WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.860 Our sermon text today is Philippians chapter 2 verses 19 through 24. 00:00:08.720 --> 00:00:12.700 In these verses, the focus shifts from the things concerning Paul. 00:00:12.919 --> 00:00:15.679 He'd been giving them a report on how he was doing. 00:00:16.500 --> 00:00:20.199 And it shifts now to the focus on the things concerning the church at Philippi. 00:00:21.000 --> 00:00:24.140 For context, Paul is in prison in Rome. 00:00:24.140 --> 00:00:30.940 And he receives money, a gift, financial gift from this little church in Philippi. 00:00:31.280 --> 00:00:34.420 And it comes from a man named Epaphroditus. 00:00:34.920 --> 00:00:40.539 So here's Epaphroditus from the church in Philippi traveling to Rome to be with Paul and minister with him. 00:00:41.280 --> 00:00:45.280 And also in that prison or that house arrest is Timothy. 00:00:45.679 --> 00:00:47.540 So there's three men together, at least. 00:00:47.820 --> 00:00:50.159 Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus. 00:00:50.840 --> 00:00:53.120 That's the context of our passage today. 00:00:54.140 --> 00:01:04.719 Well, as I read these verses, we receive it as God's inspired, inerrant, infallible, clear, sufficient, trustworthy, authoritative word for us as people. 00:01:05.659 --> 00:01:08.560 Philippians 2, 19 through 24. 00:01:09.700 --> 00:01:14.400 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly. 00:01:14.980 --> 00:01:18.280 That I also may be encouraged when I know your state. 00:01:18.799 --> 00:01:23.019 For I have no one like-minded who will sincerely care for your state. 00:01:23.019 --> 00:01:27.420 For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. 00:01:28.299 --> 00:01:34.079 But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father, he served with me in the gospel. 00:01:34.920 --> 00:01:39.859 Therefore, I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me. 00:01:40.379 --> 00:01:44.679 But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly. 00:01:45.299 --> 00:01:46.599 This is the word of the Lord. 00:01:46.599 --> 00:01:48.019 Thanks be to God. 00:01:48.159 --> 00:01:48.979 Thanks be to God. 00:01:49.059 --> 00:01:49.640 You may be seated. 00:01:51.500 --> 00:01:55.539 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of the Lord endures forever. 00:01:57.859 --> 00:01:58.459 Let's pray. 00:01:58.459 --> 00:02:11.740 Lord, we ask that by the power of your Holy Spirit, you will cause us to see your love for your church. 00:02:12.680 --> 00:02:15.099 Help us to see how much you love your people. 00:02:15.680 --> 00:02:19.400 How much you love each one that you have drawn to yourself. 00:02:19.699 --> 00:02:21.439 That you've adopted into your family. 00:02:21.799 --> 00:02:24.419 That you've put into order in a congregation. 00:02:24.419 --> 00:02:27.780 We pray, Lord, that you'll be glorified. 00:02:27.959 --> 00:02:29.719 That you'll deepen our faith. 00:02:30.379 --> 00:02:33.979 That our roots will push down into Christ himself. 00:02:34.519 --> 00:02:37.959 And receive from him the sap, the nutrients of life. 00:02:38.439 --> 00:02:41.679 And that your spirit will produce the fruit of the spirit in our lives. 00:02:41.739 --> 00:02:47.459 That you'll be glorified as you put the life and the mind and the energy of Christ more and more in us. 00:02:48.000 --> 00:02:48.500 Your people. 00:02:48.899 --> 00:02:49.959 For your glory we ask. 00:02:50.439 --> 00:02:50.719 Amen. 00:02:50.719 --> 00:02:50.819 Amen. 00:02:50.819 --> 00:03:00.719 Have you noticed how a recommendation letter often reveals more about the person writing the letter than it does about the person they're referring to you? 00:03:01.719 --> 00:03:08.159 I came across this funny one from a law firm referring Miss Brown to someone else. 00:03:08.159 --> 00:03:11.079 Quote, to whom it may concern. 00:03:11.699 --> 00:03:18.539 While employed here, Miss Brown has displayed great facility in the use of social and audio visual media and text messaging. 00:03:18.979 --> 00:03:23.699 Not to mention telephonic skills with a variety of non-employment related parties. 00:03:24.519 --> 00:03:32.439 Furthermore, Miss Brown has displayed great attention to detail in many areas with the possible exception of document review, preparation and mailing. 00:03:32.439 --> 00:03:38.639 She is punctual on the days that she comes in on time and always comes in first place in office departure. 00:03:39.539 --> 00:03:43.819 She has been a pleasure to work with on those occasions where she has had enough sleep. 00:03:44.259 --> 00:03:52.879 If there is anything further that I can do to facilitate this, including personally driving Miss Brown to her new employment, please, please, please let me know. 00:03:53.620 --> 00:03:55.900 The values of the writer come through. 00:03:55.900 --> 00:04:03.520 When you read a reference letter, you're looking to determine, is this person a good match? 00:04:03.640 --> 00:04:06.480 Does this person possess what we need? 00:04:07.759 --> 00:04:15.000 In our sermon text today, it's Paul's reference letter recommending Timothy to the church in Philippi. 00:04:15.120 --> 00:04:20.639 So we get great insights into what Paul values for the ministry as the one writing this recommendation letter. 00:04:20.639 --> 00:04:26.479 And we also get an assessment of the needs of the church and how Timothy can serve those. 00:04:27.199 --> 00:04:31.539 You read a reference letter looking for evidence about the person. 00:04:33.219 --> 00:04:35.339 Well, what is it that the church needs? 