INVESTING IN ONE ANOTHER

This past Sunday, Pastor Harry’s sermon was taken from 2 Timothy, chapter 1, one of his two letters to Timothy, likely 15 years his junior.  The sermon was very fitting for a kickoff of a new series on investing in each other and also for encouraging Mosaic graduates as they enter a new stage of life.

When Paul wrote 2nd Timothy, he was back in prison, facing death.  Traditional chronology indicates that this was the last letter Paul wrote. Paul was investing in Timothy, supporting him through mentoring, instructing, encouraging and enabling, which we find not only in the second letter but in the first one as well.

1 Timothy 4(ESV): 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.

How did Paul advise Timothy to set a good example?  Through his actions in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.

What did he say about how a believer should go about public worship?  With boldness, in exhortation and in teaching.  How could this affect other leaders and disciples?  This is a good question to ask ourselves, i.e., how do we look upon others that are bold and confident in what they believe?  I expect you are much like me in that regard; I’m attracted to and want to follow the model that’s lived out in that type of person’s life.

What did he say about gifts?  Practice them, immerse yourself in them.  Do we make the most of ours?  Spiritual disciplines require practice and use to be productive.  The parable of the talents advises us about how God looks upon our stewardship with what He trusts us.

At Mosaic, we should follow Paul’s model here, seriously investing in one another.