Living by Example Philippians 2:19-30 for As Long As I Can Remember, I’Ve Enjoyed Being Entertained by Celebrity Impersonators
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Living by Example Philippians 2:19-30 For as long as I can remember, I’ve enjoyed being entertained by celebrity impersonators. I’m fascinated by their uncanny ability to imitate the subtleties of the mannerisms, gestures, facial expressions and vocal characteristics of the people they’re imitating. I grew up watching impersonators like Frank Gorshin and Rich Little on the Ed Sullivan Show. In recent years, the late Steve Bridges did a masterful job at impersonating former President George W. Bush. One of the most popular celebrity impersonator’s today is Frank Caliendo. Caliendo can impersonate more than 120 celebrities. Would you find it unsettling if a person were to watch your every move with a view that they might imitate you? The truth is – people are watching us. Whether we’re at home, at church, at work, at school or in the community – people watch us every day. As Christians, you and I are marked people. We’re marked because we profess to be followers of Jesus Christ – and the people who watch us want to see if our walk matches our talk. This should cause us to ask: What kind of influence does my life have on others? Do I treat people with kindness and respect? How do I react when I’m provoked? Am I truthful in the things I say? Does my manner of living draw people to Christ – or am I causing people to turn away from Him? It’s been said that many people will never crack open a Bible and read it – but they will read your life and mine as if it were a Bible. We’re currently in a series on Paul’s letter to the Philippians. In the latter part of chapter 2, Paul talks about the example of two of his devoted friends: Timothy and Epaphroditus. Chances are – your favorite Bible verse isn’t found in our text of the morning, but there are certainly some challenging lessons to be learned. Paul commends Timothy and Epaphroditus for their inspiring example of Christlike character. They exemplified the kind of selfless attitude that Paul called the Philippians to embrace in the opening verses of this 2nd chapter. How can we set an example worth following? We’re going to consider the qualities that endeared Timothy and Epaphroditus to Paul – with a view that others might be inspired by our example. Let’s consider first the example of: 1. Timothy. Beginning at verse 19, Paul writes: I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 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. 2 If you’re not familiar with the New Testament, Paul wrote two letters to this young man named Timothy. What do we know about him? Timothy is mentioned more frequently in Paul’s letters than any other person. In addition to the two letters written to him, his name appears in the opening salutation of six of Paul’s letters. His mother (Eunice) was Jewish and his father was a Gentile. Timothy’s mother (Eunice) and grandmother (Lois) taught him the Scriptures from a very young age – and this had a huge impact in his life. It’s believed that Paul led Timothy to Christ during his first missionary journey – and Timothy, then, became a partner with Paul in his itinerant ministry. Paul referred to Timothy as “my son in the Lord, whom I love…” Let me draw your attention to the phrase in verse 20 where Paul says, “…I have no one else like him..” Paul uses a Greek phrase that literally says that he and Timothy were of the same soul. Paul was saying that he and Timothy were kindred spirits. When Paul sent Timothy on a fact-finding mission, he knew he could trust his read on the situation. Whenever Paul wanted to teach, correct or encourage believers in a church and couldn’t go there himself, he sent Timothy. In doing so, it was like Paul could be two places at once. Why did Paul commend Timothy so highly to the church in Philippi? The first thing we see is that Timothy had: a. A caring heart. Paul says in verse 20 that Timothy took a genuine interest in the welfare of the believers in Philippi. Following on in verse 21, Paul says that most people look out for number one. Earlier in this letter, Paul said that some in the church were preaching the gospel hoping to make a name for themselves and to gain a following - but Timothy’s motive for serving wasn’t to stroke his ego. He was compelled to serve because of his love for Christ and His people. My take on verses 19-24 is that Paul is preparing the church in Philippi to receive Timothy when he sends him for a visit. He wants the church to listen to Timothy as they would listen to him. Remember that the church in Philippi was experiencing conflict. Paul is indirectly telling the church that Timothy is the kind of person they can trust to help them resolve this matter. Timothy wasn’t going to show up with a personal agenda. The purpose of his visit would be to help unify and strengthen the church. He was genuinely interested in their welfare – and ultimately, of course, their witness to the unbelieving world. 3 For us, what does genuine concern for others look like? Sometimes it looks like prayer, sometimes its sharing heartfelt empathy - rejoicing with those who rejoice and weeping with those who weep. Sometimes it’s sharing our resources with those in need. Sometimes its sharing a kind and hopeful word with someone who is discouraged through a telephone call or by sending a card. Back in the old days, we could actually visit people! We’re to do these kinds of things – not to be noticed or to make people think we’re great – but because we care for the needs of others. When I was a new believer, God was gracious to put strong Christians into my life to help disciple me. One of those persons was a fellow named Nick Gebelt. I was working as a chef when I came to Christ. Nick was a busboy in the restaurant I was working in. Nick would intentionally work double shifts, just to take a lunch break with me and teach me the Scriptures and teach me how to pray. Nick invited me into a house fellowship he was a part of on the campus of Michigan State University. Nick helped to get me grounded in God’s Word. Even after he moved back to his home in Seattle, he was kind enough to write letters to me – encouraging me on in the Lord. Nick’s life and witness spurred me on – even when I felt like I was a sorry excuse for a Christian. I’ll forever be grateful that Nick Gebelt took a genuine interest in my spiritual welfare. Timothy cared about the spiritual welfare of the Philippians. We see a second trait that marked his life in verse 22. Timothy had: b. An excellent character. Verse 22: But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. In Paul’s first letter to Timothy, he wrote: Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example. He was saying, “Timothy, establish the authority of your office by your manner of living. Practice what you preach because integrity matters!” Paul said in verse 22 that Timothy served with him as a son with his father. In the ancient world, people learned their trade through apprenticeship. Timothy spent years apprenticing under Paul in the work of gospel. He proved his character over the course of time. Chances are – you’ve never heard of James “Deacon” White. White was among the first professional baseball players. In fact, on May 4, 1871, White had the very first hit, in the first game of professional baseball. It was a double. 4 White was the first catcher to use a mask and the first pitcher to go into a wind- up before pitching the ball. Deacon White played for 20 seasons and became the oldest player inducted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. The inscription on White's plaque in the Hall of Fame, however, doesn't begin with the words “19th century baseball star,” or “premier catcher of his era,’ or “led teams to six championships,” although his plaque says all of those things. The first words on his plaque are “Consummate gentleman.” At a time when professional athletes were considered to be uncouth, hard-drinking, womanizers, James White earned the nickname “Deacon” for his commitment to Christian faith which was evident to everyone who saw him play. In 1878, the Indianapolis Journal reported that an umpire consulted with White about whether the base runner was out. When the opponent complained, the ump declared, “When Deacon White says a thing is so it’s so and that’s the end of it.” In 1886, the Detroit Free Press wrote: “No one ever heard Deacon White curse; no one ever saw him spike an opponent; no one ever saw him throw his bat when he struck out; no one ever heard him argue with an umpire in his 20- year career.