Supporting Roles #5: Timothy
CCEA
School of Discipleship
February
8, 2026
Do people see Jesus?
Is the gospel preached?
Does it address the person who is: Empty, lonely, guilty, or afraid to
die?
Does it speak to the broken hearted?
Does it build up the church?
Milk – Meat – Manna
Preach for a decision
Is the church loved?
Introduction
Welcome to our fifth class in our “Supporting Roles” series. This week we will look at Timothy.
Homework
Read: Romaine: Assistant Pastor (7 pgs)
I hope you enjoyed Romaine’s chapter on the “Assistant Pastor”.
If he sounded a bit cranky, that’s because he tried very hard to appear
that way. You could catch him in moments where his true “teddy-bear” heart
shone through, but most folks saw him as the rough-tough drill sergeant.
The folks that Romaine was hardest on were often those trying to get into
the ministry.
Some of Romaine’s tips for being a good Assistant Pastor were:
Being a self-starter – don’t wait to be told to do
something.
Do things for the right reasons and don’t be a
“man-pleaser”.
Don’t be lazy – don’t “work the system”, only to change
after the first six months.
Those are good tips no matter what ministry you are involved in.
As a retired Senior Pastor, I’d say “amen”
Today we will be looking at Timothy, who was not your average “Assistant
Pastor”.
Our memory verses? Keep working on them. In a few weeks I’m going to ask
you to recite them.
(Mark 10:43–44
NKJV) —43 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become
great among you shall be your servant. 44 And whoever
of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.
Timothy
We are going to take one more trip through the book of Acts, this time
looking for Timothy.
Look at the map and follow along in Acts 13,14. (Show Antioch of Pisidia,
Iconium, Lystra, Derbe)
On Paul’s first missionary journey with Barnabas, one of their stops was at
a place known as Antioch of Pisidia (not the Antioch in Syria where their
sending church was).
Paul gave a marvelous sermon in the synagogue in Antioch (Acts 13), but the
Jews in Antioch didn’t like what Paul was saying, so the next week Paul ended
up preaching to the Gentiles, and almost the entire city heard him. The Jews in
Antioch were quite envious…
(Acts 13:50–51
NKJV) —50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the
chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and
expelled them from their region. 51 But they shook off the dust from
their feet against them, and came to Iconium.
The people in Iconium started out liking the apostles. Paul spent some time there, but eventually
the unbelieving Jews turned the people…
(Acts 14:5–7 NKJV)
—5 And when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews,
with their rulers, to abuse and stone them, 6 they became
aware of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the
surrounding region. 7 And they were preaching the gospel
there.
A significant miracle is going to take place in Lystra.
(Acts 14:8–10 NKJV)
—8 And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was
sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked. 9 This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing
that he had faith to be healed, 10 said with a
loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped and walked.
I love that story. It is a little reminiscent of Peter and the lame man in
Acts 3.
I love this idea that Paul could “see he had faith to be
healed” (after they were preaching)
The people of Lystra don’t understand what has happened and they jump to
the wrong conclusion.
They decide initially that Barnabas and Paul were gods, and they wanted to
offer sacrifices to them.
Paul and Barnabas were horrified at this, and insisted that they were just
men who served the God of heaven. (Acts 14:11-18)
(Acts 14:11–18
NKJV) —11 Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their
voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us
in the likeness of men!” 12 And Barnabas they called Zeus, and
Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 Then the
priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and
garlands to the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes. 14 But when the
apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among
the multitude, crying out 15 and saying, “Men, why are you doing
these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you
that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the
heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them, 16 who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own
ways. 17 Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He
did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts
with food and gladness.” 18 And with these sayings they could
scarcely restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them.
This is taking place in pagan Lystra.
Then some unexpected guests show up…
(Acts 14:19–20
NKJV) —19 Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded
the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city,
supposing him to be dead. 20 However, when the disciples gathered
around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed
with Barnabas to Derbe.
