Paul Archives - Paula Wiseman

Underappreciated Virtues: Maturity

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. Hebrews 5:12

We’re continuing our look at some underrated traits that are no less necessary in the body of Christ than some of these other fruits. Last week we looked at encouragement. This week we’ll think about maturity.

What does spiritual maturity look like?

Hebrews 5:14 tells us the mature are those have “trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” They have taken the time and put in the effort. And implicit in distinguishing good from evil is choosing good consistently.

In 1 Timothy 3:6, among the qualifications for pastor, Paul says that the candidate “must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.” So, in contrast, humility is a mark of the mature. So is resisting temptation.

Perhaps the most straightforward lists are in Titus 2. Paul describes how older men and women should conduct themselves within the body of Christ. There is an underlying assumption that the physically mature are also spiritually mature. You can read the lists for yourself but I want to highlight a couple of broad characteristics.

The mature are reverent. They hold God and His Word in high esteem and show the respect due.

The mature are even-tempered. They aren’t given to angry outbursts. They think before they speak.

The mature mentor. They lead by example. They welcome the opportunity to help others grow and benefit from their wisdom and experience. (They aren’t bossy, know-it-alls, or demand that things be dome their way. Remember humility is a key characteristic of the mature.)

How do we become mature?

The short answer – the hard way. The slightly longer answer is that maturity happens as we commit ourselves to learn what it means to be Christlike. More practically, we let Christ stretch our faith. That means going through challenging circumstances. There is no shortcut or instant formula for maturity. Granted some mature more quickly than others. I think this may be because some are more surrendered to the Holy Spirit working in us. Some are more willing to renounce the things the Spirit asks us to change. Some are more willing to walk through the doors the Spirit opens.

Peter gives us an outline of the process. “For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. (2 Peter 1:5-7). I won’t take the time to walk through each of those virtues, but I will point out the instruction to “make every effort.” It must be a high priority, worthy of our sustained efforts.

Why does the church need mature believers?

For the answer to that, let’s go back to the verse at the top of the post. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, Hebrews 5:12. The church’s ability to function, to carry out its mission is hampered by immaturity. How can we disciple others if we haven’t moved past the very basics of our faith? How can we live by biblical principles if we don’t know what those are? We will be governed more by our emotions than by the Holy Spirit. We will be influenced more by the culture around us than the example of Christ. Paul and James both warn of the dangers of not detecting false doctrine because we are immature and easily swayed. Once false doctrine takes over, the church is in real spiritual danger as the letters in Revelation attest.

Maturity is necessary for the church to carry out the Commission. We have to make sure we are doing all we can to reach it, as well as not fighting God when He works in our lives to bring it about.

Next week: Equity

Underappreciated Virtues: Encouragement

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And when he had passed through those areas and offered them many words of encouragement, he came to Greece. Acts 20:2

You’ve no doubt seen the list at the end of 1 Corinthians 13 with faith, hope, and love. And I’m sure you’re familiar with the Fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in Galatians 5:22-23. Over the next few weeks, let’s take a moment or two to consider some underrated traits that are no less necessary in the body of Christ than some of these other fruits.

First up is energy-infusing encouragement. Not too long ago, we discussed Barnabas. Encouragement (also called exhortation or edification) was his specialty. A quick word search shows it popping up regularly in the book of Acts which means it was key to the growth of the early church. It’s safe to say it will help our churches grow today.

We all need encouragement. Even guys like the Apostle Paul need it. Think about that for a moment. The Apostle Paul needed encouragement from other believers. Romans 1:12 and Philippians 2:19 both mention how Paul looks forward to the encouragement he will receive from his fellow believers. (When you consider he was in prison when he wrote Philippians, that encouragement must have been extremely precious.)

Sometimes we focus on other things at the expense of encouragement. Paul reminds the Thessalonians, “As you know, like a father with his own children, we encouraged, comforted, and implored each one of you to live worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.” (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12). He also instructed Timothy, “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2). Paul listed three things. Rebuke – tell where we need to straighten up. Correct – show us where we can do better. Encourage – tell us what we need to keep doing.

We need a balance. If we only ever hear things that give us warm fuzzies, we’ll get soft. If we’re only yelled at, we’ll get discouraged and maybe give up. Think of the very best coaches you or your kids played for or the best boss you worked for. What made the difference? I’m going to guess it was the encouragement received.

