WEBVTT 00:00:00.800 --> 00:00:06.780 The scripture reading today comes from Philippians 2 verses 19 to 30. 00:00:07.640 --> 00:00:16.359 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 00:00:17.260 --> 00:00:22.379 For I have no one like him who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 00:00:23.160 --> 00:00:28.019 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 00:00:28.019 --> 00:00:36.259 But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father, he has served with me in the gospel. 00:00:37.280 --> 00:00:42.539 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me. 00:00:42.899 --> 00:00:47.000 And I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also. 00:00:48.140 --> 00:00:55.560 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier. 00:00:55.560 --> 00:00:58.940 And your messenger and minister to my need. 00:00:59.440 --> 00:01:06.219 For he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 00:01:07.520 --> 00:01:10.340 Indeed he was ill, near to death. 00:01:10.879 --> 00:01:13.020 But God had mercy on him. 00:01:13.620 --> 00:01:16.560 And not only on him, but on me also. 00:01:17.460 --> 00:01:20.000 Lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 00:01:20.000 --> 00:01:29.579 I am the more eager to send him therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 00:01:30.480 --> 00:01:35.340 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men. 00:01:35.840 --> 00:01:43.920 For he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me. 00:01:43.920 --> 00:01:46.600 This is God's word to us today. 00:01:50.599 --> 00:01:53.620 Okay, thank you, my beautiful wife. 00:01:55.579 --> 00:01:59.120 We are continuing to work through the book of Philippians. 00:01:59.700 --> 00:02:01.420 And we are about halfway through. 00:02:01.540 --> 00:02:07.420 If you're new to Watermark, we are working through this amazing, amazing book in the New Testament. 00:02:07.420 --> 00:02:15.500 And I encourage you to get hold of a Bible, maybe ask someone to lend you one or download one, and read this book with us. 00:02:15.620 --> 00:02:18.360 It's a wonderful book of the New Testament. 00:02:19.180 --> 00:02:27.180 Now, this passage that we're looking at today follows on very closely from the flow of thought of the last couple of weeks. 00:02:27.319 --> 00:02:30.879 There's a flow of logic that Paul is applying here. 00:02:30.879 --> 00:02:37.819 And so let's just recap where we've come from so we can see what it is that Paul's actually saying to us today. 00:02:38.419 --> 00:02:45.039 But maybe actually, let me just interrupt my own flow of thought and say, let's just pray quickly that God will speak to us this morning. 00:02:45.199 --> 00:02:51.240 So, Heavenly Father, again, as we come to your word, we come with humility and trepidation. 00:02:52.039 --> 00:02:55.900 God, it's incredible how you've put together your Bible, your word. 00:02:56.419 --> 00:02:58.719 And this morning, God, we pray that you'll speak to us. 00:02:58.719 --> 00:03:00.500 We pray that you'll grip our hearts. 00:03:00.500 --> 00:03:04.080 Lord, we pray that you'll allow us to see inside of our own hearts. 00:03:04.139 --> 00:03:06.719 And you'll allow us to see the motivations of our hearts. 00:03:08.199 --> 00:03:10.560 That, God, we really will respond to you. 00:03:11.240 --> 00:03:16.979 Christ, won't you not just fashion and shape our behavior, but shape our hearts, God. 00:03:17.500 --> 00:03:20.400 God, may our hearts be shaped around the gospel and who you are. 00:03:21.000 --> 00:03:27.199 God, we pray that we, not that we will be numbered with the earthly wealth you're successful, 00:03:27.199 --> 00:03:32.639 but that we really will experience the true blessings of spiritual blessings, God. 00:03:33.079 --> 00:03:34.679 And so, we pray that for ourselves. 00:03:34.799 --> 00:03:36.500 We pray that your word come and speak to us. 00:03:36.899 --> 00:03:38.399 In your wonderful name, amen. 00:03:39.359 --> 00:03:39.659 Okay. 00:03:39.859 --> 00:03:40.839 So, sorry about that. 00:03:40.899 --> 00:03:42.239 I forgot to pray a little earlier. 00:03:42.459 --> 00:03:45.359 But prayer is more important than what I've got to say. 00:03:45.459 --> 00:03:46.539 We want God to speak to us. 00:03:46.620 --> 00:03:47.620 So, that's okay. 00:03:47.620 --> 00:03:52.719 So, remember a few weeks ago, two weeks ago, in fact, we looked at Philippians chapter 2. 00:03:53.500 --> 00:03:56.200 And Paul writes this amazing passage where he says, 00:03:57.200 --> 00:04:00.980 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or out of a sense of self-important, 00:04:01.599 --> 00:04:04.360 but consider others more significant than yourself. 00:04:05.000 --> 00:04:08.879 Let each of you not serve his own interests, but the interests of others. 00:04:08.879 --> 00:04:13.019 And then Paul gives kind of the gold standard of motivation. 00:04:13.639 --> 00:04:14.159 And he says, 00:04:14.740 --> 00:04:18.620 For the reason for this is, remember how Jesus treated you. 00:04:18.800 --> 00:04:23.600 That though Jesus was God, he didn't grasp or hold on to his godness, 00:04:23.759 --> 00:04:25.579 but he poured himself out. 00:04:25.719 --> 00:04:28.839 He laid aside his majesty in humility. 00:04:29.100 --> 00:04:33.459 He took on humanness and ended up on the cross. 00:04:33.459 --> 00:04:38.899 And it's in a picture of Christ's incredible selfless service, 00:04:39.120 --> 00:04:41.659 pouring himself out for the sake of others. 00:04:41.739 --> 00:04:44.859 And not just anyone, not just his friends, but his enemies. 00:04:45.060 --> 00:04:47.939 The very people that had shaken their fists at him and said, 00:04:48.039 --> 00:04:49.459 We don't want you to be our God. 00:04:49.659 --> 00:04:51.120 And had rebelled against him. 00:04:51.299 --> 00:04:53.919 Jesus poured out his life for us. 00:04:54.599 --> 00:04:59.439 And Paul says that life of Jesus becomes the paradigm for the Christian life. 00:04:59.439 --> 00:05:05.219 Remember, a Christian is not just somebody who believes in the existence of Jesus 00:05:05.219 --> 00:05:06.600 or the deity of Jesus. 00:05:06.860 --> 00:05:08.399 Even demons believe that. 00:05:08.800 --> 00:05:11.279 A Christian is someone who's following Jesus. 00:05:11.439 --> 00:05:13.920 Who says, I want you to be my Lord, my King. 00:05:14.319 --> 00:05:19.540 Whose life is imitating the life of Jesus as they follow him as Lord and as King. 00:05:19.779 --> 00:05:23.779 Pouring out our lives like Jesus did for the interests of others. 00:05:24.459 --> 00:05:27.060 And Paul actually uses a great illustration here. 00:05:27.060 --> 00:05:32.399 He says his life, like Jesus, is he's pouring it out for others. 00:05:32.540 --> 00:05:37.800 And he says, my life is like a drink offering which is given in the service of others. 00:05:37.959 --> 00:05:40.600 And the illustration here is how in the Old Testament, 00:05:40.780 --> 00:05:42.939 someone would bring an offering to the temple. 00:05:43.500 --> 00:05:44.759 And they'd bring their offering. 00:05:45.279 --> 00:05:48.019 But the offering wasn't quite complete. 00:05:48.439 --> 00:05:50.240 Maybe a goat or a lamb. 00:05:50.740 --> 00:05:54.639 It was completed when the priest would bring a drink offering. 00:05:54.639 --> 00:05:58.240 Maybe a glass of wine or some kind of sacred drink. 00:05:58.779 --> 00:06:00.579 And pour it out on the offering. 00:06:00.680 --> 00:06:03.979 It was a way of completing the offering of the worshiper. 00:06:04.639 --> 00:06:07.199 Paul says, your life, you've offered your life to Jesus. 00:06:07.740 --> 00:06:10.560 And I am pouring myself out like a drink offering. 00:06:10.699 --> 00:06:18.860 I'm giving myself away to supplement, to complete your worship and affection and adoration for God. 00:06:19.279 --> 00:06:21.039 This is the pattern of Christ's life. 00:06:21.139 --> 00:06:22.759 This is the pattern of Paul's life. 00:06:22.759 --> 00:06:28.939 And then we saw how Paul uses this phrase when he encourages the Philippians to do the same. 00:06:29.500 --> 00:06:33.019 He says, therefore, work out your own salvation. 00:06:33.719 --> 00:06:40.599 And what that means is, you Philippians, I'm calling you to live out this gospel-shaped life that has been given to you. 00:06:40.939 --> 00:06:46.399 Because you've been given salvation, this free gift of grace, we need to live it out. 00:06:46.399 --> 00:06:50.859 And we saw that salvation doesn't just mean forgiveness of sins. 00:06:51.359 --> 00:06:57.500 Salvation doesn't just mean that one day when you get to heaven or when you die, you get to heaven not to go to hell. 00:06:57.500 --> 00:07:04.759 Salvation in the Bible means that once we were separated from God and now we've been reconciled, we've been reunited. 00:07:05.220 --> 00:07:09.680 Once sin got in the way and there was division, but now we've been brought back to God. 00:07:10.160 --> 00:07:16.740 Salvation means we are united, our union with Jesus by the work of the Spirit and work in our hearts. 00:07:16.740 --> 00:07:27.540 So now that we experience not only His forgiveness and grace, but also His love, His acceptance, His fatherhood, His welcome. 