Jump Start # 3745
Philippians 2:19 “But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition.”
What a simple statement, “I’m sending Timothy.” I used that principle in a recent sermon about developing a mature faith. Spiritual maturity has nothing to do with age. I’ll show you that in a moment. It is not the same as saying, “I’ve been a Christian for three decades.” Nor is it the same as saying, “I’ve been a member of this church for ten years.” To be honest, some of us have been stuck in the third grade spiritually for a long, long time. Spiritual maturity is about growth and development. It’s about knowledge. It’s about being dependable. It’s being responsible. It’s about being kingdom focused.
Now, imagine you are going on vacation for a couple of weeks. Rather than boarding your beloved dog, you ask someone to come over and take care of the dog. That involves feeding the dog, letting the dog out a few times in the day and making sure he has water. A lot to do. You’ll pay someone to do this. But, who would you choose with this responsibility? Would you pick a family member who hates dogs? Not a good choice. Would you pick someone who is not dependable? He may forget when you are going on vacation. He may forget all the things to do. Or, how about someone that is not very responsible? They may leave the back gate open, or worse, the front door of your house open. As much as you love your dog, you’ll find someone that you can count on.
Expand that to the kingdom of God. Paul was traveling and was needed in other places. Someone had to go and help these young churches develop. They needed teaching. They needed questions answered. Who? Who would do this?
Titus is warned about some who were upsetting families teaching things they should not teach (1:11). Not a good choice there. Some were ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of truth (2 Tim 3:7). Not a good choice there. The Philippians were told that some were preaching out of selfish ambition and not from pure motives (1:17). Not a good choice.
Who to send? To the Thessalonians, Paul sent Timothy (1 Thes. 3:2). To the Corinthians, Paul sent Timothy (1 Cor 4:17). And, in our verse today, Paul sent Timothy to the Philippians (Phil 2:19).
Timothy was young. Paul warned him about “youthful lusts” and “not to let anyone despise his youth”. Young, but mature in faith. Young, but responsible. Young, but dependable. Paul didn’t have to worry about waking Timothy up so he’d get to services on time. Paul didn’t fear that Timothy might get lost or forget which days he was supposed to be where. Paul could count on Timothy. Young in age, but proven to be mature in faith. Timothy, though young, had a mature faith. Timothy was one that Paul could count on.
Paul said about Timothy, “I have no one else of kindred spirit who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare” (Phil 1:20). No one, but Timothy.
Some lessons from all of this:
First, don’t dismiss a young person. Paul didn’t. Timothy may not had the miles on his life nor the experiences that life teaches, but he had a deep faith and knowledge in the Lord. Timothy hadn’t wasted time playing games, doing nothing, and day dreaming his life away.
Among us, the most dependable, faithful, and responsible may be those in their 20s. I’ve known of people who were supposed to teach a Bible class, and they never showed up. They called no one. The students are sitting in a class, and no one is there to teach. I’ve known times when the teacher didn’t teach what he was supposed to. He decided to play games and spend the time just chit-chatting with the kids. Such a person is showing that he is not responsible nor dependable.
Second, what we are doing now develops the character and the heart that will be with us in the next season of our life. Some many waste opportunities because they just do not see the value of such things. What are you doing now to build your faith? How are you serving others? Don’t wait until you get married. Don’t wait until the kids are out of the house. Don’t wait until you retire. As long as we keep kicking the can down the road, we will never be of any use for the Lord or His people.
Paul came into Derbe and Lystra and the brethren were talking about this young man Timothy. He had already found ways to be useful. He was well spoken of by the brethren. Busy in college, become well spoken of by the brethren. Just starting your real job, become well spoken of by the brethren.
One does that by being dependable, responsible, faithful and helpful. That’s what makes a person well spoken of.
Third, with such a mature faith and at a young age, Timothy would be guided to make some wise choices. He’d likely date and marry someone that likewise was mature in faith. Together, they would serve the kingdom of God. So many mistakes are made because decisions and choices are made not from the standpoint of faith, but rather money, happiness, or what is easy.
It’s sad to see young Christians marrying people who are not believers. Yes, they may convert their mates, but they have to have patience and faith to do that. So much of the time, what takes place is a weakening of faith in the Christian.
Young Timothy. Spoken well by the brethren. And, what did Paul say? I’m sending Timothy.
Do you think Paul would have said that about you?
Roger