Would You Go There for One?

Why return to a place that tried to kill you by stoning you?

Talk about reasons to be offended...

Paul returned to Derbe and Lystra where the people had dragged him outside the city after stoning him. [1] They assumed he was dead, but he survived. Now, he is back. So, the line, “I’ll be back” did not originate with Arnold Schwarzenegger. In fact, Jesus preceded Paul in this scenario. Jesus was executed by people who opposed Him, but Jesus came back. You cannot keep God’s man down.

During his second visit to Lystra, Paul met a disciple named Timothy. Timothy turned out to be an extreme blessing from God to Paul. In dying to self... returning to Lystra for the sake of Christ and others, great blessings came forth.

Jesus taught. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abides alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” [2]

Below are highlights of Paul’s new disciple Timothy:

His name means “honoring God” or “precious to God.”

Timothy had an exceptional reputation among the local Christians. [3]

His grandmother and mothers were believers in Christ. [4] They and Paul (among others) mentored him.

God used Paul, Silas, and Timothy to strengthen people’s faith. [5]

Paul dispatched Timothy to the Corinthian Church to help them remember the ways of Christ. [6]

Paul regarded Timothy as a “dearly beloved son.” [7]

When Paul directed his attention to the churches in Macedonia, he knew he could trust Timothy to deal with the situation in Ephesus. [8]

Timothy was faithful to study God’s Word. [9]

He was a preacher of God’s Word and an evangelist. [10]

Timothy partnered with others in the ministry of the Gospel. This contrasts with society’s go-it-alone attitude. The Spirit calls us to work with other believers in bringing the lost to faith and discipling new believers in their walk with Christ.

[1] Acts 14:6, 19-20, Acts 16:1
[2] John 12:24
[3] Acts 16:1-2
[4] 2 Timothy 1:5
[5] Acts 15:19-20; 16:4-5
[6] 1 Corinthians 4:17
[7] 2 Timothy 1:2
[8] 1 Timothy 1:3
[9] 2 Timothy 3:14-15
[10] 2 Timothy 4:2, 5