Character, Burden, and Faith
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Announcement- sharing about missions trip more fully on May 17- this way people can ask questions, etc. and we can also share about our future partnership opportunities and plans! (Don’t worry, we didn’t forget! This is purposeful!)
May 6- Men’s Ministry Dinner at Hickory River
Church Council- tomorrow night at 7 PM
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.
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.
Main Point: Philippians 2:19-30 calls us to have the character of Timothy, the burden of Epaphroditus, and the faith of Paul.
Main Point: Philippians 2:19-30 calls us to have the character of Timothy, the burden of Epaphroditus, and the faith of Paul.
Body
Body
Let’s look at how Paul introduces this new section. Philippians 2:19
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.
Paul starts by talking about two of his co-laborers and their ministry. He first addresses Timothy.
He wants to send Timothy to the Philippians so that HE CAN HEAR AN UPDATE ABOUT HTEM!
Even as Paul is in prison, he is still staying faithful AND FRUITFUL in ministry! He still cares deeply about the churches that he has ministered to. He doesn’t have the ability to send a text or make a call. So instead, Paul wants to send Timothy.
That’s a sacrifice. Understand this. Timothy has been in Rome helping Paul and Paul is looking at sending him away.
I think we need to understand this- Paul’s ministry model was built on sacrifice! Over and over Paul sacrificed and went all-in to help the churches that he served!
But here’s the other side of it- the early churches go all in sacrificing to support Paul!
This is a characteristic of the early church. Truly they were a FAMILY that was willing to do WHATEVER it took to take care of one another.
Honestly, I think we’ve gotten away from that in a lot of ways.
The American Neighborhood gives a good parallel. When we get home from work, we open the garage door from your car, we pull inside the garage, we close the door, then we get out of the car. We go inside and don’t think about your neighbors or anyone else.
I’m not saying this to offend you, it’s just the truth. That’s what Americans do.
The same thing happens as christians with church. We come together on Sunday, we see each other, we hear a sermon, we maybe see each other again at Community Group if it fits our schedule, but otherwise we kind of go on our own way.
There’s a phenomenon that I experienced growing up where I had “church friends” who I ONLY SAW ON SUNDAYS!
I didn’t actually know what Trent or Fred went through. But we saw each other every sunday and we were “friends.” And it wasn’t just me! I was talking with a collegiate leader in Bloomington-Normal Friday and he LITERALLY MET HIS WIFE AT A BIRTHDAY PARTY WHERE SHE WAS THE CHURCH FRIEND OF ONE OF HIS SCHOOL FRIENDS!
But that’s not BIBLICAL KOINONIA! KOINONIA IS SHARING YOUR LIFE AND SHARING THE SAME MISSION! KOINONIA IS SACRIFICIAL!
Biblical fellowship requires sacrifice. Let’s leave behind the garage of church and instead let’s be like Paul- let’s pray and genuinely care for one another, EVEN WHEN IT’S HARD!
Understand- sending Timothy is a HUGE SACRIFICE! Listen to how Paul talks about Timothy:
2 To Timothy, my true son in the faith.
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
2 To Timothy, my dearly loved son.
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Now, let’s see what Paul says about Timothy to the Philippians- who knew Timothy!
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.
This is a taste in the CHARACTER OF TIMOTHY! There’s 3 things that we see about Timothy in this and then 1 lesson from Paul.
Here’s our three Timothy based lessons:
First, Paul says that Timothy is the ONLY like-minded person with him who will GENUINELY CARE ABOUT THE PHILIPPIANS!
Let me just put this in simpler terms- Timothy’s the LAST GUY THAT PAUL HAS WITH HIM!
He’s talking about sending away his ONE PERSON in order to care for the church in Philippi!
That’s powerful!
Timothy himself truly cares. He cares about the Philippians, not his own interests. He cares more about fruitfulness and faithfulness than comfort and convenience.
Let me summarize it this way- Timothy isn’t building a personal reputation or a personal kingdom. He’s concerned about the Gospel.