Things will go pretty well in Derbe.
(Acts 14:21–23
NKJV) —21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many
disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, 22 strengthening
the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and
saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”
23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with
fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
Paul and Barnabas not only preached the gospel, but they also started
churches in each of these cities.
And now they are even “appointing elders” in every church.
There are now churches in Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, and
Antioch.
:22 We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God
Quiz Alert
Lesson
1. It’s not easy
I hope nobody promised you that life would be easier when you became a
Christian. If they did, they lied to you.
I remember a Keith Green concert at the Anaheim Convention Center where he
told the crowd that living the Christian life can bring many difficulties.
Before he gave an altar call, it almost seemed like he was
trying to talk people out of becoming a Christian, but what he was doing was
preparing people for reality and helping them to “count the cost”.
It’s not that “tribulation” is required to enter into heaven, but that it’s
something we should expect. Paul wrote to Timothy…
(2 Timothy 3:10–12
NKJV) —10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life,
purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions,
afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what
persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will
suffer persecution.
It almost sounds as if Paul is quoting himself from Acts
14:22.
By the way, who is Paul writing this to? Our new study
subject, Timothy. He wrote this to Timothy about 15 years after he said it to
the churches on his first missionary journey.
Timothy would have known all about what had happened in
Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. We are going to see that this was his home turf.
Timothy knew all about what Paul had gone through.
And Timothy knew that the Lord had delivered Paul through
each one.
Don’t let the fear of difficulty keep you from following Jesus.
And don’t be surprised when it comes.
(1
Peter 4:12–14 NKJV) —12 Beloved, do not think it strange
concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing
happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you
partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also
be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are reproached for the name
of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests
upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.
We’ve seen that the early church got excited when they
experienced persecution because it was what Jesus had promised would happen.
Paul wrote to the Philippian church:
(Philippians 1:29 NKJV) For to you it has been granted on
behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,
Don’t misunderstand me, I’m not promoting that we try to go
out and “suffer”. But we shouldn’t be
surprised, and when it happens perhaps we could find a little joy in the fact
that we are on track.
There was an old song that said, “Must be doing something
right…”
Illustration
Prom Punch Line
It was approaching the end of the year at John’s school, and so near prom
time. He decided that he wanted to try his luck and ask the most popular girl
out. So he got in line to ask her, and he waited, and he waited, and he waited.
When he finally got to the front of the line, he was amazed because the girl
said yes! She also handed him a long list of criteria he would have to meet for
her to go with him.
The first criterion was a limousine. So he went to the limousine shop and,
as it was near prom time, he waited and waited and waited to get to the front
of the line and hired a limousine. The second criterion was a suit from the
most prestigious clothes maker in the city. So John went to that shop and
waited and waited and waited to be fitted. Once he got his suit he looked at
the list and chased up the next criteria on the list (roses, tickets,
chauffeur, etc.) and at each one he had to wait in a very long line.
Finally it was the night of the prom. John went and picked up the girl in
his limousine, had the chauffeur drive them to the prom, picked up his roses,
and arrived at the prom venue. To get in to the prom they waited and waited to
get in. When they finally got to their seats, John’s girl asked him to get her
a glass of punch. When John got to the punch table, he was surprised, because
there was no punch line.
My point? When you decide to get serious about following
Jesus, you may find some things difficult. Maybe even more difficult than
waiting in long lines. But it is oh so
worth it.
Expect difficulty.
Back to Acts 15 … after setting up these churches, Paul and Barnabas will
return back to Antioch in Syria.
Then they will join the grand council of the church in Jerusalem to discuss
the salvation of the Gentiles (Acts 15).
Then back in Antioch there will be a schism between Paul and Barnabas over
John Mark, and on Paul’s next trip, he will head out with a man named Silas.
It’s now been 2-3 years since the last journey. They leave Antioch…and we will finally meet
Timothy.
