A Certain Disciple

A changing missionary team

From Barnabas, Paul and John Mark the team is changing now. Tonight we see new members. We are looking at what we can know about one of our new members.

So, a reminder first.

Paul and Barnabas split up the team, one team became two (Act15:36-40)

Paul continued to strengthen the churches with Silas now (Act15:41)

From Jerusalem back to Antioch of Syria, from Antioch through Syria and Cilicia

The second missionary trip has began with Paul and Silas and tonight we get a new member, a young member.

(Transition) Timothy a young man and through the scripture we can learn some things, can know some things about him.

Timothy, the man (before Paul)

Timothy, the man (with and after Paul)

Timothy: Before Paul

So may the scripture speak to us to give us some insight to the newest, youngest mission team member.

Acts 16:1–2 NASB95

1 Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. And a disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek, 2 and he was well spoken of by the brethren who were in Lystra and Iconium.

Acts 16:3–4 NASB95

3 Paul wanted this man to go with him; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 Now while they were passing through the cities, they were delivering the decrees which had been decided upon by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem, for them to observe.

Acts 16:5 NASB95

5 So the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily.

What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?

Gleaning from the scripture:

Where did the 2nd missionary trip take Paul and Silas (v.1)?

Derbe and Lystra

This is where they met a certain disciple named Timothy

What do you learn about Timothy’s parents (v.1)?

Mother a Jewish woman, who believed

Father was a Greek

He was well spoken of in Lystra and Iconium (v.2) and look at v.3. - this is more than just thought of, people talked about this certain disciple named Timothy. Do we live in such a way that people would speak well of us as a disciple of Jesus Christ?

Question: In (v.3) what was Paul’s want of Timothy?

He wanted Timothy to go with him.

Now we do see that Paul had him circumcised and tells us why, because of the Jews in that region. There is a reason behind it, but we will get to that in a few minutes

Question: What was the purpose of the trip (v.4) and what did they do as well as that (v.5)

To deliver the decree’s (letter from Jerusalem)

To strengthen the body, and watch the body grow daily.

(Transition) so now, let’s fill in some more information about the man Timothy and some biblically and historically known or unknown facts

Name Timothy means “honoring God”

He was born, or a native of Lystra (Act16:1-2)

Family (Act6:1; 2Tim1:5)

Father was Greek, no name

Mother Jewish named Eunice

Grandmother of faith named Lois

Other scriptures referenced (1Tim1:2; 2Tim3:15)

2 Timothy 1:5 NASB95

5 For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.

So, your faith can impact your family, as it did for 3 generations here. Their faith became his faith, his sincere faith. Paul would say this about Timothy later.

1 Timothy 1:2 NASB95

2 To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

So, he had a Greek father a Jewish mother, so there was a mixed marriage so maybe that is why not circumcised before. Though we can know he had been taught the O.T. scriptures.

2 Timothy 3:15 NASB95

15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

So, Timothy was discipled by Eunice and Lois. There is a good chance he became a Christian under the teaching of Paul on Paul’s first missionary trip through Lystra

Conversion; during Paul’s first missionary trip (Act14:6-7, 20)?

Paul had travelled through Lystra x 2 and had left disciples there according to Act14.

Paul considered himself to be a spiritual father to those converted (1Cor4:17; 1Tim1:2, 2Tim1:2)

Paul looked over the converted like a father would. He considered himself the spiritual father to them.

1 Corinthians 4:17 NASB95

17 For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church.

Oh he though very highly of his son in the faith Timothy as you can see in 1Cor4, 1Tim1 and 2Tim1 too.

Something to consider: Mark Copeland as well as other commentators believe that Timothy could have been about 13 when he was converted

Paul’s first missionary trip was around (47-48AD)

In (64AD) Timothy is still considered a youth (1Tim4:12) (not on handout, tell them to note it down)

1 Timothy 4:12 NASB95

12 Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.

He may have been witness to Paul’s stoning at Lystra (Act14:19-20)

Acts 14:19–20 NASB95

19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. 20 But while the disciples stood around him, he got up and entered the city. The next day he went away with Barnabas to Derbe.

His persecutions at Antioch, Iconium and Lystra (2Tim3:10-11)

2 Timothy 3:10–11 NASB95

10 Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me!

Now as a disciple in Lystra is well spoken of (Act16:2)

(Transition) So this very young disciple that Paul wanted him to go with him, as well as with Silas too to go and deliver letter and strengthen the church. Now may we look at what transpires with he and Paul, Before and after leaving Lystra.

Timothy: with and after Paul

Paul is an apostle of Jesus Christ, a disciple of Jesus Christ making disciples of Jesus Christ and he wants this certain disciple to go with him, but there are things to do before and things to do after leaving Lystra.

Paul had Timothy circumcised (Act16:3)

Reason was because of Paul’s method of evangelism (Rom1:16; Act17:1-3)

Paul would present the gospel message to the Jews first (Rom1:16) it was his pattern (Act17:1-3)

Circumcision came with a cost to Timothy (Gen34:24-25)

As in the adults in the wilderness were circumcised, it was a painful and serious thing.

