Sermon Tone Analysis

Good Example

We have seen a couple of good examples in this chapter already.

From Jesus (and there is no better example) to Paul, an apostle, a bond-servant, showing his life to be an example, but look at them, how can we match them, the Savior, the Apostle?

God’s work in us can help us to be an example for He is faithful (1:6); Paul wants them, and through the scripture us today to abound more and more (1:9) all that with a purpose, to approve the things that are excellent (1:10)

(illustration) - Reporter in San Bernardino CA arranged for a man to lie in the gutter on a busy street as he watched to see how people reacted.

Hundreds passed by but not one stopped to help or show sympathy for him.

- are we too busy, too wrapped up in ourselves and our lives to not help, to not show mercy?

Two teenagers in Detroit years ago found a woman in a phone booth who just suffered a heart attack and they got her out and took her to a nearby home who the owner told them to get off his porch and take her with them? - - - Do we as a people lack compassion today?

A Kentucky doctor came across an accident, stopped to give aid, then got sued by the driver sometime later for rendering aid.

So is being a Good Samaritan worth it?

Must we only look out for ourselves in fear of what could happen?

These short stories are not different that what Paul faced, Epaphroditus and Timothy faced in our passage today.

Paul has been discussing the submissive mind, he gave the description in Jesus (2:1-11); gave his own experience (2:12-18) now offers up two other workers, just a couple of ordinary guys.

I. Example: Timothy

We love good examples don’t we?

Sometimes the examples we get are not so good, but we can still learn from them too, can’t we? Timothy was a great example of a servant with a submissive mind.

The submissive mind of Timothy was not an instantaneous thing that happen when he was saved, it was cultivated, it was nourished

We too need to develop the mind of Christ (2:5).

Things we can learn from Paul’s thoughts.

His hope, and his desired results for Timothy (v.19)

He intended to send Timothy to them, so that he, Paul would get word and be encouraged by knowing how they are doing.

His thoughts about Timothy (v.20)

There were no others that had a kindred spirit like Timothy; Think back to the illustration used a few minutes ago; what kind of spirit do we have?

Do we have the spirit of a Good Samaritan?

Paul’s concern (v.21)

Worried no one thought of others, but their own interest; even when they had already had the example of Christ.

Paul’s exhortation (v.22)

Look at Paul’ s thoughts of Timothy that were deserved because they had been proven.

Paul’s expectation (vv.23-24)

Paul’s intentions, Paul’s trust made known.

Going from Paul’s thoughts now I want to focus on Timothy’s example

Timothy had a servant’s mind (vv.19-21)

Timothy had a servant’s mind; he had concern for others, he cared for people and their needs (v.20)

Timothy was not about how to win friends and influence people, he had genuine concern for them.

He had servant’s mind and a servants heart.

In Rom16 Paul mentions many people (26 to be exact) but not one o them availed themselves to make the journey for Paul or to Paul.

“All seek their own” as Paul said.

But that is not what was the instructions, example offered up earlier

So are we Php2:21 concerned about ourselves, or Php1:21 living for Christ?

Timothy exampled his concern was for the people not some cause, or some agenda, he developed a servant’s heart because he had:

Timothy had a servant’s training (v.22; Act16:1-3; 1Tim3:6-7; 2Tim3:10-17)

Salvation to service?

Paul did not use Timothy upon his salvation; he was left behind in Derbe to be loved on, to grow prior to serving.

May we learn from this example of new converts to let them grow before thrusting them into service.

They can be used by the Lord as a new convert, a baby Christian by leading others to come to hear the gospel, believe the gospel and obey the gospel.

But let the new convert be loved on and rooted so they can grow balanced.

Timothy was discipled by Paul through Paul’s example; Paul gave him personal instruction balanced with on-the-job training.

So balanced experience

Paul was training up Timothy the same way Jesus trained the Apostles, with a balance of teaching and OJT!

Experience without teaching can lead to discouragement and disappointment, and then teaching without experience can lead to drying up or to spiritual deadness.

It takes both

So that, you can have a servant’s reward.

Timothy had a servant’s reward (v.23-24; 2:17; Mt25:21; 2Cor4:17; 1Tim4:11-16)

Timothy knew the meaning of sacrifice and service as exampled by Paul

Timothy was faithful, he was a good and faithful servant and would receive such a reward.

He served under the teaching of Paul He had great joy in it, even when it was not easy service.

He was sent to a church that had lots of issues.

Timothy was not only considered Paul’s son in faith, Paul’s servant to the church at Ephesus, but Paul’s substitute!

What a great reward that would be to be considered Paul’s replacement.

look at the instructions that he was given in preparing to be such.

The submissive mind is not a product of an hour’s sermon, a week long seminar, or even a year’s service.

The submissive mind grows in us and is cultivated like Timothy’s was, so that he was able to serve others with the right intentions and the right heart.

May we learn from his example.

All this leads up to our next example Epaphroditus

II.

Example: Epaphroditus

Epaphroditus was a gentile, Paul a Jew of Jews; Timothy part Jew, part Greek, but each is a great example.

He was a member of the Philippian body of believers (the church)

Epaphroditus was a balanced example (v.25; 1:5, 12, 27)

Look at his resume in (v.25)

Brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier

Messenger and a minister

He lived out a life that Paul mentioned in Php1:5 (fellowship in the gospel)

He lived out a life that was for the furtherance of the gospel (Php1:12)

He lived out the gospel, standing firm (Php1:27)

A balance life, a balanced example is a balance between fellowship and furtherance of the gospel!

Epaphroditus was a burdened example (vv.26-27, and 30)

Like Timothy he knew service and sacrifice; he heard his friend, mentor Paul was in prison in Rome and carried a love gift to Paul and to minister to Paul there.

He had a concern for Paul and for the people when they heard he was sick.

Epaphroditus heard a need and jumped into service, may we learn from his example that even when service maybe a burden it was a burden well worth carrying.

Epaphroditus loved his church; loved his church family and had concern for them, even when he was sick to the point of death.

Because of these two marks, Being a balanced Christian example, and being a burdened Christian example came the other mark.

Epaphroditus was a blessed example (vv.28-30)

As a Christian with the mind of Christ and the examples you have around you, could you imagine going through your life not being a blessing to to anyone?

Oh Paul was blessing to Paul!

Epaphroditus a blessing to Paul

Epaphroditus a blessing to the church at Philippi (1The5:12-13)

Paul instructs the church to give him honor, and it is christ who get’s the glory, but nothing wrong with man receiving honor because of his life of service, his life of sacrifice for the gospel sake.

Epaphroditus served with no expectation of returned reward, but to serve Paul and encourage Paul and carry the gift to Paul, Paul said to honor him for that willingness.

The good examples we have offered up prove that a submissive mind does work!

The examples we have are submitted to us for us to submit to the Lord and the working of His Spirit in the heart of the believer to be a living example to and for others through our faithful love, faithful service, faithful sacrifice for the furtherance of the gospel.

Are you willing to permit the Spirit to reproduce the mind of Christ in you?

Food for thought: How do we serve the Lord today?

How do we receive those who serve us?

What example do we set for others?

(lead to invitation)

(Insert invitation slide)