(Joe Fornear) A couple of opposing candidates for county office were sitting near each other in the local diner... One turned to the other and said, "You know why I’m going to win this election? Because of my ’personal touch.’ For example, I always tip waitresses really well and then ask them to vote for me." "Oh, is that so?" replied the other. "I always tip them a nickel and ask them to vote for you."
Sad to say, there are many politicians out there who are not setting a very good example.
•We have the difficult choice of choosing the best ones out of the group.
•That having been said, it still is IMPERATIVE that we vote Thurs. for Christian values.
I wonder if we were running for Christian office, what kind of example would we be?
Turn with me to Phil. 2:19-30 as we look at 2 great candidates, 2 great examples.
Paul has already urged us to conduct ourselves in a worthy manner (1:27) and to work out our salvation (2:12).
In Ch. 2, he urges us to follow the example of Christ in humility and sacrifice.
•Now he gives us two more examples - Timothy and Epaphroditus.
•2 men who conducted themselves worthily, who were working out their salvation.
•2 men who displayed a servant’s heart, and who give us a great example to follow.
Prayer
Paul’s point in this passage is twofold. Not only does he describe these men as examples to follow, but he also lists their itinerary and his upcoming plans.
I. TIMOTHY IS COMING LATER. vv. 19-24
19I HOPE IN THE LORD JESUS TO SEND TIMOTHY TO YOU SOON, THAT I ALSO MAY BE CHEERED (encouraged) WHEN I RECEIVE NEWS ABOUT YOU.
Remember, one of Paul’s underlying themes in this Letter is mutual encouragement.
He wanted to send Timothy soon to encourage them and to hear how they were doing.
Paul hasn’t left them to themselves. He still cares deeply for them.
Timothy’s Example:
Who is Timothy?
Acts 16:1 He was born to a Jewish woman and a Greek father.
2 Tim. 1:5 His mother and grandmother taught him about Judaism.
1 Tim. 1:2 He was Paul’s true son in the faith.
Apparently, he was also a great student and apprentice of Paul.
•More than that, he was a great example of Christlikeness and Paul uses his example to encourage and motivate the Philippians.
1. Genuine Compassion
20I HAVE NO ONE ELSE LIKE HIM, WHO TAKES A GENUINE INTEREST IN YOUR WELFARE.
“No one else here has a kindred spirit, who is truly anxious/troubled with care concerning you.”
Frederick Buechner (Wishful Thinking, Harper and Row Pub., New York, 1973) defines compassion this way: "Compassion is the sometimes fatal capacity for feeling what it’s like to live inside somebody else’s skin. It’s the knowledge that there can never really be any peace and joy for me until there is peace and joy finally for you too."
Timothy displayed genuine compassion for the Philippians, as did Paul.
2. True Humility
21FOR EVERYONE LOOKS OUT FOR HIS OWN INTERESTS, NOT THOSE OF JESUS CHRIST.
This goes along with what Paul encourages us in vv. 3-4.
Phil. 2:3-4 DO 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. That’s the definition of humility.
What’s sad is that apparently, Timothy was the only person who truly did this.
Illus. It’s a very similar picture today, isn’t it?
•America is the most selfish nation in the world. We’re No. 1! Forget about No. 2.
•How many people do you know who demonstrate true humility?
Instead of looking out for No. 1, Timothy’s looking out for the real No. 1 – Jesus Christ.
Timothy is a great example of what true humility looks like.
3. Proven Character
22BUT YOU KNOW THAT TIMOTHY HAS PROVED HIMSELF,
Timothy didn’t just talk the talk. He had walked the walk.
•He had stood the test of external and internal persecution/trial (cf. Ch. 1-2).
(Chris Smith, SC.com) Engineers tell us that the only way that metal can safely be used is after testing it. And it must exceed the testing requirements. Repeatedly. The metal to be used must be pure. And in order for it to be purified, it must go through fire. It must be melted, and molded to fit the designer’s purpose. Just as metal must be molded, purified, and tested; we have to be tested before God will use us for His purposes.
Jas. 1:12 BLESSED IS THE MAN WHO PERSEVERES UNDER TRIAL, BECAUSE WHEN HE HAS STOOD THE TEST, HE WILL RECEIVE THE CROWN OF LIFE THAT GOD HAS PROMISED TO THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.
Timothy had received and passed the test with flying colors.
4. Devoted Service
BECAUSE AS A SON WITH HIS FATHER HE HAS SERVED WITH ME IN THE WORK OF THE GOSPEL.
Remember, Timothy is Paul’s son in the faith.
Children in those days were expected to serve their fathers faithfully, as a devoted member of the family.
By the way, the word “serve” here again gives the idea of being a slave.
•It’s the same word that Paul uses of Jesus in Phil. 2:7.
Timothy is truly a devoted servant. We see this again in Paul’s Letters to Timothy.
In vv. 23-24, Paul explains why Timothy’s not coming now and what his future plans are.
23I HOPE, THEREFORE, TO SEND HIM AS SOON AS I SEE HOW THINGS GO WITH ME. 24AND I AM CONFIDENT IN THE LORD THAT I MYSELF WILL COME SOON.
Paul’s release from prison is no guarantee, but he’s confident of it nonetheless (1:19, 25).
Timothy is a great example of a working, worthy faith and calling.
•He demonstrated genuine compassion, true humility, proven character, and devoted service, not only to Paul, but more importantly, to Christ.
