussion:
I. A PERSON CAN BECOME PROFITABLE
A. (2 Timothy 4:11) Mark became "profitable to [Paul] for the ministry." 1. (Acts 13:5) John Mark accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their missionary journey. 2. We learn from Acts 13:13 that John Mark returned to Jerusalem before this mission trip was completed. 3. (Acts 15:36-38) When Paul and Barnabas discussed visiting the areas where they had preached, they disagreed over whether they should take John Mark. 4. (Acts 15:39) There was so much contention between Paul and Barnabas over John Mark that they parted company. 5. Many years later (2 Timothy 4:11), Paul wanted Timothy to bring Mark to him because he had become "profitable" [useful]. B. Onesimus became "profitable" to Philemon and Paul (Philemon 10-11). 1. At one time Onesimus had been "unprofitable" -- he was a slave who had run away from Philemon, his master. 2. However, Onesimus came in contact with Paul, and he became a Christian. 3. After becoming a Christian Onesimus was "profitable" to Philemon and Paul. C. John Mark and Onesimus show us that a person can become profitable. D. As we go back to the instructions in 1 Timothy 4:12-16, a person must concentrate on 2 things to be profitable: 1. proper conduct [doing the right things] 2. reading, exhortation, and doctrine [studying and learning the right things].
II. CONCERNING PROPER CONDUCT, WE MUST PRACTICE GODLINESS AND DO GOOD WORKS BECAUSE THEY ARE PROFITABLE
A. (1 Timothy 4:7-8) "Godliness is profitable unto all things." B. (Titus 3:8) Good works are "profitable."
III. CONCERNING READING, EXHORTATION, AND DOCTRINE, WE MUST STUDY AND LEARN THE SCRIPTURES BECAUSE THEY ARE PROFITABLE (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
A. The Scriptures are a gift from God -- the Scriptures are God's inspired Word. B. The Scriptures are also "profitable": 1. "for doctrine" [teaching] 2. "for reproof" [pointing out our sinful ways] 3. "for correction" [restoring to an upright condition] 4. "for instruction in righteousness" [teaching to live as God desires]. C. The end result of studying and learning the Scriptures is a perfect person who is completely equipped unto all good works.
Conclusion:
1. With the Lord's help a person can be "profitable." 2. To be "profitable," we must be devoted to: a. practicing godliness and doing good works b. studying and learning the Scriptures as well as putting them into practice. 3. To illustrate the importance of these matters, see Matthew 16:26, 27.
