TIMOTHY
By Rev. Dr. Jerry Schmoyer jerry@schmoyer.net
http://india.christiantrainingonline.org/
Do you ever get afraid, shy, fearful of people & situations?
What causes the most fear in you?
Have you learned how to have victory over it?
Some pastors so courageous, outgoing, nothing stops them
Others quiet, shy, fearful, introverts, seem wrong for ministry,
MY NAME IS TIMOTHY Have you ever heard of me?
I. BACKGROUND
FATHER: unsaved Greek
MOTHER: Godly Jew – Eunice
GRANDMOTHER: Godly Jew – Lois
“Timothy” = “honored of God” – shows:
Father not anti-God, let Eunice use name “Timothy,
Any of You not have a godly father to help you grow
Hometown: LYSTRA
CHILDHOOD: good Jew upbringing, taught OT II Tim 1:5; 3:15
1 MJ Paul led Tim, Lois & Eunice (mo) to salv Acts 14:6-19
stay at their home (hospitable, well to do)
Paul recover from stoning?
RELATIONSHIP WITH PAUL
Paul ‘adopted’ him, -spiritual father & mentor (Phil 2:22)
Shy, fearful, insecure (opposite of Paul)
INFLUENCE OF FATHER UPON BOYS
Timothy’s father not involved in life (for whatever reason)
Boy needs from father: Correct view of what a man is
PHYSICALLY weak constitution, frail
EMOTIONALLY weak, fearful, shy, insecure (opp of Paul)
II. TRAINING
A. TRAVELING WITH PAUL
2 MJ when Tim left with Paul = 50 AD 16-25 yrs old
Ordained when traveled with Paul on 2MJ = 51 AD
I Timothy written (29 yrs old) = 64 AD
II Timothy written (31 yrs old) = 66 AD
B. SPIRITUALITY
SPIRITUAL GIFTS good rep among Christians Acts 16:2
church leader (Ephesus, etc)
evangelist II Tim 4:5) – church planter and growth
deep spiritual commitment
C. PERSONALITY
timid, fearful, stomach problems (1 Cor 16:10-11)
OVERLY SENSITIVE, young, shy, sensitive
CHURCH PROBLEMS TIMOTHY FACED
WOMEN getting out of place, bossy I Tim 2:11-15
DISORDER in church among people I Tim 3:14-15
SIN TO CORRECT in lives of some I Tim 4:6
PERSONAL CRITICISM for age, shyness, etc I Tim 4:12-16
GOSSIP and criticism of leaders rampant I Tim 5:19
POWER STRUGGLES among people in church I Tim 5:21-22
GOSSIP ABOUT TIMOTHY: IMMATURE, ETC I Tim 6:11-14
WANT TO QUIT, LEAVE Ephesus
Result: stomach problems from stress, nerves I Tim 5:23
Paul encourages him to not be fearful, timid (2 Tim 1:6)
FEAR big problem for men always (hide it)
Saul: insecure, AB ISAAC call Saran sister
Gideon: Judges 6 10 SPIES in land
POWER: authority from God alone, fear from flesh/Satan
LOVE: only real antidote to fear Perfect love casts fear.
SELF-DISCIPLINE: go by mind, not emotions
Not a person anywhere ever who doesn’t battle FEAR
different fears, shown in different ways
pastors: fear of failure (all men … everyone)
ALL have it because sin separates us from God
something missing, only found in God
GOOD FEAR motivate to do right (like guilt, anger, etc)
SINFUL FEAR Circumstances, Loss of control, Criticism
FEAR FLEES FROM THE CROSS
Doesn’t come from God: II Timothy 1:7
If believe God is in charge/control, then nothing to fear!
Satan causes, uses fear – gives access to demonic
III. MINISTRY
Sent from Berea to Thess Acts 17:14; I Thes 3:2
MENTORING Silas & Timothy
With Silas, joined Paul at Corinth Acts 18;5; I Thes 3:6
With Paul at Corinth I Thes 1:1; II Thes 1:1
Sent to Thessalonica to strengthen their faith I Thes 3:2
First time Tim mentioned on his own
With Paul at Ephesus Acts 19:22
Jesus-Paul-Timothy-Erastus-other—me
Sent to Macedonia & Corinth I Cor 4:17; 16:10
With Paul in Macedonia II Cor 1:1
With Paul in Corinth Rom 16:21 2 Cor 1:19
Went with Paul from Corinth to Asia Minor Acts 20:4
GROUP GROWING – Tim one of leaders, mentoring With Paul in Rome #1 Col 1:1; Philem 1; Phil 1:1
Paul wanted to sent him to Philippi Phil 2:19
Left in charge of church in Ephesus I Tim (64 AD, 13 yrs)
TOUGH church – strong women, weak men, worldly people,
How many of you ever have gotten discouraged?
Does it happen often? discouraged now?
CONDITIONS PRODUCING DISCOURAGEMENT
1. FATIGUE tired, worn out, not eat, sleep, exercise right
2. PRESSURE to grow church, etc.
3. LACK OF RESULTS no new people, growth, maturity, etc.
4. FAMILY PROBLEMS Difficulties with children, mate
5. SIN IN LIFE Something defeating you can’t get victory over
SOLUTION: stay faithful, keep eyes on God 1 Tim 1:18-19
Went to join Paul in Rome (Prison #2) (66 AD) 31 yrs old
PAUL’S ADVICE: 2 Tim 4:2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage– with great patience and careful instruction.
“CORREST, REBUKE” = those wrong – even elders, women
“ENCOURAGE” = those right – hard in a different way
IV. END OF LIFE
Continued to minister in Ephesus until martyred
TIMOTHY’S SERVICE
1. HE HAD A SERVANT HEART (willing to serve, not be served Acts 19:22)
2. HE WAS AVAILABLE (for years willing to go where God wanted Acts 20:4)
3. HE WAS TEACHABLE (hunger & thirst to learn all he could from Paul 2 Tim 3:10-11)
4. HE WAS LIKE-MINDED (shared Paul’s goals and motives, faithfully reproduced Paul & God’s will and desire Phil 2:19-20)
5. HE WAS FAITHFUL (not just knew Paul’s teachings & goal, but put into practice 1 Cor 4:17)
6. HE WAS A REPRODUCER (patterned own life after Paul, trained others to do same 2 Tim 2:2; 1 Thes 3:2)
SUMMARY OF MINISTRY
traveling from one problem area to another
friendship to Paul most important (closest friend, loved most)
DEATH: martyred under Domitian or Nerva (97AD) 62 yrs old
How do you handle the fears you face?
How do you get victory over discouragement?
CLOSING PRAYER
THOSE HERE who are struggling with FEAR
DISCOURAGED