00:04:35.439 --> 00:04:41.039 The church in Philippi or this congregation or any church around the world in any time period? 00:04:41.180 --> 00:04:44.740 It's amazing that we can distill it into these essential attributes. 00:04:44.740 --> 00:04:53.000 And these are evidences that that mind of Christ, which has been Paul's message all along, it was it was set by Christ as the pattern. 00:04:53.100 --> 00:04:55.639 He humbled himself, but it didn't stop with Christ. 00:04:55.720 --> 00:04:57.560 It put these dominoes in motion. 00:04:58.019 --> 00:05:00.160 The next one we have in just one little versus Paul. 00:05:00.379 --> 00:05:01.840 Paul got the mind of Christ. 00:05:02.259 --> 00:05:05.740 Well, then we can be in like the church in Philippi and think, yeah, but Paul was an apostle. 00:05:06.019 --> 00:05:08.759 God's doing these amazing signs and wonders through Paul. 00:05:09.180 --> 00:05:11.460 Well, here comes the next domino and it's Timothy. 00:05:12.019 --> 00:05:13.180 Timothy is not an apostle. 00:05:13.180 --> 00:05:19.840 He's an ordinary man and we can look at all of the New Testament, put together a biography of this man, Timothy. 00:05:20.400 --> 00:05:24.180 And it's been humbling and also encouraging for me to study that this week. 00:05:24.780 --> 00:05:26.319 Here's Paul's message to the church. 00:05:26.780 --> 00:05:27.660 Philippians 2, 2. 00:05:27.720 --> 00:05:30.240 Would you look in your in your copy of God's word as well? 00:05:30.360 --> 00:05:31.259 Philippians 2, 2. 00:05:31.939 --> 00:05:35.879 Paul writes, fulfill my joy, church, by being like minded. 00:05:36.379 --> 00:05:38.300 This is for all the church, for all Christians. 00:05:38.460 --> 00:05:42.860 Be like minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 00:05:42.860 --> 00:05:46.319 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit. 00:05:46.639 --> 00:05:48.960 We've got enough of that going on in the world and here in Rome. 00:05:49.960 --> 00:05:54.560 But in lowliness of mind, let each one esteem others better than himself. 00:05:55.280 --> 00:05:57.080 Oh, watch for how Timothy does this. 00:05:57.680 --> 00:05:58.340 Verse 4. 00:05:58.439 --> 00:06:02.080 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests. 00:06:02.079 --> 00:06:04.019 That's the theme of this passage. 00:06:04.019 --> 00:06:06.339 But also the interests of others. 00:06:07.120 --> 00:06:11.859 Let the mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. 00:06:12.779 --> 00:06:14.339 That's the gospel pattern. 00:06:15.339 --> 00:06:23.339 So, beloved congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ, do you share Christ's mind for his church? 00:06:23.339 --> 00:06:27.459 Do you share Christ's mind for his church? 00:06:28.159 --> 00:06:34.019 Looking at Timothy's reference letter, let's pull out six evidences of what that is. 00:06:34.459 --> 00:06:35.319 Six evidences. 00:06:36.539 --> 00:06:41.779 Number one, the first evidence that you share Christ's mind for his church is this. 00:06:42.799 --> 00:06:45.959 You serve wherever the Lord Jesus puts you. 00:06:45.959 --> 00:06:50.339 You serve wherever the Lord Jesus puts you. 00:06:51.339 --> 00:06:52.219 Look at verse 9. 00:06:53.199 --> 00:06:59.759 Paul says, I trust or I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly. 00:07:01.919 --> 00:07:04.019 I trust in the Lord Jesus. 00:07:05.399 --> 00:07:08.279 Paul is sensitive to divine providence. 00:07:09.539 --> 00:07:11.779 Christ, of course, is the head of the church. 00:07:12.219 --> 00:07:14.279 Who else can put people where he wants them? 00:07:15.219 --> 00:07:17.959 It's Christ who puts each one wherever they are. 00:07:18.619 --> 00:07:20.119 It's Christ who put you here. 00:07:21.079 --> 00:07:23.139 And I thought of your stories, each of you. 00:07:23.699 --> 00:07:24.759 The churches you came from. 00:07:24.859 --> 00:07:28.699 Those who have discipled you for many years who have poured into your life. 00:07:28.799 --> 00:07:30.159 And now Christ has put you here. 00:07:30.639 --> 00:07:32.439 And you're serving here right where he has put you. 00:07:32.519 --> 00:07:33.899 He's the head of the church. 00:07:34.779 --> 00:07:40.059 If you read a letter or sometimes even in a sermon, you'll see an abbreviation. 00:07:40.199 --> 00:07:40.799 Just a DV. 00:07:41.239 --> 00:07:43.500 Especially if it's from the 1600s. 00:07:43.500 --> 00:07:45.959 What do those letters DV stand for? 00:07:46.540 --> 00:07:47.980 Well, it's a phrase in Latin. 00:07:49.040 --> 00:07:51.639 And it comes from this Bible verse, Hebrews 6, 3. 00:07:52.420 --> 00:07:54.779 This we will do if God permits. 00:07:55.540 --> 00:07:57.480 This we will do if God permits. 00:07:58.459 --> 00:08:02.019 And the letters DV, they stand for Deo Volente. 00:08:02.720 --> 00:08:03.699 Deo Volente. 00:08:04.319 --> 00:08:04.899 Lord willing. 00:08:05.680 --> 00:08:07.540 God, Deo Volente. 00:08:07.660 --> 00:08:09.019 Where we get the word volunteer. 00:08:09.019 --> 00:08:12.219 If this is God's will, we will do it. 00:08:13.120 --> 00:08:14.779 And that's exactly what Paul is saying. 00:08:15.459 --> 00:08:19.099 Timothy is here ministering with me now, serving me in house arrest. 00:08:19.500 --> 00:08:20.740 But Deo Volente. 00:08:20.859 --> 00:08:23.199 If it's God's will, he will go to Philippi. 00:08:23.599 --> 00:08:27.740 And in Philippi, the Lord Jesus, head of the church, will have Timothy serve there with you. 00:08:27.839 --> 00:08:30.560 Wherever Timothy is placed, he will be serving Christ. 00:08:30.560 --> 00:08:34.019 Think about how God had prepared Timothy. 00:08:34.200 --> 00:08:39.500 God had ordered every event, every step in Timothy's life up to this point. 