Introduction:
“One for all and all for one.”
Outline:
TIMOTHY:
I. SERVING FOR THE INTEREST OF THE WHOLE BODY, 19-24
A. Man of dedication (Looking for the welfare of the church), 19-21—“a genuine interest in your welfare”
B. Man of integrity (Doing what he pledge to do), 22-24—“Proved himself”
Illustration: General Douglas McArthur was such a man. He said to the Filipino people, “I shall return!” He did—he came back and won our freedom back. He’s a man of dedication and integrity.
EPAPHRODITUS:
II. SACRIFICE SELF FOR THE HONOR OF THE WHOLE BODY, 25-30
A. Man of love (Like a true brother—caring for his needs), 25
B. Man of help (Like a fellow worker—taking half of the load of works), 25, 30a—“he almost died…”
C. Man of courage (Like a fellow soldier—facing all kinds of danger with him), 25, 30b—“risking his life…”
Bravery/Courage
In his book One Crowded Hour, Tim Bowden describes an incident in Borneo in 1964. Nepalese fighters known as Gurkhas were asked if they would be willing to jump from airplanes into combat against the Indonesians. The Gurkhas didn’t clearly understand what was involved, but they bravely said they would do it, asking only that the plane fly slowly over a swampy area and no higher than 100 feet. When they were told that the parachutes would not have time to open at that height, the Gurkhas replied, “Oh, you didn’t mention parachutes before!”
Our Daily Bread, January 30, 1994
Conclusion:
The churches of today need the likes of Timothy and Epaphroditus. Our church needs them. It is a great blessing to have them in the church. You and I can be like them and must be like them by having their characteristics in us. Beginning today I call on everybody to look for the interest of the church. Let each one of us do some sacrifice in honor of the whole body. Let us be dedicated to the cause of Christ. Let us love and help one another. Together with one courage, let us go forward bringing the message to lost starting here in this community and to wherever God would lead us.
