Within the two letters of the Apostle Paul to Timothy, there is a relationship of the type that has been the focus of this weekend. It is the expression of a perfecting and intense and intimate relationship in Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit is seeking to establish Men of God in the church, sharing such an intimate heart, the heart of the Lord. We are truly not looking at a one to one friendship. We are to be actively part of a triune connection, a relationship that is to be established by the Lord within us, as men of God. 
That is what we have desired as we dealt with communication, with friendship, and with intimacy. These are all aspects of a true, lasting, spiritually sound and growing rapport. This can only be developed as we mirror the bond that we have with the Lord. Let us look to the relationship that the Lord developed between Paul, Timothy, and Himself, and how it affected both of their lives before the Lord. The aspects of yesterday’s considerations will be in evidence in this relationship, most especially in their spiritual connection together. There will be a couple of rather long quotes, because some of the historical aspects of Paul and Timothy, though fully based in scripture, still need to be considered in historical context. Scholars have spent countless hours, years actually, studying and researching, so we will make use of some of the expert knowledge, with the scriptures as our validation. 
	Many of us have some awareness of the story of the Apostle Paul. His Hebrew name was Saul and he was persecuting the Christians. He was a very devout Jew and felt that he was doing God’s work by trying to eradicate the name of Jesus of Nazareth. He gave his consent to the stoning of Stephen. On the road to Damascus, with orders to arrest the Christians there, he met the Lord, face-to-face. He was blinded for number of days and was finally given back his sight by the Lord, along with a heart that sought, for the rest of his life, to bring the gospel of the good news of the risen Lord Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. That was the purpose for which he had been chosen by God. He made a number of missionary journeys throughout the known world of the Roman Empire, establishing churches and proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and was ultimately martyred for his beliefs. 
	On one of his missionary journeys, Timothy and his mother, Eunice, and grandmother, Lois, were converted by Paul’s ministry. Timothy’s mother was a Jewess and his father was a Greek. We do not know if his father died early on or just left, since there is nothing more recorded about him. Timothy was raised by his mother and grandmother in the strictest teachings of the scripture. They were very devout women who loved the Lord. As Paul writes in 2 Tim 1:5, For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well. His grandmother and mother kept Timothy schooled in the scriptures. Timothy developed into a very learned young man, according to the Septuagint as to know the Holy Scriptures daily. That might be one of the reasons that Paul, on his next journey through Lystra, took such an interest in him. Together, they could discuss the scriptures on an educated and heart-felt basis that Paul, as a scriptural scholar, could not find very often. 
‎	Timothy, having been raised by his mother and grandmother, would have lacked the male influence of maturity in his early life. This would become the basis for much of the Apostle Paul’s admonitions and encouragements to Timothy in the two letters written to him from that Roman prison. McClintock and Strong describe it in the following quote. I have inserted the actual scriptures as well as some more common language, so it will be a rather lengthy one. 
Quote … a character thus fashioned should retain throughout something of a feminine piety. (devoutness) 
A constitution far from robust (little strength of health) - 1 Tim 5:23, No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments, 
a morbid shrinking from opposition and responsibility (very strongly trying to avoid of disagreement and accountability) - 1 Tim 4:12-16, Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed upon you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress may be evident to all. Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things; for as you do this you will insure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you. 
1 Tim 5:20+21, Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also may be fearful of sinning. I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, 
to maintain these principles without bias (prejudice), doing nothing in a spirit of partiality (favoritism). - 1 Tim 6:11-14, But flee from these things, you man of God; and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
2 Tim 2:1-7, You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. And also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules. The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything, 
a sensitiveness even to tears - 2 Tim 1:4, longing to see you, even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy, 
a tendency to an ascetic rigor which he had not strength to bear (abstinent or frugal strictness of life that was difficult on his health)- 1 Tim 5:23, No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments, 
united, as it often is, with a temperament (nature) exposed to some risk from "youthful lusts" -2 Tim 2:22, Now flee from youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart, 
and the softer emotions - 1 Tim 5:1+2, Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers, the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity, 
these we may well think of as characterizing the youth as they afterwards characterized the man. End of quote (from McClintock and Strong Encyclopedia, Electronic Database. Copyright © 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)
In dealing with Timothy as a father would his son, in supplying that male influence that was and very much still is needed for a complete maturity, Paul even refers to Timothy, in 1 Tim. 1:2, as my true child in the faith… Throughout these two letters, Paul considers Timothy in terms as a true father would his beloved son. 1 Tim 1:18, Timothy, my son, 1 Tim 6:20, O Timothy, 2 Tim 1:4, Timothy, my beloved son: I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day, longing to see you, even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy. 2 Tim 2:1, You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 Tim 3:14, You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them; and urging him, in verses 9 and 21 to Make every effort to come to me soon; and Make every effort to come before winter. 
