Be An Encourager

MAY 16, 2021 STUDY NOTES PHILIPPIANS 2:19-21 BIBLE TEACHER: CLIFTON JONES BE AN ENCOURAGER INTRODUCTION The title of the message today is, “BE AN ENCOURAGER,” what a timely message For over a year we have all lived in days of difficulty and discouragement, facing our trials We have experienced life changing situations we keep asking when will we be back to normal? But the normal lifestyle of most Americans is not what we need, we need a Godly society We need Christians committed to the cause of Christ, seeking to do the will of God Paul was concerned about the daily life of the Philippians, he wanted to hear from them He wanted to send Timothy to them to find out how things were going He knew Timothy would be an encouragement to the Philippians, one to cheer them up Paul wanted to be cheered up and encouraged by hearing a good report from the Philippians Paul wanted the Philippians to be an encouragement to him and all other Christians As Christians, we have been facing circumstances that are not the most encouraging It is time for Christians to check on one another for the purpose of encouragement We need to encourage one-another, it is time for us to “BE AN ENCOURAGER” We have all complained to one-another in recent days, which is not very encouraging We hear from those who are discouraged about their health, work, family, or life itself Misery likes company has been the pattern for too long, it is time to cheer one-another up It is time for Christians to come to church encouraged about their spiritual life And then leave to be involved in the ministry of encouragement wherever we go BE OF GOOD COMFORT Php 2:19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. The word “trust” has the meaning of “hope,” to look forward with confidence, to expect the good Paul’s hope was in “the Lord Jesus,” his desire was to live according to God’s will His request unto the Lord was to send Timothy to the Philippians if it was the Lord’s will Too often today “if the Lord wills” is only a cliché, it really doesn’t mean that much to people It is no more than a phrase that has no influence on what one says or does But it was the way that Paul lived, his thinking, his words, his decisions, were centered in Christ, Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. It would be through prayer and faith that Paul would send Timothy to the Philippians The first verse of the letter identifies Timothy as a servant, Php 1:1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Paul met Timothy on his missionary journey to Derbe and Lystra, Act 16:1 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: Paul may have led Timothy to the Lord at that time, he calls Timothy his “beloved son,” 1Co 4:17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every Page 1 of 4 church. To Paul, Timothy was a spiritual son and identified with the ministry of Paul 24 times in the NT Timothy was a faithful servant of the Lord and a faithful companion of Paul Paul knew that he could depend on Timothy, he knew Timothy was an encourager Paul tells us what he expected from a visit of Timothy’s to the Philippians THAT I ALSO MAY BE OF GOOD COMFORT Literally, Paul says, that I may be encouraged, a good report from Timothy would cheer him up Good reports are not what we normally hear from the news media today, that’s not their purpose Good reports are not the most common conversations of today But a good word and words of encouragement should be common among Christians Every time we come to church we should be encouraged, we should cheer one another up We may come to church discouraged, but we should leave encouraged We should encourage one another as we come together, Heb 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: The word translated “provoke” means to stimulate or to stir up, to excite or encourage Our ministry is to excite and encourage love and good works among one another We are given the most likely way to excite and encourage one another, Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. “Exhorting” means to encourage someone, to help in some way, to be a comfort to someone We must all be involved in the “Ministry of Encouragement,” at church and wherever we are Paul said that I “may be of good comfort,” the Greek is found only here in the NT Literally Paul said that I may be encouraged, he would be cheered up, what would do that? WHEN I KNOW YOUR STATE Paul would be encouraged if he received a good report concerning the Christians in Philippi An important point for us is that Paul was concerned about the Christians in Philippi, about others Paul was in prison and could not go himself, the next best thing he could do was send Timothy Which brings us to the question, how concerned about others are we today? To what extent will we go to minister unto others, to excite and encourage others? Who can the church of today send forth to “BE AN ENCOURAGER?” Paul states that there was a problem, a problem that still exists today To be “an encourager” should be the natural lifestyle of a Christian BE NATURAL Php 2:20 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. What a sad commentary for a church roll, “no man,” not one, not even one The search for the “likeminded” drew a blank, the time for visitation could not be scheduled “Likeminded” has the meaning of “equal soul,” or of “like character,” having the same motive Paul had only one choice, there was only one with the same mind and heart that he had for others Only Timothy could be trusted to do the same thing Paul himself would do for the Philippians Paul and Timothy both had a genuine concern for the welfare and lifestyle of other Christians It appears that Paul is making a general statement, that which is the most likely situation In the next few verses Paul is going to tell us about “Epaphroditus,” another servant of God Even though Paul may be speaking in a general sense his words are still a sad commentary There should have been many like Timothy, not self-centered, naturally caring for others Page 2 of 4 WHO WILL NATURALLY CARE FOR YOUR STATE Pay attention to “will naturally,” which has the meaning of a sincere and legitimate attitude Referring to a genuine Christian lifestyle, we must be the real thing every day wherever we are It is not natural for a Christian to be living as a hypocrite, that which is not the Christian lifestyle It is natural for the Christian to be concerned about others, Christians must be the “real deal” Caring for the welfare of others, many today care for the physical and material needs of others But what has happened to our spiritual concern for others, especially for those who are lost Has the “Great Commission” become the “Great Omission” in too many Christians today? Do we no longer believe what Jesus said? Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. The power and authority of Jesus is still present today, which is why we can do what He tells us, Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: We must be encouraged to be a witness for Christ, to tell the lost about Jesus The promise of Jesus is still true today, Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (We need to “Amen” what Jesus said, agreeing that it needs to be that way, let it happen) What an encouragement that is, knowing that Jesus will be with us as we go to witness to others What an encouragement it would be to all of us to know that others are being saved What an encouragement it would be to know that Christians are being encouraged to witness What an encouragement it would be to lead someone to Jesus Christ As Christians today we need to be encouraged, the church of today needs to be encouraged All of which does not normally happen today, why? Paul tells us what the normal is today TODAYS NORMAL Php 2:21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. Verse 21 is an “Oh My” verse, really it is an “Oh Me” verse Too often we all have to admit that it applies personally to our daily life How far down the “things to do” list is that which God has for us to do each day? How many excuses does God hear as to why we can’t do it today or at this time? Paul explained the problem well, the word “seek” means “to strive after continually” People are continually occupied with the desires of self because self is “Number One” Paul’s words are shocking, especially when we read “for all” referring to the majority “For all” certainly applies to the majority of church members throughout America today I recently read a prediction for the average church in America, predicting its future Sunday schools will close because of the lack of teachers willing to give of their time Do I need to mention the lack of attendance in Sunday School among the church members? In our last deacon’s meeting, I shared a comparison of church ministry in the last 54 years Comparing churches from the time of the beginning of my ministry with today I can sum it all up with questions which give us the history of churches in the last 50 years: What happened to Sunday Night Training Union, Sunday Night Worship Service, Brotherhood, RA’S, WMU, GA”S, weekly Youth Meetings, area-wide youth meetings, VBS, visitation night? What happened to altar calls, cottage prayer meetings, women’s day for visitation? What happened to week-long revival services which also included morning services? Don’t think that the prediction of no Sunday School in the future is something ridiculous The past and the future all have to do with that word “seek,” because of what people “seek” The word “seek” is a good word when properly applied, Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, Page 3 of 4 and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. The normal life of the Christian should be to “seek” the things that are of Jesus Christ The promise is that Jesus will take care of all the things people are “seeking” today The natural lifestyle of the Christian should be the example of Jesus Christ, Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Understand what Paul is telling us, he searched the list of those known as servants There was only one who came to his mind that could go to the Philippians and encourage them Why? Because the others were too personally involved in their own personal affairs Today, too many are only concerned about themselves, interested only in self and not others There are those who will freely give money toward ministering to others, but not personal time Paul has already covered this problem earlier in this chapter, Php 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Php 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Listen to Jesus, Luk 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. According to that verse are you a true follower of Christ? Are you a true servant of Christ? Paul said, they all seek their own and NOT THE THINGS WHICH ARE JESUS CHRIST’S People are constantly seeking their own thing and not the things of Christ They are seeking to advance self and not Christianity, their business is the most important What is more important than the spiritual state of a person? What are the things which are of Jesus Christ that should be most important to us? What are the things that must not be neglected today? Witnessing to the lost that they might be saved Teaching those who are saved the things of Christ, Sunday School must not be a thing of the past Children need to be taught, youth need to be taught, adults need to be taught All need to be encouraged, we must all “BE AN ENCOURAGER” What is our excuse for not being an encourager to others? Too busy, too occupied with our own business affairs? Too involved in personal pleasure? American society today encourages our seeking the things of self, Satan makes it easy for us Providing all kinds of opportunities which turn our attention away from that which is of Christ One of the most common comments of our day is, “Sunday is my day” Sunday is no longer the “Lord’s Day,” which leads to, no day is the Lord’s day Christians must be encouraged to get back to the commitment of the early church, Act 5:42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. CONCLUSION Compare, Php 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. With, Php 2:21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. It is not hard to figure out what Paul is telling us, too many church members are self-centered We must be other-centered and not self-centered, we must encourage and not discourage others Do you want to “BE AN ENCOURAGER?” Then get excited about being a Christian The things of Christ are our source of encouragement Sharing the things of Christ with others is encouraging As Christians we must talk about Jesus among ourselves, we must talk about Jesus with others It is time to get excited about Jesus and tell everybody about Him, listen to the song Page 4 of 4