Follow the example
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Good Example
Good Example
We have seen a couple of good examples in this chapter already. From Jesus (and there is no better example) to Paul, an apostle, a bond-servant, showing his life to be an example, but look at them, how can we match them, the Savior, the Apostle?
God’s work in us can help us to be an example for He is faithful (1:6); Paul wants them, and through the scripture us today to abound more and more (1:9) all that with a purpose, to approve the things that are excellent (1:10)
(illustration) - Reporter in San Bernardino CA arranged for a man to lie in the gutter on a busy street as he watched to see how people reacted. Hundreds passed by but not one stopped to help or show sympathy for him. - are we too busy, too wrapped up in ourselves and our lives to not help, to not show mercy?
Two teenagers in Detroit years ago found a woman in a phone booth who just suffered a heart attack and they got her out and took her to a nearby home who the owner told them to get off his porch and take her with them? - - - Do we as a people lack compassion today?
A Kentucky doctor came across an accident, stopped to give aid, then got sued by the driver sometime later for rendering aid.
So is being a Good Samaritan worth it? Must we only look out for ourselves in fear of what could happen?
These short stories are not different that what Paul faced, Epaphroditus and Timothy faced in our passage today.
Paul has been discussing the submissive mind, he gave the description in Jesus (2:1-11); gave his own experience (2:12-18) now offers up two other workers, just a couple of ordinary guys.
I. Example: Timothy
I. Example: Timothy
We love good examples don’t we? Sometimes the examples we get are not so good, but we can still learn from them too, can’t we? Timothy was a great example of a servant with a submissive mind.
The submissive mind of Timothy was not an instantaneous thing that happen when he was saved, it was cultivated, it was nourished
We too need to develop the mind of Christ (2:5).
19 But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. 20 For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare.
21 For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. 22 But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father.
23 Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I see how things go with me; 24 and I trust in the Lord that I myself also will be coming shortly.
Things we can learn from Paul’s thoughts.
His hope, and his desired results for Timothy (v.19)
He intended to send Timothy to them, so that he, Paul would get word and be encouraged by knowing how they are doing.
His thoughts about Timothy (v.20)
There were no others that had a kindred spirit like Timothy; Think back to the illustration used a few minutes ago; what kind of spirit do we have? Do we have the spirit of a Good Samaritan?
Paul’s concern (v.21)
Worried no one thought of others, but their own interest; even when they had already had the example of Christ.
Paul’s exhortation (v.22)
Look at Paul’ s thoughts of Timothy that were deserved because they had been proven.
Paul’s expectation (vv.23-24)
Paul’s intentions, Paul’s trust made known.
Going from Paul’s thoughts now I want to focus on Timothy’s example
Timothy had a servant’s mind (vv.19-21)
Timothy had a servant’s mind; he had concern for others, he cared for people and their needs (v.20)
Timothy was not about how to win friends and influence people, he had genuine concern for them. He had servant’s mind and a servants heart.
In Rom16 Paul mentions many people (26 to be exact) but not one o them availed themselves to make the journey for Paul or to Paul. “All seek their own” as Paul said.
21 For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.
But that is not what was the instructions, example offered up earlier
21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
So are we Php2:21 concerned about ourselves, or Php1:21 living for Christ?
Timothy exampled his concern was for the people not some cause, or some agenda, he developed a servant’s heart because he had:
Timothy had a servant’s training (v.22; Act16:1-3; 1Tim3:6-7; 2Tim3:10-17)
Salvation to service? Paul did not use Timothy upon his salvation; he was left behind in Derbe to be loved on, to grow prior to serving.
1 Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. And a disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek, 2 and he was well spoken of by the brethren who were in Lystra and Iconium.
3 Paul wanted this man to go with him; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
May we learn from this example of new converts to let them grow before thrusting them into service.
6 and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. 7 And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
They can be used by the Lord as a new convert, a baby Christian by leading others to come to hear the gospel, believe the gospel and obey the gospel. But let the new convert be loved on and rooted so they can grow balanced.
