Timothy: A Caring Servant

Psalm of the day: Psalm 72

Psalm 72 ESV

Of Solomon. Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the royal son! May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice! Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness! May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor! May they fear you while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations! May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth! In his days may the righteous flourish, and peace abound, till the moon be no more! May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth! May desert tribes bow down before him, and his enemies lick the dust! May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands render him tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts! May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him! For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper. He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy. From oppression and violence he redeems their life, and precious is their blood in his sight. Long may he live; may gold of Sheba be given to him! May prayer be made for him continually, and blessings invoked for him all the day! May there be abundance of grain in the land; on the tops of the mountains may it wave; may its fruit be like Lebanon; and may people blossom in the cities like the grass of the field! May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun! May people be blessed in him, all nations call him blessed! Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and Amen! The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended.

Scripture Reading: Psalm 1:1-2

Psalm 1:1–2 ESV

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Sermon

Once again and as always good morning church, I was glad when they said to me, let us go. And worship in the house of the Lord.

Before we dive into our text for this morning, maybe to get you thinking, In my heart but also I believe Paul's heart as he wrote this next section, I'll share with you a bit of a story from when I was In middle school. Well, eighth grade going into Ninth grade. I have started going to in eighth grade to uh, the only Small Christian School at the time in Alamogordo. And I had fallen in with friends who, I mean, they were my friends, I loved them but They probably weren't in general, the best kids. and now many of you might be shocked to hea, Wait sometimes the best kids don't go to Christian School. Yep. Bad kids are everywhere. Good kids are also everywhere, so that's just sort of life.

But I had fallen into Uh, hanging out with friends that I loved, but who probably weren't necessarily a good influence on me. That's the nicest way. I could say that. And I remember after my eighth grade year being approached, by many of my teachers, People in authority over me. Who said different versions of? These probably weren't their exact words, but this is definitely how 8th grade David interpreted these words. All your friends are awful. And you need to stop hanging out with them because you too will become awful if you hang out with awful people.

Those of us who are parents, Sort of know and understand the truth behind. What my teachers were telling me. Who we hang out with will dictate a lot especially when we're in like eighth and 9th grade, right? it'll dictate a lot. Who we are and ultimately who we become. And there are people who are worthy of our time and attention. And there are people who will drag us down, that's the point.

Our goal as Christians should be I'll just note this here to call people out of Darkness and into light, we are called to show love and compassion. But when you're in eighth and ninth grade, you're probably not mature enough to To be dragging your friends from. Evil ways. That's just the probably nice way to say that. Well, I bring this up because Paul, when writing to the Philippian Church, he like my teachers like parents like most of us. Cared a lot. About who the Philippian church had interacting with them. Hanging out with them, if you will. And after to remember our context, Exhorting them to live holy lives. After Exhorting them to see the beauty and weight of the Gospel. After encouraging them to live humble lives, using the mind of Christ that is within them as the template, but also the source of their humility. He encouraged them last week. To obey. And to live righteous lives. To do all things without grumbling or complaining, or disputing as the ESV says. To, to be a light in the midst of a crooked generation, to be willing to sacrifice. And as he's writing this, He thinks of Who he longs to send to this church As an example. And he needs to send someone to minister to them, So who does he send? our text for today? Philippians chapter 2. We'll look at verses 19 through 24, this morning. Your hint would be the title of the sermon but let's just see who does Paul Desire to send to the Philippian church, to be to them a good example.

Philippians 2:19–24 ESV

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.

These are the words of the Lord for us this morning. Let's open with a word of prayer.

Dear Lord. We thank you for today. We thank you for your word given to us. That we might know you. We thank you for those that you have given to us to minister to us to teach us to show us to share your word with us. We thank you for even the example of men such as Timothy. I pray that you would show us and teach us according to your word today that by your spirit, you would illuminate what you would have us. See and know and understand may you speak to our hearts this morning. It's in Jesus name that we pray. Amen.

Who did Paul want to send To minister to the Philippian church to care for the Philippian church to talk to them, be with them, and then go back to Paul to share the news of what God has done? It's Timothy. But I have a question for you... One We should all answer when we read something like this. Who is Timothy?

WHO was Timothy?

Who was this person that Paul is sending? Most of us may know, at least of Timothy because he is one of the few people. To have a letter that was written to him. Be published in the Bible. And the only person, Who was blessed to have two specific letters addressed to him. The Timothy Paul speaks of here is the same Timothy that first and second Timothy were written to.

Timothy was a pastor. He would go on to be the pastor of the Ephesians Church, the church in Ephesus. He would minister to a church that he and Paul planted. Who is Timothy? Timothy was a young man. Who was trained by his mother and grandmother in the ways of the Lord. Who eventually when Paul would come to minister, would then become Paul's right-hand, man. Paul’s Protege, if you will... Paul's, beloved Son. Here, we even note that if we see here that he became to Paul Paul and Timothy, their relationship was so close that they became as if they were Father and Son.

