1. Acts 16:1-5 A Person Fit for the Vision
How our Faithfulness and Character Prepare Us for a Personal Vision for Ministry

2. If you choose to be faithful you will have an incredible impact on the Kingdom

3. A “person with potential” is simply a person admired for their giftedness.
A “person of faithfulness” is a person who is valued for their proven devotion.

4. But who was Timothy prior to being entrusted with this work
But who was Timothy prior to being entrusted with this work? Who was he before he was able to undertake the vision?

5. The Perspective that Informed the Work - Acts 14
I. His Sensibility:
The Perspective that Informed the Work - Acts 14
Acts 14:5 (Paul and Barnabas are in Iconium) And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them,
6 They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:
7 And there they preached the gospel.
8 And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:
9 The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,

6. 10 Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet
10 Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.
11 And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.
12 And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.
13 Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.
14 Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,
15 And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:

7. 18 And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.
19 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.
20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,
22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

8. Question #1 Is sacrifice foundational to your personal walk?
Timothy’s first impressions of Christianity established the concept that it was a faith worth suffering for.

9. A Person of Righteous Reputation
II. His Standing:
A Person of Righteous Reputation
16:1 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: 2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.

10. Question #2 Do people witness an exceptional level of virtue and devotion in you?
Timothy didn’t have mere ministry potential, Timothy had a testimony of ministry movement

11. A Person with Confidence in the Call
III. His Submission:
A Person with Confidence in the Call
3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him;
Key Point: If we are confident in the calling we will not be indecisive or distracted by worldly reasoning

12. Timothy was naturally timid… but it wasn’t an excuse.
1 Corithians 16:10 Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do.

13. Question #3 Would you say “yes” to anything God asked of you?
Timothy did not flinch at the prospect of being asked to commit at a higher level.

14. A Person Without Regard for Self
IV. His Sacrifice:
A Person Without Regard for Self
3...and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.
Key Point: Our mission requires a willingness to suffer, not for the sake of suffering, but for the sake of the propagation of the gospel.

15. Question #4 Are you willing to endure anything for the sake of the call?
Timothy was willing to give up anything that would profit the work of the Great Commission.

16. A Person Devoted to Evangelical Ministry
V. His Service:
A Person Devoted to Evangelical Ministry
4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. 5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
Key Point: IF you are not a person of the book then you are NOT an inspired and consistent evangelical force.

17. Question #5 Are you a willful witness?
Timothy knew what the true work was and proved his willingness to evangelize and disciple.

18. Conclusion:
2 Tim 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.