Oakbrook Evangelical Free Church

Introduction:

Philippians 2:3-8

“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,” Philippians 2:6-8 “who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, “but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” ESV

The issue confronts everywhere, everyday…

If I wake up earlier than others in the room or house how do I go about opening doors, or making breakfast, or putting on the coffee?

Looking for a parking space, approaching the entrance of stores or restaurants,

Oh, here’s a good one.

Older folks and their stories. Have you ever noticed how they love to tell stories…How do you respond?

When someone else gets something new do you take an interest and get excited like when you get something new?

When someone is telling a story or joke are you listening intently or are you thinking about a joke or story of your own?

So often when we talk or tell stories we are like ships passing in the night. We don’t even know what is doing on, on the deck of the other ship.

This affects all our relationships and friendships and marriages.

Is it always about me? Do I have to be the center of attention?

Can I follow as well as lead?

Am I a team player?

Or am I self-centered, self-absorbed, selfish, stubborn and

unteachable? What would others say about me if asked and they

were truthful? What would Christ say?

Look at what Paul says about Timothy…

Philippians 2:19-22

“I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. “For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. “They all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. “But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.” ESV

Paul

Notice what Paul says will cheer him up. “News about you”

Timothy

No one else like him! – NASV “no one else of kindred spirit”

How rare is someone who is genuinely interested in others

Why is it so rare? Why in Timothy?

How was this developed in Timothy?

Epaphroditus

The fellowship of servants!

1. Genuine inloveness - Captivated by love for another

A Severe Mercy

Skim starting on page 28 -

A decision to love someone else besides yourself!

TS: But how is this possible on a broader level?

How was it that Paul, Timothy and Epaphroditus were genuinely interested in the welfare of the Philippians even above their own physical well being?

Philippians 2:19-22

“I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. “For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. “They all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. “But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.” ESV

Repeated theme…

John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”” ESV

1 John 3:16-17 “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?” ESV

1 John 4:7-11 “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. “In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” ESV

It’s not about me or my interests!

It’s about Him and his interests.

So you see the solution? “A 100 pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other. They are all of one accord by being tuned, not to each other but to another standard to which each one must individually bow.” A.W. Tozer

We ought! = moral imperative. But how?

2. Genuine “inloveness” with Christ!
Captivated by the love of Christ!

Becoming interested in what He is interested in.

How would I even know what His interests are?

Matthew 17:1-5 “And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. “And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. “And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. “And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” “He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”” ESV

Psalm 46:10 ““Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”” ESV

We must stop and spend time with Him.

Less of telling God what we want

And more listening to God’s call in our hearts through scripture.

Inward attentiveness to God’s divine whisper. Being all ears to

what the Father has to say to us.

Someone once said, “O divine master teach me the mute language.”

God is attentive to us – what we feel, what we think, what we have to say. Most of our prayer is caught up in what we have to say to God rather than just being quiet and giving Him the opportunity to speak to us.

Has it ever dawned on you that in order to be interested in the interests of God you must push everything else out of your consciousness long enough to hear the voice of God?

Has it ever dawned on you that you need to go into God’s presence with your mouth closed giving Him a chance to say something to you?

Electricity is everywhere.

Ben Franklin was struck by lightning.
No way! Contrary to popular school teachings, Mr. Franklin was very lucky to survive his experiment. The spark he saw was a product of the kite/key system being in a strong electric field. Had the kite/key actually been struck, Mr. Franklin would surely have been killed. As we all know now, his experiment was extremely dangerous and should not be repeated.

Lightning is one of the most beautiful displays in nature. It is also one of the most deadly natural phenomena known to man. With bolt temperatures hotter than the surface of the sun and shockwaves beaming out in all directions, lightning is a lesson in physical science and humility.

Beyond its powerful beauty, lightning presents science with one of its greatest local mysteries: How does it work? It is common knowledge that lightning is generated in electrically charged storm systems…

Listening is the place where we stop!

We need to ask God, “What do you really think about my life?”

We naturally resist connecting with others or with God at this level.

Relinquishing control

Allowing God to set the agenda

Father instructing son about basefall.

Pastor Father with son or daughter

I don’t need you to preach to me. I just want you to be present.

Psalm 46:10 ““Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”” ESV

Can be experienced anywhere! Sm Group, driving,

Be still – not running! Not opening email, not turning on music.

Know – relax and trust Him.

Slow down and be caught by God!

God is a God who chases the heart of mankind to pick up all the pieces and make it whole.

Even if all the worl