00:07:28.379 --> 00:07:34.160 Salvation means no longer living independent of God, but walking in deep relationship with Him. 00:07:35.300 --> 00:07:40.540 Salvation also means that once we lived for ourselves and our own self-interest, 00:07:40.540 --> 00:07:47.500 where once we were curved in on ourselves, making ourselves king and lord and our ruler, 00:07:48.319 --> 00:07:50.540 now we realize that God is king. 00:07:51.180 --> 00:07:55.600 And our lives no longer revolve around ourselves, our lives start to revolve around Him. 00:07:56.560 --> 00:08:01.580 And salvation means that rather than living inwardly for ourselves, we now get to live outwardly. 00:08:01.879 --> 00:08:05.980 For God and Christ our King, but also for others. 00:08:05.980 --> 00:08:12.280 Remember, hundreds of years ago, everyone thought that the sun revolved around the earth. 00:08:12.420 --> 00:08:14.060 We were the center of the universe. 00:08:14.840 --> 00:08:18.920 Until some scientists discovered, actually, we revolve around the sun. 00:08:19.840 --> 00:08:23.500 Salvation has come to the place where once we thought we were the center of the universe, 00:08:23.680 --> 00:08:29.640 life revolved around us, to come to realize that actually, life revolves around the sun, the Son of God. 00:08:30.200 --> 00:08:31.740 Our lives revolve around Him. 00:08:31.740 --> 00:08:38.940 And so salvation is not just pardoned from sins, it's reconciled relationship with God, 00:08:39.019 --> 00:08:44.860 where He becomes our life and our reason for being, following Him and orientating our whole lives around Him. 00:08:44.940 --> 00:08:53.659 And so Paul says, live out this salvation, work out this salvation, work out this Christ-centered, gospel-shaped life. 00:08:54.240 --> 00:08:57.019 Imitating Jesus, setting your heart on Him. 00:08:57.600 --> 00:08:59.120 So that's where we've come from. 00:08:59.120 --> 00:08:59.639 Okay? 00:09:00.179 --> 00:09:08.399 Now, in this passage we're going to look at today, in chapter 2, verse 19 to 30, Paul is going to do two things. 00:09:09.019 --> 00:09:13.600 The first thing that he's doing is he's giving some travel plans to the Philippians. 00:09:13.799 --> 00:09:20.500 There are these two guys that are with him, Timothy and Epaphroditus, and he's updating the Philippians on their travel plans. 00:09:20.500 --> 00:09:27.559 But the second thing that Paul's doing, the deeper thing that he's doing, is he's holding up these two lives, Timothy and Epaphroditus, 00:09:27.840 --> 00:09:34.559 as examples, almost exhibit A, exhibit B, of what he's been talking about the whole time, 00:09:34.659 --> 00:09:40.379 of what the Christ-centered, gospel-shaped, others-focused life looks like. 00:09:40.840 --> 00:09:41.039 Okay? 00:09:41.399 --> 00:09:45.360 So let's look at what the passages say and see how that makes sense. 00:09:45.360 --> 00:09:48.399 So firstly, let's understand the travel plans. 00:09:49.019 --> 00:09:52.680 Look at the first section, verse 19 to 24 with me. 00:09:53.399 --> 00:09:59.080 Paul's writing to these Philippians, and he's wanting to tell them that he's going to send Timothy. 00:09:59.539 --> 00:10:04.019 So Paul's in prison in Rome, and he's going to send Timothy to visit them. 00:10:04.019 --> 00:10:10.860 And the reason he's doing so is because Paul has heard from Epaphroditus, who we're going to meet in a few minutes' time, 00:10:11.120 --> 00:10:15.039 about the opposition and the challenges that the Philippians are facing. 00:10:15.360 --> 00:10:18.399 Remember in chapter 1, Chris preached about it a few weeks ago. 00:10:18.860 --> 00:10:19.659 Paul writes and he says, 00:10:20.059 --> 00:10:24.960 Stand firm, one heart, one mind, not afraid of any opposition you face. 00:10:25.559 --> 00:10:29.759 Paul has heard from Epaphroditus that the Philippians are facing this opposition. 00:10:29.759 --> 00:10:33.519 And so he wants to find out how they're doing. 00:10:34.039 --> 00:10:40.240 And so he's going to send Timothy to them, get a report, and then Paul is going to meet Timothy somewhere else, 00:10:40.419 --> 00:10:42.519 maybe Ephesus or one of the other cities. 00:10:43.580 --> 00:10:45.740 But he's sending Timothy to get a report. 00:10:45.879 --> 00:10:47.620 And so look what he says in verse 19. 00:10:48.759 --> 00:10:54.559 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I may be cheered by news of how you're doing. 00:10:54.559 --> 00:10:55.559 Verse 23. 00:10:56.099 --> 00:11:00.599 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 00:11:00.779 --> 00:11:04.519 and I trust in the Lord that I shortly will come myself also. 00:11:04.919 --> 00:11:06.979 So what's happening here is Paul is in jail. 00:11:07.099 --> 00:11:09.479 He's expecting that he's about to have a trial. 00:11:09.959 --> 00:11:11.939 And he's not sure which way the trial will go. 00:11:12.459 --> 00:11:16.679 He might be executed for disturbing the peace or offending the emperor. 00:11:17.199 --> 00:11:21.059 But he actually anticipates that God has got more work for him to do. 00:11:21.059 --> 00:11:24.739 And so he's anticipating to be released from prison and to go on his way. 00:11:25.359 --> 00:11:28.859 And so he says, as soon as I find out which way my trial goes, 00:11:29.279 --> 00:11:33.259 I'll send Timothy so that he can let you know what's happened. 00:11:33.579 --> 00:11:36.959 And then as soon as I'm released, I myself will come and visit you. 00:11:37.259 --> 00:11:39.099 So that's what's happening in that section. 00:11:39.799 --> 00:11:43.199 And then he writes updating travel plans about Epaphroditus. 00:11:43.299 --> 00:11:44.299 Look at verse 25. 00:11:44.919 --> 00:11:45.719 He says, 00:11:45.720 --> 00:12:08.080 Now Epaphroditus is the guy who's actually going to carry this letter from Paul in jail 00:12:08.080 --> 00:12:11.600 to back to Philippi and hand it over to the Philippians. 00:12:12.160 --> 00:12:13.639 So Epaphroditus is going to go now. 00:12:13.639 --> 00:12:18.519 Now Timothy's going to go a little bit later once he finds out what's going to happen in Paul's trial. 00:12:18.840 --> 00:12:22.279 And then when Paul's released, he's going to come later on further still. 00:12:22.960 --> 00:12:25.179 But the background that's what's happening here is 00:12:25.179 --> 00:12:29.600 in Roman times, when somebody got put in jail, 00:12:30.319 --> 00:12:34.779 the state didn't see it as their responsibility to look after their prisoners. 00:12:35.319 --> 00:12:37.659 Things like food and blankets and clothing. 00:12:38.080 --> 00:12:39.620 They didn't see that as their responsibility. 00:12:39.620 --> 00:12:43.360 That was the responsibility of the family members or friends of the prisoner. 00:12:43.639 --> 00:12:45.539 And so Paul gets arrested. 00:12:45.679 --> 00:12:48.419 He's under house arrest in jail in Rome. 00:12:49.699 --> 00:12:53.899 And the Philippians, this other church a couple of hundred miles away, 00:12:54.000 --> 00:12:55.759 they hear about what happens to Paul. 00:12:56.319 --> 00:12:58.199 And they're not a very wealthy church, 00:12:58.379 --> 00:13:02.100 but they take it upon themselves to take up a financial offering 00:13:02.100 --> 00:13:06.699 and to send it to Rome by way of this guy Epaphroditus 00:13:06.699 --> 00:13:07.919 and maybe one or two others 00:13:07.919 --> 00:13:12.179 to bring this offering to look after Paul's needs while he's in prison. 00:13:12.179 --> 00:13:15.679 And so Epaphroditus and one or two friends, 00:13:16.000 --> 00:13:20.799 they go on this long trip all the way from the city of Philippi around the coast, 00:13:21.359 --> 00:13:24.339 sail all the way to Rome to look after his needs. 00:13:25.059 --> 00:13:29.539 But somewhere along the trip, Epaphroditus falls ill. 00:13:30.239 --> 00:13:31.219 Very ill. 00:13:31.799 --> 00:13:35.199 In fact, so ill that it looks like he may die. 00:13:35.200 --> 00:13:39.740 And word gets back to the church in Philippi 00:13:39.740 --> 00:13:43.460 that their messenger, their minister, Epaphroditus, 00:13:43.780 --> 00:13:45.740 is on death's doorstep. 00:13:46.080 --> 00:13:47.280 He's about to die. 00:13:47.720 --> 00:13:49.160 And that's the last thing they hear, 00:13:49.560 --> 00:13:51.759 is that Epaphroditus is on his deathbed 00:13:51.759 --> 00:13:54.540 and we don't know what's happened to him. 00:13:54.539 --> 00:13:58.559 It's kind of like, imagine you get a message, 00:13:58.699 --> 00:13:59.519 a text message, 00:13:59.980 --> 00:14:04.299 saying your mom or your child or your brother or sister 00:14:04.299 --> 00:14:07.620 has collapsed, has fallen over, 00:14:08.000 --> 00:14:10.079 the ambulance is on their way to the hospital, 00:14:10.480 --> 00:14:12.879 please pray desperately, we don't know what's happened. 00:14:14.079 --> 00:14:16.559 Your heart races and you suddenly feel like, 00:14:16.899 --> 00:14:17.620 what's happened? 00:14:17.759 --> 00:14:18.899 But you don't have any news. 00:14:19.000 --> 00:14:20.719 And so you're desperately trying to phone somebody, 00:14:20.819 --> 00:14:21.379 what's happened? 00:14:21.379 --> 00:14:22.779 You can't get through to anybody. 00:14:23.240 --> 00:14:25.059 And all you've got is the bad news. 00:14:25.200 --> 00:14:27.159 And you don't know, what's the situation? 00:14:27.299 --> 00:14:27.919 Are they awake? 00:14:27.980 --> 00:14:28.600 Are they conscious? 