	There was something about Timothy that struck the heart of the Apostle Paul. Even his name, Timothy, meant honoring God. Before they met again, on Paul’s return, young Timothy had earned the respect of the brethren by becoming a trusted messenger between the churches. Paul took Timothy with him as his aide and helper from that journey onward. One of the things that Paul did was to circumcise Timothy, so that he would be acceptable to the Jews and for the sake of Timothy’s safety. After all, Paul continually presented the gospel to the Jews first and then to the Gentiles. If Timothy had not been circumcised, it would have presented a similar situation as is later recorded in Acts 21:27+28 And when the seven days were almost over, the Jews from Asia, upon seeing him in the temple, began to stir up all the multitude and laid hands on him, crying out, "Men of Israel, come to our aid! This is the man who preaches to all men everywhere against our people, and the Law, and this place; and besides he has even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place." 
Another aspect of Paul’s tutelage over Timothy’s development, as a man of God, was evidenced in the manner in which the Lord worked to ordain Timothy for the ministry. The members of the church with the deepest insight into character and spoke with a prophetic utterance considered Timothy as called into the ministry. As is recounted by Paul in 1 Tim 4:14, Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed upon you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. 
2 Tim 1:5+6, For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well. And for this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 
And 2 Tim 4:5, But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
	Timothy spent the rest of Paul’s lifetime in assistance to his spiritual father in their mutual service to the Lord. They shared many trials and tribulations and triumphs, much heartache and joy, much opposition and hardship, as well as tremendous victories of the power of Christ on their journeys. Timothy was even imprisoned with Paul, as the majority of Biblical scholars consider, during Paul’s first Roman imprisonment. 
Paul trusted Timothy’s love of the Lord, and would send Timothy ahead on the journey to prepare the churches for the teaching of Christ. He would use Timothy to deliver messages and counted on Timothy to bring back honest reports of the churches and their activities. He would send Timothy to settle strife and disputes and to stem false teaching from taking root within the churches. One example of this trust of Paul in Timothy is recorded in Phil 2:19-22, But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. But you know of his proven worth that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father. 
	Eventually, Paul sent Timothy to Ephesus to oversee the development of that church. There had been various reports of false teachers infiltrating the faithful, and Paul wanted a reliable servant of God to be there to stand firmly embedded in the Lord. Paul’s’ letters to Timothy, are filled with admonition and recognition of the people and the elements and teachings that would be confronting Timothy. According to McClintock and Strong, Paul had a great number of serious concerns that he wanted Timothy to understand and to handle. Again, this is another elongated quote as I have included the scriptures and more common wording. 
Quote The position in which he found himself might well make him anxious. He had to rule presbyters (church officials), most of whom were older than himself - 1 Tim 4:12, Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe, 
to assign to each a stipend (pay) in proportion to his work - 1 Tim 5:17, Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching, 
to receive and decide on charges that might be brought against them - 1 Tim 1:19+20, keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith. Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have delivered over to Satan, so that they may be taught not to blaspheme, 
to regulate the almsgiving (collection of money) and the sisterhoods of, the Church - 1 Tim 2:3-10, this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony borne at the proper time. And for this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension. Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments; but rather by means of good works, as befits women making a claim to godliness, 
to ordain presbyters and deacons (church officials)- 1 Tim 3:1-13, It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, uncontentious, free from the love of money. He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?); and not a new convert, lest he become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he may not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. 
There was the risk of being entangled in the disputes, prejudices, covetousness, sensuality, of a great city. There was the risk of injuring health and strength by an overstrained asceticism (harshness of living) - 1 Tim 4:4, For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with gratitude; 
And, once again, 1 Tim 5:23, No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments. 
Leaders of rival sects were there Hymenaeus, Philetus, Alexander-to oppose and thwart him - 1 Tim 1:20, Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have delivered over to Satan, so that they may be taught not to blaspheme. 
2 Tim 2:16-18, But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and thus they upset the faith of some. 
And 2 Tim 4:14+15, Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Be on guard against him yourself, for he vigorously opposed our teaching. 