(Acts 16:1–5 NKJV)
—1 Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple
was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who
believed, but his father was Greek. 2 He was well
spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium. 3 Paul wanted
to have him go on with him. And he took him and circumcised him because
of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was
Greek. 4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the
decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem.
5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in
number daily.
:1 a certain disciple
disciple – mathetes – pupil, apprentice, follower of a
teacher.
Timothy isn’t just some kid off the street.
He is someone who over the last couple of years has taken a serious interest
in learning of and following after Jesus.
How did he come to know Jesus?
He must have come to know Jesus during Paul’s first
missionary trip with Barnabas when they came through Derbe and Lystra (Acts
13-14)
Here are some of the ways Jesus described His disciples:
(Luke 14:27 NKJV) And whoever
does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.
(Luke 14:33 NKJV) So likewise,
whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.
(John 8:31 NKJV) Then Jesus
said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My
disciples indeed.
(John 15:8 NKJV) By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you
will be My disciples.
:1 named Timothy
Let me stop and share a thought about “names” I’ve had since our last
class.
I made a hasty statement about “Mary” and “Martha” and said I couldn’t see
them being “bitter” like their names meant.
BUT … when they were born, the people of Israel were in
great bitterness with their Roman masters. Maybe that’s why so many baby girls
were named “Mary” in the first century.
Timothy’s name is a Greek name, Timotheos (“honor” + “God”), which
can mean “honoring God”, “honored of God”, “valued of God”
Timothy isn’t quite like John Mark or Luke. Their names are rarely
mentioned.
But like those in the movies who are cast in the “supporting roles”, we
rarely take too much time to notice him.
His name appears 24 times in the New Testament.
You might be tempted to think that he must be found either
in the book of Acts or the two letters that bear his name. Wrong.
Over half of the time he’s mentioned in Paul’s letters to
the various churches.
His name is found 6 times in Acts and 4 times in 1&2
Timothy.
The rest of the time his name pops up in various letters
of Paul to the churches. You’ll see some of those references in a few minutes.
Paul will call Timothy his “son”, a “spiritual” son.
(1
Corinthians 4:17 NKJV) For this reason I have sent Timothy
to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of
my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.
(1 Timothy 1:2
NKJV) To Timothy, a true son in the faith
(2 Timothy 1:2
NKJV) To Timothy, a beloved son
He had spiritual gifts that came through Paul’s ministry.
(2 Timothy
1:6 NKJV) Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of
God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
(2 Timothy 1:6–7
NKJV) —6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you
through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has
not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
:1 mother …father
His real father was a Greek.
His mother was Jewish.
Apparently his mother and his grandmother had an impact on him becoming a
believer.
(2 Timothy 1:5 NKJV) when I call to remembrance the
genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and
your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.
:3 circumcised him because of the Jews
His Greek father had not circumcised him.
Paul knew the “Jews who were in that region”.
They had run him out of several towns.
They had him stoned.
I think Paul wants to remove a stumbling block for Timothy so the Jews
would be open to listening to him.
Timothy doesn’t need to be circumcised to be saved – the church council in
Jerusalem already determined that.
Your salvation isn’t based on what you do, it’s based on
what Jesus did.
He died on the cross in order to pay for our sins.
When we choose to believe and receive His gift of
forgiveness, we are saved.
Yet sometimes we will need to do things for the sake of
others, like Timothy being circumcised.
This was how Paul ran his own life, being willing to adapt so people
would be more open to hear the gospel.
(1 Corinthians
9:22 NKJV) …I have become all things to all men,
that I might by all means save some.
(1 Corinthians
9:19–23 NKJV) —19 For though I am free from all men,
I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who
are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are
under the law; 21 to those who are without law,
as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ),
that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak
I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men,
that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I
do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.
:2 well spoken of by the brethren
well spoken of – martureo – to confirm or attest something on
the basis of personal knowledge or belief; witness; to be well spoken of,
approved.
It’s an imperfect tense, it was something they were continually saying
about Timothy.
Timothy came with a resume.