00:08:40.759 --> 00:08:46.120 He says, I hope in the Lord Jesus that God will order him to do this next. 00:08:46.360 --> 00:08:47.860 But it's God's will, not Paul's. 00:08:48.980 --> 00:08:56.620 In the Lord Jesus, Timothy was ordered to be raised in a home where he would be nurtured in the scripture by his mom and his grandma. 00:08:56.620 --> 00:09:04.779 No mention of his dad, but that was the Lord's ordering of his life, that he would be nurtured in the scriptures from the infant age. 00:09:05.299 --> 00:09:12.060 The Lord also ordered that Paul would meet Timothy on his first missionary trip that we read about in Acts 14, 6. 00:09:12.679 --> 00:09:22.580 Then the Lord Jesus ordered that Timothy would be converted to become how Paul describes him in 1 Corinthians 4, 17, Paul's faithful child in the Lord. 00:09:22.580 --> 00:09:27.420 The Lord Jesus ordered that Timothy be discipled. 00:09:28.500 --> 00:09:33.720 And we read in 2 Timothy 1, 2, he's called Paul's dearly beloved son. 00:09:34.000 --> 00:09:35.759 He wasn't just a child when he was born. 00:09:35.860 --> 00:09:38.580 He became Paul's son in the Lord and being discipled. 00:09:39.600 --> 00:09:48.320 And when Paul returned to Lystra about three years later on his second mission trip through Macedonia, which is described in Acts 16, 1 through 4, 00:09:48.320 --> 00:09:54.360 the Lord Jesus ordered Timothy to join Paul as one of his fellow laborers. 00:09:54.500 --> 00:10:06.860 Then the Lord Jesus ordered that Timothy be at that Genga River where he saw God cause Lydia, who was praying, to pay attention to the gospel that Paul was preaching and to believe. 00:10:06.860 --> 00:10:14.580 The Lord ordered then that Timothy would get to witness this slave girl being delivered of the demon possession. 00:10:15.580 --> 00:10:21.180 And that the jailer would get to witness Paul and Silas, you know, being freed by the Lord from prison, 00:10:21.279 --> 00:10:25.159 but remaining there and preaching the gospel and then washing their wounds. 00:10:25.320 --> 00:10:28.899 And then him and his household hearing the gospel and believing and being baptized. 00:10:29.539 --> 00:10:33.879 The Lord ordered that Timothy saw this church in Philippi get planted. 00:10:33.879 --> 00:10:40.500 And now Paul hopes that the Lord Jesus will order Timothy to visit Philippi shortly. 00:10:41.320 --> 00:10:44.539 But he says, let's wait. I want to hear after Nero's verdict. 00:10:44.740 --> 00:10:48.139 If I send Timothy now, he's going to show up and you say, well, what about Paul? 00:10:48.360 --> 00:10:51.279 And he'll say, I don't know. Nero hasn't given the verdict yet. 00:10:51.779 --> 00:10:52.759 So let me wait. 00:10:53.620 --> 00:10:57.059 He'll be coming to you shortly if the Lord will order that. 00:10:58.360 --> 00:11:03.419 Brothers and sisters, what was true of Timothy is true for you and I as well in our lives. 00:11:03.879 --> 00:11:10.899 Just praise the Lord for all the ways he's ordered your life up to this point, how he's prepared you. 00:11:11.659 --> 00:11:19.939 Think of the promises of scripture that he's given you at the moments when you've needed the most and how his providence has always matched those promises. 00:11:20.960 --> 00:11:25.879 Has God ever once failed you, failed to be faithful to his own promises in your life? 00:11:25.879 --> 00:11:31.000 I love how the Puritan John Flavel put this quote. 00:11:31.000 --> 00:11:51.019 Can you say amen? 00:11:51.019 --> 00:11:53.539 Has God been faithful in your life this way? 00:11:54.759 --> 00:11:57.879 Well, that's the first evidence that you share Christ's mind for his church. 00:11:58.439 --> 00:12:01.559 You serve wherever the Lord Jesus puts you. 00:12:02.500 --> 00:12:05.639 Number two, second evidence that you share Christ's mind for his church. 00:12:06.299 --> 00:12:09.699 You encourage others with what God is doing. 00:12:10.579 --> 00:12:13.720 You encourage others with what God is doing. 00:12:13.720 --> 00:12:19.440 According to the New Testament, we get a picture of Timothy. 00:12:20.500 --> 00:12:24.860 And it's not that of a courageous, bold soldier marching out. 00:12:25.960 --> 00:12:30.180 Instead, his natural disposition seems to have been much the opposite. 00:12:31.580 --> 00:12:34.580 Timothy was described as timid. 00:12:35.580 --> 00:12:37.460 Maybe fragile or sickly. 00:12:38.259 --> 00:12:39.440 Certainly nervous. 00:12:40.160 --> 00:12:42.200 Naturally wanting to avoid confrontation. 00:12:42.200 --> 00:12:44.460 His stomach was in knots. 00:12:45.440 --> 00:12:47.280 Many pastors will tell you they know that feeling. 00:12:47.440 --> 00:12:57.140 It's exacerbated by the anxiety that comes with leading courageously and having God's people on your heart and mind every hour, every day, every week. 00:12:58.360 --> 00:13:02.440 Paul was looked down upon by some for his lack of experience. 00:13:03.500 --> 00:13:06.280 And he did receive two letters of encouragement. 00:13:07.240 --> 00:13:09.680 Pointing out that this is something Timothy needed. 00:13:09.680 --> 00:13:12.140 He needed someone to put courage back into him. 00:13:12.200 --> 00:13:22.620 What made Timothy a servant God would use is that Timothy learned what Jesus taught in Matthew 6, 33. 00:13:23.440 --> 00:13:28.100 Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. 00:13:28.100 --> 00:13:31.639 And all these things will be added unto you. 00:13:33.480 --> 00:13:35.120 Now, Timothy would be sent. 00:13:35.820 --> 00:13:44.540 We read in verse 19 so that Paul may also be encouraged when he then learns of the condition of the church in Philippi. 