2022.05.29 - Remembering Their Service

Text: Philippians 2:19-30 Opening Statement: This is Memorial Day weekend a time to stop and to think about those who made the ultimate sacrifice. It is fitting today that we come to the passage of Scripture that talks about some servants who made the ultimate sacrifice for the Lord. As we reflect on the service of those to our country it is fitting that we look at those who give service to the Lord. Let’s remember their service together today. If we crave a servant’s heart and endure a servant’s hardships, we will receive a servant’s honor. I) A Look at a Servant’s Heart Paul, Timothy and Epaphroditus illustrate men who had servant’s hearts, as seen in two dimensions: A) A Heart Centered on the Things of Christ Every servant of Jesus Christ does what he does, whether giving or helping or speaking, as an offering to the Lord Jesus. A servant’s heart is centered on the Lord Jesus Christ and His work. Three attitudes mark servants who are focused on the Lord Jesus Christ: 1) They are Willing to be Sent Anywhere Have you told the Lord, “I’m willing to go anywhere You want me to go”? We should always remember that “God is a loving Father who knows what is best for us and won’t send us somewhere we don’t want to be.” 2) They are Willing to Serve Anyone A servant of Christ isn’t out to make a name for himself by speaking to large crowds only. He’s available to his Lord to serve anyone the Lord directs him to serve. 3) They are Willing to Sacrifice Anything Have you told the Lord, “I’ll give up everything--my desires, my ambitions, my comforts, my time, my money--to serve You”? B) A heart that Puts Others Ahead of Himself There are at least three ways you can tell if you’re putting others ahead of yourself: 1) You will have heartfelt love These verses are oozing with Paul’s heartfelt love for Timothy, Epaphroditus, and for the Philippians. Paul wasn’t afraid to be human and to express his deep feelings for others. 2) You will show genuine concern Let it be said of us that we are not in it for our glory but for the