Timothy isn’t concerned about going on the conference speaking circuit. Timothy wants to LOVE PEOPLE!
Second, Timothy has proven character!
The Philippians know this! They have seen his character because he served ALONGSIDE PAUL!
The proof of his character isn’t in a letter of recommendation, or by what Timothy says. The proof of his character is HIS ACTIONS!
Friends- this is challenging for us! We’ll take some time in a bit to talk more about this, but is our character proven? Do our actions BACK UP OUR CHARACTER?
Third, Timothy SERVES AND IS FRUITFUL!
I want us to dial in on that statement in verse 22!
Do we grasp this? HE SERVED IN THE GOSPEL MINISTRY LIKE A SON WITH A FATHER!
He was FAITHFUL TO SERVE, BUT HE HAS ALSO BEEN FRUITFUL!
Last week I was in a session at IBSA led by Richard Blackaby and he pointed out that we so often conflate fruitfulness and faithfulness like they are the same thing.
But they are different!
See, we think, “that person is so faithful. They are at church every week.”
Or “wow, that church is so faithful to keep meeting after what they’ve gone through.”
But that individual hasn’t shared the Gospel in the last 60 years! The church hasn’t seen a baptism in a decade!
It isn’t faithful and it’s definitely not fruitful; that’s just showing up! Actual faithfulness involves bearing fruit!
Paul is emphasizing that TIMOTHY DID MINISTRY FRUITFULLY ALONGSIDE HIM!
When Paul didn’t see the fruit of ministry, he was quick to cut it off- like when he sent MARK HOME FROM A MISSIONS TRIP!
Church History also helps us to understand Timothy’s ministry more and WHO TIMOTHY REALLY WAS!
Timothy was killed while preaching the Gospel at an idolatrous festival that focused on worshipping through sexual immorality.
Timothy called for repentance and it cost him his life.
That’s the type of character that he had!
He was fruitful and he was faithful! He didn’t just go through the motions, he followed Jesus boldly.
After Paul talks about Timothy, we see something about himself. We’ve seen his willingness to sacrifice by sending Timothy and now we see HIS IMMENSE FAITH!
Paul was not only willing to send Timothy, he HAS FAITH that he will be released soon and then he hopes to see them.
Paul WAS released from prison. But he didn’t say that because he was a psychic, or because it was a given. He said it because he had SO MUCH FAITH IN GOD!
Let me ask- does our faith lead us on like that? Not in delusion, but in a willingness to FOLLOW GOD EVEN WHEN THINGS MAY NOT SEEM GREAT, or it may not seem EASY?
I’ll put it this way. We live in a community with very few Christians. DO WE TRULY BELIEVE THAT GOD CAN MOVE?
Just as God can and did free from prison, God can move in Savoy. Do we believe that? Do we ACTUALLY believe that we could see a mighty outpouring of God’s SPIRIT on our community?
Do you believe that GOD COULD ACTUALLY WORK IN THE LIFE OF YOUR NEIGHBOR? BECAUSE GOD CAN!
Friends, this is the GOD THAT WE SERVE! We serve the God who can save ANYONE! DO WE HAVE THAT TYPE OF FAITH IN HIM?
Paul’s going to shift and talk to us about Epaphroditus. I want us to see how DEEPLY Epaphroditus is BURDENED for his fellow believers. He’s a part of the church in Philippi. Look at how deeply he cares. Do we care like this for our church family?
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.
Paul gives 5 titles to Epaphroditus in verse 25:
Brother
Coworker
Fellow Soldier
Their Messenger
MINISTER TO HIS NEED!
Each of these show a little bit of a different part of what fellowship really is. But when you combine them all together you see an image of it. Fellowship is A BIG PICTURE IDEA WITH MANY FACETS!
It’s like a family. It’s made up of Christians WORKING ALONGSIDE ONE ANOTHER!
It’s like a Roman military unit going into battle RELYING ON ONE ANOTHER!
It’s marked by humble service (bringing a message and some supplies) and deep care (minister to Paul).
Does our fellowship with one another show this multi-dimensional paradigm?