How do we encourage others?

I wish there was a verse with three or four easy ways to encourage others. But a thoughtful reading, especially of Paul’s instructions to the churches, can give us some ideas.

1. Watch our words – Ephesians 4:29 is very straightforward. “No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear.” It’s easy to read that verse and think because we don’t use R-rated vocabulary, it doesn’t apply. Let’s stretch it out to the spirit of the instruction, not just the strict letter. No gossip. No mean-spirited criticism. No disparaging, Spirit-quenching remarks. What if we expand it to body-language? No eye-rolls or frowns. Let’s replace those with kindness, with smiles, with compliments, with appreciation.

2. Do our part – In Ephesians 4:16, Paul says, “From him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building up itself in love by the proper working of each individual part.” See that? The body, that is, believers encourage each there when we all take part in ministry. We know this is true. One of the most DIS-couraging, burnout-inducing things is when we have to carry a heavy ministry load alone. How encouraging would it be if someone recognized that we could use a hand and offered it? How would it encourage your pastor to see the whole church involved in carrying out the Commission? Think about your church. Who is doing double or triple duty? How and where could you step up? If you’re unsure, make it a matter of prayer.

3. Love each other – That is the root and foundation of encouragement. 1 Corinthians 8:1 states exactly that. Love builds up. Our family of fellow believers is a refuge for us. They are a haven for us to escape to when life is challenging. OR at least they should be. Let’s deliberately decide that our church is not going to add another level of drama and frustration to our lives but that we come alongside one another with genuine love. Notice I said “decide.” Christlike love is not based on merit, nor is it reciprocation. It is an active choice to give of yourself for someone else.

There are other ways to encourage, but I think if we focus on these until we are really good at them, things will change. By the way, you don’t have to wait until Sunday to get started.

Next week: Maturity

Paul’s Partners: Titus

By Paula

To Titus, a true son in our common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. Titus 1:4

Paul was the most influential figure in the establishment of the early church. However, he didn’t work alone. He had several key partners who gave him very necessary support. We’ve been taking a closer look at some of these guys and learning how we can follow their examples even today. So far we’ve studied Barnabas, Silas, and Timothy.

This week, we’ll finish up with Titus.

Titus is not mentioned in the book of Acts, so what we know about him is pieced together from a careful reading of Paul’s letters. He was a Gentile convert and one of Paul’s earliest associates accompanying Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem and attending the important Council there. In fact, he was probably the prime example of a Gentile convert, filled with the Holy Spirit, proving that adhering to the traditions of Judaism were unnecessary to follow Christ. He pastored the church in Crete where Paul wrote a letter to him that we have in the New Testament. In 2 Timothy, we learn that Paul sent him to Dalmatia.

Titus worked closely with Paul. Paul makes mention of him in Corinth, in Galatia, and in Crete. At least part of that time Titus also served alongside Barnabas. As a result, he becomes a people-person like Barnabas and solid doctrinally like Paul. Not a bad combination.

Do we find mentors to serve with who can help us grow in key areas?
Admittedly, this can be challenging, especially if you are the mentor most of the time. However, we should never be satisfied with where we are and always learning and growing.

Titus was a good administrator. He collected and delivered a special famine offering to Jerusalem. He oversaw the churches on the island of Crete.

Are we careful, conscientious stewards of the things God has entrusted to us?
Maybe administration and leadership are not our gifts. However, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be counted on to faithfully carry out whatever tasks we’re given or roles we’re called to fill.

Titus was trusted with tricky situations. The Council in Jerusalem addressed the question of how Judaism fit with belief in Christ. Titus was in on all those discussions. Not only that, but he carried Paul’s “severe” letter with strong words for the church at Corinth. Because of his tact and wisdom, the Corinthians received the letter in the spirit Paul intended but he brought news back to Paul. Titus was then re-dispatched with Paul’s reply, the letter we have as 2 Corinthians.

Are we good at communicating the truth, even hard truth, in love?
No one likes conflict. However, it can be handled in a wise loving way that honors God. Titus mastered it. The next point may be the secret.

