Timothy

Opening Introduction:

In 1995, the time came when I felt God leading me to move to Colorado Springs, Co to attend the Nazarene Bible College. I went to share the news with my pastor, and he said, he already knew and had provided the required written recommendations to the college for me to do so. What he said next shocked me right down to my socks. You need to go now! Do not wait until Fall to find housing and a job, you must leave as soon as possible. The college would place me and my son in the home of another student for a week or two allowing me time to find a job and housing.

Now let me ask you. How many of you would be willing to quit your job and move knowing you had to find a job and a home within 1 - 2 weeks? However, that is just what I did.

I gave my 2 weeks’ notice at work and began packing up my home. I asked my employer if he would be willing to give me an employment reference to take with me. He said write anything you want, and I will sign it. How does one write a reference for yourself? I was very uncomfortable with the idea. His secretary looked at me and said, “Would you trust me to write it?” I was very appreciative of her idea and quickly affirmed that I would.

The next day, she presented me with an incredible reference letter that was signed by the president of the company. It was so complimentary; it makes me embarrassed in presenting it. However, that letter has never failed to provide me with incredible jobs ever since.

At this stage in Paul’s letter, he presents a similar letter of reference for Timothy whom he intends to send in his absence to the Philippians. Look with me at Philippians 2:19-24.

Philippians 2:19–24 NIV

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.

Pray

Introduction:

Paul has received a letter from the Philippians. This letter was delivered by one of their own, Epaphroditus. From the letter and from Epaphroditus, Paul learns of the struggles that the Philippians are experiencing. First, they are experiencing persecution among their members. Second, there is conflict happening within their church.

In response, Paul has written this beautiful letter to send back to them. It expresses his love and affection for them. They have been partners with Paul in ministry. They have worked alongside him as well as encouraged him in his imprisonment by sending care gifts to him.

Paul’s return letter is meant to encourage them, but also to challenge them to make right the wrong things that are happening within their church. He calls them to be unified and focused on God.

In chapter 2:1-11, Paul shared a beautiful poem demonstrating who Jesus is and how even though Jesus was God, He was also fully man. Then Paul proceeded to share how Jesus demonstrated for us the humbleness, self-sacrificing people we are all supposed to be.

Paul encourages them that their faith is a work in progress. They need to strive to grow in their faith. It takes work and effort to do so. And as they do, they will be bright spots of light in the dark world around them.

Then, as teachers so often do, Paul turns to business at hand but in doing so, he also uses it as a teaching moment. He is sending two people back to them. These two people are great examples of people who are doing it right. Just as Paul has referred to the Philippians as partners of the faith, here are...

D. Two more partners of the faith (vv 19-30)

The first one is...

1. Timothy (vv 19-24)

He is the only one we will talk about today. The second I will speak on in a couple weeks or so. But for today, let us look at what Paul has to say about Timothy.

Philippians 2:19 NIV

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you.

Timothy was not new to the Philippians. There are three accounts of Timothy in Philippi in the book of Acts (16:33; 19:22; 20:3). In one of those accounts, Timothy was one of two people that Paul sent in his stead. So, the people of Philippi were well acquainted with Timothy.

Now Paul is sending his letter by way of Epaphroditus, however, he hopes to send Timothy soon as well. There are two reasons for sending Timothy; First, he is sending Timothy to encourage and minister to them since Paul himself is unable to come due to his incarceration. Second, through Timothy, Paul will be able to get further news of the Philippians.

There are three things we learn about Timothy through this letter of recommendation that Paul is sending. First,

a. He has a servant’s heart (vv 20-21)

Philippians 2:20–21 NIV

I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.

Timothy, like Paul, has come to develop an affection for the Philippians. He has spent time with them in the past, both with Paul and without Paul. He is genuinely concerned for them. In fact, based on this, I suspect that they did not need a letter of recommendation from Paul. I suspect they were just as fond of Timothy. However, the recommendation from Paul was for teaching purposes. He was pointing to Timothy saying, “Timothy is an excellent example of the kind of person I am encouraging you to be.”

I think it is important here to mention how Timothy came to be such a compassionate man. We find the answer in 2 Timothy 1:5.

2 Timothy 1:5 NIV

I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

Other than a statement regarding Timothy’s dad’s nationality, we hear nothing further about his father. So, it is safe to assume that his father has passed, and Timothy was being raised by his mother and grandmother.

Mothers play an important role in helping boys learn to be more compassionate. Boys who are raised without mothers, tend to struggle with this emotion. Moms and grandmothers are very important in this development of boys.

Not only is Timothy compassionate, but he is self-sacrificing. It would be a lot easier to sit back there in Rome and let someone else go, (as seems to be the case with the others there in Rome). However, Timothy has put his concern for the others in Philippi above his own conveniences.

