Honor Such Men: Timothy
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
I have no one like him. That’s how Paul described Timothy in v. 20 and its quite the statement. But it’s a statement we might overlook unless we think about it a bit.
[ILLUS] I heard a story this past week about Bruce Lorenz, an 86-year-old man who was once again reelected as mayor of Ruso, North Dakota.
He received 100% of the vote with 100% voter turnout in his town… which sounds impressive until you learn that Ruso, North Dakota only has three residents!
Bruce has actually been living in an assisted nursing facility since his health began to decline this past Spring and his daughter had to remind him that it was election day. Upon hearing that he once again won (making it about three decades of service for Bruce), he said that he would have to go down the street and get a cigar.
Maybe we can imagine the other two residents of Ruso, North Dakota, going to the poll to vote for mayor and thinking to themselves, “We’ve got no one like, Bruce,” when what they really meant was, “We’ve got no one besides, Bruce!”
That’s not what Paul was saying about Timothy here in v. 20. He wasn’t saying that he had no one besides Timothy. He said that he had no one like Timothy.
Paul had others who served with him at various times. There was Luke, Titus, Tychicus, Aquila and Priscilla, Lucius, Jason, Sosipater, Tertius, Gaius, Mark, Justus, Aristarchus, Epaphras, Silvanus, and others. And, yet, he only said this about Timothy, “I have no one like him...” (v. 20).
What did Paul mean?
Well, he could have also meant that he had no one else who was so much like himself. As Paul wrote in v. 20, he and Timothy served together like father and son (v. 22) and most sons at least resemble their father.
But most certainly he meant that he had no one else so well suited to minister to the Philippians; no one else who would be so “genuinely concerned” for the welfare of the Philippians (v. 20) and the interests of Jesus Christ (v. 21).
There were plenty of people who would seek their own interests. So many, in fact, that Paul generalizes with the word all in v. 21. He writes, “For they all seek their own interests...” (v. 21).
Now, I said this was a generalization because it wasn’t true that literally all sought their own interests. Paul didn’t. Epaphroditus didn’t. And Timothy didn’t, which is Paul’s point. Paul meant to contrast Timothy’s individual selflessness with the world’s general selfishness.
The world is generally selfish.
Followers of Jesus are called to be individually selfless.
This selflessness was the way of Jesus who gave his life as the sacrifice for our sins on the cross.
This selflessness was the way of Paul who wanted to become more and more like Jesus (v. 10).
This selflessness is the life that God calls all of us to in ...
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
[CIT] This selflessness was exemplified in Timothy, Paul’s son in the faith and faithful partner in ministry.
[CONTEXT] Paul was under house-arrest in Rome awaiting trial, so he could not go to the Philippians personally, but he could send them Timothy. And Timothy’s selfless example would be the antidote to the poison of selfishness that had crept into the Philippian church.
Now, just as we said last week when we talked about Paul’s selfless example, Timothy was only following the example of Jesus in his selfless way of living. And while Timothy (like Paul) is not a perfect example, [PROP] he is a good example that if followed will help us to follow the selfless way of Jesus more faithfully.
[INTER] So how did Timothy follow the selfless way of Jesus?
[TS] Let’s look at four WAYS...
MAJOR IDEAS
MAJOR IDEAS
Way #1: Timothy followed the example of Jesus in his care (v. 20).
Way #1: Timothy followed the example of Jesus in his care (v. 20).
For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.
[Exp] There are traits we naturally receive from our parents. There are traits in our parents that we have to work to adopt or work to avoid depending on what they are, but the ones we receive naturally, we don’t have to work at. For better or for worse, they are naturally instilled in us.
Timothy’s genuine concern (ESV, NASB); his sincere care (NKJV) or natural care (KJV) for the Philippians and others was a trait that he had picked up naturally from his spiritual father, the Apostle Paul.
Paul cared so he preached the gospel, planted churches, pastored churches, visited believers, wrote to believers, sent godly men to strengthen believers, and prayed for believers.
Paul did all of that while Timothy observed and naturally picked up the same genuine concern for others that Paul had.
In , Paul said that Timothy was “doing the work of the Lord as (he was).” Timothy was following the example of Paul as Paul followed the example of Christ.
