Sermon Notes for 10/13/2013
What Does it Mean for a Church to Grow? (Acts 16:1-5)
A. Paul meets Timothy
1) The son of a woman who believed in Jesus during Paul's previous visit (1, 2)
He came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was a Jewess and a believer, but whose father was a Greek. The brothers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. (1,2)
2) Why did Paul circumcise Timothy? (3, 1 Corinthians 9:20)
Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. (3)
To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. (1 Corinthians 9:20)
B. Following up after sharing the good news
1) The purpose of the visit (4, 2 Peter 2:1,2)
As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. (4)
But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them--bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. (2 Peter 2:1,2)
2) Growth in churches (5)
So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers. (5)
Summary
Paul saw in Timothy someone who could carry on his ministry. Timothy was the son of a woman who had come to know Jesus through Paul. A new generation of Jesus believers' was taking over the work of the previous generation. Paul trained Timothy and he eventually became the central leader of a church in Asia minor. Churches past and present, experience growth through the guidance of the Holy Spirit and as leaders hear from God and guide people toward the unique ministry that God has for them.
For Discussion
1) What was Timothy like?
2) What was the purpose of this particular journey for Paul?
What Does it Mean for a Church to Grow? (Acts 16:1-5)
A. Paul meets Timothy
1) The son of a woman who believed in Jesus during Paul's previous visit (1, 2)
He came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was a Jewess and a believer, but whose father was a Greek. The brothers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. (1,2)
2) Why did Paul circumcise Timothy? (3, 1 Corinthians 9:20)
Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. (3)
To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. (1 Corinthians 9:20)
B. Following up after sharing the good news
1) The purpose of the visit (4, 2 Peter 2:1,2)
As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. (4)
But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them--bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. (2 Peter 2:1,2)
2) Growth in churches (5)
So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers. (5)
Summary
Paul saw in Timothy someone who could carry on his ministry. Timothy was the son of a woman who had come to know Jesus through Paul. A new generation of Jesus believers' was taking over the work of the previous generation. Paul trained Timothy and he eventually became the central leader of a church in Asia minor. Churches past and present, experience growth through the guidance of the Holy Spirit and as leaders hear from God and guide people toward the unique ministry that God has for them.
For Discussion
1) What was Timothy like?
2) What was the purpose of this particular journey for Paul?