The Other Me of Paul

STUDY: #1069 CHURCH IN THE HOUSES FROM: FEBUARY 4 @ 10, 2020

TOPIC: "The Other Me of Paul" 2 Corinthians 11:23-33 Young Timothy is always associated with the figure of Paul. Timothy followed Paul and learned to love and give himself to God; the same way that the Apostle did. We live the Christian life very different from Paul and Timothy. We look to accommodate everything conveniently; in that way we aspire, want to be successful and great in the ways of the Lord. This is how we have been taught that Churches are: "We must live projecting, drawing plans, looking for innovative ways to execute the things of God's work." But today, let's look at Paul, not forgetting all his sufferings; so that we obtain the purest and most sincere teachings! An authentic Paul; daring to teach without accommodating or pleasing; sticking only to the truth of the gospel, without any projection or planning to achieve estimated progress. Just loving God and loving the service to the sheep!

I. (2 Corinthians 11:1) I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness!

A. The reason why they would tolerate it: (Vs.2) "For I feel a divine jealousy for you..."

1. Paul's suffering is because he had to present them as a pure Church to Christ!

2. (Vs.3,4) At that time there were already many preachers teaching falsehoods, announcing another gospel.

3. (Vs.6) Although Paul was crude (without refinement, ordinary, harsh) in the word, he certainly did not lack knowledge.

4. What Paul experienced as a minister is admirable (Vs.23-33); leaving that inheritance to Timothy. They were "... servants of Christ ..." (Vs.23) in relation to their profession. Paul was a servant in devotion to God, his Master. He lived serving in works and sufferings. “… with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death.” (Vs.24) “Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one.” (Vs.25) “Three times I was beaten with rods... " Paul suffered this “painful” and “humiliating" treatment! “Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked…”

5. Not all the tests that the Apostle suffered were directly because of men. He also suffered as a product of nature: “… a night and a day I was adrift at sea…” (Vs.26) Paul suffered many times during trips and on the road, "... in danger from rivers, danger from robbers..." Paul was in danger from the Jews, "... danger from Gentiles, danger in the city ...", danger in the wilderness of the desert, "... danger at sea, danger from false brothers… ” (how difficult!)

6. (Vs.27) "... in toil and hardship..." We see Paul's incessant activity and his work-related exhaustion and sufferings. He spent many nights sailing. (He did not have a roof over his head and would have to watch over the thieves of the night) "... in hunger and thirst, often without food..." Totally lacking food. Cold and naked, with sudden changes in the weather, with poor shoes and attire.

7. It is a consolation to know that Paul now has as much prominence in the glory of Heaven, as he had sufferings here!

II. Paul taught Timothy to walk in those same steps, "... my true child in the faith ..." (1 Timothy 1:2)

A. (Vs.3,4) “As I urged you… to remain at Ephesus…”

1. With his life as the example, Paul left Timothy a school.

2. He left instructions to the Church. Timothy's life was following up on the service to the sheep.

3. Paul encouraged Timothy to teach the Word of God; there were people to teach, love and care for.

4. That he takes care that no one teaches doctrines contrary to the Christian faith ("... so that you may charge...").

5. That they do not pay attention to fables and genealogies. Many fictitious stories about the founders of false religions had emerged, and genealogy had a very important role among them.

6. To teach of the grace of God, which is what produces a clean heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith! (Vs.5)

7. That he ignores the fables of old women.

8. In the Scriptures, Timothy is always associated with the figure of Paul.

9. He was undoubtedly one of the most loyal collaborators of the Apostle. Timothy was part of the missionary team in Paul’s trips, as well as the "bearer" of Paul’s messages or epistles.

10. In the eyes of the Apostle Paul, Timothy was undoubtedly of marked historical importance. Paul came to regard him as "my other me" (alter ego) (Philippians 2:19-22)

11. What Paul said of his beloved Timothy (Vs.19-22): "I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon ... FOR I HAVE NO ONE LIKE HIM..." It is not a temporary emotional situation. It is a state, a way of being, a way of staying, a prolonged devotion. “… WHO WILL BE GENUINELY CONCERNED FOR YOUR WELFARE.”

12. Timothy was not looking for his own interests!

13. It is said that the cause of Timothy's death was stoning; a very old means of execution in which the people that participated threw stones at the inmate until they killed him. Since a person can withstand heavy blows without losing consciousness, stoning can produce a very slow death that causes greater suffering in the condemned, and for that reason it is a form of execution that was gradually abandoned.

14. Like Paul, Timothy loved! For this reason, Timothy gave himself without measures. And you? Amen.