Timothy was discipled by Paul through Paul’s example; Paul gave him personal instruction balanced with on-the-job training. So balanced experience
10 Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me!
12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 13 But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
14 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
Paul was training up Timothy the same way Jesus trained the Apostles, with a balance of teaching and OJT!
Experience without teaching can lead to discouragement and disappointment, and then teaching without experience can lead to drying up or to spiritual deadness. It takes both
So that, you can have a servant’s reward.
Timothy had a servant’s reward (v.23-24; 2:17; Mt25:21; 2Cor4:17; 1Tim4:11-16)
Timothy knew the meaning of sacrifice and service as exampled by Paul
17 But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all.
Timothy was faithful, he was a good and faithful servant and would receive such a reward.
21 “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’
He served under the teaching of Paul He had great joy in it, even when it was not easy service.
17 For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church.
He was sent to a church that had lots of issues.
Timothy was not only considered Paul’s son in faith, Paul’s servant to the church at Ephesus, but Paul’s substitute!
What a great reward that would be to be considered Paul’s replacement. look at the instructions that he was given in preparing to be such.
11 Prescribe and teach these things. 12 Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.
13 Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. 14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery.
15 Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. 16 Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.
The submissive mind is not a product of an hour’s sermon, a week long seminar, or even a year’s service. The submissive mind grows in us and is cultivated like Timothy’s was, so that he was able to serve others with the right intentions and the right heart. May we learn from his example.
All this leads up to our next example Epaphroditus
II. Example: Epaphroditus
II. Example: Epaphroditus
Epaphroditus was a gentile, Paul a Jew of Jews; Timothy part Jew, part Greek, but each is a great example. He was a member of the Philippian body of believers (the church)
25 But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need; 26 because he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick.
27 For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I have sent him all the more eagerly so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may be less concerned about you.
29 Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard; 30 because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was deficient in your service to me.
Epaphroditus was a balanced example (v.25; 1:5, 12, 27)
Look at his resume in (v.25)
Brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier
Messenger and a minister
He lived out a life that Paul mentioned in Php1:5 (fellowship in the gospel)
He lived out a life that was for the furtherance of the gospel (Php1:12)
He lived out the gospel, standing firm (Php1:27)
A balance life, a balanced example is a balance between fellowship and furtherance of the gospel!
Epaphroditus was a burdened example (vv.26-27, and 30)
Like Timothy he knew service and sacrifice; he heard his friend, mentor Paul was in prison in Rome and carried a love gift to Paul and to minister to Paul there. He had a concern for Paul and for the people when they heard he was sick.
Epaphroditus heard a need and jumped into service, may we learn from his example that even when service maybe a burden it was a burden well worth carrying.
Epaphroditus loved his church; loved his church family and had concern for them, even when he was sick to the point of death.
Because of these two marks, Being a balanced Christian example, and being a burdened Christian example came the other mark.
Epaphroditus was a blessed example (vv.28-30)
As a Christian with the mind of Christ and the examples you have around you, could you imagine going through your life not being a blessing to to anyone? Oh Paul was blessing to Paul!
Epaphroditus a blessing to Paul
Epaphroditus a blessing to the church at Philippi (1The5:12-13)
Paul instructs the church to give him honor, and it is christ who get’s the glory, but nothing wrong with man receiving honor because of his life of service, his life of sacrifice for the gospel sake.
12 But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, 13 and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.
Epaphroditus served with no expectation of returned reward, but to serve Paul and encourage Paul and carry the gift to Paul, Paul said to honor him for that willingness.
The good examples we have offered up prove that a submissive mind does work! The examples we have are submitted to us for us to submit to the Lord and the working of His Spirit in the heart of the believer to be a living example to and for others through our faithful love, faithful service, faithful sacrifice for the furtherance of the gospel.
Are you willing to permit the Spirit to reproduce the mind of Christ in you?
Food for thought: How do we serve the Lord today? How do we receive those who serve us? What example do we set for others?
(lead to invitation)
(Insert invitation slide)