Mensa Otabil - The Sent One
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Today we are in the New Testament, in First Timothy, and we will study First Timothy throughout this week, specifically chapter 1, reading verses 1 and 2. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior, and the Lord Jesus Christ our hope, to Timothy, a true son in the faith: grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. This is Paul's first letter to Timothy, and it is a pastoral letter. It addresses issues that are related to pastoring or the work of the church. Paul wrote two letters to Timothy in the New Testament scriptures.
In the introduction, Paul uses a familiar format if you are accustomed to his writing. He addresses himself in very similar ways. He calls himself an apostle. An apostle is derived from the Greek word "apostolos," which means one who has been sent, or simply a messenger. A person who has been sent on a mission. It's not a very big title; it's a very humble title that Jesus Christ himself gave to the people he trained. When Jesus called his disciples or people to follow him, he called them " disciples." That means students. When he was ready to send them out, he called them apostles, messengers who had been trained - people who had been discipled and were now going out with his message. Paul saw himself as also trained by the Lord Jesus Christ and sent by the Lord Jesus Christ.
Interestingly, Paul viewed himself as an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. He wasn't an apostle for himself; he wasn't self- sent. He was sent by the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul was always careful to mention that he was a messenger of the Lord Jesus Christ. He then addresses Timothy, whom he calls a son in the faith. Timothy was one of Paul's most well-known protégés or people he trained in ministry. Timothy was a young man whom Paul met in the city of Lystra on a mission trip, and he came from a Christian family. Paul took him, discipled him, and he became a companion of Paul. He later became the pastor of the church in Ephesus. At the time this letter was written, he was the pastor of the church in Ephesus, which in the New Testament era was one of the largest churches, reportedly reaching about 10,000 people at one time. So Timothy was a very effective person and a very effective protégé of Paul.
That is our introduction to First Timothy; he speaks grace, mercy, and peace from God to Timothy and to the church in Ephesus, as well as to all Christians. The lesson we learn is that God is the one who trains us, and he is the one who sends us. When we are on a mission, we should be conscious that our work is for Him, for His glory, and to fulfill His purposes. So, that's how we introduce ourselves to First Timothy right from chapter one. We will continue this tomorrow.
Let's share a word of prayer together. Say with me, "Heavenly Father, I submit myself to you. Teach me your ways. Send me to be a blessing to my generation in Jesus' name." Amen.