Timothy's Story Series

Series: Extraordinary Men of Faith

Extraordinary is defined as very unusual or remarkable – not ordinary or normal! Yes, the opposite of extraordinary is normal! We were created by God to live and do extraordinary things in our lives with His power and presence. Do you want to be normal or extraordinary?

Scripture Verse for series: 1 Cor. 2:9 “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”

Do you believe this promise from the Bible?

Introduction:

John Bevere states this from his book Extraordinary, “These words paint a picture of an unimaginable and extraordinary existence, one far beyond what any mere mortal has known or experienced. You may have heard these words before and related them only to heaven’s glory. But in actuality, they are penned for the here and now! For the writer, the apostle Paul, continues, “But we know these things because God has revealed them to us by his Spirit” (verse 10).

We will be looking at the power of a person’s extraordinary story! A person’s life can make a difference in the eternal realm of God as they live their life story in tandem with the Lord’s will for their life. We all need to choose to live extraordinary lives for the Kingdom of Heaven! When we do it then it will impact our children’s lives, our families, our community, our church and the future.

The thought: Do you want Heaven? Do you want history talking about you? Do you want angels conversing about your extraordinary life of faith? If so, open your hearts to God and ask God to make your life extraordinary!

The truth is God not only desires you to live and extraordinary life but He has equipped and designed you to live an extraordinary life. He is your biggest cheerleader!

Thesis: Today we will be looking at a story of a young man Timothy and an old man Paul and see how they changed the world together for Jesus’ Kingdom. We will discover that when young and old unite – forgetting the generation gap - extraordinary things will happen within the church and individual lives.

Scriptures to ponder about extraordinary relationships between young and old:

Psalms 145:3-7 (NIV)

Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.

One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds. They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

Psalm 71:17, 18: Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.

Ephesians 3:20, 21: Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.

Scripture is filled with the importance of the older generation investing in the younger generation for the glory of God! The question you must decide today is are you willing to bridge the generation gap for the glory of God.

Yes, there are differences in generations not to be ignored but yet they should be embraced for example:

Illustration: Generations story -- funny?

TO ALL THE KIDS WHO WERE BORN IN THE 1930's 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!

First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they

carried us.

They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes.

Then after that trauma, our baby cribs were covered with bright colored

lead-based paints.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we

rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took

hitchhiking.

As children, we would ride in cars with no seat belts or air bags.

Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.

We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.

We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE

actually died from this.

We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank soda pop with sugar in it, but we weren't overweight because WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!

We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back