Titus genuinely loved the people he ministered to and rejoiced at their growth and obedience. (2 Cor. 7:15) Delivering that difficult letter wasn’t a matter of simply accomplishing a task. Titus wanted to see the people in the church restored in their relationships with each other and strengthened in their relationship with Christ. All of this would work to grow the church and spread the gospel message.

Do we have a heart for seeing people with restored relationships, both with each other and with Christ?
Or are we more likely to see conflict as none of our business or maybe as too much trouble and not worth the hassle of getting involved?

Over the last four weeks, we’ve taken a look at some of the close companions Paul traveled with on his evangelism trips. Each of the men had different talents and temperaments, varied skills and spirits. However, Paul would not, could not have accomplished all he did without their support.

What if we strove to be more generous and encouraging? Or maybe more serving and persevering? What if our character and reputation were spotless? What if driven by love for others and wanting the best for them?

The parting question, then, is how would the missions of our local churches be impacted if we poured ourselves into them the way Paul’s companions did for his mission? Isn’t it all the same mission, anyway? Seeing lives transformed by the gospel?

Maybe if we were more like Paul’s companions, we would more fruit like the New Testament churches.

Paul’s Partners: Timothy

By Paula

For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church. 1 Corinthians 4:17

This week, let’s talk about Timothy.

Timothy was from Lystra, a city in Asia Minor. Paul had stopped there on his first missionary trip and then again early in his second trip. Timothy’s mother and grandmother were devout Jews who had taught him the Hebrew scriptures from the time he was old enough to understand them. As a result, he was fully prepared for the gospel message that Paul brought. It is reasonable to suppose that he became a believer in Christ as a teenager, perhaps during Paul’s first visit.

We meet him in Acts 16:1 at the beginning of Paul’s second trip. He was called a disciple and we learn his mother was a Jewish believer and his father was Greek. This gave Timothy unique, insider familiarity with both cultures which would prove invaluable in his soon coming ministry.

What cultural background or experiences do we have that can open kingdom doors for us?
Your job, your hobbies, your education, where you go on vacation, your hometown, your life experiences … every single one can connect us with someone around us. Those relationships we build are foundational to sharing the gospel.

In the very next verse, we find out Timothy was highly regarded by the believers in Lystra and Iconium (a nearby town). This wouldn’t be possible unless Timothy was active and vocal about his faith.

Do we have a good reputation among other believers?
Are we known for our strong testimony? Can others count on us to participate in the work of our church? Are we generous? Does our character reflect positively on the gospel and on Christ?

In Acts 16:3, we learn that because of Timothy’s reputation and character, Paul wanted the young man to accompany him on the rest of the trip. This was not a casual invitation. No doubt they all remembered what happened the last time Paul was in Lystra when he was stoned and left for dead. (Acts 14:19). This would be gritty, hard work. Timothy took the opportunity.

Do we pass on ministry opportunities because they are difficult, or even dangerous?
Do we prefer the comfortable and the familiar to the unknown and living by faith? I admit I’m pretty fond of the comfortable and the familiar. But what are we missing when we shy away from taking a step of faith?

Acts 16:4 tells us Timothy hit the ground running. Paul immediately put him to work teaching. (After having him circumcised to give him the proper credibility with the Jews they would encounter.) And the following verse says the churches were strengthened and grew.

Do we eagerly take on new ministries God moves us into?
This was undoubtedly a challenging, faith-stretching opportunity for Timothy, but reading between the lines of Scripture, he seems to have taken right to it. Do we have that same enthusiasm and confidence?

Paul sent Timothy to Philippi as his proxy since he was in prison. In Philippians 2:20-22, Paul explains that no one else cares for their welfare like Timothy. Paul further said Timothy was a man singularly devoted to the things of Christ.

Are we known first and foremost for our compassion and for our unswerving commitment to Christ?
Paul also said Timothy was a man of proven worth. Have we proven ourselves as valuable team members when it comes to spreading the gospel?

In his deeply personal letters to Timothy, now a young pastor of the church at Ephesus, Paul calls him beloved and his true son in the faith.

Are we being mentored in the faith? Are we mentoring someone?
Jesus modeled that mentoring relationship first with his disciples. Paul followed that example with his young associates. We thrive when we learn from Scripture, then from others, then from practice and experience.