00:13:44.539 --> 00:13:48.939 Paul's spirit is needing encouragement. 00:13:49.500 --> 00:13:53.259 What's going to encourage Paul's spirit is to know the condition of the church at Philippi. 00:13:53.539 --> 00:13:54.879 He's burdened for that church. 00:13:54.959 --> 00:13:55.620 He needs to know. 00:13:56.480 --> 00:13:59.919 And Timothy is one who can come back with a trustworthy report. 00:13:59.919 --> 00:14:07.039 And when Paul hears Timothy describing the spiritual condition of that church as one who deeply cares, it will encourage Paul. 00:14:08.139 --> 00:14:10.599 To encourage is to lift up the spirit. 00:14:10.600 --> 00:14:14.420 It's to increase a person's confidence of success. 00:14:14.420 --> 00:14:18.040 And it's to embolden them with courage that they're lacking. 00:14:19.040 --> 00:14:20.600 Paul says, I need some of that. 00:14:21.340 --> 00:14:22.340 I get down. 00:14:23.060 --> 00:14:24.620 I need to be encouraged. 00:14:24.620 --> 00:14:30.060 And he describes in verse 20, Timothy is like minded. 00:14:30.720 --> 00:14:32.639 That's what makes him an encouragement. 00:14:33.240 --> 00:14:37.179 He'll be an encouragement to the church at Philippi because he shares the mind of Christ. 00:14:37.360 --> 00:14:47.019 But when he comes back and talks to Paul in Rome and tells them with deep care and sincere affection for the church, it will encourage Paul. 00:14:47.179 --> 00:14:48.860 Here's a like minded brother. 00:14:48.860 --> 00:14:56.300 You share Christ's mind when you encourage others with what God is doing. 00:14:57.440 --> 00:15:00.700 Timothy, I think is well described by Sinclair Ferguson. 00:15:02.180 --> 00:15:08.639 In the ordinary things like reliability, self-giving and proven service. 00:15:09.539 --> 00:15:11.779 Timothy proved himself to be extraordinary. 00:15:13.120 --> 00:15:16.379 In those ordinary things, he proved himself extraordinary. 00:15:16.379 --> 00:15:24.820 Well, the third evidence that you share Christ's mind for his church is that you care about the condition of the church. 00:15:25.480 --> 00:15:28.460 Yes, you let others know what God is doing and you encourage them. 00:15:28.519 --> 00:15:31.519 But you have to genuinely love God's people. 00:15:32.480 --> 00:15:36.639 This is not something that a wolf or a thief can fake long term. 00:15:37.379 --> 00:15:42.200 It's a sincere care and love for the condition of the church. 00:15:43.200 --> 00:15:45.399 Look at Paul's words in verse 20. 00:15:45.399 --> 00:15:52.699 For I have no one like minded who will sincerely care for your state. 00:15:54.620 --> 00:16:00.100 We get the picture that in Paul, in Paul's view, the church right now is incredibly mixed. 00:16:00.959 --> 00:16:04.899 There is glorious blessings and things that God is doing in the church like in Philippi. 00:16:05.679 --> 00:16:07.340 But there's great discouragement. 00:16:07.899 --> 00:16:10.519 This statement in verse 20 has a minor key. 00:16:11.100 --> 00:16:12.319 I have no one like him. 00:16:12.320 --> 00:16:21.379 I look around, but I don't see anyone else who's like minded, who has that equal or kindred spirit. 00:16:21.860 --> 00:16:24.700 The same soul is what this literally means. 00:16:26.240 --> 00:16:29.700 Think about how God etched that into Timothy's heart. 00:16:30.900 --> 00:16:36.660 Timothy and Paul had now a shared disposition and a strong commitment to the same purpose. 00:16:36.659 --> 00:16:37.699 Where did that come from? 00:16:40.319 --> 00:16:45.259 Well, I think as we walk through these verses, we'll get more and more insights. 00:16:46.799 --> 00:16:52.899 The solution, though, is not to buckle down and pull yourself up by your bootstraps and hard knuckle it. 00:16:53.259 --> 00:16:55.480 It's really to rest in Christ. 00:16:55.480 --> 00:17:00.379 It's to learn from Christ himself, a love for the bride of Christ. 00:17:01.019 --> 00:17:03.920 That's what Paul is emphasizing in Philippians 2, 5. 00:17:04.019 --> 00:17:08.620 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus. 00:17:09.279 --> 00:17:10.319 This mind. 00:17:11.019 --> 00:17:14.059 It's only in Christ Jesus that you will get it. 00:17:15.200 --> 00:17:17.200 Christ Jesus humbled himself. 00:17:17.200 --> 00:17:28.779 We read in verse eight and he became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross and the pattern for ministry that Timothy models for us is a crucified ministry. 00:17:29.940 --> 00:17:35.740 He's humbled and he's serving as one on a cross, united to Christ. 00:17:35.740 --> 00:17:44.660 The interests of Jesus Christ, notice in this verse, are the same as the spiritual condition of his people. 00:17:46.200 --> 00:17:51.680 I have no one like minded who shares the mind of Christ, who will sincerely care for your state. 00:17:52.660 --> 00:17:57.039 To care for the state, the condition of God's people is to be like minded with Christ. 00:17:57.220 --> 00:17:58.380 It's one in the same thing. 00:17:59.380 --> 00:18:02.019 In Matthew 25, verse 40, the king says, 00:18:02.019 --> 00:18:08.579 Truly, I say to you, as you did for one of the least of these, my brothers, you did it to me. 00:18:10.440 --> 00:18:16.059 As a grateful and joyful groomsman, you look out for the needs of the bride of Christ. 00:18:16.480 --> 00:18:17.660 That's what Timothy does. 00:18:18.920 --> 00:18:24.539 He seeks first the things of Christ, which means he cares for the condition of God's people. 00:18:25.660 --> 00:18:30.599 The people of Christ are the same thing as the things of Christ, 00:18:30.599 --> 00:18:33.839 because the people of Christ are the souls he purchased. 