WEBVTT 00:00:00.080 --> 00:00:02.479 The Acts of the Apostles Sunday mornings. 00:00:02.720 --> 00:00:09.439 And if you didn't get a sermon out in line and would like one, our usher's happy to give you one right now, just let them know. 00:00:21.440 --> 00:00:34.560 I don't know if you've ever thought about this, but if you if you I need a picture up there. 00:00:35.280 --> 00:00:36.320 There we go. 00:00:36.640 --> 00:00:44.560 If you clean a vacuum cleaner, you become a vacuum cleaner. 00:00:47.200 --> 00:00:57.679 Well, today's lesson is if you become a disciple of Jesus, you will become just like Jesus. 00:00:57.840 --> 00:00:59.439 That's kind of the lesson today. 00:00:59.600 --> 00:01:00.719 You can all go home. 00:01:00.880 --> 00:01:01.200 Okay. 00:01:01.679 --> 00:01:03.759 No, I'll I'll explain here. 00:01:04.000 --> 00:01:19.200 Last time in Acts chapter 15, we saw how both believers in Jesus and the church in Antioch were being strengthened by the ministry of God's word through the teaching ministry of Paul and Barnabas. 00:01:20.239 --> 00:01:32.480 Now, when they left Antioch, Syrian Antioch here, Paul and Barnabas decided to separate. 00:01:32.640 --> 00:01:34.079 We talked about that last time. 00:01:34.319 --> 00:01:45.680 And Barnabas and Mark sailed across and went to Cyprus, Barnabas and Mark's home country. 00:01:46.000 --> 00:01:50.000 And Paul and Silas continue up north. 00:01:50.159 --> 00:01:58.239 They're going to go to Derby and Lystra, and we're going to focus on this right there today in Lystra. 00:01:58.560 --> 00:02:10.080 So we pick up the story and uh in Acts chapter 16, where Paul and Silas come to Lystra to teach God's word and strengthen the churches. 00:02:10.159 --> 00:02:16.800 So if you if you have a Bible and you want to follow along, I'm just going to read the first five verses today of Acts 16. 00:02:16.960 --> 00:02:20.960 There's a lot in this chapter, a lot of exciting stuff to learn. 00:02:21.039 --> 00:02:26.479 I'm just going to take one piece at a time and just do the first five verses today. 00:02:27.039 --> 00:02:28.800 Acts 16, verse 1. 00:02:29.039 --> 00:02:41.039 Paul also came to Derby and to Lystra, and a disciple was there named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. 00:02:41.280 --> 00:02:45.759 And he was well spoken of by the brethren who were in Lystra and Iconium. 00:02:46.000 --> 00:02:56.240 Paul wanted this man to go with him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts, for they all knew his father was a Greek. 00:02:56.560 --> 00:03:06.560 Now, while they were passing through the cities, they were delivering the decrees which had been decided by upon by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem for them to observe. 00:03:06.719 --> 00:03:13.439 So the churches were being strengthened in the faith and were increasing in number daily. 00:03:14.479 --> 00:03:17.759 I have uh two main points for today. 00:03:18.080 --> 00:03:21.599 You say, well, shouldn't preachers have three main points? 00:03:22.639 --> 00:03:23.919 Not today, they don't. 00:03:24.080 --> 00:03:24.400 Okay. 00:03:25.520 --> 00:03:28.400 Finding a disciple and being a disciple. 00:03:28.639 --> 00:03:38.639 When Paul and Silas came to Lystra, Luke is quick to tell us they found a disciple named Timothy. 00:03:38.879 --> 00:03:51.120 We're told Timothy here was a son of a Jewish mother who converted to Christ, and his father wasn't a Jew, and he probably wasn't even a Christian at this point. 00:03:51.439 --> 00:03:56.719 Timothy's Christian testimony, we're told, was well known through the region. 00:03:56.960 --> 00:04:05.199 He had a great reputation of helping other believers grow in their faith and Lister and Iconium. 00:04:05.360 --> 00:04:22.000 And here's what's happening: Paul recognizes in this young man identify him as a disciple, and he wanted him, wanted Timothy to join their missionary team and go on the next missionary journey with them. 00:04:22.800 --> 00:04:23.199 Why? 00:04:23.439 --> 00:04:31.439 Because Timothy had already been ministering in that region, and believers were encouraged and strengthened through his ministry. 00:04:31.600 --> 00:04:33.279 He had a great reputation. 00:04:33.600 --> 00:04:47.600 Plus, Paul sees Timothy a very strategic because of Timothy's upbringing, he could relate both to Jews and Gentiles, mother and father from different nationalities. 00:04:47.680 --> 00:04:50.399 And so for that reason, he wanted to take him. 00:04:50.480 --> 00:05:05.839 And I think the third reason Paul wanted to take him was he saw the potential in Timothy as a disciple to really make a profound impact for the gospel in their journeys together, which we'll see he certainly did. 00:05:06.480 --> 00:05:15.439 What stands out though in the text, this is where I'm focusing today, is the focus on Timothy as a disciple, a disciple of Jesus. 