Epaphroditus isn’t just one dimensional though!
In verse 26 we see that he has been LONGING FOR THE PHILIPPIANS!
They have heard that he was sick- so sick that he nearly died; in fact, Paul says that it was only GOD’S MERCY that spared him- and he was DISTRESSED THAT THEY WOULD WORRY ABOUT HIM!
He cares SO MUCH ABOUT THE PHILIPPIAN CHURCH!
But just as God’s mercy spared Epaphroditus, Paul experienced God’s Mercy through having Timothy and Epaphroditus.
They have a CLOSE RELATIONSHIP!
And I love this because they aren’t from the same background.
Epaphroditus isn’t a Hebrew name. In fact, it comes from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. He was a gentile, likely raised by pagans.
Timothy is half-jewish, half-greek. He didn’t really belong in either group.
Paul grew up as the Pharisee of Pharisees who was a RISING SUPERSTAR!
These men aren’t the same age, they don’t look the same, they don’t talk the same, they didn’t grow up the same way; yet they have DEEP KOINONIA BECAUSE OF JESUS!
Intergenerational, intercultural fellowship is POSSIBLE ONLY BECAUSE OF JESUS!
At the same time as Paul’s sharing about the relationship that he has with Epaphroditus, he also shares about his excitement to send Epaphroditus to them!
Paul isn’t just sending him; he’s CELEBRATING THAT THE PHILIPPIANS WILL BE BLESSED BY EPAPHRODITUS COMING!
Even as he sacrifices, his FAITH in trusting God’s provision keeps HIM FOCUSED!
Paul ends this passage by giving three instructions to the church. He says:
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.
The Philippian church should welcome him back in these three ways:
In the LORD
WITH GREAT JOY!
HOLDING HIM IN HONOR!
Friends, understand- Paul isn’t saying that Epaphroditus is BETTER OR WORSE, but he’s making a clear point- honor Epaphroditus for the SACRIFICES THAT HE MAKES FOR THE CHURCH!
This is similar to what Paul says in 1 Timothy 5:17
17 The elders who are good leaders are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
See, here’s the principle- we are called to recognize when people are sacrificing to SERVE THE LORD!
It can be easy for us- and I’m guilty of this too- to take people serving God and SACRIFICING for granted. But we can’t do that!
I love how Tony Merida says this- “When you see someone serving Christ faithfully, you should encourage them and thank them. Don’t deify them, but honor them. Paul says this person is worthy of an appreciative and thoughtful welcome.”
I know that it can be uncomfortable to thank people for that service, or to ENCOURAGE someone in this- I saw faces last week when I challenged us to ENCOURAGE SOMEONE-but friends, it’s not just Daniel’s idea. This is BIBLICAL!
We need to ENCOURAGE PEOPLE AS THEY SERVE GOD!
Now, there’s one last phrase that can strike us as odd.
Paul says that he brought something that was lacking! What did they miss?
They just weren’t able to BE WITH HIM! That’s what was lacking. It wasn’t that they were evil or neglecting him. Paul is referring tot he fact that they could not be PHYSICALLY WITH HIM.
Cornerstone, Koinonia, fellowship, is special. Part of fellowship is inherently BEING TOGETHER!
We’ve lost some of this after 2020. Online church can feel more convenient, more comfortable, easier, like something thatt we deserve after our hard week, or any number of other reasons.
But I’m going to plead with us to not default to that!
Instead, see the example of these three men and of their PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PHILIPPIAN CHURCH AND SEE HOW THEY LONGED TO BE GATHERED TOGETHER WITH OTHER BELIEVERS IN PERSON!
Paul couldn’t go to them. But we can! We can be gathered with other believers.
Let’s be faithful to join together corporately, making koinonia, making joining the ekklesia, or the body of believers, a PRIORITY!
And this really starts Saturday night with how we approach going to bed, what we watch, taking a few minutes to pray, etc. It continues Sunday by waking up with the alarm (setting it a few minutes earlier even!), getting into God’s Word again, praying as you come, etc.
We could honestly say that it starts during the week as we invite someone else to come WITH US!
