Jesus Our Joy

Philippians 2:19-30

Joy in the

Service of Christ

Psalm 138:1-5,7-8* Tune: Before the Throne 1/3

1 I’ll praise you, LORD, with all my heart;

Before the gods I’ll sing your praise.2 I’ll bow towards your holy place

And bless your holy name always. I’ll praise you for your faithfulnessAnd for your cov’nant love, O LORD,For over all things you have raisedYour holy name and faithful word. Your holy name and faithful word.

Psalm 138:1-5,7-8* Tune: Before the Throne 2/3

3 The very day I called to you,You gave an answer to my plea.You made me bold within myself;With new resolve you strengthened me.

  4 O LORD, let all earth’s kings give praise,

When from your mouth they hear your word.5 Let them extol the ways of God,

For great’s the glory of the LORD. For great’s the glory of the LORD.

Psalm 138:1-5,7-8* Tune: Before the Throne 3/3

7 Although I walk a troubled path,Your tender care preserves my life.You raise your hand against my

foes;Your right hand saves me from

their strife.  8 The LORD will certainly fulfil

For me the purpose he commands.Your love endures for ever, LORD;Preserve the works of your own

hands. Preserve the works of your own

hands.

Children’s Talk & Prayer

A Church for Sleepy-heads?

A sleepover!

To help kids get used to camp!

To have fun and learn together

To wake up to worship God!

Psalm 67:1-7* (p. 84)

1 God be merciful and bless us;shine upon us with your

face,2 That the earth may know your actions

and all lands your saving grace.

Psalm 67:1-7* (2/4)

3 O God, may the peoples praise you;

may all peoples sing your praise.4 For you judge the nations justly,

ruling over every race.

Psalm 67:1-7* (3/4)

May they sing with joy and gladness;

may they all rejoice as one.5 O God, may the peoples praise you

as they all unite in song.

Psalm 67:1-7* (4/4)

6 Then the land will yield its harvest;

God will pour his gifts abroad.7 God, our God, will surely bless us;

all the earth will fear our God.

Scripture ReadingPhilippians 2:19-30

Prayers of Intercession

Philippians 2:19-30

19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to

you soon, that I also may be cheered when I

receive news about you. 20 I have no one else

like him, who takes a genuine interest in your

welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for his own

interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 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.

Philippians 2:19-30

  23 I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24 And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon. 25 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26 For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill.

Philippians 2:19-30

27 Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. 29 Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honour men like him, 30 because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.

Psalm 103:8-13 (p. 369)

8 The LORD our God is merciful,

and he is gräcious,Long-suffering, and slow

to wrath,in mercy plenteous.

Psalm 103:8-13 (2/5)9 He will not chide continually,

nor keep his anger still.10 With us he dealt not as we

sinned,nor did requite our ill.

Psalm 103:8-13 (3/5)11 For as the heaven in its height

the earth surmounteth far;

So great to those that do him fear

his tender mercies are:

Psalm 103:8-13 (4/5)12 As far as east is distant from

the west, so far hath he

From us removèd, in his love,

all our iniquity.

Psalm 103:8-13 (5/5)13 Such pity as a father hath

unto his children dear;Like pity shows the LORD

to such as worship him in fear.

Jesus Our Joy

Philippians 2:19-30

Joy in the

Service of Christ

Philippians 2 – tracing the majestic and humble MIND

of Christ in the Church At first sight the end of the

chapter seems a real contrast to the exalted beginning.

No contrast! First the MODEL (Jesus)

Then those who are ‘MODEL’ Christians, Timothy and Epaphroditus!

James Philip quote: “There is no such thing as

‘disembodied consecration,’ it has to express itself in visible, practical ways in the lives we live. Is consecration just a doctrine to you, a concept, a theory; or does it have a body – your body?”

(From a Bible Reading at Portstewart Convention, Northern Ireland,1981)

1 – Work it Out!

We saw: That Jesus humbled himself and gave us a pattern.

Alec Motyer: “Whatever he found in himself to be expendable, He spent”

Paul’s challenge: copy Christ!

1 – Work it Out!

Work it OUT because He works it IN!

12 …as you have always obeyed— not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence— continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

“Work it Out” Means?

Be as EVANGELISTIC as Christ! Be as SELF-SACRIFICING as

Christ! Be as OBEDIENT TO THE

GOSPEL as Christ! If this does not intimidate you –

you have NOT understood it!!!

What “Work it Out” Does NOT Mean!

NOT working FOR our Salvation!

Working because God is working.

Working alongside others like Paul.

“Work it Out” = Join the Gospel Workout!

Relying of God’s Holy Sprit to work.

No desire? I can’t do it? How do you know? Have you asked God,

and relied on his Spirit?

What If We Avoid the Gospel Workout?

Paul has warned us not to waste energy on complaints and arguing.

If we do not live for Christ we will lack joy and power.

Paul Blackham: “Complaining is the fast-track to a wasted life.”

What if we avoid the Gospel Workout?

Have we ‘lost the plot?’ We have - if we have lost

the gospel workout. We are called to SHINE like

stars in the blackness of night. But How?

By holding onto (and holding out) the WORD of life (v. 16).

“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” Daniel 12:3

‘Work it out’ Means Shining!

‘Work it out’ Means Sacrifice! Philippians 2:17 – “I am being poured out like

a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith…”

Compare with Exodus 29:38-43 "This is what you are to offer on the altar

regularly each day: two lambs a year old. 39 Offer one in the morning and the other at twilight. 40 With the first lamb offer…fine flour mixed with… oil from pressed olives, and… wine as a drink offering…..

