The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1930-12-18

. LESSON TEXT-Acts 1918; Philip
plans 2:19-22; II Timothy 1:1-6; 3:
i14-16.
GOLDEN TEXT-And that from a
child thou hast known the holy scrip
lures, which are able to make thee
wise unto salvation through faith
which is in Christ Jesus.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
jIC-Living for Christ in Our Homes.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
iIC-Religious Training in the Home.
I. Timothy's Percentage (Acts 16:D.
His father was a Greek and his
mother a believing Jewess. On his
mothers side, at least, he had godly
ancestry. Frequently the influence of
the mother makes the son. A pious
mother and a pious grandmother were
back of Timothy. How thankful to
God ought those to be who have been
blessed with cody ancestry. Chris
.tian heredity and training are vital
elements which go to make up Chris
tan life.
II. Timothy's Training Il Tim. 1 IS;
III Tim. 3:14, 15).
His wise and faithful mother and
grandmother carefully nurtured him
in Gods Word. He knew the Scrip
lures from childhood through their
training. The faith which came to
him through his grandmother and
mother did not come through the laws
of heredity, but through careful train
ing and teaching.
Three factors we're involved in his
training:
1. Cody ancestors. Those who have
been blessed with godly ancestors
should thank God for them. Those
who are to be the parents of the COM
ing generation should see to it that
their children are not handicapped
by wrong life and wrong teaching.
2. A Christian home. The young of
the human race must remain for the
longest period under the influence Of
their parents. Unending existence and
exalted destiny demand long and care
full training. The goodness and wis
dom of God are vitality reflected in
this provision for humanity.
3. A diligent study of the Holy
scriptures. Timothy not only was
taught the Scriptures from childhood,
but was commanded diligently to
study them (ch. 2:15). No home train
ing or hereditary influence can possi-
bly take the place Of personal study
of the Bible.
III. Timothy's Call (Acts 1872, 81.
While on his second missionary
Journey in company with Silas, Paul
found Timothy at Lystra near Derbe.
Perhaps he had been converted on
iPaul's first missionary Journey, but
hearing O favorable report Of him by
1.-THE brethren, Paul circumcised him
$50 as not to offend the Jews. because
his father was Greek. This was in
harmony with the decision Of the
Jerusalem council. 1t was a case
where Cancellation was possible with
iout compromise of truth. From this
time to the end of Paui's life, Timothy
was his devoted companion.
w. Timothy's Character.
/. OF a retiring disposition (I Tim.
IL :6). He had received gift from
God at the. hands Of the apostle but
1t needed to be stirred up; that is,
famed into a flame. Such tempera-
ment would mature in touch with a
great personality like Paul. Each
Christian has a gift from Gods hand.
1t is highly important that the Cod
given gift be stirred up.
2. Courageous QI Tim. 2:1-S). Hav-
ing been stirred up and freed from
the spirit of fear, he deliberately iden-
titled himself with Paul in his suffer-
ings and trials. Courage is greatly
needed in doing the Lords work.
8. Faithful (Phil. 2:20). Timothy
tarried in the difficult field of Ephesus
through many years. He was the only
man of the proper fidelity to minister
to the Philippians. The secret Of his
faithfulness in such position was
his fidelity to Gods word.
v. Timothy's Ministry.
1. AS fellow missionary with Paul
(Phil. 2:22). Paul testified that Tim
.othy, as a son with a father, had
served with him in the gospel.
2. AS pastor of the church at
IEphesus Il Tim. 1 %, ~. Here Timothy
Ilabored for many years, tactfully
meeting the difficulties Of that great
church. The secret of his ministry,
90 tbot of oil Nhriction ninictnrS
was that he had implicit confidence
lin the Scriptures as Gods Word, and
that he diligently studied them so as
rightly to divide them in meeting the
needs of those to whom he ministered.
This is the only way to meet the needs
which arise in the difficult field of a
pastor.