00:18:34.039 --> 00:18:34.879 They're his possession. 00:18:35.219 --> 00:18:36.519 They're the apple of his eye. 00:18:38.339 --> 00:18:44.759 And there's no one, he says, who will sincerely care or who will be genuinely concerned for your condition. 00:18:46.500 --> 00:18:47.740 But there is Timothy. 00:18:48.740 --> 00:18:51.759 As Jesus said in Matthew 23, 11 through 12, 00:18:51.759 --> 00:19:09.500 Because Timothy sought after Christ first, he put the people of Christ first. 00:19:09.500 --> 00:19:15.319 And like Christ and Paul, Timothy made himself low in order to lift others up. 00:19:16.480 --> 00:19:23.819 The evidence that you seek first the kingdom of Christ is that you seek first the interests of his people. 00:19:24.640 --> 00:19:28.140 You care about the condition of his church. 00:19:29.420 --> 00:19:32.519 Well, the fourth evidence that you share Christ's mind for his church. 00:19:32.519 --> 00:19:36.019 What you seek is different. 00:19:36.960 --> 00:19:38.440 What you seek is different. 00:19:40.619 --> 00:19:47.079 In Romans chapter 16, Paul lists 26 individual names of Christians in Rome. 00:19:48.220 --> 00:19:54.019 Yet not one of them was available to make this trip to care for the needs of the church in Philippi. 00:19:54.019 --> 00:19:56.319 He says in verse 21, 00:19:56.319 --> 00:20:02.500 For all, apparently, seek their own, not the things of Christ Jesus. 00:20:03.400 --> 00:20:08.420 To seek is to desire, to strive for, to search after, to inquire into. 00:20:08.579 --> 00:20:09.680 That's what it means to seek. 00:20:10.680 --> 00:20:13.759 It's the same word Jesus used in Matthew 6, 25. 00:20:14.559 --> 00:20:20.500 I tell you, do not be anxious or preoccupied or worried or seeking after your own life. 00:20:20.500 --> 00:20:24.180 What you will eat or what you will drink or about your body. 00:20:25.099 --> 00:20:28.279 But instead, seek after eternal life in Christ. 00:20:28.980 --> 00:20:31.380 The kingdom that has no end. 00:20:33.119 --> 00:20:38.559 As someone put it, you either live in Philippians 2, 21, seeking after your own things. 00:20:39.079 --> 00:20:43.160 Or in Philippians 1, 21, to live as Christ. 00:20:43.940 --> 00:20:45.319 Those are the two options. 00:20:48.039 --> 00:20:50.019 Seeking your own interests. 00:20:50.019 --> 00:20:57.359 This has been a pebble in Paul's boot as he's been ministering throughout this whole letter. 00:20:58.359 --> 00:21:06.859 He describes this self-centered focus of people in ministry in Philippians 1, verse 17 as selfish ambition. 00:21:08.059 --> 00:21:12.420 In chapter 2, 14, these are most likely the same people who are complainers. 00:21:12.420 --> 00:21:21.660 In Matthew 23, 25, Jesus has stern words for these shepherds who are feeding themselves off the sheep. 00:21:21.880 --> 00:21:22.460 Jesus says, 00:21:22.860 --> 00:21:31.640 Woe to you hypocrites, for you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside you are full of greed and self-indulgence. 00:21:31.640 --> 00:21:35.880 Paul also warns the church in Rome in Romans 2, 8. 00:21:35.980 --> 00:21:44.580 For those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. 00:21:46.580 --> 00:21:50.140 See the contrast between a thief and the good shepherd? 00:21:50.140 --> 00:21:56.840 In a pattern of ministry following Christ or following that of Satan? 00:21:57.480 --> 00:22:06.600 In John 10, Jesus describes himself as the good shepherd who came to get a flock for himself. 00:22:06.980 --> 00:22:09.860 And he did that by laying down his life for the sheep. 00:22:09.859 --> 00:22:16.079 In the contrast of the thieves, they don't come to lay down their lives or to give to the church. 00:22:16.159 --> 00:22:19.939 They come to get for themselves from Christ's own people. 00:22:20.719 --> 00:22:28.759 The good shepherd approaches the sheep for their interests, but the thief approaches the sheep for their own interests. 00:22:31.719 --> 00:22:35.399 What did seeking Christ's mind cost Timothy? 00:22:35.400 --> 00:22:40.700 He's following his master who laid down his life for the sheep. 00:22:41.340 --> 00:22:44.420 What did this path of preparation include for Timothy? 00:22:45.680 --> 00:22:55.580 We read in 2 Corinthians 1, 19, that Timothy was with Paul among those who stood up in Corinth and proclaimed Christ. 00:22:56.720 --> 00:23:03.180 That verse says that Christ was preached among you by us, by me, Silvanus and Timothy. 00:23:03.180 --> 00:23:07.320 He was standing up, boldly proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Lord of all. 00:23:08.120 --> 00:23:09.980 And as a result, he suffered greatly. 00:23:10.640 --> 00:23:16.519 In 1 Corinthians 4, 10 through 11, these men who proclaimed Christ in this city were considered fools. 00:23:17.200 --> 00:23:18.600 They were considered weak. 00:23:19.220 --> 00:23:20.240 They were dishonored. 00:23:21.700 --> 00:23:29.539 Paul described him and Timothy and Silvanus as hungering and thirsting, being poorly clothed and beaten and homeless. 00:23:29.539 --> 00:23:35.220 2 Corinthians 7, 5 and 6, he says, our bodies had no rest. 00:23:35.619 --> 00:23:40.859 We were afflicted at every turn, fighting without and fear within. 00:23:42.159 --> 00:23:49.960 But in that moment, in Corinth, under extreme persecution, he also says, God, who comforts the downcast. 00:23:50.399 --> 00:23:51.559 That's what God does. 00:23:51.819 --> 00:23:55.359 He comforted us by the coming of Titus. 00:23:55.359 --> 00:23:57.619 Do you see the pattern? 00:23:59.779 --> 00:24:05.639 God calls his people to become soldiers, to advance the kingdom, to proclaim him. 00:24:06.259 --> 00:24:09.459 The enemy opposes it, hates and attacks. 