Sunday, January 30, 2000   

I. READY, READY TO GO ANYWHERE

     A. Verse 19, 25, Here before us are two men willing to go anywhere in the service of the Master. Paul knew this. He knew that there would be no question just prompt obedience. These were men of faith who trusted God as Paul did (verses 17, 24).

          1. These were men who were available. The greatest ability is availability.

          2. The great preacher of days past F. B. Meyer used to say: "I have only one ambition: to be God's errand boy."

     B. As we look at the pages of God's Word, we find example after example of those who went where they were sent:

          1. In Exodus 4:18, we read: "and Moses went..." He went back to Egypt, after forty years in the wilderness to lead God's people.

          2. "And Elijah went...." I Kings 18:2, he went to Ahab the wicked king. As soon as Elijah knew this was God's plan, he went and preached to this wicked ruler.

          3. Concerning the deacon, Philip, who was in great evangelistic meetings in Samaria preaching the Gospel, the scripture says: "And he arose and went...." Philip, under clear direction of the Lord, left the fruitful meetings in Samaria, where many were being saved, to preach Jesus to one man (Acts 8:35).

          4. Moses, Elijah, and Philip were ready. Note the words of this hymn by A. C. Palmer:

               1 Ready to suffer grief or pain, Ready to stand the test; Ready to stay at home and send Others if He sees best.

               2 Ready to go, ready to bear, Ready to watch and pray; Ready to stand aside and give, Till He shall clear the way.

               3 Ready to speak, ready to think, Ready with heart and brain; Ready to stand where He sees fit, Ready to stand the strain.

               CHORUS: Ready to go, ready to stay, Ready my place to fill; Ready for service, lowly or great, Ready to do His will.

II. READY, READY TO HELP ANYONE

     A. Verse 20, Timothy's outlook.

          1. Note the word "naturally." "Who will naturally care for your state."

               a. This was Timothy's reputation. He was known as one who was on the look out to see, where, where, and how to help others.

               b. It should always be natural for a Christian man or woman to be an "others" person because "the fruit of the Spirit is love" (Galatians 5:22).

                    1) Non-Christians at times display the quality to others, but it is like tying apples on a tree. With Christians, the fruit of love is natural for it is the fruit growing out from the tree.

                    2) It is sad to say but some Christians have been blighted by the world, some have become very self-centered, self-seeking, showing little or no care for others. Oh, to be like Timothy.

          2. The Christian is described in Isaiah 61:3 as "trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified."

               a. Far too many Christians have become fruitless trees. We glorify God when we bear fruit (John 15:5, 8).

               b. When we do not bear the fruit of the Spirit, others are not helped.

               c. Child of God it should be natural for you to care for others.

     B. Verse 21, There is a note of sadness in the words: "All seek their own...."

          1. This is far too common in our day. Take care of Number One.

               a. Even when some people do good, it is for the kudos and reputation they gain for themselves (Matthew 6:2).

               b. Too may today:

                    1) "I" is their God.

                    2) "Self" is there Goal.

                    3) "Me, Me, Me" is their slogan. (Note the me 1st attitude in Luke 9:59, 61).

          2. Timothy had what others didn't - commitment.

               a. While others "seek their own", Timothy commits himself to the things of the Lord.

               b. One of the problems with the church today is a lack of what Timothy had - commitment!

                    1) Worldly activities fill the calendar and the work of the Lord suffers.

                    2) Few want to commit to the work of the Lord. "For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's."

                    3. In II Samuel 19:36, we read about Barzilla, king David's servant who said: "Thy servant will go a little way." Barzilla was only willing to go a little way for the king. How sad!

               a. How far are you willing to go for your King Jesus? He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

               b. Are you willing to put Jesus first in living, giving, and loving?

               c. How far did Jesus go? He went all the way to the cross.

     C. Verse 22, I like that word proof. Here is a man who can be counted on. He's dependable, dedicated, and true, as a son to his father.

          1. Timothy was dedicated to the propagation of the Gospel.

          2. There is one hope for the sinner - The Gospel. Be a Timothy, committed to getting the Gospel out.

     D. Verse 23, Because of Timothy's dedication, because of his eagerness to get the Gospel out, Paul was glad to send him out on Gospel errands. First, he sent him to Philippi; and then to Ephesus to take up the oversight of the church there (I Timothy 1:2-3).

     E. Verse 24, Paul's eye is on the Savior; not Nero.

     F. Verse 25, We now come to Epaphroditus, Paul's faithful minister. The church at Philippi had sent Epaphroditus to be Paul's helper. Now Epaphroditus is about to go back home, and Paul gives a testimonial concerning the work of this godly man.

          1. Paul uses three carefully selected words to commend Epaphroditus.

               a. "My brother" they were united together in the faith, members of the same spiritual family, saved by grace. You are not a spiritual brother if you are not saved by grace. This is a term of affection.

               b. "Companion in labor"-- These men had a common goal, a common interest, a common work: getting the Gospel of the death, burial, and resurrection out to the world.

                    1) Paul was the spokesman; Epaphroditus was the servant to the spokesman.

                    2) Thank the Lord for those who teach, visit, print, run the TV equipment, make cassettes tapes, etc. You labor with us.

               c. "Fellow soldier"-- These men were united in faith, in work, and in the battle and danger.

                    1) "A worker needs to be a warrior, for in the work of the gospel one encounters many foes..." (Hendriksen 139).

                    2) All good soldiers give unquestioning obedience to the captain and fight hard against the enemy (II Timothy 2:3-4; 4:7-8).

          2. "Your messenger" means that Epaphroditus was sent out by the church at Philippi to minister to Paul's wants.

               a. He brought a gift and was a gift to Paul.

               b. He did his ministry well, and he was a good soldier as verse 30 reveals.

     G. Verse 26, He had been sick and was homesick.

          1. His love for the church at Philippi, the church that sent him, was overwhelming.

          2. He loves the church and longs to see those anxious about his health.

     H. Verse 27, He had been sick unto death. Verse 30 tells us of his selfless ministry that brought on exhaustion. How sad that many can't even get out of bed in time to be at church by 11:00am.

          1. "God had mercy on him." His recovery was a token of God's mercy.

          2. Paul was spared the sorrow of losing a friend and his fellowship.

          3. Epaphroditus reminds me of Henry Martin who said before going to the mission field: "I go to burn out for God." Oh, for that attitude today.

     I. Verse 28, When Paul saw that Epaphroditus was well enough to travel, he would send him home. There would be a happy reunion; this thrilled Paul.

III. READY TO GIVE ALL

     A. Verse 29, Epaphroditus deserved a warm and joyful welcome because of his willingness to give all.

          1. He was a faithful man and a faithful minister.

          2. He was to be held in high regard.

     B. Verse 30, Both Timothy and Epaphroditus were willing to give it all for Jesus.

          1. In verse 22, Timothy worked to the point of exhaustion to get the Gospel out. He and Paul braved hardship and peril so others could hear about Jesus who is mighty to save.

          2. Epaphroditus actually did hazard his life.

               a. "Not regarding his life" means to stake everything on the turn of the dice. For the cause of Christ he gambled his life.

               b. He ministered on behalf of the church at Philippi. All of the church could not go to Rome, but the could send Epaphroditus.

fCONCLUSION: Are you ready? Ready to go, Ready to stay, Ready to do His will.