INTRODUCTION
A. Thus far, as SERVANTS, wou were charged with having the mind of Christ”
1. Vs. 1-4 described how the believer should Live in Humility. Vs. 5
2. Vs. 6-11 described the Example of Christ himself.
- Set His Equality with God aside
- From the highest to the lowest
- in appearance (in all ways) as a man
- Obedient to God and died a sinner’s death (the worst of all sinners)
- Because his obedience to his father, from the lowest to the highest
3. Vs. 12 – 18 described the Example of Paul – Mind of Christ
- A Drink Offering – So that Christ be Exalted
- He must increase, I must decrease
4. Today – Vs. 19-30 the Example of 2 Pastors – the Mind of Christ
- Timothy & Epaphroditus
- Pastors of Humility
Application
- A different type of message today. No Deep Spiritual Meaning
- In a book study, there are parts you just have to wait on God for the application.
- DO YOU LIVE FOR YOUR OWN NEEDS OR THE NEEDS OF CHRIST?
- DOES YOUR PASTOR…LEADER…TEACHER…?
I. THE MIND OF TIMOTHY – CHRISTLIKE – (Verses 19-24)
BACKGROUND on Timothy:
1. Timothy
- led to the Lord during Paul’s 1st Missionary Trip
- joined Paul on his 2nd Missionary Trip
- Left at Thessalonica & Berea when Paul was forced to leave.
- Now years later, we find him still at Paul’s side
READ VERSES 19 & 20
- To prepare the way or take care of the church. An Assistant Minister.
- Like minded with Paul – Like minded with Christ
Both loved Christ. Both loved each other. No question of jealousy, insecurity, but love and respect BECAUSE they had the mind of Christ.
VSE CONT ON NEXT PGE.
- 20) He has a “genuine interest in your welfare”
His CARE for the church.
(remember, he was with Paul when the church was started).
Went through the persecutions as Paul went through them.
A TRUE CARE must be in the heart of every pastor.
READ VERSE 21
2 POSSIBLE MEANINGS CAUSING WRITERS TO DIFFER:
1- That Paul had spoken with others about taking this trip to Philippi on his behalf but were more concerned for themselves than what matters to Jesus.
2- Paul was reflecting on the state of a selfish world where so few SELFLESS people can be found.
CONSIDER: WHAT would be said ABOUT US?
READ VERSE 22
- “has proved himself” – Others (Mark) had deserted him at different obstacles.
- Our leaders? ME? Have I proven myself? Have our leaders?
READ VERSES 23-24
- Would send Timothy once his ruling was announced
- Was confident that he too would join them (Vs. 1.19)
TIMOTHY – OUR FIRST ‘PASTOR’ EXAMPLE
- Had Proven Himself to Christ, Paul, and Church
- Developed the mind of Christ under Paul’s teaching
- Lived a life of Humility shown by the way he cared for Christ’s Church!
II. THE MIND OF EPAPHRODITUS – CHRISTLIKE – VERSES 25-30
- Don’t know that much but it is believed he is the minister of the Philippian congregation. In fact, it is uncertain as to whether or not Epaphroditus was still here when this was wrote. Some feel he had already left Rome.
READ VERSE 25
4 THINGS of this servant:
1. “My brother” - of Christian family - had the mind of Christ
2. “fellow worker & fellow soldier” - willing to stand in defense of and for the advance of the gospel.
3. “your messenger” – lit ‘apostle priestly minister’ - He was their minister
4. “whom you sent” – The church trusted him… believed in him. He carried their finances and report. …knew he would care and help Paul.
READ VERSE 26
Notice the attitude and love the church had for their pastor. He was worried that they would be worried about him and thus wanted to hurry and get back.
ILLUSTRATION: CONFERENCES
I have learned to judge a church by the attitude a minister shares about his church or a church member shares about that minister.
- Some talk about themselves
- Some talk about their church and its members
- Some complain – woe is me, others – if only they would…
Every conference would have some type of support group. You could easily tell of GOOD and BAD RELATIONSHIPS.
APPLICATION:
Just as it is your PASTOR/LEADER’S responsibility to love, care, and nurture YOU in the way God would have them do, it is also YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to do the same for THOSE GOD has GIVEN to you.
READ VERSES 27-30 – (notice their relationship and Paul’s charge)
… to REJOICE and HONOR him and other ministers LIKE him.
“almost died for the WORK OF CHRIST”
He had placed THEIR needs ABOVE his needs. “risking his life” to 21) do the needs of Jesus’ – TOOK HIS CALLING SERIOUS!
APPLICATION: Both MEN had a life of humility, had the mind of Christ, and showed that lifestyle by ministering the “NEEDS OF CHRIST”
That’s a minister – That’s a pastor.
When YOU feel I’M out of sync…
When YOU feel another LEADER is out of sync…
But don’t … but rather support the MIND OF CHRIST wi your actions!
ONE MORE NUGGET - Let’s REVISIT VERSE 27.
READ VERSE 27
Many Christians hold the belief that believers should not get sick, that they should trust God to heal them. Let me ask a question:
WHY didn’t Paul heal EPAPHRODITUS? 27)
PAUL? …had a thorn in the flesh in which the Lord Jesus would not remove. TIMOTHY? …had STOMACH TROUBLE and Paul advised a little wine.
When Paul started out, NOTHING of the NT had been written. When I preach, I do so by the authority of God’s Word but Paul’s authority WAS “SIGN GIFTS” which were God’s way to give apostles Authority in where they were ministering.
Paul is now nearing the conclusion of his ministry. IF Paul had been a FAITH HEALER, he would have healed himself.
Paul made it a matter of PRAYER and GOD HEARD AND ANSWERED his prayer. JUST AS GOD DOES TO YOUR AND MY PRAYER
Sometimes, as it was with Paul and Timothy, the answer is NO
Other times, as it was with Epaphroditus, the answer is YES
As time was moving along and more and more of the NT was being written the EMPHASIS WAS MOVING BACK TO THE GREAT PHYSICIAN and NOT to the APOSTLE.
III. SUMMARY
Close on VERSE 21
Philippians 2:21 (NIV)
21 For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.
Now Look Back at Verse 4 (I’ve given it in 3 different translations plus the NIV)
1st – READ THE NIV. (now read your own)
(now compare that to these three – and talk to God about your life)
Philippians 2:4 (NLT)
4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
Philippians 2:4 (TLB)
4 Don’t just think about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and in what they are doing.
Philippians 2:4 (MSG)
4 Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.
