THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE
KING, PART 1: A Son and a Servant
Philippians 2:19-24
Introduction: Do you remember the
epic trilogy; The Lord of the Rings?
In the battle of good against evil a team was assembled to strike a blow
against the forces of darkness and cast the ring into the fires of Mordor. In that epic each one who had a part in the
fellowship had a role to fulfill. They were all different, but they were all
needed and had a part in the unfolding story. Instead of “The fellowship of the
ring,” a title for our next two sermons could be: “The
fellowship of the King,” let’s call this part 1, where Paul speaks of
Timothy, “A Son and a Servant.” Of course, Jesus is our king.
Jesus
came as a servant, gave his life for us, and was exalted to the right hand of
the father! We’ve seen Paul’s humility as
he just minimized his own importance in the unfolding plan of God by referring
to himself as a “drink offering” about to be poured out over the
sacrificial faith of the Philippians. He viewed their sacrifice as more
important than his own. He now points to two co-workers, colleagues in ministry
and brothers in the faith. They had different roles, but each was important in
the story that God was writing in history. And each of us who know Christ has
been saved for a purpose.
In the “Fellowship of the King” we all have a role to fulfill, a
contribution to make to the unfolding plan of God. We are a team – each of us unique, different,
and gifted, to complement one another and to serve together in God’s mission. A
dear brother of ours, now with the Lord, would often say, “He saved you on
purpose, for a purpose.” You were created by God and uniquely gifted to
fulfill a specific and important role in His mission in the world. God uses
ordinary people like us in the extraordinary program of building His church. If
you know Him, you have a part in that mission!
This
week and next we’ll look at two ordinary men, who exemplified faithful
Christian living, lives lived in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ (1:27).
We’ll see that God uses ordinary people in His mission in the world. Next week
we’ll consider Epaphroditus, who seems to be the one who carried this letter to the Philippians on
Paul’s behalf. For today, we'll look at Timothy, one who Paul calls his “son in the faith.”
Let’s remind ourselves of a little background…
Timothy was a native
of Lystra in the province of Galatia.
His mother Eunice was Jewish and his father was a Greek and possibly an
unbeliever. Since Paul calls him
several times his “true son in the Lord” though it doesn’t seem that Paul led
him to the Lord, he certainly had a hand in discipling him and leading him
deeper in his faith, and mentoring him for the ministry. It could be that they
met during Paul’s first missionary journey when he brought the gospel to Lystra
for the first time (Acts 14:6-23). Both his mother and his grandmother were
believers and had instructed Timothy in the Scriptures (2 Tim 3:15). Paul here
commends him to the Philippians. Let’s read the text in the ESV translation…
19 I hope in the Lord
Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of
you. 20 For I have no one
like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 They all seek their own
interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a
son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send
him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24 and I
trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.
As we consider the
example of Timothy, let’s consider…
I. God wants us to have the attitude of Jesus: Timothy, like Paul, had a
servant’s mind (19-21). Since we have spread our study in Philippians
out over a few months already, it is easy to forget that this is a letter, and every
detail must be considered in the context in which it is given. Paul had just
spoken of his own situation in which he was willingly, if necessary, to lay
down his life if that was the will of God.
Just before that he pointed to the example of Jesus himself, the one who
existed in the form of God, and willing took the form of a servant. Before giving
the example of Jesus he had urged the Philippians to unity, joy, and to living
a life worthy of the Gospel (1:27). How
should we live as followers of Jesus? He now points to his friend and “son in
the faith,” Timothy as a trustworthy example of the attitude of a servant. Look
again at 2:19-21…
19 I hope in the Lord
Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of
you. 20 For I have no one
like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 They all seek their own
interests, not those of Jesus Christ.
Timothy
was someone Paul could trust to serve faithfully and to bring back a
trustworthy report of the status of the church in Philippi. He was sending Timothy to encourage them, know
his genuine concern for them, and also so that Paul himself could be encouraged
by hearing of them.
Timothy
had a servant’s mind, like his teacher Paul, like his Lord Jesus. “Like minded” is literally “single-souled”,
some translations say “kindred spirit.” They were certainly “on the same page”
when it came to life and ministry! Paul could send Timothy with confidence
as his representative – he would unquestionably serve for the good of the
Philippians and for the glory of Christ.
By the way, remember how Paul started this letter, “Paul and Timothy,
servants of Christ Jesus…” Normally the writer of a letter would identify
himself in the opening words, here Paul includes Timothy as essential a “co-writer.”
As we have actually read the letter, we’ve seen Paul speaking in the first
person singular, “I”, “my”, etc. He is the writer. He even refers to Timothy in
the third person, as he does here. Paul, from verse 1, wanted to affirm to the
Philippians that Timothy was truly a kindred-spirit, someone that Paul viewed
as a partner in the ministry, as his spiritual son.
Paul’s
concern for the Philippians has been evident in this letter, and here he makes
the point that Timothy too was genuinely concerned for them. This younger disciple
is deeply concerned for the spiritual good of the Philippians. He really has a
genuine, heartfelt concern for the Philippians, there was not fake or
superficial about it. Rather, Paul says, Timothy is filled with a genuine,
authentic concern for them. The word “concern” used here here can be either
negative or positive. In some contexts, have the sense “be anxious, worry” (see
for example Phil 4:6). According to Steven Lawson,
"Concerned"
carries a specific meaning, because it indicates having strong feelings for
something or someone. It conveys deep emotions, and it can be used either
negatively or positively. It is used in the negative sense later in this letter
when Paul writes, "Be anxious for nothing" (4: 6).
