1 Timothy 1:1-2

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

The true sign of maturity is multiplication.  Believers, churches, and ministries that do not reproduce are not demonstrating true maturity.  One of the key characteristics we can identify in Paul’s ministry is that he was constantly reproducing godly believers who were faithfully following the Lord.  Evangelism, discipleship, and leadership training are the hallmarks of mature ministers and ministries.

 

THE APOSTLE: Paul was called by God to be an Apostle.  Though Paul converted after the resurrection and assentation of Jesus, he met Jesus in the road to Damascus and was instructed by Jesus in the desert.  Paul considered himself to be the least of the Apostles because he persecuted the church and did not walk with Jesus on earth like the other Apostles.  However, God had a special plan for Paul and saved him, filled him with the hope of eternal life and then called him to make disciples of Christ in the nations.  One of those disciples was Timothy.

 

THE APRENTICE: Timothy was brought to Christ through the ministry of Paul and became Paul’s apprentice in ministry.  He was a trustworthy co-worker who was faithful to the Word of God and loyal to the Church of the Lord Jesus.  The ministry, like salvation is the result of the grace of God and His mercy extended to sinful people like Paul, Timothy, and all believers.  The relationship with Christ grants us peace with God and with one another.  This letter was written after Paul was released from prison in Rome.  Paul, Titus, and Timothy set out to visit key churches.  Titus was left in Crete and Timothy was left in Ephesus.  Paul writes this letter to Timothy reminding him of his responsibilities to the church.  

 

APPLICATION: When God calls us to be part of His family, we are expected to represent Christ and spread the hope of the Gospel.  We should look to multiply followers of Christ that understand God’s grace, mercy, and peace.

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