He didn’t just have a connection with Paul, but he had a reputation with
others.
He had a good reputation among the churches.
We might call Timothy a “faithful” disciple. Remember that
word.
Even as he progressed in ministry, unlike some of Romaine’s “assistant
pastors”, he was a man with a good reputation. Many years later Paul will write
to the Philippians…
(Philippians 2:22 NKJV) But you know his proven character,
that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel.
Timothy was someone you could count on.
(Show map of Greek churches and Second Missionary Journey)
In Acts 16-18, Timothy will join Paul and Silas in Lystra and will travel
with them to Macedonia where they would plant new churches in Philippi,
Thessalonica, and Berea (Acts 17)
When Paul and company moved on to Athens, he sent Silas and Timothy back to
the Macedonian churches to encourage them.
Paul would travel from Athens to Corinth, and then Timothy would then join
Paul in Corinth where a church was planted. Paul stayed in Corinth for a year
and a half to build up the church. (Acts 18)
Here’s what Paul writes to the Thessalonians in Macedonia from
Corinth. It’s around AD 51 the time of
Acts 18:11.
(1 Thessalonians
3:1–8 NKJV) —1 Therefore, when we could no longer
endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, 2 and sent
Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel
of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, 3 that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you
yourselves know that we are appointed to this. 4 For, in
fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation,
just as it happened, and you know. 5 For this
reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by
some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain. 6 But now that
Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and
love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see
us, as we also to see you—7 therefore, brethren, in all our
affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith. 8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.
Did you notice how Paul’s letter follows the chronology in Acts?
Did you see that continuing theme of “afflictions”?
Paul was concerned that the Macedonian churches (and
Thessalonica in particular) would be tempted to walk away from Jesus.
Timothy was sent to strengthen and encourage the churches.
Timothy returned with news that the churches were now
doing well.
Timothy is a great “assistant” for Paul.
(Show map of third missionary journey)
On Paul’s third missionary journey (Acts 19-20), Timothy was with Paul him
as he established the church in Ephesus. (Acts 19)
Paul would stay in Ephesus for three years, but Timothy would be sent out during
that time on assignments for Paul.
At one point, Timothy was sent on a quick mission to Macedonia to once
again check on the churches. (Acts 19:22).
He also apparently went to Corinth and back to Ephesus on the same trip.
(Acts 19:22 NKJV) So he sent
into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, but he
himself stayed in Asia for a time.
It was during Timothy’s trips that Paul writes his first letter of
correction to the Corinthians (near Acts 19:22)
(1 Corinthians
4:15–17 NKJV) —15 For though you might have ten
thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers;
for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you, imitate me. 17 For this
reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful
son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach
everywhere in every church.
Paul knew about the troubles in Corinth, and knew that he could
trust Timothy to represent him (and Jesus) well.
There will be a riot in Ephesus, Paul would leave Ephesus for Macedonia
(Acts 20:1)
Paul wrote his second letter to the Corinthians (from Philippi, near Acts
20:1), Timothy was with him.
(2 Corinthians 1:1
NKJV) Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy
our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth…
Paul would then move on from Philippi to Corinth, where he writes to the
Romans (Acts 20:2), and Timothy was with him.
(Romans 16:21 NKJV)
Timothy,
my fellow worker, and Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my countrymen, greet you.
When trouble started brewing in Corinth, Paul decides to go back through
Macedonia and then on to Asis (Ephesus). Look who is with him
(Acts 20:4 NKJV) And Sopater
of Berea accompanied him to Asia—also Aristarchus and Secundus of the
Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and
Trophimus of Asia.
We don’t have any more references to Timothy in the book of Acts after Acts
20, but it seems likely that he may have traveled with Paul to Jerusalem, where
Paul was arrested and eventually transported to Rome.
