“All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:44-47)
I was struck as I prepared my message covering Acts 16:1-15 at the impact a young boy named Timothy has had on the world – yet we know almost nothing about him. We know that Timothy was saved as a direct result of Paul’s ministry during his first missionary journey, and that on Paul’s second journey, he decided to take this young protégé along with him – and the world has never been the same!
Timothy’s impact on the first century church – and on us – is incalculable, as evidenced by the fact that his name is mentioned 17 times in 10 New Testament books, and that two letters that Paul wrote to him are included in the New Testament. In Acts 16 and in 2 Timothy 1 we learn that Timothy’s mother was a believer whose name is Eunice and that his grandmother’s name was Lois. We also know that his dad was a non-believing Greek.
Other than that, we know relatively little about him. In fact, Pastor Robert F. Horton wrote this concerning Timothy:
“We have no words from his lips, no letters from his pen. Paul loved him; that is all. Timothy comes to us as a teenager and then vanishes, never to be forgotten, never to be known, loved not for his own sake, but because Paul loved him.” (Pastoral Epistles)
Wow! Think of it. God connected Paul and Timothy in relationship and God used their relationship to change the world! Not doctrine. Not creeds. Not rules and regulations – but a relationship!
It is critically important for you and I to be connected in relationships within the church. Through Small Groups and House Churches, you have an opportunity to connect with other believers. I want to encourage you as the upcoming fall kicks off to commit yourself to being connected in relationship with others. And who knows – maybe you will change the world.
Connecting,
Bill
Posted in A Word from the Pastor