00:05:15.600 --> 00:05:17.040 That's what we're going to focus on. 00:05:17.199 --> 00:05:21.360 What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus? 00:05:22.319 --> 00:05:28.079 The word disciple or disciples is mentioned 30 times in the book of Acts. 00:05:28.639 --> 00:05:33.920 The word, Greek word Mathetes, simply means this: learner. 00:05:34.240 --> 00:05:35.839 You are a learner. 00:05:36.079 --> 00:05:36.399 Okay? 00:05:36.879 --> 00:05:41.920 But a specific kind of learner, a learner of Jesus Christ. 00:05:42.319 --> 00:05:45.519 A disciple of Jesus is a learner of Jesus Christ. 00:05:45.759 --> 00:05:55.199 He's a person, or she's a person who is, first of all, a believer in Jesus, a follower of Jesus, a student and servant of Jesus Christ. 00:05:55.519 --> 00:05:56.879 That's a disciple. 00:05:57.199 --> 00:06:07.360 Now, after Jesus rose from the dead, Jesus told his disciples to go make more disciples. 00:06:07.600 --> 00:06:08.560 Listen to it. 00:06:08.800 --> 00:06:10.480 I know you many of you are familiar with it. 00:06:10.639 --> 00:06:13.920 Matthew 18, Matthew 28, 18 to 20. 00:06:14.399 --> 00:06:21.040 Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, All authority has been given me to me in heaven and on earth. 00:06:21.279 --> 00:06:34.480 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you. 00:06:34.639 --> 00:06:38.480 And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. 00:06:38.800 --> 00:06:43.279 Make disciples, teaching them. 00:06:45.120 --> 00:06:45.439 Okay? 00:06:46.399 --> 00:06:50.480 Here's the thing: disciples make other disciples. 00:06:50.800 --> 00:06:54.160 How do you make or become a disciple of Jesus? 00:06:54.319 --> 00:06:56.160 Let's talk about that next. 00:06:56.560 --> 00:06:58.560 Paul found a disciple. 00:06:59.360 --> 00:07:01.920 How is he going to make a disciple? 00:07:02.160 --> 00:07:18.399 First, being a disciple goes without saying a disciple of Jesus, first of all, begins by believing in Jesus as the promised Messiah who died for their sins, rose again to give them eternal life in his name. 00:07:18.720 --> 00:07:25.839 But second, to be a disciple of Jesus, Jesus told us we must be taught. 00:07:31.600 --> 00:07:34.319 It's not going to happen on our own. 00:07:38.720 --> 00:07:57.680 Jesus told us, teaching them, we a disciple of Jesus must be taught the Word of God to learn to obey Jesus Christ and things He's told us, beginning with what he said in Matthew 28, being baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 00:07:58.240 --> 00:08:00.959 That's where obedience really begins. 00:08:01.199 --> 00:08:08.480 That's that's the milestone he's asking believers to go through, to become his disciples. 00:08:08.639 --> 00:08:16.240 But here's the deal: you come to faith in Jesus and are born again, and that's a done deal. 00:08:16.399 --> 00:08:18.240 That's that's forever. 00:08:18.480 --> 00:08:20.160 You're born again. 00:08:20.480 --> 00:08:23.120 Can't be unborn again. 00:08:23.360 --> 00:08:25.920 You just are born again through the Spirit. 00:08:26.240 --> 00:08:34.879 But being a disciple of Jesus means you're gonna continue to learn about Jesus, to learn about how to follow Him. 00:08:35.200 --> 00:08:47.200 Has nothing to do with your eternal salvation, has everything to do with learning uh to be the kind of person Jesus wants you to be from the moment you are born again. 00:08:47.519 --> 00:08:52.639 So, disciple is a learner, it's a lifelong process. 00:08:53.440 --> 00:08:59.600 I've been uh I've been in the process of becoming his disciple for decades. 00:09:00.960 --> 00:09:02.080 It doesn't stop. 00:09:02.240 --> 00:09:02.799 You know why? 00:09:03.039 --> 00:09:05.120 Because I'm always learning something. 00:09:05.360 --> 00:09:09.200 And a disciple's a learner, don't ever stop learning. 00:09:11.039 --> 00:09:13.279 What is God doing with you right now? 00:09:13.440 --> 00:09:15.919 What does he want you to learn and do? 00:09:16.240 --> 00:09:19.840 That's the disciple, that's the mind of a disciple. 00:09:21.120 --> 00:09:30.159 So, how does Jesus describe someone who follows him and is truly one of his disciples? 00:09:31.120 --> 00:09:32.559 He tells us. 00:09:33.360 --> 00:09:46.080 I'm gonna mention four important qualities that Jesus teaches us about being his disciple, being his learners, his students, his proteges. 