One of the fascinating aspects of the book of Acts is how we see people introduced and growing in both grace and responsibilities. Some of these people are sketched in detail (we learn a lot about Stephen in the opening chapters before his death, for example); others are referred to very briefly and we know little about them.

In Acts 16:1-5, we are introduced to Timothy, presumably one of the converts from Paul and Barnabas’ first missionary journey, a man later described by Paul as ‘my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord.’ (1 Cor 4:17) He clearly became an important person in Paul’s life, described as a brother, co-worker and ‘true son in the Lord’ in various letters (1 Thess 3:2, Rom 16:21, 1 Tim 1:2), and two letters (1 & 2 Timothy, part of the ‘Pastoral Epistles’) were written by Paul to him, giving us valuable insights into the duties and responsibilities of church leaders and further showing us Paul’s relationship with this younger man.

Timothy was the son of a Jewish woman (Eunice) and a Greek man, and the grandson of Lois (2 Tim 1:5). It seems that he, his mother and grandmother were converted during Paul’s first journey to Lystra, and Timothy’s reputation was such that believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. (Acts 16:2) Paul wanted to take him with them on his missionary endeavours, but because of his anomalous position (being the son of a mixed marriage and uncircumcised), Paul decided to circumcise him.

We may feel this was an odd and inconsistent decision, given that Paul was busy contending for the fact that Gentiles did not need to be circumcised! However, it’s clear that here, Paul was treating Timothy as a Jew and wanting to remove any stigma from him which might damage his reputation in the eyes of other Jewish believers. There is no indication that circumcision was being done in order to seal Timothy’s salvation; rather, this was a pragmatic decision which reflects Paul’s desire to be ‘all things to all men.’ (1 Cor 9:20-23). John Stott comments, ‘what was unnecessary for acceptance with God was advisable for acceptance by some human beings,’ a sad reflection that sometimes people are harder to please than God! Tom Wright comments, ‘We might wish life were neater and less complicated, but the complexities are part of God’s world and God’s work and demonstrate that we cannot adopt a one-size-fits-all solution to life itself.’ It’s certainly true that we need to look at individual situations individually, which Paul definitely did.

Much of what we know about Timothy comes from Paul’s comments in his two letters to him. It seems that this man was commissioned before he left (the elders laid hands on him – see also 1 Tim 4:14, 2 Tim 1:6), and Paul reminds him of this in later years, urging him to remember the prophecies made about him and to hold on to his faith and good conscience in the face of opposition. (1 Tim 1:19) He encourages him not to let anyone despise him because of his youth, but to persevere in right living: ‘set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.’ (1 Tim 4:12) This charge to Timothy is the charge set before each one of us.

Paul’s second missionary journey started because he wanted to re-visit the towns where he had preached the word of the Lord and see how the new believers were doing. (Acts 15:36) In that sense, he was not simply a pioneer or evangelist; he also cared about the ongoing spiritual growth of the people in the churches that he planted.

Growth is a major theme of the New Testament. Peter urges to ‘like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.’ (1 Pet 2:2) Having had a son who detested milk and who stopped feeding at a very young age, causing me great anxiety and distress, I used to view this verse with some incomprehension. Both my granddaughters, however, have loved milk, and so finally I have seen what this verse means! – their delight in feeding, their contented guzzling and excitement when fed by their mother, has shown me how we should be as we seek God for the nourishment He can give us.

Paul uses the analogy of seeds growing on many occasions to remind us that growth is the natural progression for believers. (1 Cor 3:6-7) He talks of the body growing and building itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Eph 4:16) To the Colossians, he wrote that the ‘whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.’ (Col 2:19) From this, we see that growth is what happens naturally as we allow God’s Spirit to dwell in us and work in us.

At this time of separation and isolation, it’s more important than ever to ask, as Paul did, ‘How are you doing?’ Spiritual growth needs to be maintained, and this happens through our personal walk with God (developed through prayer, reading God’s Word, fellowship and witness) and through our collective gathering. We can’t gather together yet properly, but we can still maintain contact through texts, phone calls, letters and other means. Don’t forget others at this time; seek to keep in touch and to ask about spiritual growth, not just physical wellbeing, for as Paul and Timothy demonstrate, a relationship which cares about spiritual growth is a precious thing indeed.

We have taken the opportunity while the building is closed to have some decorating done. Local firm DW Painter has decorated the worship room and foyer and returned this week to paint the three toilets, corridor and vestry (which was affected by a leak from a dislodged roof tile in the heavy rains earlier in June.) Here are some photos from the past four days:

Tackling the vestry, where the walls were wet from the leak:

Starting work on the corridor:

The finished corridor:

Clean toilets again!

The vestry and stairs leading to the children’s room:

We will continue to clean, tidy and prepare for services to re-start on Sunday 5th July and hope to have more information about this shortly!

