That You Might Be Saved
It seems best in the Holy Spirit to offer some small testimony from the humble in the land. It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: (Acts 15:28)
With the humble being crushed by the whim of the mob and governments around the world this is precisely why these quotes are anonymous.
There is no desire here to compile an on-going list of testimony by others, but they are mentioned so that those few who are being drawn by God to a holy life might better see God’s Truths. As John wrote so this post is created: Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone–and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true. (3 John 1:12)
Not that I accept human testimony;
but I mention it that you may be saved.
(John 5:34)
Some positive human testimony about Timothy Williams are below but the reader is directed in gentleness to live the full message and seek God’s testimony. Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you–unless, of course, you fail the test? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. (2 Corinthians 13:5-6)
Crime Upon Crime
As with any disciple being taught and led by Jesus there are good and bad reports.
Research Jesus and you will find strong opinions, both good and bad reports concerning God’s Son. It can be no less a situation for those being made into the image of Jesus.
Those walking in the New Creation of Jesus will be slandered, excluded and reviled to one degree or another, but none are exempt. Especially since it takes time for God to mold us into the image of His Son and those who do not want to repent, those who are stubborn and those who fall away are extremely quick to point out every fault, failure and struggle that has not been overcome yet.
This is why the Psalmist prayed as God inspired that these vile sinners who gossip callously about those God is discipling and maturing be, and I quote God here, blotted out of the book of life and not listed with the righteous.”
It is interesting to note that God will charge those who persecute, and very often prosecute with crime upon crime.
For they persecute those you wound and talk about the pain of those you hurt.
Charge them with crime upon crime; do not let them share in your salvation.
May they be blotted out of the book of life and not be listed with the righteous. (Psalm 69:26-28)
Good Report vs Bad Report
If one were to number the good verses bad, there would be far more bad reports as far fewer individuals desire to repent. It is never wise to look at the number of individuals, the crowd or the mob for the answer as to who is correct. When it comes to the saints of God and their righteous deeds there is never two sides to the story.
I certainly am not qualified to claim all the things that Paul was but God has been able to work a small measure of His grace in my surrendered life. Fact is even if I could start today to experience all Paul was I would never be able to catch up and be equal to Paul on any level. Though my name is Timothy I would never be worthy enough to be called his friend and fellow worker Timothy.
However, I am not without manifestations of God grace. If I were to speak of them, God as my witness I would not be boasting as I feel my weakness all too keenly because of the Holy Spirit’s conviction.
That said please pay attention for your sake. I am not a flimsy fool and none should approach me with such an attitude. I can, I will and I have a long track record of being what God’s powerful grace wills and works toward others concerning what they need. It really is up to you what I will need to be in Jesus by God’s powerful grace: What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit? (1 Corinthians 4:21)
As I am a servant of the Living God take note as you approach:
Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way…
endurance
hardships
distresses
hard work
sleepless nights
purity
understanding
patience
kindness
in the Holy Spirit
sincere love
truthful speech
in the power of God
weapons of righteousness in the right and left hand
glory and dishonor
bad report and good report
genuine, yet regarded as imposters
known, yet regarded as unknown
dying, yet we live on
sorrowful, yet always rejoicing
making many rich though of humble means…
Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. (2 Corinthians 6:4-11)
Now, perhaps it is your turn to open wide your heart.
We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. As a fair exchange–I speak as to my children–open wide your hearts also. (2 Corinthians 6:11-13)
Either way, the Lord bless and keep you.
Human Testimony About Timothy Williams
There is so much more that could be stated before God, but I would have to stop and think about such things. As I am far too busy to take notice and do not even let my left hand know what my right hand is doing this probably brings to an end the post. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, (Matthew 6:3)
More details could also be said but there are just far too many discernment dogs and prosecutor pigs that would trample and destroy anything good in God to foolishly give the sacred and loving for them to trample.
Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces. (Matthew 7:6)
T. Williams
“I remember the first time I met Timothy and his now deceased wife Carla. I had been invited to dinner. During lively conversations Carla looked at Timothy and said, ‘Today is your birthday.’ as if she had just remembered it. I looked at him and saw him think about the date. Then he said simply, ‘Oh, yes it is’ and went back to eating. I was amazed! For someone to be so unaware of their birthday I knew then and there, this is a Christian man who is very different than any other man I’ve met. Over the many years this first impression has been reaffirmed hundreds if not thousands of times. Timothy is a man who thinks nothing of himself, the world, or worldly things. He is not absorbed by his own life or desires, but only those of God.”