00:09:46.480 --> 00:09:54.159 First, Jesus tells us, and I'm saying this because this is what he told his disciples at the time. 00:09:54.639 --> 00:10:09.200 He said, Jesus tells the disciple of Jesus is learning, learning to be committed to Jesus Christ and their first priority in life over everything else. 00:10:09.440 --> 00:10:10.559 First priority. 00:10:38.399 --> 00:10:50.080 Luke 9.23, classic verse on discipleship, he was saying to them all, look, if anyone wants to come after me, in other words, follow me, he must deny himself. 00:10:50.480 --> 00:10:54.000 Take up his cross daily and follow me. 00:10:54.639 --> 00:10:59.120 Die to yourself, synonymous with denying yourself. 00:10:59.440 --> 00:11:00.000 Why? 00:11:00.240 --> 00:11:03.600 Because Jesus always comes first. 00:11:05.200 --> 00:11:12.480 No matter what I think, no matter what I feel, his word is first to me. 00:11:14.159 --> 00:11:28.799 So, second, not only do we uh view Jesus as our first priority and the decisions we make, second, Jesus tells us that a disciple is learning to abide in the word of God. 00:11:29.039 --> 00:11:36.960 This is this is huge, this is very important for every disciple or people who want to be his disciple. 00:11:37.120 --> 00:11:42.159 Uh listen to this statement by Jesus. 00:11:42.720 --> 00:11:50.480 A number of people just believed in him, Jews he's talking to just believed in him, a number of them present. 00:11:51.440 --> 00:11:54.639 Here's what he said John 8, 31 and 32. 00:11:54.720 --> 00:12:00.720 Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed in him, okay, you've got eternal life. 00:12:02.960 --> 00:12:13.200 If condition, if you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples. 00:12:15.519 --> 00:12:19.039 And you'll know the truth, and the truth will make you free. 00:12:19.840 --> 00:12:28.320 In other words, well, if they're if they believe in him or born again, uh, what do they have to be free of? 00:12:28.559 --> 00:12:30.000 Because it's gonna continue. 00:12:30.080 --> 00:12:34.639 We're gonna we're gonna continue to have struggles, we're gonna have to continue to learn. 00:12:35.120 --> 00:12:37.200 We need his word to do that. 00:12:38.159 --> 00:12:47.600 Notice how John distinguishes there between those who believed in Jesus and those who are becoming truly his disciples. 00:12:48.559 --> 00:12:58.159 The conditional statement, if you, third class condition, linking Jesus' disciple with abiding in his word. 00:12:59.679 --> 00:13:01.200 That's how you know. 00:13:01.759 --> 00:13:09.440 Your relationship to God's word is one of the fundamental aspects of learning to follow Jesus. 00:13:10.399 --> 00:13:16.639 The word abide, if you abide in my word, some translations have continue. 00:13:17.039 --> 00:13:24.799 Uh, I like the word abide because it's it really means it's better than continue. 00:13:24.960 --> 00:13:30.559 Abide means that we're in a very close relationship with Jesus in the scriptures. 00:13:31.200 --> 00:13:36.799 Abide means that we live in God's word, and God's word is living in us. 00:13:37.039 --> 00:13:42.639 It's abiding perfectly at home in our hearts and minds. 00:13:44.720 --> 00:13:49.279 That's where we go when we want to go home spiritually. 00:13:51.840 --> 00:13:54.639 So, learning to abide in the word of God. 00:13:54.799 --> 00:13:58.000 Third, Jesus tells the disciple is learning. 00:13:58.399 --> 00:14:03.759 Again, I preface these because none of us have reached perfect. 00:14:04.240 --> 00:14:08.399 We're not, you know, super disciples. 00:14:08.559 --> 00:14:12.000 Uh, we're learning to be his disciples. 00:14:12.240 --> 00:14:20.960 And the third thing Jesus says here is uh disciple Jesus is learning to love other believers in the Lord. 00:14:21.279 --> 00:14:27.759 Um that that person you're having a hard time, that person, your personalities are totally opposite. 00:14:28.000 --> 00:14:29.440 You have a hard time. 00:14:29.679 --> 00:14:30.240 Hmm. 00:14:30.559 --> 00:14:32.879 John 13, 34 and 35. 00:14:32.960 --> 00:14:35.200 This is what he said to his disciples. 00:14:35.840 --> 00:14:38.399 A new commandment I give to you. 00:14:39.120 --> 00:14:45.679 Umtice being Jesus' disciples, they're being taught commands by Jesus. 00:14:46.080 --> 00:14:48.399 Learn them and do them. 00:14:49.360 --> 00:14:50.879 Then you're my disciple. 00:14:51.039 --> 00:14:57.519 A new commandment I give to you that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 00:14:57.679 --> 00:14:58.879 Repeat it twice. 00:14:59.120 --> 00:15:01.120 Now three times. 00:15:01.440 --> 00:15:06.960 By this, all men will know that you're very intelligent and kind people. 