A Pathway To Success - Beyond Uncertianty

The Apostle Paul who had invested so much in the life of young Timothy, helps him prepare for a new beginning by offering him a pathway to success. I believe this is also a pathway for our success as we prepare the church to make its own mark. Timothy had been left at Ephesus to manage the affairs of the church there in the absence of Paul. In this Epistle, Paul directs young Timothy in his leadership role in managing his new assignment. How exciting it must have been for Timothy to take the leadership in this Church. Paul had met him and his family on his first trip to the cities of Lystra and Derbe. These cities, Paul visited and evangelized on his first missionary journey. Timothy’s father was a Gentile and his mother was a Jew. Paul was instrumental in making sure that young Timothy was circumcised according to Jewish custom and then ordain for ministry by the laying on of hands by the presbytery. This was done so that young Timothy would be free to minister among Jews and Gentiles without opposition.

We are to provide that same level of leadership for our church, for our family, love our wives and children, but also to prepare them for the future. I wanted to talk about “A Pathway to Success” as we prepare our Churches to face uncertain times. We must help our members get ready to face a new normal. All of today’s leaders are face the same challenge. It is the one place where we all meet together on level ground. Both clergy and laity tend to error because we fail to use God’s instruction manual. The bible seems to have become old fashion and under used. We fail to realize that God is never caught by surprise. God never needs to edit or rewrite His instructions. His word will lead us to the pathway to success.

Our plans change. Many of our personal goals are too selfish and too limited. We wanted to buy a house, or get a new car, or make more money, in other words most of my goals early on were all about me. How do we prepare our churches for success in a generation that feel the church is optional? How do we prepare our Church to embrace to true mission of the Church? How do we make Christian Disciples during this difficult season?

Lest young Timothy, Paul’s son in the ministry, would start setting goal for his ministry, his church, his popularity and personal interest, Paul offers Timothy “A Pathway to Success.” A Pathway designed to allow God to be at the center of all Timothy would do. Young Timothy needed this advice, not because he was young, restless, unruly or carnal. On the contrary, Timothy is quite a good, godly young man, raised by a godly grandmother and mother, who walked in the faith, taught him the scriptures and strictly observed the Jewish rituals. Yet every new beginning requires a new focus.

Any time, we undertake new responsibilities, begin a new year, take on a new job, or desire to improve or change, we need a new focus. Every day, we experience influential things that can distract us, turn us, detain us and even stop our progress. Most people desire to see a better world, filled with better family. The apostle Paul gives us some specific things we can do to help the world be a better place. Listen as Paul offers young Timothy three powerful suggestions in the text. If Timothy and the Church he leads are to be successful in this phrase of ministry, he must teach them first, To pray unceasingly; Second, To live Righteously, Godly and Honestly; and Third, To evangelize fervently. If You and I as godly leaders are to be successful in preparing our churches for an uncertain future, helping them develop as fruitful and faithful leaders, then we must teach them these same things. First, to pray unceasingly; Second, to live Righteously, Godly and Honestly; and Third, to evangelize fervently. Paul exhorts him to see that prayers should be made for all men.

1.TO PRAY UNCEASINGLY – “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority;”

Timothy was exhorted to pray and give thanks for all men using all kinds of prayer, especially for kings and magistrates and all who are in authority. Pray with Supplication that God will supply the needs. Then prayers, petitions for the conservation or increase of what good things we have. Next, intercessions- prayers for others, to avert of evils from them, or the gathering of good things upon them. Finally, giving of thanks; blessings God for good things bestowed upon ourselves or others.