Philippians

The Joy of Leaders

Pray

Last Week “The Joy of Work”

God is working in you for His purpose.

Today we are going to look at two leaders in the church.

Timothy

Epaphroditus (E-path-fru-die-tus)

But more importantly what is takes to be a leader for Christ.

Many times we over emphasize criteria that is not necessary and completely over look what is truly important.

So today we are going to pull out what is truly important in a biblical leader.

Let us look at Timothy first.

In order to grasp who Timothy we must first look at the book of Acts.

Acts 16:1–5 CSB

1 Paul went on to Derbe and Lystra, where there was a disciple named Timothy, the son of a believing Jewish woman, but his father was a Greek. 2 The brothers and sisters at Lystra and Iconium spoke highly of him. 3 Paul wanted Timothy to go with him; so he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, since they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 As they traveled through the towns, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem for the people to observe. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.

I-con-e-um

Let look at family first

Mom believing Jewish woman.

BUT Dad was a Greek

So Dad was not a spiritual leader in the home.

People spoke highly of him.

He was willing to be circumcised for other this did not benefit him.

This was to show that he was not like his father.

Timothy was set apart

“they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders”

What was the decisions?

You can find it in Acts 15.

I will give you the short version you don’t have to be circumcised to be saved.

Salvation is a gift from God you don’t earn by works.

Salvation could be had by the Gentiles.

Acts 16:5 “5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.”

Philippians 2:19–24 CSB

19 Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon so that I too may be encouraged by news about you. 20 For I have no one else like-minded who will genuinely care about your interests; 21 all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know his proven character, because he has served with me in the gospel ministry like a son with a father. 23 Therefore, I hope to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24 I am confident in the Lord that I myself will also come soon.

Paul is sending Timothy to the church in Philipi that starts in Acts 16.

It has come full circle.

Let Look at 5 attributes of a Christian leader found in Timothy.

He had a Love for the Lord.

Philippians 2:20 “20 For I have no one else like-minded who will genuinely care about your interests;”

Philippians 1:21 “21 For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

2. He has a Love for people.

Philippians 2:20–21 “20 For I have no one else like-minded who will genuinely care about your interests; 21 all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.”

3. Dependable

Philippians 2:22 “22 But you know his proven character, because he has served with me in the gospel ministry like a son with a father.”

4. Humble

Philippians 2:22 “22 But you know his proven character, because he has served with me in the gospel ministry like a son with a father.”

5. Teachable

Philippians 2:22 “22 But you know his proven character, because he has served with me in the gospel ministry like a son with a father.”

Will you allow me to chase a rabbit real quick?

Man there are some boys that don’t have a father to teach them about the Lord.

We need men of GOD do fill in that gap!

Now lets look at Epaphroditus (E-path-fru-die-tus)

Philippians 2:25–30 CSB

25 But I considered it necessary to send you Epaphroditus—my brother, coworker, and fellow soldier, as well as your messenger and minister to my need—26 since he has been longing for all of you and was distressed because you heard that he was sick. 27 Indeed, he was so sick that he nearly died. However, God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 For this reason, I am very eager to send him so that you may rejoice again when you see him and I may be less anxious. 29 Therefore, welcome him in the Lord with great joy and hold people like him in honor, 30 because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up what was lacking in your ministry to me.

How does Paul decribe him?

“my brother, coworker, and fellow soldier, a minister to my needs.

We are going to look at 2 more attributes of a Christian leader found in Epaphroditus. E- path-fru-die-tus.

He was named after a greek GOD.

He was a 1st generation Christian.

6. He was a man of honor.

Philippians 2:29 “29 Therefore, welcome him in the Lord with great joy and hold people like him in honor,”

7. He put Christ and His work first

Philippians 2:30 “30 because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up what was lacking in your ministry to me.”

7 Attributes of a Christian Leader

Love of God

Love of People

Dependable

Humble

Teachable

Honorable

Put Christ First