We know from Paul’s “prison epistles” that Timothy was with Paul in Rome,
such as…
(Philippians 1:1
NKJV) Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the
saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
(Colossians 1:1
NKJV) Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy
our brother,
As best as we can piece together, Paul was eventually released from his
first imprisonment in Rome, and tradition has it that he went to Ephesus, and
left Timothy in charge of the church there.
It is during this time, after the book of Acts, that Paul wrote two
separate letters to Timothy, probably from his second imprisonment in Rome.
We often call these the “pastoral epistles” (along with his letter to Titus)
because they are Paul’s instructions for how a pastor should lead the church.
I want to pull some lessons from Paul’s letters to Timothy.
In 1Timothy …
Paul encourages Timothy to teach the church the importance of prayer.
(1 Timothy
2:1 NKJV) Therefore I exhort first of all that
supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for
all men,
Paul gives Timothy a list of things to look for when putting people into
leadership, such as being an “elder”.
(1 Timothy 3:2–7
NKJV) —2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife,
temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; 3 not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle,
not quarrelsome, not covetous; 4 one who rules his own house well,
having his children in submission with all reverence 5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he
take care of the church of God?); 6 not a novice, lest being puffed up
with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside,
lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
It was an important priority to Paul that the right people lead the church.
This was what he and Barnabas did on their first missionary journey (before
Timothy joined Paul).
(Acts 14:23 NKJV) So when they had appointed elders in
every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom
they had believed.
Paul tells Timothy to pay attention to his own spiritual life.
(1 Timothy 4:12–15
NKJV) —12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers
in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to
doctrine. 14 Do not neglect the gift that is in
you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the
eldership. 15 Meditate on these things; give
yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.
I could talk for weeks on this passage, but I just want to point out…
:12 let no one despise your youth
That was a favorite verse for those of us who were youth pastors in our
teens and twenties back in the 70’s.
But realistically, if Paul wrote this around AD 63, then Timothy is
probably in his 40’s or 50’s.
Now as someone approaching 70 and having turned my church over to someone
in his 40s, I can see that this principle still applies.
Quiz Alert
Lesson
2. God uses youth
The older I get, I seem to forget how God uses younger people.
I forget I was in my teens when God began to use me.
And amazingly, my Senior Pastor gambled and put this 20
year old guy in charge of the High School Group.
I’m not sure I’d do that…
I tend to only want to listen to teachers who are at least my age (the
picture is of J.Vernon McGee).
When I hear a younger man teach, I think to myself, “Oh he
has so much to learn…”
I’m afraid that some of us might run the risk of turning into grumpy old
men who never have anything positive to say…
Video: Muppets – Statler and Waldorf
The truth is, God can use those who are younger, inexperienced, and
immature.
David
The Philistines were constantly tormenting the weaker Israelites. The worst came when a 9-foot-tall warrior
named Goliath taunted the armies of Israel.
David was just a young man, perhaps in his teens.
He had never fought in a battle, but he had faced a lion
and a bear.
He wasn’t experienced with things like swords and shields,
but he knew how to use a sling and stones.
While the older Israelite warriors cowered in fear at
Goliath, David was willing to meet the challenge.
(1
Samuel 17:45–47 NKJV) —45 Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to
me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the
name of the Lord of hosts, the
God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the
Lord will deliver you into my
hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will
give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and
the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God
in Israel. 47 Then all
this assembly shall know that the Lord
does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our
hands.”
You know how that story ended.
The Lunch Boy
You might be tempted to think that you don’t have what it takes to be a
warrior like David.
One time God used a simple boy was willing to share his lunch.
A huge crowd had come out to hear Jesus teach. When Jesus realized that these people were
going to need to be fed at some time, He challenged His disciples to take care
of it.
While most of the disciples thought that it was impossible
to feed all those people…
(John
6:8–9 NKJV) —8 One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, 9 “There is a
lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among
so many?”
Jesus would take the little boys bread and fish and use
them to feed 5,000.
Sometimes we forget that God can do amazing things with
just a little to work with, as long as we’re willing to give up our lunch like
that YOUNG man did.
