Timothy
  1. Introduction
    1. In NT we read of many interesting characters
    2. People whose lives and actions serve as examples to everyone whose life is dedicated to God
    3. The topic of our study tonight is of one such young man whose name means "Honored of God"
      1. A person who faced problems in his life that are similar to the problems that are faced today by many Christians.
      2. A person who knew sorrow and pain as well as Joy and blessing
    4. The man I am talking about we know as Timothy
  2. Background of Timothy
    1. Location
      1. Native of Derbe or Lystra
      2. Acts 16:1
    2. Family
      1. Mother (Eunice) Grandmother (Lois) – godly Jewish women
      2. Father was Greek
    3. He was taught the truth as a child 2 Tim 3:14-15

      4. (2 Tim 3:14-15 KJV) But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; {15} And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
    4. Described as
      1. Man of God – 1 Tim 6:11

        2. (1 Tim 6:11 KJV) But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

      2. Man of unfeigned Faith
        1. 1 Tim 1:5

          2. (1 Tim 1:5 KJV) Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

        2. 2 Tim 1:5

    (2 Tim 1:5 KJV) When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, …
  3. Timothy a faithful man of God was faithful despite difficulties in his life
    1. First, He was Faithful despite his age
      1. Expressed as youth 1 Tim 4:12

        2. (1 Tim 4:12 KJV) Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

      2. Flee youthful lusts 2 Tim 2:22

        3. (2 Tim 2:22 KJV) Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

      3. Despite his age Timothy was faithful servant
    2. Also, He was Faithful despite Family Differences
      1. Father was a Greek
      2. Mother was a Jew
      3. Father had some influence, not circumcised until after meeting Paul.
    3. Faithful despite health problems – 1 Tim 5:23

      4. (1 Tim 5:23 KJV) Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.
    4. Faithful despite being separated from family and left alone at times
      1. Paul took Timothy on his journey at the time he meet him in Acts 16:3

        2. (Acts 16:3 KJV) Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.

        1. Circumcision was not because of requirement but because the ability to more freely be among Jews
        2. Ref. 1 Cor 9:20 Unto Jews become a Jew

          3. (1 Cor 9:20 KJV) And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;

        3. Gal 5:2 circumcision profits nothing in Christ

        (Gal 5:2 KJV) Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.

      2. While traveling with Paul Timothy was sent to some 5 cities,
        1. Thessalonica – 1 Thess 3:1-2, 6
        2. Corinth – 1 Cor 4:17, 16:10-11
        3. Philippi – Phil 2:19-22
        4. Berea – Acts 17:14
        5. Ephesus – 1 Tim 1:3
        6. Also it was difficult to leave Paul
          1. 2 Tim 1:4
          2. Great Love and respect for Paul
      3. But despite his separation from the Apostle and Family, he remained faithful
    5. Along the same line, Timothy was faithful despite jobs to perform
      1. Picture a young man away from home away from travel companions set to foreign city to remind them of the words of Paul and the Gospel of Jesus Christ
      2. We know of the problems that many of these places faced
        1. Philippi – those who preached for envy, and strife, murmuring and disputing
        2. Corinth – Fornication, Idolatry 1 Cor 6:9-11
        3. Thessalonica – those overly concerned about tribulation and those who have died, missing the coming of Christ 1 Thess. 3:4
        4. Ephesus – Problems of those
          1. That depart from the faith 1 Tim 4:1-2
          2. Dealing with young widows as gossips and busybodies 1 Tim 5:11-15
          3. Those striving with words and questions 1 Tim 6:4-6
        5. Through out all these cities Timothy never lost his faith in God
        6. He faced the challenges of the Job before him and accomplished. 1 Thess 3:6
  4. So how does Timothy, a faithful man of God, provide us an example? That despite the difficulties and problems that arise in our lives we too can remain a faithful child of God
    1. Physical difficulties we may face
      1. There are many problems that young Christians face. Timothy stands as an example of faithfulness despite pressures of youth.
        1. May say you lack of knowledge and therefore can not teach others
        2. Peer pressure to fit in
          1. Drugs
          2. Alcohol
          3. sexual activity outside of marriage
      2. Difficulties of living in a family with different religious beliefs or in a home with only one parent
        1. Maybe our Father or mother is unfaithful, How does that effect your service to God?
        2. Tell story of Lori Ambrose
        3. The emotional loss faced when know the eternal destination of her family if they fail to comply with the scriptures
      3. Problem we face because of Health concerns
        1. Those in a wheel chair but attends services regularly
        2. Elder in WV handicapped with MS but still determined to do what he can.
        3. Maybe you are not in the best of health, should that deter you from doing all that you are able to do?
    2. Emotional
      1. Separation from loved ones
        1. It is very difficult to move away from your family, Ask some that are her tonight
        2. Or when we lose a Role Model, and may not have their good influence always in front of us
      2. Even to point of being all alone
        1. Never forget that when faithful we always have God on our side
        2. Elijah – 1 Kings 19:10

      (1 Ki 19:10 KJV) And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
    3. The difficulties that we face in our spiritual lives
      1. The job we need to perform
      2. Preachers – to always preach the truth no matter the consequence
      3. Elders – to rule over the flock of God, and take disciplinary action when necessary
      4. Bible Class Teachers – May feel that you are not being successful in your efforts, That you are not the most qualified to teach the class
  5. Conclusion
    1. No matter what obstacles we face, it is never one that can not be overcome
    2. Timothy provides us with a great example of Faithfulness despite setbacks and difficulties in his life.
    3. Let us determine to always remain faithful to God
    4. He has promised to help us through it all
    5. This lesson was not designed to teach what one must do in order to be saved and to be a faithful child of God.
      1. You must have faith in God and his word - Heb 11:6 without faith it is impossible to please God
      2. Repent of Sins – Acts 17:30 commands all men everywhere to Repent
      3. Confess Christ – Rom 10:9-10

        4. (Rom 10:9-10 KJV) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. {10} For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

      4. Be baptized – Mark 16:16
      5. Remain faithful despite difficulties 1 Cor 15:58

(1 Cor 15:58 KJV) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.