Sunday Word: Timothy my true son

Happy to meet you again in this week's word. It's a season I urge all of us to pay much attention to the work of God and guard jealously our characters so that we may avoid causing confusion in the body of Christ.

Last week we looked at some examples of people who brought pain and confusion to the church. We saw people like Alexander who began to teach a different doctrine from what the Apostles were teaching.

This pained Paul so much. Most of us are suffering curses from God because of our characters and behaviors. We are working as agents of the devil.

The devil is using us to bring devastating confusion and as a result many souls have been lost. Today let's look at examples of people who brought joy and peace to their leaders.

Every leader in church, family, at work or any organisation rejoice when there is peace and love amongst those who follow them.

They are happy and fulfilled when they cam replicate themselves in those who follow them. In this sense, the followers of Christ must see Christ in those who lead them.

1 Timothy 1:2-3 (NIV)

2. To Timothy my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
3. As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer. Paul opens up his letter by addressing his true son. How many of us can confidently say their leaders can call them true sons. For you to be called a true son your character must attest for you. May you be that son that brings joy to your spiritual parents. May you be the Timothy of our generation? Timothy is receiving an assignment to go and correct a problem in Masvingo branch, in Chegutu branch, in Bulawayo branch in Mutare branch. To Neshuro Growth Point in Mwenezi there to Gutu. Will you be that son?

Our church today lacks love. Our church today lacks integrity. Here is a witness of a man who is being mentioned in Colossians as a faithful man. A faithful Minister of Christ. Paul is writing this letter with joy because of this man. Many young men and fathers or elders today lack honesty. Watch and pray lest you may become that brother who is untrustworthy. Colossians 1:7-8 (NIV)

7. You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf,
8. And who also told us of your love in the Spirit. It is in this vein that I write to you today, be exemplary to your fellow brothers and sisters like Epaphras. May your pastor mention you as a good example. The Bible is telling us that the behavior and character of Epaphras influenced others in a positive way. May you also have positive influence in your local church, your school, family and work place.

To effectively spread the Gospel, the church needs Sons who can be trusted with assignments and they can execute them well. Fathers of faith, Pastors, Prophets, and Teachers of the word need to have confidence in us in order to send us

Titus 1:4-5 (NIV)

4. To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
5. The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. Paul knew that the son he had in Titus was able to fulfill his duties as a signed. After ministering with Titus, he gained confidence that He was submissive to the Gospel of Christ to the extent of doing and finishing everything assigned to him. Your church needs you my brother and my sister. May your Man of God send you to Nations to plant churches. May he trust you to restore fallen churches and restore backslidden members.

As we continue, we are witnessing Paul showing us a very good lesson about healthy relationships in the body of Christ. He is addressing many people over an issue he believes they are able to resolve. Many things happen in Churches, but it is with great wisdom that we will be able to resolve them even with people of deferent characters. Philemon 1:1-2, 10-12 (NIV)

1. Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker,
2. to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home:
3. I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.
4. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.
5. I am sending him, who is my very heart — back to you. Paul is well addressing the case of Onesimus who might have had issues before but is now a loved and trusted Son due to the transformation that happened to him. May the word of God transform and change you in your local church. He is having confidence that the people he is addressing will be able to understand. The Church needs many Sons who will become ladder holders. Who will be like Apphia and Archippus? Wherever you are, pray and say God I am ready that you use me in this season. Pray that you may not betray the work of God. Be part of the team. Be part of your own family. Forgive one another and move on. Paul is saying Onesimus had issues with others, but he is preaching forgiveness and unity.

1 Thessalonians 1:1-3 (NIV)

1. Paul, Silas and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.
2. We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers.
3. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. Our local churches are now a pain in the foot. There is so much fight and hatred. We are so much competing with each other resulting in many backsliding. Here is a church Paul is addressing. He is happy with this church because it is following the basic principles of Christianity. I implore every church and every church branch, stop that hatred, and stop that evil behavior towards one another. Let us embrace love like this church. That way we will be able to impact many lives.

Waaal I am so happy today we had a powerful discussion. The Holy Spirit led us to this issue so that we can move in our mission as a great team. For you to fit well, you need to check if you are building or you are destroying the mission of God. Be the joy of your spiritual father, be the son he can trust. May you be that son who can be send on a mission? It is very possible if we yield to the Holy Spirit. See you next week as we continue.

*Prosper Tingini is the Scribe of the Children of God Missionary Assembly — God’s messengers. Contact details: Mobile & WhatsApp — 0771 260 195. Email address: ptingini@gmail.com