00:15:07.120 --> 00:15:12.000 No, that you're my disciples if they see you loving one another. 00:15:14.320 --> 00:15:16.080 Definition of disciple. 00:15:16.240 --> 00:15:21.039 Look at the love of the children of God with one another. 00:15:26.080 --> 00:15:39.840 Number one, for every disciple, they would echo John the Baptist, who said of Jesus, he must increase, but I must decrease. 00:15:40.080 --> 00:15:41.360 John 134. 00:15:42.559 --> 00:15:45.440 He's in my life, he's first priority. 00:15:45.600 --> 00:15:52.639 And I need to grow and keep learning to put him first in every decision, everything. 00:15:53.120 --> 00:15:56.960 In my family, in in life, my job. 00:15:58.080 --> 00:15:59.120 He's first. 00:16:00.639 --> 00:16:01.279 Why? 00:16:02.799 --> 00:16:05.120 Because he's Lord of all. 00:16:07.360 --> 00:16:08.559 Lord of all. 00:16:16.399 --> 00:16:20.480 Jesus is the head of the body, the church. 00:16:20.960 --> 00:16:31.840 He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that in everything he might be preeminent above everything else in our lives. 00:16:34.480 --> 00:16:37.279 So that's the first priority. 00:16:37.440 --> 00:16:43.519 A disciple learns to put Jesus first in everything. 00:16:43.759 --> 00:16:48.639 Second, the disciple of Jesus abides in God's Word. 00:16:49.600 --> 00:16:55.039 It's a disciple's home spiritually, and it lives in them. 00:16:56.720 --> 00:17:10.160 Third, a disciple of Jesus is going to be noted for their love, starting with one another, who are also learning to be his disciples. 00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:16.880 Finally, I'll give you one more because look, I could keep the list going all afternoon. 00:17:17.119 --> 00:17:22.000 I'm just going to give you four things so we can evaluate how we're doing. 00:17:23.440 --> 00:17:39.519 And finally, Jesus said, uh, a disciple of Jesus is being transformed slowly and progressively in why they're learning to become like Jesus. 00:17:41.440 --> 00:17:43.839 Luke chapter 6, verse 40. 00:17:44.079 --> 00:17:56.559 Jesus said, you know, guys, a pupil is not above his teacher, but after he's been fully trained, he will be like his teacher. 00:17:56.799 --> 00:18:00.000 Who's teaching you about life? 00:18:00.559 --> 00:18:03.119 About how to handle this or that? 00:18:03.279 --> 00:18:04.799 Who's teaching you? 00:18:05.920 --> 00:18:15.200 If you're letting Jesus teach you from his word, you're going to become just like him in your responses. 00:18:15.440 --> 00:18:18.720 If you are really following Jesus, you're going to become more and more. 00:18:19.039 --> 00:18:22.000 If you're learning, you're going to become more and more like him. 00:18:22.559 --> 00:18:27.279 I and when I did this study, I asked myself, what's Jesus like? 00:18:30.240 --> 00:18:32.319 I thought, well, let's see. 00:18:33.279 --> 00:18:40.960 What do I find uh in the Gospels in the New Testament that describe what Jesus is like? 00:18:41.119 --> 00:18:42.799 I jotted down a few things. 00:18:42.960 --> 00:18:46.079 Let me slow down because I'm you're not going to see the verses on screen. 00:18:46.160 --> 00:18:47.920 I'll tell you what where there are. 00:18:48.160 --> 00:18:50.559 But if you want to write these down, you can. 00:18:52.000 --> 00:18:53.200 Here's one thing. 00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:58.880 It really struck me because Jesus Himself says this in Matthew 11, 29. 00:19:00.000 --> 00:19:04.799 I am gentle and humble of heart. 00:19:06.559 --> 00:19:09.119 You know, we could just stop right there. 00:19:10.480 --> 00:19:15.039 Because we struggle with our pride, ego. 00:19:18.480 --> 00:19:29.680 But a disciple is learning to live by what Jesus said, and in doing so, we're going to become like him. 00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:31.920 It's going to be seen. 00:19:33.119 --> 00:19:39.759 In John 17, 19, Jesus we find is holy and pure in heart. 00:19:40.880 --> 00:19:49.359 Mark 1.35, Jesus spent quite a bit of time praying and talking with his Heavenly Father. 00:19:53.039 --> 00:20:00.400 Mark 10, 45, Jesus tells basically tells us he's a servant of all. 00:20:02.240 --> 00:20:04.480 He's not selfish or greedy. 00:20:05.839 --> 00:20:09.039 He just looked at his life as a way to serve. 00:20:11.279 --> 00:20:34.960 When you hear Jesus talking to people that are that are in need of something, or they're actually in sin and they're feeling condemned, you see him at like in Mark 10, 21, Jesus is loving, not condemning, and tells people exactly what they need to hear from him. 00:20:35.519 --> 00:20:37.039 That's what he's like. 00:20:37.839 --> 00:20:39.200 Lovingly so. 00:20:53.200 --> 00:20:55.200 Luke 23, 34. 