Philippians 2:19-30
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Phil 2:19-30
Phil 2:19-30
Pray
Intro - One of the worst parts about Sheltering in place for a lot of us is that you can’t be around people. There are 2 kinds of people: There are those of you who like people and those who do not like people.
Some of us when the Shelter In Place hit we went into withdraws because we couldn’t see our friends. For some of you your heart aches because there are people & family you want and need to be around.
Then there is the second kind of person. The person who doesn’t like people. When the Governor announced Shelter In Place you thought, Thank goodness - now I have a legit excuse not to talk to anyone. You know who you are.
If you are with someone like that right now watching this would you point to them and say - That’s you.
The point is this, God created us for relationships.
Today we are going to look at 3 character qualities that impactful others spiritually.
Why is this important? God has given you relationships NOT so you can simply feel good about having friends, having spouse, having kids and grand kids.
Relationships are not given to us to consume, to use just for our enjoyement.
You are placed in relationships with a purpose - to spiritually impact others.
Big idea - God has purposed that I spiritually impact others. (Pause)
Paul was in house arrest in Rome (1200) miles away from the Philippians.
Timothy was sent (1200 miles on foot) to the Philippians by Paul to give a report about him and to bring a report back to Paul in Rome.
It is shorter to walk from Lousiville, Ga to Boston, Massachusetts than to walk from Philippi to Rome.
Paul sent Timothy to Philippi with a relational purpose.
Paul says this.
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.
Our thought for the day is this - God has purposed that I spiritually impact others.
Transition - How did Timothy impact Paul?
Paul found someone who was Likeminded in ministry.
I. Likemindedness in ministry x2
A. They both loved a specific ministry - vs. 20-21, There is no one like Timothy who genuinely cares for the Philippians.
KJV says, “For I have no man likeminded,”
Paul would say, The person who cares for the Philippians as deeply as I do is Timothy.
Illustration - Have you ever found someone who cares for something spiritual or someone spiritual as much as you do?
-Paul had someone in Timothy that had the same spiritual passion. They both loved the Philippians deeply. They both would risk their lives to help the Philippians grow. They were likeminded.
How did Timothy’s shared love for the Philippians effect Paul? It propels Paul forward. When Paul is having a bad day the vision of Timothy reminds him of his purpose.
17 Iron sharpens iron,
and one man sharpens another.
Application - Pray that God shows you people who are likeminded in ministry.
For many of you - you will be given a unique passion for a certain kind of ministry or a certain kind of person.
-You may love those with special needs
-You may love children or youth
-Widows or those with addictions
-You may love a people from a different part of the world.
Illustration - 6 years ago someone asked me to go on a mission trip to India with them. I’ll tell you the truth, at first I had zero desire to go. I didn’t want to be around those Indian people who smelled bad, who stare at you and eat terribly spicy food. I didn’t want to go and get sick and dehydrated in a country that had questionable medical care. God had different plans. Long story short I went. God put in my heart a love for Indian people. A love I didn’t have on my own before.
-Now when I see or talk to someone from India, Pakistan, Nepal (that region of the world) about what God is doing in those countries I am so spiritually lifted. Why? Because I found someone with a similar love. We are Likeminded.
When God brings into your life that person who shares the same love in ministry as you, you will lift them and encourage them. They feel alone in their passion until you connect with them.
God has purposed that you spiritually impact someone else by sharing a love with them. By being likeminded.
Timothy shared a love for the Philippians with Paul.
Transition - Timothy also impacted Paul in another way.
B. Shared a love for the Gospel.
22 But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.
Pay attention to this relational language
vs. 22, “Like a son with his father...”
Paul is not just about the goal, the task, the job - Paul is a man who loves other people dearly.
Paul has a favorite. He has Timothy, a young man who he has grown close to.
Paul had no children, was not married.
It appears that Timothy’s father was not a spiritual man, not a Christ follower. Paul is Timothy’s spiritual parent. Paul loves Timothy like a son.
