“The Torch is Passed”
(Phil. 2:19-24)
Dr. Richard S. Koole
Chapel Pointe
September 14, 2008
A. Passing the Torch
1. Don’t drop it!
a. The Olympic torch
b. US men’s & women’s team dropping the baton
c. Disqualified!
2. Passing our faith to our kids
a. If our generation fails, the torch is dropped
3. As Paul passed the baton to the next generation
a. Were the young guys ready?
b. Could they lead the churches and their families?
4. There was one young guy on the top of Paul’s list
a. He was young, but
b. He had gained respect the “old fashioned way”
1. …he had earned it!”
5. Today…a challenge to the young men and women of Chapel Pointe
a. We face some incredible challenges and opportunities
b. Last Sunday
1. Kids leaving for Kidzone
2. Didn’t see the kids already there
a. 23 two-year olds
b. Ron K
*praise God for 20 total
3. AWANA….186 kids
4. Adults were crowded
a. But that is why
b. God is bringing young families with lots of kids
c. The greater the blessing…the greater the responsibility
1. And God will hold us accountable
2. Did you pass…or drop the baton?
II. Text
A. Background……v.19
(19) I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you.
1. Timothy was with Paul in Rome
2. Some background on Timothy
a. Greek father
1. Was probably dead by then
b. Jewish mother named Eunice & a grandmother named Lois
3. Learned about Jesus from these godly women
a. Appears they led him to the Lord
1. “taught him about Christ from childhood”
b. Mom’s are God’s most effective evangelists
4. Paul called him— “My son in the Lord”
a. With Paul constantly
1. Philippi
2. Thessalonica
3. Berea
4. Corinth
5. Ephesus
6. Rome
b. With Paul when he wrote:
1. I & II Thessalonians
2. II Corinthians
3. Colossians
4. Philippians
c. With Paul when he founded the church in Philippi
1. They knew Timothy well
5. What was Paul’s purpose in sending Timothy?
“I hope to send Timothy to you soon that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you.
a. By the report Timothy brings back to Paul
b. To encourage Paul with good news from his church
6. Timothy was unlike any other person in Paul’s life
B. Timothy’s Resume (v. 20-24)
1. Similar to Paul…..v.20
(20) I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare.
a. “I have no one else like him”
1. “iso sake
a. “like-minded”
b. Reacts just like I do
2. A “kindred spirit”
b. Timothy was a reproduction of Paul
1. Paul wrote to the church in Corinth (I Cor. 4:16-17)
“Therefore I urge you, imitate me. 17 For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ…”
2. Paul was imitating Jesus…
a. …and Timothy was imitating Paul
3. We all imitate others
a. John MacArthur’s impact on me
b. Who are you copying?
c. Who is copying you?
c. Do you want your kids to imitate you?
2. Sincere……v.20
(20) I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare.
a. Timothy really cared about their welfare
b. Not going out of obligation…but love
c. Sincerity can’t be faked
1. Listening to campaign speeches
d. Sincerity will draw people to you
1. People will never care how much you know until they know how much you care.
e. Fakes grow old as lonely people
3. Selfless……v.21
(21) For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.
a. Many people are self-seekers
1. Pre-occupied with self
a. Your looks
*as you got ready this morning
b. Your reputation
c. Your comfort
d. Having it your way
e. Your things
b. Let me share a little secret “Life is about people not things”
1. Climbing the ladder of success
a. Spend a life-time getting to the top
b. And discover loneliness at the top
c. Climbed the wrong ladder
2. Loneliness
c. Timothy was on a mission greater than himself
1. Ready to sacrifice his most precious thing…his time
a. Sell soul to some company
b. “You can love your job, but it will never be able to love you back.”
2. Timothy focused on loving the people of the church
4. Seasoned……v.22
(22) But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.
a. Proven worth…not just a talker
b. He knew the smell of battle
1. And never deserted his post
2. Not always “fun”
c. St. Barton’s Ode
1. “I am hurt but not slain! I will lie me down and bleed awhile— then I’ll rise and fight again.”
d. Parents who have been through the fires
e. Timothy stood by Paul like a son
1. Arriving in Brazil
2. Reggie to the hospital
a. A son never deserts
(22) But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.
f. “in the work of the gospel”…..v.22
1. Number one priority
2. Sacrificed his “personal life”
g. “He was ready to go immediately”…..v.23
(23) I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. (24) And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.
h. Don’t know if he ever got back to Philippi
i. Dwelt in Rome two full years (Acts 28:30-31)
III. Summary
A. The torch was being passed
1. From the Old Warrior to the kid
2. Paul also said in I Tim. 4:12)— “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young,”
B. Why Timothy?
1. Looking for future leaders?
2. Timothy was:
Seasoned Proven
Selfless Available
Similar Teachable
Sincere Heart for God and People
a. Timothy was young….but on the right P-A-T-H
b. Are you?
C. Paul wrote a personal letter to Timothy
(I Tim. 4:12)— “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”
Be an example:
1. In your Speech
a. You will fill the equivalent of 40 volumes of encyclopedias this year
b. Are you an example “in your speech?”
1. Do people respect your word?
c. Or do you stumble into some of the sins of youth
1. Exaggeration
2. Bragging
3. Un-kept promises
4. Deceitful language
5. Losing your temper
6. Critical spirit
7. Unkind words
8. Off-color stories
9. Gossip
2. “In your Life”
“set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”
a. Your daily behavior
b. Your kids are always watching
3. “In your Love”
“set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”
a. for God
b. for each other
c. for the unsaved
4. “In your Faith”
“set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
a. Mature Christians go the distance
1. You can count on them
2. Marine Corps…….“Semper Fidelis”
· “Always faithful”
· Fight to the death
· Faithful to country
b. Faithful to Christ
5. “In your Purity”
“set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”
a. (II Tim. 2:22)— “Flee youthful lusts”
b. Impact on kids
C. As we pass the torch
1. Every church is different
a. Talk with people from other churches
2. God sends different opportunities to each
3. God has sent us the next generation
a. We dare not drop the baton
b. We will be held accountable
4. Will bring challenges
a. But what a challenge!
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