Serving Together
Notes
Transcript
Serving Together
INTRODUCTION
Buddy the Elf surprise visit
Who do you like to have come visit?
Read Philippians 2:19-24
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.
Pray
Who can you trust?
News
Politicians
Facebook Posts
We all have friends we trust.
Paul’s closest friend at this point in his life was Timothy.
3 Characteristics of Trustworthy Partners
Genuine (20-21)
Genuine (20-21)
Motives matter
Matthew 22:15-17
Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words.
And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone’s opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances.
Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
Psalm 55:21
His speech was smooth as butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.
Proverbs 26:23-25
Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart.
Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart;
when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart;
Who are they trying to please? - vs 21
Selfless
ILL- salesman- act like they care.
Someone needing you to get a promotion.
Discipled (22)
Discipled (22)
Proven worth- discipleship is not knowledge- it's how to live.
Matthew 28:19-20
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Teaching how to obey (not teaching about)
2 Timothy 2:15
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
Workers who can understand God’s Word.
Generational- proof that you truly are making disciples.
2 Timothy 2:2
and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.
Your children should be giving you grandchildren.
You know by their works- not by their knowledge.
Matthew 7:21-23
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’
And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
How do we know we do not live in a Christian nation? Not by polls, but by their life.
2 Timothy 3:1-5
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.
For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good,
treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
Loyal (23-24)
Loyal (23-24)
Timothy was with Paul for as long as Paul needed him there.
Timothy was the greatest gift he could think to send to the church at Philippi.
Timothy was the one he trusted the most to report on the church at Philippi.
Timothy was loyal to Paul, no matter the cost.
Timothy had been with Paul on missionary journeys.
He had been run out of town with Paul.
Compare to John Mark- reason for Paul and Barnabas split.
God is greatest example of being faithful.
2 Timothy 2:11-13
The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us;
if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.
CONCLUSION
Are you a faithful servant of Jesus Christ?
Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 10:9
because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 10:13
For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
He is faithful. He has done his part. Will you let him change you?