Dr. Roger W. Thomas, Preaching Minister
First Christian Church, Vandalia, MO
Proven Leaders
Philippians 2:19-24
Introduction: I am often asked by youngsters and older new comers to our church, “what’s with the pictures on the wall” in the lower foyer. People who are unfamiliar with the terminology ask, “What’s a Timothy?” I generally give the simple answer first. “Those are pictures of men who grew up in this church and are now in the ministry.” A few will inquire further, “Why are they called Timothies?”
The answer to that of course requires some Bible background. A part of the answer is found in our text.
Timothy was the offspring of a mixed marriage. His mother was Jewish (Eunice); his father was Greek. He grew up in a part of what is now known as Turkey (Lystra). It is altogether possible that his father had died or left his family. At any rate, Timothy grew up under the influence of his mother and grandmother (Lois). Timothy becomes a Christian during one of Paul’s missionary trips to his home town. Paul would later refer to him as his “son in the faith.”
When Paul passes through Lystra later, he invites Timothy to join his mission team. For the next several years, he traveled with Paul and company. Timothy sometimes served as his scribe, writing letters that Paul dictated to his churches. More than that, Timothy became Paul’s go to guy. He sent him as a messenger and his representative to some of the most troublesome situations. The two letters that bear his name (1 and 2 Timothy) carried instructions for his ministry in Ephesus where he was sent to help organize the church, guide in the selection of leaders, and instruct the church on dealing with false teachers who threatened their well-being.
When this letter was written, Paul is in jail (most likely under house arrest in Rome) for preaching the message of Jesus. After a messenger arrives from one of his closest churches (Philippi) with a financial gift and some queries about how things are going for him, Paul writes back. He updates them on his situation (he is confident God is using even his prison time to further the gospel), thanks them for their faithfulness and generosity, and sends some words of encouragement to stand strong in the faith whatever happens. Note Phil 1:1. Timothy is with Paul. He is probably not under arrest himself, but comes and goes helping Paul, bringing messages to and from him.
In our text, Paul promises to send Timothy to Philippi at a later date. In the process, he offers some commentary about Timothy. He explains why he is such a respected leader. He does so to use Timothy as an example of what a good leader is all about. The qualities listed in his description of Timothy offer important insight into the qualities the Lord desires in every Christian leader, especially elders and deacons in a local church.
Leaders Need Positive Tongues.
“I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you.”
Paul knew he could count on Timothy for a good report. The term “cheered” literally means “good souled.” Paul knew good news from his church would bring joy to his soul. Words can do that. Words have the power to encourage or discourage. Think about the root meaning of those English terms. Encouragement brings courage. Discouragement drains courage. That’s exactly what positive words can do, especially the words of leaders.
This church like every church needs leaders who can encourage. The world has enough discouragers. We have plenty of people who major in sowing despair and fear. We need leaders who can cheer the hearts and souls of people with their positive tongues.
We need leaders who think positive because they see through eyes of faith. They are not pie-in-the-sky dreamers who try to wish away problems. Rather they are faith-in-the-Lord believers who know their God is greater than any circumstance or any problem. That’s the overarching perspective of Philippians. Paul wrote from a prison cell, but he was convinced that the Lord he served was more powerful than any chain. He still is.
We don’t need leaders who are paralyzed by fear or negative thinking. We need leaders who can see the hand of God in any and every circumstance.
A Georgia farmer, ragged and bare-footed, was standing on the steps of his tumbledown shack. A stranger stopped for a drink of water. "How is your cotton coming along?" he asked. "Ain’t got none," replied the farmer. "Did you plant any?" asked the stranger. "Nope," was the reply, "afraid of bollweevils." "Well," continued the stranger, "how is your corn?" "Didn’t plant none," came the answer, "’fraid there weren’t going to be no rain." The visitor persevered: "Well, how are your potatoes?" "Ain’t got none. Scairt of potato bugs." "Really, what did you plant?" pressed the stranger. "Nothin’," was the calm reply, "I jest played it safe."
We need leaders who refuse to “play it safe.” We need leaders willing to take great “risks” because they are men of great faith who believe in an even greater God.
I want to see leaders who know how to be “good gossips.” That means men and women who major in positive speech. Most gossip is by nature negative. We delight in passing on little tidbits of negative information. It is always behind the other person’s back, never to their face. It is almost always negative. It is designed to hurt and destroy. Perhaps we think we somehow look better or bigger, if we can cut another down. How silly!
What would happen if everyone here, especially leaders, majored in good gossip? What if we pledged to never say anything but positive news about others? What if our leaders were encouragers, cheerleaders, and promoters of the welfare of others? That‘s what we need. We need leaders who will cheer us all with their good report of what God is doing in the lives of his people.
Leaders Need Selfless Hearts. “I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. 21For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.
This is truly a sad commentary on the others. But that’s nothing new. We have all seen our share of leaders who seem to be more interested in promoting themselves than in promoting the cause of Christ or the interests of others.
Great churches are led by men who have no need to always be right or always get their way. They humbly know they often make mistakes and can easily miss important information. Good leaders depend on fellow leaders to help them see the bigger picture and make better decisions. In short, good leaders learn to think like Jesus.
“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.”
Leaders Need Willing Hands. “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.” Paul’s terminology is instructive. His term for “serve” in this verse comes from the vocabulary of slavery. Timothy wasn’t just a leader who served from a position of superiority and esteem. He slaved for others. He was their servant. That’s the best kind of leader.
Good leaders are willing to get their hands dirty. No job is too small or too obscure. If it needs getting done, a good leader will tackle it.
Good leaders don’t need a spotlight. They can work and serve in obscurity. They don’t require credit and acclaim. Obviously, those who are being served should express appreciation and gratitude. But a good leader keeps going even when he is overlooked or even disrespected. A “slave” has no rights. He has no claim on fairness or justice. His job is to serve. Good leaders are good slaves to Christ and his church.
Conclusion: Men, we appreciate your willingness to step up to the plate and get involved. We honor your refusal to remain on the sidelines. We celebrate your service.
Church, our leaders deserve our support. They need our respect. They merit our honor and encouragement. We have the power to make them even better leaders.
Let me close with a paraphrase of our text. If Paul were writing to this church on this day, he might put it this way: We’re glad in the Lord Jesus that we have men like you who are leaders in our church. We are cheered by your positive report about what’s happening. We are grateful that you are not like some leaders in some churches, who are only interested in themselves. We are blessed to have men like you who are concerned about the welfare of others, the church, and especially about the message of Jesus. You have proved yourselves. We are glad to work with you. God is doing good things through you.
***Dr. Roger W. Thomas is the preaching minister at First Christian Church, 205 W. Park St., Vandalia, MO 63382 and an adjunct professor of Bible and Preaching at Central Christian College of the Bible, 911 E. Urbandale, Moberly, MO. He is a graduate of Lincoln Christian College (BA) and Lincoln Christian Seminary (MA, MDiv), and Northern Baptist Theological Seminary (DMin).
