joy: joy in serving together philippians 2:19-30 introduction… · 2 days ago · 1 joy: joy in...
TRANSCRIPT
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Joy:
Joy in serving together
Philippians 2:19-30
Introduction
Some strategic relationships in my life. (My
dad, Tony Chester, Fred Pitts, Gene Cornett,
Jim Weston, Alastair Geddes)
There is a joy in serving with others, but in
particular there is joy in serving with
intentional relationships and strategic
relationships.
One of the things that Pastor Andrew taught
me and taught our staff is having 3 strategic
relationships in your life: Mentor, a peer,
and a mentee (Disciple)
Transition: This morning we are going to
look at 2 of these 3 relationships that the
Apostle Paul had, and I want you to be
thinking through if you have these
relationships in your life, if not why not, and
if not, how can you begin to develop these
relationships? Too many of us are just
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sitting here on Sunday morning, or even in a
small group, but not really developing
intimate relationships. Intentional!!
These relationships will be a source of great
joy to your life and spiritual journey.
Let’s look at Paul’s relationship with
Timothy, the man he discipled.
Philippians 2:19-24
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. (ESV)
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Transition: Here is what I want you see in
these relationships that can bring you so
much joy in your life.
I. Character of a person you disciple.
A. Spiritual Character (V. 20 – I have no
on like him.)
1. That is high praise.
2. The man the Apostle Paul most
invested in was a man of great spiritual
character.
3. When investing your time look for
people of character, integrity.
4. Their yes is a yes, they show up on
time, they look to do the wise and
appropriate thing.
B. Genuinely concerned for others. (V. 20
– concerned for your welfare)
1. Timothy was sacrificial.
2. Cared deeply for others.
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3. He cared for the church – surround
yourself with people of who love
Jesus’ church.
4. He cared by using his time, talent,
and treasure for others.
C. Gospel focused. (V. 21 – the seek
their own interest not those of Jesus
Christ)
1. Timothy cared deeply about
forwarding the gospel.
2. Timothy wanted to see Christ
exalted.
3. He wasn’t self-centered on his own
desires and interest.
4. The kind of person you want to
invest in, see the gospel of Jesus
going forward is not on the
periphery, it is front and center in the
life of that person.
Timothy was gospel focused…Timothy
was…
D. Seasoned. (V. 23 – Proven worth)
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1. He had been in the faith for some
time.
2. He had gone through some dessert
experiences and came out the other
side.
3. In selecting church leaders to serve
in a church Paul said this…
1 Timothy 5:22
Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands,
nor take part in the sins of others; keep
yourself pure. (ESV)
4. A Godly person welcomes
accountability.
5. I like to use the phrase, “Trust, but
verify.”
6. None of this, “Well don’t you trust
me.”
7. Godly man is both trustworthy, and
welcomes accountability – “Sure,
look at my computer.”
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8. “Sure, talk to the person who said I
hurt them – I would love to sit down
and make amends.”
9. A seasoned person is a person that is
trustworthy, and because they are
still sinners, love accountability –
It’s a both/and.
Fifth – the person you disciple should
be…
E. Servant. (V. 22 – servant to the Lord.)
1. Is this person humble, and see
themselves as servants of the Lord?
2. There is no task that they are above,
because they are serving the Lord.
3. If the ministry calls for moving
chair, or slinging tables, or cleaning
toilets, they are ready to go, because
they are serving the Lord.
F. Teachable. (V. 22 Son with a Father.)
1. Does this person think they can learn
anything from you?
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2. Do they have a heart posture of
learning?
3. Do they see team and working
together as valuable?
4. Teachable – I will not work with or
give time to someone who does not
seem to be teachable.
G. Available. (V. 23 – I am going to
send him immediately.
1. To be discipled requires time.
2. A person has to be willing to make
sacrificial time to grow in Christ.
3. Look for a person, that puts in the
time.
4. I have seen people overwork around
the church and sacrifice their family.
5. I am not talking about that.
6. Most serious disciple of Jesus I
know, don’t have tons and tons of
consuming hobbies (Fishing,
boating, golfing, hunting, gaming).
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7. All these things have a place and are
a part of a well-balanced life, but
they are not the consuming interest.
8. Following Jesus, serving the church,
being discipled are all given
significant time, and even priority.
Transition: Timothy was discipled by Paul
and significant ministries and churches that
the Apostle Paul had started were handed off
and entrusted to Timothy, his disciple. The
second person we see in this text is a peer.
Epaphroditus is a peer. Not an Apostle, but
someone that comes along side Paul, helps
his ministry be successful for the furthering
of the gospel.
II. Joy in honoring fellow-workers.
Philippians 2:25
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, (ESV)
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A. Defining fellow-workers in
ministry. (V. 25 – fellow worker)
1. Brother – Family relationship,
intimacy and care.
2. Fellow-worker – puts in the hard
work alongside you, not lazy.
3. Fellow-soldier.
a. Sees ministry and serving for
what it is: A spiritual battle.
b. Understands this time here on
earth is not peace time, but war
time.
Illustration: Story of Joshua fighting
Amalek and Moses raising his staff to
victory and needing the help of Aaron and
Hur to help him.
Exodus 17:12-13
But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took
a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it,
while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one
on one side, and the other on the other side.
