Timothy was a newly appointed pastor, assigned to give leadership to a new church that had been planted in the city of Ephesus.  The Apostle Paul was Timothy's "boss" or supervisor, per se, but the association was deeper and richer than simply an employer/employee relationship. Let's look at parts of the letters Paul wrote to Timothy during this time (1 & 2 Timothy).

"To Timothy my true son in the faith..." and "To Timothy my dear son..." is how Paul addresses his young protege.  Clearly, Paul loves and cares for Timothy as a son, as family.  He feels a spiritual responsibility to help guide and impact the young pastor through the challenges and even opposition to Timothy's ministry in Ephesus.  I'm not sure if Paul specifically led Timothy to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour but the mentor/mentee relationship is definite as we read the letters Paul wrote.

We do know that Timothy's mother and grandmother were women of faith in God."I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also." (2 Timothy 1:5)  Timothy's father was Greek, according to Acts 16:1 and his mother a Jew.  Paul met Timothy on his second missionary journey when Paul came to the communities of Derbe and Lystra.  By invitation, Timothy joined Paul and Silas on their ministry trip.  Thus began Timothy's minister-in-training program!

While on this missionary journey, Paul receives a vision of a man living in Macedonia, crying out for help! (Acts 16:9 & 10).  At this point, the pronouns change from "they" (verse 8) to "we" in verse 10, indicating that Luke, the author of Acts, joined the missionary team going on to Macedonia.  And we pick up in 1 Timothy 1:3 "As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer..." Timothy's job description for his first ministry assignment was a heavy responsibility:  To step into a conflict, bring correction and teach truth.  Yikes!  I can see why Paul needed to write at least two letters of instruction, encouragement and exhortation to strengthen and support Timothy in a potentially hostile and intimidating context.

Reading through both the letters from Paul, we learn the issues Timothy needed to address in the Ephesian church: to correct false teachings, to organize the leadership structure of the church, to guide in proper worship and prayer, to give qualifications for the choosing of elders and deacons, to give some direction regarding to roles and ministries of men and women, just to name a few.  

Paul also includes nuggets of truth for Timothy personally: "The goal of this command is love...", "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young..." and "But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.  Fight the good fight of the faith..." (all from 1 Timothy)  

In the second epistle (letter), Paul begins with expressing his love and thankfulness for Timothy, how he longs to see his young son in the faith and to encourage him in person.  By the tone and content, Paul sees that Timothy must need some reminders of truth, like a refresher course in the ministry.  He emphasizes the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, he reminds Timothy that suffering for the Gospel is part of the calling of ministry and he exhorts to follow the example of Paul.  "What you heard from  me, as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus."  (2 Timothy 1:13)  In other words, nothing has changed; stay the course.

Something that grabbed my attention is that Paul sets a strategy or principle for good leadership in 2 Timothy 2:2 "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others."  Like Timothy, all of us are called to share the Good News of the Gospel, make disciples and pass the baton to them to begin sharing the same Good News! We are commissioned to replace ourselves, instruct others to spread the Gospel by word and lifestyle.  It is not just for "professional Christian workers" , ie pastors, evangelists or missionaries, to preach and serve for the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.  As Paul gives clear instruction to Timothy, we also can apply these words to our own lives:  "Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.  Watch your life and doctrine closely..." (1 Timothy 4:15 & 16a).  

Not only does Paul give specific instructions of what to do but how to do it!  I mentioned the goal and spirit of the commands is love (1 Timothy 1:5).  Paul also gives Timothy this guidance: "Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth..." (2 Timothy 2:25).  The character of one called to minister is also described in this way: "And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful."  (1 Timothy 2:24)  Both the words and the attitudes must line up to qualify Timothy - and ourselves - to serve in the work of the Lord.  

As Paul seeks to strengthen and fortify this young pastor, from a distance, we also can take heart from such words that are preserved for us. "You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 2:1)  It is all about grace, not power, not authority, not being right or wrong but about the mercy of God through Jesus Christ. Paul's goal was not to destroy individuals but to work towards restoring and reuniting members of the church family.  Only by grace can any of us endure the conflicts, the temptations, the opposition to the message of truth and all other hardships.  To follow Paul's example of endurance and faithfulness, we will need much grace.

Benediction: "The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all."