Genesis 34:24–25 NASB95

24 All who went out of the gate of his city listened to Hamor and to his son Shechem, and every male was circumcised, all who went out of the gate of his city. 25 Now it came about on the third day, when they were in pain, that two of Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, each took his sword and came upon the city unawares, and killed every male.

So as Timothy saw Paul suffer for the gospel, he too was willing to suffer, even bleed for the gospel. What are we willing to do for the gospel?

Paul laid hands on Timothy (1Tim4:14; 2Tim1:6)

1 Timothy 4:14 NASB95

14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery.

and then look at

2 Timothy 1:6 NASB95

6 For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

So by the hands of the elders and by the hands of the apostle, the apostle gave the gift, the elders confirmed the calling and the sending.

(Transition) So now may we look at what discipleship that has been put into action looks like from mission standpoint.

Timothy, life with and after Paul

This certain disciple who was well spoken of was entrusted by his mentor, father in the faith, with much, may we look at a few things together now.

Timothy was faithful, entrusted with much by Paul

Hey, stick around in Berea (Act17:13-14)

Timothy and Silas were left in Berea and Paul moved on.

Even though there is trouble, the gospel, the truth, the message needed to be rooted.

Acts 17:13–14 NASB95

13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica found out that the word of God had been proclaimed by Paul in Berea also, they came there as well, agitating and stirring up the crowds. 14 Then immediately the brethren sent Paul out to go as far as the sea; and Silas and Timothy remained there.

Can you go check out what up in Thessalonica (1The3:1-8)

Paul while in prison was knew there was trouble and he had a heart for ministry, he wanted to send a trusted servant to go and establish and encourage the faith of a young church in Thessalonica

Pay attention to this passage see what the instructions were and the results (look especially at vv.6-8)

1 Thessalonians 3:1–2 NASB95

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,

1 Thessalonians 3:3–4 NASB95

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.

1 Thessalonians 3:5–6 NASB95

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. 6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you,

1 Thessalonians 3:7–8 NASB95

7 for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith; 8 for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord.

Gleaning from the scripture (1The3:1-8)

Sent to strengthen and encourage their faith (v.2)

Reason: so you will not be disturbed (v.3)

Bring back a mission report on the church there, and of their faith (v.5)

Timothy brought good news of their love and their faith (v.6)

Question: how was Paul comforted according to (v.7)

Paul was comforted by their faith!

Paul finishes off that by their faith they live (v.8)

How about a journey with Erastus for me (Act19:22)

Acts 19:22 NASB95

22 And having sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.

There were riots going on in Ephesus, all over false idols and loss of income. Paul on his way to Jerusalem and wanting to see Rome, sends his trusted servants to go to Ephesus (see in context 1Act18:21-29)

Take a message, and give a reminder to our brothers in Corinth (1Cor4:17)

Paul dispatched Timothy to be a reminder of Paul and his message that it is the same in all the churches.

Go, get me a state of the church in Philippi for me (Php2:19)

Paul loved and cared for the children of faith, for the churches he has ministered to. He wanted a mission report, a state o the church report on the church at Philippi

Philippians 2:19 NASB95

19 But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition.

Ephesus needs some help and direction, so I’m sending you (1Tim1:3-4, 18-19)

Originally I was not going to put these verses in, just going to paraphrase them, but I think they are important

1 Timothy 1:3–4 NASB95

3 As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, 4 nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith.

I urged you, begged you, implored you, protect the gospel, the doctrine, for there are others preaching things that are strange, contrary to the truth.

1 Timothy 1:18–19 NASB95

18 This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight, 19 keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.

But then he gives named examples

1 Timothy 1:20 NASB95

20 Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme.

Paul commanded, entrusted, challenged Timothy to fight the good fight. What kind of fight, a fight for the faith, true faith for there are others that are promoting another faith that is not true, and then he names two of them.

A question to consider

Do we have a responsibility to name untruths, to name false teachers?

Fighting the good fight means standing up for the truth even when it is hard! But don’t go into battle unprepared, you need to be trained in the gospel, in discipleship (hint, hint join us on Sunday nights). No fighter would enter into the ring unprepared, so don’t you do it either.

Some thoughts of Paul regarding this certain disciple named Timothy.

He was a fellow laborer, and was like minded (Php2:19-22)

Paul used Timothy as contributor, in the authorship of six of the Epistles (2Cor, Php, Col, 1& 2 Thes and Philemon)

Paul loved Timothy and discipled Timothy and wrote to Timothy to prepare Timothy (1Tim, 2Tim)

At the end of life, Paul requested Timothy (2Tim4:9)

(Conclusion)

Here we have this faithful disciple named Timothy who was sold out to serve the Lord Jesus through serving with Paul.

His faith was evident for he carried out the tasks given to him, even when they could be dangerous to him.

Timothy served the Lord through serving Paul and did not draw attention to himself, he was not about self glory but God’s glory - may we be people who do the same thing.

A closing scripture for application (1Tim4:12):

1 Timothy 4:12 NASB95

12 Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.

May we be a people who can be an example of our faith!

(Prayer) (Exit)