No matter how old Timothy actually was, he wasn’t as old as “Paul”.
There will always be people who will want to compare the younger
“Timothy’s” to the older “Pauls”.
Calvary Chapel really has quite a history of allowing young men to
experience ministry.
The first couple of times I went to Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa, I thought
that Tom Stipe was the pastor because he was the one who spoke at the Saturday
night concerts.
When Tom left, Chuck had Jimmy Kempner take over Saturday nights, I thought
it was horrible. For about two weeks. But God did an amazing thing in maturing
Jimmy and he became as powerful an evangelist as Tom was.
Greg Laurie was just a young man with a beard and really long hair. He used
to do a Monday night Bible Study.
Some of the things he said weren’t very good, biblically
speaking. But he got better.
One of the verses in Paul’s second letter to Timothy has a key life
principle for me:
(2 Timothy
2:2 NKJV) And the things that you have heard from me among
many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others
also.
:2 commit these to faithful men
Timothy has been entrusted with the truths of God from Paul, and he must
now pass it on to another generation.
This verse is at the core of how the church has survived for two thousand
years.
Each generation is called to raise up a new generation of believers and
turn things over to them.
commit – paratithemi – to
place beside; to deposit; to entrust, commit to one’s charge.
The word describes what is known as “stewardship”. It’s having someone put their wealth in your
hands, and you are to protect and even multiply that wealth.
It’s like a stockbroker. Paul has
invested in Timothy’s “mutual funds”, and Timothy now is to turn around and
take all the money that he’s earned and invest it in someone else.
Paul has invested time, words, and an example in Timothy’s life, and Paul
is now reminding Timothy that he needs to do the same with other men.
faithful – pistos –
faithful; of persons who show themselves faithful in the transaction of
business, the execution of commands, or the discharge of official duties; that
can be relied on
able – hikanos –
sufficient; many enough, enough; sufficient in ability, i.e. meet, fit
I want to challenge you to think about passing on what you know about Jesus
to others.
But who do you pass it on to?
Quiz Alert
Lesson
3. Look for faithfulness
Paul doesn’t tell Timothy to find men that have an exciting testimony of
how they came to Christ.
Paul doesn’t tell Timothy to find handsome men that people will be drawn
to.
Paul doesn’t tell Timothy to find men that are gifted speakers or
comedians.
Paul tells Timothy to look for faithful men.
Some of the translations carry the idea that the persons Timothy should
look for should also be “qualified to teach”, but I’m not sure that this is
what Paul is saying.
The Greek could also be translated, “commit this stuff to faithful men,
these will be enough to teach others also”.
It’s nice to have people that are good at teaching, but if there is no
faithfulness in a person’s life, being a good teacher is worthless.
We’ve seen that Timothy himself was a “faithful” man.
Do you remember when Paul first met Timothy?
He was “well spoken of” by the believers in Lystra and
Iconium. We said he was “faithful”
We’ve already seen Paul writing to the Philippians,
(Philippians
2:22 NKJV) But you know his proven character, that as a son with his
father he served with me in the gospel.
How could Timothy find people he could depend upon?
I see plenty of people get excited about serving the Lord. I have heard many pledges through the years
of what people intend to do for the Lord.
But I’m at the point where I’m kind of cynical about “pledges”. Jesus
told a story…
(Matthew 21:28–31
NLT) —28 “But what do you think about this? A man with two sons told the
older boy, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ 29 The son
answered, ‘No, I won’t go,’ but later he changed his mind and went anyway. 30 Then the
father told the other son, ‘You go,’ and he said, ‘Yes, sir, I will.’ But he
didn’t go. 31 “Which of
the two obeyed his father?” They replied, “The first.” Then Jesus explained his
meaning: “I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get
into the Kingdom of God before you do.
Those sinners may have been disobedient, but they turned
around to follow Jesus.
Faithfulness is demonstrated by actual obedience, not just
promising it.
It’s nice that the second son said that he’d obey his dad,
but it was the first son that actually did it.