00:14:28.700 --> 00:14:29.519 Are they not conscious? 00:14:29.879 --> 00:14:30.960 Is everything okay? 00:14:31.120 --> 00:14:32.299 Is everything not okay? 00:14:32.799 --> 00:14:34.439 And you're frantically wondering, 00:14:34.720 --> 00:14:35.600 what's happened? 00:14:35.679 --> 00:14:36.279 Are they okay? 00:14:37.200 --> 00:14:39.820 That's something of what the Philippians are going through. 00:14:40.179 --> 00:14:42.240 They've heard news that their dear friend, 00:14:42.340 --> 00:14:45.340 Epaphroditus, has collapsed and has almost died. 00:14:45.480 --> 00:14:46.740 And that's the last they've heard. 00:14:47.179 --> 00:14:48.320 And they don't have any update. 00:14:48.320 --> 00:14:51.820 And so Paul is sending Epaphroditus back to them, 00:14:52.040 --> 00:14:53.140 now that he's better, 00:14:53.360 --> 00:14:56.379 to show them and to encourage them in their faith, 00:14:56.480 --> 00:15:00.540 to see that he is doing well and to ease their anxiety. 00:15:01.400 --> 00:15:04.580 So that's kind of what's going on here in this passage. 00:15:05.660 --> 00:15:06.879 That's the first thing. 00:15:07.520 --> 00:15:08.640 But as we said earlier, 00:15:08.780 --> 00:15:10.500 there's something deeper going on here. 00:15:11.140 --> 00:15:13.440 Paul is holding up these two guys 00:15:13.440 --> 00:15:16.720 as almost examples of what the Christ-centered, 00:15:16.920 --> 00:15:19.320 gospel-shaped life looks like. 00:15:19.780 --> 00:15:21.440 In fact, we actually see a third cameo. 00:15:21.540 --> 00:15:23.360 We see the life of Paul himself. 00:15:23.700 --> 00:15:25.600 Let's look at Paul here. 00:15:26.480 --> 00:15:28.620 Paul is, as we said earlier, he's in jail. 00:15:29.420 --> 00:15:31.280 And I don't know about you, 00:15:31.420 --> 00:15:33.420 but I've never been arrested. 00:15:33.700 --> 00:15:35.400 I've never been convicted of a crime. 00:15:35.980 --> 00:15:37.080 Not yet anyway. 00:15:37.660 --> 00:15:38.960 And if I do, 00:15:39.040 --> 00:15:40.400 I'm going to call on my friend Tiffany, 00:15:40.560 --> 00:15:41.020 the barrister, 00:15:41.160 --> 00:15:42.080 to come and bail me out. 00:15:42.740 --> 00:15:44.240 And I'm going to put in a good word 00:15:44.240 --> 00:15:46.540 to Justin Ma, the prosecutor, 00:15:46.840 --> 00:15:48.460 and hopefully things will go all right. 00:15:48.900 --> 00:15:50.540 But I've never been in jail, 00:15:50.879 --> 00:15:52.340 but I have been sick. 00:15:52.940 --> 00:15:54.320 And when I am sick, 00:15:54.379 --> 00:15:55.720 I am very grumpy. 00:15:55.960 --> 00:15:58.100 And I feel very sorry for myself. 00:15:58.220 --> 00:15:59.440 It's called man flu. 00:16:00.140 --> 00:16:03.840 Ladies somehow are able to suffer so much better. 00:16:04.380 --> 00:16:05.560 Ladies just suffer 00:16:05.560 --> 00:16:07.020 and don't feel sorry for themselves. 00:16:07.280 --> 00:16:08.060 But as men, 00:16:09.120 --> 00:16:11.160 we tend to feel sorry for ourselves 00:16:11.160 --> 00:16:12.720 when we've got a bit of flu, right? 00:16:13.120 --> 00:16:15.300 And so when I get sick, 00:16:15.400 --> 00:16:16.960 I feel very sorry for myself. 00:16:17.280 --> 00:16:18.000 Woe is me. 00:16:18.440 --> 00:16:20.580 And I just am miserable. 00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:23.400 Paul is not just sick. 00:16:23.520 --> 00:16:24.400 He's in jail. 00:16:24.920 --> 00:16:26.740 And he's in jail for something that he hasn't done. 00:16:26.900 --> 00:16:28.260 He's just preached the gospel. 00:16:28.259 --> 00:16:29.899 He hasn't disturbed the peace. 00:16:29.980 --> 00:16:31.639 He's not trying to overthrow the empire. 00:16:31.919 --> 00:16:35.620 He's not a rebel or political prisoner. 00:16:35.960 --> 00:16:37.480 He's just trying to tell people 00:16:37.480 --> 00:16:38.439 about the love of Jesus. 00:16:39.100 --> 00:16:41.039 And because of the jealousy of people, 00:16:41.179 --> 00:16:42.179 he's ended up in jail 00:16:42.179 --> 00:16:43.580 and he may lose his life. 00:16:44.460 --> 00:16:46.179 But look at how Paul responds. 00:16:46.840 --> 00:16:47.779 While he's here, 00:16:47.860 --> 00:16:49.279 he's got these friends around him. 00:16:49.720 --> 00:16:50.639 He's got Timothy. 00:16:50.759 --> 00:16:52.340 And look at how he describes Timothy. 00:16:52.500 --> 00:16:52.860 He says, 00:16:53.439 --> 00:16:53.860 Timothy, 00:16:54.319 --> 00:16:54.620 he says, 00:16:54.700 --> 00:16:56.439 I have no one else like him. 00:16:57.039 --> 00:16:58.220 The Greek word there, 00:16:58.259 --> 00:17:00.740 actually means someone like-minded 00:17:00.740 --> 00:17:02.139 or someone like-souled. 00:17:02.220 --> 00:17:02.500 He says, 00:17:02.559 --> 00:17:03.500 I've got nobody else 00:17:03.500 --> 00:17:05.720 that has the same heart as me. 00:17:06.079 --> 00:17:07.720 He goes on to describe Timothy 00:17:07.720 --> 00:17:09.660 as someone who has served me 00:17:09.660 --> 00:17:12.220 like a son serves his father. 00:17:12.980 --> 00:17:13.640 Later on, 00:17:13.700 --> 00:17:15.619 Paul will write to Timothy 00:17:15.619 --> 00:17:16.099 and he'll say, 00:17:16.200 --> 00:17:16.500 Timothy, 00:17:16.940 --> 00:17:19.079 you are my true son in the Lord. 00:17:19.920 --> 00:17:20.119 Now, 00:17:20.180 --> 00:17:20.799 if I was Paul, 00:17:20.879 --> 00:17:22.180 I would want to keep Timothy 00:17:22.180 --> 00:17:23.299 close at hand. 00:17:23.919 --> 00:17:26.299 At least I've got somebody 00:17:26.299 --> 00:17:27.180 who's with me. 00:17:27.460 --> 00:17:28.299 I've got a friend, 00:17:28.399 --> 00:17:28.839 a brother, 00:17:29.019 --> 00:17:29.559 a son. 00:17:30.200 --> 00:17:31.200 But what does Paul do? 00:17:31.759 --> 00:17:33.379 He sends Timothy on his way 00:17:33.379 --> 00:17:35.480 to serve the Philippian church. 00:17:36.240 --> 00:17:36.720 And likewise, 00:17:36.779 --> 00:17:37.339 look what he does 00:17:37.339 --> 00:17:38.359 with Epaphroditus. 00:17:38.819 --> 00:17:39.700 You would think 00:17:39.700 --> 00:17:41.039 he'd want to keep Epaphroditus 00:17:41.039 --> 00:17:42.839 close and serve his own needs 00:17:42.839 --> 00:17:44.200 and look after his own interests. 00:17:44.599 --> 00:17:45.480 Maybe Epaphroditus 00:17:45.480 --> 00:17:47.440 can go and buy some nice clothes, 00:17:47.539 --> 00:17:48.200 some nice bedding, 00:17:48.299 --> 00:17:49.599 make his situation 00:17:49.599 --> 00:17:50.539 a little more comfortable. 00:17:50.539 --> 00:17:52.379 He describes Epaphroditus 00:17:52.379 --> 00:17:54.220 as a brother in the Lord, 00:17:54.299 --> 00:17:55.399 as a fellow worker, 00:17:55.740 --> 00:17:56.740 as a soldier. 00:17:57.500 --> 00:17:58.220 He says here 00:17:58.220 --> 00:17:59.399 in verse 26, 00:17:59.779 --> 00:18:00.639 you heard that he was, 00:18:01.039 --> 00:18:02.079 that he almost died. 00:18:02.460 --> 00:18:02.799 Indeed, 00:18:02.960 --> 00:18:04.420 he did nearly die, 00:18:05.259 --> 00:18:06.920 but God had mercy on him, 00:18:07.180 --> 00:18:08.119 not only on him, 00:18:08.200 --> 00:18:09.220 but also on me, 00:18:09.720 --> 00:18:11.159 lest I should have sorrow 00:18:11.159 --> 00:18:12.119 upon sorrow. 00:18:12.579 --> 00:18:13.240 Paul is saying, 00:18:13.659 --> 00:18:15.299 if Epaphroditus had died, 00:18:16.480 --> 00:18:17.680 I would have experienced 00:18:17.680 --> 00:18:19.599 sorrow upon sorrow. 00:18:20.539 --> 00:18:23.279 So dear and close 00:18:23.279 --> 00:18:24.680 is Epaphroditus to Paul. 00:18:25.399 --> 00:18:25.720 And yet, 00:18:25.920 --> 00:18:26.579 rather than Paul 00:18:26.579 --> 00:18:27.440 holding on to him 00:18:27.440 --> 00:18:27.799 and saying, 00:18:28.200 --> 00:18:28.440 listen, 00:18:28.559 --> 00:18:29.859 I need him for myself, 00:18:29.960 --> 00:18:30.779 what does Paul do? 00:18:31.339 --> 00:18:33.000 He pours out his life 00:18:33.000 --> 00:18:33.480 and says, 00:18:33.920 --> 00:18:34.159 listen, 00:18:34.299 --> 00:18:34.980 you guys need him 00:18:34.980 --> 00:18:35.539 more than me. 00:18:35.940 --> 00:18:36.720 I'll send him 00:18:36.720 --> 00:18:37.680 on his way. 00:18:38.440 --> 00:18:39.200 Here is Paul, 00:18:39.279 --> 00:18:40.519 rather than grasping 00:18:40.519 --> 00:18:41.920 and demanding 00:18:41.920 --> 00:18:42.519 his own needs, 00:18:42.579 --> 00:18:43.700 he's giving away 00:18:43.700 --> 00:18:44.480 his friends, 00:18:44.579 --> 00:18:45.139 his brothers, 00:18:45.339 --> 00:18:46.039 his laborers, 00:18:46.099 --> 00:18:47.639 his sons in the faith 00:18:47.639 --> 00:18:48.879 for the service 00:18:48.879 --> 00:18:49.559 of others. 00:18:50.559 --> 00:18:51.339 Look at how, 00:18:51.659 --> 00:18:52.559 look at Timothy. 00:18:54.319 --> 00:18:55.119 Paul writes here 00:18:55.119 --> 00:18:55.679 in verse 20, 00:18:56.039 --> 00:18:56.779 he says, 00:18:56.879 --> 00:18:58.039 I have no one like him, 00:18:58.119 --> 00:18:59.159 no one like mine, 00:18:59.299 --> 00:19:00.259 like sold, 00:19:00.859 --> 00:19:01.740 someone who will be 00:19:01.740 --> 00:19:02.819 genuinely concerned 00:19:02.819 --> 00:19:03.960 for your welfare. 00:19:04.659 --> 00:19:05.619 For all the others, 00:19:05.700 --> 00:19:06.899 they seek their own interests, 00:19:07.139 --> 00:19:08.759 not those of Jesus Christ. 