Sermon Tone Analysis

Last week we learned how Paul called the Philippians to live as lights in the world in light of Christ’s example.

He then expressed his desire to be proud on the day of Christ of the work that he did for Christ, which resulted in their faith.

Paul stated he was glad, and rejoiced with them because of their salvation, even if it meant he would have to die for preaching the good news of the gospel.

It was worth it!

He even commands them to rejoice with him.

He rightly sees himself as a godly example to follow, since he is following the example of Jesus Christ.

Paul is an example of servant leadership.

Paul then shifts his focus and points to two other servant leaders who are godly examples that the Philippians can model their lives after.

This morning we will be looking at the example of Timothy, and next week we will look at Epaphroditus.

Let’s begin by reading our passage for this morning.

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As we begin in diving deeper into this passage, the first thing we see is…

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Paul’s Concern for the Philippians

Before we take a look at Timothy as an example for us to follow, we must first understand Paul’s love for the Philippians which fuels his desire to send Timothy to them.

Paul says in…

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EXPLAIN

Paul loved the Philippians, and he wanted to hear how things were going with them.

His assumption is that things are going well, and he wants to be encouraged by hearing about it.

Paul has already shared how the Lord is working in his own life.

Remember that Paul is writing from prison.

He is in jail for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.

In chapter 1:12-14, Paul tells the Philippians that rather than his imprisonment being a hindrance, it is actually advancing the gospel in two ways:

Through his own testimony

He himself is able to share about Jesus as people ask him the reason for his imprisonment.

Through the preaching of others

Others had become confident to proclaim Christ as well.

Paul wanted the Philippians to rejoice with him in light of the fact that God was using him to fulfill His purposes, even though it wasn’t what he would have chosen.

Now Paul is looking forward to hearing how the Lord is working in and through the lives of the Philippians.

We know how deeply Paul loved the Philippians as we look at how he writes them in this letter:

Philippians 1:3-4 “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy,”

Philippians 1:7 “I hold you in my heart,”

Philippians 1:8 “For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:1 “My brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown,”

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Paul’s deep love for the Philippians fuels his desire to hear how God is working in their lives.

He is confident that the report will be good, especially in light of the fact that he is encouraging them in this letter to that very end.

Philippians 1:27 “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,”

Paul is confident that they will be obedient, and he will have reason to rejoice in the news he hears of them.

This confidence comes from his past experience with them.

Remember last week we noted in 2:12 that Paul was reminding them of their past obedience.

In light of that, he was confident in their future obedience as well.

Because Paul was so confident that the Philippians were going to obey, he was excited to hear news about them knowing that he would be encouraged by how God was working in and through them.

There’s a mutuality in this relationship between Paul and the Philippians, where he shares about his life, and wants to hear about their lives.

ILLUSTRATE

A good relationship will generally be a two-way street.

There’s a give and take.

We all know people in our lives that only take.

They are only interested in talking about what’s going on in their lives, and don’t ask about yours.

When things are going well for them, they tell you all about it, and how awesome and amazing they are.

When things are not going well for them, they share all the details, and how life’s not fair.

They always get the short end of the stick.

After you have spent an evening with them, you feel drained!

All you did was give, give, give!

It’s not that you don’t like to be a help and a support to others… it’s just… sometimes you feel like…

Song, “I Wanna Talk About Me” — Toby Keith

I wanna talk about me

Wanna talk about I

Wanna talk about number one

Oh my, me my

What I think, what I like, what I know, what I want, what I see

I like talking about you, you, you, you, usually, but occasionally

I wanna talk about me

APPLY

A healthy relationship is one where it is mutual.

Both people are blessed.

A true friend:

takes an interest in what’s going on in your life;

shares their heart openly and honestly;

asks questions that show they care about you, and remember what’s going on in your life;

is willing to work alongside you for your growth and benefit.

A true friend is willing to:

Sacrifice time to spend with you when you need

Help financially when you need it, or just bless you with a gift

Humbles themselves to serve you in times of need.

This sort of relationship is about having a love for the other person that desires to see them growing, and flourishing.

This is what Paul wants to see in the Philippians.

During his time with them he loved them.

He taught and instructed them on how to thrive in their Christian lives so that when he left they would thrive.

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The goal of relationships is to help others thrive

As Christians, all of our relationships should reflect this desire to help others grow, succeed, and thrive.

It’s not about who’s doing more.

It’s not a competition.

True friendship doesn’t keep score.

The problem with keeping score is that we tend to feel like we’ve done more than the other person.

We tend to give ourselves the benefit of the doubt, and so It’s easy to feel like the other person is the one not doing enough.

We must take the initiative to strive for the other persons growth.

And when two people do that, you have a beautiful relationship where both are energized, strengthened, and encouraged to thrive.

RESPOND

Are you this kind of friend?

Do you seek to build up those around you to help them thrive in their lives?

Or are you more like the person who only takes?

The person who drains everybody else around you by focusing all the attention on yourself.

What about your friendships… do you have friendships where you can mutually pour into one another?

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Relationships are a blessing from God, and we should to pursue them.

As a church we understand how important this is, which is why we want to encourage you to intentionally seek others out.

We can’t all be close friends, but there’s probably room for one or two more close relationships for you to pursue.