Living With An Attitude of
Gratitude
Thankful for God’s Servants
Antioch Church, January 3,
2015
Text
Philippians 2:14–30 (NIV) — 14 Do everything
without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and
pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then
you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to
the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I
did not run or labor in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out like
a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad
and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice
with me. 19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I
also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else
like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. 21 For
everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22
But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father
he has served with me in the work of the gospel. 23 I hope, therefore,
to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24 And I am
confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon. 25 But I think it is
necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow
soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26
For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27
Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him
only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I am
all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad
and I may have less anxiety. 29 So then, welcome him in the Lord with
great joy, and honor people like him, 30 because he almost died for the
work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could
not give me.
REVIEW
Thankful for God’s people. Thankful for
God’s promises in suffering. Thankful for the Gospel. Thankful for life after death.
Thankful for the Incarnation.
Thankful that, as we walk out the heartfelt salvation Jesus graciously
gives us, God’s work in us draw those around us into a relationship with Him.
·
Salvation is God’s work, but it also requires
our work: “…work out your salvation with fear and trembling…” (vs. 12)
·
Salvation is God’s will for everyone: “…for it is God who works in you to will and
to act… in order to fulfill His good purpose…” (vs. 13)
·
Salvation is a matter of the heart, not just the
mind: “Do everything without grumbling or arguing…” (vs. 14)
·
Salvation is a testimony that guides others
to God: “Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky…” (vs. 16)
The BIG Idea
God wants to help us be true servants of Jesus and He wants to help us
discern and honor those around us who are true servants of Jesus.
INTRODUCTION
One of the reasons Paul wrote this letter to the Philippians was to
acknowledge their financial support of his ministry and to send Epaphroditus
(the one who had hand-carried their gift to him), back home to them.
This section that we are studying today is less doctrinal than
some other parts of the book, but it is fascinating and instructive
nonetheless.
Among other things, the section we are studying today shows us the character
of all true servants of Jesus.
It is very important to say right up front that there are MANY true
servants of Jesus, far more than we will ever know or could ever imagine…!
The prophet Elijah’s conversation with God in 1 Kings 19 underscores
this,
1 Kings 19:18 (NIV) — 18 Yet I reserve seven
thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths
have not kissed him.”
This is important to remember, because God’s Word declares that in the Last
Days, false teachers will arise.
1 Timothy 4:1–2 (NIV) — 1 The Spirit clearly
says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving
spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through
hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.
Jesus said that one of the ways you can recognize a false teacher is by
their fruits.
Matthew 7:15–16 (NIV) — 15 “Watch out for false
prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious
wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them…
How Do We Recognize True Servants of Jesus?
1. They focus on helping others. (vs.
16) – “…then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor
in vain…”
For the Apostle Paul, the gauge or measure of the
effectiveness of his ministry was the spiritual caliber of those under
his care.
14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15
so that you may become blameless
and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and
crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16
as you hold firmly to the
word of life. And THEN I will
be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.
God’s servants pursue God’s agenda and do not necessarily
follow people’s agenda, but their focus is always on helping
people.
In one sense, people are God’s agenda!
True servants of Jesus do not gain their primary satisfaction from
the exercise of their gift or from the growth of their
ministry, but from reaching and discipling people.
2.
They invest their lives for the sake of others. (vs. 17) – “I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service
coming from your faith...”
Sacrifice is part and parcel of the committed Christian life, both
in the pulpit and the pew – “…the
sacrifice and service coming from your faith…”
There is a special measure of sacrifice required of all spiritual leaders –
“A good shepherd lays down his life
for the sheep…” (John 10:11) It
does not say that good sheep lay down their lives for the shepherd…!
When a church or ministry
is more concerned or more devoted to meeting the needs of the shepherd(s) than
the sheep, there is something fundamentally flawed with that ministry!
