Timothy Joins Saul Lesson 43 Series

A. INTRODUCTION

1. Missionary conference. “And when they . . . gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them” (Acts 14:27).

2. Inspection trip. “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city . . . and see how they are doing” (Acts 15:36).

3. Brethren disagree. “Barnabas was determined to take with them John . . . but Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed” (Acts 15:37-38).

4. Brethren split. “Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cypress; but Paul chose Silas” (Acts 15:39-40).

5. Mark wrote to Roman believers the Gospel of Mark. God was not finished with him. Theme: Jesus the Servant of the Lord.

B. FROM TARSUS TO TROAS – ACTS 15:40 – 16:11

1. Young Timothy’s faith was courageous. “. . . that from childhood you have known the holy scriptures” (2 Tim. 3:15). “. . . the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice” (Acts 1:5). Because his father was a Greek, “Paul . . . took him and circumcised him” (Acts 16:3).

2. Timothy leaves home to go with Paul. Both Timothy and Mark were young men, performing “hands on” tasks.

3. Timothy eventually grows into a fellow-minister with Paul.

4. The Spirit prohibits them. “They tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them” (Acts 16:7).

5. Luke joined them. The writing changes from third person “they” to first person plural “we” (c.f. Acts 16:8, 10).

6. The Macedonian call. “Come over to Macedonia and help us” (Acts 16:9). Who was in the vision?

a. Luke.

b. Greek symbolic man.

c. Philippian jailer.

C. PHILIPPI – ACTS 16:12-40

1. The first city evangelized in Europe.

a. A Roman colony that gave citizenship to inhabitants.

b. Name for Philip II, father of Alexander the Great.

c. Small Jewish population.

2. Prayer meeting by the riverside. “Lydia . . . a seller of purple” (Acts 16:14).

3. Demon recognized the Most High God. “These men are the servants of the Most High God’ (Acts 16:17).

4. Arrested and imprisoned. “These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city, and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans” (Acts 16:20-21).

5. An earthquake. “. . . praying and singing hymns to God” (Acts 16:25).

6. A question. “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30).

7. Condition of salvation. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household” (Acts 16:310.

8. Paul’s demand. “They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans . . . let them come themselves and get us out” (Acts 16:37).

9. The church was close to Paul’s heart. “You sent aid once and again for my necessities” (Phil. 4:16).

D. THESSALONICA – ACTS 17:1-9

1. The gospel spreads to other cities.

a. Named for wife of King Cassander, 315 B.C., daughter of Philip II.

b. Large Jewish community evidenced by a synagogue.

2. Preached three Sabbaths. “Explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ” (Acts 17:3).

3. Mob riot (a peace bond from believers). “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too” (Acts 17:6).

E. PRACTICAL LESSONS

1. One mistake doesn’t disqualify a person for future usefulness. Mark.

2. Faithfulness in small tasks leads to greater usefulness in spiritual ministry.

3. God leads by closed doors.

4. There will always be trials and problems in serving the Lord.

5. God uses those with dramatic conversions (Paul) and those brought up by Christian nurture (Timothy).

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.

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