Brainwashed or Washed Brain Testimony?
“Years following the hate crime which led to the closing of Sound Doctrine church, I joined and attended another church for several years. As I started to get to know many people of that community, it wasn’t uncommon for me to volunteer and attend a number of the church’s events.
During one of these events, someone with whom I had come to know quite well, asked me about my former church. After he heard the name “Sound Doctrine,” his expression changed and said, “oh yeah, that’s the one where brainwashing took place with its members. I read about it in the local newspaper.”
After hearing this, I chuckled, not only because of the absurdity of the claim itself, but because of how often I heard baseless slurs of this variety for as long as I was a member.
“I was actually there, would you like a first-hand account?” I asked. Sidestepping my question, he continued: “I heard the leader of that group was very controlling and had a way of brainwashing its members.”
“How many years have you known me?” I asked. “Hmm, over two years now I think,” He responded. I replied, “Ok, so during that time, have I ever come across as someone who’s easily deceived or easy to convince of anything?”
He chuckled, “Well, no actually. You always seem to be very rational and have been willing to argue or debate about just about anything.”
I said further, “and with that, do I strike you as someone who spent ten years of his life being brainwashed?” His expression changed and said, “Ok, I see your point, I would have to say no.”
He then changed the subject.
One of the many things that made Sound Doctrine so special was that, quite contrary to the rumors and slander, we were regularly encouraged to rationalize our own positions—to debate and reason and to test everything according to 1 Thessalonians 5:21.
In fact, when I first joined Sound Doctrine, I was completely self-absorbed, hardly ever talked, and hated the thought of any public discussion.
That’s when I was encouraged, through the direction of Timothy Williams, to pick a topic each night at dinner and debate one side of it with everyone else at the table.
At first, it was uncomfortable and something I dreaded each evening. But after several weeks of nightly practice, making a fool of myself, and practicing the rationalization of my position; I actually started enjoying it.
So far from the accusation made toward Timothy those members were “brainwashed,” I was actually encouraged to reason, debate, and think things through. I wasn’t taught what to think, I was taught how to think.
Particularly in today’s culture, anytime someone doesn’t want to engage in a discussion, they default to slanderous buzzwords like “racist, sexist, bigot, homophobe, etc.”
This was the exact same mentality that took place (and still takes place today) in the “christian” community in regard to Sound Doctrine Church and Timothy Williams. Rather than having a discussion or risking in any way that what was being preached was true—it became easier to throw out meaningless buzzwords meant to shut down any dialog.
After all, this was the same treatment Christ himself received when those who opposed Him couldn’t refute his arguments. As a result, it should be little surprise that a church in any way embracing the message of the cross face similar treatment (John 15:20).
As helpful as the debate encouragement was, it was the tip of the iceberg when it came to the impact Timothy had on my life. It wasn’t just his encouragements or sermons—which were helpful enough on their own—it was and is the way he lives his daily life that’s by far made the biggest impact.
Far from the false accusations that have been leveled at him throughout the years—during and after his leadership at Sound Doctrine—he is hands-down the most gentle, patient, kind, generous, and loving person with who’m I’ve ever been aquatinted.
In fact, after Sound Doctrine closed, it was Timothy that encouraged me to join the particular church previously mentioned. A church which had many significant doctrinal differences from Sound Doctrine itself. His encouragement was: go a year without talking about doctrine and instead love and serve the members there.
This was the same encouragement he himself daily lived: being transformed by the love of God and laying down his life for others.
It is for these reasons, and the many others too numerous to mention here, that I’m endlessly thankful for Timothy and the fellowship of Sound Doctrine Church.”
“I have know Timothy Williams for over three decades and witnessed his faithfulness not only to the gospel but to every person in his life. What I love and admire most about Timothy Williams is that he actually LIVES the scriptures and demonstrates what it means to be obedient to Jesus by the Holy Spirit, not man’s ways or wisdom.”
“Timothy Williams lives, teaches and demands that all walk in the purity and protection of God. And when I write, “demand” I mean demanded it of himself and all others.”
“His humility was something I had not encouraged among pastors before I knew him. One evening I called him to ask a question while he was working on this computer. He answered rather abruptly and told me to call back later. About five minutes later he called back – and apologized for being abrupt and told me it was sin – that he should have taken the time to listen to me. I was astonished.”
“In my years of knowing Timothy, he became the truest friend I have ever known; always pointing me to the Lord Jesus Christ for answers and teaching me how to surrender my own thoughts and ideas in order to truly hear from God. Timothy Williams is a friend that sticks closer than a brother and he is someone that I think of with sweet and pleasant memories. ”
“An amazingly generous return client. Fun work. I am indeed blessed in this collaboration!”