00:19:09.359 --> 00:19:10.079 Now remember, 00:19:10.220 --> 00:19:11.079 where else has Paul 00:19:11.079 --> 00:19:12.179 spoken about 00:19:12.179 --> 00:19:14.200 seeking the interests 00:19:14.200 --> 00:19:14.879 of others? 00:19:16.059 --> 00:19:17.819 Remember in verse 3 and 4, 00:19:17.899 --> 00:19:18.720 we spoke about it earlier. 00:19:18.720 --> 00:19:19.200 He says, 00:19:19.799 --> 00:19:21.539 everyone, 00:19:21.819 --> 00:19:22.900 don't serve out 00:19:22.900 --> 00:19:23.860 of selfish ambition, 00:19:24.160 --> 00:19:24.860 thinking of yourself 00:19:24.860 --> 00:19:25.839 more important than others. 00:19:26.360 --> 00:19:27.600 Seek not your own interests, 00:19:27.720 --> 00:19:29.079 but the interests of others. 00:19:29.200 --> 00:19:30.059 And then he goes on 00:19:30.059 --> 00:19:30.740 to remind us, 00:19:31.140 --> 00:19:32.039 this is the attitude 00:19:32.039 --> 00:19:32.600 of Jesus, 00:19:32.759 --> 00:19:32.860 who, 00:19:33.160 --> 00:19:34.019 though he was God, 00:19:34.100 --> 00:19:34.839 didn't grasp 00:19:34.839 --> 00:19:35.600 at his Godness, 00:19:35.700 --> 00:19:36.720 but in humility 00:19:36.720 --> 00:19:38.120 poured out his life, 00:19:38.259 --> 00:19:39.319 taking on humanity, 00:19:39.680 --> 00:19:40.799 that led him all the way 00:19:40.799 --> 00:19:41.900 to the cross. 00:19:42.940 --> 00:19:43.559 He's saying, 00:19:43.759 --> 00:19:44.940 let your life 00:19:44.940 --> 00:19:46.759 imitate the life of Jesus, 00:19:46.759 --> 00:19:48.599 not seeking your own interests, 00:19:48.779 --> 00:19:50.039 but the interests of others. 00:19:50.759 --> 00:19:52.079 Now look at how he describes 00:19:52.079 --> 00:19:52.519 Timothy. 00:19:53.480 --> 00:19:53.920 Timothy, 00:19:54.819 --> 00:19:56.000 I have no one like him, 00:19:56.539 --> 00:19:57.940 someone who is genuinely 00:19:57.940 --> 00:19:58.519 concerned, 00:19:58.640 --> 00:19:59.720 not for his own interests, 00:20:00.160 --> 00:20:01.019 but for the interests 00:20:01.019 --> 00:20:01.599 of others. 00:20:02.059 --> 00:20:03.160 All others 00:20:03.160 --> 00:20:04.660 seek their own interests, 00:20:05.200 --> 00:20:06.059 but not Timothy. 00:20:06.900 --> 00:20:08.460 Paul is holding 00:20:08.460 --> 00:20:09.440 a Timothy here 00:20:09.440 --> 00:20:10.940 as exhibit A, 00:20:11.079 --> 00:20:12.180 another example 00:20:12.180 --> 00:20:13.740 of the Christ-centered, 00:20:13.740 --> 00:20:15.099 gospel-shaped life. 00:20:15.660 --> 00:20:16.519 Someone who's not looking 00:20:16.519 --> 00:20:17.620 to seek and serve 00:20:17.620 --> 00:20:18.400 their own interests, 00:20:18.759 --> 00:20:20.339 but one who's genuinely 00:20:20.339 --> 00:20:21.140 concerned about 00:20:21.140 --> 00:20:21.680 the interests 00:20:21.680 --> 00:20:22.779 of others. 00:20:23.319 --> 00:20:23.920 And notice here 00:20:23.920 --> 00:20:24.579 the contrast. 00:20:24.700 --> 00:20:25.980 The contrast is not just 00:20:25.980 --> 00:20:27.740 others seek 00:20:27.740 --> 00:20:28.559 their own interests, 00:20:28.799 --> 00:20:30.140 not the well-being 00:20:30.140 --> 00:20:30.579 of others, 00:20:30.700 --> 00:20:31.240 but Timothy, 00:20:31.400 --> 00:20:32.380 he sought your interests, 00:20:32.480 --> 00:20:32.980 not his own. 00:20:33.400 --> 00:20:34.400 Look at how he describes 00:20:34.400 --> 00:20:34.779 Timothy. 00:20:35.420 --> 00:20:35.980 He says, 00:20:36.140 --> 00:20:36.960 all others 00:20:36.960 --> 00:20:38.700 seek their own interests, 00:20:39.160 --> 00:20:40.920 not those of Jesus, 00:20:41.900 --> 00:20:42.759 but Timothy. 00:20:42.759 --> 00:20:44.839 What marks Timothy out? 00:20:45.460 --> 00:20:46.259 Timothy is a man 00:20:46.259 --> 00:20:47.480 whose life is set 00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:47.980 on Christ. 00:20:48.180 --> 00:20:48.879 Timothy seeks 00:20:48.879 --> 00:20:49.839 not his own interests, 00:20:50.160 --> 00:20:50.779 but the interests 00:20:50.779 --> 00:20:51.339 of Christ. 00:20:51.720 --> 00:20:52.879 And having done that, 00:20:52.980 --> 00:20:54.119 that results in 00:20:54.119 --> 00:20:55.319 his concern 00:20:55.319 --> 00:20:56.079 for the welfare 00:20:56.079 --> 00:20:56.740 of others. 00:20:57.220 --> 00:20:58.299 The contrast here is 00:20:58.299 --> 00:20:59.440 Timothy is someone 00:20:59.440 --> 00:21:00.359 who's like Paul, 00:21:00.740 --> 00:21:01.720 doesn't seek 00:21:01.720 --> 00:21:02.500 his own interests, 00:21:02.920 --> 00:21:03.740 seeks the interests 00:21:03.740 --> 00:21:04.240 of Christ, 00:21:04.339 --> 00:21:05.059 and therefore 00:21:05.059 --> 00:21:05.799 is living 00:21:05.799 --> 00:21:06.619 for the well-being 00:21:06.619 --> 00:21:07.240 of others. 00:21:07.819 --> 00:21:08.720 This is the 00:21:08.720 --> 00:21:09.519 Christ-centered, 00:21:09.759 --> 00:21:11.119 gospel-shaped life. 00:21:11.799 --> 00:21:12.200 And notice 00:21:12.200 --> 00:21:13.140 when Paul says here, 00:21:13.480 --> 00:21:14.160 Timothy is not 00:21:14.160 --> 00:21:14.880 like others, 00:21:15.080 --> 00:21:15.840 all of whom 00:21:15.840 --> 00:21:17.180 seek their own interests 00:21:17.180 --> 00:21:17.860 rather than those 00:21:17.860 --> 00:21:18.279 of Jesus. 00:21:18.559 --> 00:21:19.480 He's not talking 00:21:19.480 --> 00:21:20.519 about the pagan 00:21:20.519 --> 00:21:21.620 temple down the road. 00:21:21.920 --> 00:21:22.779 He's not talking 00:21:22.779 --> 00:21:24.600 about the priests 00:21:24.600 --> 00:21:25.880 or the Roman 00:21:25.880 --> 00:21:27.220 worshippers 00:21:27.220 --> 00:21:28.120 of foreign gods. 00:21:28.440 --> 00:21:29.140 Who is he talking 00:21:29.140 --> 00:21:29.440 about? 00:21:30.019 --> 00:21:30.420 He's talking 00:21:30.420 --> 00:21:31.240 about other believers. 00:21:31.940 --> 00:21:32.480 He's talking 00:21:32.480 --> 00:21:33.299 about those believers 00:21:33.299 --> 00:21:33.559 who, 00:21:33.860 --> 00:21:34.640 in chapter 1, 00:21:34.880 --> 00:21:35.600 he describes 00:21:35.600 --> 00:21:36.200 as those who 00:21:36.200 --> 00:21:37.140 preach the gospel 00:21:37.140 --> 00:21:38.140 for their own 00:21:38.140 --> 00:21:38.640 ambition, 00:21:38.779 --> 00:21:39.539 their own needs. 00:21:39.900 --> 00:21:40.480 Those who 00:21:40.480 --> 00:21:41.600 preach the gospel 00:21:41.599 --> 00:21:42.719 seeking to 00:21:42.719 --> 00:21:43.879 damage Paul 00:21:43.879 --> 00:21:44.980 and stir up 00:21:44.980 --> 00:21:45.480 more trouble 00:21:45.480 --> 00:21:45.959 for him. 00:21:46.779 --> 00:21:47.119 Friends, 00:21:47.199 --> 00:21:47.919 it's possible 00:21:47.919 --> 00:21:48.919 to call yourself 00:21:48.919 --> 00:21:49.519 a Christian, 00:21:50.119 --> 00:21:51.500 to even be involved 00:21:51.500 --> 00:21:52.619 in Christian ministry, 00:21:53.159 --> 00:21:54.259 in Christian leadership, 00:21:55.139 --> 00:21:56.019 and yet still 00:21:56.019 --> 00:21:56.819 our lives 00:21:56.819 --> 00:21:57.599 are revolved 00:21:57.599 --> 00:21:58.419 around ourselves. 00:21:59.299 --> 00:21:59.579 Friends, 00:21:59.619 --> 00:22:00.179 it's possible 00:22:00.179 --> 00:22:01.399 for us 00:22:01.399 --> 00:22:02.219 to call ourselves 00:22:02.219 --> 00:22:02.659 Christians, 00:22:02.819 --> 00:22:03.419 to be involved 00:22:03.419 --> 00:22:04.359 in Christian activity, 00:22:04.599 --> 00:22:06.119 to serve on committees 00:22:06.119 --> 00:22:07.379 and be leaders 00:22:07.379 --> 00:22:07.859 in the church, 00:22:07.859 --> 00:22:08.699 and yet 00:22:08.699 --> 00:22:09.779 the orientation 00:22:09.779 --> 00:22:10.779 of our heart 00:22:10.779 --> 00:22:11.759 is around 00:22:11.759 --> 00:22:12.319 ourselves. 00:22:13.419 --> 00:22:13.839 Paul says 00:22:13.839 --> 00:22:14.419 there are other 00:22:14.419 --> 00:22:15.339 Christians in the city 00:22:15.339 --> 00:22:15.779 of Rome 00:22:15.779 --> 00:22:16.859 who are seeking 00:22:16.859 --> 00:22:18.119 their own interests, 00:22:18.319 --> 00:22:19.319 not those of Christ. 00:22:20.159 --> 00:22:20.699 Conversely, 00:22:20.819 --> 00:22:21.779 the Christ-centered, 00:22:21.979 --> 00:22:23.039 gospel-shaped life, 00:22:23.379 --> 00:22:24.299 as we see 00:22:24.299 --> 00:22:25.219 in the life of Timothy, 00:22:25.539 --> 00:22:26.619 is one whose life 00:22:26.619 --> 00:22:27.779 is set on Christ 00:22:27.779 --> 00:22:28.899 and therefore 00:22:28.899 --> 00:22:30.139 is set on seeking 00:22:30.139 --> 00:22:30.979 the interests 00:22:30.979 --> 00:22:32.279 of others. 00:22:33.000 --> 00:22:33.319 Friends, 00:22:33.419 --> 00:22:34.039 Christian faith 00:22:34.039 --> 00:22:35.019 is not demonstrated 00:22:35.019 --> 00:22:35.539 by those 00:22:35.539 --> 00:22:36.759 who go to church. 00:22:37.440 --> 00:22:38.379 A mature Christian 00:22:38.379 --> 00:22:39.139 is not just someone 00:22:39.139 --> 00:22:40.119 who reads his Bible. 00:22:40.920 --> 00:22:42.119 A mature Christian 00:22:42.119 --> 00:22:43.339 is not just somebody 00:22:43.339 --> 00:22:44.700 who is appointed 00:22:44.700 --> 00:22:45.339 to serve 00:22:45.339 --> 00:22:46.039 as an elder 00:22:46.039 --> 00:22:46.920 in the church. 