God's Model for Manhood

Philippians 2:19–30 NLT

If the Lord Jesus is willing, I hope to send Timothy to you soon for a visit. Then he can cheer me up by telling me how you are getting along. I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ. But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News. I hope to send him to you just as soon as I find out what is going to happen to me here. And I have confidence from the Lord that I myself will come to see you soon. Meanwhile, I thought I should send Epaphroditus back to you. He is a true brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier. And he was your messenger to help me in my need. I am sending him because he has been longing to see you, and he was very distressed that you heard he was ill. And he certainly was ill; in fact, he almost died. But God had mercy on him—and also on me, so that I would not have one sorrow after another. So I am all the more anxious to send him back to you, for I know you will be glad to see him, and then I will not be so worried about you. Welcome him in the Lord’s love and with great joy, and give him the honor that people like him deserve. For he risked his life for the work of Christ, and he was at the point of death while doing for me what you couldn’t do from far away.

Philippians 2:19–20 NLT

If the Lord Jesus is willing, I hope to send Timothy to you soon for a visit. Then he can cheer me up by telling me how you are getting along. I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare.

Phil 2

What kind of man is God looking for?

Paul uses two examples of men who show the qualities he is looking for.

Timothy -

Philippians 2:20 NLT

I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare.

Epaphroditus -

Philippians 2:29 NIV

So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him,

Phil 2:

Five Values

1. Compassion

God is looking for men who people before profits

Philippians 2:20–21 GNB

He is the only one who shares my feelings and who really cares about you. All the others are concerned only with their own affairs, not with the cause of Jesus Christ.

Phil 2:

Luke 10:30–36 NLT

Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’ “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.

2. Consistency

God is looking for men who put character before conformity.

Philippians 2:22 NLT

But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News.

Proverbs 10:9 NIV

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.

Proverbs 20:7 The Living Bible

It is a wonderful heritage to have an honest father.

Pro

3. Cooperation

God is looking for men who will put cooperation before competition

Philippians 2:25 NLT

Meanwhile, I thought I should send Epaphroditus back to you. He is a true brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier. And he was your messenger to help me in my need.

phil 2:

Judges 20:11 NLT

So all the Israelites were completely united, and they gathered together to attack the town.

4. Commitment

God is looking for men who put the cause of Christ before comfort.

Philippians 2:25–27 NLT

Meanwhile, I thought I should send Epaphroditus back to you. He is a true brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier. And he was your messenger to help me in my need. I am sending him because he has been longing to see you, and he was very distressed that you heard he was ill. And he certainly was ill; in fact, he almost died. But God had mercy on him—and also on me, so that I would not have one sorrow after another.

James 2:17 NLT

So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

5. Courage

God is looking for men who will put service before security

Philippians 2:29–30 NIV

So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.

Romans 12:1–2 GNB

So then, my brothers and sisters, because of God’s great mercy to us I appeal to you: offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. This is the true worship that you should offer. Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God—what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect.

Mark 8:35 The Living Bible

If you insist on saving your life, you will lose it. Only those who throw away their lives for my sake and for the sake of the Good News will ever know what it means to really live.

Mark 8:35

2 Chronicles 16:9 NLT

The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. What a fool you have been! From now on you will be at war.”

?9

5. Courage

God is looking for men who will put service before security