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The example of Timothy & Epaphroditus…
- Paul gives three more examples…
- Paul gave the perfect example of s servant in Jesus Christ…
- But he also added three other examples of a servant – and the joy of serving…
- 1st – The church in Philippi set an example for the Joy of serving… vs. 12-18
- 2nd – Timothy – the young man who was Paul’s traveling companion… vs. 19-24
- 3rd – Epaphroditus – a man from Philippi who had gone to Rome to serve Paul… vs. 20-30
- 1st – Timothy – honoring God… vs. 19-24 (4 things)
- 1st – We know quite a bit about Timothy…
- 1st – He is mentioned in 11 of the letters of Paul – more than any other person…
- 2nd– Two of those letters are addressed to Timothy in particular – I & II Timothy…
- 3rd – We know Timothy was brought up in a Godly home – mother and grandmother…
- II Timothy 1:5 – “I call to remembrance the genuine faith in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.”
- 4th – Timothy joined Paul at the beginning of his 2nd missionary journey – Acts 16
- 5th – He was a young man – at least in the beginning of his ministry…
- I Timothy 4:12 – “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers…”
- 6th – Timothy was in Rome with Paul while he was writing this letter to the Philippians
- 2nd – Paul wanted to send Timothy to the visit the church in Philippi… vs. 19, 23-24
- Paul wanted to know how the things were going…
- But there was no way for him to come himself – because he was in prison…
- As soon as he knew what was going to happened to him – live or die…
- He would send Timothy instead to visit and check-up on the saints…
- Paul wanted to know how the things were going…
- 1st – We know quite a bit about Timothy…
- Timothy was totally open and available to be used by Paul / God…
- Timothy was willing to stay around and help out Paul in Rome…
- He was just as open and willing to take the trip to Philippi to check out the church…
- In order to be a servant of God – we must be open / available / flexible…
- The ‘11th commandment’ – blessed are the flexible for they will not be broken…
- Too often we get frustrated / have no joy – because of our expectations…
- I tried for years to be a missionary to Russia – and the door never opened…
- It was extremely frustrating – and it began to rob me of my joy in following the Lord
- I finally came to a place where I asked – Lord where do you want me to go…
- Immediately the opportunity came up in the Philippines – I needed to be flexible!
- We need to not be so focused on what we are going – what we are doing…
- Our identity is not in what we are doing / or where we are serving…
- Our identity is simply in Christ – and we need to flexible in what He wants us to do!
- The reason why Timothy was so flexible – he trusted in the Lord…
- If we trust in the Lord then we have no problem no matter what the Lord does…
- We know that no matter where He sends us / what we are doing…
- Ultimately if we are following the Lord it is going to be the best for our lives!
- Be a servant of Jesus is not conditional – so long as it is what we want…
- If we make it conditional we will find we are no longer serving…
- Not that God would send us somewhere / have a do something we did not want…
- Along with the call – if we are open – comes a change of heart!
- If God called you to the jungles of Africa – He would give you a heart for Africans!
- If we do not trust in the Lord – it is because of fear – making us un-flexible…
- When God tells us to go and start teaching a Bible study / share Jesus with a friend…
- We resist because we do not think we can do it – we do not trust God can help us…
- We doubt – what if no one shows up to the study / what if they make fun of us…
- One of the hardest things to do in life – is to take a step of faith…
- We often hesitate because – we think we might fail – we might not be able to do it…
- Or we hesitate because – what if we are wrong and this is not what God wants…
- But with God nothing is impossible – it is not about our ability…
- And we will never go wrong if we take a step of faith – God will direct our steps!
That is the person we should seek to emulate – he is the one we should follow after!
3rd – There was no one else like Timothy… vs. 20-21
Most people look out for number one – they only care about themselves…
But Timothy had the same heart as Paul – and cared ‘naturally’ for others…
Timothy was not out trying to impress anyone – earn points with God…
Timothy’s care for others was genuine – it flowed out from his love for Jesus…
You can always tell when someone is driven by selfish motivations…
They may help out around the church – but they are counting their efforts…
They may offer to ‘lend’ you some money in a time of need – but they do not forget…
It is not hard to see they are focused on their best interests – not yours…
In contrast when someone has genuine love for others – they will serve others…
Not so they can count it / not so that they will be paid back…
But out of a natural response to the Love of Christ that is within them!
4th – Timothy had proven himself… vs. 22
Timothy had been like a son to Paul – serving with him in the Gospel…
Timothy had proven faithful over his years of service – had had not faltered…
He was not unstable – he had shown over time you could depend on him!
