The Effectiveness of an Exemplary Example (Part 6) by Dr. Rod Mattoon

About this sermon

* 1 Timothy 4:12- Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Part 6 of the series “The Effectiveness of an Exemplary Example” takes a look at the different traits we should have in our lives as Christians. In this message we begin by looking at the importance of being an example in love for others. This is a small portion of the message. We should be an example to others by our kindness and love for them. The word for “charity” is derived from the Greek word agape {ag-ah'-pay}. This word is a powerful and intense word. Agape is the noun form and its accompanying verb form is agapan. These words indicate unconquerable benevolence and invincible goodwill. This kind of love loves without variableness, even if the person loved is hateful and unloving. It is a godlike love. Agape love is the kind of love of T. E. McCully, father of Ed McCully, one of the missionaries slain by Auca Indians in Ecuador. One night, shortly after that tragic experience, he poured out his heart to the Lord and prayed, "Lord, let me live long enough to see those fellows saved who killed our boys that I may throw my arms around them and tell them I love them because they love my Christ." That is a love of the highest kind and degree. In Matthew 5:44, Jesus uses agapao in reference to loving our enemies. Jesus is not asking us to have romantic love, buddy love, family love, or emotional love for our enemies. No, He is not doing that. What He commands is an agape love that is a deliberate, intelligent, and determined love with invincible goodwill toward them. If we regard a person with agape, it means that no matter what that person does to us, no matter how he treats us, no matter if he insults, injures, or grieves us, we will never allow any bitterness against him to invade our hearts. We will regard him with that unconquerable benevolence and goodwill which will seek nothing but his highest good. Wow! That is incredible! How in the world are we supposed to do that? I’ll tell you in a moment. Agape is the power to love those whom we do not like and who may not like us. Agape love is a determination of the mind, whereby we achieve this unconquerable goodwill even to those who hurt and injure us. Our attitude toward the unlovely is to be, "Whether you like it or not, I am going to love you." You may be shouting, “How!?” Understand you cannot do that in your own strength. The only way we can have this kind of love is with the power and help of the Holy Spirit of God who enables us to conquer our disdain, disgust, derision, dismay, disapproval, dislike, distaste, and disapproval for our enemies and gives us compassion for them when He takes control and command of our cynicism, criticalness, composure, countenance, complaints, comments, conclusions, and conduct. Agape love is a love for the unlovely. The true test of love is in how one relates not to saints and scholars, but to rascals, renegades, and rebels . Thank God that Jesus died on the cross for all the rascals in the world which happens to be everybody! * Romans 5:8—But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. This message was preached on Sunday night, April 30, 2023, at Lincoln Land Baptist Church.