Paul loved Timothy like a son, and from his faithful loyalty to Paul, we know Timothy felt the same way. In chasing the references about Timothy, his character kept coming up as his distinguishing characteristic. When Paul charged him to be an example of the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity (1 Timothy 4:12) Timothy took that charge seriously. What kind of example are we? Hopefully one like Timothy.

Next week: Titus

Paul’s Partners: Silas

By Paula

But Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God. Acts 15:40

Paul was the most influential figure in the establishment of the early church. However, he didn’t work alone. He had several key partners who gave him very necessary support. Over the next several weeks, we’ll take a closer look at some of these guys and learn how we can follow their examples even today.

Last week, we studied Barnabas. This week, let’s look at Silas. That’s a Greek name, which is significant in the early church. He is also called Silvanus, which is the Latin form. That reflects his ministry and reputation in Rome and other major cities in the empire. Silas is unique because not only did he travel with Paul on his missionary journeys, he also worked with Peter. Toward the end of Peter’s first letter, he calls him a faithful brother and entrusts Silas to take down the letter and then deliver it to the Jewish believers scattered across Asia Minor. (1 Peter 5:12)

We first meet him in Acts 15:22 where he is named one of the “leading men among the brothers”. The church held a council to address the crucial question of whether Gentile believers should also follow the Law and be circumcised. Of course, the answer was no, Gentiles are not bound by the Law. Silas along with Judas Barsabbas delivered that decision to the Gentile churches.

Are we trusted leaders in the body of Christ?
Now I know if everyone is a leader, there are no followers. But can we be counted on? Do we follow through on our commitments? Do we handle things with wisdom? Those things can make us “leading” men and women regardless of the positions we hold.

In Acts 15:32, we further learn that Silas (and Judas Barsabbas) were prophets who strengthened and encouraged the believers at Antioch. Being a prophet didn’t necessarily mean they told the future. It meant they were really good at explaining and applying Scripture to daily life. In fact, the Bible says they spoke at length about those things.

Can we explain and apply Scripture to our situations?
We can’t explain or apply what we don’t know. One twenty or thirty-minute sermon a week isn’t enough to equip us. Don’t make it an all or nothing proposition either. Explaining and applying SOME Scripture is a great start, and no one knows it all.

In Acts 15:40, Paul chooses Silas to accompany him on his second mission trip. Silas a great fit. We’ve already mentioned he was a good expositor (that’s a seminary word for explaining and applying Scripture). He was Jewish which would give him credibility in the Jewish communities they visited and he was also a Roman citizen which offered him some extra freedoms and legal protections.

Do we have talents and experiences that make us ready for the next step God calls us to take?
Certifications, licenses, degrees … all of those things can be used by God to accomplish His kingdom work.

In the well-known story of the Philippian jailer, Silas was praying and singing hymns in the jailhouse when the earthquake occurred. Mind you, this was after his clothes were torn off and he was beaten with a bundle of rods bundled together. All of which was illegal. That endurance of injustice led to the salvation of the jailer and his whole household.

How do we face unfair situations?
I tend to complain about how unfairly I’ve been treated. It’s hardly ever an occasion for prayer and praising.

In Acts 17:14, Silas stayed behind in Berea (with Timothy – more on him next week) after Paul was forced to leave. He displays courage in the face of strong opposition and a loyal commitment to the new believers in Berea giving them a good foundation.

Are we committed to making sure new believers have a strong foundation to build on?
Or are we more inclined to simply bump the number up by one and hope for the best? Maybe this seems like the pastor’s job, but the Great Commission was given to all of us, and discipling is one of the charges.

At some point, Silas rejoins Paul in Corinth before being sent off on a mission of his own to receive money the Macedonian believers had given for the relief of the Jewish Christians. After that, we see him mentioned on some of Paul’s letters and then in Peter’s but we don’t know where he ministered or what else he did. I like to imagine he taught at a seminary, training the next generation of pastors, preachers, and missionaries.

Whatever he ended up doing, Silas left an example of servant leadership, endurance, and partnership that we can definitely imitate.

Next week: Timothy.

Paul’s Partners: Barnabas

By Paula

Then when Barnabas had come and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; Acts 11:23

Let’s start with Barnabas.

But Barnabas wasn’t even his real name. His name was Joseph, and he was a Levite originally from Cyprus. Most of the religious establishment in Jerusalem stood in opposition to Christ and his message. Not Joseph.

