Text: Philippians 2:19-30
Opening Statement:
This is Memorial Day weekend a time to stop and to think about those who made the ultimate sacrifice. It is fitting today that we come to the passage of Scripture that talks about some servants who made the ultimate sacrifice for the Lord. As we reflect on the service of those to our country it is fitting that we look at those who give service to the Lord. Let’s remember their service together today.
If we crave a servant’s heart and endure a servant’s hardships, we will receive a servant’s honor.
I) A Look at a Servant’s Heart
Paul, Timothy and Epaphroditus illustrate men who had servant’s hearts, as seen in two dimensions:
A) A Heart Centered on the Things of Christ
Every servant of Jesus Christ does what he does, whether giving or helping or speaking, as an offering to the Lord Jesus. A servant’s heart is centered on the Lord Jesus Christ and His work. Three attitudes mark servants who are focused on the Lord Jesus Christ:
1) They are Willing to be Sent Anywhere
Have you told the Lord, “I’m willing to go anywhere You want me to go”? We should always remember that “God is a loving Father who knows what is best for us and won’t send us somewhere we don’t want to be.”
2) They are Willing to Serve Anyone
A servant of Christ isn’t out to make a name for himself by speaking to large crowds only. He’s available to his Lord to serve anyone the Lord directs him to serve.
3) They are Willing to Sacrifice Anything
Have you told the Lord, “I’ll give up everything--my desires, my ambitions, my comforts, my time, my money--to serve You”?
B) A heart that Puts Others Ahead of Himself
There are at least three ways you can tell if you’re putting others ahead of yourself:
1) You will have heartfelt love
These verses are oozing with Paul’s heartfelt love for Timothy, Epaphroditus, and for the Philippians. Paul wasn’t afraid to be human and to express his deep feelings for others.
2) You will show genuine concern
Let it be said of us that we are not in it for our glory but for the concern of others.
3) You can work cooperatively with others
Paul and Epaphroditus worked together harmoniously in the gospel cause. To do that, you’ve got to die to self and put others ahead of yourself for the sake of the work.
II) A Look at a Servant’s Hardships
Serving Christ is not easy. Testing or hardship in Christian service can come from many sources:
A) Hardship Comes from Without and Within
Paul was in prison due to hardship from without. But it’s often more difficult to bear the attacks from those within the flock than from those outside, because you expect the world to be against you, but not fellow Christians.
B) Hardship from the Work Itself
The work of the gospel involves both physical and emotional hardships that can wear us down. We must be prepared for hardships in serving the Lord and rely on His sustaining grace, not on our own strength or resources.
III) A Look at a Servant’s Honor
We don’t seek the honor for ourselves, but for our Lord who alone is worthy.
Paul here honors Timothy by sending him as his own representative. He honors Epaphroditus by his commendation and tells the church to “hold men like him in high regard” (2:29).
In Closing:
Whatever our ministry to the body of Christ may be—whether we are like Timothy and are called to a preaching/teaching role; or are like Epaphroditus and are called to a hand’s-on/service role—may the qualities that characterized these two men characterize us. May we, like them, serve with genuine compassion for people, sacrificial commitment to the gospel, and proven faithfulness in our tasks.
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