Not only is this a sacrifice for Timothy, but also for Paul. Timothy is Paul’s traveling companion. He is probably the one running errands for Paul and helping to provide for Paul’s needs. It would be hard for Paul without Timothy to do those chores. However, it would probably be easier for Paul to find someone local to give some assistance in Timothy’s absence, though they were probably not as reliable as Timothy. However, people are usually more willing to do the easy jobs than the hard ones.

Unfortunately, things have not changed much in the church. It is still difficult to find folks willing to do the work needed in a church. They often put their own concerns and conveniences above the needs of the church.

In my many years in the church, I find there is often only a small contingent of people doing the work of the church. Churches continually struggle to find enough people willing to give up a day for a church workday, or a few hours each day during a week of Vacation Bible School. However, there are far too many to complain when those things do not happen.

I suspect we have all heard it said, “Ten percent of the people do 90% of the work.” Well in churches it often feels like 5% do 100% of the work.

People always have excuses of why they cannot do their share of the work at church.

“I do not think I could do that so what is the point of trying?”

“I have a job; I do not need to add to my workload.”

“I bet there is someone else who has more time than I do who can do it.”

Then there are the Timothy’s who continue to pick up the slack every time for everyone else. Why? Because Timothy was sold out 100% for God. God came first in his life and in the lives of his mother and grandmother. They also made a sacrifice. Timothy was the man in their household helping them. However, they also put God first and released this precious child of theirs to serve God.

Timothy, Lois, Eunice, and Paul are all examples of people with “servant’s hearts.” The church then and now needs more of these.

Next, we find that Timothy had...

b. He had a servant’s training (v 22)

Philippians 2:22 NIV

But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.

Paul did not just trust anyone. Paul expected people to prove themselves. Paul had been disappointed in the past (Mark) and there were things he watched for in a person before he asked them to serve with him.

Timothy had good training and had proved himself to be faithful in ministry. His training began in the home with instruction from his mother and grandmother. His father was Greek, but his mother and grandmother were Jews. They brought Timothy up in the Jewish faith. It is believed they became converts of Jesus Christ upon Paul’s first missionary trip which took him through the area of Lystra. When Paul returned on his second trip, he heard good reports of Timothy.

Acts 16:1–2 NIV

Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him.

Upon hearing the good reports, Paul was interested in taking Timothy with him and so he did. Timothy’s first trip to Philippi followed not too long after this.

Timothy, though young, had good experience behind him, yet we never see him challenging Paul. He follows Paul’s instruction and serves God, Paul, and others well.

It is true that the church needs good workers. But we need to be careful not to give too much responsibility to people without them first growing spiritually and proving themselves capable of serving with the right spirit.

Just because someone is saved, does not mean they are instantly ready for all acts of service.

I have probably shared this before, but I wish to mention it again. A church on the district I served on in California, heard that Gary Busey had become a Christian. They were determined that this would bring a great crowd to their church. So, they asked Gary Busey to come speak at their church. The event was a disaster. Gary Busey’s language was foul and his theology really messed up. The church was really embarrassed, and I have no idea how it affected Gary Busey. I am not sure if he still professes to be a Christian or not. It is possible that did as much harm to his spiritual walk, as it did to the church.

People need responsibility in the church. Many hands make light work. However, we need to be careful that we do not give people positions that require spiritual maturity before they are ready for it. In doing so, we harm them, the church and others who would visit the church.

Timothy was trained and proved himself. He was prepared for Paul to give him greater responsibility. By the time Paul was incarcerated in Rome, Timothy was mature enough to go serve the Philippian church on his own in Paul’s place.

Not only did Timothy have a servant’s heart and a servant’s training, but...

c. He had a servant’s reward (v 22-24)

Philippians 2:22–24 NIV

But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.

First, in serving God, Timothy came to have two or more fathers. He had Father God to begin with. Earthly parents are not perfect, but our heavenly Father is. He knows our needs more than even we understand. I believe that is one of the reasons he paired Timothy with Paul.

I must admit, I debated skipping this part of the study and use it for Father’s Day as it fits well with my theme I used for Mother’s Day. That being the idea that in the church we are a family. All Christians become “Mothers” and “Fathers” to some degree within the church. As we mature, we can become spiritual parents to the younger Christians around us.

Timothy had lost his father. It is impossible to know how old he was when his father passed, but we know that Timothy was young when he served Paul. So, it is likely that he was very young at the loss of his father. However, Paul would have become like a father to Timothy and we see Paul, more than once in scripture refer to Timothy in terms of a son. (Which is why sending Timothy to Philippi while Paul was still incarcerated was probably even a greater sacrifice for both. There is no way they could know for sure, that something may happen to Paul in Timothy’s absence.)

However, I believe Paul became very special to Timothy in the absence of his birth father.

Timothy’s faithfulness was rewarded through greater responsibility. Some people can be in such a rush to have greater responsibility. Allow me another story that fits above but fits here also.

