Joy and Relationships
Joy • Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 10 viewsPaul praises Timothy and Epaphroditus. Some key questions: --are we investing in the next generation? --do we have a Paul in our lives? --how do we stay so people positive-- (answer--joy in the Lord) Is it possible to have joy in the Lord while at the same time investing in relationships? Most of us know that relationships can be challenging and difficult, yet the Apostle Paul displays a life of loving people and investing in people. How is that possible? Let's find out.
Notes
Transcript
materials: water, container, bucket, magnets?
Please turn to Philippians 2:19-30—we are going to read this passage.
Please stand as we continue our series on JOY—a deep and durable delight in God that ruins you for all things.
--Last week we looked at grumbling—how it is impossible to have joy and grumbling at the same time. Grumbling is a big problem—and I even thought about later—that the first sin of Adam and Eve—wasn’t eating from the tree—it was grumbling—they were convinced by Satan that God was holding out on them. That God wasn’t enough. They needed more. That God didn’t love them enough. Adam and Eve were the first grumblers...
and Jesus didn’t grumble—he humbled himself to free us from grumbling and self-centeredness...
so as we remember that Jesus truly did that for us—that God so loved the world through Jesus-it will transform us!
This week—we are going to look at another important key to joy.
Philippians 2:19–30 (NIV)
19 I (Apostle Paul) hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you.
20 I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare.
21 For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.
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.
23 I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me.
24 And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.
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.
26 For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill.
27 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.
28 Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety.
29 So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him,
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.
Do you have joy?
A deep and durable delight in the Lord?
One prominent medical journal did a study on the rates of depression in the United States—and they measured this before Covid happened and recently—and found that the rates of depression were more than 3x higher among all ages now than they were before Covid.
3x!
Now one positive takeaway from this is that maybe—just maybe people are more open and honest and willing to admit it rather than face a stigma—and that’s good.
but it does show that perhaps more than ever we need joy.
deep joy...
i have yet to meet someone who doesn’t desire more joy.
This passage—while it may not seem to talk about joy—does.
Philippians 2:19 (NIV)
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.
Cheered!
and then later
Philippians 2:28–29 (NIV)
28 Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety.
29 So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him,
How does this passage contribute uniquely to joy in our series—how?
Joy is intensely RELATIONAL.
There it is. True joy in the LORD requires deep relationships with others.
Both with the Lord—that’s foundational and central…and with other people.
True joy in the Lord will lead to relationships with others.
True joy—that deep and durable delight in the Lord—is intensely relational with other people.
so if we are going to fill our joy tanks deep in our soul—we need to pour into and have poured into us—relationships—deep ones.
We certainly see that here.
Paul who is in prison…writing this letter of joy to the church in Philippi—is concerned deeply concerned for them. He is cheered when he receives news about them.
Paul who has an incredible relationship with the Lord—has 2 dear men—he loves and appreciates—Timothy and Epaphroditus.
Epaphroditus has joy with the Philippians.
True Joy in the Lord requires relationships—deep relationships with other people.
Now…I am going to describe what that looks like here—in a second…but if you think about this—there may be a problem..about the idea of joy and relationships...
Why? 2 reasons why this may be a problem for us:
Some of us don’t like people. Maybe we like our alone time—maybe we are more introverted and gain energy by being alone. maybe it is hard for you to come to a church gathering or SS class or small group because it is hard to be around other people If that is how you are wired—don’t freak out. b/c God uses introverted people for his glory. and all the introverted people said —nothing b/c they are introverted. Amen. I don’t want to guilt introverted people today. The fact is God uses all kinds of people—He has made you that way—and it doesn’t mean introverted people don’t love other people—they just gain energy by being alone or with a close friend. I have actually seen that sometimes God uses introverted people the most to impact others. b/c you long for detph.
the 2nd reason why this sermon may be tough b/c for some of us—we have been hurt and wounded by other people in life, in family, marriage, friends, works, and even in the church. and if that’s you I am sorry that happened, and your instinct now may be to withdraw—maybe to not get involved with people—to not get too close. I can understand that and sympathize—but if that’s you—you can’t stay there forever. why? b/c. In fact, this passage would argue that you will miss out on true joy in the Lord if you don’t connect deeply with other people. We need other people at some level! We all do.
CS Lewis famously said: “To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.” there’s a risk and it’s worth it...
So real joy in the Lord must include, leads to—joy with others.
What does relational joy with others look like? at least 4 characteristics:
It means great affection for others, especially other believers. (vs. 20, 26)
Timothy showed this—verse 20 “I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare.”
that word for concern by the way is the same word used in Philippians 4:6—that says do not be anxious about anything. it’s translated concern here in chapter 2 and anxious there in chapter 4. Apparently there is a good kind of concern for others and a bad one that can lead to deep anxiety. Timothy is showing the good kind—that he is deeply concerned for the Philippians (just like Paul). This is showing us that it’s ok to be burdened for others—that that doens’t take away from joy. that you can have concern for others and joy at the same time.