00:22:47.480 --> 00:22:48.500 A mature Christian 00:22:48.500 --> 00:22:49.019 is someone 00:22:49.019 --> 00:22:49.559 whose life 00:22:49.559 --> 00:22:50.819 has been so impacted 00:22:50.819 --> 00:22:51.680 by the gospel 00:22:51.680 --> 00:22:53.059 that they are shaped 00:22:53.059 --> 00:22:53.720 by the gospel 00:22:53.720 --> 00:22:54.240 who, 00:22:54.500 --> 00:22:55.019 like Jesus, 00:22:55.400 --> 00:22:56.059 like Paul, 00:22:56.259 --> 00:22:57.139 like Timothy, 00:22:57.359 --> 00:22:58.059 are seeking 00:22:58.059 --> 00:22:59.079 not their own interests 00:22:59.079 --> 00:23:00.500 but to pour themselves 00:23:00.500 --> 00:23:02.180 out for the interests 00:23:02.180 --> 00:23:02.819 of others. 00:23:03.660 --> 00:23:03.900 Friends, 00:23:03.940 --> 00:23:04.700 I know we've gone on 00:23:04.700 --> 00:23:05.519 about this quite a bit 00:23:05.519 --> 00:23:06.680 the last couple of weeks 00:23:06.680 --> 00:23:08.100 and so I apologize 00:23:08.100 --> 00:23:08.920 for the repetition 00:23:08.920 --> 00:23:10.720 but you see how strongly 00:23:10.720 --> 00:23:11.580 Paul is making 00:23:11.580 --> 00:23:12.420 his argument here 00:23:12.420 --> 00:23:13.519 that the life 00:23:13.519 --> 00:23:14.620 of the follower of Jesus 00:23:14.620 --> 00:23:15.480 is someone 00:23:15.480 --> 00:23:16.840 who is following Jesus, 00:23:16.960 --> 00:23:17.819 who is imitating 00:23:17.819 --> 00:23:18.740 their life on Jesus, 00:23:18.900 --> 00:23:20.120 who is like Jesus 00:23:20.120 --> 00:23:21.960 learning to not grasp 00:23:21.960 --> 00:23:23.120 their own self-interest 00:23:23.120 --> 00:23:24.620 but pour themselves out 00:23:24.620 --> 00:23:26.039 for the glory of God 00:23:26.039 --> 00:23:26.860 and for the interests 00:23:26.860 --> 00:23:27.920 of others. 00:23:28.319 --> 00:23:29.120 Like Paul, 00:23:29.380 --> 00:23:30.200 like Timothy, 00:23:30.640 --> 00:23:31.340 like Jesus, 00:23:31.539 --> 00:23:32.519 let our lives 00:23:32.519 --> 00:23:33.319 be shaped 00:23:33.319 --> 00:23:34.259 around the gospel 00:23:34.259 --> 00:23:35.539 poured out 00:23:35.539 --> 00:23:36.639 for the interests 00:23:36.639 --> 00:23:37.240 of others. 00:23:38.679 --> 00:23:39.439 And then we see 00:23:39.439 --> 00:23:40.460 the third little cameo. 00:23:40.599 --> 00:23:41.119 We see Paul, 00:23:41.639 --> 00:23:42.299 we see Timothy, 00:23:42.539 --> 00:23:43.919 thirdly we see Epaphroditus. 00:23:44.399 --> 00:23:45.159 He says here 00:23:45.159 --> 00:23:46.119 in verse 25, 00:23:46.119 --> 00:24:10.079 Now think about this. 00:24:10.079 --> 00:24:12.259 Why is Epaphroditus 00:24:12.259 --> 00:24:14.059 being sent from Rome 00:24:14.059 --> 00:24:15.460 where he's working 00:24:15.460 --> 00:24:16.699 with the great apostle Paul 00:24:16.699 --> 00:24:18.399 back to Philippi? 00:24:19.240 --> 00:24:20.339 Well the reason that he's 00:24:20.339 --> 00:24:21.539 is because he got sick 00:24:21.539 --> 00:24:23.039 and he's now better. 00:24:24.000 --> 00:24:25.480 But notice the reason here. 00:24:25.559 --> 00:24:26.460 The reason is not 00:24:26.460 --> 00:24:27.460 because Epaphroditus 00:24:27.460 --> 00:24:28.439 is saying, 00:24:29.139 --> 00:24:29.259 Listen, 00:24:29.379 --> 00:24:30.379 I'm a little homesick. 00:24:30.779 --> 00:24:31.939 It's been a long time. 00:24:32.379 --> 00:24:33.460 I just want to get home. 00:24:33.779 --> 00:24:34.980 I just want to experience 00:24:34.980 --> 00:24:35.899 some of my mom's cooking. 00:24:36.500 --> 00:24:37.279 I just want to sleep 00:24:37.279 --> 00:24:38.159 in my own bed. 00:24:38.660 --> 00:24:39.680 It's been a long journey. 00:24:39.820 --> 00:24:40.600 I just want to get back 00:24:40.600 --> 00:24:41.279 to Philippi. 00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:43.400 That's not his motivation. 00:24:43.540 --> 00:24:44.380 What's his motivation? 00:24:45.460 --> 00:24:46.460 Look at what he says. 00:24:47.040 --> 00:24:47.779 He says, 00:24:48.380 --> 00:24:49.460 He wants to go back 00:24:49.460 --> 00:24:50.759 because Epaphroditus 00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:51.840 heard that you 00:24:51.840 --> 00:24:52.920 were distressed 00:24:52.920 --> 00:24:54.160 upon hearing 00:24:54.160 --> 00:24:54.880 upon his illness. 00:24:55.340 --> 00:24:56.600 And he was anxious. 00:24:56.740 --> 00:24:57.440 He was worried 00:24:57.440 --> 00:24:58.480 about you guys. 00:24:58.820 --> 00:24:59.460 He was worried 00:24:59.460 --> 00:25:00.160 about the church 00:25:00.160 --> 00:25:00.800 back at home. 00:25:01.140 --> 00:25:02.240 And so he's desperate 00:25:02.240 --> 00:25:03.660 to get back to you 00:25:03.660 --> 00:25:05.320 so that he can comfort you 00:25:05.319 --> 00:25:06.519 and encourage you 00:25:06.519 --> 00:25:07.720 and stir you up 00:25:07.720 --> 00:25:10.019 and minister to you 00:25:10.019 --> 00:25:11.279 for your own peace of mind. 00:25:11.819 --> 00:25:12.519 Here is a man 00:25:12.519 --> 00:25:14.000 who's risked his life 00:25:14.000 --> 00:25:15.220 and laid down his life, 00:25:15.319 --> 00:25:16.139 almost died 00:25:16.139 --> 00:25:17.099 for the sake of the gospel. 00:25:17.579 --> 00:25:18.740 And now that he's better, 00:25:19.099 --> 00:25:20.720 the motivation of his heart is, 00:25:21.159 --> 00:25:22.059 How can I go back 00:25:22.059 --> 00:25:23.240 and encourage those guys 00:25:23.240 --> 00:25:23.899 back at home? 00:25:24.659 --> 00:25:25.179 Epaphroditus 00:25:25.179 --> 00:25:26.700 is not thinking about himself. 00:25:27.399 --> 00:25:28.779 Everything about his life 00:25:28.779 --> 00:25:30.759 oozes this ethic of, 00:25:30.759 --> 00:25:32.200 How can I serve 00:25:32.200 --> 00:25:32.859 and bless 00:25:32.859 --> 00:25:33.579 and minister 00:25:33.579 --> 00:25:35.779 to those around me? 00:25:36.180 --> 00:25:36.740 Look at how 00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:37.859 Paul describes them. 00:25:37.960 --> 00:25:38.200 He says, 00:25:38.900 --> 00:25:39.859 Receive him in the Lord 00:25:39.859 --> 00:25:40.720 with all joy 00:25:40.720 --> 00:25:41.759 and honor such men 00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:44.160 for he nearly died 00:25:44.160 --> 00:25:45.879 for the work of Christ, 00:25:46.559 --> 00:25:47.279 risking his life 00:25:47.279 --> 00:25:47.859 to complete 00:25:47.859 --> 00:25:48.559 what was lacking 00:25:48.559 --> 00:25:49.640 in your service. 00:25:50.420 --> 00:25:51.799 The Greek phrase there 00:25:51.799 --> 00:25:52.799 actually says, 00:25:53.579 --> 00:25:55.299 His life came 00:25:55.299 --> 00:25:56.759 to the point of death. 00:25:57.119 --> 00:25:58.319 And that little phrase, 00:25:58.460 --> 00:25:59.480 to the point of death, 00:25:59.480 --> 00:26:01.120 is only used two times 00:26:01.120 --> 00:26:02.079 in the whole New Testament. 00:26:02.740 --> 00:26:03.120 One, 00:26:03.440 --> 00:26:04.839 to describe Epaphroditus 00:26:04.839 --> 00:26:05.940 and two, 00:26:06.160 --> 00:26:07.299 to describe Jesus 00:26:07.299 --> 00:26:08.819 in verse 6 00:26:08.819 --> 00:26:09.980 or verse 8. 00:26:10.599 --> 00:26:10.920 It says, 00:26:11.339 --> 00:26:12.319 Jesus humbled himself 00:26:12.319 --> 00:26:13.539 becoming obedient, 00:26:14.039 --> 00:26:16.019 obedient to the point of death. 00:26:16.980 --> 00:26:18.099 See what Paul's doing here? 00:26:18.620 --> 00:26:19.480 Paul is saying 00:26:19.480 --> 00:26:20.579 that Epaphroditus 00:26:20.579 --> 00:26:23.019 is an imitation of Jesus. 00:26:24.460 --> 00:26:25.319 And then he says, 00:26:25.660 --> 00:26:26.460 He did though, 00:26:26.620 --> 00:26:27.460 risking his life 00:26:27.460 --> 00:26:28.240 to complete 00:26:28.240 --> 00:26:29.220 what was lacking 00:26:29.220 --> 00:26:30.539 in your service 00:26:30.539 --> 00:26:31.319 to me. 00:26:31.840 --> 00:26:32.700 And the word service 00:26:32.700 --> 00:26:33.480 there is actually, 00:26:33.880 --> 00:26:34.559 it's not just 00:26:34.559 --> 00:26:35.559 generic service, 00:26:35.680 --> 00:26:36.420 it's ministry, 00:26:36.600 --> 00:26:37.779 it's priestly service. 00:26:38.440 --> 00:26:39.200 Paul is picking up 00:26:39.200 --> 00:26:39.759 on the language 00:26:39.759 --> 00:26:40.460 that he shared 00:26:40.460 --> 00:26:41.120 a little earlier, 00:26:41.240 --> 00:26:42.660 the image of pouring 00:26:42.660 --> 00:26:44.799 a drink offering out 00:26:44.799 --> 00:26:46.680 on the offering 00:26:46.680 --> 00:26:47.579 that someone brings. 00:26:47.640 --> 00:26:48.079 And this is what 00:26:48.079 --> 00:26:48.700 Paul is saying. 00:26:49.140 --> 00:26:49.840 He's saying that 00:26:49.840 --> 00:26:50.640 the Philippians, 00:26:50.799 --> 00:26:52.100 when they took up 00:26:52.100 --> 00:26:53.000 this financial offering 00:26:53.000 --> 00:26:53.860 to serve Paul, 00:26:53.859 --> 00:26:55.019 that was like 00:26:55.019 --> 00:26:57.219 a follower of God, 00:26:57.299 --> 00:26:57.699 of Yahweh, 00:26:57.839 --> 00:26:58.919 bringing their offering 00:26:58.919 --> 00:26:59.659 to the temple. 00:27:00.459 --> 00:27:01.359 And Epaphroditus 00:27:01.359 --> 00:27:02.899 poured his life out 00:27:02.899 --> 00:27:04.139 like a drink offering 00:27:04.139 --> 00:27:05.619 to complete 00:27:05.619 --> 00:27:06.719 their offering. 00:27:07.500 --> 00:27:08.139 Epaphroditus, 00:27:08.299 --> 00:27:09.279 like Paul, 00:27:09.579 --> 00:27:11.379 was pouring his life out 00:27:11.379 --> 00:27:12.659 to complete 00:27:12.659 --> 00:27:13.339 the offering 00:27:13.339 --> 00:27:14.079 and the worship 00:27:14.079 --> 00:27:15.779 of these Philippians. 