Which of these examples might describe me?
II. EPAPHRODITUS IS COMING NOW. vv. 25-30
25BUT I THINK IT IS NECESSARY TO SEND BACK TO YOU EPAPHRODITUS,
Who is Epaphroditus?
He is only mentioned in Phil., but we see here that he was sent by the Philippians with a love gift (Phil. 4:18) and to help minister to Paul’s needs while he was in prison.
•He was an extension of their ministry to Paul.
Apparently, they picked a great man for the job.
Now, he serves as the mailman, delivering this letter to the Philippians.
This might have raised some eyebrows. He wasn’t expected to return so soon.
•Not only that, but he had gotten sick during his ministry, so some people were probably wondering what was going on.
Before Paul explains what’s going on, he shows what a great example of Christ he is.
Epaphroditus’ Example:
1. A partner in faith
MY BROTHER,
They shared a common Father and Lord. They had a close, familial relationship.
Epaphroditus was a true believer who was working out his salvation.
2. A partner in service
FELLOW WORKER He was laboring for the Lord, side by side with Paul.
He wasn’t just putting in his time, he wasn’t just helping Paul out.
He was a fellow worker/laborer, a partner in the Gospel (Phil. 1:5).
3. A partner in warfare
AND FELLOW SOLDIER,
Paul knew that serving the Lord wasn’t just work. It was warfare.
•He was on the front lines of a great battle.
Eph 6:12 FOR OUR STRUGGLE IS NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD, BUT AGAINST THE RULERS, AGAINST THE AUTHORITIES, AGAINST THE POWERS OF THIS DARK WORLD AND AGAINST THE SPIRITUAL FORCES OF EVIL IN THE HEAVENLY REALMS.
That’s why Paul goes on in that passage to tell us to put on the whole armor of God.
2 Tim. 2:3 ENDURE HARDSHIP WITH US LIKE A GOOD SOLDIER OF CHRIST JESUS.
That’s exactly what Epaphroditus was doing. He was there in the trenches with Paul.
4. Their partner in mission
He was the Philippians’ missionary, their MESSENGER.
The word here is “apostle”. It literally means “one sent”.
Not only was Epaphroditus Paul’s partner, he was the Philippians’ partner/apostle.
He was sent on a mission and he was accomplishing that mission well.
5. Their partner in ministry
WHOM YOU SENT TO TAKE CARE OF MY NEEDS.
(NAS) WHO IS ALSO YOUR MESSENGER AND MINISTER TO MY NEED;
His mission was to minister to Paul. He was an extension of their ministry to Paul.
Missionaries are an extension of our ministry.
Like Timothy, Epaphroditus was focused on serving others rather than himself.
6. Compassionate Friend
26FOR HE LONGS FOR ALL OF YOU AND IS DISTRESSED BECAUSE YOU HEARD HE WAS ILL.
This is the same word that Paul uses in Phil. 1:8 to describe his longing for them.
Epaphroditus missed his church family. He longed for them.
Not only that, he was upset because they had heard about his illness.
This is the same distress that Jesus displayed in Gethsemane (Mt 26:37).
Epaphroditus cared about the Philippians and he wanted to let them know he was okay.
7. Sacrificial Servant
Epaphroditus was so committed to his mission/ministry that it almost cost him his life.
27INDEED HE WAS ILL, AND ALMOST DIED… 30BECAUSE HE ALMOST DIED FOR THE WORK OF CHRIST, RISKING HIS LIFE (recklessly exposing himself to danger) TO MAKE UP FOR THE HELP YOU COULD NOT GIVE ME. “To complete what was lacking in your ministry to me.”
Epaphroditus was the epitome of a sacrificial servant, risking even his life for others.
I wonder what we’re willing to risk for Christ?
Which of these examples might describe me?
27…BUT GOD HAD MERCY ON HIM, AND NOT ON HIM ONLY BUT ALSO ON ME, TO SPARE ME SORROW UPON SORROW.
Epaphroditus wasn’t the only one relieved to be healed. Paul was relieved, too.
28THEREFORE 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 (less sorrow/grief).
In case the Philippians were wondering if Epaphroditus had failed in his mission, Paul sets their minds at ease. In fact, he urges them to…
29WELCOME HIM IN THE LORD WITH GREAT (all) JOY, AND HONOR MEN LIKE HIM (hold men like him in high regard),
Epaphroditus wasn’t looking for kudos or recognition. He was a simple servant.
•But we need to recognize and honor those humble servants and praise God for them.
Here are 2 men who exemplified a servant’s heart.
•Their examples must be our examples.
How are we doing? Do we have a true servant’s heart? Would Christ get our vote?
Do we have genuine compassion, true humility, proven character, devoted service?
Are we a partner in faith, in service, in warfare, in mission, in ministry?
Are we a compassionate friend, a sacrificial servant?
Our series title is called “Content in Christ”. That’s what this Book is about.
How does contentment fit in with service and sacrifice/mission and ministry?
Simple – we will never find real contentment until we put aside ourselves and focus on others.
All believers are called to serve and to be a godly example of Christ.
We all have a mission, a ministry. Are we setting a good example for others?
The Bottom Line: Am I an example of Christ?
Can people see Christ in me? Could people say these things about me?
Challenge: pick 2 of these examples and commit to them this week.
Prayer/Reflection
I Commit To:
Power Point and Sermon Outline are available by emailing the author.
