Multiply 2021

THE ONE: Paul and Timothy Model

Sunday March 7, 2021 - Pastor Wungreiso Valui

Matthew 4:19

SERIES INTRODUCTION

This sermon series will focus on "The Jesus Model" of making disciples and developing leaders. Jesus transformed Peter into a disciple and a great leader. The calls to "Follow Me" (Matthew 4:19) and to "Feed My sheep" (John 21:17) are integral to this transformation. To lead like Jesus, we must lead with Him.

THE PASSAGE

"But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra-what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." -2 Timothy 3:10-15

THE MESSAGE

Focus on one person at a time to give your highest quality time and obtain the best result in making disciples and developing leaders.

THE PURPOSE: PAUL AND TIMOTHY MODEL

Paul intentionally chose the undeveloped Timothy to travel with Him so that he could form Timothy as a disciple of Jesus and develop him as a leader.

THE CHALLENGE

I believe that the challenge we are facing is not because of lack of conviction, passion, or calling and time. Our challenge is lack of focus and prioritization.

How do we make disciples and develop leaders when everyone is so busy?
According to the Work Life Balance 2020 survey done by RescueTime

1. 40% said they "sometimes feel overwhelmed" by their daily workload.
2. 21% say they "have to work extra to keep up."

PROBLEM

1. Multitasking And Productivity: It's ironic that we get more done when we slow down. Multi-tasking is a myth. We don't actually multitask, we switch tasks.
2. Context switching-even just quickly checking email-can kill up to 80% of your productive time a day.
3. Yet still, 72% of people say they keep their communication apps open all day long.

850+ Knowledge Workers Survey Results (RescueTime.com)

1. 5% said they finish their task daily.
2. 35% said they finish their tasks most days.
3. 35% said they finish their tasks sometimes.
4. 25% said they finish their tasks rarely.
   
   
5. A Step Backward Long before the COVID-19 92% said they regularly work in the evenings and weekends. People now are putting in more hours than ever, working earlier and later in the day, and letting work into their weekends.
6. Communication Overload Emails and chats are controlling our days. In the Work Life Balance survey done by RescueTime
7. 34% of people check their email as soon as they wake up.
8. 47% do so within the first 30 minutes of work.
9. Fewer than 10% of people said they wait an hour or longer before checking. (https://rescuetime.wpengine.com/work-life-balance-survey-2020-2/)

THE SOLUTION

Focus on one person at a time to give your highest quality time and obtain the best result. Paul intentionally chose and focused on Timothy.

Paul focused on one thing:

1. His one ambition was to preach the gospel. (Romans 15:20)
2. He deliberately and purposefully picked Timothy as his successor. (2 Timothy 1:8)

When was the last time you gave 100% of your attention to one thing or one person?

THREE ASPECTS OF MAKING DISCIPLES AND DEVELOPING LEADERS

• 1. Sacrificing
• 2. Modeling
• 3. Persevering

Focusing On One Requires Sacrifice. It Can Be Painful-But It's Worth It.

1. For Timothy it was literally a painful process. Paul took Timothy and circumcised him. (Acts 16:3)
2. Jesus made this point in the parable of the lost sheep. Did the shepherd not leave the ninety-nine to seek the lost sheep? (Matthew 18:12)

Modeling a lifestyle that is shaped by the gospel.

Timothy was to remain loyal to Paul's example, which modeled the Gospel ministry. (2 Timothy 3:10-13)

The 9 Examples

• 1. My Teaching: The Gospel convicted teaching
• 2. My Conduct: Come and see (Jesus). You know from watching me what kind of a person I am.
• 3. My Aim in Life: To preach the gospel (his ambition)
• 4. My Faith: Faithfully living the truth, not the saving faith
• 5. My Patience: The fruit of the Holy Spirit
• 6. My Love: Unconditional, sacrificial love (1 Corinthian 13 love)
• 7. My Steadfastness: Honoring God is trials and afflictions
• 8. My Persecution: Hated for the Gospel (If they persecute me, they will persecute you.)
• 9. My Suffering: Part of Christ's school of discipleship

Persevering in the Scriptures to be equipped for every good work.

Timothy was to remain grounded in the Scriptures to continue in the gospel ministry. (2 Timothy 3:14-15)

HOW TO FOCUS AND PRIORITIZE

Assess The Urgency: What Comes First

Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. (Matthew 6:33)
We cannot serve two masters. You will either hate the one and love the other. (Matthew 6:24)

Create Distraction-Free Focused Time

Start with as little as 5 minutes of distraction-free and single-tasking focused time a day.

Focus On One Person At A Time

Focusing on one person at a time helps us to dive deeper into a better relationship with the person. Focusing on one person will create more attentional space.

Start Small

Consider praying 5 minutes at first for your one person once a week.
Set an increment of time and days.

Have A Specific Plans

You are 2 to 3 times more likely to follow through with a habit if you make a specific plan for when, where, and how you are going to implement it. (Journal of Consumer Research)

Practice Your Plan

Success is sequential.
In their book "The One Thing" management experts Gary Keller and Jay Papasan point out, "Success is built sequentially. It's one thing at a time."