October 19, 2024 -Age Doesn't Matter

JEREMIAH 33:1-34:22

1 TIMOTHY 4:1-16

PSALM 89:1-13

PROVERBS 25:23-24

One Year Bible Audio & Daily Reading (oneyearbibleonline.com)

First I think Jeremiah and the Psalm fit together well today so make sure you read all the reading not just the blog post.

1Timothy 4:12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

Timothy may have been a young man but he was mature in his faith. Spiritual maturity doesn't come with age but with relationship. There are many who have grown up in the church that are still spiritually immature. They may struggle with hearing a message from a younger person. Also, younger people who are being led to speak a spiritual truth to someone older may be intimidated and fearful. But if you are living in mature faith your speech and conduct will show it. You will walk in love, faith and purity and your speech will be seasoned with love, salt and light.

1Timothy 4:13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

Timothy was given spiritual gift/gifts and it was spoken to him when he was prayed for by the elders. The Holy Spirit revealed to him what God was equipping him to do prophetically through the elders. The prophecies are mentioned more than once. I don't know what each one was, but Timothy knew. Paul, Timothy's spiritual mentor, is reminding him of what he needs to do. I am guessing that "public reading of Scripture, preaching and teaching" are all part of his gifting.

1Timothy 4:15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Every believer is given at least 1 spiritual gift and we should be diligent in developing that gift. Because as we progress in it, God will use it to reveal Himself through it. The more we work on developing our spiritual gifts the more we are working hand in hand with the Spirit of God and the more God will be seen and heard through us. And if that gifting is about preaching, teaching, exhortation, prophecy or any other gift that requires you to speak to others, even others older than you, walking in the Spirit will allow you to also "watch your life and doctrine closely". So you may "Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers."

Psalm 89:1 I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever;

    with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known

    through all generations.

2 I will declare that your love stands firm forever,

    that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself.

All generation need to be know about God's faithfulness and great love. And when it comes to sharing that good news ages doesn't matter.