Application
Application
Character of Timothy
Character of Timothy
GENUINE CARE!
PROVEN CHARACTER- what do my actions say?
SERVE AND BEAR FRUIT!
THE BASIS OF HIS CHARACTER!
9 He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. 10 This has now been made evident through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who has abolished death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
IS THIS THE BASIS OF YOUR CHARACTER? IS YOUR HOPE FOUND IN THIS?
Call to response
Burden of Epaphroditus
Burden of Epaphroditus
5 different areas of burden that we see in this passage.
ARE YOU BURDENED FOR OTHER BELIEVERS?
Epaphroditus longed to be with the church.
The fact that he is away from the church in Philippi BREAKS HIS HEART!
Do you PRIORITIZE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY? Or is it just something that you do if it’s convenient?
Prep starts the night before! MAKE JOINING BELIEVERS IN WORSHIP A PRIORITY!
ARE YOU BURDENED FOR YOUR NEIGHBORS?
As we are burdened for the things of God, we WILL BE BURDENED FOR OUR NEIGHBORS!
Your neighbor will go to hell if they don’t know Jesus…
ARE YOU BURDENED FOR YOUR COMMUNITY?
The church in Philippi is called to reach the TOWN of Philippi! They need to be BURDENED for the community! Are you burdened for the community?
Listen- this isn’t something that I can give you! This is something that only God can give you!
ARE YOU BURDENED FOR OUR STATE?
261 people every day die in Illinois without knowing Jesus. That’s about 4 times the amount of people here this morning.
And YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! But there’s a cost. You have to be willing to pay it. Will you?
ARE YOU BURDENED FOR OUR COUNTRY AND WORLD?
These three men traveled the KNOWN WORLD BRINGING THE GOSPEL!
ARE YOU WILLING TO SUPPORT THE WORK THAT GOD IS DOING AROUND THE WORLD? GOING, MOBILIZING, SENDING!
Short prague story and reminder about May 17 meeting and missions plan coming (hint, there *might* be a short-term team next summer wink wink and you *might* find an interest form in the app *right now* so that we can even talk more about missions THIS WEEK!)
Faith of Paul
Faith of Paul
Faith also isn’t just a one time thing. Faith is something that we are called to have every day.
It’s easy for us to think “well, I’m saved, so I’m good now.”
But that’s not the point of faith. Being a follower of Christ, a Christian- which literally means a “mini-Christ” requires us to have faith EVERY SINGLE DAY! IT CALLS FOR US TO LT OUR FAITH SHAPE OUR ACTIONS EACH DAY!
And we see that modeled by Paul, specifically in how he sacrifices so consistently. But rather than becoming upset or feeling defeated, Paul has FAITH IN JESUS! HE HAS CONFIDENCE THAT GOD WILL WORK AND HE HAS FAITH THAT HE WILL BE PROVIDED FOR.
Cornerstone, the faith that Paul has is a CONFIDENT FAITH! It’s not a blind faith.
And that’s what we’re called to have to!
We are called to have a CONFIDENT FAITH, knowing that God can and will move.
Let me address something. Paul is clearly hearing God’s voice, but that doesn’t mean that God’s voice is loud. It isn’t. It’s not! 1 Kings 19:10-13
10 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of Armies, but the Israelites have abandoned your covenant, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are looking for me to take my life.”
11 Then he said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the Lord’s presence.”
At that moment, the Lord passed by. A great and mighty wind was tearing at the mountains and was shattering cliffs before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was a voice, a soft whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.
Suddenly, a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
Just because you don’t get an earthquake or a volcano or a fire, or a hail storm doesn’t mean that you aren’t hearing from God. God is so often a WHISPER! Are you listening to that whisper?
And one area where you might hear that whisper is in talking to others about your faith. It’s an area though where it’s EASY to skip over the whisper because if we’re honest, we’re scared to do something about it!
And that’s what Who’s Your One is all about.
SHOW IMPACT OF IT and share about resources in lobby.
Let me pray for us as our worship team comes up to lead us in response.
