Sermon Idea: The church is called to Christ-like, sacrificial service to one another.
Introduction: In 1989, a youth leader at Calvary Reformed Church in Holland, MI, read In His Steps, a book first published in 1896 by Charles Sheldon. It was a fictional story about a town experiencing a great revival. The characters committed to not doing anything for a year before asking one question: What would Jesus do?
The youth leader, Janie Tinklenberg, discussed the book with her students and sought to brand her group around this theme. Her initial thought was to print T-shirts, but instead, she printed 300 friendship bracelets with just four letters: WWJD. This trend took off beyond the group and into the community. Unfortunately for her, others essentially copied and marketed her idea, and the WWJD phenomenon of the 1990s was born.
There is great power in a good example and no greater example than Jesus Christ. In several places, the Bible calls us to follow the example of Jesus Christ.
By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. (1 Jn 2:5–6)
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Eph 5:1–2)
21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. (1 Pe 2:21)
Of course, this imitation of Christ is not in our own power, nor is it mere outward behavior. Christians are enabled to follow the example of Jesus by God’s grace in salvation rooted in the finished work of Christ. That is really important to say. If you’re not saved by God’s grace, your effort to follow Jesus’ example will just be another empty attempt to earn your own righteousness or the approval of other people.
Jesus is the great example, but following in his footsteps is only made possible by God’s great grace through faith in Jesus.
What is interesting, though, is that the Bible gives us Christ as an example and Christ-like examples.
For example, Paul can say, Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ (1 Co 11:1)
There is a way to speak of following another person’s example in a way that is consistent with the gospel of grace and the centrality of Jesus Christ. That is because the examples we are called to follow imitate, resemble, and so reflect Jesus Christ himself.
This morning’s text offers two Christ-like examples whose lives resemble the mind of Christ that Paul wants us to have.
You might remember that Philippians call us to have the mind of Christ because Jesus is not only the power but also the pattern of the Christian life.
3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus. (Php 2:3–5)
At first glance, these verses seem like a mere update from a missionary, offering mundane information about who he is sending to them and why, but something deeper is happening.
Paul describes both Timothy and Epaphroditus in a way that recalls the humility of Jesus Christ in 2:5-11. Jesus emptied himself by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross (Php 2:7–8)
Timothy and Ephaphroditus resemble the very minds of Christ that Paul wants them to cultivate. They are examples of the Christ-likeness that we as a church must emulate for each other and before the world.
The church is called to Christ-like, sacrificial service to one another. As a church, we want to become Christ-like examples who point one another and who point a lost world to the person and work of Jesus Christ.
To this end, we want to reflect on this passage’s example, including Paul’s. So, let us look together and glean what we can from the Christ-like examples of Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus.
I.) The Christ-like example of Paul (Phil. 2:19-30)
Although this section is about Paul’s co-workers, much can be taken from Paul’s example. Don’t forget Paul is in prison for preaching the gospel. He is confident but not certain as to whether he will be released. That is quite a lot to handle. It might be expected that Paul’s attention be focused on his own circumstances. And yet, Paul’s heart is for the Philippians. He cares for them and pursues their well-being even though he cannot be with them.
Paul does this by promising to send Timothy soon and by having already sent Epaphroditus.
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. (Php 2:19)
25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother… (Php 2:25)
Paul follows Christ by being a sender. Like Jesus discipled men to be sent out for the gospel, so Paul has discipled men and sent them for the edification and building up of other churches.
21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you (Jn 20:21)
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations… (Mt 28:18–19)
Churches should expect, by the way, for their pastors to invest in other men. They should encourage him to pour into any men who are willing to be better equipped, especially those who aspire to ministry. In fact, healthy churches consider this an important part of the church’s mission and ministry.
Illustration (Maybe): Pastoral internship at FBC, Metro & the business meeting.
And consider the quality of these men that Paul sends. These are godly, competent co-laborers in the gospel.
22 But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel (Php 2:22)
Likewise, Ephaphroditus is described as my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need (Php 2:25)
Many organizations wouldn’t want to lose these types of men. They’re capable; their presence is a benefit to Paul. And is willing to send them for the benefit of the church in Philippi.
When I was in North Carolina, I got to know another pastor in South Carolina, about 30 minutes from where I was. He had undergone revitalization and, by God’s grace, transformed a declining church into a vibrant, healthy congregation. After that change, he started a pastoral residency to train, equip, and send out brothers for ministry, many of whom became pastors in that county or other parts of the state. Many other churches do this well, and once you witness the beauty of that type of ministry philosophy, you can’t unsee it and return to focusing only on yourself, your church, and your name.