Concern is good, it is legitimate, it is
normal as we live and serve in this fallen world. But “worry” is forgetting
that God is with us always, even in the hard and challenging moments of life. It
is to doubt His providence and his care. Be anxious for nothing! Timothy was
concerned for others, he thought about the needs of the Philippians. It seems
that could not be said of all of Paul’s companions – some were more focused on
their own interests, and not so interested in what was best for others. Not all
are spiritually at the same level of maturity. Paul could commend Timothy. God desires
each of us to have the attitude of Jesus, serving others, and so becoming a
disciple who makes disciples, as we carry out His mission in the world.
II. God has a plan for discipleship: We see that in Timothy
as he was mentored for ministry (v.22). Timothy was not an unknown character to
Paul or to the Philippians. They knew
his testimony, they understood where he came from.
22 But you know
Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the
gospel.
He
had proven character, the implication is that he was not a new believer.
He had been walking with God long enough for people to have seen his testimony
in thick and thin, in good times and in hard times. When you first believed,
were some people waiting to see if this was real, or a passing fad? I believe
that was the case in my family! Remember
how Paul and Timothy began to serve together, we have the story in Acts 15:36 -
16:2 at the beginning of the second missionary journey. Let’s read it in
the ESV…
36 And after some days
Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us return and visit the brothers in every city
where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are." 37 Now Barnabas wanted to take
with them John called Mark. 38
But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in
Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 And there arose a sharp
disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him
and sailed away to Cyprus, 40
but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the
grace of the Lord. 41 And he
went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. ESV Acts 16:1 Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was
there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his
father was a Greek. 2 He was
well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium.
There
was a question about the faithfulness of John-Mark that brought a division between
Paul and Barnabas. But as he and Silas went through Asia Minor, God added to
their team a young disciple named Timothy. He would prove to be a co-worker
that Paul could rely on through thick and thin. Timothy had served with
Paul as a son might for a time work with his father, learning his trade, like
an apprentice. That was the norm in the ancient world in terms of learning a trade.
In times past that was also how many were trained for ministry – being mentored
by an experienced pastor. [There is no way that a couple of semesters of Bible
college should trump decades of personal Bible reading and involvement in the
local church. You can have the letters after
your name, but what matters most is knowing God through his Word. We should all be students of the Word!].
Through your own devotional reading of the Bible over the years, from the
accumulation of sermons you have heard and Bible studies you have participated
in, you are learning and growing in your knowledge of the Word.
As we learn to know Jesus better, I think we start to more consistently
think God’s thoughts after Him. Remember, He is working in us both to will and
to work for His good pleasure. God desires each of us to have the attitude of
Jesus, serving others, and so becoming a disciple who makes disciples, as we
carry out His mission in the world.
III. God entrusts each of us with a role in
His mission: Timothy
is an example of that, he was given a servant’s assignment (23-24). Paul had full
confidence in Timothy. He was available and faithful, and God prepared him, He
was at work in Him, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Ultimately
the Lord of the harvest sends him forth into the harvest field!
23 I hope therefore
to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24 and I
trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.
“Therefore
[because of his proven character] I hope to send him…” By the way, we
are all sent! Some overseas, some to families, workplaces, our neighborhoods. This
year we missed our VBS outreach. We’ve all felt more isolated these last few
months. This too will pass. God will open doors, the mission continues, and
children’s ministry will be an important part of that. Is God raising up workers
from among us? Remember, no one can do everything, but everyone can do
something. We are the local manifestation of the body of Christ – according to His
word, He will gift each of us.
Later
Paul will say of Timothy and Epaphroditus, “…hold such men in high regard…” Haven’t you had people in your life that consistently
reflected Christ? You just knew there was something real about them, something
authentic. You knew they were interested in you and cared about you. As a believer,
you are drawn to them, you respect them, you listen to what they say. There
should be a bond, Christian love, a mutual respect, in the “Fellowship of the
King.” God himself has put this team together, and He will continue to refine
it for His purposes. Not that he needs
us, but amazingly he has chosen to use us!
Ordinary people, but our extraordinary God has chosen to use us in His
worldwide mission! That means we should respect one another. We have value
because God values us!
What is God saying to me in this passage? Let’s value each
other, “…hold such… in high regard…”
There should be a bond, Christian love, a mutual respect, in the
“Fellowship of the King.” God himself has put this team together. Not that he needs us, but he has chosen to
use us! That means we should respect one
another. God has made us for community
and gifted each of us! He will use us to encourage one another, and to build
each other up, equipping us for the mission. That’s the Maine* Idea: God desires each of us to have the attitude
of Jesus, serving others, and so becoming a disciple who makes disciples, as we
carry out His mission in the world.
What would God have me to do in response to
this passage? Do
you have the attitude of Jesus, who humbled himself, and took the form of a servant?
How do you know if have the attitude of a servant? How do you act when someone
treats you like one?! It begins with our response to God, offering ourselves to
Him out of thanksgiving for all He has done for us in Jesus. Are you willing to
allow God to use you, to stretch you, perhaps even to sacrifice some of your
comfort or security for the sake of the kingdom?
Are our plans subject to God’s revision?
Do we submit all of our plans (our travel plans, our business plans, even our
daily "to do" list) to the sovereign will of God, or do we just press
forward in presumption, assuming that we are in control of our life? God get’s
the last word! I had a Jewish student
who like to say, “Man plans, and God laughs.”
If
the Lord wills we’ll gather here next week! Remember, as we share the Lord’s
Table together in a few minutes, we again show forth the Lord’s death until He
comes. He is returning! We should commit to faithfully living a life worthy of the
Gospel of Christ. Consider what Jesus did for us, by taking the form of a
servant… and becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a Cross.
In view of what Christ has done for us, how should we then live? Are we willing
to think about the needs of others before ourselves? We can only do that if God
is working in us. AMEN.
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