“Please don’t work with Timothy – I want him all to myself! Thanks a million for a great experience.”
“I’ve known Timothy for quite a while now and I can honestly say it is a pleasure working with him! Thanks.”
“Timothy constantly challenges me to be more! I thoroughly enjoy working with him.”
“Always an intellectual challenge to work with Timothy! I enjoyed this one, thanks.”
“At this point I’m speechless 🙂 We’ve worked on many projects with Timothy and each of them have been a great experience for me. I feel very grateful and I recommend him 100% !”
“I’m so glad our paths have crossed with Timothy. We’ve worked more than 50 projects together and each of them have been a pleasure. He is a great client and a very nice person and I can not recommend him enough!”
I’ve known Timothy for a while now, and he has always been great to work with. Always quick in communication and quick with feedback!
“I have never met anyone like Timothy who pursues the truth. His ability to uncover lies, excuses and what he calls “whitewash” is uncanny. It is downright so godly that it is unnerving.”
“We were taught by Timothy Williams to work hard. He led in that example! Rather than be busy for the sake of looking busy, we were taught how to be productive. With that came the seriousness, self-accountability, focus and constant improvement. However, this was not the kind of sour thing some would imagine. Instead the fruit of this kind of hard work was a surprisingly fun, creative, spontaneous and joyful workplace. There were even laughing and games on breaks as we were taught to even be guided in righteousness when at play. Even more, people genuinely enjoyed work and were deeply satisfied when this kind of focused work helped them accomplished more than they ever thought possible. Timothy Williams has a gift from God for putting people in work roles perfect, yet challenging for them if they are willing to seek God. And then persevering with failure and mistakes as that person blossoms into a master of their craft if they persevere. It’s was a wonder to watch over and over again! It is the kind of work and joy that requires perseverance with God’s righteousness and few keep at it. Like most of today’s generation they are lost while looking busy and deeply resent not having things just handed to them.”
“I was an immature idiot when I first met Timothy. Timothy’s rebukes can be very sharp. I am so glad I listened and learned. I watched too many become bitter over this display of God’s love. But there is rich amounts of God’s love and safety in those corrections and I am so happy for them. The Bible is so true. He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise. Proverbs 15:31”
“He is a complex man.”
“What got my attention is that they had nothing bad to say about him. Which is out of character for them.”
“A TRUE GENTLEMAN” (original caps)
“Had it not been for the love Timothy and Carla Williams showed me I would be dead.” (from “I Know“)
“I have never found such creativity as was at Sound Doctrine Church.”
“I’d finally I found what I had been looking for all my life, no not Mr. Right, rather an authentic walk with Jesus Christ. I found a loving church and the pastor, Timothy Williams, and his wife, now deceased, lived out the message of the cross. They surrendered their wills and life to God. They spoke and lived the Truth with no compromise, and both shared a genuine and intimate personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
I began to see how “lukewarm” my walk with the Lord had been. I started to understand the cost of being a disciple and the accompanying joy of giving up everything for Jesus. My life would never be the same. Some called Sound Doctrine Church a cult, but I called it a small taste of heaven on earth, living with others in the truth, light and love of Jesus.”
“I’ve never known another man in my life that deserved the honor and respect that you do. The love of Christ in you is a constant reminder of what hope, joy, peace, and freedom there is for those who pick up their cross.”
“Timothy is the most loving person I know. Everyone says they “love” but this is nothing more than a poor human way of loving. We know that God is love, so if you want to love anyone or anything the closer you are to God the more you can love. Timothy has Gods love in his heart. I’ve seen Timothy love by imparting wisdom, giving monetarily, leading by example, laying down his life, rebuking, teaching, all with Christs Love.”
“Thank you for showing me a father’s love. I give thanks to God for your face and your heart that reflects His wisdom and love.”
“You would have made a good lawyer.” (Always responded to this as, “Nope, would have been too interested in justice to make a good lawyer.”)
“You cannot compare Timothy to them. That’s not fair, he is generous in the extreme.”
“Timothy practices what he preaches. Like the women at the well in John you will be amazed that Timothy has such words of wisdom to pierce your heart. Timothy’s life and example cause many to become angry and bitter towards him and towards God. They become angry and bitter because he speaks the truth from the Holy Spirit and teaches people should turn away from their sin. If anyone is tired of the dead, soulless, lifeless, dribble that is in the church today they should talk to Timothy.”
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