A Famine of Timothy’s

Introduction:
  I. The church at Philippi was outstanding in many 
     respects among all the churches mentioned in the New 
     Testament.
 II. No small wonder then, that his desire for their 
     spiritual well-being was such that he took advantage 
     of every opportunity to minister to them.
III. At this time, however, he wrote from a prison cell and 
     could not go to them personally.  So he did the next 
     best thing, he sent someone he could trust. 
     Philippians 2:19-23
 IV. Timothy’s qualifications for this assignment were the 
     best possible:
     A. verse 20 – his has a “kindred spirit” and genuine 
        concern for them.
     B. verse 22 – his worth and dependability had been 
        test and proven.
  V. However, at least at this time, Timothy was the only 
     one available.
     A. The church needed Timothy’s back in the first 
        century.
     B. The church needs Timothy’s today.
     C. However, there is very few Timothy’s today.
     D. Someone might ask, “Why do we have a famine of men 
        like Timothy today?

Body:
  I. We have a famine of men like Timothy today because few 
     have the background of Timothy.
     A. He was taught the Scriptures from the time he was a 
        small child.
        1. Acts 16:1-2
        2. 2 Timothy 1:3-5
        3. 2 Timothy 3:15
     B. This is as it should be.  One of God’s oldest 
        decrees is that parents train a child in the way of 
        the Lord.
        1. Deuteronomy 4:9; 6:7
        2. Proverbs 22:6
        3. Ephesians 6:4
           a. nature (Discipline)
           b. admonition (Instruction)
     C. Some parents never mention the Lord and his ways at 
        home, and wonder in later why their children are 
        not as concerned as they should be.
 II. Because few enjoy the company of godly men and women.
     A. Often parents encourage their children to be 
        friends with those who are of the world. 1 
        Corinthians 15:33
     B. “Enjoyment” is something that we often “cultivate” 
        by continual association or practice.
        1. Example of music
        2. Example of food
        3. Example of friendships
     C. When we devote the greater part of our lives in 
        association with people of the world, we soon find 
        ourselves failing to enjoy the company of the 
        godly.

III. Because few understand the meaning of suffering for 
     the Gospel.
     A. Since we live in a society of relative ease, we 
        have not seen the examples of true “suffering for 
        the gospel” observed by Timothy.
        1. He was in Philippi when Paul and Silas were 
           beaten and cast into prison. Acts 16:1, 19-25
        2. Acts 17:13, 14
        3. 2 Timothy 3:10-12
        4. Acts 14:6, 19-20; 16:1
     B. By observing the deep dedication of other men and 
        their willingness to endure hardship for the cause 
        of Christ, this would deepen his conviction.
     C. Though we often pray for peace, and rightly so, let 
        us remember that Christianity has always flourished 
        under persecution.  Persecution will often remove 
        men from their seats of complacence and put them 
        into the arena of active service.

 IV. Because few take the work of the Lord as seriously as 
     they should.
     A. Timothy took the work of the Lord as a serious 
        matter, not to be taken lightly.
     B. We find all too often that men professing to be 
        Christians do not take religion seriously.
     C. James contrasts two (2) types of religions, vain 
        and pure.
        1. James 1:26-27
        2. One might be described as mouth religion and the 
           other as action religion.
     D. Religious service that is pleasing to God is one 
        that is seriously considered and full of active 
        participation.

  V. Because few value the inheritance that God has 
     promised the faithful. 1 Peter 1:3-4
     A. Many should be singing, “in the sweet here and now” 
        instead of “the sweet by and by,” for their 
        preparation is only for today.
     B. The cry today is convenience instead of conviction, 
        getting ahead rather than serving, being fed with 
        the crumbs of this life instead of the feast of 
        eternity.
     C. Truly, the Christians attitude should be one 
        reflected in the often sung anthem:
        “Earth holds no treasure, but perish with using, 
        however precious they be.  But there’s a county to 
        which I am going, holds all to me.”