Today’s Bottom line: Follow the Example, Be the Example as You Worship the Example, no matter what.

Intro

Your Trial Will Become Your Triumph by Nicky Gumbel 

‘Houston, we’ve had a problem,’ were the words of Jim Lovell on the evening of 13 April 1970. Nearly fifty-six hours into the mission to the moon, an explosion aboard the spacecraft plunged the crew into a fight for their survival. Within less than a minute there was a cascade of systems failures throughout the spacecraft. ‘It was all at one time – a monstrous failure,’ said NASA’s flight controller.

The spacecraft looped around the moon, using its gravity to return to earth. Millions of people followed the drama on television. Eventually, the capsule splashed down in the Pacific Ocean near Tonga.

In an article headed ‘Apollo 13: From Disaster to Triumph’ the BBC science reporter wrote, ‘Although the mission was not a success from a conventional perspective, it was a triumph of ingenuity and determination.’ 

Jim Lovell said it showed the people of the world that even if there was a great catastrophe, it could be turned into a success.

The supreme example of triumph coming out of apparent catastrophe is the cross. What seemed to the world to be the ultimate defeat was in fact the ultimate triumph.

As we transition towards what’s next, knowing that God can leverage evil for good, why would we care about anyone else? Shouldn’t we just go into survival mode and get things back in order at all costs and forget everyone else?

Paul shows us in this letter that that’s not the path Jesus would take. He takes "the road less traveled” - the way of “others first.”

The Office

Kurt Cooper was a co-worker at my first job. He’d been out of school and in the workplace about 4 years and was doing a great job. He was a great example to me because he showed me how to live out my faith in the workplace. I didn’t have many examples. And I wasn’t looking for any either. 

He invited me to lunch that first week. 

Later he would invite us to church where we eventually would serve as volunteer youth leaders.

He and his wife would model for us our first small group experiences (besides Sunday school) and well as parenting.

They would invite us to a life-changing retreat weekend called the Emmaus Walk. 

All of these hugely shaped my faith-walk in my early years of marriage. I’d never had someone pour themselves into me like that. And I really didn’t even realize it was happening until I looked back later. 

Today I’m going to call you to follow The Example, be an example as you worship The Example as Lord and Savior. Paul says it this way, “Follow me as I follow Christ.”

1. Follow the Example Paul describes.

2. Be the Example Jesus called you to be.

3. (As you) Worship the Example who empowers us to follow and be the example.

Series bottom line:

God pours out his grace and peace in and through us as we show and tell the good news no matter what. 

One way we do this seen in the examples of Timothy and Epaphroditus in Phil 2:19-30.

The Example leads to Examples

Truth 1: Jesus will show and tell his example to the world through his examples by their example.

Truth 2: Jesus’ true followers, by definition, follow his words, ways and works. To not follow Jesus’ example is to not be a follower of Jesus. 

Outline

I. Follow the Example Paul has described already. (2:5-8) REVIEW

II. Be the example Jesus called you to be. (2:19-30) 2 Examples:

    A. Timothy - An example of 2:19-24

• Lives sent (19, 23) or on mission 24/7 - Jesus sends us out too

• No one else like him; Paul sees him as special family like a faithful son in the Lord (20) - Jesus sees us as family; brothers and sisters 

• Genuinely cares about others; compassionate and merciful (20) - Jesus calls us to “love our neighbor as ourself.” 

• “Others first” (21) mentality c.f. 2:3 and Jesus’ example

• ”Proved himself” faithful son in the work “as a son with his father” (22) “served with me in the work of the gospel” - Jesus calls us to this great work 24/7 too. “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you” (Matt 6:33)

    B. Epaphroditus - Another example of 2:25-30

• Also lives sent (25, 28)

• Also lives as family (“brother”) (25)

• Paul calls him a “co-worker” or partner c.f. (1:5)

  • - Jesus calls us to work from rest (semi-circle; abiding; fruitfulness)

• Paul calls him a “fellow soldier” (25) because he went to battle with Paul

  • - Jesus calls us to go to war (sheep among wolves) fighting on our knees; prayer + armor of God (Eph 6:10-18)

• Cares for his flock back home even as he cares for Paul on their behalf;

  • “Love is showing compassion for other people’s reality.” - Neal McGlohon. In other words, love does for others in need. Think Good Samaritan parable.

III. (As you) Worship the Example with your lips and your lives. (2:9-11; Heb 13:15-16)

    A. Jesus is exalted as worthy of our allegiance and worship. (2:9-11)

    B. We worship Jesus with (Heb 13:15-16)

        1. Our lips 

        2. Our lives

Conclusion

References/Bibliography:

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“the Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

“Exalting Jesus in The Book of Acts” by Tony Merida (CCE)

“Exalting Jesus in The Book of Philippians” by Tony Merida & Chan (CCE)

Let’s Study Philippians by Sinclair Ferguson

Outline Bible, D Willmington

DA Carson Basics for Believers commentary

FF Bruce NIBC Commentary on Philippians

To Live is Christ To Die is Gain by Matt Chandler

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB)

ESV Study Bible

ESV Gospel Transformation Bible (GTB)