Text:
Philippians 2:17-24 (HCSB)
17 But even if I am poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.
18 In the same way you should also be glad and rejoice with me.
19 Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon so that I also may be encouraged when I hear news about you.
20 For I have no one else like-minded who will genuinely care about your interests;
21 all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.
22 But you know his proven character, because he has served with me in the gospel ministry like a son with a father.
23 Therefore, I hope to send him as soon as I see how things go with me.
24 I am convinced in the Lord that I myself will also come quickly.
Observation:
Today the phrase that is resonating with me is “poured out”. As I read the concluding verses of chapter two; our focal passage, and the remainder of this chapter I am encouraged by the example of the three men mentioned.
Notice what Paul says about himself in verse seventeen. What he said about himself he could also say about Timothy in verse twenty. Then he said this about Epaphroditus.
Philippians 2:25 (KJV)
25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellow soldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.
Philippians 2:28-30 (HCSB)
28 For this reason, I am very eager to send him so that you may rejoice when you see him again and I may be less anxious.
29 Therefore, welcome him in the Lord with all joy and hold men like him in honor,
30 because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up what was lacking in your ministry to me.
These three men were willing to give themselves in the sacrificial service of others. What is your attitude about serving others? Are you willing to be a servant? It’s the Jesus way.
Philippians 2:3-4 (HCSB)
3 Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.
4 Everyone should look out not ?only? for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for pouring into our hearts Your love that enables us to be Your servant. Father, help us by the enabling power of the Holy Spirit to pour out our hearts in loving and sacrificial service to others for the glory of Your name. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
—
Isaiah 55:11 (KJV)
11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
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