So his hands were steady until the going
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down of the sun. 13 And Joshua
overwhelmed Amalek and his people with
the sword. (ESV)
Main Point: What a strange story. Why
does God put such weird stuff in the Bible?
They are lessons for us. In ministry we need
each other. No one, and I mean no one can
go it alone, and this keeps us humble,
dependent on God, and inter-dependent on
each other. We all need our arms held up
from time to time.
B. Honor fellow-workers that you serve
alongside.
Philippians 2:26-30
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
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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. (ESV)
A. Not much else to say.
B. We should honor men and women
who serve the Lord with selfless love
for the church.
Conclusion
Hand out a card with self-stamped envelope
and honor those who served Christ/or make
a video.
Pray
Sermon commentary for 10-18-2020 Pastor Nate Weis
Read Philippians 2:19-30 together and answer the following questions.
What is the theme of this passage?
• The importance of discipleship. Paul speaks in this text of two men who are important to his ministry. The first is Timothy, who is his protégé in the faith. 1st and 2nd Timothy were written to this young man who Paul says “I have no one like him” (v. 20). He mentions his selflessness (v. 21) and how he is like a son to Paul (v. 22), which speaks to the intimacy of their relationship. The second is Epaphroditus, who is “my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier” (v. 25). This is high praise from Paul. Paul speaks of his recovery from illness because of God’s mercy (v. 26-27) and calls on them to rejoice at seeing him again. Paul had clearly discipled these two men, and this shows us the importance of pouring into others so that they may have fruitful ministry for Christ.
• The importance of honoring faithful servants of God. In verse 29, he says to “honor such men.” They “risked their lives” to serve this church (v. 30). This passage is really a long section honoring two faithful men of God and shows us the importance of honoring and valuing those who labor in ministry.
What challenged you in this Scripture?
• Let a little silence happen as people mull over the message and their response to it. Don’t be too quick to jump in with an answer; some may need a little time to reflect. At the same time; don’t be afraid to let folks know the areas that hit you hardest...it will allow your group members to see your growth as a believer.
• I am challenged by the need for discipleship in our day and age. There is always a need for mature believers to be discipling other believers to grow in their faith, and all of us have a need to be discipled. Ask you group- “Who are you discipling, and who’s discipling you?” If the answer is no one, ask them to consider who they can invest in.
• Ask your group if there is a pastor or leader in the church that you can show honor to (October is pastor appreciation month, after all!). Maybe come up with a creative way to show love and appreciation to those who work hard in ministry for our edification.
In what ways does this passage help you savor Christ more?
• Paul speaks of “the work of Christ” to describe the ministry of these faithful men in verse 30. We need to remember that all of our work in ministry is “the work of
Christ.” Christ is working in and through us to empower us to serve him, and we do what we do to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ, not our own interests or agendas.
How is this passage calling you to further obedience in your walk with God?
• Who is discipling you? How can you honor them?
• Who are you discipling? How can you be more effective in reaching those younger than you in the faith to help them grow?
• Consider reading Hebrews 13:17 together. Who are the pastors and leaders in your church that you can show honor to? How can you do that as a group?
How can this passage of Scripture shape your prayer life?
• Pray for opportunities to make an impact for Christ in whatever capacity you are able. Our calling is to make disciples: pray for opportunities to pour into other believers and to be discipled.
• Pray for your pastors and leaders in the church. They desperately need your prayers and encouragement to do the ministry God has given them to do.
What are three practical takeaways from the sermon you listened on this passage?
Small Group Questions Joy of Serving Together
Phil 2:19-30 October 18, 2020
*You do NOT have to answer or discuss every question. Feel free to just pick a few. These are meant to guide you in truth. If you are having trouble answering a question, ask your small group leader to help you. They are committed to helping you develop as an authentic follower of Christ.
The COMMUNITY QUESTION:
1. What is your favorite item you’ve bought this year?
Into the WORD/APPLICATION:
Here are some suggested sites in order to dive deeper into God's Word: blueletterbible.org, desiringgod.org/articles/all, biblos.com, ccel.org, logos.com, connect.ligonier.org, thegospelcoalition.org/channel/bible-and-theology. 1. Read the scripture verses listed above and discuss the following
questions together. What is the theme of this passage?
2. What challenged you in this Scripture?
3. In what ways does this passage help you savor Christ more?
4. How is this passage calling you to further obedience in your walk with God?
5. How can this passage of Scripture shape your prayer life?
6. What are three practical takeaways from the sermon you listened on this passage?
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IN RESPONSE TOTODAY ’ S SERVICE . . .
I’d like to know more about accepting a relationship with Jesus.
I. C H A R A C T E R of a person you disciple.
A. S P I R I T U A L C H A R A C T E R .
B. Genuinely C O N C E R N E D for O T H E R S .
C. G O S P E L F O C U S E D .
D. S E A S O N E D .
E. S E R V A N T .
F. T E A C H A B L E .
G. A V A I L A B L E .
II. Joy in honoring F E L L O W -W O R K E R S .
A. D E F I N I N G fellow-workers in ministry.
1. B R O T H E R .
2. F E L L O W -W O R K E R .
3. F E L L O W -S O L D I E R .
B. H O N O R fellow-workers that you serve alongside.
10.18.20 | PASTOR SHAUN BROWN
Philippians 2 : 19–30
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