‘Work it out’ means sacrifice

Exodus 29 (continued) 41 Sacrifice the other lamb at twilight with the same grain offering and its drink offering as in the morning--a pleasing aroma, an offering made to the LORD by fire… There I will meet you and speak to you; 43 there also I will meet with the Israelites, and the place will be consecrated by my glory.

‘Work it out’ means sacrifice Sacrifice means GRATITUDE. Thank you Lord for MEETING us! Lord, help me to hold out the Gospel

from Morning to Twilight as my thank-offering to you.

2 - Work it Out Like Timothy!Verses 19-24 (1 – Work it Out!)

Imagine meeting Paul.He could ask us,

“How are you doing in the gospel workout?”

How would we answer?“Oh - Not bad Paul, I’ve never had a parking ticket or run a red light.”

2 - Work it Out Like Timothy!Verses 19-24 (1 – Work it Out!)

“Not bad Paul, I never steal paper-clips from the office”

Consider the contrast: Paul says he has NO ONE else like Timothy. He is working for the gospel all the time.

2 - Work it Out Like Timothy!Verses 19-24 (1 – Work it Out!)

“19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 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.”

2 - Work it Out Like Timothy!Verses 19-24 (1 – Work it Out!)

“For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.”

What are Christ’s interests in our family, workplace, and community?

Selfish in our Church?

2 - Work it Out Like Timothy!Verses 19-24 (1 – Work it Out!)

What is Jesus interested in doing in history right now?

Is that what we are involved in?

3 - Work it Out Like Epaphroditus! 1 – Work it Out! 2 - Work it Out Like Timothy!

What a name to die for! Vs 25-30

“I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier… whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26 For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow.”

3 - Work it Out Like Epaphroditus! 1 – Work it Out! 2 - Work it Out Like Timothy!

Epaphroditus was from Philippi.

Brought gifts to Paul (4:16) and greatly helped him.

But he has to go home (carrying the letter). Why?

“Indeed he was ill, and almost died.”

He now misses the Philippians.

3 - Work it Out Like Epaphroditus! 1 – Work it Out! 2 - Work it Out Like Timothy!

Why was Epaphroditus at death’s door? FOR THE GOSPEL!

“Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honour men like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.” (29-30)

3 - Work it Out Like Epaphroditus! 1 – Work it Out! 2 - Work it Out Like Timothy!

Epaphroditus was so involved he neglected his own health and welfare.

Where does Paul rebuke him for this “bad witness”?

Was this not extreme zeal?

3 - Work it Out Like Epaphroditus! 1 – Work it Out! 2 - Work it Out Like Timothy!

Just like Jesus, “Whatever (Epaphroditus) found in himself to be expendable, He spent”

Epaphroditus may make you worry, but love him and honour him!

3 - Work it Out Like Epaphroditus! 1 – Work it Out! 2 - Work it Out Like Timothy!

There was a 19th century Epaphroditus in the City of Dundee.

Robert Murray McCheyne

He died aged 29, killed by his passion for the gospel.

3 - Work it Out Like Epaphroditus! 1 – Work it Out! 2 - Work it Out Like Timothy!

McCheyne: “Our Church must not only be Evangelical but Evangelistic as well, if she would expect the blessing of God. She must not only have the light, but also dispense the light if she is to be a faithful steward of God.” (‘Our Duty to Israel’, 1839)

St Peter’s Dundee

3 - Work it Out Like Epaphroditus! 1 – Work it Out! 2 - Work it Out Like Timothy!

Look at McCheyne’s sermons. They are either “the gospel” or stirring up the Church to share the gospel. How we need to recover this passion.Do not conclude such Christians lack balance or need to “chill out.”The Church needs to awake!

St Peter’s Dundee

3 - Work it Out Like Epaphroditus! 1 – Work it Out! 2 - Work it Out Like Timothy!

The interests of Christ came first for Paul, Timothy, & Epaphroditus.

Rico Tice: “Much better to burn out than to rust out for Christ.” Rico Tice

Back to the James Philip quote:

“There is no such thing as ‘disembodied consecration,’ it has to express itself in visible, practical ways in the lives we live. Is consecration just a doctrine to you, a concept, a theory; or does it have a body – your body?”

3 - Work it Out Like Epaphroditus! 1 – Work it Out! 2 - Work it Out Like Timothy!

May Christ deliver us from a pointless or a fruitless life

May He help us to bring glory to God as we care more and more about the “interests of Christ.”

Psalm 147:1-7* (p. 192)

1 O praise the LORD! How good it is

to sing him songs of praise!

How pleasant to give thanks to him

for all his gracious ways!

Psalm 147:1-7* 2/5

2 The LORD builds up Jerusalem;

and he it is aloneWho reaches out to Israèl

to bring the exiles home.

Psalm 147:1-7* 3/5

3 He heals his people’s broken hearts,

restores the bruised and the lame.4 He sets the number of the stars

and calls them each by name.

Psalm 147:1-7* 4/5

5 Great is our Lord and great in power;

his wisdom is profound.6 The LORD sustains the meek, but casts

the wicked to the ground.

Psalm 147:1-7* 5/5

7 Sing to the LORD with thankfulness;

with joy his praise proclaim;

And with the music of the harpgive glory to his name.

Please join us in the hall for tea

and coffee

God Calls Us to delight in Christ

and to ShareHis Hope.