St. Timothy, Pastor and Confessor, 2023
*This sermon was preached by Bishop (District President) Brian Saunders at St. John Lutheran Church for the Festival of St. Timothy, Pastor and Confessor. St. John Lutheran Church—Center Point hosts a Lutheran Confessions study for pastors and laymen in the district every third Tuesday of the month.
“St. Timothy of Lystra”
Acts 16:1-2
The story of Timothy takes us to a town in Asia Minor by the name of Lystra. It was a small city under the rule of the Romans, who had mastered the world. Here a son was born to a Jewish woman, Eunice, and her Greek husband. The grandmother, whose name was Lois, also lived with this family. The name which was given to the new son was Timothy, meaning “honored of God’.
While Timothy’s father was a pagan Greek his mother and grandmother were pious and faithful women to the Word of God. They taught him the faith of Israel. They instructed him in the Old Testament. Diligently they led him through the glorious history of the Children of Israel and the expectation of the Messiah, who would come from Abraham’s seed to redeem His people. The seed of the Word sank deep into the mind and heart of this earnest child. His father is not mentioned again.
The years passed, and Timothy grew up, as all boys do, and stood at the threshold of manhood. Then something happened which changed things for Eunice, Lois, and Timothy. It was an occurrence which brought still greater peace and joy to their hearts. Paul, the fearless Apostle of Jesus Christ, and Barnabas, his fellow worker, came to Lystra. It was a time of great excitement in the city. These men preached that the eagerly awaited Messiah, promised in the Old Testament Scriptures, the one for whom all humble and devout believers longed, had come. This Messiah, crucified in the city of Jerusalem, had risen again from the dead on the third day, and in every detail had fulfilled all the prophecies which the Prophets of old had recorded by divine inspiration. They taught that whoever believed in Jesus Christ, the Messiah, would receive everlasting life.
The excitement was heightened by the performance of a great miracle. By the power of Christ, Paul had healed a man who was lame from his birth. The heathen populace of Lystra had never seen such a wonder performed. They considered Paul and Barnabas as gods with supernatural power come to earth. In their fanatic heathen zeal, they desired to offer sacrifices to them according to their customs. Paul could scarcely keep them from their purpose. He explained to them that he and Barnabas were men such as they were and that they were but messengers of the true God and of His Son Jesus.
In a short time, the enthusiasm of these fickle heathen for the Apostles was turned to enmity against them. Certain Jews who were enemies of Paul and his message of the Savior came from other parts of the country to Lystra. They had begun dogging the footsteps of the Apostles and had rendered hostile opposition. Now they incited a mob against the Apostles, and Paul was stoned and dragged out of the city as dead. God’s hand sustained Paul, and his life was spared. Covered with wounds, he returned to the city that night and left the next day to preach the message of Jesus elsewhere.
One of the results of Paul’s work in Lystra was that Lois, Eunice, and Timothy saw and heard all these events. No doubt they marveled at the miracle which the Lord had performed through Paul when the lame man was healed. They noted the courage, joyfulness, and willingness with which the Apostles suffered for Jesus. Being well versed in the Old Testament, they compared the preaching of Paul with the utterances of the Prophet’s and saw how the birth, life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus agreed perfectly with the prophecies of old time. And the Holy Spirit opened their eyes to behold wondrous things, their ears to hear the joyful tidings and salvation and life, and their hearts to believe it all confidently. With the other believers in Lystra they formed a church.
Sometime after Timothy’s conversion to the Faith, Paul came again to Lystra on his second missionary journey. Silas accompanied him on this trip. Paul recognized readily that Timothy, with his pious and obedient heart, would be a valuable helper in his missionary work. Timothy would submit to further theological training under Paul. Eventually he would be examined by the Brothers and found fit for service in the Church. The hands of the clergy were laid upon him and he was ordained into the Pastoral Office of the Holy Ministry.
This was quite remarkable given what Timothy knew about the ministry he was being Called into. Remember earlier he observed the actions of the fickle mob who first wanted to worship Paul as a Greek god and then with equal zeal stone him with hatred. The Jews would follow the preaching of Christ and make every effort to thwart it, even by murder if necessary. The future as a Pastor in the Holy Kingdom would mean hardships, loneliness, persecutions, exhausting journeys, and other difficulties. A life at home would mean comforts in the mother’s home, her love and affection, the development of a lucrative trade or business, and family of his own with comparative security.
The Call of the Lord for the sake of preaching the Gospel was the better vocation for him. Not only was he a pastor in the Church at Lystra, but later Paul also made him Bishop over all of Galatia. Timothy and Titus are the closest biblical example we have of our office of district president today.
Timothy continued faithfully in the finest work on earth, of leading souls to the Savior and lifting them above the sordid and wicked to the peace and rest which only Jesus can give. Before Paul died, he wrote two letters to Timothy, which are still the comfort and Christians and guidebooks of truly Christian pastor. Each Lord’s Day thousands gather under the care of the Timothy God has Called and Ordained to tend their souls with the forgiveness of sins. As a result, millions are singing the glorious song of the redeemed before the Savior’s throne in heaven. Because they hear the same Word and receive the same Sacrament as Timothy, they are eternally together in the Church Triumphant. In this Office you are Called and Ordained. What matter is it if there are trials and difficulties along the way, the hardships and privations that attend fidelity to the Word of God for the sake of those who might even not appreciate it? We go forth in the courage of young Timothy, the courage and encouragement of the Holy Spirit who has made you overseers of God flock. Amen.
Rev. Dr. Brian Saunders
