1. PHILIPPIANS FOR TIMES LIKE THESE #13 – Kindred Spirits Philippians 2:19-30

2. HUMBLE SERVANTS IN CHRIST  Paul encourages us to have the attitude of Christ as humble servants.  Paul speaks of himself as “poured out like a drink offering” – a sacrificial life.  Invites Philippians to rejoice as well.  What if Paul wrote a letter about you – what would he say?

3. TIMOTHY: PAUL’S SON IN CHRIST  What was Timothy’s association with the Philippians?  Acts 16:1-12  Paul picked up Timothy just before going to Philippi  Was Timothy’s first missionary journey.

4. WHY SEND TIMOTHY?  He was of kindred spirit with Paul.  2:20– “For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare.”

5. HE HONORED CHRIST’S INTERESTS  2:21 --For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.  Timothy was a “one-of- a-kind” difference from the average Christian of the time.  He truly put Christ first.

6. HE HAD PROVEN HIS WORTH  1 Corinthians 4:17 -- For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church.

7. YET, WHERE WAS PAUL’S HOPE?  Vs. 24 –”…and I trust in the Lord that I myself also will be coming shortly.”  James 4:15 – “Instead, you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.’”

8. EPAPHRODITUS: PAUL’S BROTHER  Words of high praise from Paul  2:25 – “But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your [n]messenger and minister to my need…”

9. HIS INDISPENSABLE SERVICE  Brother – an honored helper in Paul’s imprisonment.  Fellow worker  1 Corinthians 3:9 – “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.”

10. A FELLOW SOLDIER  2 Timothy 2:2-3 -- “The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”  An invitation extended also to Timothy

11. A MESSENGER FROM PHILIPPI  V. 25 – “…who is also your messenger and minister to my need…”

12. DEATHLY SICK BUT SPARED BY GOD  V. 26-27 – “…because he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow.”

13. BRINGER OF REJOICING  v. 28 – “Therefore I have sent him all the more eagerly so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may be less concerned about you.”

14. PEOPLE LIKE THEM  v. 29 – “Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard.”

15. HOW DOES THE CHURCH PERCEIVE YOU?  Are you trustworthy?  An encourager?  A kindred spirit?  A faithful servant?  A fellow soldier?  A joy bringer?  ????????????

16. WHAT IS YOUR TRUE WORTH?  2 Corinthians 13:5 – “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?

17. TAKE HEED!  1 Timothy 4:16 – “Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.”