1 Corinthians 16:10-12 says,...
Today's verses are 1 Corinthians 16:10-12, which read,
v.10, 11 - Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without cause to be afraid, for he is doing the Lord's work, as I also am. So let no one despise him. But send him on his way in peace, so that he may come to me; for I expect him with the brethren.
Paul is continuing his concluding thoughts and instructions to the Christians in the church in Corinth. Paul is always disciplining others in the faith and some he sends on errands to churches that he has been to before and so it looks as if Timothy is going to be carrying this letter to them.
It is interesting the instruction that Paul gives to the church about how they are to act around Timothy. They are not to burden him with the issues that they are dealing with. We know from other scriptures that Timothy is very young and sometimes we can despise youth when they seem to take leadership roles above us and even in the church. If not protected with instruction, young leaders of the church can be chewed up by the church and discouraged from going forward. The church in Corinth could definitely have done this so Paul lays down the law on Timothy's responsibility and position.
This does bring up a point on how we offer and allow the next generation to take on the baton of the gospel. Typically churches do not have in place the process for this to happen. We can also be quick to criticize what someone is doing in the church instead of supporting them in the effort they are trying. Like Timothy, they are young and need our sensitivity to this step they are taking forward in serving the Lord in a more public way.
v.12 - But concerning Apollos our brother, I encouraged him greatly to come to you with the brethren; and it was not at all his desire to come now, but he will come when he has opportunity.
Apollos is a whole other story than Timothy. Timothy you need to guard from all the burdens of the church while he serves Paul's specific instruction. Apollos is telling Paul, his mentor, that he is not to go with them yet because of the work he is doing where he is at. You get the sense that Apollos is farther along in his walk with the Lord and maturity than Timothy is. Apollos would be able to handle some of the burdens of the Corinthians and maybe that is why Paul wanted him to go but Paul respected that Apollos had strong reasons to stay put for the time being.
Paul, the general, listened to the seasoned sergeant, Apollos, about what he was in the midst of and respected his field assessment. Paul wanted to send that seasoned sergeant into the church in Corinth but knew that his brother had strong reasons to stay the course there a little longer.
How well do we listen to each other? How well do we stop thinking about what we want done and listen to what others are doing that is not directly related to our "to do" list? How important are the other ministries of the church that you are not apart of? Do you respect their involvement in those areas as crucial and critical in the midst of your seemingly current need? The great Paul listened and respected the seasoned student Apollos as he poured into what ministry he was apart of. The great Paul also give specific instruction to the new student Timothy and to the church were he was going to realize and support his position. I think in this passage we see Paul's process of helping those he is disciplining to continue forward in their service of the Lord.
"Lord, we need a whole other generation carrying the gospel of Jesus Christ in our church. We need to protect those just starting out from the heavy burdens so they can serve with encouragement. We need to listen to those who are in the midst of ministry and respect their ministries as crucial to the church and try not to run down or run that ministry they are passionate about. Help us Lord to put in place a process to see younger believers grow in our midst. Amen."
Pastor Adam
v.10, 11 - Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without cause to be afraid, for he is doing the Lord's work, as I also am. So let no one despise him. But send him on his way in peace, so that he may come to me; for I expect him with the brethren.
Paul is continuing his concluding thoughts and instructions to the Christians in the church in Corinth. Paul is always disciplining others in the faith and some he sends on errands to churches that he has been to before and so it looks as if Timothy is going to be carrying this letter to them.
It is interesting the instruction that Paul gives to the church about how they are to act around Timothy. They are not to burden him with the issues that they are dealing with. We know from other scriptures that Timothy is very young and sometimes we can despise youth when they seem to take leadership roles above us and even in the church. If not protected with instruction, young leaders of the church can be chewed up by the church and discouraged from going forward. The church in Corinth could definitely have done this so Paul lays down the law on Timothy's responsibility and position.
This does bring up a point on how we offer and allow the next generation to take on the baton of the gospel. Typically churches do not have in place the process for this to happen. We can also be quick to criticize what someone is doing in the church instead of supporting them in the effort they are trying. Like Timothy, they are young and need our sensitivity to this step they are taking forward in serving the Lord in a more public way.
v.12 - But concerning Apollos our brother, I encouraged him greatly to come to you with the brethren; and it was not at all his desire to come now, but he will come when he has opportunity.
Apollos is a whole other story than Timothy. Timothy you need to guard from all the burdens of the church while he serves Paul's specific instruction. Apollos is telling Paul, his mentor, that he is not to go with them yet because of the work he is doing where he is at. You get the sense that Apollos is farther along in his walk with the Lord and maturity than Timothy is. Apollos would be able to handle some of the burdens of the Corinthians and maybe that is why Paul wanted him to go but Paul respected that Apollos had strong reasons to stay put for the time being.
Paul, the general, listened to the seasoned sergeant, Apollos, about what he was in the midst of and respected his field assessment. Paul wanted to send that seasoned sergeant into the church in Corinth but knew that his brother had strong reasons to stay the course there a little longer.
How well do we listen to each other? How well do we stop thinking about what we want done and listen to what others are doing that is not directly related to our "to do" list? How important are the other ministries of the church that you are not apart of? Do you respect their involvement in those areas as crucial and critical in the midst of your seemingly current need? The great Paul listened and respected the seasoned student Apollos as he poured into what ministry he was apart of. The great Paul also give specific instruction to the new student Timothy and to the church were he was going to realize and support his position. I think in this passage we see Paul's process of helping those he is disciplining to continue forward in their service of the Lord.
"Lord, we need a whole other generation carrying the gospel of Jesus Christ in our church. We need to protect those just starting out from the heavy burdens so they can serve with encouragement. We need to listen to those who are in the midst of ministry and respect their ministries as crucial to the church and try not to run down or run that ministry they are passionate about. Help us Lord to put in place a process to see younger believers grow in our midst. Amen."
Pastor Adam
Comments
Post a Comment