Examples of Servants
Philippians: A Letter of Encouragement • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Examples of Servants
Philippians 2:19-20
I. Introduction
A. Example of Stephen Jones – came to the church one week intending not to stay but found a church home and began to lead. Married his girlfriend. Began to serve as Sunday school director and deacon, and cared for those in need. Never needed a spotlight or title, but served from a love for Christ
B. Context
1. Chapter 2 is about the example of Christ in humility, unity, serving others, and putting others ahead of self. We are to shine like stars amid a crooked and twisted generation
2. After chapter 2 Paul is now talking about his travel itinerary in an odd place. These are normally reserved for the end of the letter. The reason is that he is not concerned as much about the itinerary as the example of Christlikeness found in these two examples.
II. Timothy
A. Compassion
1. Timothy is a friend and mentee of Paul’s. Paul’s intention is that he sends Timothy to them and when he returns Timothy will bring back good news of the church at Philippi
2. I have no one like him – Timothy is special and set apart in Paul’s eyes because of his compassion
3. He is genuinely concerned for their welfare
a. It is a natural concern – It comes naturally to him because of the love in him
b. It is a concern – he truly cares for their state and welfare. He wants nothing but the best for them
c. Paul compares him to others who do not share the natural compassion – they look out for their own interests.
d. Timothy has a concern for Christ and therefore, a care and concern for the people of Christ
B. Character
1. Proven worth = Character
2. Timothy’s name literally means “honor God”
3. Trustworthy - Timothy served Paul as a son to a father – Timothy was the son of a Jewish woman and a Greek father yet was a third-generation Christian.
a. He has made definite decisions to follow Christ and serve Peter
b. Paul will send him as soon as he can
4. HE “served” (douleuow)– He became like a slave with Paul
5. Timothy was someone who was principled and faithful
6. Application
a. Character matters in the life of the believer
b. It stems from the principled character of Christ who sees service, not glory, as the thing to be grasped
c. What are the principles that guide you, or are you guided by feelings
C. Commitment
1. Timothy has stuck with Paul even as Paul is in prison
2. Timothy is committed to the gospel and the service of Christ
3. He will faithfully go where Paul sends as a part of his ministry
III. Epaphroditus
A. Faithful
1. Words to describe Epaphroditus
a. Brother – One who is a brother by faith in Christ, but also through faithful service – Paul loves him like a brother
b. Fellow-worker – Serving for the cause of the gospel where needed
c. Fellow Soldier – Fighting the fight of faith
d. Messenger – Carrying the offering for Paul and then carrying messages back to the church
e. Minister – Carrying for the needs of others even when he himself is sick and close to death
2. The amazing thing about Epaphroditus is that he most likely got sick on his journey to see Paul, but he doesn’t give up and he doesn’t turn back. He continues to serve Paul so that Paul can continue to proclaim the gospel
B. Friendly
1. There is a deep connection between Paul and Epaphroditus – Paul trusts him
2. There is also a deep connection between Epaphroditus and the church and Philippi – He is their chosen representative to take help to Paul
3. He is longing for his church family
4. He was concerned that they were worried about him – He cared for their feelings
5. Paul is eager to send him back, under the circumstances, so that they may rejoice together in his presence and know that he is safe with his church family
6. Application
a. We see through Epaphroditus’ relationships that he is concerned for those with whom he has a relationship.
b. He emulated the relational aspects of Christ in that he loves them more than he loves himself
C. Fearless
1. How to see him
a. Receive him with joy
b. Honor him
c. There may have been a fear that in this society to not accomplish the goal without getting sick would have been dishonorable. They had entrusted this task to him and he got sick on the way.
d. Therefore, Paul says that what he has done is honorable
2. He nearly died, and yet continued on to complete the goal of bringing the offering to Paul and visiting with him
3. Risking his life – coming to the point of death for Paul and the proclamation of the gospel
4. To complete what was lacking in your service to me –
5. Application
a. There is a time to be bold and fearless for the cause of the gospel
b. There is a fate much worse than death and that is to die without the hope of Christ
c. Therefore, Epaphroditus wanted to achieve the goal and help people come to Christ, even if it meant his death
d. Where is the priority of the gospel in your life
e. Is it high enough to overcome fear?
IV. Conclusion
A. Are you an example of humility, service, love, and unity? Would Paul have included you in this writing?
B. If not, what would you need to do to follow Jesus with more humility and love
C. It is not about how much you do, but about how much you do it with the humility of Christ
This is the Age of the Narcissist
In "The Era of the Narcissist," Aaron Kheriaty points out the self-absorption of our era:
Of all the amazing features of the medieval cathedrals, one feature stands out as very strange to the modern mind: We have no idea who designed and built them. The architects and builders did not bother to sign their names on the cornerstones. People today might ask, Why build the cathedral of Notre-Dame de Chartres if you can't take credit for it? No lasting fame? No immortalized human glory? We're perplexed by the humility of these forgotten artists who labored in obscurity. Do and disappear? This is not how we roll in the America of the twenty-first century.
All this humility and anonymity began to change during the Enlightenment. For example, when Jean-Jacques Rousseau's wrote his book Confessions in 1789 he dedicated it "to me, with the admiration I owe myself." The book opens with these lines: "I have entered upon a performance which is without example, whose accomplishment will have no imitator. I mean to present my fellow-mortals with a man in all the integrity of nature; and this man shall be myself." In contrast, the 4th century Christian thinker Augustine's Confessions (Rousseau ripped off Augustine's title) gives all glory to God, as in his opening line from the Book of Psalms: "Great thou art, and greatly to be praised." As much as we might admire Augustine's humility, Rousseau's language sounds more familiar. "To me, with the admiration I owe myself" is a dedication that would look right at home today on social media.
Source: Adapted from Aaron Kheriaty, "The Era of the Narcissist," First Things (2-16-10)