Paul and Timothy

Introduction:

1. Paul considered Timothy a true son in the faith.

1 Timothy 1:1–2 NKJV

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope, 2 To Timothy, a true son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

A. Paul treated Timothy as a son.

1. Paul would give Timothy responsibilities and warnings.

A. Paul urged Timothy to remain in Ephesus.

1 Timothy 1:3–4 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.

B. He charged him to wage the good warfare.

1 Timothy 1:18–20 NKJV

18 This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, 20 of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

C. He would charge Timothy to pray for everyone but especially those in places of authority.

1 Timothy 2:1–2 NKJV

1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

D. He would remind Timothy to encourage godly leadership.

1 Timothy 3:1 NKJV

1 This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.

E. He reminded Timothy to be an example to the believers, to not neglect his gift and to remain faithful.

1 Timothy 4:12–16 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. 16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

F. He reminded him how to treat His family.

1 Timothy 5:1–3 NKJV

1 Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity. 3 Honor widows who are really widows.

G. He reminded him of the dangers of money and the gain in contentment.

1 Timothy 6:6–10 NKJV

6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

B. Timothy was the image of his spiritual Father.

1 Corinthians 4:14–17 NKJV

14 I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. 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.

Body:

1. Why was Timothy the image of Paul?

A. He spent a lot of time being mentored by Paul.

1. Timothy was with Paul when He wrote Romans.

Romans 16:21–23 NKJV

21 Timothy, my fellow worker, and Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my countrymen, greet you. 22 I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord. 23 Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, and Quartus, a brother.

2. Timothy was with Paul when he wrote 2 Corinthians.

2 Corinthians 1:1 NKJV

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia:

3. Timothy was with Paul when he wrote Philippians.

Philippians 1:1 NKJV

1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

4. Timothy was with Paul when he wrote Colossians.

Colossians 1:1 NKJV

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

5. Timothy was with Paul when he wrote 1 Thessalonians.

1 Thessalonians 1:1 NKJV

1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

6. Timothy was with Paul when he wrote 2 Thessalonians.

2 Thessalonians 1:1 NKJV

1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

7. Timothy was with Paul when he wrote Philemon.

Philemon 1 NKJV

1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved friend and fellow laborer,

Conclusion:

1. Timothy was Paul’s son in the faith and he expected him to be a mentor.

2 Timothy 2:1–2 NKJV

1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 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.

A. This meant that he was going to have to spend the same amount of time with others that Paul spent with him.