00:20:56.559 --> 00:20:58.960 Jesus actually tells us, you know what? 00:20:59.119 --> 00:21:03.839 His his whole he'd get up in the morning, and here's what he probably said. 00:21:04.000 --> 00:21:09.680 He said, I want to do exactly what pleases my heavenly father today. 00:21:11.119 --> 00:21:12.799 That's all I want to do. 00:21:15.039 --> 00:21:16.559 John 8, 29. 00:21:18.480 --> 00:21:28.880 And Jesus a few times said, as he looked on those who are suffering, he has compassion on them. 00:21:29.839 --> 00:21:33.440 And quite often he'll speak the truth to them in love. 00:21:34.480 --> 00:21:36.720 Sometimes it's hard to hear. 00:21:37.440 --> 00:21:38.960 But it's what they need. 00:21:41.759 --> 00:21:48.319 He tells us that he uh seeks the lost people. 00:21:48.720 --> 00:21:57.119 The people who are separated from God and need to be brought to him and receive his salvation. 00:21:57.759 --> 00:21:59.759 He's he's looking out for. 00:22:00.799 --> 00:22:04.960 Trying to find them, bring them and bring them to God. 00:22:05.519 --> 00:22:06.240 Salvation. 00:22:06.400 --> 00:22:08.000 Luke 19, 10. 00:22:11.039 --> 00:22:17.920 Jesus is like his heavenly father, who is merciful and just, kind and gracious. 00:22:18.079 --> 00:22:20.160 Luke 6, 36. 00:22:20.799 --> 00:22:42.720 And here's the one that I spent I I spent a great deal of time meditating and trying to emulate Jesus' example when he's suffering. 00:22:45.759 --> 00:22:46.960 People are hurting him. 00:22:49.359 --> 00:22:53.039 And New Testament said he didn't retaliate. 00:22:53.279 --> 00:22:54.880 He didn't strike back. 00:22:56.400 --> 00:22:58.640 Didn't really even defend himself. 00:22:59.039 --> 00:23:09.200 What he did was he fully trusted his Heavenly Father's justice and care and will for him. 00:23:10.079 --> 00:23:11.440 Even through that. 00:23:11.920 --> 00:23:13.279 That's hard. 00:23:14.960 --> 00:23:17.519 It's something we gotta learn. 00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:23.039 If we want to be like him, if we want to follow him, want to be his disciple. 00:23:23.359 --> 00:23:35.599 Now, if you are a believer in Jesus and learning to be his disciples, let me ask you the questions I'm asking myself, just to evaluate. 00:23:35.759 --> 00:23:37.119 How are we doing? 00:23:39.039 --> 00:23:45.839 Discipleship isn't just this nebulous ethereal term in the Bible. 00:23:46.079 --> 00:23:47.680 It means something. 00:23:49.359 --> 00:24:00.720 It reflects our relation, our relationship to Jesus Christ, and following his example and becoming like him over time, more and more. 00:24:01.279 --> 00:24:06.480 So these are the questions I just bring to myself, I bring to you. 00:24:08.160 --> 00:24:08.720 How? 00:24:09.359 --> 00:24:14.400 What ways are we growing and learning and becoming more like Jesus? 00:24:14.799 --> 00:24:21.680 Um are you spending time in God's word and prayer like He did as His disciple? 00:24:22.079 --> 00:24:27.359 Are you forgiving those who hurt you like He did as Jesus' disciple? 00:24:27.920 --> 00:24:34.240 What command has He given you that you are currently obeying, even though it's hard? 00:24:34.400 --> 00:24:35.839 You're doing it. 00:24:37.839 --> 00:24:42.559 What temptation or sin are you learning to overcome? 00:24:42.960 --> 00:24:44.880 Because you're His disciple. 00:24:48.000 --> 00:24:52.480 What promise from God's word are you clinging to as His disciple? 00:24:52.720 --> 00:24:56.640 John had a great one earlier, uh Isaiah 41, 10. 00:24:57.039 --> 00:24:58.480 Cling to it. 00:24:59.359 --> 00:25:01.839 Don't fear, I'm with you. 00:25:03.279 --> 00:25:07.839 What person are you praying for to believe in Jesus Christ? 00:25:10.640 --> 00:25:12.960 Seeking salvation for them. 00:25:13.279 --> 00:25:15.039 What person are you helping? 00:25:15.279 --> 00:25:18.559 Become a disciple of Jesus Christ. 00:25:19.440 --> 00:25:30.319 And when suffering, are you trusting in our Heavenly Father's sovereign care and justice through it? 00:25:31.359 --> 00:25:33.119 That's what Jesus did. 00:25:34.319 --> 00:25:42.240 A disciple of Jesus surrenders to Jesus as Lord of their life and learns to follow him by keeping his word and following his example. 00:25:42.400 --> 00:25:44.880 Very simple, but it's not simple. 00:25:45.200 --> 00:25:51.039 It's a learning process, lifelong learning process, more and more. 00:25:53.200 --> 00:26:02.400 And when we keep learning and staying in that relationship with him, we'll become more like him. 00:26:02.720 --> 00:26:04.960 We may not even notice it at the time. 00:26:05.200 --> 00:26:19.599 I can tell you right now, uh, being a terrible observer of myself, I'm nowhere near what I was 40 years ago in character, words, desires. 