May 26, 2024

“OVERJOYED”

“THE JOY OF MINISTRY”

PHILIPPIANS 2:19-30

Close friends don’t only help us; they can greatly influence us.

1 Corinthians 15:33 “Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”

Proverbs 17:17 “A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.”

Proverbs 18:24 “A man who has friends must himself be friendly,
But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

We as believers are to especially imitate Christ in our humility and service to one another.

Paul wants us to know that the submissive mind is not a luxury enjoyed by a chosen few; it is a necessity for Christian joy, and an opportunity for all believers to enjoy.

1.   Timothy- Philippians 2:19-24

2 Timothy 1:3-5 “I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, 4 greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, 5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.” 

2 Tim. 1:2 

Notice the characteristics of this young man:

*He Had A Servant’s Mind

Philippians 2:19-21 “But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. 20 For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.”

We either live for ourselves or we live for Christ.

*He Had A Servant’s Training

Philippians 2:22 “But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel.”

Acts 16:2 “He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium.”

Paul would write to Timothy about the importance of permitting new converts to grow before thrusting them into important places of ministry.

1 Timothy 3:6-7 

Experience without teaching can lead to discouragement, and teaching without experience can lead to spiritual deadness, it takes both.

*He Had A Servant’s Reward.

Philippians 2:23-24 “Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me. 24 But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly.”

Because Timothy was a “good and faithful servant,” faithful over a few things, God rewarded him with “many things,” and he entered into the joy of the submissive mind:

Matthew 25:21 “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.”

The submissive mind grows in us as, like Timothy, we yield to the Lord ands seek and serve others.

2.   Epaphroditus- Philippians 2:25-30

Epaphroditus was a full Gentile as far as we know. His name means “charming” and a charming Christian he is:

*He Was A Balanced Christian.

Philippians 2:25 “Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need;”

Balance is important in the Christian life. 

He was like Nehemiah, the man who rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem with his sword in one hand and his trowel in the other:

Nehemiah 4:17 “Those who built on the wall, and those who carried burdens, loaded themselves so that with one hand they worked at construction, and with the other held a weapon.”

*He Was A Burdened Christian.

Philippians 2:26-27 “since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 27 For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.”

*He Was A Blessed Christian

Philippians 2:28-30 “Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. 29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; 30 because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me.”

What a tragedy it would be to go through life and not be a blessing to anyone!

Will you permit the Spirit to reproduce “the mind of Christ” in you?