A Disciple Looks Like...

Intro: Illustration of someone who was the example

I knew this guy....You remember this lady...

1) The need for disciples

Co-laborers, people you trust with your work, your life work

This is the 12, this is Paul, this is the Philippian church, this is CORNERSTONE

An interlude in the letter

Paul, imprisoned, Epaphroditus has come to help him, from Philippi

Timothy is helping, too, and will hopefully soon be sent their way

Epaphroditus will carry this letter to the Philippians back with him

Paul has been talking about the mind of Christ, the attitude of a Christ-follower - he is reminded of two such men - gives two examples

Each had special connection with Phil. church

Paul is a great model of the Christian life - so are Timothy and Epaphroditus

Sometimes we need something or someone tangible to demonstrate the ideal, the mindset Paul has been talking about

2) Disciples’ characteristics

Timothy

A “son” to Paul

Greek/heathen father, Jewish mother and grandmother

No excuses, his past is just that, his past.

Converted, while aware of the trials and troubles that could follow

Genuine interest in the church

Selfless, he sought things of Christ rather than his own interests

Committed, valuable to ministry

Reliable to report to Paul, ministry not just head-knowledge, but could read between the lines, see how the church is really doing

As Paul nears death, it is Timothy he calls to stand by him (2 Tim. 4:9-11)

The Disciple - example

Well-spoken of at Lystra, Iconium (Acts. 16:2)

Named with Paul and Silas as a man who was telling about Christ (2 Cor. 1:19)

Responsible at a young age to lead other believers, disciple them

Characteristics in Scripture

Fellow worker - Rom 16:21, 1 Thess 3:2

Brother - 2 Cor 1:1, Col 1:1, 1 Thess 3:2

Bond-servant - Phil 1:1

Son - 1 Tim 1:2, 2 Tim 1:2

Coequal in LORD’s work - 1 Cor 16:10, 1 Thess 3:2

Encouraged by other believers

He is expected to:

Stand out as example to all believers - 1 Tim 4:12

Teach the Scriptures

Proclaim the Word of God boldly, guarding what’s entrusted to him - 1 Tim 6:20

Prepared, trustworthy, loyal, faithful...

THIS IS NOT AUTOMATIC, it doesn’t just happen (and in 2 Tim...)

Keep the Gospel fresh

Suffer for the gospel

Teach others, pass it along, properly, teach and preach the Word

Pursue a life that shows your approval by God, DILIGENTLY (2 Tim 2:15)

Keep preaching, keep going, no matter what or who stands against you

STAY THE COURSE - FIGHT THE FIGHT OF FAITH!

Epaphroditus - example

Name - Belonging to, or approved by Aphrodite (goddess of love, procreation, etc.) - but has the character of Christ

Described by Paul

MY Brother, fellow-worker, fellow soldier (personal connection)

(family, vocation, military)

(common sympathy, work, and suffering)

All of these show perseverance

He was a gift of the church to Paul

Left home to serve in a difficult situation

Left his comfort zone to serve the LORD

He risked his life for Paul, for the service he was called to, that’s a special relationship to be willing to give one’s life

Um.....Jesus?

SIDE: Epaph. was sick, very sick

God gets the glory when healing occurs

God gets the glory when recovery doe NOT occur

Always giving credit and glory to God - HIS purposes

He desires to be back home with his church! He misses them when he is not there! (“Distressed” - angst)

And when he IS there, he is an encourager, people are glad when they see him

Something is missing when he is missing, he misses them when he is missing?

3) Partners in the Gospel (key word: partners)

Paul enjoys personal ministry, not mail

Not text, not social media - PERSONAL

Great joy to minister with people who love to minister, above all else

-and along with everything else going on in life - busy, hard work

First - this church encourages those who are serving

Paul, Timothy, Epaph.

Second - Genuine concern for each other - not worry, anxiety

The big question is...What do PARTNERS in the Gospel look like to each other?

Big picture - see the delight in the glory of Christ reflected in each others’ character and service - When we see each other, work together, we see Christ in each other, right?

THE GOSPEL IS WHAT MATTERS MOST - Final authority

Sharing Christ, and living in His manner, His attitude

I never want people to serve ME, but serve WITH me

We experience going through a test, working together, getting results

Tested - approved, like Timothy

Important to the cause - like Epaph.

Christ is seeking surrendered DISCIPLES:

Mark 8:35 NASB95

“For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.

1 Corinthians 3:9 NASB95

For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.

WE have a place on Christ’s team, PARTNERS in the Gospel, committed to

Advancing the gospel

Proclaiming the gospel

Defending the gospel

Living in a manner worthy of the gospel

What are your comfort zones?

What are you willing to do for the cause of the Gospel?

(learn, grow, serve, unity, faithfulness, commitment, take this serious?)

Where do you need to start?

Epaphroditus was sick, and stayed the course for the cause

We skip church and opportunities to grow, and serve, because there’s something better to do

OR THIS EXAMPLE: Parenting is hard work, so many leave spiritually raising kids to someone else - when we treat the church like this, the church struggles along

THIS IS THE WORK

So we can have joy

So we can have unity

So people can see Christ!

With all going on, very few are doing the work of the faith:

God will keep using FAITHFUL people to fulfill HIS purposes

God wants to use faithful, surrendered disciples

Is that YOU? Will you let Him use YOU?