Enjoying Life
In A (Mostly) Joyless World
Enjoy Life By Rising To The Challenge
Philippians 2:19-30
Introduction: Just For Men
As
I studied Paul’s words of affectionate praise for Timothy
and Epaphroditus, it had me thinking the title for this
sermon should be Just For Men. Upon further review I
moved from that point to understanding that the message
Paul presented for and about these two faith heroes applies
to believers of both genders. Still, there is something
unique in what Paul writes to Timothy and Epaphroditus because
the major advances of the gospel have men at the center
of the movement.
The
state of men in our modern culture is unsettled. In fact
Weldon Hardenbrook offered
a convincing argument that American men are in a state of
crisis in his 1996 book “Missing
From Action: Vanishing Manhood In America”. He writes about four false images of males that are typical
of men today.
The Macho Maniac: This is your Rambo (or Jack Bauer for those of you who
are 24 fans) male where feelings don’t matter and laws are
written for everyone else. They are indestructible and unmovable.
They never worry, complain or apologize. They do sweat a
lot as they accomplish the impossible scene after scene.
The Great Pretender: Here we find the Archie Bunkers of the world who build
themselves up by putting everyone else down. No one is immune
from his putdowns—especially his wife and kids. He thinks
he is ruling his family but behind his back he is resented
and ridiculed. Because it’s frightening to get too close
to people he keeps things in check with his tough, critical
shell.
The World Class Wimp: We go the funny pages here to find Dagwood Bumstead.
This man is so inept that he is constantly being outwitted
by his children and wife. He is not taken seriously by anyone
as he passively floats through life.
The Gender Blenders: The picture for us here is the one-gloved mystery, Michael
Jackson, or another musician like Boy George. These men
don’t even try to be masculine. What did Arnold Schwarzenegger,
the Terminator, call them? I believe his phrase is, “Girly
Men.”
Being male is a matter of birth but being a man is a
matter of choice.
Fortunately, there is another alternative to add to the
four models. Paul points us to two great role models of
what a man—a Christian man—is. Check out two summary statements.
·
Timothy: “I have no one else like him”
(2:20)
·
Epaphroditus: “Honor men like him” (2:29)
From
these two statements I offer this principle to guide our
thoughts: A man’s greatness is not determined by the value of his wealth but by
his wealth of values. We are going to look at five such
values that certainly apply to men, but also to women, who
truly desire to honor and serve God and will enjoy life
by rising to the challenge.
1st Value: Compassion—God Is
Looking For Men Who Put People Before Profits
We
all know that people and relationships stand at the top
of earthly values. We just don’t always live that way. The
Bible is clear in portraying the quality of love,
If
I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not
love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries
and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains,
but have not love, I am nothing. And now these three remain:
faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians
13:1-2, 13 NIV
One
can do all kinds of great things, but if they are done without
love they are essentially worthless.
God
is looking for men of compassion. Compassion protects the
rights of people and seeks to meet their needs. Far too
often people are looking out only for themselves, not caring
about what other people need or want. Timothy is a great
example of a man of compassion.
I
hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that
I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have
no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your
welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not
those of Jesus Christ. Philippians 2:19-21
NIV
Phillips
translates the last verse as, “They
are all wrapped up in their own affairs.”
It has been said that the man who is all wrapped up in himself
isn’t a daddy; he’s a mummy!
Another
great example of a man of compassion is the
Good Samaritan whose story is recounted in Luke 10.
As this man is traveling he comes across another traveler
who has been robbed, beaten and left for dead along the
road. This unfortunate traveler has been ignored by two
religious leaders who must have taught regularly about love.
The Samaritan, who was moved by compassion, actually put
love into action and took care of the man—even though it
was inconvenient for him and cost him time and money. He
had love for a total stranger.
Would you and I do the same thing? Maybe. Sometimes. Not always. That’s not easy to do.
If you want to enjoy life by rising to challenge, God is
looking for men—and women—who put people before profits.
2nd Value: Consistency—God Is
Looking For Men Who Put Character Before Conformity
It’s
never easy to resist the cultural pressures and stand out
as different. The man who rises to the challenge will stand
alone if that’s what is needed. Look at what Paul says about
Timothy.
But
you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son
with his father he has served with me in the work of the
gospel. Philippians 2:22 NIV
The
word “prove” communicates character that has been
tested and proved true. Another word for tested character
is integrity. Timothy’s name means “honoring God.” Timothy
had once been so timid that Paul had challenged him,
For
this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God,
which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God
did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power,
of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:6-7 NIV
He
had become a man who didn’t cave in under pressure.
It
has been said, "If you don't stand for something, you
will fall for anything." What are you willing
to stand for in life? We need men of conviction,
who cannot be bought at any price. They are committed to
their values, consistent in their beliefs and courageous
in their convictions. Too many men are half committed to
everything and that is no commitment at all.
The
bottom line for manhood is integrity.
