Spectacular Goals Through Ordinary Means

Rom 16:21-24

"Timothy my fellow worker greets you, and so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen. 22 I, Tertius, who write this letter, greet you in the Lord. 23 Gaius, host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer greets you, and Quartus, the brother. 24 [The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.]

A. God used average ordinary people who were faithful to spread the gospel.

a. He was young
• 1 Tim 4:12 – Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.

b. He is timid
• 2 Tim 1:7 – For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.

c. He was sickly
• 1 Tim 5:23 – No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.
• 1 Cor 16:10-11 – Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without cause to be afraid, for he is doing the Lord’s work, as I also am. 11 So let no one despise him. But send him on his way in peace, so that he may come to me; for I expect him with the brethren.

d. But Timothy was faithful
• 1 Cor 4:17 – For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church.
• Phil 2:19-23 – I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 They all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me
• 2 Tim 4:9-11 – Make every effort to come to me soon;10 for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Pick up Markand bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.

B. God used seemingly difficult circumstances to produce great fruit.
1. Jason was from Thessalonica. (Acts 17:2-9)
2. Sopater was from Berea. (Acts 20:4)
3. Gaius and Erastus and Quartus was from Corinth.
• Acts 18:9-10 – And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent; 10 for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city.”
• 1 Cor 2:1-3 –And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling,
• John 20:28-29 – Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”