Yes, the Word declares that “the workman
is worthy of his hire…” (2 Tim. 5:18; Luke 10:7) and that if God’s servants
have ministered spiritual things to us, that we should minister natural things
to them (1 Cor. 9:11), but that does not mean that the shepherd’s upkeep
is more important than the sheep’s welfare! To the contrary, God’s Word also
declares that we should count worthy of double honor the elders who labor
in the Word of God and doctrine (1 Tim. 5:17) and that it is the hardworking
farmer who should get the first share of the crops (2 Tim. 2:6). It is the mouth of the hardworking ox
who treads out the corn that should not be muzzled, not the ox languishing in
his stall, expecting to be fed on demand…J!
Sometimes, sheep want to live their lives and dreams
vicariously through their shepherds, so they delight in their shepherd’s
prominence and affluence, but that is not the emphasis of Scripture.
Galatians 4:19–20 (NIV) — 19 My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth
until Christ is formed in you, 20 how I wish I could be with you
now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!
It is interesting that Paul speaks of those under his care as his “dear
children.”
He did not say that to demean them, but as an expression
of his affection for them and his devotion to them.
Every parent and every
spiritual leader knows what it is to do things for others that are both unnoticed
and unappreciated. We do that as parents in order to raise our
children as we train them to do them same for others (their children). We do
that as spiritual leaders, not expecting to be paid back, but praying
and believing that it will be paid forward, that Christ in us
with work through us to produce Christ in them that produce Christ
in others…!
3.
They have a deep, emotional heart connection with others. (vs. 18-19)
– “…So you too should be
glad and rejoice with me… that I also may be cheered
when I receive news about you…”
In God’s economy, you cannot truly serve people without loving
people.
Sometimes, that is easier said than done, because one thing
every spiritual leader quickly learns is that some sheep bite…! J!
Three things to remember when you are wounded by the sheep,
i.e., hurt by those you have come to help.
·
Hurting
people hurt people. Everyone is coming from somewhere. The way people act
today is often the result of the way have been treated yesterday. One of the
most difficult assignments as a spiritual leader is to shepherd people who have
been severely hurt of disappointed by a spiritual leader. Sometimes, hurting people do not know they are hurting people!
·
The more
people see you as a man or woman of God, the more they will relate to you they
way they relate to God. (If they are
mad at God, they will tend to get mad at you. If they trust
God, they will tend to trust you. If they love God, they will
tend to love you. If they honor God, they will tend to honor
you. If they are respectful of God, they will tend to be respectful
of you. If they are afraid of God, they will tend to be afraid of
you. If they question God, they will tend to question you.
·
Sometimes,
you are able to help people the most when they are hurting the
most. Sometimes, it is by the way you respond to their pain
and/or to their criticism that helps heal them from past hurts
and re-establish their confidence in spiritual leadership.
We should rejoice with those that rejoice and weep
with those that weep…(Rom. 12:15)
People need more than sympathy, they need empathy.
This deep heart connection with people is part of the reason why
spiritual leadership is so emotionally demanding and draining…talking with
people after a service can be like an emotional roller-coaster, celebrating
with one person, then mourning with the next.
Sometimes, what seems to be a lack of concern by some spiritual leaders is
actually a symptom of their emotional depletion.
4. They are rare and sometimes
unnoticed. (vs. 20-21) – “…I have no one else like
him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare…”
Great people and great leaders are sometimes obscured by those of lesser
quality around them…
Paul did not say that he did not have anyone else…but, he did say that he
did not have anyone else like Timothy…
Paul also had Epaphroditus, who was a true servant of Jesus. Everywhere he
went, he had teamworkers around him and was constantly developing them (give
list of names mentioned in Epistles, etc.)
Pauls’ statement underscores this reality – spiritual leaders grow over
time in their maturity, character, wisdom, and effectiveness...
Ephesians 4:2–3 (NIV) — 2 Be completely humble
and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every
effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Colossians 3:12–14 (NIV) — 12 Therefore, as
God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion,
kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and
forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as
the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which
binds them all together in perfect unity.
5.
