A Heart After Christ

INTRO:

Game tie in - had the choice of doing something for others or yourself

To live is Christ, starts in the heart

Look at a Heart after Christ

Proverbs 23:26 ESV

My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.

Proverbs

Proverbs 4:23 ESV

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

Proverbs 23:26 ESV

My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.

Looking at a heart after Christ

The Hearts of God’s people

Romans 12:9–13 ESV

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Mark of Christian:

Centered on Christ

A people of compassion - as it has been shown to us

Stand on truth

Seeking the betterment of others

Serving the church - not a place you go, but a people you belong to

Timothy and Epaphroditus

Timothy:

Paul’s right hand man

co-laborer in the Gospel

Sent to the Philippi for his concern for them

Epaphroditus:

Church member from Philippi

sent to Paul to aid him in his prison time

was deathly ill

sent back to Philippi by Paul to comfort the church about his well being

Paul

The apostle who started the church

has deep affection for this church

has deep affection for these two men

Philippians 2:19–30 ESV

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 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. I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also. I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.

Philippians 2:19-

Heart Reveals Your Passions

These men laid down their desires for the betterment of others

revealing a life changed by Christ

Being lights in a dark world

following Christ example of humility

actions advanced the Gospel

Joy found in the betterment of others

Hebrews 12:2 ESV

looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

all honor and glory were to be given to His name

God’s people would be reunited with Him

A life after Christ looks to the interest of others in the church

God’s people are distinct in how they love one another

how they serve one another

Evidence your a believer?

how they are drawn together for the Gospel

STOP

In Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus have a strong affection for the church in Philippi as well as each other. How does this encourage your walk with brothers and sisters in Christ? How do the people in your youth group know you care about them? What ways are you showing those around you, that your heart has been changed by Christ?

Have a student read , What stands out to you most as the mark of Christian? How do you live out these characteristics in your life? at your school? in your youth group?

If desire for the local church was important for Paul and is important to Christ, how does that affect your attitude toward the local church? Is there anything that needs to change in your relationship with the church?