Look how this deep relationship has a spiritual focus.
End of vs. 22, “… he has served me in the Gospel.”
What does this mean? Timothy has helped get the Gospel out to unbelievers and deeper into followers of Jesus.
Timothy impacts Paul by having a deep relationship that is focused on the Gospel.
They shared a love for the Gospel.
Paul helped Timothy grow into a love for the Gospel.
Others around you need you to love the Gospel.
They need to be effected by your love for the Gospel.
Question - Do you love the Gospel?
Is there someone in your life that also loves the Gospel that you can connect with?
Transition - We see a 2nd person in our passage … Epaphroditus
Epaphroditus has an impact on Paul.
II. Epaphroditus deep love effects his action
25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, 26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.
Epaphropditus
What we see in Epaphroditus life is deep love in action.
Epaphroditus is sent by the Philippians to give Paul a message and help Paul.
Epaphroditus leaves home (a people that he deeply loved a place that he was very comfortable).
travels a long distance (1200 miles), risking his life in traveling alone, bandits, wild animals, bad weather… There is no - interstate exits to find a gas station, hotel or medical help.
On behalf of the Philippians Epaphroditus ministers to Paul in a far away land.
You see Epaphroditus love in action. Epaphroditus risks his life to minister.
While either in travel or while he was with Paul - Epaphroditus becomes sick and then almost dies.
vs. 27, “But God had mercy on him...”. He recovers.
Why was Paul encouraged to have Epaphroditus and why will the Philippians be so happy to have Him back?
vs. 25 tells us - He is a brother, a fellow soldier. He personally cared for Paul in ways the Philippians could not. Epaphroditus loved and was invested. He was willing to suffer for Paul and the church in Philippi.
Epaphroditus deep love effectgs his actions.
Application - When you open your heart to love the people in God’s family, not only will your emotions be demanded of you, but your actions as well.
-It is not enough to feel love for someone, you must take action.
How is Christ calling you to take your felt love into action?
-Is it by stepping into a new area of ministry?
-Is it investing spiritually in a person that needs the Lord?
-Is it encouraging our family spiritually?
Today we see that we are called to Spiritually Impact others lives:
-Likeminded in ministry
-Shared love for the Gospel
-A love that takes action. (In Epaphroditus life.)
Transition - We know that Jesus was the greatest example of Spiritually Impacting others.
He was the greatest example of love that took action.
Some of you today have never made that final decision to say Yes to Jesus and make Him your Savior and Lord.
I’ve got great news.
You can be saved today. Today!
Jesus is God’s Son, he came to earth and lived a perfect life.
Jesus hung on a cross to pay for your sins.
He was buried and was risen the 3rd day.
Jesus invites you to follow Him with all of your heart today.
Transition - There are interesting parallels between Epaphroditus and Jesus.
Listen to the similarities:
Jesus loved so much He took action.
Epaphroditus left his comfortable home and those he loved the most. Jesus left heaven and His Father.
Epaphroditus risked his life and comfort by traveling to a foreign land. Jesus gave up his comfort traveling to an evil land.
Epaphroditus served a Paul. Who claimed to at one time be the chief of sinners.
Jesus served a traitor race. Those who would despise and reject Him.
Epaphroditus came close to death in ministry.
Jesus died a torturous death to pay the price for sins on the cross.
Epaphroditus returned to those He loved and brought with him joy.
Jesus returned to Heaven, to his Father, as the triumphant glorious King.
Epaphroditus showed his great love through his actions.
Jesus ...
Here is the good news. You can be saved today...
(Paralells to Christ)
9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
No one else like Timothy cares for what is best for them.
Proven worth, Timothy’s character has ben proven
Faithful service in the midst of suffering
3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
Faithful service in holding on to the Gospel (vs. 22)
Pay attention to the Son and Father intimate language
_Paul had no children. Timothy’s father was not a Christ follower. Paul was reparenting Timothy in His spiritual life.
3. .