(Christian Living Sermon) Hillside 7/96
Filename: Flee Youthful Lusts

FLEE YOUTHFUL LUSTS

INTRO-- 1 Timothy 4:12 "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an ensample to them that believe, in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity."

1. The positive side of this verse shows what sort of example a young Christian should be in the sight of believers.
   
   1. "In word." Titus 2:1, 7-8 "But speak thou the things which befit the sound doctrine......7 in all things showing thyself an ensample of good works; in thy doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, 8 sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of us."
      
   2. "In manner of life." 1 Peter 3:14-16 "But even if ye should suffer for righteousness' sake, blessed are ye: and fear not their fear, neither be troubled; 15 but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: being ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear: 16 having a good conscience; that, wherein ye are spoken against, they may be put to shame who revile your good manner of life in Christ."
      
   3. "In love." 1 Timothy 1:3-6 "As I exhorted thee to tarry at Ephesus, when I was going into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge certain men not to teach a different doctrine, 4 neither to give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questionings, rather than a dispensation of God which is in faith; so do I now. 5 But the end of the charge is love out of a pure heart and a good conscience and faith unfeigned: 6 from which things some having swerved have turned aside unto vain talking;"
      
   4. "In faith." 2 Timothy 1:3-5 "I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers in a pure conscience, how unceasing is my remembrance of thee in my supplications, night and day 4 longing to see thee, remembering thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; 5 having been reminded of the unfeigned faith that is in thee; which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and, I am persuaded, in thee also."
      
   5. "In purity." 2 Timothy 2:22 "But flee youthful lusts, and follow after righteousness, faith, love, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart."
      
2. The negative side of 1 Timothy 4:12 is, "Let no man despise thy youth..."
   

LESSON--

1. The testimony of Scripture is that undisciplined youth leads to youthful lusts.
   
   1. Genesis 8:20-21 "And Noah builded an altar unto Jehovah, and took of every clean beast, and of every clean bird, and offered burnt-offerings on the altar. 21 And Jehovah smelled the sweet savor; and Jehovah said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake, for that the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more everything living, as I have done."
      
   2. Some Bible personalities speak of the sins of their youth.
      
      1. Job 13:26 "For Thou dost write bitter things against me, And dost make me to inherit the iniquities of my youth."
         
      2. Psalm 25:7 "Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; According to Thy lovingkindness remember Thou me, For Thy goodness' sake, O LORD."
         
2. Some Bible personalities had youthful virtues we could recommend today.
   
   1. Josiah. 2 Chronicles 34:1-3 "Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign; and he reigned thirty and one years in Jerusalem. 2 And he did that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah, and walked in the ways of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left. 3 For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father; and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the Asherim, and the graven images, and the molten images."
      
   2. David? Psalm 71: 5, 17-18 "For Thou art my hope; O Lord GOD, Thou art my confidence from my youth......17 O God, thou hast taught me from my youth; And hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. 18 Yea, even when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not, Until I have declared thy strength unto the next generation, Thy might to every one that is to come."
      
   3. Paul. Acts 26:4-5 "My manner of life then from my youth up, which was from the beginning among mine own nation and at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; 5 having knowledge of me from the first, if they be willing to testify, that after the straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee."
      

APPLICATION--

1. Youth, therefore, can be a time of sinfulness, or a time of righteousness.
   
2. It is more honorable to have it said of our youthful manner of life, that it was righteous. (Not just nearly righteous. See Mark 10:17-22 "One ran to him---and asked him, Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 18 And Jesus said----19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not kill, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor thy father and mother. 20 And he said unto him, Teacher, all these things have I observed from my youth. 21 And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. 22 But his countenance fell at the saying, and he went away sorrowful: for he was one that had great possessions."
   
3. Solomon's advice to the young is still valid. Ecclesiastes 11:9-12:1 "Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thy heart, and in the sight of thine eyes; but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. 10 Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh; for youth and the dawn of life are vanity. 1 Remember also thy Creator in the days of thy youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;"