Who was Timothy? Timothy was, A man entrusted with the promises of scripture. Entrusted, with an important job. Even from a young age to Timothy, when Paul was writing to Timothy, that's where we get sort of famous verses, like let no one look down on you. Because of your age, but always in faith and Purity, be the example to all of those around you. Because Paul was writing to Timothy, to teach him how to Shepherd and guide his church. We get to know things. Like, behold all scripture is God breathe. And useful for teaching and reproof and correction.

Timothy was a man used by God. To be. Paul's helper. But more than just his helper. To be. Adopted son. Encouragement. Maybe helpers not even close enough, help, mate. Someone who would be To Paul a boon and a blessing. There's no one like Timothy in Paul's life.

And ultimately the the point I'd like to make is who was Timothy. Timothy was a man saved by Christ used by God and a man possibly most importantly, worthy of our imitation.

When Paul is writing elsewhere Specifically a passage we hear a later part of like almost every week, 1 Corinthians 11:1 - , he will say imitate me as I imitate Christ. For the same is true of Timothy. So as Paul goes off and leaves Timothy to Pastor different churches that they've planted including. By the way, the Philippian Church Timothy was there, when Lydia was baptized. When the Philippian Jailer was converted, Timothy was already with Paul at the time of the planting of the Philippian church.

And so, When Paul sends Timothy It's as if he can say, To other churches. He writes imitate me. As I imitate Christ, But we could also say imitate Timothy. As he imitates Christ. Timothy is a man worthy. Of our attention, worthy of our imitation, as we seek to Serve and love Christ. So, with that being said, we can dive in and look at what did he do Well... as Paul writes to the Philippine church, and as he sends Timothy, why in particular is Timothy, a person that Paul desires to send to the Philippians.

Another way to ask this, why do they need Timothy? And why does Paul feel the need to send Timothy? And so we can start by looking at the example of his heart.

The example of his HEART

He writes: I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon. So that I too may be cheered by news of you.

So, why is Paul sending Timothy? Because the goal is that Timothy will go Share with the joy and the gospel fellowship with the Philippian church and then come back to Paul in prison, right? So Timothy's going to go from Rome where Paul is writing. Take this journey go to caesarea Philippi, Minister there for a while, return, back to Paul and Paul's hope is when Timothy comes. He can say, let me tell you what, Paul... The joy at the Philippian church. Is beyond measure. Paul, you were writing to them, you said, you got to be humble, you know what happened? When I went there, Paul. They were so humble. They cared for each other. Each one of them looked not only to their own interests, but the interests of others I've never been so loved and taken care of. The work you have done to plant this church. Has been incredible.

So Paul longs to send Timothy so we can hear news of the Philippian church, but why Timothy? Paul continues: I have no one like him. Who will be genuinely concerned. For your welfare.

Why Timothy? Beause he has a heart. To love others. He has a “genuine concern”. For the Philippian church. He he has a Earnest love and a Earnest desire to see them grow in knowledge and love of Jesus Christ. He has an Earnest. Absolute genuine. Real tangible. Desire to see the hope and truth of the Gospel at work in their lives. For Timothy. He has. A servant's heart. He wants to serve this church and he cares about them. He has genuine concern.

Paul's looking around. And he's in Rome,...The church in Rome. Their claim to fame in a lot of ways. Especially when Paul's writing, right? When we hear “Church in Rome” now that's loaded. But when Paul is writing to the church in Rome, Their claim to fame is the sort of biggest and most important letter of Paul, is addressed to the church in Rome. But as we think about practical living out the gospel and what's going on in these different churches. The church in Rome is not nearly as praiseworthy as the church in caesarea Philippi.

As Paul is, in Rome languishing in prison. He looks around. and everyone he sees, Well, they Seek their own interests. Their heart is for themselves, even in service their heart is for themselves. We should note this. There is a danger. That oftentimes, when we serve, even our service is out of selfish motives.

I spend a lot of time talking to a lot of different pastors. It's… Depending on how you look at it. It's a perk of my job or it's a necessary evil of my job. I'll leave that up to you to decide which one it is. And you see this more often than, I would ever care to admit. --- In all honesty and fairness, I'm not immune to this sort of thinking. I think we all face this challenge But I'm just seemed to be put in places where I can see it More clearly sometimes --- But There are many people who serve For selfish reasons.

In one of my discussion boards. In school in seminary. The question came about how do you know? That you are called. To minister. And a lot of responses, and I don't disagree with these are, Well. What brings you Joy? Does it bring you Joy to minister to people? That could be a sign. Do you do you enjoy teaching? Do you feel like you are worthy to teach? Do you feel like you have important things to say that people should listen to? That's fine. Those aren't inherently wrong. But if those are all of your reasons, I hope you can hear how that can sound selfish.

If I were to get up here and say, you guys should listen to me because I have important things to say. And I am worthy of all of the honor and respect that is due the position of a pastor and you should listen to me. Because I think I'm important that seems like I'm doing these things For possibly the wrong reasons.