00:24:10.439 --> 00:24:12.319 God's people feel beaten down. 00:24:12.819 --> 00:24:13.279 They're low. 00:24:13.439 --> 00:24:14.419 They're downcast. 00:24:15.259 --> 00:24:17.079 And God sends reinforcements. 00:24:17.719 --> 00:24:19.319 He sent Titus to them in Corinth. 00:24:19.639 --> 00:24:22.519 And he comforted them with the presence of another brother. 00:24:22.519 --> 00:24:28.599 And now he's going to send back Epaphroditus and shortly Timothy to Philippi because they need it. 00:24:28.940 --> 00:24:29.960 They need that encouragement. 00:24:30.460 --> 00:24:31.400 They need that comfort. 00:24:32.779 --> 00:24:34.519 Timothy was also arrested. 00:24:34.660 --> 00:24:36.139 We read in Hebrews 13, 3. 00:24:36.259 --> 00:24:44.940 He says, our brother Timothy has been set free, implying that he had been arrested with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly. 00:24:44.940 --> 00:24:49.000 So verse 20 of our sermon text. 00:24:50.100 --> 00:24:55.160 It's very fitting to describe Timothy as like minded with Jesus Christ. 00:24:56.220 --> 00:24:58.700 Because he identified with Christ in his suffering. 00:24:59.180 --> 00:25:02.640 This love, this sincere care is genuine. 00:25:03.220 --> 00:25:05.519 He cares for the condition of Christ's bride. 00:25:06.220 --> 00:25:07.019 How could he not? 00:25:07.019 --> 00:25:15.539 And what better description of such a ministry as Paul himself gives in Philippians 1, 1. 00:25:15.799 --> 00:25:16.619 Turn back to that. 00:25:17.099 --> 00:25:18.519 Remember how this letter opens? 00:25:19.519 --> 00:25:25.200 Paul and Timothy, servants or slaves of Jesus Christ. 00:25:27.240 --> 00:25:32.079 It's evidence that you share Christ's mind for his church if what you seek is different. 00:25:32.079 --> 00:25:41.679 The fifth evidence is it's actually, to me, an encouragement on more how to get there. 00:25:41.939 --> 00:25:51.960 So how do you actually become a believer, a Christian, a brother and a sister in the Lord that can serve in such a way and can be such a soldier? 00:25:53.019 --> 00:25:55.839 How do you grow that mind of Christ in you? 00:25:56.960 --> 00:25:59.399 I'm feeling right now, too, so convicted. 00:25:59.539 --> 00:26:00.480 I want more of this. 00:26:00.559 --> 00:26:02.019 But how do I grow in this way? 00:26:03.039 --> 00:26:05.079 Well, from Timothy's example, it's this. 00:26:05.159 --> 00:26:07.619 You get discipled for kingdom service. 00:26:08.519 --> 00:26:09.539 There's no shortcuts. 00:26:10.259 --> 00:26:11.799 There's no fast track. 00:26:12.279 --> 00:26:16.279 You get discipled within the church for kingdom service. 00:26:16.439 --> 00:26:20.079 That's how God puts the mind of Christ more and more in each of us. 00:26:22.220 --> 00:26:23.899 Discipleship is the task of the church. 00:26:24.099 --> 00:26:28.019 It's for new converts, but it's also for those being raised up within the church. 00:26:28.019 --> 00:26:32.799 And I know, I believe, I pray that we have Timothy's in this congregation. 00:26:32.799 --> 00:26:42.159 And it's our task as a church to disciple the next generation within the home and also when we gather our families together, our households together in Christ's name. 00:26:42.160 --> 00:26:48.580 Well, many churches complain and grumble about a generational gap. 00:26:48.579 --> 00:26:52.619 And each generation can be frustrated with the previous one. 00:26:52.619 --> 00:26:55.239 The generational gap, quote unquote. 00:26:55.239 --> 00:27:06.339 It's when the old complain rather than training up the young and when the young avoid or maybe even mock the older generation rather than humbly learning from them. 00:27:06.339 --> 00:27:18.980 So you get these annoying trends, you know, within the mega churches of our country where each generation thinks they're doing the new cool thing rather than humbly training up through discipleship. 00:27:18.980 --> 00:27:20.240 The next generation. 00:27:20.980 --> 00:27:26.139 See if this description of the generational gap resonates with you as true. 00:27:26.619 --> 00:27:30.220 Quote, our youth now love luxury. 00:27:30.559 --> 00:27:33.619 They have bad manners, contempt for authority. 00:27:33.619 --> 00:27:39.000 They show disrespect for elders and they love to chatter instead of exercise. 00:27:39.679 --> 00:27:41.059 Does this sound like your grandma or grandpa? 00:27:41.739 --> 00:27:45.539 Children are now tyrants, not servants in their households. 00:27:46.359 --> 00:27:49.359 They no longer rise when elders enter the room. 00:27:51.500 --> 00:27:57.379 Well, that was written in the year 500 B.C. more or less by Socrates in Athens. 00:27:58.379 --> 00:27:59.799 See, there's nothing new. 00:28:00.079 --> 00:28:02.419 There's a generational gap that's always existed. 00:28:02.420 --> 00:28:04.200 Well, what's the solution to that? 00:28:04.980 --> 00:28:06.880 The solution is verse 22. 00:28:06.980 --> 00:28:07.960 Would you look at that with me? 00:28:08.340 --> 00:28:09.740 Philippians 2 22. 00:28:10.779 --> 00:28:12.640 Paul describes Timothy this way. 00:28:12.700 --> 00:28:14.779 He says, you know, his proven character. 00:28:15.279 --> 00:28:16.019 Now, here's the answer. 00:28:17.160 --> 00:28:22.960 That as a son with his father, he served with me in the gospel. 00:28:22.960 --> 00:28:30.279 How did Timothy become such a selfless soldier, such a Christ minded minister? 00:28:31.559 --> 00:28:36.220 He served with Paul as a son with his father. 00:28:38.920 --> 00:28:41.420 Paul writes that his character is proven. 