Nepal Sermons

Partners and Citizens Sermons

Sunday Sermon

Suffering as Citizens: Dukkha

Youth Event Sermon

Friendship In Missions: Sathi

1:1, 2:19-30

Friends are frequently regarded extended family members. Sathi implies a companion in the journey of life.

(Lewis and Clark)

Introduction: Examples of Friendship in Missions / A Shared Horizon

Camaraderie

Haystack Prayer Meeting

Wheaton’s Five

A. Paul and Timothy (1:1a) / The Man form Lystra, A Rustic Town

Philippians 1:1 “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,

History of their relationship

Acts 16:1–3 “Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.”

a produce of a mixed marriage of a Gentile father and a Jewish mother, who was a believer.

Taught the Scripture from his youth (2 Timothy 1:5 “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.” 2 Timothy 3:15 “and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”)

Acts 17:13–15 “But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds. Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there. Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed.”

2 Timothy 3:10–11 “You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me.”

His Role in Ephesus: 1 Timothy 1:3 “As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine,”

Their Equality in Christ

Philemon 1 “Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved fellow worker”

Romans 16:21 “Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen.”

1 Corinthians 16:10 “When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am.”

2 Timothy 1:3–4 “I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.”

1 Thessalonians 3:2 “and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith,”

B. Those in Christ Jesus (1:1b)

Philippians 1:1 To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:”

Aristotle and Forms of Friendship

Friendship of Utility

Friendship of Pleasure

Friendship of Good (Virtuous Friendship)

Friendship in Christ Jesus

Salvation

Calling

Justification

Redeemed by Christ’s work

Declared Righteous in Christ’s blood

Sanctification

Holy Ones

Conformity Into the Image of Christ

Glorification

Similar Destiny

Resurrection

Eternal Life with Christ

Holy Spirit

Joel 2:28–32 ““And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit. “And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the Lord has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the Lord calls.”

Acts 10:47 ““Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?””

Household of God

Ephesians 2:19 “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,”

Great Commission

Matthew 28:19–20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””

C. Timothy (2:19-24)

Philippians 2:19–24 “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.”

Qualities of a Friend in Missions

Genuinely Concerned for your welfare (shared mission)

Priority is Christ’s honor

Served alongside Paul for years in the gospel

Cultivation of a Friend in Missions

Devotion to Christ

A Deep Care for People

Long suffering together towards the same horizon

D. Epaphroditus (2:25-30)

Philippians 2:25–30 “I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.”

Sacrifice of Friendship in Missions

Risked his life for the work of Christ

Risked his life on Paul’s behalf

Christ the great model of sacrifice for his friends.

Washed Their Feet

Humbled Himself As A Servant

E. Applications in Missions

Missions is a Communal Endeavor

Deep and Trusting Relationships Take Time.

The Myth of Efficiency

Youth Event Sermon

Unity in Missions: Tihar