A popular local nightclub performer visited a pastor and announced that he had been saved and wanted to serve the Lord. “What should I do next?” he asked. “Well, I’d suggest you unite with a good church and start growing,” the pastor replied. “Is your wife a Christian?” “No, she isn’t,” the musician replied. “I hope to win her. But, do I have to wait? I mean, I’d like to do something for God right now.” “No, you don’t have to wait to witness for the Lord,” explained the pastor. “Get busy in a church and use your talents for Christ.” “But you don’t know who I am!” the man protested. “I’m a big performer—everybody knows me. I want to start my own organization, make records, and appear before big crowds!” “If you go too far too fast,” warned the pastor, “you may hurt yourself and your testimony. And the place to start winning people is right at home. God will open places of service for you as He sees you are ready. Meanwhile, study the Bible and give yourself a chance to grow.” The man did not take the pastor’s counsel. Instead, he set up a big organization and started out on his own. His “success” lasted less than a year. Not only did he lose his testimony because he was not strong enough to carry the heavy burdens, but his constant traveling alienated him from his wife and family. He drifted into a “fringe group” and disappeared from public ministry, a broken and bankrupt man. “His branches went out farther than his roots went deep,” the pastor said. “When that happens, you eventually topple.”

Unfortunately, there are many who charge out in ministry as pastors and think they are ready to make their mark on the world. It was a common issue at the Bible College. Men would come and want to push through the classes as fast as they could. They were not interested in learning or preparing for ministry. It was a formality to have that degree behind them. Too many times, they would jump ship before they were finished to take a church. The professors and counselors at the college would implore them to wait only to be told by these young people that they just knew they were ready. And too many times the professors and counselors would hear of how these same folks left their churches hurt or disgraced. They were not as ready as they thought.

However, Timothy’s is a different story. Timothy waited. He did not jump ahead of his mentor and in Paul’s final letter to Timothy, Paul appoints Timothy in his place. Timothy was still young, but he was ready. Timothy served with valor and died a martyr’s death.

Now death may not sound like much of a reward, but you need to know that God has a special reward in heaven for all the martyrs of the faith.

Revelation 20:4 NIV

I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

I have not studied this passage enough to know if these are all those martyred down through the ages or just those during the tribulation period, but I think that is immaterial. I think this shows God’s desire to reward those who make such sacrifices for His kingdom. I believe Paul and Timothy will be among them.

Conclusion:

Timothy was a young man, a faithful man of God. Paul’s letters reflect that Timothy may have been a bit timid. That is easy to understand if he lost his father at a young age. I am convinced that just as compassion is learned from our moms, confidence is learned through our fathers. Confidence is learned when in a feeling of security and acceptance from the father we can boldly explore who we are. Timothy may have lost this father figure as a boy, but God rewarded him with a new one. A man of faith named Paul.

Do you have a servant’s heart? Have you found a place to serve at church? Many hands make light work. Even better, the right hands at the right jobs help the church work best. When we are not doing the work God would have us to do, one of two things happen. The job may sit vacant and something is not getting done. Or two, someone is doing your job and it is not being done well. No one can fill your shoes like you can!

Do you have a servant’s training? Are you willing to follow instruction and wait to find the place where you serve the very best? Sometimes we need to step out and try a few things to find where we best fit. However, we must be willing to try. We also need to be willing to serve others and follow their instructions until that time comes.

What is the reward waiting for you? Some of those rewards will not be experienced until much later, but some are waiting for you today. Things like peace. Peace that comes when we know we are doing what we are supposed to do. Joy. There is inexpressible joy when we find the place we are to serve. I remember when I first stepped out to be the Sunday school coordinator. I was so sure I did not want to do it. It seemed too much like what I already did at home and in the corporate office. Church was my place to sit back and relax without all the responsibility. What a shock it was when I stepped out to do it anyway and I found I loved it. Everything about it was a joy and it gave me such a feeling of peace, joy, and satisfaction!

But there is even more. Rewards through the relationships we build with others who are of similar cloth as Paul and Timothy. Rewards through new skill sets learned. Rewards through greater understanding of God and His word. There is some spiritual growth we never achieve until we find the ministry God would have us to serve. This world is full of “Do It Yourself” things for self-improvement, but I am telling you this is the best “self-improvement” you can do because God is within you empowering you to do it.

Our world is a mess right now. It is scary and frustrating as we look around at all that is taking place. Political hatred, scary viruses, escalating violence. It can be distracting. It is easy to get focused on those things and not on the tasks we need to be doing.

Let me tell you, Paul and Timothy were in the same place. Their world was exploding. The gospel was causing great upheaval and violence was not just in their world, it was directed at them. However, they never let that distract them from the task at hand. Paul is sitting under house arrest, with the threat of death over him, yet what is he doing? He is seeing to the needs of the Philippians. Timothy is facing the possibility of losing another father. What is he doing? He is leaving Paul behind to fulfill the work God and Paul are asking him to do.

What is God calling you to do today? I promise you. If you find out what it is and apply yourself, all those scary things going on across our nation will not seem nearly as scary.

Pray