It is very evident from the details Paul put into his letters to Timothy that he wanted to develop a leader with extraordinary quality. Our tendency is to take short cuts and rely on intellectual methods rather than imparting character by modeling “in the ministry” the maturity we want to see on those we train.
As we review the final two chapters of Paul’s first letter to Timothy, be sure to make the personal application to yourself and consider how these qualities will be passed on to others.
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We continue in this blog looking at the character qualities that Paul developed in Timothy. There were harmful habits and practices current at the time which Timothy was told to avoid. Our focus remains largely on those positive qualities that needed to be developed in him and in us. The references below are still from First Timothy:
As Acts 16 reminds us, Paul saw a foundation of faith in Timothy and a commendable reputation on which he could build character that was critical for leaving him as a leader/pastor in Ephesus. I will use this and tomorrow’s blog to list the points of character that Paul developed in Timothy. Each of these is needed in leaders today if they are going to honor their call to ministry and be effective in the Lord’s work.
As you read each of these points, ask yourself if they have been, and are being developed in you. All references are from First Timothy.
Throughout Paul’s ministry, he was always on the lookout for God to send persons into his life who were potential partners. “After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla…And he went to see them” (Acts 18:1–2). You can imagine the conversations between them that strengthened their faith and equipped this husband/wife team for helping Paul in his ministry. Yes, they also were tentmakers like Paul, but their time together proved they had a common bond in the Lord. In verses 24 to 26, Aquila and Pricilla listened to others in ministry to see how effective they were. They heard Apollos who was “”eloquent and competent in the Scriptures” because “he had been instructed in the way of the Lord.” Apollos was “fervent in spirit…spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus.” Even though he “spoke boldly in the synagogue”, he needed personal discipling to understand “the way of God more accurately.” How was this to be accomplished? Aquila and Pricilla took Apollos “aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.”
This blog will be different, in that I want you to look at the Scriptures and answer the questions. Paul’s model of developing other apostles and leaders was by looking for those who already had a proven record and testimony. As you work through the following questions, think about how these principles can be used today.
“And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.” (Acts 20:36–38).
There are certain things that happen when brothers and sisters develop a deep bond with each other in Christ. Not only has the Holy Spirit baptized us into one body, the church (1 Corinthians 12:13), but he has given us a common passion for the things of God. They are one-minded in the gospel. They refuse to allow petty things to come between them or disagreements to fester and linger unresolved. They esteem each other highly because of their value in Christ. Confronting is done when necessary, always in view of being true to Scripture and their bond in Christ. As Paul left the Ephesian elders, he takes the lead in kneeling down to praying with them. Knowing that he would not see them again, I can imagine his fervent love and concern for their walk with the Lord and their steadfast faithfulness. These were not light matters! Paul prayed with tears as they all wept together. “They embraced Paul and kissed him” showing how real and mutual was their respect and appreciation for what he had invested in them. His departure was not easy for them, but Paul’s manner of life and ministry etched a specific character in their hearts that would never be forgotten. How do we know this is true? When Jesus wrote to this church years later, He said, “ I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary.” (Revelation 2:2–3). Where did they learn this from? Paul, their model! Are you developing this kind of relationship among the leaders in your church or where God has called you? Superficial relationships will never further the work of God in the church or spread the gospel to the unreached. Mature relationships build strong churches and advance God’s work! One of the most important ways to train leaders is to model what they should become. The ‘do as I say, not as I do’ is not a model to follow. For Paul to live with the elders at Ephesus, he had to expose his personal habits and way of life to them. If they were to follow his model, there needed to be a high degree of integrity in Paul’s life, both public and private, that clearly reflected Christ, his Head. Before Paul leaves these elders, he reminds them of his personal way of life.
Paul demonstrates the model of a true shepherd of God’s flock that I want to bring to your attention. This model must be lived out by us so the flock is protected from predators, nourished with the right food, and helped to grow in maturity.
Acts 20:31 - “Remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.”
In Acts 20:29-31, Paul gives the severest warning that any leader could hear. Keep in mind that he does so with the deepest feelings his heart can emote. It is clear that Paul looked ahead to the time when he could not return to Ephesus or meet with the elders again. God had given him the wisdom to discern that after he left the elders, “fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.” If we stop reading there, we could assume that these sheep predators will come from outside the flock. Paul makes it clear that “from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted (misleading or perverted) things to draw away the disciples after them.” Let us probe further into this issue.
As we continue to look at Acts 20 and the way Paul exposed his heart to the elders during the last time he saw them, we are also deeply challenged. The points below should grip our souls and cause us to do some serious soul searching. Comparing Paul’s assessment of what might happen in Ephesus and the current state of leadership in the church should make us realize there are flaws today that need attention and immediate correction.
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