00:28:42.019 --> 00:28:45.400 This means that Timothy, he had he had passed the test. 00:28:45.640 --> 00:28:47.799 He was put on trial and approved. 00:28:47.799 --> 00:28:52.779 This term means like a genuine collector's coin has been certified. 00:28:53.259 --> 00:28:54.119 It's reliable. 00:28:54.500 --> 00:28:56.659 It's of real value anywhere you go. 00:28:57.819 --> 00:29:02.839 In Acts 16 to Timothy was described as being well reported of by the brother. 00:29:02.839 --> 00:29:10.220 Another pastor named William still identified three stages in preparation to be such a servant. 00:29:11.220 --> 00:29:13.139 The first stage is pre-service. 00:29:13.839 --> 00:29:19.459 So young ones or maybe a new convert, they're not quite ready to be all in and to serve in the church. 00:29:19.699 --> 00:29:22.779 So pre-service is a necessary step on that path. 00:29:23.480 --> 00:29:25.779 The next step is that you become a slave. 00:29:26.119 --> 00:29:30.459 You grow from pre-service to being a slave of Christ through his church. 00:29:30.460 --> 00:29:35.620 And then the final step is after being a servant and a slave, you become a soldier. 00:29:36.620 --> 00:29:39.720 Pre-service, slave and soldier. 00:29:40.299 --> 00:29:43.980 So how does God raise up such selfless soldiers? 00:29:45.340 --> 00:29:49.680 Well, when we read Paul's initial phrase there in verse 22, he says, 00:29:50.140 --> 00:29:53.759 As a son with his father, we would expect him to say, 00:29:54.900 --> 00:29:57.000 The son served the father. 00:29:57.799 --> 00:30:00.140 Timothy served me is what you would expect. 00:30:00.140 --> 00:30:04.660 But instead, Paul wrote, Timothy served the church with me. 00:30:05.420 --> 00:30:06.720 He wasn't serving Paul. 00:30:07.360 --> 00:30:13.880 They were both serving Christ side by side together under Jesus as their Lord and master. 00:30:14.340 --> 00:30:19.600 Remember the introduction again, Paul and Timothy side by side, slaves of Christ. 00:30:20.380 --> 00:30:26.360 Timothy is not Paul's slave, but both together serving the church as slaves of Christ. 00:30:26.359 --> 00:30:29.639 That's the secret to the generational gap. 00:30:30.079 --> 00:30:35.240 To become a selfless soldier, it must be taught, but it's also caught. 00:30:35.899 --> 00:30:37.599 It must be explicitly shown. 00:30:37.939 --> 00:30:39.359 Here's what the Bible calls us to. 00:30:39.719 --> 00:30:41.000 And then it must be lived out. 00:30:41.379 --> 00:30:47.719 We must call us to walk with us in the example as we follow Paul and Timothy and ultimately Christ. 00:30:47.720 --> 00:30:52.880 Timothy spent 10 years ministering with Paul. 00:30:52.880 --> 00:30:58.160 In New Testament times, a son served his father and he did so to learn the trade. 00:30:59.160 --> 00:31:05.259 He was willing to obey the teacher and become as skilled as possible in that work. 00:31:05.259 --> 00:31:13.660 Bonhoeffer rightly observed that when Jesus bids a man to come, he bids him come and die. 00:31:14.779 --> 00:31:23.379 You learn that through the example of someone else who has been called to Jesus and has died and is following Jesus as a dead man. 00:31:23.380 --> 00:31:29.080 Isn't this true of sanctification and of all of the commands in the scripture there? 00:31:29.260 --> 00:31:31.240 They must be both taught and caught. 00:31:31.520 --> 00:31:32.680 I can hear that. 00:31:32.720 --> 00:31:35.660 But will someone show me how to walk out this Christian life? 00:31:36.380 --> 00:31:39.880 Take, for example, Ephesians 4, 22 through 24. 00:31:40.600 --> 00:31:49.420 It must be taught and caught to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through the deceitful desires. 00:31:49.420 --> 00:31:58.820 And be renewed in the spirit of your minds and put on the new self created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. 00:31:59.860 --> 00:32:02.000 So how do we train a soldier? 00:32:03.320 --> 00:32:09.900 How do we do that within the church with elders and deacons and teachers raising up and equipping and discipling? 00:32:10.400 --> 00:32:18.700 If God's entrusted you with children or grandchildren or nieces and nephews, maybe even through other relationships in your life. 00:32:18.700 --> 00:32:20.759 How do you train others up as a soldier? 00:32:21.819 --> 00:32:23.819 It's in three ways by the grace of God. 00:32:23.960 --> 00:32:30.580 Number one, looking at Timothy's example, it's through the nurture and scripture from infancy in the home. 00:32:31.480 --> 00:32:33.220 This is where it all began for Timothy. 00:32:33.759 --> 00:32:38.140 Grandma and mom in the home, raising him up in the nurture of scripture. 00:32:38.680 --> 00:32:44.000 Number two, it's through the discipleship and ministry by teaching and example. 00:32:44.000 --> 00:32:50.839 And number three, it's long term service in the church until you have a proven character. 00:32:51.359 --> 00:32:55.759 Over time, he's well thought of by those inside the church and outside. 00:32:56.700 --> 00:33:04.579 So how Christ's mind for his church can grow in you and in me is you get discipled in the church for kingdom service. 00:33:04.579 --> 00:33:10.159 Well, the sixth evidence that you share Christ's mind for his church, it's this. 00:33:11.279 --> 00:33:14.879 You are a vessel of blessing wherever you are. 00:33:15.819 --> 00:33:19.639 You are a vessel of God's blessing pouring through you wherever you are. 00:33:21.079 --> 00:33:22.740 Let's read verse 22. 