3 Great Examples

Title: “3 Great Examples” Script: Phil. 2:17-30

Type: Expository series Where: GNBC 10-14-18/RW 6-29-25

Intro: The story is told of the World War II American submarine, the USS SQUALUS (SS-192), which on 23 May 1939, while making practice dives at sea, sank and bottomed out on the ocean floor in 243 feet (79 kilometers) of water! Of the fifty-six (56) members of the crew that were onboard, twenty-six (26) were killed; but, thirty-three (33) were rescued and survived! It was a dismal end for that submarine’s career - however, on 13 September 1939, the USS SQUALUS (SS-192), was raised from the bottom, it was reconditioned, it was repaired and overhauled! On 15 May 1940, it was renamed the USS SAILFISH (SS-192), and battling, on 04 December 1943, the darkness, a typhoon, colossal waves and torrential rains, in the Pacific Ocean, went on to sink the Imperial Japanese Navy Ship (IJNS) Chuyo - an escort carrier! The submarine was awarded the "Presidential Unit Citation" for its meritorious action! What an inspiring vessel for the Navy. We all like and appreciate great examples of heroism, valor, success. Same for the faith.

Prop: Phil. 2:17ff shows 3 men who were exceptional servants of Christ.

BG: 1. Examine 3 men – Paul, prisoner, chained to soldier in own rented quarters, Timothy, “son in the faith” of Paul’s. Epaphroditus – Philippian church sent him with financial support to aid Paul. 2. Each man had own spiritual and personal characteristics.

3.

Prop: Looking at Phil. 2:17f we’ll see 3 exceptional servants of the Lord.

I. Paul: Rejoicing in Sacrifice vv. 17-18

A. Paul’s Life was Characterized by Love of the Lord.

1. Paul loved the Lord!

a. Illust: Paul never got over the fact that the Lord Jesus had saved his soul. “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief” (1 Timothy 1:15). We have all heard it and perhaps we have even said it ourselves. “I am the worst cook…” “I am the worst organizer…” “I am the worst preacher…” “I am the worst teacher…” “I am the worst gardener…” “I am the worst mother/father/daughter/son-in-law…,” etc. Why do we say such things? We don’t believe these things when we say them. So, why do we say them? I would like to suggest a few reasons. Sometimes, we just don’t want people’s expectations to be too high. We don’t want them to be disappointed if we fail to deliver the goods. Or perhaps we say such things simply to elicit sympathy. We want people to feel sorry for us. We want them to pat us on the back and tell us that we are really not the worst, but someone else is. Often, people say things like these out of a false sense of humility. We are subtly fishing for compliments. We want people to tell us that far from being the worst, we are actually the best they know. Sometimes we say these things due to a very poor self-image. Life has been so hard for us. We have been battered for so long. Why Does Paul Call Himself the “Chief” of Sinners? Why does he do that? We need to be clear right here at the outset. Paul doesn’t address himself as the “chief” of sinners because he wants to limit people’s expectations of him. Far from it! He doesn’t make this statement because he wants to elicit sympathy. He doesn’t make because he has some false sense of humility. Paul as an apostle makes this statement under the inspiration of Holy Spirit. This was not an off-handed or an incorrect self-depreciating comment. This statement is one of deep gratitude!

b. Paul disciplined his own body so that he would better serve the Lord (I Cor. 9:27). Paul vigorously wanted to discipline his body and life so that he would not be a hypocrite and disqualify his life or message in the minds and hearts of others. Listen, is there anything we are doing in our bodies that poses a danger of disqualifying our lives or message? Quit it due to your love of the Lord! We are to limit our own freedom for the sake of Christ and the sake of others. Notice Paul’s appraisal of his condition: “I am being poured out as a drink offering.” – Gk – spendo – Libation (Word used in both Jewish and Greek religious services. Paul saw his life as being his ultimate act of sacrifice for the Lord. Illust: Jim Elliot said 60+ years ago: “Only one life soon to pass, only what’s done for Christ will last.” Paul realized the truth of this statement and wanted to do everything could to lead as many to Christ as possible.