00:27:17.039 --> 00:27:17.679 Friends, 00:27:17.759 --> 00:27:18.439 here we see 00:27:18.439 --> 00:27:19.799 the Apostle Paul, 00:27:20.519 --> 00:27:21.019 Timothy, 00:27:21.500 --> 00:27:22.299 Epaphroditus, 00:27:22.299 --> 00:27:23.680 these three cameos 00:27:23.680 --> 00:27:24.259 of people 00:27:24.259 --> 00:27:24.980 who poured out 00:27:24.980 --> 00:27:25.500 their lives 00:27:25.500 --> 00:27:26.740 for the well-being 00:27:26.740 --> 00:27:27.259 of others. 00:27:27.720 --> 00:27:28.599 We may be tempted 00:27:28.599 --> 00:27:29.599 to look at 00:27:29.599 --> 00:27:30.220 the Apostle Paul 00:27:30.220 --> 00:27:30.519 and say, 00:27:30.639 --> 00:27:30.859 yes, 00:27:30.960 --> 00:27:31.099 well, 00:27:31.180 --> 00:27:32.579 he was the Apostle Paul, 00:27:32.680 --> 00:27:32.859 right? 00:27:32.899 --> 00:27:33.579 He wrote most 00:27:33.579 --> 00:27:34.399 of the New Testament 00:27:34.399 --> 00:27:35.440 or much 00:27:35.440 --> 00:27:36.200 of the New Testament. 00:27:37.200 --> 00:27:38.440 Timothy has two books 00:27:38.440 --> 00:27:38.940 of the Bible 00:27:38.940 --> 00:27:39.779 named after him. 00:27:39.879 --> 00:27:40.740 He's like a hero 00:27:40.740 --> 00:27:41.359 in the faith. 00:27:42.099 --> 00:27:42.579 But what about 00:27:42.579 --> 00:27:43.240 Epaphroditus? 00:27:44.000 --> 00:27:44.759 Here's a man 00:27:44.759 --> 00:27:45.220 that we know 00:27:45.220 --> 00:27:46.159 very little about. 00:27:46.720 --> 00:27:47.559 He doesn't appear 00:27:47.559 --> 00:27:48.319 anywhere else 00:27:48.319 --> 00:27:49.039 in the New Testament 00:27:49.039 --> 00:27:49.819 apart from 00:27:49.819 --> 00:27:50.740 these few verses 00:27:50.740 --> 00:27:51.639 and chapter 4. 00:27:51.640 --> 00:27:52.800 We don't know 00:27:52.800 --> 00:27:53.640 whether he was 00:27:53.640 --> 00:27:54.580 rich or poor. 00:27:55.060 --> 00:27:55.500 We don't know 00:27:55.500 --> 00:27:55.860 whether he was 00:27:55.860 --> 00:27:57.080 educated or not. 00:27:57.480 --> 00:27:58.000 We don't know 00:27:58.000 --> 00:27:59.220 what socioeconomic 00:27:59.220 --> 00:28:00.980 background he came from. 00:28:01.380 --> 00:28:01.820 We don't know 00:28:01.820 --> 00:28:02.560 whether he was 00:28:02.560 --> 00:28:03.640 very wealthy 00:28:03.640 --> 00:28:04.060 and therefore 00:28:04.060 --> 00:28:04.680 he could afford 00:28:04.680 --> 00:28:05.480 to go on this trip 00:28:05.480 --> 00:28:06.320 or whether he was 00:28:06.320 --> 00:28:06.720 unemployed 00:28:06.720 --> 00:28:07.600 and didn't have 00:28:07.600 --> 00:28:08.320 anything else to do. 00:28:09.020 --> 00:28:10.660 Here was an ordinary, 00:28:11.280 --> 00:28:13.020 not very sophisticated, 00:28:13.400 --> 00:28:14.420 not very famous, 00:28:14.640 --> 00:28:16.220 not very well-regarded man 00:28:16.220 --> 00:28:18.140 who briefly appears 00:28:18.140 --> 00:28:18.860 in the New Testament 00:28:18.860 --> 00:28:19.740 and then disappears. 00:28:19.740 --> 00:28:21.380 We know almost 00:28:21.380 --> 00:28:22.779 nothing about him 00:28:22.779 --> 00:28:24.599 and yet God 00:28:24.599 --> 00:28:25.400 puts him here 00:28:25.400 --> 00:28:26.200 as an example 00:28:26.200 --> 00:28:27.319 of what the 00:28:27.319 --> 00:28:28.240 Christ-centered, 00:28:28.500 --> 00:28:29.579 gospel-shaped life 00:28:29.579 --> 00:28:30.259 looks like. 00:28:30.680 --> 00:28:31.500 A man who is 00:28:31.500 --> 00:28:32.079 willing to 00:28:32.079 --> 00:28:33.240 pour out his life, 00:28:33.440 --> 00:28:34.200 literally willing 00:28:34.200 --> 00:28:35.319 to risk his life, 00:28:35.559 --> 00:28:36.460 not for his own 00:28:36.460 --> 00:28:36.859 interests, 00:28:37.180 --> 00:28:38.259 not to serve himself, 00:28:38.599 --> 00:28:39.880 but for the well-being 00:28:39.880 --> 00:28:40.819 and the interests 00:28:40.819 --> 00:28:42.120 of others. 00:28:42.119 --> 00:28:45.559 As we come to close, 00:28:45.639 --> 00:28:46.199 I want to tell 00:28:46.199 --> 00:28:47.500 one other story 00:28:47.500 --> 00:28:48.579 of another very 00:28:48.579 --> 00:28:49.539 ordinary person 00:28:49.539 --> 00:28:51.979 who follows this ethic. 00:28:52.239 --> 00:28:52.779 It's a person 00:28:52.779 --> 00:28:53.739 none of you would have met. 00:28:54.559 --> 00:28:55.659 She was not very famous 00:28:55.659 --> 00:28:56.379 when she died. 00:28:56.719 --> 00:28:58.339 She was my grandmother. 00:28:59.059 --> 00:28:59.959 My grandmother, 00:29:00.299 --> 00:29:01.199 we used to call her 00:29:01.199 --> 00:29:01.819 Granny Joan 00:29:01.819 --> 00:29:02.799 when I was growing up. 00:29:03.159 --> 00:29:03.959 She died about 00:29:03.959 --> 00:29:05.039 three or four months ago. 00:29:05.559 --> 00:29:07.019 She was 91 years old. 00:29:07.199 --> 00:29:08.199 She had cancer 00:29:08.200 --> 00:29:09.940 and passed away 00:29:09.940 --> 00:29:10.559 very peacefully. 00:29:11.480 --> 00:29:12.340 When she died, 00:29:12.420 --> 00:29:13.440 I remember thinking 00:29:13.440 --> 00:29:14.220 about her life 00:29:14.220 --> 00:29:14.680 and thinking 00:29:14.680 --> 00:29:15.680 here was a life 00:29:15.680 --> 00:29:18.240 that most epitomized 00:29:18.240 --> 00:29:19.160 Jesus' command 00:29:19.160 --> 00:29:20.000 to love God 00:29:20.000 --> 00:29:20.840 and serve others. 00:29:21.160 --> 00:29:21.680 Her whole life 00:29:21.680 --> 00:29:22.440 revolved around that. 00:29:22.559 --> 00:29:23.539 When she died, 00:29:23.620 --> 00:29:24.779 she was 91 years old. 00:29:24.880 --> 00:29:25.660 A few years ago, 00:29:26.120 --> 00:29:27.100 she was very upset 00:29:27.100 --> 00:29:28.019 because the traffic 00:29:28.019 --> 00:29:29.340 department in South Africa 00:29:29.340 --> 00:29:30.380 where I come from 00:29:30.380 --> 00:29:32.220 took away her 00:29:32.220 --> 00:29:32.980 driving license. 00:29:33.140 --> 00:29:34.019 They wouldn't renew 00:29:34.019 --> 00:29:35.019 her driving license 00:29:35.019 --> 00:29:36.120 because they said 00:29:36.120 --> 00:29:37.360 her eyesight was too bad 00:29:37.360 --> 00:29:38.100 and she was a danger 00:29:38.099 --> 00:29:39.419 to society on the roads. 00:29:40.159 --> 00:29:41.539 And that was a good decision 00:29:41.539 --> 00:29:43.159 but she was very upset. 00:29:43.839 --> 00:29:44.699 She couldn't believe 00:29:44.699 --> 00:29:45.619 that they were taking away 00:29:45.619 --> 00:29:46.500 her driving license 00:29:46.500 --> 00:29:47.939 at 87 years old. 00:29:48.980 --> 00:29:50.179 But part of the reason was, 00:29:50.259 --> 00:29:51.519 apart from just that hassle 00:29:51.519 --> 00:29:53.000 of shopping and groceries 00:29:53.000 --> 00:29:53.439 and that, 00:29:54.139 --> 00:29:54.939 there were a couple of things 00:29:54.939 --> 00:29:55.819 that she loved to do 00:29:55.819 --> 00:29:57.019 and she could no longer do 00:29:57.019 --> 00:29:58.199 now that she wasn't driving. 00:29:58.919 --> 00:29:59.419 One of the things 00:29:59.419 --> 00:30:00.039 she loved to do, 00:30:00.139 --> 00:30:00.719 she loved to go 00:30:00.719 --> 00:30:01.740 to the police station 00:30:01.740 --> 00:30:03.279 and bake some goodies 00:30:03.279 --> 00:30:05.919 and pray for the police officers. 00:30:06.659 --> 00:30:07.859 Now, just by the way, 00:30:07.859 --> 00:30:08.479 in South Africa, 00:30:08.599 --> 00:30:09.279 the police force 00:30:09.279 --> 00:30:10.479 is not very political. 00:30:10.859 --> 00:30:12.319 She is not deeply blue. 00:30:13.019 --> 00:30:14.319 She wasn't a political activist 00:30:14.319 --> 00:30:15.539 trying to make a statement. 00:30:16.379 --> 00:30:16.799 In South Africa, 00:30:16.859 --> 00:30:17.579 the police force 00:30:17.579 --> 00:30:19.619 is a bit of a shambles. 00:30:20.379 --> 00:30:21.579 People are overworked, 00:30:21.639 --> 00:30:22.059 underpaid, 00:30:22.139 --> 00:30:23.519 and many police officers 00:30:23.519 --> 00:30:24.059 actually, 00:30:24.240 --> 00:30:24.839 in the stress 00:30:24.839 --> 00:30:26.139 and anxiety of their jobs, 00:30:26.500 --> 00:30:27.079 turn their guns 00:30:27.079 --> 00:30:27.639 on themselves. 00:30:28.059 --> 00:30:29.379 There's many unfortunate cases 00:30:29.379 --> 00:30:30.219 of people killing 00:30:30.219 --> 00:30:31.039 family members 00:30:31.039 --> 00:30:32.479 and taking their own lives 00:30:32.479 --> 00:30:33.419 because of the stress 00:30:33.419 --> 00:30:34.339 of the job. 00:30:34.339 --> 00:30:36.039 But often, 00:30:36.179 --> 00:30:36.659 she would go down 00:30:36.659 --> 00:30:37.459 to the police force 00:30:37.459 --> 00:30:38.599 and just listen 00:30:38.599 --> 00:30:39.500 and talk 00:30:39.500 --> 00:30:41.039 and pray with the officers. 00:30:41.899 --> 00:30:42.359 One of the things 00:30:42.359 --> 00:30:43.279 she also loved to do 00:30:43.279 --> 00:30:45.319 is she would go 00:30:45.319 --> 00:30:46.119 and take communion 00:30:46.119 --> 00:30:47.500 to the old people 00:30:47.500 --> 00:30:47.939 in the church 00:30:47.939 --> 00:30:48.819 that were too elderly 00:30:48.819 --> 00:30:50.299 to go to church service. 