Philippians 2:19-30
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.
25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, 26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.
Sermon Quotes and References:
Those who follow Jesus Christ inevitably learn to cast aside self-interest & self-comfort & self-focus so that they can help others.
They are never the sorts who strut their way into leadership with inflated estimates of their own importance. They are the kind who cheerfully pick up after other people. They are not offended if no one asks after them. They’re too busy asking after other people. If no one greets them at the door, they’re never sulking because they’re too busy greeting others.
They are the kind who are constantly seeking to do good spiritually, to do good materially, and to do good emotionally. They are committed to the well-being of others. Watch them. Watch how they interact with people. Talk with them. Learn their heartbeat. Imitate them. Emulate those who are interested in the well-being of others, not their own. – DA Carson, “Emulate Worthy Christian Leaders