"Barnabas-Paul-Timothy" July 19 Readings: Nehemiah 9-10, Acts 16:1–24, Psalm 84:8–12, Proverbs 17:27–28

Today's Readings - Nehemiah 9-10, Acts 16:1–24, Psalm 84:8–12, Proverbs 17:27–28

Devotional - Barnabas-Paul-Timothy

There is an old adage that Christianity is always one generation from extinction. It is, in reality, true, though if we believe the church is founded by Christ for God's eternal purposes, we also believe that hell cannot stand against it and though its success may ebb and flow, it will never be completely stopped. The thought behind the adage is still a good one. If we want the church to continue we must pass it along to younger folks who will continue the work.

Chapter divisions can be unfortunate, causing us to miss the continuation of important ideas. In Acts 16, it may prevent us from seeing an interesting juxtaposition. When Paul was Saul of Tarsus, the enemy of the Cross, and converted on the road to Damascus, one man stood beside him, put his arm around him, and brought him into the fellowship of the church. When young Saul went off by himself to learn the things of God it was Barnabas who went and found him and brought him to Antioch to get him involved in the ministry of that church. Barnabas and Saul headed out into the Galatian region to share Christ and plant churches. Paul became what Paul became because of the discipling and encouragement of Joseph, known as Barnabas, the son of encouragement.

Then, the sad events of the end of chapter 15 took place which separated Paul and Barnabas, at least for a time, and led to two missionary teams instead of one going out. Paul took Silas and headed back to the areas they had gone before and Barnabas told Mark, "Let's go west, young man."

So, as Paul's ministry partnership with Barnabas is being severed, what is the first thing he does? Acts 16:1-3.

Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. 2 He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium. 3 Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

Paul, having absented himself from his mentor, found a young man whom he could mentor. This is conjecture, but perhaps Barnabas convinced him of the need to train young men. Paul was unwilling to make Mark that trainee, but in Derbe and Lystra he found Timothy and in him he found a young man into whom he could pour his life, a young man who could carry on the work when he was gone. A wise man is always looking for a younger man he can train to carry on the work when he is gone. Is that a lesson he learned from Barnabas? We'll have to ask him when we see him in glory, I suppose. 

What I do know is that there is truth in the old line:

Every man of God needs a Barnabas and a Timothy! (Women, it's true for you too!)

Actually, like Paul, we should seek several Timothy-types. Read through Acts and note that everywhere Paul went he took someone with him. I'm a ministry-loner. I study by myself. I work by myself. I visit by myself (most of the time). It's a failing in my ministry. Paul did everything in a group. 

Why? There are a number of reasons. It's great for accountability and mutual encouragement. There's less temptation in a group than there is when someone is by himself. When one person is blue, or upset, or discouraged, the others can lift him up. They can pray together and learn from one another. But more than anything, these young men got to watch Paul and learn. He was able not just to pass on some doctrines and teachings, but his very life. 

There is no greater heritage any of us can leave in this world than a small army of well-trained kingdom warriors who will carry on the work when we are gone. I can only fight the good fight for so long. But if I find a Timothy and a Titus, I can keep fighting through them even when I have gone to glory.

Father, may my life count in the lives of others. 

Think and Pray

Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?

Are you pouring your life into the lives of others who are growing in Christ? Do you have a Timothy whom you are leading and discipling?