Also, we should remember that Timothy’s godly mother and grandmother, Eunice and Lois, are lauded for their sincere faith in .
There’s no doubt that their sincere faith was demonstrated in a sincere concern for the well-being of others.
As Timothy watched, they no doubt modeled the kind of care that Paul praised Timothy for here in .
We also should consider that Timothy was gifted to care as he did. He not only learned it by watching Paul and his mother and grandmother, the Spirit of God had gifted him to care as he did.
We are commanded to care genuinely and sincerely, but it seems Timothy was gifted to care naturally. It seems to be the normal expression of personality once he devoted his life to following Jesus.
In his commentary on Philippians, J. A. Motyer wrote, “There was nothing forced or artificial about Timothy’s concern: it was the genuine product of a regenerate (i.e., Christian) nature...”
Motyer, J. A. (1984). The message of Philippians (p. 140). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
[Illus] There was an elderly lady who made frequent trips to the post office in her town. All she ever bought was stamps.
One day she arrived at the post office and was greeted by a long line of people. Patiently she took her place in line and waited.
When she finally got the counter, the postal worker greeted her by name and asked, “Why don’t you just use the stamp machine? You can put in your money, the stamps will come out, and you won’t have to wait in line.”
The elderly woman replied, “Yes, but the stamp machine won’t ask about my arthritis.”
[Illus] A cashier in a grocery store noticed that one of her regular customers always chose the longest line at checkout.
He would come up to the cashiers like most folks. Look at the lines of people waiting to check out and then he intentionally chose the longest one instead of the shortest one like most people do.
She asked him why he did that and he said it was because there would be more time to talk and more people to talk to as he waited in the longest line.
[App] Even in the connected age in which we live, people are increasingly lonely and desperate for someone to genuinely care about them. They want someone to listen to them, talk with them, pray for them, encourage them, check on them. They want someone to be genuinely concerned about their welfare. They don’t want to be a burden, they just want to be known and loved.
If you’re lonely, let me encourage you to care for the lonely.
They don’t want to be a burden, they just want to be loved.
As followers of Jesus, we can care for people like that.
Because I have been saved by God’s grace through faith in Christ, rather than ask, “Why isn’t anyone caring for me?” I can choose to care for others.
As devoted followers of Jesus Christ, we can and should genuinely care for people as Timothy did.
[TS] Way #1: Timothy followed the example of Jesus in his care.
Way #2: Timothy followed the example of Jesus in his devotion (v. 21-22a).
Way #2: Timothy followed the example of Jesus in his devotion (v. 21-22a).
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.
[Illus] Your high school probably had a yearbook like mine did. In that yearbook, there were pictures of all the students; pictures of classes, clubs, and sports teams, but you surely remember pictures labeled “most” or “best.”
[Illus]
There was “most popular,” “most likely to succeed,” “best dressed,” “best eyes,” “best hair,” and “cutest couple.” (I’m sure all those relationships worked out!)
But you surely remember pictures labeled “most” or “best.”
If Paul had been yearbook editor, Timothy’s picture would’ve had “most devoted” below it.
[Exp] What was it that made Paul admire Timothy’s devotion?
One thing was that Timothy was focused on the interests of Jesus Christ while everyone else sought their own interests.
When Paul said, “all seek their own interests,” it was a general statement.
Surely, most people seek their own interests, so many in fact that it seems by comparison as if all live to please themselves. Most everyone we meet is devoted to themselves.
Most everyone we meet is devoted to themselves.
Now, we might think of Timothy as primarily devoted to Paul and Paul’s interests, but that’s not how Paul saw it.
Timothy served with Paul as son with a father, but he was devoted to Jesus Christ.
We also see this in v. 22 when Paul wrote that Timothy had “served with (him) in the gospel.”
Timothy didn’t serve with Paul in “Paul’s mission.” He didn’t serve to please Paul.
He served to please Jesus!
He served “in the gospel!” I.e., he served to see men and women, boys and girls embrace Jesus as Savior and follow him as Lord!
Now, those two things - focus on the interests of Christ and service in the gospel - those two things go along way in describing Timothy’s devotion, but at least one more thing needs to be mentioned and that is Timothy’s “prove worth.”