It was the actual obedience that counted, not the promise.
I was thinking this week about Timothy’s role as a pastor-teacher.
I think that’s how we ought to characterize him – a pastor.
Paul mainly “started” the churches.
Timothy went to pastor them.
One of the main roles as a pastor is to teach.
I’m not sure I can point to anything in the book of Acts or the epistles that
would qualify as a “pastor’s sermon”.
We don’t have tapes, CDs, or YouTube videos of Timothy or other pastors
teaching.
We have evangelistic messages recorded by Peter (Acts 2), Paul (Acts 13,
17). These were messages given to people to encourage them to trust in Jesus.
But actual sermons or Bible studies from a pastor who had been shepherding
his flock for a period of time … I don’t recall any. I may be wrong.
And yet the role of “teacher” was an important part of who Timothy was.
(1 Timothy
4:13 NKJV) Till I come, give attention to reading, to
exhortation, to doctrine.
The word for “doctrine” (didaskalia) simply means “teaching”.
Timothy was to make sure that “teaching” was a part of the
church.
If you pay attention, in 1&2 Timothy there are lots of
little tidbits dropped in about teaching. (look for the words “doctrine”, or
“teaching”)
I know that some of you in our class are teachers.
I’m speaking to you for a few moments.
Is there anything we can learn from Timothy to sharpen our teaching? Let me
just point to two things (from many)
Paul warned Timothy that some teachers spend their time on “fables and
endless genealogies” (1Tim. 1:4)
(1 Timothy 1:3–7
NKJV) —3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that
you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4 nor give
heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly
edification which is in faith. 5 Now the purpose of the
commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from
sincere faith, 6 from which some, having strayed,
have turned aside to idle talk, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law,
understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.
(1 Timothy 1:5
NASB95) But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a
good conscience and a sincere faith.
:5 the goal of our instruction is love
Quiz Alert
Lesson
4. The goal of teaching
Paul lists several things, but they are all describing one thing…
Love should be our aim.
Some people will spend time in all sorts of things that don’t edify (vs.
3-4).
Some people want to be “teachers of the law” (vs.7), but they don’t know
what they are talking about.
Our teaching has to be clear and have the proper goal.
The word translated “purpose” (NKJV) (telos) or “goal” (NASB) carries
the idea of “the goal toward which a movement is being directed”
When you teach, do you have a “goal”, a “purpose” for your teaching?
What are you aiming for?
Paul told Timothy that the goal of our teaching ought to
be “love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith”. Our goal
is love.
Many years ago I was convicted by this concept – as a youth pastor I kept
finding that my teaching was continually drifting towards finding things to
make my students feel guilty.
Don’t get me wrong, some people need a little conviction.
But our teaching ought to go beyond that.
I used to have 1Timothy 1:5 on the header of all my
studies to remind me – am I loving on my people? Am I urging them in love?
Another question for some of us is, not just whether we are aiming at
“love”, but is there even a “goal” to our teaching?
Over the years I’ve developed a list of questions I try to ask myself
repeatedly as I’m preparing. I’ve picked these up over the years from various guys
I would like to emulate.
They are at the top of my notes as I’m preparing. (I tend to delete them
afterward)
Do people see Jesus? (the Greeks to Philip, John 12:21)
Is the gospel preached? (Greg Laurie)
Does it address the person who is: Empty, lonely, guilty, or afraid to
die? (Billy Graham)
Does it speak to the broken hearted? (A.W.Tozer)
Does it build up the church?
Milk – Meat – Manna (Jon Courson)
Preach for a decision
Is the church loved? (1Tim. 1:5)
Part of Paul’s second letter to Timothy is again a warning about goofy
theology, heretics, and people with messed up lives. Paul tells Timothy what to teach to answer
those things.
(2 Timothy 3:14–17
NKJV) —14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been
assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which
are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All
Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every
good work.
