along with...

opening questions

does anyone remember what series we’re in? (messengers)

We talked about being witnesses for Christ, then we talked about how we respond to the Gospel and God’s Word and how we respond to God Himself, we talked about how our personal story should be aligned with God’s bigger story, and tonight we’re talking about how living a life as God’s witness requires us to depend on other people for help. We can’t do it alone.

Think about your best friend. What about your best friends make them your best friends? (always cheer me up, stick up for me, pray for/with me, push me closer to Christ, do silly things with me)

Who do you know, without a doubt, is there for you? How do you know it? (my parents, Joy Emery, Mike Landrum; they have been so constant in the past, they have invested so much into me that i know they wouldn’t just stop)

bible says

tonight, we’re looking at a relationship between 2 friends, Paul and Timothy.

Growing up, Timothy was the odd man out more times than not. He was born into a mixed race family with a Greek father and a Jewish mother. And what do we know about the Jews and the Greeks/Gentiles? (they didn’t get along). The Jews considered the Greeks “unclean.” His mom was a Christian, but his dad wasn’t.

How many of you would say you’re a momma’s boy/girl? What about a daddy’s boy/girl?

Timothy was definitely a momma’s boy. His dad wasn’t around much, so his mom raised Timothy in the faith the same way her mom had raised her. From a young age, he began a relationship with God, learned about God, heard stories about Jesus’ teachings, death, and resurrection. But he was still missing his dad.

Do any of you guys have any adults in your life who you would say “that’s my second mom or second dad?” (Mr. Trey, Mike Landrum, Joy Emery)

Well, Timothy had Paul. When Timothy met Paul, this Christian man who wanted to mentor him and be a role model for him, their relationship naturally became like a father/son relationship. Paul taught Timothy everything he knew about what it meant to be a man who loves the Lord and was on mission for Him. Aside from his mom, Paul was probably the most influential person in Timothy’s life. When Paul eventually had to leave town, Timothy was understandably heartbroken.

Have you ever had to say goodbye to someone that you loved? (Ecuador; world changers) It’s hard! You’ve grown so close to them that you can’t imagine a life without them.

Timothy was so upset, but Paul stayed in touch by writing letters that encouraged Timothy in his faith and ministry. In his final letter, Paul writes from prison to give Timothy advice on how to continue being a messenger for God by thinking wisely about how he chooses his friends.

We’re going to read what Paul wrote in .

English Standard Version Chapter 2

22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

what do you think Paul means by “youthful passions?” What are some things that people your age are into that aren’t the best things to be into? (vaping, alcohol, partying, cussing, etc) Paul’s saying to get away from all of that and away from people who are leading you to do those things!

He says instead of going after those things, go after righteousness, faith, love, and peace. Be around the people who are also following after Christ.

Avoid foolish arguments and fights. They never lead to anything good. Instead, be kind to everyone, be patient, set an example for others by teaching them the right way to act.

Through you, God might change their hearts and their lives. And they will no longer be trapped by Satan and following the sinful ways of the world, but instead will be following after Christ.

conclusion

it’s hard to stay on the right path sometimes. It’s hard to be the one who is set apart, being the good example. Deep down, all of us long for a purpose and people to chase that purpose with. It’s the way God made us! He designed us to be in community and relationships with others, and we see that from the very beginning with Adam and Eve. But, it’s easy to get caught up in the wrong crowd and do the wrong things. because we want to be “popular.” we want to be liked. we don’t want to be the one who follows all the rules. I was like that. Still am sometimes. If someone says i won’t do something, i always want to prove them wrong. But guess what? I don’t have to prove anything to anyone, and neither do you. If you’re being obedient to Christ, that’s the only thing that matters.

The only way to fill that desire of purpose that’s within us is by being a part of God’s story and glorifying him alongside His people. Timothy had Paul. We have each other. We have the church. We were made to be worshipers and messengers together.

We should never settle for a purpose less than the one God made us for.

We should never settle for a purpose less than the one God made us for.

Look at why you choose the friends you have. Are they encouraging you, building you up, leading you closer to the Lord? Or are you lonely, bored, and just looking for people who will accept you?

If our belonging is based on anything less than being a part of God’s family, it will never satisfy us.

You were made for an extraordinary purpose with extraordinary people by your side to help you accomplish that purpose. Don’t settle for anything else.

Prayer & Small Groups