Be the One to Make the Difference
Notes
Transcript
Known by your actions:
Known by your actions:
Alfred Nobel, known as the “dynamite king”, holds 355 patents. He holds pattens for designs for nitroglycerin detonators, blasting caps and smokeless gunpowder called and dynamite. Legend has it that his brother pass away died in France in 1888.
“Thanks to poor reporting, at least one French newspaper believed that it was Alfred who had perished, and it proceeded to write a scathing obituary that branded him a “merchant of death” who had grown rich by developing new ways to “mutilate and kill.”
There is no evidence of the scathing obituary “Merchant of Death” but it could have influenced Alfred Nobel to become more interested in his posthumous reputation that he rewrote his last will, bequeathing most of his fortune to a cause that would change the the opportunity to write his obituary in such a way.
Therefore the actions of Alfred Nobel gives us the Nobel Peace Price.
It is not too late to change your story and set an example as good role model.
DT: Paul speaks of two people’s great character and how they should be welcomed when they come to Philippi.
Aim: We should live out the message we want people to see.
Let us open our text to Philippians 2:19-30:
19 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. 20 I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. 21 All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ. 22 But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News. 23 I hope to send him to you just as soon as I find out what is going to happen to me here. 24 And I have confidence from the Lord that I myself will come to see you soon. 25 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. 26 I am sending him because he has been longing to see you, and he was very distressed that you heard he was ill. 27 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. 28 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. 29 Welcome him in the Lord’s love and with great joy, and give him the honor that people like him deserve. 30 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.
Be the Role Model
Be the Role Model
22 But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News.
Be the kind of role model that others defend your character.
Be the kind of role model that others defend your character.
Paul speaks of Timothy’s character to the church of one who is truly cares about them.
Timothy reflects the qualities Paul mention earlier in the letter.
1 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. 3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
Paul speaks of Epaphroditus character as well.
Paul speaks of Epaphroditus character as well.
25 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.
Actions speak louder than words.
Timothy is the example for them to follow.
Timothy is the example for them to follow.
Paul is looking to send Timothy to lead the church.
21 All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ.
Paul points out how Timothy is not like others and shows godly character. His desire to follow Christ is demonstrated in his actions.
Timothy lives this life for all to see and Paul points this out.
22 But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News.
Paul points out how they know the character of Timothy.
You know for yourself how Timothy has proved himself.
People like to see actions behind words.
Saying and doing are two different things.
We need to walk out what we talk about.
Paul affirms his work with him in the Gospel.
Paul’s view lines up with others views.
The Gospel Paul and Timothy partnered in this great work.
People are looking for good role models.
People are looking for good role models.
Paul hopes to send Timothy soon to them.
23 I hope to send him to you just as soon as I find out what is going to happen to me here. 24 And I have confidence from the Lord that I myself will come to see you soon.
Take time to thank a role model in your life.
Take time to thank a role model in your life.
This role model may have been your teacher, parent, brother or sister. Who was the person that helped you to grow and be a better person? This person should be encouraged for their great work. This what Paul encouraged Philippi to do upon Epaphroditus return home.
29 Welcome him in the Lord’s love and with great joy, and give him the honor that people like him deserve. 30 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.
We are now waiting on the great return of the greatest role model.
We are now waiting on the great return of the greatest role model.
Live out our life to be examples of christ.
We are to be faithful as we wait to rejoice in seeing Christ ourselves.
What a joy it will be in the Lord’s presence.
We can have a taste of this Joy doing the work of the Lord.