The name of his beloved teacher was no longer honored as it had been; the strong affection of former days had vanished and "Paul the aged" had become unpopular, the object of suspicion and dislike 2 Tim 1:15, You are aware of the fact that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. 
Only in the narrowed circle of the faithful few-Aquila, Priscilla, Mark, and others-who were still with him was he likely to find sympathy or support - 2 Tim 4:19, Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 
We cannot wonder that the apostle, knowing these trials, and, with his marvelous power of bearing another's burdens, making them his own, should be full of anxiety and fear for his disciple's steadfastness; that admonitions, appeals, warnings, should follow each other in rapid and vehement (passionate) succession - 1 Tim 1:18+19, This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith. 
1 Tim 3:14+15, I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; but in case I am delayed, I write so that you may know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth. 
1 Tim 4:14-16, Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed upon you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress may be evident to all. Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things; for as you do this you will insure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you. 
1 Tim 5:21, I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality. 
1 Tim 6:11, But flee from these things, you man of God; and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. End of Quote (from McClintock and Strong Encyclopedia, Electronic Database. Copyright © 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)
	Timothy was urged, by the very last recorded words of the Apostle Paul, to come quickly to Rome. Paul recognized that his time was coming to a swift completion, and he wanted to see Timothy before he was beheaded. The entire 2nd letter contains that communication of one spiritual heart to another. Within it, there is a tremendously deep relationship that is based on mutual intimacy with God and with each other. 2 Tim 1:12-14, For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day. Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.
2 Tim 2:8-10, Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned. For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.
2 Tim 3:14+15, You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them; and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 
2 Tim 4:1+2, I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. 
2 Tim 4:5-9, But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. Make every effort to come to me soon; 
And 2 Tim 4:18, The Lord will deliver me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 
	We do not know if Timothy arrived in Rome in time to be with Paul before his martyrdom. We would like to believe he did, but that would be mere speculation. We do know, however, that the Word of the Lord Jesus Christ, as taught so fully and faithfully over that 20 year, intimate, spiritually rich relationship did bear fruit in Timothy. After Paul’s death, despite the lack of support he received as Paul’s spiritual son, Timothy became the leader of the church at Ephesus and probably the overseer of all the churches of Asia. He was only around 35 years old, as most historians calculate it, when he was given the responsibility to care for the churches by the Apostle Paul. He served the Lord faithfully and fully until his death at the hands of a mob in Ephesus. It was during the festival of Artemis. Timothy, as head of the church, was standing against the perverse and immoral activities that were taking place. A mob of Artemis’s worshippers formed and beat Timothy to death with clubs, thus making him, as well, a martyr for the sake of the Lord.
	Paul and Timothy shared that most special relationship of friendship and intimacy in the Lord Jesus Christ. In the writings of the Apostle Paul to Timothy, we see every characteristic necessary to communicate the fact that Paul loved the Lord with all his heart. In that love, he adopted Timothy as a spiritual son. As they shared together through all that befell them, the testings and trials only served to strengthen and to solidify their relationship in Jesus Christ. Their relationship had its basis, first in Christ and their shared love for Jesus, and in the Word and their shared love of God’s scripture. They prayed together and they wept together and they rejoiced together and they preached the Gospel together. They worked tirelessly within the churches to bring to the forefront the mystery of Christ in us, the hope of glory. That was their rapport. 
As well, while these two letters were addressed to Timothy, they were not just for Timothy. The Holy Spirit had a very specific reason as He gave these words to the Apostle Paul to write to Timothy. The heart of God is expressed unto His church in these letters. These are the admonitions and encouragements and charges that the Lord put, not only upon Timothy, but upon us, His church. Paul, through to the last letter, was so filled with the Lord’s love for the brethren, that he was enabled to write from his heart to our heart, today. We are to have this true and eternal relationship with each other in the Lord, just as we are to have it as the church with the Lord Jesus Christ, our husband.  He is the only basis, the single firm, solid, faithful, and eternal foundation for our interaction of love and communication and friendship and intimacy with each other. Every aspect of our hearts and beings, as we seek and grow into fellowship with each other in Christ, must be centered soundly, concretely, and unshakably in Christ Jesus our Lord and our Savior to His glory on this earth and in all of creation.    
	Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned. For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory. It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him; If we endure, we shall also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us; If we are faithless, He remains faithful; for He cannot deny Himself. Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless, and leads to the ruin of the hearers. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth. Amen.

	This morning’s benediction is 2 Tim 2, verses 7-10 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel,  for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned. For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory. Amen