:16 All Scripture … profitable for doctrine
Quiz Alert
Lesson
5. The content of teaching
The Word of God is what our teaching should be about.
We mentioned earlier that the word “doctrine” (didaskalia) simply
means “teaching, instruction.
Doctrine isn’t limited to fancy theological words like “supralapsarianism”
(the incorrect teaching that God had decreed both the election and damnation of
all prior to creation)
It’s simply the subject of what’s being “taught”.
One of the things Jesus did in the “Sermon on the Mount” was to quote Old
Testament Scripture, and then elaborated upon it.
(Matthew 5:27–28
NKJV) —27 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not
commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has
already committed adultery with her in his heart.
At the end of the Sermon…
(Matthew 7:28–29
NKJV) —28 And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people
were astonished at His teaching, 29 for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
Jesus elaborated on the Scripture, and they were
astonished.
There are lots of things you could hear pastors teaching from at church.
I remember as a child going to a church where the pastor based his messages
on the songs of Simon and Garfunkel.
We want to be teaching the Scriptures.
Are your students learning the Word of God?
Are they learning how to apply the Word of God?
:17 thoroughly equipped for every good work
complete – artios –
fitted; complete, perfect; “special aptitude for given uses”; specially
adapted; able to meet all demands
The word for “thoroughly equipped” is a related word, just a more intense
form.
thoroughly equipped – exartizo
– to complete, finish; to furnish perfectly; to finish, accomplish, (as it
were, to render the days complete)
God has good works for us to be doing.
(Ephesians 2:10
NKJV) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
One of the ways we accomplish God’s work is through His word.
It’s how Timothy, or you as a teacher, are equipped to do God’s work.
It’s how your students are equipped for God’s work.
Illustration
COAL BASKET BIBLE
The story is told of an old man who lived on a farm in the mountains of
eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning, Grandpa was up early
sitting at the kitchen table reading from his old worn-out Bible. His grandson,
who wanted to be just like him, tried to imitate him in any way he could.
One day the grandson asked, “Papa, I try to read the Bible just like you
but I don’t understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close
the book. What good does reading the Bible do?” The Grandfather
quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and said, “Take this coal basket
down to the river and bring back a basket of water.” The boy did as he
was told, even though all the water leaked out before he could get back to the
house. The grandfather laughed and said, “You will have to move a little
faster next time,” and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again.
This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he
returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was
“impossible to carry water in a basket,” and he went to get a bucket
instead. The old man said, “I don’t want a bucket of water; I want a
basket of water. You can do this. You’re just not trying hard
enough,” and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.
At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his
grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out
before he got far at all. The boy scooped the water and ran hard, but
when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of
breath, he said, “See Papa, it’s useless!”
“So you think it is useless?” the old man said. “Look at the
basket.” The boy looked at the basket and for the first time he realized
that the basket looked different. Instead of a dirty old coal basket, it
was clean. “Son, that’s what happens when you read the Bible. “You
might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, it will
change you from the inside out.”
The Bible is not just the “curriculum” for the students we teach.
It’s the river that cleanses us.
It’s the fuel that empowers our lives for Jesus.
It is not only good for our students, it’s good for us.
We need to be in God’s Word, not just for something to teach, but so we too
will learn.
Church tradition also holds that in the year AD 97, while still the pastor
at Ephesus, the 80-year-old Timothy tried to stop a procession to honor the
goddess Diana by preaching the gospel.
The angry mob beat him, dragged him through the streets, and stoned him to
death.
But Timothy … he was faithful to the end.
Quiz
From the lecture (10pts):
1. It’s not easy
2. God uses youth
3. Look for faithfulness
4. The goal of teaching
5. The content of teaching
Homework
Read Acts 9:10-19; 22:12-16
Read: Romaine: “Ingredients” (10 pgs)
Memorize:
(Mark 10:43–45
NKJV) —43 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become
great among you shall be your servant. 44 And whoever
of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. 45 For even the
Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a
ransom for many.”
Prayer/Blessing