Timothy Is not ministering. For his own interests. For a paycheck, for the the clout. Instead, his interests are Jesus Christ, in othert words, To preach the gospel. And that's how I would answer that question. How do you know you're called to Ministry? Is your life, Soul, spirit consumed, in the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

All of us should be… for some of us. It's a fire that burns a little bit differently. And Paul says, the heart of Timothy is a heart of service, genuine concern for the welfare of the Philippian church. It is a servant heart that is focused on and revolves around the preaching and proclaiming of Jesus Christ. And even if you are not called to pastoral Ministry, the way Timothy was… this heart is worthy of our imitation. Do you earnestly and genuinely care about those around you? This is what we'll talk about in Grace groups this week. This idea of having genuine concern.

But the short way to put this do you earnestly care? And do you actually care? Not about your own interests but rather. The interests of those around you, you should. But in particular note, he cares about the interests of Jesus Christ. And so, The conversion of the Philippian church is foremost in Timothy's heart. The the ability of the Philippian church to be humble to let the manner of their life, be worthy to be willing to count it as loss for the sake of following Christ… their ability to love one another and care for one another. This is Forefront in Timothy's mind because that is a picture of the Gospel of Jesus and as Jesus changes and sanctifies this church, that's what he will see. And that's Timothy's heart and We should have the same heart as Timothy.

But it's not just his heart. If I may be frank, I think sometimes we miss the mark on this too. We think. Oh yeah, they got a good heart. But there's something that has to back that heart up and Timothy had that because we also see the example of his character

The example of his CHARACTER

It wasn't just that Timothy had good intentions.

He had a good life to back up. Those good. Intentions.

Just just having a good heart is not enough. It turns out...

They seek their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus Timothy on, the other hand, seeks the interests of others. And Importantly, seeks. The proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.... but It's not just Paul, that knows that. The Philippian church does 2 verse 22. But you know, Timothy's. Proven. worth

The life of Timothy proves it.

What is Paul is saying here? The Philippian church would have been some of the best “character references” for Timothy as he applied for jobs... they would have known Timothy. As I said he was already with Paul when Paul was going to caesarea Philippi to plant this church. And so, just as much as this church knew Paul, this church would also have known Timothy And so they would know... man, When Paul was in the trenches Timothy was right there with Paul when he was in need. That’s when Timothy was ministering to him. Then, When we were in need — Timothy was ministering to us. He has proven his worth, you don't just have to take Paul's word for it, instead look to and think to all that Timothy has done, his character was such that his actions proved his character. Such that Paul could say to this church: you know Timothy's proven worth. You've lived life with him. You've been there with him, it is not a show with Timothy and, you know, it So I'm going to send him to you.

Then, how as a son with a father, he has served with me. In the gospel.

Timothy. His, his character. Was such that THIS, serving in the Gospel— that was everything. Paul has been encouraging the Philippine church with up till now. And Timothy, in his love for the gospel was a picture of this all. If the call is to live a life worthy, and the way we see this first is in our humility, then we can look there to the character of timothy too!

Timothy. I believe was very humble. You can go read the books of Timothy and read, Paul's exhortations to Timothy. You almost get the feeling as you're reading through Timothy as if One of Timothy's struggles Is he's too humble. He's not willing to take a stand, where a stand ought to be taken. He has to be reminded, okay, Timothy? I know you're young, but as the pastor of this church, you've got to be the example. Hey, Timothy, I know you're young, you have a responsibility and you have an authority given by God. So, stand in that..

Moreover...Timothy was more than willing to let Paul get all the credit. And as a son to a father, he would serve him. In the gospel. Again, Timothy's character is such that he has a single mind. Beautiful focus on the proclamation of the Gospel. Of Jesus Christ, that's his character.

To harp on this: His character is such that he has proven his worth. His life backs, up, everything that Paul says about him. You know, his heart. How do you know his heart by his actions and his character? You know what he cares about? Why do you know? Because his character backs up, everything I've said about him, And so, For Paul, the thought of sending Timothy to this church Gives him Joy.

I hope... he said at the beginning, in the Lord, Jesus to send Timothy to you. I know this is what you need. It's what you desire, and I desire it. I pray, Paul says that I'll be able to send Timothy, and I hope one day. Shortly that I will be able to join him in visiting you, that’s our final thought in this passage....

But there's an unwritten sort of thought here.

But if... If Paul doesn't get to go… Timothy is enough...

This church Needed Timothy… And so that's who God sent. \

One thought just to, to leave with you.

Suppose. You're sitting at church. Well, let's imagine. We're living almost 2000 years ago at this point. They're like, hey, We're gonna have a guest preacher. Sounds exciting. Don't have to hear David talk, congratulations. Either. We don't know quite yet.... It's either. Going to be Paul, Or Timothy. And you get excited thinking, we might get to hear from Paul. But instead you come to church some Sunday morning, And Timothy's there. He has a letter from Paul, but it's Timothy and Timothy is going to preach to you.

The first thought we might have is just a little bit of disappointment. That's fair. You could have been preached to by Paul. But what I would encourage you to, to ponder is this: God, sent Timothy. Because God knew that Timothy was what this church Needed.

We don't always need the big name. The most important person. Sometimes… Most of the time.... Nearly all of the time. God sends a Timothy.

And maybe you. Are the Timothy sent to care for love and proclaim the gospel to someone?

And praise the Lord that you are

Let's pray.