The
man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked
paths will be found out. Proverbs
10:9 NIV
A nice personality will make a good first impression
but success over the long haul is built on character, not
on image. The man of integrity will not be afraid of what is going
to be found out. Is your private life consistent with your
public image? You don’t need to worry about being a Jekyll
and Hyde because there is nothing to be found out.
Dads,
do you want to be a blessing to your children? Here’s how
you do it.
The
godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who
follow them. Proverbs
20:7 NIV
Inconsistent
men produce insecure children. An uncommitted husband produces
an unstable marriage.
If
you want to enjoy life by rising to challenge, God is looking
for men—and women—who put character before conformity.
3rd Value: Cooperation—God Is
Looking For Men Who Put Cooperation Before Competition
Even
a man like Paul with all of his ability and reputation needed
others to accomplish the important work of ministry.
But
I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus,
my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also
your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.
Philippians 2:25 NIV
Paul
uses three terms describing three relationships he enjoyed
with Epaphroditus that define cooperation.
My Brother: We cooperate
because we enjoy a family relationship. Well over 100
times Paul uses the word brother in addressing other Christian
men.
My Fellow Worker: We cooperate
because we share a common assignment. We are all charged
with fulfilling the Great Commission as we take the good
news of Jesus to all people. To accomplish this huge task,
we work together rather than independently.
My Fellow Soldier: We cooperate
because we encounter a common enemy. When you accept
Christ, Satan becomes your sworn enemy. You don’t have to
do anything more than accepting Christ as the Son of God
and
the
Savior of your soul. You have entered into a battle to the
death. In that battle we are to protect and defend one another.
I
hope you aren’t operating as a Lone Ranger. It has been
estimated that only 10% of men have true friends. Christian
men often don’t know how to relate to each other. We keep
our guard up and struggle to let other men get close.
That’s
tragic because there is tremendous power in unity. In a
very dark moment of Israel’s history, the other 11 tribes
of Israel were called upon to punish the tribe of Benjamin
for gross sin. The 11 tribes faced strong opposition but
they prevailed as they stood together and trusted God. We
read,
So
all the men of Israel got together and united as one man
against the city.
Judges
20:11 NIV
On
the first day the tribe of Judah suffered 22,000 casualties.
When they needed each other, they stood strong together.
But
the men of Israel encouraged one another and again took
up their positions where they had stationed themselves the
first day. The Israelites went up and wept before the LORD
until evening, and they inquired of the LORD. They said,
"Shall we go up again to battle against the Benjamites,
our brothers?" The LORD answered, "Go up against
them." Judges 20:21-22
NIV
I
know this: When the men in this church are unified for
one task for the glory of God, nothing can stop this church.
If you want to enjoy life by rising to challenge, God
is looking for men—and women—who put cooperation before
competition.
4th Value: Commitment—God Is
Looking For Men Who Put The Cause Of Christ Before Comfort
Paul
writes about the challenge faced by Epaphroditus.
I
am sending him because he has been longing to see you, and
he was very distressed that you heard he was ill. And he
certainly was ill; in fact, he almost died. But God had
mercy on him—and also on me, so that I would not have one
sorrow after another.
Philippians 2:26-27 NLT
Paul
is in prison in Rome and the people in Philippi took up
an offering to help Paul with his expenses. It was 800 miles
and required 6 weeks of travel over rough terrain. Epaphroditus
volunteered to take it. On the way there he caught a disease
or infection and it was deadly. But Epaphroditus persisted
in spite of his pain.
Many
men are great starters, but they never finish.
They quit in ministry because it becomes inconvenient, expensive,
uncomfortable and strenuous. There may be no more than a dozen of my classmates from seminary who are
still in ministry. Ministry always costs.
God
is looking for men who are willing to pay the price. God
is looking for people of action who press on in spite of
the hardships.
What’s
true of ministry is also true at home. Almost always included
among the top three complaints wives have concerning their
husbands is that they are passive. They may aggressively
take leadership roles at work but at home they crawl into
their cave to hibernate. They step back and leave the leadership
at home to their wives and sometimes to their kids. They
just don’t want to be bothered with any more decisions.
They are passive in their spiritual lives. They go to church
because they think that may be a good thing for the family.
This
was a large part of what motivated Coach Bill McCartney
to start Promise Keepers. He challenged men to live out
the commitments they made. There would no longer be room
for excuses and quitters. God
uses men who are willing to follow His lead and move into
action. Spiritual awakenings take place when men in a church
are willing to move from being spectators to players.
It’s
not always easy to be a man of God. In fact, it’s hardly
ever easy. If you want to enjoy life by rising to challenge,
God is looking for men—and women—who put the cause of Christ
before comfort.
5th Value: Courage—God Is Looking For Men
Who Put Service Before Security
A television commercial for a leading internet bank
with a large business presence that casts an orange glow
over downtown St. Cloud asks the question, “What’s your
number?” The number being questioned is the size of the
nest egg you hope to have to take you through the years
of retirement. In the commercial you see different people
caring around different numbers ranging from hundreds of
thousands of dollars to several million. I recently read
in Sports Illustrated where professional golfer Boo Weekly
has moved his number up from his previous goal of $8 million
dollars because he believes his tax liability is going to
go up significantly after the last election.
