Servants of Christ Philippians 2:19-30

“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. 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. I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon. 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. For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 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. 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. Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor 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.

Paul’s Observations # 1. Timothy had a heart for people and served with all his strength. #. 2. Epaphroditus had a heart of gold and served unceasingly, not wanting anyone to worry about his welfare.

The Question? What makes a Servant? Is it their heart? or Is it their work?

What makes a Servant? “To Timothy, my dear son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord … I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” (II Tim. 1) “… Timothy … takes a genuine interest in your welfare.” (Phil.2:19-20)

Let’s Talk Does a good heart mean good service? Does good service mean a good heart? Heart Service

What makes someone Serve? Value- Seeing a significance or value in service. Luke 7:47Luke 7:47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little." Obligation – Seeing responsibility as yours. Colossians 3:24 Since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Love – the heart Relationship – an expression being linked and feeling of care. John 12:26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, my servant also will be. Opportunity – there is a need. Rom. 12:6-7 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us … If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;

Seven Reasons we fail: # 1. Flawed Strategy. # 2. Underestimating the Challenge. # 3. Lack of Governance. # 4. Refusal to Adapt. # 5. Failure to Plan. # 6. Poor Leadership. # 7. Gaps in Communication.

What makes a servant? It is interesting that servants aren’t born servants – they become servants. In our society people seek to nurture the inner life of people to get them to become great. The scripture teaches we need to have a new birth – to be given something we don’t have. A lot of parents and Christians seek to draw out the good in their kids or friends in stead of asking God to put the good inside and then teach how to allow God to work that good into life. Spending time with someone who is a servant isn’t enough. Servanthood must be desired and taught.

Second-Generation Fallout by Charles R. Swindoll 2 Kings A curious phenomenon has plagued families for as long as there have been families. It's that age-old problem of second-generation fallout that breaks the hearts of godly moms and dads. The scenario goes something like this. A man and woman fall in love and get married. They also love Christ and desire to serve Him with all their hearts. As their children come along, they teach and train and pray that God will get hold of their little lives and use them for His glory. But what about the now-grown kids? Ah, there's the rub. Somewhere along the way God got pushed way down on their list of priorities. Disciplines like prayer, church attendance, tithing, serving, and serious Bible study got lost in the shuffle. I recently stumbled upon one of those father-son stories that still speaks volumes. The dad was Hezekiah, a king who took the throne when he was twenty-five and reigned until he was fifty-four. All the while, his heart remained warm toward his God, and God prospered him. What a man! When Hezekiah was forty- two, he and his wife, Hephzibah, had a son, Manasseh. But you'd never know he came from Hezekiah stock. According to the inspired historian's account, he seduced the people of Judah "to do evil more than the nations whom the LORD destroyed" (2 Kings 21:9). What went wrong? Why didn't Hezekiah's righteousness and passion pass to his son? I believe there are at least three reasons: First, Manasseh had a will of his own as we all do and with that will he stubbornly and deliberately refused to respond to the Lord (2 Chron. 33:10). Second, he was weak-willed and overly influenced by ungodly and wicked associations (2 Kings 21:3, 6). And third, he was neglected by his preoccupied, busy father. The king was at the zenith of his reign when Manasseh was born, and there is every indication that the prince saw little of his father during the formative years of his life. Hezekiah simply never took the time. Sound familiar at all? While you still have your children under your roof, take time to talk together, to play together, to relax together... just to be together.

Our Prayer Lord I first need a good heart. Only You can give me a good heart. Only You can take my stony heart and give me a heart after the heart of God. Lord I need to learn to serve. Give me eyes, ears, hands and feet that are swift to follow and to share. In Jesus Name Amen.