Timothy is arguably Paul’s most important, valued and powerful earthly relationship in all of his life. In Philippians 2:19-22, we read, “But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel.” Powerful statement about Timothy there…revealing Paul’s heart, Paul’s confidence, Paul’s love for Timothy.

Why did Paul love Timothy so much? Was it because they were blood? No. In fact, we know from Acts that Timothy had blood coursing through his veins that would have caused Paul to hate him before he was saved. You see Timothy wasn’t Jewish. He was Jewntle! HA! Half Jew, half gentile. Acts 16 verse 1 tells us that Timothy was the son of a Jewish woman who believed and his father was Greek! So it wasn’t because of blood.

Did Paul love Timothy because Timothy was strong? A powerful person with potent presence? No. In fact we know from scripture that Timothy was actually quite sickly often and very timid in nature. Did Paul love him because he was resourceful? Brilliant? Funny? None of these. Here’s the fact, Jack. Paul loved Timothy because Timothy loved him. It’s so simple. This is the truth. Real love…genuine love for another in your heart of hearts, manifests itself, proves itself…by spreading.

I love this because this is true all over the place, even with God. Why do you love God, Christian? Because of His blessings? Because He is all powerful? Because He is all knowing? I would suggest and submit to you, that I love God…because He first loved me. Period. When I see folks that actually love each other…folks that have a sweetness towards each other, a loyalty, a sense of responsibility and even family although they share no blood…I know that both of them have invested. I know that love is there.

Paul is so thankful for Timothy. He loves him so very much…because from the get-go, this young, weak, sickly, outcast disciple simply loved him. Paul had Timothy at his side for both his 2^nd and 3^rd missionary journeys and often sent Timothy on special assignment. He wrote of Timothy in 1 Corinthians 4 verses 15 – 17, “For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Therefore I urge you, imitate me. For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere and in every church.”

What amazes me so much is that this most important companion of Paul…closer than any family Paul ever had, beloved and cherished by Paul as a father cherishes a faithful and loyal son (proverbs 10:1 – A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother), closer than blood…and yet not blood. Amazing…or is he. They do share blood…just not in their veins…they share the blood that ran down the base of the cross. They share the blood that stained the crown of thorns. They share the blood that was sweat even out of the pores of the eternal Father of them both. And folks, I’m here to tell you, that blood is thicker than mans’…

Paul honored him by including Timothy in the greetings of several letters including 2 Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians. Written most likely during his third missionary journey after departing from Ephesus or upon arrival in Macedonia. This would place this letter around 58-59AD. Paul gives his reason for writing this letter in Chapter 3, verses 14 and 15. “These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground (support) of the truth,” (what is true in any matter under consideration – free from affection, emotion, experience, pretense, falsehood and deceit).

1 Timothy Chapter 1 Verse 1

• This is so cool. Because what Paul says here is unusual to his usual greetings and yet there is a message here for us. He says that he is an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God. Now turn to 2 Timothy Chapter 1 verse 1. He says here, “Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,” And so we see and find that God’s commandment is indeed God’s will. I like that…but turn also to Titus Chapter 1 verse 1. Paul says in the opening of this letter, “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect!”

• I absolutely love this…Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:10, “I am who I am by the grace of God…” and so I see this path clearly. God’s commandments to us in His Word…to love Him and to love others…that is His will for my life…and yet it must meet perfectly with my own decision to choose Him…through the faith of God’s elect…guess who that is? You and me! And so if I find this in my life…grace walk man…it’s like the crip walk only holier! HA! Life and life abundant!

• Oh to know the depth of His grace! This is huge! It all comes together perfectly in Ephesians Chapter 3 verses 14-19…the fullness of God!

1 Timothy Chapter 1 Verse 2

• What a sweet and personal greeting. Man I tell you, when you have a son in the faith, a daughter in the faith, your heart for them is to make them so much more than you can ever be…that they would know grace, mercy and peace and that you would be the conduit through which God might flow…even if you get all used up…like a battery. Doesn’t matter, your joy is to see them thrive! That’s a calling, man!
• Now Paul lifts up Timothy in this greeting…he says, remember, I didn’t make you and apostle, it was God’s commandment. So stand strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus…you’re gonna mess up and be weak and falter…doesn’t matter, God has commanded and so your authority as an apostle is not your perfection, it is your obedience. It’s the perfect predication to Paul’s next direction to Timothy…

1 Timothy Chapter 1 Verses 3 – 4

• Now I love this because Paul is strongly stating that Timothy should charge folks…stand firm and in open opposition against false doctrines and this is so cool…Paul says, “Nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies…” I really love this, man, because fables, cyclical dead-end disputes, Paul says, give no heed…folks have some interesting ideas out there, ya know. And the truth is, I have personally adopted 1 Corinthians 4:6. “Learn not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.”

• This is so very important! Because folks come with questions regarding tradition or religion or doctrines of men rather than the word of God and they ask your opinion or what you think and really they are just wanting to tell you what they think. Here’s their mark…they come to you with a question and end up trying to teach you! This is why I always start with, “Well the Bible says…” Paul says, “Make no time for this…” Endless disputes…rather seek what will provide godly edification and grow faith! Romans 10:17…
• That’s definitely all the time we have tonight, but as we close, think upon this…is your heart filled with endless dispute? Have you received God’s commandment to make Him your everything? Have you discerned your Creator’s will for your life? Have you stepped towards Him in faith? Man I pray you do so that you can find out about His grace and love towards you…nothing on earth compares to knowing His love for you…and in that, He will become the object of your love.