Encouragement of Timothy's Visit

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New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 3

Encouragement of Timothy’s Visit

1 Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be left behind at Athens alone,

2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith,

3 so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this.

4 For indeed when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; aand so it came to pass, as you know.

5 For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be in vain.

Encouragement of Timothy’s Visit

1 Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be left behind at Athens alone,

2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith,

3 so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this.

4 For indeed when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it came to pass, as you know.

5 For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be in vain.

Because he had been forced to leave Thessalonica and prevented from returning, he reached a point where his concern for the church made him decide to be left in Athens alone. says the original for "to be left" is sometimes used to describe a loved one who has left in death. Paul would have keenly felt loneliness in a city filled with idolatry, as Athens was, so sending Timothy away was like saying goodbye to a loved one who had died ().

Looking at these 5 verses tonight we are going to look at who Timothy and how does that tie in with the concern Paul had for the Thessalonians faith. Because look Paul had been forced to leave Thessalonica and prevented from returning, he reached a point where his concern for the church made him decide to stay back in Athens alone. Looking at the greek that is used by Paul says the original for "to be left" is sometimes used to describe a loved one who has left in death. Paul would have eagerly felt loneliness in a city filled with vanity, and love of self, as Athens was, so sending Timothy away was like saying goodbye to a loved one who had died ().

Okay just a brief history of Timothy. I mean brief and Ill just give the bullet point. In acts 16 it records that Timothys mother and grandmother became believers and so did timothy. And as for well dad… depending on how you interpret scripture it just really sound passive aggressive to me on the status of Timothys dad.

(NLT)

Paul’s Second Missionary Journey

“ there was a young disciple named Timothy. His mother was a Jewish believer, but his father was a Greek.”

However I challenge us to renew your minds of what the scriptures say about Timothy.

Romans 16:21 NLT

Timothy, my fellow worker, sends you his greetings, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my fellow Jews.

(NLT)

21 Timothy, my fellow worker, sends you his greetings

That’s why I have sent Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of how I follow Christ Jesus, just as I teach in all the churches wherever I go.

(NLT)

Paul Commends Timothy

Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

19 If the Lord Jesus is willing, I hope to send Timothy to you soon for a visit. Then he can cheer me up by telling me how you are getting along. 20 I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. 21 All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ.

18 Timothy, my son, here are my instructions for you, based on the prophetic words spoken about you earlier. May they help you fight well in the Lord’s battles. 19 Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked.

So Paul has a high regard and love for Timothy not just here in Thessalonians. Yet its echoed in almost all of Pauls letters.

he reached a point where his concern for the church made him

Now Pastor Joe talk today about living like Christ and a humble servant. “What can I do to help”. If you are like me and the first time you explain Timothy as a character we talk about his as in training. He is always talked about as puppy of the team. I am sure because of his age that its safe to assume that wisdom was always associated with more creditability because of ones age. If you really look at what Paul is saying here you can see who Paul believes Timothy works. Paul doesnt say Timothy works for him, Paul doesnt say Timothy works for Thessalonians, Paul doesnt say that Timothy works for an organization, board, or camp. Paul doesnt even say that Timothy on works for NEW believers. No look what verse

we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ

A fellow work, a brother, an equal, and all for Christ and just like Paul, Timothy’s life is equally sold out for Christ.

Timothy isn’t following Paul around because he has daddy issues. He is a bond servant and at whatever cost he is coming with Christ gospel that brings strength and life.

What about today? Why do we not see this type of affection.

Talk about the timothy relationship in the church?

questions. Are we twisting the text that is causing a system of distrust?

What kinda leader are you? Do you trust the work of others?

Are the degrees important?

Do you have a sense of entitlement when it comes to respect and trust but thats a one way street? Irony there huh?

Sending timothy was not like getting an alternate or stand in. Do you think the Thessalonians were like yeah yeah yeah your kinda young and this is cute but seriously were is Paul? Paul didnt believe in trickle down wisdom.

I know everyone in this room understand that current issues my generation face

This is my plea with you.. if you cant go as Paul did then humble yourselves as Paul did and grow your family with Timothy’s

decide to be left in

That sense of being alone, coupled with the descriptive terms he went on to use, help us see just how great a help Timothy was to the apostle. Timothy was a brother in God's family and a servant of, or some manuscripts say with, God. It is only in the gospel that anyone can work for or with the Father. Timothy's assignment in Thessalonica was to stabilize the brethren and encourage them in their faith. Young ones always need special attention to encourage proper growth.

