Timothy -
A Genuine Child Who Became A Man of God with Commitment

by Jeff Brown

[Audio] [PowerPoint file]

Timothy's History

* May have received the Lord during Paul's visit to Lystra (Acts 14:8-20)
Possibly 16-18 years old AD 48
* Paul took Timothy with him when he returned to Lystra (Acts 16:1) Possibly 19-21 years old AD 51
* Designated "3rd guy" when he left Lystra with Paul and Silas (Acts 16:1)
* Timothy was left with Silas in Berea to care for new believers and reported to Paul the condition of the believers in Macedonia (Acts 17:14-15; 18:5; 1 Thess. 3:6)
22 years old AD 52
* Timothy was with Paul in Ephesus when Paul wrote 1 Corinthians (1 Cor. 4:17; 16:10) during Paul's 3rd Missionary Journey.
* Timothy was sent with Erastus to Macedonia while Paul remained in Asia on (Acts 19:22) 28 years old AD 58
Now 1st name mentioned
* Timothy was with Paul in Macedonia and Corinth when 2 Corinthians and Romans were written (2 Cor. 1:1, 19; Rom. 16:21)
* Timothy probably traveled with Paul all the way to Rome where Timothy is mentioned in Philippians (1:1) 32 years old 62 AD
* Timothy traveled with Paul when he was released from Rome (approx. 63AD)
* Timothy was left by Paul in Ephesus to shepherd the church when Paul traveled to visit the churches in Macedonia (1 Tim. 1:3).
* Paul wrote to Timothy from Macedonia - the book of 1 Timothy
37 years old AD 67
* Paul was arrested and imprisoned again. He wrote to Timothy and encouraged Timothy to come to him quickly (2 Tim. 4:9, 21) because of Paul's approaching martyrdom.
38 years old AD 68
Possibly died with Paul

Timothy's commitment - Acts and 1 Timothy

* When Timothy was younger, he assisted others in shepherding new believers
Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there. (Acts 17:14)
* As he matured, Timothy was sent by Paul to shepherd
And [Paul] having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while. (Acts 19:22)
That is why I sent you Timothy my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church. (1 Cor 4:17)
* Eventually as Paul's co-worker he was left in Ephesus to:
1) Nourish the church with the words of the sound (healthy) teaching (4:6, 13, 16)
2) Be a pattern to the believers
Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. (1 Tim. 4:12)
3) Practice the things that he learned from Paul
Practice these things, immerse yourself in them so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. (1 Tim. 4:115-16 4) Establish and strengthen the church administration (1 Tim. 3; 5:17-25)
5) Practically shepherd believers of different ages and statuses (1 Tim 5:1-16; 6:1-10; 17-19)
6) To fight to take hold of eternal life
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (1 Tim. 6:12)

Timothy's Person & Equipping - 2 Timothy

* Family of unfeigned faith (2 Tim. 1:5)
* Genuine child in the faith (1 Tim. 1:2, 18; 2 Tim. 1:2; 1 Cor. 4:17)
Vincent ... It means natural by birth-relation, therefore true or genuine.
* A spirit of power, love , self-control (2 Tim 1:7)
* The gift of God, the good deposit (2 Tim 1:6, 12, 1Tim. 6:20)
* Having Paul as a pattern (2 Tim. 1:13; 2:2; 3:10-11, 14)
* Healthy companions (2 Tim. 2:22)
* Knowing and being in the word (2 Tim 3:15-17; 1 Tim 4:13)
Reading (1Tim 4:13)
Memorizing
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Col. 3:16; Eph 5:19) Praying
(and take (A)the helmet of salvation, and (B) the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18praying (C) at all times (D) in the Spirit, (E) with all prayer and supplication. To that end (F) keep alert with all perseverance, making (G) supplication for all the saints,Eph. 6:17-18)
Journaling (exhortation)

(Saturday Perfect Training, Nov. 6, 2010)