Click here to download in pdf format.
Sermon Notes of Rev.Dr.I.J.W.Oakley (30-6-1991 Cleland Baptist Church)
So far in this epistle, Paul has dealt with high and
lofty themes – God’s work in us, the person of Christ, providential ordering
of life, life and death for the Christian, defending the Gospel, various aspects
of Christian character, and things we ought to pray for. Now suddenly there is a
break, and Paul deals with personal affairs – Paul and his friends, illness,
homesickness, sorrow, closeness to death, visiting.
These things remind us that we
do not live in a monastery – the Christian life is to be lived out in the ups
and downs of daily life. Yet whatever happens to us, it is to be looked at from
a Christian perspective, and faced with Christian resources. E.g. Paul’s plan
to send Timothy to Philippi, and then go himself, but all these plans made “in
the Lord Jesus” and “in the Lord”. All of Paul’s life, whether he was in
prison, taking a ship for a journey, writing a letter, was subject to the
Lord’s will and purposes. It was Christ who controlled his life. He did not,
neither did evil men, nor emperors. Everything was in the Lord’s hands.
Of special interest in this part
of the letter is that we meet two of Paul’s companions, Timothy and
Epaphroditus. Timothy was Paul’s right hand man. He had accompanied Paul, been
his fellow worker, joined him as author of five epistles (2 Corinthians 1:1;
Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:1; 1 & 2 Thessalonians 1:1). He receives 24
mentions in Paul’s letters, and 2 letters are addressed to him. When Paul was
near to death, he handed his work over to Timothy. He was Paul’s spiritual
son, servant, and then substitute.
We are going to consider our own Christian service through what we learn of Timothy. The preparation that must be made, the character that must be displayed, and the resources that must be enjoyed.
We are not sure when Timothy was converted, but it was
probably during Paul’s first missionary journey (Acts 14:6ff; 16:1). Paul
speaks of him as his spiritual son (1 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Timothy 1:2, 18; 2
Timothy 1:2; 2:1). He had enormous advantages for Christian work. He came from a
Christian home, his father was Greek (we do not know if he was a believer), and
his mother Eunice and grandmother Lois were certainly believers. They had an
enormous effect of Timothy. Their encouragement and instruction was great. He
would look back in his latter years and thank God for his home life.
Having a Christian home
background, it must be made clear, is not essential for Christian service. Many
excellent servants of Christ came from non-Christian homes. The hostility they
faced within the home forced them to deepen their relationship with God. And the
reverse is true – that many from Christian homes have turned out to be great
disappointments. Yet for many others, a Christian upbringing is something they
have valued all their life, c.f. Timothy, Augustine, Wesley, Spurgeon.
It is important, if we are
parents, to realize how great our influence is over our children in their
earliest days. Do we set a good example? Do we teach them the things of God? Do
we influence them for good? Will our children have cause to thank us one day for
their early life?
Timothy also received
instruction from Scriptures from his earliest days. From childhood you have
known the holy scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through
faith which is in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 3:15). A wonderful foundation of
Bible stories, Bible truth and Bible teaching can be laid in a child from the
earliest years. It is never possible to know your Bible too well.
Also we know that Timothy proved
himself as suitable for Christian service. On the second missionary journey,
Paul met up with Timothy, and found he was well spoken of by the brethren (Acts
16:2). Soon afterwards Paul took him on his staff, and he joined the team.
Sometimes we can see promise and rush people into leadership before they are
mature and ready. The advice given to Timothy for appointing overseers in 1
Timothy 3:1ff is worthy of note here. Among other things, he must have a good
reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the
devil’s trap.
So there are some things here to consider when a man claims to be called into the ministry – is he well spoken of by the brethren? Is he teachable? A good son? A conscientious worker? Does he attend the prayer meeting? Does he have experience of life? Is he dependable in his present duties within the church? Timothy was prepared through his Christian home life, his instruction in the scripture, and he was well spoken of and commended.
An outstanding feature of
Timothy’s character was his faithfulness, reliability and commitment. It is
sad that Paul has to admit, I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine
interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not
those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself (Philippians
2:20-22).
There is plenty of evidence that
the New Testament church was far from perfect, hence Paul’s warnings and
complaints. Here is more clear evidence. There were hundred of members in the
church at Rome, where Paul was at this time. There are 26 listed in Romans 16
alone. Paul speaks of the brothers who were with him, including those in
Caesar’s household (Philippians 4:21). And yet he could send only Timothy to
Philippi. The others could not be relied upon. They could only do so much, were
only prepared to go so far. But selfishness, idleness, concern for own comfort,
put a limit on their commitment to service.
This is a disturbing feature of
life in the church at the moment. Ministers in the past were ready to spend and
be spent. Nowadays, many cling to their rights, and place limits on how they
will serve their church members. And then they so often are heart-broken because
of the lack of zeal and commitment in their church members! Some can stand
opposition and cold hostility from outside, but they a heart-broken by lack of
loyalty and support and enthusiasm within the church. It is more than many can
bear.
Here Paul finds only Timothy who
shares his genuine interest in the church at Philippi. It was not easy for
Timothy. We know he was a young man, and he was not robust (1 Timothy 4:12;
5:23). He was shy, reserved and timid (1 Corinthians 16:10; 2 Timothy 1:7). Yet
Paul could send him anywhere to do anything. No wonder he was described as
faithful (1 Corinthians 4:17). He was utterly reliable, dependable and
committed. His name means “honouring God” – and he lived up to it.
Which one is you – Philippians 1:21 “For me to live is Christ”, or Philippians 2:21 “everyone looks out for his own interests”?
Going to end on a positive and
encouraging note. Service for God is hard, dangerous, lonely, difficult, and at
times heart breaking. But there are resources at hand to help. God did not
give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of
self-discipline (sound mind A.V.) (2 Timothy 1:7). Someone once
summed this up, as the Christian life is a “PLUS” life – Power, Love,
Sound mind, with “U” in the middle.
How easy to forget what God has
given us in His Holy Spirit, and what He is doing in us day by day. How easy to
be overwhelmed. God says, remember you are no ordinary person. I have put the
Holy Spirit in you. You may be weak and timid and fearful in yourself, but think
of the difference the Holy Spirit makes in your life.
God grants to us power. Power to
rise to our responsibilities. Power to endure and keep going, to hold on and
hold out. C.f. martyrs down the centuries – weak men and women, but made
strong because they were controlled by divine power.
God grants to us love. One of
the great cures for life’s problems is to be absorbed with someone else. If we
are taken up by God and concerns for others, we forget our own troubles.
God grants us sound mind (self
discipline N.I.V.). Self mastery and self control only comes when God himself
indwells us. With the Holy Spirit prompting us and guiding us, our acts and our
speech are different from those of unbelievers.
Thus God makes us adequate for service. We are not living on our own. We do not face life like ordinary people. We are equipped by God’s grace. We need to remind ourselves of what we possess, and possess our possessions. Then the future will not grip us with fear or bring us low. He adequately equips us. We can go forth steadily, fearing nothing, equipped for every good word and work.
Timothy teaches us many lessons about Christian service. He was prepared by a good home, the word of God, and the commendation of others. He was utterly faithful in character, concerned for the things of Christ rather than self. His resources were abundant – by the Holy Spirit he overcame his timidity, and he served with power, love and sound mind.