Look at the beauty that Paul says in 3:1 .... He could endure it NO longer… Think about that this is Paul who has endured THIRST

HUNGER

PRISON

HE WAS WHIPPED

STONED

THREATENED WITH DEAD

HE WAS DRUG OUTSIDE THE CITY AND LEFT FOR DEAD

BUT SEPARATION FORM THE THESSALONIANS WAS SOMETHING HE COULDN’T BEAR

However you must not miss it but says WE.... WE.. not I but WE, not me but US. You see Paul didn't protect Timothy from hunger, prison or the beating but Timothy shared them equally. BECAUSE THEY LOVED CHRIST they found great joy to suffer for Christ. Paul promised the Thessalonians suffering …

help us see just how great a help Timothy was to the apostle. Timothy was a brother in God's family and a servant of, or some manuscripts say with, God. It is only in the gospel that anyone can work for or with the Father. Timothy's assignment in Thessalonica was to stabilize the brethren and encourage them in their faith. Young ones always need special attention to encourage proper growth.

Athens alone. says the original for "to be left" is sometimes used to describe a loved one who has left in death. Paul would have keenly felt loneliness in a city filled with idolatry, as Athens was, so sending Timothy away was like saying goodbye to a loved one who had died ().

Talk about the suffering

The NT wrigth example but the difference of Timothy and Paul going

I think we really need to be honest with ourselves and start asking ourselves at what point are we just being sinful when we arent living a life as Jesus calls us. Not just being in his presence to day but until the last day?

ARE we sincerely seeking the presence of Christ? IS that what people see when they see you?

Paul and timothy were imitators of Jesus. Jesus promises us that he will not abandon us as orphans. He said I WILL COME.

Do we desire and chase after the presence of Christ? Do we genuinely seek the presence of Christ?

Do you desire such a relationship with Christ that he come to you. When christ speaks to us it only in the manifestation of Grace.

That is bring us Light, spiritual light that teaches you a light that guides you.

Jesus Light the brings life to quicken and encourage you

A life that bring stren

Jesus bring us life that will bring you strength from Him to support you under all your burdens and that you can finish the race.

Do you desire with all of your mind and your heart a relationship with the fullness of His grace.

he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.”

Are you asking for Christ to reveal more of himself to you more of his love to you, more of his heart to you?

Do you grieve when he withdraws himself? when he hides and veils His face from you? Would you notice?

Take me heart lord take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above.

Lord I am your and you are mine.

are these the words your heart sings because of the love you have for Christ.

"If my father were weeping on his knees before me, my mother hanging on my neck behind me, my brethren, sisters, and kinsfolk howling on every side, to retain me in a sinful course—I would fling my mother to the ground, run over my father, despise all my kindred, and tread them under my feet, that I might run unto Christ!"

Sk below

If I do not have the right God-fearingly to call something ungodliness which humanly and good-naturedly I would call weakness, then I do not have the right to sacrifice my life for the truth, either, that is, to be put to death, or let myself be put to death.

loved one who has left in death. Paul would have keenly felt loneliness in a city filled

God's family and a servant of, or some manuscripts say with, God. It is only in the gospel that anyone can work for or with the Father. Timothy's assignment in Thessalonica was to stabilize the brethren and encourage them in their faith. Young ones always need special attention to encourage proper growth.

Even a dog which will bite might wag his tail and cause us to drop our guard, believing he is friendly. The words "should be shaken" describe just such an occasion. Surrounded by persecutors, a Christian might have been deceived by a false teacher who appeared friendly. Paul sent Timothy to avoid such drawing away and warned them that the lot of all Christians is to suffer (; ; ; ).

with idolatry, as Athens was, so sending Timothy away was like saying goodbye to a loved one who had died ().

nd a servant of, or some manuscripts say with, God. It is only in the gospel that anyone can work for or with the Father. Timothy's assignment in Thessalonica was to stabilize the brethren and encourage them in their faith. Young ones always need special attention to encourage proper growth.

believing he is friendly. The words "should be shaken" describe just such an occasion. Surrounded by persecutors, a Christian might have been deceived by a false teacher who appeared friendly. Paul sent Timothy to avoid such drawing away and warned them that the lot of all Christians is to suffer (; ; ; ).

like saying goodbye to a loved one who had died ().

gospel that anyone can work for or with the Father. Timothy's assignment in Thessalonica was to stabilize the brethren and encourage them in their faith. Young ones always need special attention to encourage proper growth.

Surrounded by persecutors, a Christian might have been deceived by a false teacher who appeared friendly. Paul sent Timothy to avoid such drawing away and warned them that the lot of all Christians is to suffer (; ; ; ).

e been deceived by a false teacher who appeared friendly. Paul sent Timothy to avoid such drawing away and warned them that the lot of all Christians is to suffer (; ; ; ).

Thessalonica was to stabilize the brethren and encourage them in their faith. Young ones always need special attention to encourage proper growth.

loved one who had died ().

appeared friendly. Paul sent Timothy to avoid such drawing away and warned them that the lot of all Christians is to suffer (; ; ; ).

ones always need special attention to encourage proper growth.

the lot of all Christians is to suffer (; ; ; ).

l attention to encourage proper growth.

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3; ; ; ).

Timothy 3:12).