St. Paul Trains a Man of God
Dr. John Maxwell, an ordained minister in the Wesleyan denomination, has written much regarding leadership, especially in the Christian Church. Years ago, I received a gift from a friend of the Maxwell Leadership Bible in the New King James Version. Dr. Maxwell has written the notes throughout the Bible. In his opening remarks, he quotes J. Oswald Sanders who provided the best definition of leadership per Dr. Maxwell. He said, “Leadership is influence.” As Dr. Maxwell continues in his remarks, “(As a follower of Christ) you are called to influence others.” Scripture reminds us that we are the “light of the world,” and “the salt of the earth.”
I was intrigued by Dr. Maxwell’s comment regarding influence. As I pondered his statement, I was immediately drawn to St. Paul and his young protégé, Timothy. The relationship began in Acts 16, where we see that the original partnership of Paul and Barnabas is split and each forms a new partnership to expand the missionary emphasis. Paul took Silas as his partner and off they went. Acts sixteen tells us that when they came to Derbe and Lystra, they met a certain young man named Timothy (meaning “dear to God”). Timothy was the son of a Jewish mother and a Greek father. Acts tells us that the fellow Christians spoke highly of this young man, so much so, that Paul decided to take Timothy with him. Just what did Paul see that caused him to make a quick judgment? My guess it was God who provided the notion in Paul’s mind that this young man would be an asset with both his Jewish and Greek heritage.
Shortly after their travels in Asia Minor, Paul received his Macedonian call that would take him from Asia to Europe.
Dr. Maxwell’s “influence,” theme of leadership is beginning to shine through in this special relationship of Paul and Timothy. What else do we know about Timothy? Well, we know he came from a mixed marriage but according to theologians, he lived the Old Testament (“O. T.”) from his youth. I Timothy 4:14 tells us that Timothy was endowed with certain spiritual gifts. He was Paul’s companion for over a decade and was his emissary in various places including Thessalonica and Philippi. But, perhaps his greatest value, was to shepherd the young church at Ephesus.
Dr. Maxwell states, “(this is) the clearest mentoring relationship in Scripture of any since Elijah and Elisha.” In his book, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, Dr. Maxwell lists his final law as “legacy.” He defines it this way: “A leader’s lasting value is measured by succession.”
1 Timothy:
Paul wrote two letters to his protégé, but the first letter is an excellent instruction or training manual for this young pastor/leader. Paul wrote this letter ~65 A. D. This would have been approximately three years prior to Paul’s execution. The two letters to Timothy along with the letter to Titus are referred to as the “Pastoral Letters.” The church at Ephesus presented issues of heresy, including Gnosticism or something similar, which has been described as a mixture of Jewish beliefs with philosophy.
Paul opens this letter to Timothy and refers to him as a true son in the faith. He wastes no time in getting to the point. First, he reminds Timothy that there is only one Gospel (doctrine). The church was wrought with “fables and endless genealogies,” that cause disputes. Paul reminds Timothy that God’s commandment of love proceeds from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. Disputes were arising out of old Jewish teachings of the law and what it requires. Paul reminds Timothy that he too was an adversary of the gospel of Jesus Christ but was called out of darkness into the light by Jesus himself! It was all grace! Paul says, God’s grace was “exceedingly abundant.”
Paul gives good advice to his son in the faith but reminds him that he is a servant to all men for God wants all to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (I Timothy 2:3).
Paul provides detail to Timothy regarding service for various peoples: men and women; bishops and deacons; and others. The specifics of bishops (overseers) and deacons are truly clear. He first must be above reproach, husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, gentle, not quarrelsome, and not a lover of money. If these qualities are not present, then his ministry would be tarnished or blemished and of questionable value.
Chapter four has specifics for Timothy. First, Paul reminds Timothy that Satan will cause some to forsake their faith. There will be all kinds of rules regarding marriage and diet. He reminds Timothy that God did not make any junk! Yes, God’s creation is good. Chapter 4:9 is worth memorizing. Listen! “This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance, that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.”
He closes summarily; be diligent and watch your life and doctrine closely.
While there are many notable verses in I Timothy, perhaps the most memorable is 6:12, “Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of eternal life to which you were called.”
Paul blesses Timothy with these great words (doxology). “God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see, to Him be honor and might forever, Amen.” (I Timothy 6:15ff).
Lessons for You and Me
Many of us may not be CEOs of a large multi-national corporation, but as Christians, we are all called to present Christ and Him crucified in our lives. Paul’s instructions to his protégé are also valuable to you and me today in this 21st century. We need to be “diligent,” and “watch our life and doctrine closely.” Our diligence is one that is accomplished by being in His house regularly and hearing His Word and forgiveness for our shortcomings (grace). Secondly, we need to be ever watchful of our daily life that it is led by our LORD and not the world! Our theology too must be sound and never forsake the true gospel of Jesus Christ who came, who died, and who rose again to life sitting at the right hand of God. And awaiting trumpets!
We may not be a prophet (preacher), but we too can be a witness of our salvation and lead others to the knowledge of the truth. To Him alone be glory.
Peace
Connected in Him, I stand
GHR
July 2020