00:33:23.699 --> 00:33:26.720 Timothy served with me in the gospel as a son. 00:33:27.639 --> 00:33:31.179 So that's where he was at that time serving the Lord with Paul. 00:33:31.180 --> 00:33:37.500 Now, verse 23, Paul says, I hope to send them to you at once as soon as I see how it goes with me. 00:33:38.680 --> 00:33:44.320 And in verse 24, Paul writes, but I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly. 00:33:45.240 --> 00:33:50.400 These verses describe Timothy being mobile, being mobilized. 00:33:50.519 --> 00:33:54.440 And wherever he is, he's going to be that vessel of service to the Lord. 00:33:55.039 --> 00:33:58.019 Paul sees his life being poured out like a drink offering. 00:33:58.019 --> 00:34:02.440 The hourglass is on the final grains of sand for Paul. 00:34:03.379 --> 00:34:06.779 And Paul says, I don't know which way it's going to go with me, but there's Timothy. 00:34:07.220 --> 00:34:11.219 If I'm out of the picture, I'm no longer writing you letters or able to come visit you. 00:34:11.440 --> 00:34:12.239 You're not alone. 00:34:12.800 --> 00:34:13.860 God will carry this on. 00:34:14.440 --> 00:34:15.900 See, it's a passing of the torch. 00:34:17.340 --> 00:34:22.800 Just as Paul has been a vessel to pour out himself on the sacrifice of their faith and service, 00:34:23.239 --> 00:34:25.039 Timothy is going to be the next vessel. 00:34:25.039 --> 00:34:26.219 God's already prepared. 00:34:26.619 --> 00:34:28.340 The next generation is ready. 00:34:31.279 --> 00:34:36.039 The Lord Jesus can greet Paul on the day of Christ for Paul. 00:34:36.440 --> 00:34:40.880 And those words that we read in Matthew 25, and we long to hear ourselves. 00:34:41.019 --> 00:34:42.360 Matthew 25, 21. 00:34:42.980 --> 00:34:44.380 The Lord Jesus will see Paul. 00:34:45.380 --> 00:34:46.199 His days are over. 00:34:46.199 --> 00:34:49.539 And he'll say, well done, good and faithful servant. 00:34:50.019 --> 00:34:53.519 You have been faithful over a little, and I will set you over much. 00:34:54.019 --> 00:34:56.599 Enter into the joy of your master. 00:34:58.319 --> 00:35:04.899 And as Paul's approaching the finish line of his race, Timothy is warmed up, and he's at the starting line. 00:35:05.259 --> 00:35:09.119 He's ready to take that baton and carry it and run for that next stretch. 00:35:09.119 --> 00:35:15.359 Timothy had already served well with Paul wherever our Lord Jesus Christ sent them. 00:35:16.319 --> 00:35:20.900 And now Paul had confidence that Timothy would be a trustworthy minister to Philippi. 00:35:21.799 --> 00:35:26.519 Timothy would be an encouragement to Paul with a report of their spiritual condition. 00:35:26.940 --> 00:35:34.019 No matter where God was putting Timothy, he was going to be a vessel of God's blessing and encourage the advancement of the kingdom. 00:35:34.019 --> 00:35:37.300 God had given Timothy a little. 00:35:38.380 --> 00:35:46.500 God had put his mind in Timothy and by his grace caused Timothy to be faithful in those little things he was given in long-term service within the church. 00:35:47.199 --> 00:35:49.559 And now he was ready to give him more. 00:35:51.639 --> 00:35:59.759 Through this partnership between Timothy and Paul, the Spirit inspired and they co-authored the letter to the Philippians. 00:35:59.760 --> 00:36:15.200 Paul is going to urge Timothy to entrust to mature men what I have taught you. 00:36:15.400 --> 00:36:19.680 This pattern of ministry that I've shown and modeled and used to train you up, Timothy. 00:36:19.760 --> 00:36:22.580 Now you turn and you do that within the church. 00:36:23.880 --> 00:36:25.640 2 Timothy 2.2, he says, 00:36:25.639 --> 00:36:32.019 The things that you have heard from me commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 00:36:34.960 --> 00:36:39.119 Sinclair Ferguson summarizes this reference letter of Timothy this way. 00:36:40.139 --> 00:36:42.559 It's like Paul is telling the church, 00:36:43.179 --> 00:36:50.359 What I have taught you by exhortation, by teaching, I am sending to you in the flesh and blood illustration of Timothy. 00:36:50.920 --> 00:36:54.500 This man's life is what I mean by my preaching. 00:36:55.639 --> 00:37:02.639 Christ desires for your life and mine, dear brothers and sisters, to illustrate Christ's teaching. 00:37:03.839 --> 00:37:07.599 Here is one who has taken my yoke, my cross. 00:37:08.480 --> 00:37:10.779 Where I lead, he or she follows. 00:37:12.519 --> 00:37:15.279 Well, how did Timothy's life end on earth? 00:37:16.420 --> 00:37:23.679 Eusebius' ecclesiastical history records that Timothy was the first overseer of the church in Ephesus. 00:37:23.679 --> 00:37:27.679 And that he died there preaching at the age of 80. 00:37:28.519 --> 00:37:41.699 Fox's book of martyrs says that Timothy was murdered after calling a crowd of pagans to turn away from their idolatrous celebrations and instead to worship the one true living God, our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:37:43.059 --> 00:37:46.759 And so for Timothy, the words of Christ once again ring true. 00:37:46.760 --> 00:37:49.520 Matthew 16, 24 and 25. 00:37:50.200 --> 00:37:51.700 Jesus says to his disciples, 00:37:51.700 --> 00:37:58.620 If anyone will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me. 00:37:58.680 --> 00:38:01.440 For whoever would save his life will lose it. 00:38:01.820 --> 00:38:05.660 But whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 00:38:05.659 --> 00:38:21.940 Would your life, Christian, encourage other believers as an example of Christlike obedience in every day, every week, every year, ordinary ways? 00:38:22.819 --> 00:38:24.319 May it be so by God's grace. 00:38:24.320 --> 00:38:54.300 May it be so by God's grace. 00:38:54.300 --> 00:38:57.500 GodЖine Christ in us, your people, for your glory, we ask. 00:38:57.880 --> 00:38:58.240 Amen.