SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSONS
Commentary by Walter
Albritton
Acts 16:1-5;
Key Verse: Ye Know the proof of him, that, as a son
with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel. – Philippians 2:22
Two men played powerful roles in
the spread of early Christianity. One was Paul, the great Apostle. The other
was his helper, a young man named Timothy. It is safe to say that Paul’s
marvelous work could not have been achieved without the loving support of
Timothy, whom Paul called his “son in the faith.”
The scriptures reveal the love,
respect, and tender regard Paul had for his valued helper. Paul trusted the
care of young churches to Timothy. He was confident that Timothy could teach
new converts sound doctrine. Paul praised Timothy for his faith, and commended
Timothy to the churches he was sent to assist. Paul wept at times when he and
Timothy parted, and his beloved helper was constantly in Paul’s prayers.
Large churches frequently have
associate pastors who assist senior pastors in their ministry. Sometimes there
can be conflict between the senior pastor and his associates. A young associate may feel that his gifts are overlooked or
that he is assigned only the work that the senior pastor does not want to do.
During the final years of my
pastoral ministry, I had the good fortune of working with an associate who was
to me, in many ways, what Timothy was to Paul. While I had nothing to do with
Earl Ballard’s conversion, he became over the years like a son in the faith to
me.
We disagreed at times, but without
conflict. Realizing that I did not need nor desire a “Yes Man,” Earl often
helped me to amend my own perspectives by sharing his own ideas, sometimes
challenging my thinking. My own
understanding was often enlarged as we discussed issues openly and honestly.
Together we sought the truth that would best benefit the church we served.
What God gave us was much more than
a partnership in ministry. A strong friendship emerged until often we felt that
our hearts were beating as one. We were not competitors; we were brothers
serving Christ as a team. There was an order. Each of us had a distinct role,
but we realized our common mission could only be accomplished by working
together in harmony, without concern for personal glory.
Our team spirit was enriched with
the coming of a second associate, Jimmy Allen. Jimmy’s gifts complimented our
own, and God forged us into an even stronger team. We minimized the concept of
subordinates, and maximized the concept of servants.
Christ had brought us together to
serve one another, and to serve His people in the church. We believed it. We
practiced it. As a result, the church was blessed by our love and respect for
each other, and we were blessed with a relationship that ultimately we realized
was a gift of God’s grace.
Like Paul, I wept when it was
necessary for me to be parted from serving Christ alongside these two beloved
helpers.
Paul and Timothy worked together as
co-laborers with Christ. They had a beautiful relationship. We can do what they
did, if we are willing. We can accomplish so much more in our churches when we
work together with mutual love and respect for one another, clergy and laity
alike.
The church suffers when conflict
hinders the ministry of God’s servants. The church prospers when men and women
cease struggling for power and glory, and learn to work with harmony as
servants of Jesus Christ.
Let us repent of the conflict, and
let us pray for the gift of harmony in our ministry together. + + +