Paul cares about the well-being and health of the church in Philippi and is willing to send valuable resources, in this case, co-laborers in the gospel, for their benefit.
The healthiest churches I have been around are (1) kingdom-minded, i.e., they care about the health and well-being of other churches, and (2) have a sending culture. Churches that are not kingdom-minded and care little about sending rarely serve as good examples of Jesus Christ.
How do we want to represent Christ to Massac Co? I pray that we will consider the Christ-like example of the Apostle Paul, who cares about more than his personal ministry and cares about the well-being and health of every church he has a relationship with.
That is the Christ-like example of Paul. Now let’s consider the Christ-like example of Timothy.
II.) The Christ-like example of Timothy (Phil. 2:19-24)
20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For 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. (Php 2:20–24)
Timothy is the ideal example of someone Paul is encouraging the Philippians to become because he resembles the mind of Christ. The language Paul uses to describe him echoes portions of 2:1-11.
For example, Timothy is genuinely concerned for the welfare of the Philippians. He cares about them and truly seeks their good. In other words, he is a good example of what Paul calls us to do in 2:4: Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others.
Paul further describes him as a son with a father he has served me in the gospel (Phil 2:22). In other words, he is an example of Jesus Christ who, emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. (Phil. 2:7)
If Paul demonstrates Christ-likeness by sending, Timothy demonstrates Christ-likeness by serving in the gospel. This “in the gospel” phrase is quite important. We are talking about much more than being nice and courteous. Timothy is a servant of Jesus Christ, who seeks the interests of Christ, and part of those interests is the health and well-being of the church in Philippi.
Friends, when we commit to serving one another in the gospel—whether it be our church or sister churches— we are committing to serve those for whom Christ died, those Christ has purchased, and those Christ has made his own.
and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mk 10:44–45)
Jesus served the church by humbly giving his life. How can we say that we’re following Jesus if we won’t even give up our time?
Since I came here, I have been so encouraged by watching you all love and serve one another. I have been so encouraged by how we’ve embraced the opportunity to serve our neighbors when it has presented itself. That’s sincere.
What is important for us is to persevere in Christ-like service to one another so that we’ll remain unified for gospel advancement. We do that by continually fixing our eyes on Jesus Christ, contemplating his humble cross, and being shaped by it. That’s how we do it. We never stop being enamored with the glorious reality that the eternal Son of God assumed human flesh, was born in the likeness of men, and became obedient to the point of death.
Timothy exemplified a Christ-like service in the gospel, and it is an example we are meant to follow, for it is the mind of Christ.
III.) The Christ-like example of Epaphroditus (Phil. 2:25-30)
If you remember the introductory sermon from several weeks ago, the church in Philippi sent one of its members, Epaphroditus, to minister to Paul and give him a monetary gift. While he was with Paul, Epaphroditus became so ill that he nearly died, delaying his return. So Paul wrote the letter to thank the church for their gift, assure them that Epaphroditus fulfilled his responsibility, and address the disunity within the church.
This is why Timothy is coming soon, but it is necessary to send Ephaphoditus now. We said that Paul offers us a Christ-like example of sending Timothy of service, and now we can reflect on the Christ-life example of sacrifice given to us by Ephaphroditus.
26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me. (Php 2:26–30)
Epaphroditus’ journey alone was a form of sacrifice as he left his home, but the sacrifice did not end there. Although he recovered from his sickness, he suffered as part of his ministry to Paul and in service to Philippi.
Like his description of Timothy, Paul uses language to describe Epaphroditus in a way that directs our minds back to Jesus. The work of Christ nearly brought Epaphroditus to death. Jesus became obedient to the point of death.
Jesus’ suffering was a road to glory, for after he was resurrected, “God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, (Php 2:9)
When Ephaphroditus returns to the church, they will receive him joyfully and honor him.
9 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me. (Phil. 2:30)
Service to Christ and his people will require us to follow Jesus in some form of sacrifice. It may not be illness near death or even severe illness like many missionaries experience, but we’ll sacrifice for one another.
We must remember that no amount of suffering and sacrifice now can compare with the glory that awaits every saint in Christ.
16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, (2 Co 4:16–17)
We are called to adopt the mind of Christ, exemplified by Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus. They are faithful models whom we can follow to the degree that they followed Jesus Christ.
Application
- In what ways does your life reflect the mind of Christ?
- How often do you think about the example you’re leaving for your spouse, children, and friends? Can they follow you as you follow Christ?
- Is our church committed to following Jesus in serving, sacrificing, and sending?
Nathaniel R. Martin 