A few facts about Timothy

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Fact #1Timothy was young when he

began his ministry.

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1 Timothy 4:12-16 (NKJV)

12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

How do you define “youth”?

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A Timeline of Timothy’s “youth”

• Priest age 30 - Numbers 4:3; 47

• Jesus age 30 – Luke 3:23

Numbers 8:3 from thirty years old and above, even to fifty years old, all who enter the service to do the work in the tabernacle of meeting.

Luke 3:23 Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age

A Timeline of Timothy’s “youth”• Let’s say Timothy is 30 when Paul writes 1

Timothy.• 1 Timothy was written about 65 AD.• 47-48 AD – Paul goes on 1st missionary journey

through Lystra. (Acts 14) Timothy is likely converted then or soon after.

• 51 AD – Acts 16:1-2

Age 30

Age 12-13

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Acts 16:1-3 (NKJV)

1 Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek. 2 He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium. 3 Paul wanted to have him go on with him. And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek.

Quick Fact – Timothy grew up in a religiously

split home.

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Acts 16:1-3 (NKJV)

1 Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek. 2 He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium. 3 Paul wanted to have him go on with him. And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek.

Quick Fact – Timothy had a great reputation

as a young man.

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Acts 16:1-3 (NKJV)

1 Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek. 2 He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium. 3 Paul wanted to have him go on with him. And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek.

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A Timeline of Timothy’s “youth”• Let’s say Timothy is 30 when Paul writes 1

Timothy.• 1 Timothy was written about 65 AD.• 47-48 AD – Paul goes on 1st missionary journey

through Lystra. (Acts 14) Timothy is likely converted then or soon after.

• 51 AD – (Acts 16:1-2) Timothy joins Paul on Paul second missionary journey.

• 52 AD – Timothy sent to work in Thessalonica.

Age 30

Age 12-13

Age 16

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Excerpt from the International Bible Encyclopedia

• Thus, prepared for the work, Timothy went forth with Paul on the apostle's 2nd missionary journey. We find Timothy with him at Berea (Acts 17:14), having evidently accompanied him to all places visited by him up to that point. Paul next went--and went alone, on account of the persecution at Berea--to Athens (Acts 17:15); and from that city he sent a message to Silas and Timothy at Berea, that they should come to him at Athens with all speed. They quickly came to him there, and were immediately sent on an errand to the church in Thessalonica;

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1 Thessalonians 3:1-2 (NKJV)

1 Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, 2 and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith,

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A Timeline of Timothy’s “youth”• Let’s say Timothy is 30 when Paul writes 1

Timothy.• 1 Timothy was written about 65 AD.• 47-48 AD – Paul goes on 1st missionary

journey through Lystra. (Acts 14) Timothy is likely converted then or soon after.

• 51 AD – (Acts 16:1-2) Timothy joins Paul on Paul second missionary journey.

• 52 AD – Timothy sent to work in Thessalonica• 62 AD – commended to the Philippians 2:19-

24 (Age 27-28)

Age 30

Age 12-13

Age 16

Age 17

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Philippians 2:19-24 (NKJV)19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. 20 For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. 22 But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel. 23 Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me. 24 But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly.

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Timeline of Timothy’s “youth”• Let’s say Timothy is 30 when Paul writes 1

Timothy.• 1 Timothy was written about 65 AD.• 47-48 AD – Paul goes on 1st missionary

journey through Lystra. (Acts 14) Timothy is likely converted then or soon after.

• 51 AD – (Acts 16:1-2) Timothy joins Paul on Paul second missionary journey.

• 52 AD – Timothy sent to work in Thessalonica• 62 AD – commended to the Philippians 2:19-

24 (Age 27-28)

Age 30

Age 12-13

Age 16

Age 17

Age 27

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• Am I, at my age, doing the best I can for the Lord?

• Do I have a good reputation?– At my home congregation?– At other congregations in the area?

A Quick Look at Ourselves

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Fact #2Timothy was surrounded by a

fickle society.

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Timothy was surrounded by a fickle society.

• Paul tells the Galatians…(grew up)

• Paul tells the Ephesians…(worked with)

Galatians 1:6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.

Ephesians 4:14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,

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We too live in a Fickle society• Top 5 most

religious states1. Mississippi: 61% 2. Utah: 60% 3. Alabama: 57% 4. Louisiana: 56%5. South Car: 54%

• Top 5 least

religious states1. Vermont: 22%2. New Hamp: 24%3. Maine: 24%4. Mass 28%5. Oregon: 31%

Percentage of residents that consider themselves very religious

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• Do I let society influence me?– How will I counteract the negative

influences around me?– How will I protect my children?

• We must be committed to the work.

A Quick Look at Ourselves

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Fact #3Timothy was committed to

the work despite difficulties.

2 Timothy 3:14-15 (NKJV)

14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

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He could have made excuses

• He obviously had a reoccurring illness.

• Or he could have seen the harsh “work environment” and decided to find another occupation. Consider 2 Corinthians 11:24-28.

1 Timothy 5:23 No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.

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2 Corinthians 11:24-2824 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— 28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.

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• It would be no surprise if Timothy might be hesitant at times. He was expected to be strong in the face of persecution and death. One could hardly spend much time around Paul without also receiving threats. Timothy might have thought about quitting…

• But he did not!

• Knowing this, Paul encourages Timothy to be strong and suggests several “fear busters”. Consider 2 Timothy 1:8-10

Considering his age…R18

Hebrews 13:23 Know that our brother Timothy has been set free, with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly.

2 Timothy 1:8-10 (NKJV)

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

Others have endured it.

Consider the purpose.

The reward is eternal life.

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• How do I act when things are difficult?– Do I help to exterminate the problem?– Or do I just look to exit the property?

• We must pursue God!

A Quick Look at Ourselves

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Pursue God with a pure heart.2 Timothy 2:22

22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Puzzle Answer