Paul Archives - Paula Wiseman

Paul’s Partners: Titus

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

Tychicus

By Paula

Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, Colossians 4:7-8

When you read Paul’s letters, he often sends greetings back and forth or mentions people who would have been known to his first-century readers but whose identities are lost to history. However, there are a few people, that with a careful reading a more detailed picture emerges. Tychicus is one of those guys. His first mention with Paul is in Acts 20:4 when Paul was in Ephesus. That leads many to suspect he was from Ephesus or at least the area nearby. Paul had been warned that trouble was waiting for him on his planned journey to Jerusalem. That didn’t deter Paul or any of his party from making the trip.

Now let’s be honest, we fuss if a flight gets canceled or if there are construction delays. We have no idea what an undertaking it was in to agree to accompany someone on a trip in the first century. Tychicus stayed with Paul throughout his arrest, through three trials and through the voyage to Rome which included a shipwreck.

He delivered the letters to Colossae and Ephesus and maybe the one to Philemon. This involved walking across Italy AND Greece AND another hundred miles across Asia Minor (with passage by ship across the Adriatic and Aegean Seas in between, of course). Finally, he was sent back to Ephesus to fill in as pastor for Timothy so Timothy could visit Paul in prison one last time. (2 Timothy 4:12)

All of those qualities made Tychicus the kind of guy worth emulating, but Paul’s own words about him are worth a closer look.

A beloved brother – Not only was he a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, but he was a beloved one. Tychicus had a heart and an attitude that endeared him to the apostle. Do we have that kind of heart and attitude?

A faithful minister – Tychicus was entrusted with difficult, yet critical tasks and he faithfully completed them. He demonstrated his faithfulness not only to the Lord who called him but the one he served with. Are we that loyal and determined?

A fellow servant – Tychicus was first and foremost a servant. He clearly didn’t seek attention or prominence or even recognition. He willingly worked to do whatever was needed. Do we exhibit that same selflessness and humility?

Hardly as well-known as Timothy or even Barnabas or Silas, Tychicus stands as an example of a beloved, faithful servant who served not only his Lord but devoted his life to serving the body of Christ. He’s certainly worth knowing and emulating.

What are some ways you serve or can serve?
Would others use Paul’s words about Tychicus to describe you?

Final Words Before Battle

By Paula

With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints. Ephesians 6:18

You’re equipped.
You have a strategy.
One final word before you go into battle.

Be on the alert with all perseverance and petition.

Be ready for stealthy attacks.
Avoid traps and snares.
Watch out for weak spots of your own.

Don’t give up.
Don’t lose focus.
Don’t get impatient.

Pray for each other, for strength and courage.
Encourage and hold each other up.
Care for the wounded.
Refresh the weary.

But there is no mention of spectators.
You are in the battle.
Are you are equipped?
Are you alert?
Are you engaged?

Paul’s Partners: Titus

Paul’s Partners: Timothy

Paul’s Partners: Silas

Paul’s Partners: Barnabas

Tychicus

Final Words Before Battle

Encounters Series

Covenant of Trust Series

Foundations Series