”Sainthood” Philippians 2:19-30

Philippians 2:19-30 New King James Version Timothy Commended 19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your [a]state. 20 For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. 22 But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel. 23 Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me. 24 But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly. 25 Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need; 26 since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 27 For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. 29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; 30 because for the work of Christ he came close to death, [b]not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me. A Mundane Travel Itinerary of 3 Ministers used by the Holy Spirit to further Illustrate TRUTH Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” In this short passage, Paul, Timothy, & Epaphroditus  illustrate Men who had a servants Heart, though both different in personality Cultivating A Servants Heart Centered on Jesus Christ Vs. 19,24 Paul submitted all His ministry to the Lord Vs. 21,22 Timothy also, served the Lord , Not seeking His own interests…But helped Paul ‘In the Furtherance of the Gospel’ (Phil. 1:12) Vs.25   Epaphroditus was also an example of servant leadership in pushing through sickness to  minister to Paul’s need   MINISTERED  (leitourgos) (Liter-goss) this word is translated both minister & service & we get our English word LITRGY from this word, which not only has to do with service but also.. adoration & veneration (See Romans 12:1)…To the Greeks in the secular sense it meant  sacred service to ones community THREE Distinguishing attitudes of Servants Focused on Christ: They are willing to Go anywhere They are willing to Serve anyone ( see Philip Acts 8:5-8, 26-40) They are willing to sacrifice Anything   Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my [b]race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of A Servants Heart Puts Others Ahead of Himself for the Sake of Christ Vs. 2:22 that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel (Timothy)…Paul was willing to send His  favorite son though he himself was in need Vs.30 (Of Epaphroditus)…. because for the work of Christ he came close to death, [b]not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me…..The Philippian church had sent their Minister to Paul Epaphroditus selflessly served Paul …. Paul calls  Epaphroditus “ one who ministered to my need” , This man ministered to Paul’s wants/ needs to the point of endangering his own life by coming to Paul’s aid on behalf of the Philipi church… (vs. 30) not regarding his life….The Greek language coveys a reckless abandonment ., a gambling term meaning to throw all caution to the wind…So Epap. Showed NO concern for himself out of Love for Paul ( John15:13 Greater love has no man than this, than to lay down His life for his friends) Of Timothy…VS. 2O.. For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus….Vs. 22) But you know his proven character