“선한 일을 위하여 지으심을 받은 자니”(엡 2:10)

Mission Sunday
My Fellow Worker Timothy
Romans 16:21-23

It seems that Paul had a very close relationship with Timothy, and there are several names used to refer to him. The first is found in 1 Timothy 1:1-2, where he is called "my true son in the faith." Timothy is presumed to have received salvation through hearing the gospel during Paul's missionary journeys. Each of us should have someone who has brought us the gospel and contributed to our spiritual birth.

The second name for Timothy is found in 2 Corinthians 1:1, where he is referred to as "brother Timothy." This suggests that Timothy had grown to the point where he could be called a brother in the Lord, moving beyond the mentor-mentee relationship. Mentoring involves a more knowledgeable or experienced person guiding and teaching someone less experienced. Today, the concept of coaching is more commonly used. Coaching involves helping and supporting someone alongside you, regardless of the level of experience or knowledge. It seems that Paul was already coaching Timothy in this manner.

The third reference is from today’s scripture passage, where Paul calls Timothy "my fellow worker." Timothy had grown from being a son to a brother and finally to a fellow worker. In our One Hope Community Church, we hope that all of us will grow in this way. 

Today, I want to share the wisdom of the relationship implied by this term "fellow worker."

In immigrant communities, relationships can be very challenging. We know well that to succeed, we need "compassion." However, it is not always easy, and problems often arise. The issue is not with love itself. The problem lies in that love given by our own power tends to be selfish and conditional, and it encounters limits and is not eternal. Thus, love also must be balanced with a sense of "mission." When we love, we look at each other, but when we have a sense of mission, we look together at the goals given by God. Balance between these two is necessary.

When love becomes difficult, the sense of mission should pull us through, and when the passion for the mission overflows and storms arise, love should calm those storms. We need to adjust course with the guidance of the Holy Spirit and pull with the cord of love. A faith community needs this kind of balance.  Love and mission must always go hand in hand.

1.Love and mission must go together.

Sharing Question:

1. What touched you from the testimonies of summer mission you heard today?

2.Share your experience in the past where you experienced the tension between love and mission and how you found the balance.

Application:

1.In what areas do I need the "cord of love" or the "cord of mission" to bring the two into balance?