00:30:50.819 --> 00:30:51.559 And I always laughed 00:30:51.559 --> 00:30:52.379 how she used to say, 00:30:52.480 --> 00:30:53.500 I'm going to take communion 00:30:53.500 --> 00:30:54.720 to the elderly folk 00:30:54.720 --> 00:30:55.779 as if she herself 00:30:55.779 --> 00:30:56.599 wasn't elderly 00:30:56.599 --> 00:30:58.059 at the age of 87. 00:30:58.059 --> 00:30:59.679 But here was a life 00:30:59.679 --> 00:31:01.139 who never wrote a book, 00:31:01.599 --> 00:31:02.679 never preached a sermon 00:31:02.679 --> 00:31:03.500 as far as I know, 00:31:04.119 --> 00:31:06.119 didn't have a social media account, 00:31:06.279 --> 00:31:07.859 didn't have 50,000 followers 00:31:07.859 --> 00:31:08.759 on social media. 00:31:09.319 --> 00:31:11.460 Here was a sweet old lady 00:31:11.460 --> 00:31:14.879 who lived to pour herself out 00:31:14.879 --> 00:31:16.240 for others. 00:31:16.740 --> 00:31:17.819 She was not famous, 00:31:18.339 --> 00:31:19.859 not that many people knew her, 00:31:20.379 --> 00:31:22.099 but in the courts of heaven, 00:31:22.179 --> 00:31:24.000 I'm convinced when she died, 00:31:24.500 --> 00:31:25.599 she got a mighty cheer 00:31:25.599 --> 00:31:26.500 because here was someone 00:31:26.500 --> 00:31:28.480 whose life was Christ-centered 00:31:28.480 --> 00:31:30.960 and shaped on the gospel. 00:31:31.779 --> 00:31:32.259 Friends, 00:31:32.339 --> 00:31:32.960 some of us 00:31:32.960 --> 00:31:34.059 within the Watermark family 00:31:34.059 --> 00:31:35.000 may literally 00:31:35.000 --> 00:31:36.359 pour out our lives 00:31:36.359 --> 00:31:37.279 as God calls us 00:31:37.279 --> 00:31:37.920 to serve Him 00:31:37.920 --> 00:31:38.880 in dangerous places. 00:31:39.380 --> 00:31:40.099 Some of us 00:31:40.099 --> 00:31:40.680 may be called 00:31:40.680 --> 00:31:41.460 to be missionaries 00:31:41.460 --> 00:31:42.380 to places like 00:31:42.380 --> 00:31:43.180 Pakistan, 00:31:43.660 --> 00:31:44.240 or India, 00:31:44.640 --> 00:31:45.579 or North Korea, 00:31:46.019 --> 00:31:46.700 or Afghanistan, 00:31:47.000 --> 00:31:47.859 or the Middle East, 00:31:48.140 --> 00:31:49.380 or somewhere in North Africa. 00:31:49.940 --> 00:31:50.140 Friends, 00:31:50.220 --> 00:31:50.980 some of us in this church 00:31:50.980 --> 00:31:52.900 may literally risk our lives 00:31:52.900 --> 00:31:54.099 as we go and serve God 00:31:54.099 --> 00:31:55.200 in those places. 00:31:55.720 --> 00:31:56.440 And some of us 00:31:56.440 --> 00:31:57.980 may even lose our lives. 00:31:58.480 --> 00:31:58.799 And friends, 00:31:58.840 --> 00:31:59.880 if God's calling you 00:31:59.880 --> 00:32:00.620 to serve Him 00:32:00.620 --> 00:32:01.519 in a place like that, 00:32:01.820 --> 00:32:02.980 it would be our joy 00:32:02.980 --> 00:32:03.440 as a church 00:32:03.440 --> 00:32:04.519 to get behind you 00:32:04.519 --> 00:32:05.519 and to stand with you 00:32:05.519 --> 00:32:06.480 and to encourage you. 00:32:06.820 --> 00:32:07.539 We would love 00:32:07.539 --> 00:32:08.900 to be partners 00:32:08.900 --> 00:32:09.820 in the gospel with you 00:32:09.820 --> 00:32:10.440 as some of us 00:32:10.440 --> 00:32:12.279 literally risk our lives 00:32:12.279 --> 00:32:13.279 for the sake of the gospel. 00:32:13.960 --> 00:32:14.700 Go for it. 00:32:14.799 --> 00:32:15.120 Do it. 00:32:15.180 --> 00:32:16.180 We're right behind you. 00:32:16.720 --> 00:32:17.620 May it be, Lord. 00:32:17.779 --> 00:32:18.680 Send us out. 00:32:19.779 --> 00:32:20.200 But friends, 00:32:20.279 --> 00:32:21.180 for most of us, 00:32:21.480 --> 00:32:22.620 we're not going to go serve God 00:32:22.620 --> 00:32:23.100 as a missionary 00:32:23.100 --> 00:32:23.920 in those places. 00:32:23.920 --> 00:32:25.660 For most of us, 00:32:26.060 --> 00:32:27.140 the call of God 00:32:27.140 --> 00:32:28.400 is nothing less. 00:32:29.060 --> 00:32:30.000 To serve God 00:32:30.000 --> 00:32:30.620 as a missionary, 00:32:30.779 --> 00:32:32.360 to pour out our lives. 00:32:32.740 --> 00:32:33.740 The point of the book 00:32:33.740 --> 00:32:34.380 of Philippians 00:32:34.380 --> 00:32:35.860 is that God's call 00:32:35.860 --> 00:32:36.620 on our lives 00:32:36.620 --> 00:32:37.279 in Hong Kong 00:32:37.279 --> 00:32:38.759 is nothing less. 00:32:39.160 --> 00:32:39.940 It's the same. 00:32:40.360 --> 00:32:41.279 That for the Christian 00:32:41.279 --> 00:32:42.640 to live is Christ 00:32:42.640 --> 00:32:43.920 and to die is gain 00:32:43.920 --> 00:32:45.820 right here in Hong Kong 00:32:45.820 --> 00:32:47.500 as we serve Christ 00:32:47.500 --> 00:32:48.740 and serve others. 00:32:49.320 --> 00:32:51.000 Living not for ourselves, 00:32:51.000 --> 00:32:52.759 but for the glory of God 00:32:52.759 --> 00:32:54.339 and the well-being of others. 00:32:54.960 --> 00:32:55.339 Friends, 00:32:55.400 --> 00:32:55.839 for those of us 00:32:55.839 --> 00:32:56.819 that are school teachers, 00:32:57.299 --> 00:32:59.259 may we go into that classroom 00:32:59.259 --> 00:33:00.700 or on that Zoom call 00:33:00.700 --> 00:33:02.140 for the glory of God 00:33:02.140 --> 00:33:03.259 and the service of others. 00:33:03.660 --> 00:33:05.079 May we spend our days 00:33:05.079 --> 00:33:06.359 praying for the children 00:33:06.359 --> 00:33:07.400 that we get to oversee. 00:33:07.960 --> 00:33:08.559 For those of us 00:33:08.559 --> 00:33:09.839 that are hedge fund managers 00:33:09.839 --> 00:33:11.400 or investment bankers 00:33:11.400 --> 00:33:12.359 or lawyers, 00:33:12.680 --> 00:33:13.940 may we go to the office place 00:33:13.940 --> 00:33:14.140 saying, 00:33:14.220 --> 00:33:16.019 I exist for the glory of God 00:33:16.019 --> 00:33:17.319 and the service of others. 00:33:17.859 --> 00:33:18.180 Friends, 00:33:18.240 --> 00:33:18.799 for those of us 00:33:18.799 --> 00:33:20.099 that are graphic designers 00:33:20.099 --> 00:33:21.500 or restaurateurs 00:33:21.500 --> 00:33:22.940 or waiters 00:33:22.940 --> 00:33:24.399 or artists 00:33:24.399 --> 00:33:26.940 or stage managers. 00:33:27.779 --> 00:33:27.919 Friends, 00:33:27.960 --> 00:33:28.460 for those of us 00:33:28.460 --> 00:33:29.539 that are sales people 00:33:29.539 --> 00:33:31.399 or foreign domestic helpers, 00:33:31.859 --> 00:33:33.119 may our heart, 00:33:33.240 --> 00:33:33.919 our motivation 00:33:33.919 --> 00:33:35.119 be nothing less 00:33:35.119 --> 00:33:36.139 than the missionary 00:33:36.139 --> 00:33:37.759 that goes to India. 00:33:38.240 --> 00:33:38.680 God, 00:33:38.759 --> 00:33:40.339 I'm pouring out my life 00:33:40.339 --> 00:33:41.799 for the glory of God, 00:33:41.879 --> 00:33:42.539 for the advancement 00:33:42.539 --> 00:33:43.240 of the gospel 00:33:43.240 --> 00:33:44.700 and for the service 00:33:44.700 --> 00:33:45.579 of others. 00:33:45.579 --> 00:33:48.399 Friends, 00:33:48.460 --> 00:33:49.639 in Paul and Timothy 00:33:49.639 --> 00:33:51.399 and Epaphroditus, 00:33:51.500 --> 00:33:52.759 we have these amazing examples 00:33:52.759 --> 00:33:54.220 of the gospel-shaped life, 00:33:54.859 --> 00:33:56.179 of the Christ-centered life. 00:33:56.879 --> 00:33:57.799 People who didn't seek 00:33:57.799 --> 00:33:58.639 their own interests 00:33:58.639 --> 00:34:00.199 but laid them down 00:34:00.199 --> 00:34:00.960 like Jesus 00:34:00.960 --> 00:34:02.539 for others. 00:34:03.179 --> 00:34:03.919 Paul tells us 00:34:03.919 --> 00:34:04.899 that Epaphroditus 00:34:04.899 --> 00:34:06.500 put his life on the line, 00:34:07.139 --> 00:34:08.440 almost risking, 00:34:08.539 --> 00:34:09.340 risking his life, 00:34:09.480 --> 00:34:10.559 almost dying 00:34:10.559 --> 00:34:11.920 for the service 00:34:11.920 --> 00:34:12.860 of these believers. 00:34:12.860 --> 00:34:15.340 Friends, 00:34:15.400 --> 00:34:15.800 at the heart 00:34:15.800 --> 00:34:16.800 of the Christian faith 00:34:16.800 --> 00:34:18.320 is not just an ethic 00:34:18.320 --> 00:34:20.320 or a moral imperative 00:34:20.320 --> 00:34:21.079 to lay down 00:34:21.079 --> 00:34:21.980 our lives for others. 00:34:22.980 --> 00:34:23.620 At the heart 00:34:23.620 --> 00:34:24.519 of the Christian faith 00:34:24.519 --> 00:34:25.640 is one who didn't 00:34:25.640 --> 00:34:27.039 just risked his life 00:34:27.039 --> 00:34:28.599 but he really did 00:34:28.599 --> 00:34:29.519 lay down his life. 00:34:30.620 --> 00:34:31.320 At the heart 00:34:31.320 --> 00:34:32.140 of the Christian faith 00:34:32.140 --> 00:34:33.140 is the author 00:34:33.140 --> 00:34:34.059 of life himself, 00:34:34.240 --> 00:34:35.079 the one from whom 00:34:35.079 --> 00:34:36.079 all life comes, 00:34:37.000 --> 00:34:38.400 who died on a tree, 00:34:39.099 --> 00:34:40.240 who died on a cross, 00:34:40.980 --> 00:34:42.360 that we who are separated 00:34:42.360 --> 00:34:43.620 might find life. 00:34:44.820 --> 00:34:45.099 Friends, 00:34:45.160 --> 00:34:45.579 at the heart 00:34:45.579 --> 00:34:46.559 of the Christian faith 00:34:46.559 --> 00:34:48.059 is Jesus Christ, 00:34:48.200 --> 00:34:48.940 the only one 00:34:48.940 --> 00:34:49.640 who is perfect, 00:34:49.820 --> 00:34:50.940 never did anything wrong, 00:34:51.400 --> 00:34:52.660 who allowed himself 00:34:52.660 --> 00:34:53.360 to be treated 00:34:53.360 --> 00:34:54.559 like an outcast, 00:34:55.260 --> 00:34:56.220 hung on a cross 00:34:56.220 --> 00:34:58.039 to bring those of us 00:34:58.039 --> 00:34:59.840 who truly were outcasts 00:34:59.840 --> 00:35:01.480 into his family. 