Epaphroditus shows this similarly: vs. 26 “For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill.”
Apparently—the church in Philippi has sent Epaphroditus with a financial offering to support Paul’s ministry and especially to supply what Paul needed while in jail. back then, when you were in jail—the state did not necessarily feed you—you relied on friends, family, and others for clothing, food, financial assistance. The Philippians provided that through Epaphroditus—and while he was there visiting Paul—he got very sick, almost died. and yet while Epaphroditus was sick he was distressed because the Philippians were worrying about him. Epaphroditus longed for them—not only to get better but to see them.
so question for us Do we have this same affection towards others, especially other believers in our lives? Do we have those same heart level emotions for others?
Paul says in Philippians 1:8 this “God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.” Do you have a similar kind of affection for others in your life?
and not just for people who are like you or agree with you—but even people who are unlike you or difficult to agree with? Do you have that for people in our church? even people that you may be different than you—a different generation or life stage?
one of the obstacles for this—means we have to regularly gather with one another—keep showing up—keep making efforts to connect—in the worship service, in SS, in a small group on the tech team, as a greeter. In a year of disconnection for some, some of us need to get in the habit of regularly connecting again with our church family. If you are one who regularly watches online—I am so glad, but i would encourage you at some point—to reconnect and gather in person with other believers—maybe it’s a small step of joining a Bible study. don’t settle for church online—it’s not the same.
Maybe some of us here need to try connecting with one of our Sunday School classes either for the first time—or again (brochures). Maybe some of us—God might be calling to start a Bible study, a small group.
maybe some of us need to invite someone over to our homes—show hospitality. When is the last time you opened up your home for someone? Some of us are great—but some of us really struggle with this.
another obstacle of this—we can often be consumer minded with everything including church. If we are part of a church with the mindset of “What can I get out of it...” that can really put the focus on us—rather than developing true, deep relationships with people of all life stages—Paul, Timothy and Epaphroditus had great affection because they weren’t consumer minder. I guarantee if you come to church with a me-centered focus—you will not have true joy—b/c you will miss out on learning about other people. you will miss out on developing affection for others.
another obstacle—we as men can kind of be known for being emotionally unaware. either being unaware or not willing to show or display emotions. We kind of have emotions—mad, sad, glad. Or hungry, tired, and angry. but here we see that if we want true joy—we are going to have some deep affection, emotions, heart level feelings for one another. We will have to truly care. Do you have that? are you willing to show that, explore that? There’s nothing wimpy about it—it takes a man to show true affection...
so true joy in the Lord overflows in relational joy that has great affection for others.
another quality of relational joy
It means a willingness to highlight others. (vs. 22, 25)
Paul exemplifies this in the way he talks about Timothy and Epaphroditus.
verse 22—with Timothy “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.”
verse 25 - (read this) “But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker, and fellow soldiers...”
Paul had every reason to put the focus on himself. He is suffering. perhaps chained to a prison guard—he could have wallowed in self-pity— “No body cares about me. Lord, no body cares.” but no—his joy in the Lord overflows in highlighting others.
how are you and I doing at highlighting others in our lives?
Do you and I have to be the center of attention?
one of the problems with being the spotlight—is we often we don’t recognize when we are…but chances are if you get jealous when others get the spotlight easily—then you struggle with this point. Big time...
when there is a success in your family or friends or at work—do you have to take the credit—or can you give credit to where it is due? do you need the credit? even in ministry—we can sometimes struggle with this--
Paul’s joy in God overflowed in spotlighting others...
illustration—It is interesting on a Sunday morning here—I can tell who is good at higlighting others. Why? b/c they attract people to themselves. They are people magnets. People love to be around them and gain energy and life from them.
but the opposite is true as well—people who highlight themselves, are all about themselves—it repels.
so true joy in the Lord overflows in relational joy that highlights others...
another quality of relational joy
It means mentoring, investing in, and discipling in others.
joy in the Lord leads to relational joy with others—and that involves mentoring in, investing in, and discipling in—it means pouring your life into others.
remember a disciple of Jesus is someone who follows Jesus—who wants to imitate and be like Him.
and if you follow Jesus—he said to go and make disciples of all nations—that is more followers of Jesus by baptizing them and teaching them.
true disciples will help others follow Jesus.
Paul was so great at this, intentionally pouring his life into Timothy.
especially with Timothy.
look at Acts 16
1 Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek.
2 The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him.
3 Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
Now verse 3 may seem really strange to us—but Paul was simply getting Timothy ready for ministry so he wouldn’t be an offense.
Paul took Timothy along—on many missionary journeys—he poured into Timothy, loved Timothy (like a father and a son), trained Timothy, empowered, and released him.
Paul... loved to pour into others, help them follow Jesus, and release and empower them.
And you may say well I can’t be the Apostle Paul--
no-but all of us are called to help pour into, invest in, and mentor others in their relationship with Jesus.
