People Working With People
Text: Philippians 2:17-30
Introduction:
This section deals with the interaction of people in the ministry. God works through people, but He does this in His glorious providence. He is not limited to working through just one person but many.
For Paul to effectively minister, his heart had to be right towards the ministry. Consider these three things:
I. Notice, Paul’s heart for the beloved
II .Paul’s hope for the beloved
III. Paul’s help for the beloved
I. PAUL’S HEART FOR THE BELOVED vv. 17-23a
A. His was a sacrificial heart. v. 17
1. Genesis 35:14 describes this kind of offering: Jacob set up a pillar at Bethel " and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon."
2. Leviticus and Numbers tells us that it was added to the burnt offering and the meal offering. (Never added to a sin or trespass offering.)
3. It is associated with service.
B. His was a sincere heart. v. 18
C. His was a servant’s heart. v. 19-22
D. His was a sharing heart. v. 23a
II. PAUL’S HOPE FOR THE BELOVED vv. 23-24
A. Paul hoped to send companions. v. 23 "soon"
B. Paul hoped to shortly come. v. 24 "shortly"
III. PAUL’S HELP FOR THE BELOVED vv. 28-30
A. It was a caring help. v. 28 "carefully"
B. It was a Christian help. "receive him therefore in the Lord"