00:35:02.660 --> 00:35:03.180 Friends, 00:35:03.220 --> 00:35:03.640 at the heart 00:35:03.640 --> 00:35:04.180 of the gospel 00:35:04.180 --> 00:35:05.019 is Jesus 00:35:05.019 --> 00:35:05.800 in the garden 00:35:05.800 --> 00:35:06.780 of Gethsemane 00:35:06.780 --> 00:35:08.800 staring the cross 00:35:08.800 --> 00:35:10.180 in the face 00:35:10.179 --> 00:35:11.519 and praying 00:35:11.519 --> 00:35:11.940 and praying this prayer 00:35:11.940 --> 00:35:12.219 saying, 00:35:12.379 --> 00:35:12.579 God, 00:35:12.639 --> 00:35:13.980 if there's any other way 00:35:13.980 --> 00:35:15.000 to bring salvation, 00:35:15.179 --> 00:35:15.679 any other way 00:35:15.679 --> 00:35:17.399 to reconcile sinners 00:35:17.399 --> 00:35:17.940 back to you, 00:35:18.019 --> 00:35:18.899 any other way 00:35:18.899 --> 00:35:20.599 to redeem those 00:35:20.599 --> 00:35:21.719 that have been separated 00:35:21.719 --> 00:35:22.139 from you, 00:35:22.219 --> 00:35:23.019 to bring them back 00:35:23.019 --> 00:35:23.619 into your family, 00:35:23.899 --> 00:35:24.259 God, 00:35:24.339 --> 00:35:24.859 let it be. 00:35:26.219 --> 00:35:27.059 But then he says, 00:35:27.299 --> 00:35:28.099 not my will, 00:35:29.139 --> 00:35:30.339 but your will be done. 00:35:31.279 --> 00:35:32.559 Not my interests, 00:35:33.219 --> 00:35:34.519 but your interests be done. 00:35:35.799 --> 00:35:36.279 Friends, 00:35:36.519 --> 00:35:37.179 this Jesus, 00:35:37.179 --> 00:35:38.059 when we see 00:35:38.059 --> 00:35:39.779 not just how great 00:35:39.779 --> 00:35:40.699 and glorious he is, 00:35:41.059 --> 00:35:41.980 when we see 00:35:41.980 --> 00:35:43.579 how gracious he is, 00:35:43.679 --> 00:35:45.099 when we see 00:35:45.099 --> 00:35:46.419 what he's done for us, 00:35:46.960 --> 00:35:47.319 friends, 00:35:47.379 --> 00:35:48.299 it will transform us 00:35:48.299 --> 00:35:49.699 into the kinds of people 00:35:49.699 --> 00:35:51.199 who naturally, 00:35:51.699 --> 00:35:52.519 joyfully, 00:35:53.059 --> 00:35:53.739 willingly 00:35:53.739 --> 00:35:55.719 pour out our lives 00:35:55.719 --> 00:35:57.299 for the interests of Christ 00:35:57.299 --> 00:35:58.739 and for the well-being 00:35:58.739 --> 00:35:59.299 of others. 00:35:59.839 --> 00:36:01.659 This is the Christ-centered life. 00:36:02.239 --> 00:36:04.139 This is the gospel-shaped life. 00:36:04.739 --> 00:36:05.279 Let's pray. 00:36:07.179 --> 00:36:08.960 Lord Jesus, 00:36:09.960 --> 00:36:13.219 we get on our knees 00:36:13.219 --> 00:36:14.460 before you this morning 00:36:14.460 --> 00:36:18.059 because we confess, 00:36:18.199 --> 00:36:18.399 God, 00:36:18.500 --> 00:36:21.099 that the natural disposition 00:36:21.099 --> 00:36:22.000 of our hearts 00:36:22.000 --> 00:36:23.839 is to be self-seeking 00:36:23.839 --> 00:36:24.759 and self-serving. 00:36:26.819 --> 00:36:27.419 Father, 00:36:27.519 --> 00:36:28.699 like John the Baptist, 00:36:29.000 --> 00:36:30.960 we want to pray the prayer, 00:36:31.139 --> 00:36:32.099 may you increase, 00:36:32.219 --> 00:36:32.879 may we decrease. 00:36:32.880 --> 00:36:35.220 we want to, 00:36:35.380 --> 00:36:35.800 like Jesus, 00:36:36.000 --> 00:36:36.200 say, 00:36:36.320 --> 00:36:37.019 not my will, 00:36:37.079 --> 00:36:37.960 but your will be done. 00:36:40.539 --> 00:36:40.960 Father, 00:36:41.059 --> 00:36:41.599 won't you open 00:36:41.599 --> 00:36:42.619 the eyes of our hearts. 00:36:42.740 --> 00:36:43.420 Holy Spirit, 00:36:43.500 --> 00:36:44.099 won't you open 00:36:44.099 --> 00:36:45.059 the eyes of our hearts 00:36:45.059 --> 00:36:46.760 to see the gospel 00:36:46.760 --> 00:36:47.380 more clearly, 00:36:47.660 --> 00:36:50.619 to see who you are 00:36:50.619 --> 00:36:51.260 and what you've done 00:36:51.260 --> 00:36:51.840 for us, 00:36:52.700 --> 00:36:54.300 that we, 00:36:54.380 --> 00:36:54.619 Christ, 00:36:54.700 --> 00:36:55.539 may follow you, 00:36:55.760 --> 00:36:57.059 that we may imitate you, 00:36:57.059 --> 00:36:59.199 that the ethic 00:36:59.199 --> 00:37:00.039 of our lives 00:37:00.039 --> 00:37:01.639 may not be 00:37:01.639 --> 00:37:02.619 what's in it for me, 00:37:02.719 --> 00:37:03.699 but how can I serve 00:37:03.699 --> 00:37:04.639 the interests of others. 00:37:05.519 --> 00:37:05.940 Father, 00:37:06.079 --> 00:37:07.219 pray for us as a church 00:37:07.219 --> 00:37:09.059 that though we may not be 00:37:09.059 --> 00:37:11.400 a particularly fancy church, 00:37:11.920 --> 00:37:13.039 may not be a particularly 00:37:13.039 --> 00:37:14.599 big church, 00:37:15.880 --> 00:37:16.360 God, 00:37:16.440 --> 00:37:17.320 may we be a church 00:37:17.320 --> 00:37:18.659 that radically 00:37:18.659 --> 00:37:19.940 and disproportionately 00:37:19.940 --> 00:37:22.179 pours ourselves out 00:37:22.179 --> 00:37:23.880 for the interests of Christ 00:37:23.880 --> 00:37:24.900 and the interests of others. 00:37:24.900 --> 00:37:33.500 Father, 00:37:33.599 --> 00:37:34.539 come and change us. 00:37:36.420 --> 00:37:37.680 Come and start with me, 00:37:37.840 --> 00:37:38.099 God. 00:37:39.340 --> 00:37:39.780 God, 00:37:39.860 --> 00:37:40.480 won't you come 00:37:40.480 --> 00:37:43.119 and radically rewire, 00:37:43.300 --> 00:37:44.160 reoriented, 00:37:44.480 --> 00:37:45.780 reshape my heart, 00:37:45.900 --> 00:37:46.059 God, 00:37:46.139 --> 00:37:46.980 to be like you, 00:37:47.079 --> 00:37:47.360 Jesus. 00:37:50.940 --> 00:37:51.920 Do that to us, 00:37:52.000 --> 00:37:52.440 we pray. 00:37:53.260 --> 00:37:53.539 Father, 00:37:53.619 --> 00:37:54.039 this morning, 00:37:54.119 --> 00:37:54.720 we want to give you 00:37:54.719 --> 00:37:55.759 permission to 00:37:55.759 --> 00:37:57.699 wreck our 00:37:57.699 --> 00:37:59.119 neatly packaged, 00:37:59.279 --> 00:38:00.419 well-orchestrated lives 00:38:00.419 --> 00:38:01.719 and say, 00:38:01.819 --> 00:38:02.119 God, 00:38:02.239 --> 00:38:02.919 come and be 00:38:02.919 --> 00:38:03.839 God. 00:38:05.159 --> 00:38:06.239 Come and be king. 00:38:07.199 --> 00:38:08.359 Come and have your way. 00:38:11.239 --> 00:38:12.159 There's maybe just 00:38:12.159 --> 00:38:13.379 one last thought 00:38:13.379 --> 00:38:14.019 is 00:38:14.019 --> 00:38:16.659 one of the reasons 00:38:16.659 --> 00:38:17.199 why I guess 00:38:17.199 --> 00:38:17.939 we don't do this. 00:38:18.000 --> 00:38:19.139 Let's just keep our eyes closed 00:38:19.139 --> 00:38:20.480 and keep focused on God. 00:38:21.679 --> 00:38:22.339 One of the reasons 00:38:22.339 --> 00:38:23.159 why it's so hard 00:38:23.159 --> 00:38:23.819 to do this 00:38:23.819 --> 00:38:24.899 is because it feels 00:38:24.899 --> 00:38:25.399 like we're going 00:38:25.399 --> 00:38:26.159 to lose out. 00:38:27.199 --> 00:38:28.119 If we give up 00:38:28.119 --> 00:38:28.599 our lives 00:38:28.599 --> 00:38:29.379 for the sake of others, 00:38:29.440 --> 00:38:30.059 we feel like 00:38:30.059 --> 00:38:31.679 it's going to be a loss. 00:38:33.259 --> 00:38:33.719 One of the things 00:38:33.719 --> 00:38:34.259 Paul does 00:38:34.259 --> 00:38:35.559 is he gives us 00:38:35.559 --> 00:38:36.639 the example of Jesus 00:38:36.639 --> 00:38:37.599 who died on the cross, 00:38:37.699 --> 00:38:38.639 but then he shows us 00:38:38.639 --> 00:38:40.019 Jesus didn't stay dead. 00:38:40.779 --> 00:38:41.639 It wasn't the end 00:38:41.639 --> 00:38:42.219 of the story. 00:38:43.619 --> 00:38:44.599 Paul goes on to say, 00:38:44.599 --> 00:38:45.239 therefore, 00:38:46.079 --> 00:38:47.039 God has highly 00:38:47.039 --> 00:38:47.940 exalted him, 00:38:48.159 --> 00:38:48.960 given him the name 00:38:48.960 --> 00:38:49.759 above every name, 00:38:49.839 --> 00:38:50.980 that the name of Jesus, 00:38:51.679 --> 00:38:52.679 every knee will bow 00:38:52.679 --> 00:38:53.179 and given him 00:38:53.179 --> 00:38:54.619 the title of Lord of all. 00:38:55.659 --> 00:38:56.539 The counterintuitive 00:38:56.539 --> 00:38:57.400 thing of the gospel 00:38:57.400 --> 00:38:58.719 is that as we lay down 00:38:58.719 --> 00:38:59.199 our lives, 00:38:59.279 --> 00:39:00.699 we actually find life. 00:39:01.360 --> 00:39:02.559 As we pour ourselves 00:39:02.559 --> 00:39:03.279 out for others, 00:39:03.440 --> 00:39:04.559 we actually discover 00:39:04.559 --> 00:39:05.599 abundant joy. 00:39:06.420 --> 00:39:07.599 The secret to the 00:39:07.599 --> 00:39:09.019 fullness of life 00:39:09.019 --> 00:39:09.900 is to pour out 00:39:09.900 --> 00:39:10.940 our lives for others. 00:39:10.940 --> 00:39:11.380 Friends, 00:39:13.500 --> 00:39:15.320 when we follow Jesus, 00:39:15.440 --> 00:39:16.519 we don't lose our lives, 00:39:16.599 --> 00:39:17.659 we gain life. 00:39:21.559 --> 00:39:22.000 God, 00:39:22.079 --> 00:39:22.579 why don't you open 00:39:22.579 --> 00:39:23.440 our eyes to see that. 00:39:23.519 --> 00:39:24.320 Why don't you help us 00:39:24.320 --> 00:39:26.599 to see the wonder 00:39:26.599 --> 00:39:27.800 of the cross, 00:39:28.420 --> 00:39:29.720 the wonder of the gospel. 00:39:30.700 --> 00:39:31.720 Help us to follow you, 00:39:31.780 --> 00:39:32.179 we pray. 00:39:33.400 --> 00:39:34.619 In your wonderful name, 00:39:36.059 --> 00:39:36.400 Amen.