When he first appears in Acts 4:36-37, we learn two things about him.
The apostles have given him the name Barnabas, which means son of encouragement. This tells us not only was he prominent and active in the early church so that he stood out among its 5000 members, but it tells us a little about his personality. Think about the apostles’ mission at this time. They were full of the Holy Spirit, preaching amazing sermons, seeing hundreds of people come to faith in Christ, doing miracles, facing down the authorities… and yet, Barnabas was an encouragement to them and the rest of the congregation.

How are we at encouragement?
In our internet culture, it is a rare thing. But sometimes that pervasive attitude spills over into our churches. How many ministries are squelched, how many gifts remain untapped because of the attitudes and atmosphere in the body? What if we started incorporating encouragement into our vocabulary?
“Thank you for all the work you put in when you teach. I always enjoy listening to you.”
“You do such a great job with the kids. It’s obvious how much fun they are having and how much they are learning.”
“Thank you for taking care of the kitchen. It’s more work than we realize and I appreciate the time you take.”
See how easy? Each of those statements takes less than ten seconds, but the impact is lasting.

In verse 37, we find out he has sold a tract of land and brings the money to the apostles’ for distribution to anyone in need.
Under the Mosaic Law, the Levites had no inheritance in the land. So either those laws weren’t observed as closely in New Testament times, or the land was in Cyprus. I tend to think it was in Cyprus. And I think that this demonstrates Barnabas’s generosity but also his commitment. He was selling his homeplace, probably land that had been in his family for a while. To me, it says he was putting his future entirely in God’s hands.

How are we at generosity and faith?
We give, but do we give sacrificially, trusting that God will take care of us?

In Acts 9:26-27, Barnabas vouches for Saul to the church in Jerusalem, confirming that his conversion was genuine. Because of his character and reputation, the Jerusalem church accepted his reference and Saul ministered and preached there with them

How are we at discerning the genuine work of the kingdom?
It requires knowledge of truth, prayer and listening as well being in tune with the Holy Spirit.

In Acts 11:22-24, Barnabas is sent to Antioch to check out things there. He discovers that there is a great revival underway. God was at work and many people were becoming believers. Many Gentiles, that is. Barnabas didn’t care who they were. They were saved by the same grace that had saved him. His biggest concern for them was that they continue in the faith that they had embraced and that they continued to grow.

Do we welcome everyone of every background?
It is one thing to say in the abstract that, of course, we want everyone to hear and believe the gospel, but what about when the abstract becomes concrete? Are there some who are too poor, or even too rich for us to witness to? Are there some who are too messed up or whose reputations are too impressive to reach? Are there others who are too different?

In Acts 13, while serving as one of the ministers of the church at Antioch, God called him and Paul to a new work, being missionaries to the Gentiles. Acts 14 details their journey, and in chapter 15, they report back to the Jerusalem Council and make a strong stand about the place of the Gentiles in the church.

Are we ready and willing for God to call us out to a new work?
Barnabas had proven through his faithful obedience to God in several situations before this that he could be trusted. God therefore kept using him.

Toward the end of Acts 15, Paul and Barnabas have a sharp disagreement over taking John Mark with them on a second mission. Barnabas wants to give the young man another chance. Paul disagrees. So Barnabas takes John Mark and leaves Paul, and then disappears from the pages of Scripture. Paul mentions him in some of his letters, but we don’t see Barnabas any more. However, by Paul’s later letters, we know that he came to agree with Barnabas and valued Mark as a ministry partner.

Are we quick to give people second chances?
Do we let people grow in their ministries and mentor them through difficulties or is failure a disqualifier?

Acts 11:24 says Barnabas was “a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.” If that were all we knew of him, that would be a good enough example. Instead, we get a description of a man committed to God, to his fellow believers and to carrying out the gospel. He was generous, kind-hearted and steadfast. We would do well to have more believers like Barnabas in our churches.

Next week: Silas

Underappreciated Virtues: Maturity

What does spiritual maturity look like?

How do we become mature?

Why does the church need mature believers?

Underappreciated Virtues: Encouragement

Paul’s Partners: Titus

Paul’s Partners: Timothy

Paul’s Partners: Silas

Paul’s Partners: Barnabas

Encounters Series

Covenant of Trust Series

Foundations Series