good reputation

Acts 16:1
“. . . a certain disciple was there, named Timothy”

The Scriptures are filled with men and women who had a tremendous impact upon their world for the kingdom of Heaven. Timothy is one of those men. We are first introduced to him here, in Acts 16. He is described as a disciple who was well-spoken of throughout the cities of Lystra and Iconium. The word disciple means, a learner and a follower. It describes a person who has chosen to surrender to Christ, follow Him, and allow the Word of God to write upon the tablet of his heart. The disciple lets God’s Word direct his private life, public life, family life and church life. Timothy was a disciple of Christ, and set an example for the believers around him on what it meant to follow Jesus. As we continue to follow Timothy’s story, we find he became a traveling companion of Paul and Silas; bringing the Gospel throughout Asia minor and into Europe. Later we learn he became the pastor of the church in Ephesus, and was the recipient of two New Testament letters.

What an amazing life this young man lived; and what an impact he had, and continues to have, for the Kingdom of God. How did he become such a man? Notice, he grew up in a mixed household, with two contrasting influences. His mother was a believer and his father was not. It can be very difficult for children living with two completely different standards. Mom does not allow certain behaviors because she is a follower of God, but dad allows them, and the children become very confused. In many such cases, we find the children grow up only to conform to the ways of the world, and struggle to follow God. Timothy was different, he went on to follow the Lord and impact the world. How was he able to overcome the dual influences upon his life? What did his mother do to influence him to follow God?

We know that his mom made a bad relationship decision. She, being a Jew, defied the Word of God, and got involved with a man who was not a believer. Whatever course they followed, they ended up married and having a son. But she did not allow that bad decision to keep her from turning back to the Lord, and making godly decisions. We read later in Scripture, how she raised her son on the teaching of God’s Word. From his earliest childhood days, Timothy was raised on a healthy diet of Scripture. Moses instructed parents how to teach the Bible to their kids. Instead of lecturing them, he said they should first live it, then use everyday experiences to teach it. Timothy grew up with a mom who lived it. We are also told of the great influence his grandmother had upon him. Instead of her being devastated by her daughters poor relationship choice, she determined to have a positive influence on her daughter and grandson (2Timothy 1:5). The result of forgiveness, godly choices, and the Word of God, was a young man who wanted to follow the Lord.

Regardless of your past, determine today that you are going to make positive godly choices in pursuit of following the Lord. We never know what a great influence we may have upon those around us.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

Pastor Jim

Acts 6:3
“. . . seven men of good reputation . . .”

Scripture does not follow the stories of all seven of these men, but we know that both Stephen and Philip were remarkable men. Stephen carries the honor of being the first martyr of the church. While martyrdom is not something we should aspire to, his testimony is one of a man who refused to shy away from the threats, and boldly declared the Gospel to his community. It seems very likely his life was influential in leading to Paul’s conversion. Philip was used to begin one of the great revivals of church history. It was through his life, the people of Samaria heard the Gospel and were saved. Later we read, he raised four daughters who followed and served the Lord.

Acts 6 records for us what these men were like. We are told they were men of good reputation, filled with the Holy Spirit, wisdom and faith. The text also alludes to how they became these men. We are told, the apostles gave themselves continually to the Word of God and prayer. Something happens to us when we get plugged into a healthy church, where the Bible is being taught. As the weeks pass, we begin to develop a desire for more of the Lord, and ultimately to serve the Lord. After one of the outreach events that our church was involved in, one of my kids made the observation that it was so cool to see people come to the church, get fed the Word, and over time start serving. He said it was almost as though they could not help it.

Make sure you get plugged into a healthy church! The more time you invest in your relationship with Jesus, the more you will become a person whose life impacts those around you, for the kingdom of God.

Pastor Jim

Old Testament:
Joshua 1- Secret To Success
Joshua 2- Story Of Redemption