9/4/2016
Bettering Relationships Through Better Behavior
Relationships Pt 6
PHILIPPIANS 2:19-30
“I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, SO THAT I MAY BE CHEERED when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone else looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 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. I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon. But I think it is necessary to also send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 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. 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. Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.”
• Paul endorsed two men as role models:
Timothy: “I have no one else like him!” vs. 20
Epaphroditus: “Welcome him… HONOR men like him” vs. 29
• Paul said sending these men would be a blessing!
I’m sending (these men)…
“so that I may be CHEERED” vs. 19
“so that you may be GLAD” vs. 28
“so that I may have less ANXIETY” vs. 28b
“it will make me happy and lighten my cares” (Living Bible)
1. Focus More On Others & Less On Myself
“I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone else looks out for his own interests…” Phil. 2:20-21
“he genuinely cares for you… others only care about themselves”
“…they are all wrapped up in their own affairs…”
Philippians 2:4 …you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
2. Strive to Become More Trustworthy
“Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father, he has served with me in the work of the gospel.” Phil. 2:22
Proverbs 25:13 Like the coolness of snow at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the spirit of his masters.
Psalm 15:1-5 LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman, who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the LORD, who keeps his oath even when it hurts, who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.
3. Learn How to Cooperate Better With Others
“I send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, my fellow worker and my fellow soldier, is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.”
Phil. 2:25 “…he has worked and fought by my side”
Jesus: “You’re blessed when you a peacemaker; (you help people work together) Matt. 5:9
“But now, I must send him back to you, because he longs to see all of you, and has been worried about your distress since you heard that he was sick.” Phil. 2:26
1 Corinthians 1:10 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.
“I don’t just do what I like or what is best for me, but what is best for everyone so they may be saved.” 1 Cor. 10:33
4. Live For Something That is Worth Dying For!
“Indeed he was very ill, and he almost died… he RISKED HIS LIFE for the work of Christ, and he was at the point of death while trying to do for me the things you couldn’t do because you were far away!” Phil 2:27&30
“Only those who give away their lives for my sake and for the sake of the Good News will ever know what it means to really live.” Mark 8:35