The Joy of Faithful Brethren

1. Read: Philippians 2:19-30

2. About the Text:

1) Paul discusses two men who helped him in preaching the gospel.

2) He rejoiced in these two because of their faithfulness.

3) The qualities that they exhibited may be shown by us also.

4) When we do so, we can rejoice in the faithfulness of our brethren.

3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. “who will sincerely care for your state”

2. God cares for us – “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

3. We should care for one another – “that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another” (1 Corinthians 12:25).

1. “For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.”

2. “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).

3. “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

1. “For all seek their own….”

2. “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4).

3. “Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s edification” (1 Corinthians 10:24).

1. “You know his proven character….”

2. “Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:1-2).

3. “But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:11).

1. “Fellow worker, fellow soldier.”

2. “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building” (1 Corinthians 3:19).

3. “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:3).

4. “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23).

1. “he was longing for you all”

2. “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42).

3. “But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire” (1 Thessalonians 2:17).

1. “for the work of Christ he came close to death”

2. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:1-2).

3. “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

1. “supply what was lacking in your service”

2. “So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one” (Ezekiel 22:30).

3. “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: ‘Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I! Send me’ (Isaiah 6:8).

4. We need people to do what no one else is willing to do.

1. Faithful brethren are a joy when they…

1) Sincerely care.

2) Seek Jesus Christ.

3) Do not Seek Self.

4) Have Excellent Character.

5) Work for the Lord.

6) Desire Fellowship.

7) Make Sacrifices.

8) Stand in the Gap.

2. Invitation