00:26:20.559 --> 00:26:22.000 Nowhere near it. 00:26:24.079 --> 00:26:25.839 I'm a lot less selfish. 00:26:26.000 --> 00:26:26.720 I really am. 00:26:26.880 --> 00:26:28.160 I can see it. 00:26:31.359 --> 00:26:35.279 I'm a lot more humble, broken than I used to be. 00:26:35.599 --> 00:26:36.400 So proud. 00:26:36.480 --> 00:26:38.559 I got everything figured out. 00:26:39.599 --> 00:26:41.119 Coming out of seminary. 00:26:41.759 --> 00:26:44.079 Hey, let me tell you how the Christian. 00:26:44.640 --> 00:26:45.680 Oh, really? 00:26:47.279 --> 00:26:48.720 Not anymore. 00:26:51.119 --> 00:26:53.759 I'm just telling you, it's it's it's amazing. 00:26:53.839 --> 00:27:01.119 We'll become more and more like him, even imperceptibly to us in our character, words, thoughts, attitudes, and actions. 00:27:01.440 --> 00:27:02.319 We can't help it. 00:27:02.480 --> 00:27:04.559 It's the Spirit doing it in us. 00:27:05.119 --> 00:27:10.160 We reflect the image we focus on the most. 00:27:10.480 --> 00:27:13.839 You focus on money, you're gonna become like money. 00:27:15.920 --> 00:27:22.559 You focus on anything else as your primary focus in life, you're gonna become just like that. 00:27:22.799 --> 00:27:28.400 You if you focus on your father, biological father, you're gonna become like him. 00:27:28.720 --> 00:27:30.160 Exactly like him. 00:27:32.480 --> 00:27:35.440 The same applies to Jesus Christ. 00:27:35.920 --> 00:27:42.079 Maybe you um maybe we need to gaze on him more and more in the gospels. 00:27:42.240 --> 00:27:44.079 Gaze on him, behold him. 00:27:45.359 --> 00:27:50.640 Because when we do, that has a transference effect. 00:27:53.680 --> 00:27:54.960 It does. 00:27:56.720 --> 00:28:04.559 What's interesting to me in Paul's two letters to Timothy, we've we started with Timothy, Paul recognized him as a disciple. 00:28:04.799 --> 00:28:09.440 Okay, there that guy's a disciple. 00:28:13.599 --> 00:28:31.200 In Paul's two letters to Timothy, later from their ministry we're seeing in Acts, we can gather some information from Paul about Timothy's spiritual conversion and his growth as a disciple of Jesus Christ. 00:28:31.440 --> 00:28:33.279 I'm going to give you the few of these. 00:28:33.519 --> 00:28:46.160 Timothy, we're told, Paul tells us in his second letter to Timothy that he was converted to Christ when he learned the scripture as a child, uh, which led him to faith in Jesus Christ. 00:28:46.480 --> 00:28:56.559 2 Timothy 3, 14 and 15, Paul writes to Timothy, you, however, Timothy, continue in the things you've learned. 00:28:56.720 --> 00:29:18.240 Again, learned, disciple, circle that word, learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings, he's referring to the Bible, but you're able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation in Christ Jesus. 00:29:19.200 --> 00:29:30.960 And Paul recognized the very important role the scriptures place in our salvation when we're converted, seeing the truth. 00:29:31.119 --> 00:29:35.440 God's Spirit uses it to bring us to faith in Jesus. 00:29:35.599 --> 00:29:44.240 Paul explained to the church in Galatia that God's word, as it was with Timothy, was given for the purpose of leading us to Jesus. 00:29:44.400 --> 00:29:45.920 Galatians 3.24. 00:29:46.160 --> 00:29:56.319 He writes to them, therefore, the law has become our tutor, our teacher to lead us to Christ so that we may be justified by faith. 00:29:56.559 --> 00:29:58.400 That's what happened to Timothy. 00:29:58.640 --> 00:30:11.440 In fact, Paul goes on to tell us in 2 Timothy 1.5 that Timothy's Christian mother and grandmother taught him the gospel and established him in his faith in Christ. 00:30:11.759 --> 00:30:27.200 2 Timothy 1.5, Paul says to Timothy, I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I'm sure it's in you as well. 00:30:28.400 --> 00:30:53.920 And when Paul got involved in Timothy's life at this juncture and started working with him, ministering with him, um, co-laboring in the ministry with him, Paul continues to be his mentor, spiritual father, and teacher, helping him grow and learn more and more about his faith in the Lord. 00:30:54.079 --> 00:30:56.079 We can hear it in his letters to Timothy. 00:30:56.160 --> 00:30:57.359 Let me read a few of these. 00:30:57.519 --> 00:31:02.880 He writes to 1 Timothy, uh, first letter to Timothy in chapter 4, verse 12. 00:31:03.119 --> 00:31:15.759 He tells him, hey, let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith, purity, show yourself and as an example to those who believe. 