Cornerstone Church October 18, 2015
“Follow the Right Example”
Philippians 2:19-30
“I’m not a role model… Just because I dunk a basketball doesn’t mean I should raise your kids.”
Sir Charles Barkley in 1993 the “Round Mound of Rebound”
Charles Barkley is a Basketball Hall of Famer and was part of the 1992 US Olympic Dream Team in the Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.
* It is true that God holds parents responsible to raise their children physically and spiritually. It is their calling.
* It is also true Charles Barkley is a role model whether he wants the role or not.
Every one of us in the Sanctuary this morning is a role model!
While millions of people aren’t watching us, many important people are observing us:
* Our families
* Our friends
* Our unsaved neighbors
* Our coworkers at work
* Fellow Believers in Christ (either encouraged or discouraged in their walk with Christ)
Role models can either be a good example or poor example to others!
“WHOM DO YOU WANT TO BE LIKE WHEN YOU GROW UP?”
That question can be applied in many ways:
* What do you want to do vocationally?
* What kind of spouse do you want to be (good husband / good wife)?
* What kind of parent do you want to be (good father /good mother)?
* What kind of follower of Christ?
* What kind of servant do you want to be in the church?
We are all at different stages or ages and need different role models!
Good role models are important to help us grow onward towards spiritual maturity in Christ!
It was he (JESUS) who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Eph. 4:11-13 NASB
THE GOAL IS:
“…become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ…”
“For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed
to the likeness of his Son,”
Rom. 8:29a
The example is Christlikeness! Christ ruling and reigning in us!
TWO PROBLEMS:
We live here day to day on planet earth.
* We need to combat the negative influences of the world system.
* We need to overcome our flesh that at times preoccupies us with doubts, worry, impatience, and all other kinds of things that do not please Christ.
* Noise, busyness and the clutter of life plague us!
We learn about Jesus in the pages of the Bible, but we were not there to observe Jesus first-hand.
* We know Jesus experienced everything we experience yet remained sinless.
* How did Jesus handle stress, unreasonable people, difficult bosses or supervisors, day-to-day problems, juggling priorities, paying bills, crying or whining children?
The good news is God has given us examples of men and women who were filled with the Holy Spirit to follow!
We do not have to be part of a “Dream Team” to make a difference for Christ!
God uses ordinary people to do the extraordinary!
* Broken People
* Imperfect People
* Damaged People
God’s “Dream Team” is made up of:
* Forgiven People
* Redeemed People
* Holy Spirit Empowered People
Here is a great verse:
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show
that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
2 Cor. 4:7 NIV
Ray Stedman said: “we have this treasure in Peanut Butter Jars!”
A key mark of maturity is realizing or recognizing you are not yet fully mature!
* We still need to grow!
* We are still running our race daily for Christ!
The Christian Life is a marathon!
* Some might be nearing the end of the race!
* Some might be in the middle of the race!
* Some might be at the start of the race!
Growing to spiritual maturity is “A Long Obedience in the Same Direction.”
Chuck Swindoll coined it this way: “Three Steps Forward, Two Steps Backwards.”
WHAT DOES GROWING UP IN CHRIST LOOKS LIKE?
* Timothy – A Selfless Servant!
* Epaphroditus – A Suffering Servant!
PAUL PICKS ORDINARY SAINTS TO BE OUR EXAMPLES.
* Serving is not optional!
* Serving is for all “Born Again” followers of Christ!
Review:
* Call to live in a Manner Worthy of the Gospel – Phil. 1:27-30
* Exhortation: Humility the main ingredient – Phil. 2:1-4
* Example of Humility: Jesus – Phil. 2:5-11
* Exercise of Humility worked out in our lives and Body of Christ – Phil. 2:12-18
* Examples of Humility in Action – Phil. 2:19-30
TIMOTHY: A SELFLESS SERVANT
Philippians 2:19-24
TRUE SERVICE – Philippians 2:19-20
But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition.
Phil. 2:19
First we see Paul’s dependence on God!
I hope (or trust in the LORD) in the Lord Jesus
Moment by moment he committed himself to allowing the Holy Spirit to lead and guide him.
He stayed active but always open to God’s redirection of his plans!
Paul also wants to hear how the Philippians are doing!
“…so that I also may be encouraged
when I learn of your condition.”
Paul’s heart is obviously heavy in prison (he is just like us).
Hearing how the Philippians are doing will help encourage him.
