Don't Let Anyone Look Down on You Because You Are Young

“Command and teach these things. 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. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.” (1 Timothy 4:11-13)

Jesus was just a young man when he died on the cross. Have you ever thought about that? Jesus began his public ministry when he was about thirty years old (see Luke 3:23). It was about three years later that he was crucified. What would we call a man today who’s about 33 years old? A young man! Yet, despite his young age, were people to listen to Jesus and his message from God? Absolutely!

That doesn’t just apply to Jesus. It applies to every true preacher of God’s Word. The pastor Timothy was also a young man, certainly less than 40 years old. It would have been tempting for people to disregard or disrespect him based on his age: “What does that ‘young man’ know?” The apostle Paul wanted to put an end to that even before it started: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young.” Despite his young age, were people to listen to Timothy and his message from God? Absolutely!

It's not a person’s age that makes their message trustworthy. What is it? Their faithfulness to the Word of God. That’s why Paul encouraged Timothy to devote himself “to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.” When Timothy faithfully preached and taught the Scriptures, his age didn’t matter. His message was to be received with faith, because it was God’s message, not Timothy’s.

Of course, the way that young Pastor Timothy carried out his ministry would certainly help (or hurt!) the respect he received. Young or not, he was to “set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” Timothy’s faith-filled life would help gain an audience for God’s Word.

Every Sunday in Christian churches, something amazing happens: Seasoned Christians who are 60, 70, or even 80 years old sit humbly and listen to preachers who are a generation or more younger than they are. Why do they do that? Because their respect for the message leads them to respect the messenger.

Dear Jesus, give us humility to respect and believe the message of your messengers, regardless of their age. Embolden even the youngest of pastors to faithfully preach your Word and set an example for your people. To you be the glory, amen.

Pastor Nathan