Christian Humility Philippians 2:1230 Message 4 on our series in Philippians

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Christian HumilityPhilippians 212-30Message 4
on our series in Philippians

• Sunday, March 2, 2008
• Speaker Doug Virgint

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Philippians 212 - 30 Examples of humble
servants!
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6 points this morning

• 1. The context
• 2. The exhortation (12 - 16)
• 3. 1st example of humility - Paul (17-18)
• 4. 2nd example of humility - Timothy (19 - 24)
• 5. 3rd example of humility - Epaphroditus (25
  -29)
• 6. Conclusion and application

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6 points this morning

• 1. The context
• 2. The exhortation (12 - 16)
• 3. 1st example of humility Paul (17-18)
• 4. 2nd example of humility - Timothy (19 - 24)
• 3rd example of humility - Epaphroditus (25 -29)
• Conclusion and application

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1. The context

• The context of this passage within the book of
  Philippians
• Paul is in prison in Rome (towards end of his 1st
  imprisonment, which lasted 2 years)
• He is chained to a Roman soldier
• Paul is unable to work to support himself
• There is no cafeteria or laundry in that prison
  Paul must count on someone from the outside to
  minister to him

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1. The context

• The church at Philippi had sent a gift to Paul by
  the hands of Epaphroditus
• Epaphroditus remains in Rome to minister to
  Pauls needs. That would include food
  preparation, washing his clothing
• The long trip, the stress and harsh conditions
  had contributed to serious health problems for
  Epaphroditus

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1. The context

• Epaphroditus has told Paul about problems at
  Philippi pride has generated conflict
• In this letter Paul deals with the problem
• having the same love, being one in spirit and
  purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or
  vain conceit, but in humility consider others
  better than yourselves
• Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain
  conceit, but in humility consider others better
  than yourselves. (Phil 21-2)

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1. The context

• I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to
  agree with each other in the Lord. Yes, and I
  ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who
  have contended at my side in the cause of the
  gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my
  fellow workers, whose names are in the book of
  life.   (Phil 42-4)

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1. The context

• The church at Philippi had learned of
  Epaphroditus ill health and was very concerned
• Rome and Philippi were at least 1200 kilometres
  apart much further by the difficult sea route

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1. The context

• In our passage this morning, Paul is applying the
  truth and example of Christs humility to
• the personal lives
• the collective lives
• of Gods people in the church at Philippi

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6 points this morning

• 1. The context
• 2. The exhortation (12 - 16)
• 3. 1st example of humility Paul (17-18)
• 4. 2nd example of humility - Timothy (19 - 24)
• 3rd example of humility - Epaphroditus (25 -29)
• Conclusion and application

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2. The exhortation (12-16)

• A) Work out your salvation
• (translate what you know into action)
• The life that pleases God is the life that
  conforms to the salvation that God gave us and
  that salvation depended on the humility of
  Christ. That life will seek not its own good, but
  the good of others.

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2. The exhortation (12-16)

• A) Work out your salvation
• (translate what you know into action)
• a) a changed conduct
• obedience
• in the fear of the Lord
• God is working in us

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2. The exhortation (12-16)

• b) a changed character
• stop complaining and questioning
• complaining - an outward expression of inner
  rebellion that shakes the fist in the face of God
  and repudiates His right to rule, that questions
  his love and wisdom.
• questioning - an inward intellectual rebellion,
  where the mind weighs the truth of God, sits in
  judgment on it and condemns it.

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2. The exhortation (12-16)

• b) a changed character
• blameless and pure - without fault
• blameless - others perceptions (without defect
  or blemish)
• pure - inward reality (not mixed used of wine
  or precious metals in jewelry)
• without fault general reputation (above
  reproach)
• See contrast with Israel Deut 325

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6 points this morning

• 1. The context
• 2. The exhortation (12 - 16)
• 3. 1st example of humility Paul (17-18)
• 4. 2nd example of humility - Timothy (19 - 24)
• 3rd example of humility - Epaphroditus (25 -29)
• Conclusion and application

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3. 1st example - Paul (17-18)

• A) Paul compares his service to a simple libation
  poured on the greater sacrifice that is the
  service of the Philippian Christians.
• B) Paul presents Timothy as a competent servant
  who is fully capable of doing the Lords work at
  Philippi.
• C) Paul sends Timothy to Philippi despite his
  own loneliness and needs.

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3. 1st example - Paul (17-18)

• D) Paul returns Epaphroditus to Philippi, again
  despite his own needs.
• E) Paul qualifies the service of Epaphroditus by
  using the highest possible language in the New
  Testament.
• Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto
  death, not regarding his life, to supply your
  lack of service toward me.
• (Phil 230 KJK)
• NOT doulos, not diakonos, but leitourgos

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6 points this morning

• 1. The context
• 2. The exhortation (12 - 16)
• 3. 1st example of humility Paul (17-18)
• 4. 2nd example of humility - Timothy (19 - 24)
• 3rd example of humility - Epaphroditus (25 -29)
• Conclusion and application

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4. 2nd example - Timothy (19-24)

• Timothy is
• A) similar (a kindred spirit - isopsuchos)
• B) sympathetic (concerned for others)
• C) single-minded (seek welfare of others)
• D) seasoned (long term proof in service)
• E) submissive (he could follow douleuo)
• F) sacrificial (puts others ahead of himself)
• G) serviceable (available to go)

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6 points this morning

• 1. The context
• 2. The exhortation (12 - 16)
• 3. 1st example of humility Paul (17-18)
• 4. 2nd example of humility - Timothy (19 - 24)
• 3rd example of humility - Epaphroditus (25 -29)
• Conclusion and application

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5. 3rd example - Epaphroditus (25-30)

• Epaphroditus titles
• A) brother
• B) companion in labour
• C) fellow soldier
• D) messenger
• E) minister

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5. 3rd example - Epaphroditus (25-30)

• Epaphroditus character
• A) More concerned about worrying the Philippian
  Christians than he was about his sickness.
• B) He risked his life for others
• (play on words gambler)

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6 points this morning

• 1. The context
• 2. The exhortation (12 - 16)
• 3. 1st example of humility Paul (17-18)
• 4. 2nd example of humility - Timothy (19 - 24)
• 3rd example of humility - Epaphroditus (25 -29)
• Conclusion and application

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6. Conclusion

• Is my life characterised by service to others?
• Is it difficult for me to play second fiddle?
• Is it difficult for me to follow, to identify
  with others goals?
• Is it difficult for me to be submitted?
• Am I always right?
• Is my life characterised by conflict with others?

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6. Conclusion

• Do I rejoice when others succeed when others
  are as good or better than I am?
• Do I systematically promote my co-workers
  qualities and competencies?
• Am I more concerned about others than myself?
• Do I take risks for others?
• Do I regard the service of others as more
  important than my own service?

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6. Conclusion

• May I make you a promise?
• If we place these questions before the Lord, and
  work them out in our every day living, he will
  change our lives.
• And He will change the lives of our homes and our
  families and our work place and our local Church.

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Philippians 2 12 - 30 Examples of
humble servants!