He is sending Timothy to them (his son in the faith).
For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare.
Kindred Spirit (Greek: isopsuchos - used only once in the New Testament)
“Same Souled” “Equal Souled”
“Likeminded”
“Same Spirit”
Paul could trust Timothy to keep “on point”
1 Cor. 4:17 NASB For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church.
“…who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare.”
Compassionate concern for others!
Timothy is one of the most mentioned names in the New Testament!
Acts 16:1-3 NASB Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. And a disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek, and he was well spoken of by the brethren who were in Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted this man to go with him; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
Timothy needed to be mentored and nurtured by Paul along the way.
* He was timid
* He was fearful
* He was insecure / self-doubting
Mentored Him: Took him along, instructed him, observed him!
2 Tim. 1:5 NASB For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.
Paul builds upon the foundation that was found in Timothy, laid by his Grandmother and Mother. Timothy grew up to be:
* A faithful servant of Christ
* A pastor
* Paul’s Replacement
TOTAL SERVICE – Philippians 2:21
For they all seek after their own interests,
not those of Christ Jesus.
This is tragic! It is like taking a Polar Bear Plunge into ice-cold water!
* Is this a warning to all us?
* Is Jesus last place in our lives?
Have we relegated Jesus to the backseat of our lives while we hold on to the steering wheel?
Let’s be honest!
* God is ALL-KNOWING!
* He just wants us to repent of this type of behavior!
THE WORK OF THE KINGDOM MUST BE OUR HIGHEST PRIORITY!
Matt. 6:33 NASB “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
What place is our spiritual life and the work of the Kingdom supposed to be?
FIRST PLACE!
Why then do we often place the things of Christ in second, third, fourth or last place?
Jesus is often:
* Last in our Devotion (reading His Word and Prayer)!
* Last in our Worship!
* Last in our Serving / Giving our Time!
* Last in our Giving (steal from God and merely tip God)!
Colossians states Jesus is to have preeminence in everything!
Paul’s Speaking about the Philippians to the Corinthians:
2 Cor.8:5 NASB and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.
The Amplified Bible adds:
“…but first they gave themselves to the Lord and to us [as His agents] by the will of God [entirely disregarding their personal interests…]
WHICH TYPE OF FOLLOWER DO WE WANT TO BE?
Phil. 1:21 NASB For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Phil. 2:21 NASB For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.
WHICH ONE?
TESTED SERVICE – Philippians 2:22
But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father.
Timothy grew up to be a gift to the church and to Paul.
He learned, grew and developed serving side-by-side with Paul!
TREASURED SERVICE – Philippians 2:23-24
Therefore I hope to send him (Timothy) immediately, as soon as I see how things go with me; and I trust in the Lord that I myself also will be coming shortly.
Again, Paul makes plans but surrenders his plans to God!
Man proposes! God disposes!
EPAPHRODITUS: A SUFFERING SERVANT
Philippians 2:25-30
HIS MINISTRY – Philippians 2:25
But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need;
Paul was fully Jewish – A Hebrew
Timothy was part Jewish / part Greek (Gentile)
Epaphroditus was fully Gentile
HIS GENTILE BACKGROUND
* Epaphroditus = “Charming”
* Epaphroditus = “Devoted to Aphrodite (A.K.A. Venus)
EPAPHRODITUS WAS A BALANCED BELIEVER
A BROTHER
* Not based on DNA
* A true follower of Christ bought with the blood of the Lamb like Paul.
* The real deal – not a fake, plastic, poser!
A FELLOW WORKER
* He was a member of the Philippian Church where he served with the saints there.
* When the church was looking for a volunteer to deliver the collection and offering collected for Paul’s Care in prison he volunteered! First to put his hand up!
* He served along side Paul through difficult times.
A FELLOW SOLDIER
* He knew what warfare was about.
* He knew what it meant to contend for the faith! “You Go, We Go!”
* He fought in the trenches side-by-side with Paul like those in the days of Nehemiah who rebuilt the walls while ready with a sword to fight!
Phil. 1:27 NASB Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
YOUR MESSENGER (one sent - Apostle)
YOUR MINISTER (word liturgy – worship)
* He performed a priestly ministry and gave a spiritual gift to Paul.
Phil. 4:18 NASB But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.
HIS MALADY – Philippians 2:26-27
“…because he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow.
EPAPHRODITUS WAS A BURDENED BELIEVER
* I do not know if he left a family behind when he made this 1,600 mile round trip.