00:31:17.519 --> 00:31:31.119 In 2 Timothy 1.13, he tells Timothy, retain the standard of sound words which you heard from me in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 00:31:31.599 --> 00:31:35.519 2 Timothy 2, 1 to 12, 1 to 1 and 2. 00:31:35.759 --> 00:31:40.240 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that's in Christ Jesus. 00:31:40.400 --> 00:31:51.680 The things which you've heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, I want you to start entrusting these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 00:31:51.759 --> 00:31:52.480 You know what that is? 00:31:52.720 --> 00:31:53.839 Discipling. 00:31:55.200 --> 00:31:56.319 I've been teaching you. 00:31:56.400 --> 00:32:02.000 Now take that and pass it on to other people who need to learn this. 00:32:02.799 --> 00:32:05.680 We don't grow spiritually by osmosis. 00:32:06.960 --> 00:32:10.799 Jesus said, make disciples, teaching them. 00:32:14.079 --> 00:32:17.039 2 Timothy 3, 10 and 11. 00:32:17.359 --> 00:32:27.119 Um, Paul says to Timothy, now you have followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, persecutions, and suffering. 00:32:29.440 --> 00:32:34.240 Such as happened to me at Antioch and Iconium and Lystra. 00:32:34.960 --> 00:32:50.880 Um this is he's basically reflecting on where they are now in Acts 16, which we're gonna we'll see what he's the uh the sufferings, persecutions they're going to run into. 00:32:51.359 --> 00:32:56.880 But he says, You've seen it, you've seen my response, you've you've been with me. 00:32:59.359 --> 00:33:02.720 And out of them all, the Lord rescued me. 00:33:03.680 --> 00:33:08.079 Now, one more. 00:33:11.359 --> 00:33:37.519 This to me is a startling example of a person who sets out in life to learn to be Jesus' disciple, and the process over time makes you a person that honors Jesus like Timothy. 00:33:37.759 --> 00:33:46.400 Years later, in his letter to the Philippian church, here's how the apostle Paul describes Timothy. 00:33:46.559 --> 00:33:54.640 Now, after all this time as a disciple of Jesus, I aspire to this. 00:33:55.519 --> 00:34:03.039 He says to the Philippians, I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I may be cheered by news of you. 00:34:03.279 --> 00:34:03.920 You know what? 00:34:04.079 --> 00:34:09.920 I've got no one like him, no other believer like him. 00:34:11.440 --> 00:34:12.320 Nobody. 00:34:13.199 --> 00:34:14.800 Why is that, Paul? 00:34:16.000 --> 00:34:20.719 Because he is genuinely concerned for your welfare. 00:34:24.159 --> 00:34:30.800 They all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. 00:34:33.280 --> 00:34:34.880 But not Timothy. 00:34:35.199 --> 00:34:37.440 Timothy's worth, you know. 00:34:38.239 --> 00:34:41.920 How as a son with a father he served with me in the gospel. 00:34:42.079 --> 00:34:43.840 I got nobody like him. 00:34:44.880 --> 00:34:50.320 And the main characteristic that Paul's saying, everybody's looking after their own stuff. 00:34:50.480 --> 00:34:51.840 Not Timothy. 00:34:53.119 --> 00:34:56.239 He's looking after the interests of Jesus Christ. 00:34:56.480 --> 00:34:58.320 That's a disciple. 00:35:00.400 --> 00:35:06.880 Every Christian, I believe, should have a Paul who's discipling, mentoring, teaching, equipping, and helping them grow. 00:35:06.960 --> 00:35:09.119 We don't do it by osmosis. 00:35:09.679 --> 00:35:14.719 Um grow in our faith, in our service to Him. 00:35:14.880 --> 00:35:16.480 Every Christian should have a Paul. 00:35:16.639 --> 00:35:19.920 Every disciple of Christ should have a Timothy. 00:35:20.159 --> 00:35:23.280 This is a pattern you see in the New Testament. 00:35:23.440 --> 00:35:29.280 A Timothy who they're discipling, helping, teaching, equipping, grow in Christ. 00:35:31.679 --> 00:35:33.679 And you heard the announcement earlier. 00:35:33.840 --> 00:35:35.280 Here's an invitation. 00:35:36.400 --> 00:35:56.000 Um to anyone who would like to know more information or instruction about how to be a Paul in a discipling ministry, basic introduction to how to disciple someone else, help them grow. 00:35:56.639 --> 00:36:03.920 Um I'm gonna meet anyone who wants to come uh this Saturday, February 7 at 3 p.m. 00:36:04.159 --> 00:36:05.599 for about an hour. 00:36:06.639 --> 00:36:15.039 Um I don't know if anybody will come, but if if people come, if it's helpful, we may do more sessions if needed. 00:36:15.360 --> 00:36:20.719 Just I just felt the Lord burdening me as I was finishing this message. 00:36:22.159 --> 00:36:23.119 How can I help? 00:36:23.360 --> 00:36:27.360 How can I help others learn how to make disciples? 