Timothy actually put feet to his faith; deeds to his devotion.
From what Paul wrote we know that Timothy was a living example of , “…let us not love in world or talk but in deed and in truth.”
He would have agreed with James when he wrote in , “…I will show you my faith by my works.”
[Exp]
[App] We are either followers of Jesus Christ in theory or in practice.
There are lots of in theory Christians. They are easy to spot. They don’t do anything but they are critical of those who do.
They mumble to themselves, “I could have sang that better… I could preach a sermon than that… I could teach better… I could serve… lead… help… care BETTER!” than those actually doing the serving.
In practice Christians don’t have a lot of time to be critical of others who are serving because they are busy getting things done.
What am I? Am I a follower of Jesus in theory or in practice?
[TS] Timothy was a follower of Jesus in practice. He was a getting things done kind of guy. He had proven his worth in service in the gospel.
Can the same be said about me? Can the same be said about you?
Way #3: Timothy followed the example of Jesus in his (care, devotion) humility (v. 22a).
Way #3: Timothy followed the example of Jesus in his (care, devotion) humility (v. 22a).
But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.
[Illus] Leonard Bernstein, the late conductor of the New York Philharmonic orchestra, was once asked to name the most difficult instrument to play. Without hesitation, he replied, “The second fiddle.”
He said, “I can get plenty of first violinists, but to find someone who can play the second fiddle with enthusiasm—that’s a problem. And if we have no second fiddle, we have no harmony.”
Timothy didn’t mind playing second fiddle to Paul.
Galaxie Software. (2002). 10,000 Sermon Illustrations. Biblical Studies Press.
[Exp] Paul often described his relationship with Timothy in the affectionate “father-son” terms we see in v. 22.
In , Paul wrote...
That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.
And in both of Paul’s letters to Timothy he addresses him as his son or child in the faith.
To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Paul loved Timothy, but implied in this description of their relationship is a note of humility. A father leads a son and a son submits to his father. At least that’s the way it should work and that’s the way it did work in this case.
Paul was the leader. He was first violinist and Timothy was second fiddle and it takes humility to play the second fiddle well.
[App] There are lots of people who do everything with an eye on the first chair. They want to be in charge and in command. They want to be up front and on stage. They don’t want to sweep the floors! They want to run the company!
[Illus] A few years ago we were passing out Bibles and inviting students from South Alabama to our church. One young man said he was interested in not only coming to our church but serving in some capacity.
When he said “serve,” I thought, “Oh that’s great! We have work days at the church ever so often that he can come to. We are always setting up tables and chairs in the fellowship hall or taking down tables and chairs in the fellowship hall for something or another. Maybe he can keep the sanctuary pews stocked with visitor cards, sharpened pencils, and offering envelopes.”
When I ran a few service ideas by this young man, he responded, “I was thinking more about preaching and teaching.”
I said, “Oh, well, where did you go to church back home?” He responded that he didn’t go to church back home. I asked, “Have you been going anywhere here in Mobile?” Nope.
He essentially wanted to walk through the doors and step into the pulpit. He didn’t want to play second fiddle, he wanted a first violin position!
I told him I didn’t think it would like that and he never showed up for church.
[App] I have joked that of all the many classes they teach at our Southern Baptist seminaries, one they don’t offer is in tables and chairs. I think they figure that if you’ve made it to seminary, you’ve already put up and torn down enough tables and chairs to have a Masters degree in that subject!
Sadly, it’s not true, however. Plenty of guys go to seminary and graduate from seminary and they wouldn’t be caught setting up tables and chairs. That’s a job for the youth for for the deacons, not for a pastor!
Those guys go into churches insisting on being thought of as “first violin” and disrupt the harmony of the church.
Even we pastors have to learn to play the second fiddle well.
Timothy did and he was sent as a pastor to Corinth, the Ephesians, and, here in , Paul hoped to send him to the Philippians as well.
His humility enabled him to follow Paul’s leadership in every church he visited and that increased the harmony in each place.
If we want to bring harmony to the church, we need humility like Timothy had.
[TS] {see below}
Way #4: Timothy followed the example of Jesus in his service (v. 22b).
Way #4: Timothy followed the example of Jesus in his service (v. 22b).
But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.
