“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’m amazed at the effect the Apostle Paul’s young protégé (Timothy) has had on the world. What’s even more interesting is that we know almost nothing about him. We do know that Timothy was saved as a direct result of Paul’s ministry during his first missionary journey. On Paul’s second journey, he decided to take Timothy with him. And the world has never been the same!
Timothy’s impact on the First Century Church (and on us) is incalculable. His name is mentioned 17 times in ten New Testament books. Two of the letters Paul wrote to him are included in the New Testament. In Acts 16 and 2 Timothy, we learn that his mother (Eunice) was a believer and his grandmother 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 them to change the world. Not doctrine. Not creeds. Not rules and regulations. Just relationship.
As I mentioned in my message this past weekend, it is critically important for you and me to be connected in relationships within the church. You have that opportunity in Small Groups. I want to encourage you (as the spring semester of Small Groups kicks off), to commit yourself to being connected in relationships with others.
Make a life changing decision to lead a group or join a group. Who knows, maybe it will be you who changes the world?!
Connecting,
Bill
Posted in A Word from the Pastor