Every Christian is called to live like Jesus did – a daunting thought in many ways, but once which becomes possible as we dwell in Him. (John 15:1-7) When we look at Jesus, we see humility and obedience, and these are key qualities to be seen in our lives too.

Humility is a much misunderstood and under-rated virtue. So often, we equate humility with being trodden on, with being humiliated, with being walked over. We feel that if we are humble, we will miss out on so many things; the world today prizes assertiveness and ambition more than humility. Humility means we understand God is the master; we are His servants: ‘A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master,’ Jesus said. (Matt 10:24) Jesus demonstrated humility in not condemning those who sinned (see John 8:1-11), in washing his disciples’ feet, even though he was the teacher. (John 13:1-17) He did this not to earn His Father’s love or to win the approval of others, but because He was secure in His identity as God’s beloved Son. When we are not sure of God’s love for us, when we doubt His goodness and plans for us, when are not convinced that He is working for our good in every situation, then we tend to become more concerned about looking after our own interests than caring for others. It’s only when we are truly sure of who we are in Christ that we can afford to care for others, that we are not motivated by selfish ambition or vain conceit.

Selfish ambition refers to the kind of electioneering or party-political intrigues we associate with governments, where people jostle for position and don’t care who they trample on in their journey upwards towards power (a bit like Francis Underwood in ‘House of Cards’.) ‘Vain conceit’ carries with it the idea that we are proud of our own achievements and also merciless in finding out other people’s faults; we view our sins leniently and other people’s without mercy. Neither is needed if we are secure in our identity as Jesus was.

Obedience is also key to living like Jesus. He said, ‘the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.’ (John 5:19) As we learn to lay down our own agendas and plans, we can learn obedience as Jesus did (Heb 5:8). Just as Jesus was exalted because He was prepared to be humble and obedience, this principle applies to all His followers too: ‘For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’ (Matt 23:12)

This evening, we continued our journey through Philippians, looking at Phil 2:1-11. These very famous verses which show us Christ’s humility and exaltation are the model for how we should act in our relationships with others; Paul urges us to ‘have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.’ (Phil 2:5) As so often, Paul doesn’t just show us how to live; he shows us how Jesus lived and gives us not just abstract theory about discipleship but a living model. All of us learn best by copying what we see, as my younger granddaughter has demonstrated on walks by rivers – she too now spends her time picking up pebbles and throwing them into the water like her elder sister!

 Jesus, although pre-existent as the Word of God, put on human flesh and did not count equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage. (Phil 2:6) He lived out the servant life so that we could see how we should serve others (see John 13:1-17, Matt 20:26-28). In Him, we see the divine order: descent before ascent, suffering before glory. J. D. Walt says, ‘I like to draw this great reversal out in simple symbols. \/ > /\. Descent precedes Ascent. Humility precedes lifting. Death precedes resurrection. Love precedes glory. Or as I like to say, “Down is the new up!”’

This challenges our way of thinking, the world’s way of doing things, and introduces us to God’s topsy-turvy kingdom. Paul always connects belief to behaviour, theology to actions. Our relationships have to be without selfish ambition and vain conceit, motivated by humility and a genuine concern for and interest in others, valuing them above ourselves. This isn’t possible in our own strength, but since we have the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16) and God’s Spirit living within us (1 Cor 6:19), it becomes possible through the power of God!

Today in the UK it is Fathers’ Day. Mothers’ Day saw our first online church meetings (22nd March), and here we are, 14 weeks later, still meeting online. Fathers’ Day is the celebration of our earthly fathers, an ‘exclusive day for Dads’, but this is not always easy to celebrate, particularly if distances are involved or relationships with fathers are tense or if our father has died. But the good news is that today – and every day – is also Father’s Day – a day when we can celebrate our heavenly Father, an inclusive event for all of us, no matter who we are or where we are.

Stephen spoke this morning from Ps 23, one of the best-loved psalms in the Bible. There, God is described as a shepherd, who leads us and guides us and provides for us. He is the One who makes us lie down in green pastures, letting us rest, giving us His peace. He leads us beside still waters, calming us when we feel overwhelmed by live, enabling us to know both rest and peace. He refreshes our soul, giving us ‘zing’ for life rather like the sweet ‘Refreshers’ used to do!

God’s refreshment brings us completeness, wholeness and restoration. He leads us on right paths as our mentor and guide (rather like our SatNav for life!) We can walk in His paths for His name’s sake, and even though we may go through very difficult times (described as the ‘darkest valley’), He is always with us. We may think of the baby bird looking out from the nest and feeling afraid at being so high up; learning to fly must seem a very daunting task at first! But ultimately, reassured by its parents, it learns to fly, and we too can know the comfort and help of God in every situation.

God is with us no matter what our situations. Even when we are with enemies, God’s love is there to help us through. Our cup overflows, demonstrating the abundance of life found in God. We can be sure that this relationship lasts forever, not just for one day a year, and therefore we can be encouraged.