Philippians People Who Keep The Kingdom Moving
People Who Keep The Kingdom Moving
Philippians 2:19 “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you.”
Paul writes two letters to Timothy:
- The first is focused on how to lead God’s church
- The second is focused on finishing faithfully
Before becoming a somebody a person starts off as a nobody
John Maxwell – “Leadership develops daily, not in a day”
Philippians 2:20-21 “I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.”
Why did Timothy stand out?
- Timothy stood out, because he cared for the interests of others
Philippians 2:3-4 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
Romans 12:10 “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
Galatians 5:13 “serve one another humbly in love.”
Philippians 2:22 “But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.”
God rewards faithfulness more than giftedness
Charles Spurgeon – “By perseverance the snail reached the ark”
Philippians 2:25 “But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.”
Look at the words used to describe Epaphroditus:
- Brother
- Co-worker
- Fellow soldier
- Your messenger
- Minister of my needs
Epaphroditus:
- Is not a pastor
- Not famous
- Not an apostle
- But he is reliable
Philippi 2:26-27 “For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow”
Philippians 2:30 “because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.”
The term “He risked his life”:
- In the Greek it was a gambling term
- It literally meant “To throw the dice”
Philippians 2:20-21 “I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.”
“Every time Desmond Doss disappeared back into the smoke, his fellow soldiers thought, ‘Surely this is the last trip.’ But he kept coming back with another wounded man. His simple prayer became, ‘Lord, help me get one more.'”
Great servants don’t ask, “How little can I do?”
They ask, “Who else can I help?”