They prove themselves over time. (vs. 22) – “…But you
know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has
served with me in the work of the gospel…”
Jesus said that we could “know” whether spiritual leaders are genuine or
not by their fruit. One of the best measures of a person’s life and
ministry is their fruit over time.
Some ministries shine for a moment, but then lose
their luster over time.
Time is the friend of all truth and all good things.
Kenneth Brand
One of the things my father taught me is that it takes a lot longer to establish
credibility than it does to lose credibility, that it takes a lot longer
to build a reputation than it does to destroy a reputation.
6. They value ongoing relationships
(vs. 23-25) – “…I hope…to send him…I
myself will come soon…it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus…my
brother…your messenger…”
The most fruitful relationships in life and in God’s work are ongoing,
long-term relationships.
This is one of the tests of true friendship and is one key to lasting
ministry.
Psalm 92:12–15 (NIV) — 12 The righteous will
flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; 13 planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. 14 They
will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green,
15 proclaiming, “The Lord
is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”
For godly leaders, ministry is not just transactional, it is relational;
they do but seek relationships simple for what they can get out of them,
but also for what they can give to them. They doi not simply see people
as a means to accomplishing their vision; people are at the very center
of their vision.
Their godly focus in ministry parallels what the Scriptures teach
about a godly focus in giving,
Luke 6:32–36 (NIV) — 32 “If you love those who
love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33
And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you?
Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect
repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting
to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and
lend to them without expecting to get
anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children
of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be
merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
7.
They are preserved and protected by God. (vs. 26-28) – “…he was ill and almost died, but God had mercy on him, and…on me…”
Protection and vindication is not some kind of “divine right” that
applies to those in spiritual leadership regardless of their personal conduct!
One of the most abused verses in the Bible is “touch not the Lord’s
anointed…” It should never be used to excuse or overlook
ministerial misconduct! (1 Chron. 16:22; Ps. 105:15)
Having said that, we are both saved and called by grace and
there is security for both believer and leader in God when
we walk with an attitude of humility, repentance, and faith
toward God!
God knew what He was getting when He called you.
(Elderly minister to young preachers)
God is so big and so great that He can draw a straight
line with a crooked stick! (Anonymous)
This covering and grace does not apply to “presumptuous”
sins…!
Psalm 19:9–14 (NIV) — 9 The fear of the Lord
is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord
are…10… more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter
than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. 11 By them your servant is
warned…12…who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. 13
Keep your servant also from willful sins [“presumptuous” –
KJV] sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be
blameless, innocent of great transgression. 14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation
of my heart be pleasing in
your sight, Lord, my Rock [“strength”
KJV] and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:13–14 (AV) — 13
Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have
dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the
great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of
my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
8.
They deserve to be honored for their sacrifice (vs. 29-30) – “…welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him,
because he almost died for the work of Christ…”
Hebrews 11:35–39 (NIV) — 35 Women received back
their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing
to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. 36
Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They
were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the
sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and
mistreated—38 the world was
not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in
caves and in holes in the ground. 39 These were all commended for their
faith…
Romans 13:7 (NIV) — 7 Give to everyone what you
owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect,
then respect; if honor, then honor.
CONCLUSION
This chapter starts with a call to humility and ends
with a call to honor. You cannot expect one without the other!
In God’s Kingdom, honor and respect are something that is given, not
taken; they are earned, not demanded.
In the final analysis, the example of Jesus shows that it is the gift
of God and should never be the goal of man…!
And so, let us end with the call and the promise Paul made in
the first part of chapter two,
Philippians 2:3–11 (The Message) — 3 Don’t push your way to the front; don’t
sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead.
4 Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves
long enough to lend a helping hand. 5 Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself.
6 He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that
he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. 7 Not
at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on
the status of a slave, became human! 8 Having become human, he stayed
human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless,
obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst
kind of death at that—a crucifixion. 9 Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and
honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, 10 so that all
created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will
bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, 11 and call out in praise that
he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.
