#7- Joy In A Wasted Life Series

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Philippians 2:14 Do everything without complaining or arguing,

15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe

16 as you hold out the word of life-- in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.

Children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation.

Shine like the stars while you hold out the word of life...

17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.

Poured out - wasted.

Something perfectly good, poured out.

Jacob - poured oil and wine on a pillar to remember.

David - poured out the water fetched by the mighty men at Bethlehem

Woman on Christ - poured out a bottle of perfume worth thousands.

Paul says I'm being poured out like that, over the sacrifice and service from you.

What's your life pouring out on?

I promise it's pouring out on something. You're pouring time and money and effort, and thought and your talents... every day you do.

What are you pouring it on?

Pour it out on the things that bring true joy.

18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Don't be sorry for me. I'm living the life I want, pouring it out on the things that matter.

Paul has invested in young men, and he's found this one:

19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you.

20 I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare.

Paul had worked with so many men. This is an amazing statement.

21 For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.

22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.

I am honored to serve alongside each of you.

23 I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me.

24 And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.

25 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.

26 For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill.

27 Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow.

28 Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety.

29 Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him,

30 because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.

Christian heroes.

Make over them. raise them up. Honor them. Speak with reverence of them.

Tell their stories.

Memorize their stats.

It's a thrilling thing to see Kevin Durant pull up and shoot a 3 pointer at the last second... it's touching to see him cry and speak about his mother...

It's great to hear the stories of the great soldiers

but it's a greater thing to speak of the soldiers of the cross:

John Wesley

George Whitfield

David Brainerd

Adoniram Judson

Charles Cowman

Martin Luther

John Calvin

John Huss

Brother Andrew, God's smuggler

Hugh Latimer

Nicholas Ridley

Richard Wurmbrand

Charles Finney

Sheffey, the circuit Rider

William & Catherine Booth

Billy Sunday

Chuck Colson

Billy Graham

Hudson Taylor