These
are astounding numbers for us. The point is that the value
system of our day is all about that number. The goal in
life is to become financially independent so you can be
secure. Security becomes the goal for life when the goal
should be serving God.
God
is looking for men with courage, who are willing to risk
themselves for the kingdom of God, who have abandoned themselves
to serving God. Paul once again points to Epaphroditus as
his example.
Therefore
I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see
him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. Welcome
him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him,
because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his
life to make up for the help you could not give me. Philippians 2:28-30 NIV
Risking
is a word that means hazarding your life. It is a gambling
term that means staking everything on the roll of the dice.
I have to confess that I become enthralled watching
the World Series of Poker. The most intriguing moment comes
when one of the players decides to go all in. Sometimes
he has the cards. Sometimes he is bluffing, hoping the other
players will fold and let him win the pot. At other times
he is hoping that the dealer will turn over the right cards
that take him from the brink of defeat to unexpected victory.
It’s
one thing to go all in when all you have on the line is
money. Epaphroditus went all in with his life. He risked
his life and almost died for the work of Christ.
For most men in most churches Christianity is a wimp
religion. There
are no goals, no challenges and no aspirations to become
all that God wants us to be. What is God looking for? He
is looking for men who put service before security.
Our
problem is that we get pressed into the mentality of the
world around us. Jim Elliott was a missionary who gambled
his life on reaching the Auca Indian tribe in South America.
He died along with his four fellow missionaries in his attempt.
Elliott is often cited as the example of what it means to
be a man who is sold out to serving God. That’s why it was
so shocking to hear a secular discussion about him a couple
of years ago when a movie presented the life story of one
of the tribe members who became Christians. The reviewer
accused Elliott of abusing his family. He exposed them to
unnecessary risk because he primary interest should have
been their security.
That’s
why it takes courage to be God’s person. We will face accusations
from all sides. We need to be clear on what God’s Word says.
Listen to Paul’s words that have been a challenge to believers
in every century.
So
brothers and sisters, since God has shown us great mercy,
I beg you to offer your lives as a living sacrifice to him.
Your offering must be only for God and pleasing to him,
which is the spiritual way for you to worship. Do not be
shaped by this world; instead be changed within by a new
way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God
wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to
him and what is perfect.
Romans 12:1-2 NCV
You
and I are to offer ourselves (volunteer) as a living sacrifice
to Him and for Him. You have probably heard the saying that
the problem with a living sacrifice is that it can climb
off the altar. It’s clever, maybe even a bit trite. But,
it’s true. We climb up on the altar on Sunday and say, “God,
here is my everything.” On Monday, we crawl right back off.
We sing “Onward Christian Soldiers at church and then on
Monday we go AWOL.
Paul
says, “Offer yourselves as living sacrifices.” We need to
ask, “What am I sacrificing for Christ?” Do you know there
are Christian men who don’t have enough courage to take
God at His word and tithe? They have bought into the system
of security so completely that they shrink back in fear
wondering how they will ever be able to make it on 90%.
So, are you all in?
If
you want to enjoy life by rising to challenge, God is looking
for men—and women—who put serving Christ before security.
Conclusion: Rise To The Challenge
I
talk to many bored and unfulfilled men. They don't like
their job; it’s just way to make a living. Why are there
so many bored and unfulfilled men? They have lost the spirit
of adventure they had as young men. They aren't risking
anything anymore. When you stop risking you are dying. They
don't have anything to live for, any challenge, any goals
bigger than themselves.
Jesus
said,
For
whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever
loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.
Mark
8:35 NIV
Look
at this amazing verse spoken by the prophet Hanani to King
Asa of Israel after the king had taken the conventional
way of looking to the King of Syria to provide security
for Israel instead of God.
The
eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen
those whose hearts are fully committed to him. What a fool
you have been! From now on you will be at war.
2 Chronicles 16:9 NIV
There
are times when conventional wisdom is foolishness and the
easy way is actually the hard way. God was ready to strengthen
the king if he committed fully to Him. Instead, he was a
fool who would now face constant war and end up worn out.
God is looking for men of compassion, consistency, cooperation,
commitment and courage.
I want to show you what one such man looks like in this
video that features the incredible story of Team Hoyt.
Men,
don’t miss the most devastating line in the Scripture we
studied today when Paul said of Timothy, “I have no one
else like him.” Why not? Why aren’t there more men of God
today?
Timothy
and Epaphroditus were just ordinary guys. Yet 2000 years
later we're still talking about them. Men, here is the question
we need to answer (Women can answer it, too): When I look at
my life and work, how much is it going to count 50 years,
100 years, or 1,000 years from now? Will it make any difference?
It all depends on whether or not we rise to the challenge!