[Exp]
[Illus]
[App]
[TS]
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
Notes
Notes
Timothy was following the example of Paul as Paul followed the example of Jesus. And it’s in Jesus that we see the perfect example of the things we’ve discussed this morning.
Jesus genuinely cared for us. That’s why he died on the cross to pay the price for our sin.
Jesus was devoted to the will of his Father. It was the will of the Father to crush him on the cross as sacrifice for our sin, but no one took Jesus’s life from him. He laid it down of his own accord.
And Jesus was perfectly humble. That’s why Paul could write in ...
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
\
[ILLUS] I heard a story this past week about Bruce Lorenz, an 86-year-old man who was once again reelected as mayor of Ruso, North Dakota.
He received 100% of the vote with 100% voter turnout in his town… which sounds impressive until you learn that Ruso, North Dakota only has three residents!
It sounds impressive until you learn that in his town there are only three residents!
Bruce has actually been living in an assisted nursing facility since his health began to decline this past Spring and his daughter had to remind him that it was election day. Upon hearing that he once again won (making it about three decades of service for Bruce), he said that he would have to go down the street and get a cigar.
Maybe we can imagine the other two residents of Ruso, North Dakota, going to the poll to vote for mayor and thinking to themselves, “We’ve got no one like, Bruce,” when what they really meant was, “We’ve got no one besides, Bruce!”
There was Luke, Titus, Tychicus, Aquila and Priscilla, Lucius, Jason, Sosipater, Tertius, Gaius, Mark, Justus, Aristarchus, Epaphras, Silvanus, and others. And, yet, he only said this about Timothy, “I have no one like him...” (v. 20).
That’s not what Paul was saying about Timothy here in v. 20. He wasn’t saying that he had no one besides Timothy. He said that he had no one like Timothy.
Paul had others who served with him at various times. There was Luke, Titus, Tychicus, Aquila and Priscilla, Lucius, Jason, Sosipater, Tertius, Gaius, Mark, Justus, Aristarchus, Epaphras, Silvanus, and others. And, yet, he only said this about Timothy, “I have no one like him...” (v. 20).
There was Luke, Titus, Tychicus, Aquila and Priscilla, Lucius, Jason, Sosipater, Tertius, Gaius, Mark, Justus, Aristarchus, Epaphras, Silvanus, and others. And, yet, he only said this about Timothy, “I have no one like him...” (v. 20).
What did Paul mean?
Well, he could have also meant that he had no one else who was so much like himself. As Paul wrote in v. 20, he and Timothy served together like father and son (v. 22) and most sons at least resemble their father.
But most certainly he meant that he had no one else so well suited to minister to the Philippians; no one else who would be so “genuinely concerned” for the welfare of the Philippians (v. 20) and the interests of Jesus Christ (v. 21).
There were plenty of people who would seek their own interests. So many, in fact, that Paul generalizes with the word all in v. 21. He writes, “For they all seek their own interests...” (v. 21).
Now, I said this was a generalization because it wasn’t true that literally all sought their own interests. Paul didn’t. Epaphroditus didn’t. And Timothy didn’t, which is Paul’s point. Paul meant to contrast Timothy’s individual selflessness with the world’s general selfishness.
The world is generally selfish.
Followers of Jesus are called to be individually selfless.
This selflessness was the way of Jesus who gave his life as the sacrifice for our sins on the cross.
This selflessness was the way of Paul who wanted to become more and more like Jesus (v. 10).
This selflessness is the life that God calls all of us to in ...
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
[CIT] This selflessness was exemplified in Timothy, Paul’s son in the faith and faithful partner in ministry.
[CONTEXT] Paul was under house-arrest in Rome awaiting trial, so he could not go to the Philippians personally, but he could send them Timothy. And Timothy’s selfless example would be the antidote to the poison of selfishness that had crept into the Philippian church.
Now, just as we said last week when we talked about Paul’s selfless example, Timothy was only following the example of Jesus in his selfless way of living. And while Timothy (like Paul) is not a perfect example, [PROP] he is a good example that if followed will help us to follow the selfless way of Jesus more faithfully.
[INTER] So how did Timothy follow the selfless way of Jesus?
[TS] Let’s look at three WAYS...