Courage To Sacrifice Series

Sent to Sacrifice

Philippians 2:19-30

November 5, 2023

Sometimes we find ourselves in situations which kind of amaze us. Some of those times are great and some are not. Have you ever wondered . . . . “How did I get here?” The dishes are stacked high, the kids are still up and you still have work to do . . . and you think “How did this all happen?”

Maybe it’s time for your annual review with your boss, and you’re a little anxious about what the end result is going to be and on your drive to work, you’re thinking “how did I here in this job?”

Maybe as finals approach, you’re thinking about all the work you have to do. And you know you could never finish it all, even if you never slept . . . and you’re wondering “how’d this happen?”

A loved one is in need and you’re trying to figure it all out . . . “what happened that brought us to this point?”

Or maybe life is at it’s zenith! All’s good. Life is great, you’re blessed! You have everything you need . . . and it astounds you . . . and you’re so thankful, but you wonder, “how’d this all happen? How’d I get here?”

Those and others can be real head scratchers. “How did I get here?”

The point that I want to get to this morning is asking and answering this question - - - - - Where has Jesus sent you to sacrifice?

How would you answer that question? Do you have a sense that you’ve been called by Jesus? Even called to have the courage to sacrifice.

We’re in week 3 of looking at what it means to sacrifice in Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi. It is so important in the sacrificial Jesus-life that every follower of Jesus is called to live — that you’re clear how you got there.

I want you to have a sense of a clear calling from Jesus. That Jesus called you and sent you. Jesus asked you to come into a certain place, a job, a family situation, a neighborhood, a roommate dynamic, a classroom.

You’ve been called by Jesus. This was not of your own doing. And God is certainly not surprised by what’s happening in your life. He’s not scratching His head, asking the same question, “how’d this happen?”

In our scripture today, Paul talks about 2 different people. We read about Timothy and Epaphroditus. We have stories from both of them about being called to sacrifice.

I want you to understand that the sacrificial life generally starts with a call which leads to a sending. It’s Jesus calling you, then sending you. I believe we’re called to live a sacrificial life in the name of Jesus. He gets the glory and honor as He frees us to serve others and Him.

So, let’s look at part of the story. Paul helps us as he separates the story into 2 distinct sections. In Philippians 2:19, Paul wrote - - - -

19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you.

20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.

21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.

22 But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.

23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me,

24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.

I want to give you a quick background on Timothy. First off, he was born to a Jewish mother and a Gentile father. He ultimately became a follower and demonstrated his genuine faith, as he was mentored by Paul and ultimately became a minister in the faith and was even circumcised as an adult so that the message of Jesus wouldn’t be impeded.

The scripture I read may not sound like a big deal, but the Greek words Paul used to describe Timothy are really important for us to understand, because it showed a life of sacrifice.

Remember, when Paul wrote this letter, he was in prison. Timothy was a great comfort to Paul in his imprisonment. But Timothy was more than just a familiar companion. Paul trusted that he could send Timothy to deal with sensitive church problems. Paul knew there were some problems in Philippi, so he wanted to send Timothy to help them.

When Paul stated in verse 20, that Timothy would be genuinely interested in their welfare . . . . . Paul’s telling them that Timothy isn’t self-absorbed, he’s not always checking his tweets and social media, he doesn’t have a hidden agenda. He’s not coming as a hired hit man, but as someone who genuinely cares about you.