If we want to be a servant / if we want to have joy – we must be faithful…
I Corinthians 4:2 – “It is required of servants each one should prove to be faithful.”
We might question the work God has us doing – it seems rather unimportant…
But the small things are incredibly important – we learn to be faithful…
When we are faithful in the little things God gives us greater responsibility!
God has given each of us gifts and abilities that He wants us to use…
Areas where we excel and do better than others – art / music / work / talent…
We do not choose these gifts – they are given to us by God – Romans 12:6
Often we use these gifts for selfish reasons – but they were given to use for God!
If you boss gave you 1000 pesos to buy fertilizer for the campo…
But instead you took that money to the cock fights and gambled it away…
There would be no joy when the boss found out – you were not faithful…
When we are faithful to use the gifts we have to serve the Lord – there is great joy!
2nd – Epaphroditus – lovely… vs. 25-30 (4 things)
1st – Epaphroditus is only mentioned twice in the Bible…
He is mentioned here in Philippians 2:25 – and again in Philippians 4:18…
Unlike Timothy nothing else is known about this servant from Philippi…
But God does not overlook the littlest act of service – small or great He remembers…
Mark 9:41– “If anyone gives you even a cup of water… that person will be rewarded.”
Perhaps God has called us to work in the campo – or raise a family…
And we just cannot see how that is important for the Kingdom of God…
There are no great works in the eyes of the Lord – just men who are faithful…
2nd – Paul wanted to send Epaphroditus back to the church… vs. 25
Epaphroditus was a brother to Paul – not literally – but a brother in Christ…
Epaphroditus was a fellow worker – he was also a minster of the Gospel…
Epaphroditus was a fellow soldier – he fought along side Paul to reach the lost…
But Epaphroditus was not from Rome – he was from the church of Philippi…
The church had sent him to Rome – with a love gift – to minister to Paul…
Epaphroditus was likely a leader / pastor from the church of Philippi…
The church heard Paul had been arrested and sent to prison in Rome…
Epaphroditus was willing to leave his home – to go and minister to Paul!
Hebrews 13:3 – “Do not forget about those in prison. Suffer with them as though you were there yourself. Share the sorrow of those being mistreated, as though you feel their pain in your own bodies.”
My Father went into nursing homes / and prison for more than 30 years…
It was not a glamorous way to serve – or easy – sick elderly / hard prisoners…
But as a result I do not think I could count the number of people he led to Jesus!
We are called to serve one another – not just when it is convenient or easy…
But there is great joy as we get to pour the love of Jesus into the lives of others!
3rd – Epaphroditus was sick – close to death… vs. 26-28
Epaphroditus had come down with some kind of illness – that almost killed him…
I can relate to this – being a servant can mean putting your life in danger…
I was in India a number of years ago – returning from a the city of Varanasi…
We stopped by a roadside stand for lunch – and I ate a cucumber…
Within 12 hours I was so sick I could not stand up – it took 6 months to recover…
I did not die – but there were several times I though it might be better if I had!
In fact I have had dengue twice / dysentery 4 times / pneumonia 3 times…
I have walked through a mine field / been in a war zone under rocket attack…
Been in riots that overthrew governments / and earthquakes that shook nations!
Following Jesus can be very hazardous to your health – but it is life to your spirit!
Epaphroditus was not worried about himself – he worried for the church…
The church heard he was sick – and was VERY concerned for him…
And he was more concerned that they were worried – than for his own health!
When we are self focused it is misery – only seeing our problems / troubles…
When we are more concerned about others than ourselves – there is joy!
4th – Epaphroditus was to receive honor… vs. 29-30
When Epaphroditus came back to Philippi – he was to be used as an example…
Because he had been willing to risk his life – almost die – for the sake of the Gospel…
He was used by God to send a blessing from the church to Paul in prison…
If we try to hold onto our life we will loose it – but when we loose our life in Jesus
We find life – real life – and the Joy that comes from being used by God!
I still remember the 1st person I ever had the joy of leading to the Lord…
I was on a missions trip to Kazakhstan – I had a muslim roommate for the summer…
If I had thought about it – crazy to go half way around the world to a Muslim county
But if had not gone – I would not have had the joy of seeing a Muslim accept Jesus!
We need to have good examples in the church to follow…
And the person that we show honor to – will become an example to others…
If you want to know if you have chosen a good example to follow – look at them…
Ultimately you are going to become like the person you are following…
If their lives are out of control – if they are making poor decisions…
If you do not like what you see – then you may want to reconsider your choice…
A man who is a servant – who lives his life to bless others…
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