Timothy: The Making of a Disciple

These are my notes from Pastor Greg Smith’s sermon on discipleship a few weeks ago… Pastor Greg is the Lead Pastor at First Baptist Church, Brazoria Texas.

Pastor Greg uses the term: ‘The Right Stuff’ in his description of ‘Timothy’ in the book of Acts.

Paul was about to embark on a missionary journey and decided to take Timothy along with him. Why…? Paul chose Timothy because he had the right combination of intrinsic variables to be useful to Paul’s mission.

What were those variables? What was or is the ‘Right Stuff’…?

First of all, Timothy was already a ‘Disciple’. He was a follower of the Teachings of Jesus. He was a follower because his mother and grandmother were Believers. Pastor Greg stressed the importance of having Godly parents. Hmmm… I think in my own life how I did not have Godly parents. I guess that is why I am what I consider ‘a late bloomer’ spiritually…!

Pastor Greg said a Disciple is called to do 2 things: Carry a Cross, and Carry a Yolk…!

To Carry a Cross means to sacrifice your life for the Lord. –Timothy was willing to leave his family, home, all he had to journey with Paul. He did not know if or when he would return. –That’s sacrifice…!

To Carry a Yolk means to be in service to something or someone. A ‘Yolk’ means work. –Timothy became totally committed to ‘discipleship’ as his life’s work.

Acts 16:22 speaks of Timothy’s reputation. The fact that he was well spoken of in two different churches is a testament to Timothy’s ‘Faithfulness’ to live for God. Timothy was always faithful to the cause. Faithfulness is a key ingredient to being a Disciple.

Faithfulness goes along with obedience. God can not use someone who is not faithful and obedient.

Finally, Pastor Greg brings up the topic of ‘submission’. Timothy was perfectly willing to submit his life to Jesus and do what ever it took to follow HIM. God had control of His life.

Pastor Greg explained how an F-16 Fighter Jet is completely submissive to the Pilot’s will. So we must be to God’s will. The Lord Jesus says that we have to be completely submitted to his will to soar.

Pastor Greg closed by asking if WE were submitted to God’s will…? Do WE have the RIGHT STUFF…? Do our Lives REFLECT what we PROFESS…? These are good thought provoking questions…

I welcome any discussion on these notes… Part two is coming tomorrow…