And it doesn’t have to be complicated...
b/c let’s face it—all of us feel busy and overwhelmed—my goal is not to produce a guilt trip.
Some tips:
Get together with someone one on one or a small group and read a book of the Bible together. Read a chapter, discuss, ask how does this help us adore and follow Jesus more.
start at home—if you have kids—take time to pray with them, read Scripture with them or your spouse
if you are part of a SS class or small group, is there someone you can help mentor.
if you are older, is there someone younger here that you could reach out to and have over
if you are younger, don’t let that stop you—could you pour into someone or ask someone to pour into you.
use the local church—invest in teaching in our kids’ classes, or our student ministry...
one of the tools that our church releases every Sunday after the sermon—are 3 to 5 discussion questions. Could you get together with someone over lunch to discuss and digest.
i have heard some who are really good at investing in others—they just invite a person or 2 to come with them to the story—Let’s go to Walmart and shop together. Let’s go to a football game together. Let’s go walking or jogging together. Trying to incorporate the life rhythms you already have—instead of adding one more thing—maximizing.
this area is actually where introverted people can excel—because you may not like a big crowd—but often you like the more one on one or groups of 3 to 5 that can go so deep with one another.
so true joy in the Lord overflows in relational joy that mentors, disciples, and invests in others.
another quality of relational joy
Finally-what does relational joy look like?
4. It means sacrifice for others. (vs. 25-30)
Epaphroditus almost died serving Paul’s needs on behalf of the Philippians.
Paul was in prison, because he was serving others and Jesus.
Timothy would have—if he was going to come to them—that would have been a 800 mile trek—on foot to them and 800 mile trek back.
but all these sacrifices were worth it for these men—because they reflected the sacrifice of Christ.
are you and I willing to sacrifice for others?
so true joy in the Lord overflows in relational joy that sacrifices for others...
so look at this list...
Affection for others...
Highlighting others...
Investing in, pouring into others...
Sacrifice for others...
The problem…how?
How do you do this—constantly connect without getting…cynical, jaded, guarded, anxious, critical, overwhelmed--
start where you are with the relationships you have—if you took into your marriage, your friendships, your parents-just the simple question— “how is your relationship with Jesus going?” or “How can we help each other grow?” (turn to your neighbor) if you would start with this question already in the sphere of influence you have in family time, friend time, work time—this could transform your existing relationships. Think of many of our conversations even with people we know and love—think how little we talk about Jesus—but if we simply asked the question— “how is your relationship with Jesus going”
but for the next 2 did you notice how each time—I said true joy in the Lord overflows into relational joy? If we are having problems with relational joy—it goes back to our joy in the Lord, and I am talking to myself to now. these next 2 points get at our own relationship with God.
Rest in your relationship with God.
what does that mean? Paul entrusted his entire life, his plans to travel, his plans to send Timothy everything to God. look at these verses
vs. 19 “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon...”
vs. 24 “I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.
Paul wasn’t sure how he was going to get out of prison or when Timothy would come but he rested in God’s goodness and plan in his life.
vs. 27 — about Epaphroditus—says “Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also no me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow.” Paul saw God’s mercy in sparing Epaphroditus’ life and in eventually healing him.
This relational joy that I am talking about with others—flows from our very own personal relationship with God—where we constantly commune with the Lord. Where you and I listen to him—and pray and walk with Him. where we entrust and surrender our entire lives every single moment and day. if we are struggling in our relationships with others—it is a symptom of something deeper—the fruit of something deeper...it may be that we are not doing well with the Lord-and the good news is God is inviting us back today—to confess our self-reliance and selfishness to him, to confess and repent of how we have failed in this area, to receive his mercy and grace afresh and a commission anew to go and invest in others to the glory of God.
How are you and I taking time to invest in our relationship with the Lord—everything flows from that. That is what enabled Paul to be so others centric even in jail. This is what enabled Timothy and Epaphroditus to pour themselves out—b/c Jesus poured Himself for them and us.
Remember Jesus…he showed all of these character qualities.
He had great affection for us. He said in John—no longer do I call you servants but friends. We are God’s beloved children. You read Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—Jesus is pouring out his love for us. He wept over the city of Jerusalem. He wept at his friend Lazarus’ death. Oh he cares—do you know that Jesus has great affection for you?
Jesus constantly looked not to his interested but to His Father’s interests—to complete the mission that He came to do—and he looked out for us—by dying on the cross. He came to seek and to save the lost, lost ones like you and me.
Jesus constantly poured his life into others. While his main mission was to come and die on the cross for our sins—a big part of that mission was to pour his life into his 12 disciples, training, investing, very relational—teaching, modeling, empowering. disciples that could be very slow to understand.
Jesus willingly sacrificed his life for us. He poured it out for us—though he did not deserve such treatment—we did. Jesus humbled himself, did not grumble himself—so that we could experience God. so we could enjoy a relationship with God every single day.
Let’s pray.
Jesus—only by absorbing Jesus and the Gospel is this possible.