* He was gone for months!
* He was distressed (had anxiety) like Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane because the Philippians heard he was sick.
* He was sick – sick to the point of death!
o Sickness might have been Malaria or Bubonic Plague
o Sickness was not healed immediately.
o God sovereignly intervened showing Epaphroditus mercy!
o God showed Paul mercy too that he “would not have sorrow upon sorrow!”
HIS MODEL – Philippians 2:28-30
RECEIVE HIM WITH JOY – Philippians 2:28-29a
Therefore I have sent him all the more eagerly so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may be less concerned about you. Receive him then in the Lord with all joy,
HONOR HIM FOR HIS EXAMPLE – Philippians 2:29b
“…and hold men (individuals) like him in high regard…”
Epaphroditus was a man of spiritual character and integrity who sacrificed much for the cause of Christ.
He delivered a huge financial gift to care for Paul’s prison expenses:
* Food
* Clothing
* Medical Care
BAD EXAMPLE OF FORGETTING TO HONOR INDIVIDUALS:
* America’s Amnesia after the Vietnam War ended we did not welcome the veterans home with Victory Parades and public appreciation.
GOOD EXAMPLE:
* The welcome home for Winston Nunes this week!
* The warm welcome home of missionaries like Bill and Jane Perkins after their many years of faithful and sacrificial service for the work of the Kingdom.
* We need to honor the countless humble and faithful servants who serve every day in churches here in America and globally for the cause of Christ! Those who often serve unseen and unrewarded!
PAUL’S PERSPECTIVE – Philippians 2:30
His Commitment
“…because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was deficient in your service to me.”
“…risking his life to complete…”
Risking (Greek: parabolani is another single use word in the NT)
“to gamble”
“to risk”
“to expose to danger”
In the early church there was a group of people who called themselves, the Parabolani.
They were men and women who risked themselves. They formed a group, agreeing together to move into any place of danger or risk, to serve and help others. Whenever anyone was sick with a dangerous disease, they would go and minister to them. When they learned of men who were in dungeons, dangerous criminals, they would risk their lives to help them, to do something for them.
In 252 A.D., when the city of Carthage, in North Africa, was subjected to the Black Plague that swept through the city and decimated the population, bodies were left lying all over the streets. No one would bury them, and because they were rotting and decaying in the sun, the plague was spreading throughout the city.
The Parabolani were called and risked their live to bury these bodies. They did this and Carthage was spared. The plague was finally arrested because the Parabolani dared to risk their lives.
Quote taken from Parabolani website: http://parabolani.vpweb.com
His Companionship
“…in your service to me.”
Epaphroditus did not just drop the money and the run!
* Paul was on trial for his life! Epaphroditus could have easily been arrested simply for hanging out with the Apostle Paul.
* He sacrificed being away from his home church, perhaps his family and maybe his vocation.
* He stayed and ministered to Paul and with Paul.
* He delivered Paul’s Letter to the Philippians that we have today!
* All for the work of the Kingdom of God!
“WHOM DO YOU WANT TO BE LIKE WHEN YOU GROW UP?”
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Phil. 1:21 NASB
For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.
Phil. 2:21 NASB
“Someone has observed that our churches are filled with commotion and emotion but there is little devotion, that is, devotion to Christ.”
Michael Bentley, “Shining in Darkness” pg. 91 quoted by Roger Ellsworth
God uses ordinary people to do the extraordinary!
The people God uses first make themselves available to Him!
* God pours His Holy Spirit into each of our lives in order to use us to minister to each other and to shine brilliantly for His Glory!
* Do you want to be one of those people who say yes to Jesus and put Him and the work of the Kingdom first in all you do?
The greatest joy in the Christian life is found in sacrificing ourselves for what matters to Jesus!
* Serving others!
* Reaching the lost!
Years ago Dr. Harry Ironside used to tell about a group of believers primarily focused on fellowship with little concern for the reaching the lost or defending the faith.
“In front of their meeting place they hung a sign that read JESUS ONLY. But the wind blew away some of the letters, and the sign read US ONLY!”
Warren Wiersbe, “Be Joyful” pg. 90
LORD HELP US TO FOLLOW AFTER RIGHT EXAMPLES:
Jesus
Paul
Timothy – A Selfless Servant
Epaphroditus – A Suffering Servant
Outline taken and modified from Exploring Ephesians and Philippians by John Phillips
