Timothy Scissor-Hands

Timothy Scissor-Hands

Pastor Ryan Freeman

Payson Christian Church

 8/31/14

Edward Scissor Hands is a modern-day fairy tale of Edward, a young man created by an inventor who died before finishing him and left him with scissors instead of hands. One day when the local Avon representative calls at the historic mansion where he has been living alone, she takes him home to stay with her family. But adapting to the otherworldly suburban life soon becomes a whole new challenge Edward has to try to overcome.


Likewise, Timothy (aka Tim) is a young man Paul is guiding through the surmounting challenge the young pastor is trying to overcome. 


What are your "Scissor-Hands"?

Step one: Be Aware.
Step two: Be Enabled.
Step three: Use Your Muscles.
Step four: Live It. And use your God-given superpowers.

This is not just written to a young pastor named Tim a long time ago. We know he is of mixed decent- so imagine him as half-Arab half American... or half first couple streets of Quincy half nice part of town/good family. Have you ever been apart of two worlds simultaneously? Then Tim is your man...

1 Timothy 4:6-16 (NLT)

⁶ If you explain these things to the brothers and sisters, Timothy, you will be a worthy servant of Christ Jesus, one who is nourished by the message of faith and the good teaching you have followed.  ⁷ Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. ⁸ “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” ⁹ This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. ¹⁰ This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.

¹¹ Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them. ¹² Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. ¹³ Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.
¹⁴ Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. ¹⁵ Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. ¹⁶ Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.


Both Tim 2000 years ago and us in the year 2014 live in a similar world, embattled with endlessly argued meaningless topics. I mean seriously, how many useless arguments and debates can you rattle off the top of your head right now?

Paul apparently says you can train yourself to be Godly? Wait, you can actually do that? How??
This is something I love about Jesus, following him and how the Bible describes this new life... it's not pie in the sky... you don't have to be some mega-saint or a master theologian... God is much more clever a creator than that... anyone can follow after him... in fact, as you follow Him, you will begin to discover this repeating fact over and over again. Once I heard how you can train yourself to be more Godly from an interview with a Christian leader from India:

He was describing how he sees his life like a fight between two dogs...

and the interviewer then asked, well, how do you know which one wins?

and the Indian replied, The one I feed.

Simple.

On the same tone- recently I was having lunch with a friend of mine and I told him I self medicate. He sort of looked up at me all startled... with the 'I didn't know you did drugs' kind of look on his face... I had to explain then. I said when I feel myself starting to be down or withdrawn- or I'm in a tough place or whatever, the first thing I try to do is recognize it. And after I recognize it, I try to purposefully take myself out of that unhelpful environment and get myself around a healthier one. Learn to take care of yourself. It's not just all a physical thing- but on the other hand, "self medication" isn't all timey-whymy, spacey-wacy spiritual junk, either. It's both. When Paul writes on and tells us and Tim about how physical exercise is of some help, I get it- because while We ultimately are a soul, God has immeshed us in our physical body as well, and so we are inter-connected.

God wants you to discover who you are for yourself- and as you learn, day by day, step by step, with intentionality who you are and where you're headed- you become more whole and can become more healthy all in one. You can become better. God has enabled you, through the hope Jesus provides, to do so. Become more aware of your own self. Learn to listen and recognize how God is leading you to grow out of your old ways, like heaps of old dirty clothes- into something brand new you were made for all along. Be excited. Be challenged. The journey God has set before you revolves around your very character and His very heart. Each life is unique, and only you can live it through to completion.

This is important. Paul not only explains this stuff to Tim and us- but then tells us to insist on spreading the word to others. And that, is the true mark of a great teacher who really knows what they are talking about: once learning something, can turn around and effectively teach it to others.
 In the beginning, I asked what you considered was your own "Scissor-Hands"? What do you feel, are aware of, inside yourself which are your drawbacks.

Name it or them. Now you are conscientiously aware of them. Tim's apparently was his youth. In a world which is dominated by insider-favorites and age-entitlement without merit, it must of been tough for Tim, who was trying to hard to lead. And instead of playing all the power-games which often are involved with leadership, Paul is encouraging Tim here to, instead of cowering, or waiting for someone else to solve his problems- to take charge, mount up, and bust in a few doors and take a few names.

Step one: Be aware of your Scissor-Hands, your own drawbacks.

Step two: Be enabled. Realize you can grow. And discover what translates for your own water, good soil and sunlight in your life and plant yourself in them.
    
Step three: Use your muscles. You've got problems... so what? Paulie says get in line, so take a number and quit letting people define you by them. The funny thing about growing is that you often get health and strength as a result. Turn your situations around and begin embracing the new you God has always seen and known of.

Step four: Live it. Be an example- a beacon for others. The originality of your own character, which God has specifically placed in you, is, more often than not, tactically supercharged for right exactly where you are, right exactly now. Other people need you. Be the change you want to see, through the Way Jesus provided in your life.

Addendum to Step four: you've got gifts. Awesome, super, crazy powerful gifts which only you have. And so, only you can pull the triggers to them. Like super powers or magic rings- only you can unleash them. If you aren't sure what they are, start asking God. If you're not sure what to look for, ask people here at your church... sometimes outside eyes can better spot specifics inner eyes overlook.

In closing, Paulie says it best at the end of chapter 4, so I'll say it again:

"Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. ¹⁶ Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you."


Like what you read? Join in with your own insights, stories and art- send them to ryanpfreeman1@aol.com. Thanks and God bless -Ryan