00:36:29.519 --> 00:36:35.440 Uh I was, I believe I was trained by the best as a new Christian, by the best. 00:36:37.280 --> 00:36:45.360 Um I learned I need to keep doing that. 00:36:47.920 --> 00:36:53.199 The disciple Timothy, it's amazing to me, uh, was ready to join. 00:36:53.280 --> 00:36:54.400 I mean, he didn't hesitate. 00:36:54.639 --> 00:37:03.599 He was ready to join Paul and Silas as they go through the cities of Cilicia, passing on the clarification of the gospel from the elders. 00:37:03.760 --> 00:37:14.639 But they're not just passing on the letter of the gospel, uh, clarifying the gospel, they're also continuing to strengthen churches by discipling believers through the teaching of God's word. 00:37:14.960 --> 00:37:16.639 Acts 16, 4 and 5. 00:37:16.719 --> 00:37:25.360 While they're passing through the cities, they were delivering the decrees which have been decided upon by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem for them to observe. 00:37:25.519 --> 00:37:30.400 So the churches were being strengthened in the faith, were increasing in number daily. 00:37:31.280 --> 00:37:34.719 We're going to pick up their the rest of their story next time. 00:37:34.960 --> 00:37:38.079 Uh, we get we are in the book of Acts. 00:37:38.880 --> 00:37:44.559 When Paul came to Lystra, he recognized that Timothy was a disciple of Jesus. 00:37:45.199 --> 00:37:51.519 Apparently, he had all the telltale signs of a follower, committed follower of Jesus. 00:37:51.679 --> 00:37:56.079 He knew the scriptures, he believed in Jesus as his savior. 00:37:56.400 --> 00:38:04.400 He was highly respected by other Christians in the churches he'd been ministering to, uh, both Jews and Gentiles. 00:38:04.880 --> 00:38:18.559 Uh he indicated a bold, committed desire to follow Jesus, not being afraid to identify himself with Jesus among these in these cities. 00:38:18.880 --> 00:38:33.519 If the apostle Paul was impressed, and he was, you know that Timothy was a fully devoted follower of Jesus. 00:38:33.760 --> 00:38:35.760 And talk about commitment. 00:38:36.639 --> 00:38:38.320 Timothy's all in. 00:38:39.360 --> 00:38:43.039 Paul said, before you go with us, I need to circumcise you. 00:38:44.239 --> 00:38:47.760 Well, that's that's personal. 00:38:49.599 --> 00:38:51.280 That's a commitment. 00:38:51.920 --> 00:38:55.119 You want to minister to Jews and Gentiles going with us? 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:56.480 Gotta do this. 00:38:56.800 --> 00:38:57.760 I'm in. 00:39:00.639 --> 00:39:08.320 Finally, because he's all in, Jesus coming first, he's recognizing God's leading him to go with Paul. 00:39:08.559 --> 00:39:11.519 Timothy decides to leave everything else behind. 00:39:12.320 --> 00:39:17.039 His family, his friends, his livelihood, his culture. 00:39:17.920 --> 00:39:21.039 Venturing in to the unknown. 00:39:21.440 --> 00:39:22.079 Wow. 00:39:24.159 --> 00:39:28.079 Um, Paul and Timothy challenge me. 00:39:28.320 --> 00:39:32.719 Uh, these kind of scenes, they they just challenge the sock softening. 00:39:33.280 --> 00:39:38.559 I valuate myself reading about these lives, their lives. 00:39:39.119 --> 00:39:46.719 I ask myself, is there anything I'm holding back from the Lord Jesus Christ in my life? 00:39:47.039 --> 00:39:47.920 Anything. 00:39:49.760 --> 00:39:53.920 I've learned as a disciple, don't hold anything back. 00:39:57.280 --> 00:39:58.960 You'll be disappointed if you do. 00:39:59.519 --> 00:40:02.639 It's something the Lord has taught me over time. 00:40:03.039 --> 00:40:06.079 Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no. 00:40:06.239 --> 00:40:07.440 Don't hold that. 00:40:10.880 --> 00:40:12.880 Am I abiding in God's word? 00:40:13.119 --> 00:40:15.440 Is it continuing constantly? 00:40:16.719 --> 00:40:18.159 I'm at home. 00:40:18.480 --> 00:40:23.920 I'm abiding with Jesus in it. 00:40:26.000 --> 00:40:27.440 I can't get enough of it. 00:40:27.519 --> 00:40:28.480 Really, I can't. 00:40:28.719 --> 00:40:35.360 I my wife will tell you, I'm I'm consuming, all consuming. 00:40:35.519 --> 00:40:39.679 Uh, to become Jesus' disciple, as I said earlier, begins. 00:40:40.159 --> 00:40:48.320 It just begins when we come to faith in Jesus, when we believe in him for the gift of eternal life as our Savior. 00:40:51.360 --> 00:40:56.480 Jesus, as our Savior, took our place to receive God's judgment for our sins. 00:40:56.559 --> 00:41:02.480 And then he was raised from the dead to give eternal life to everyone who believes in him. 00:41:03.119 --> 00:41:09.199 That means we must trust in nothing else to bring us to God. 00:41:10.400 --> 00:41:11.039