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A Gospel-Worthy Life

Sunday, May 7, 2023
Pastor Jojo Ma

Weekly Bulletin | Worship Lyrics

Philippians 2:19-24

 

19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.

I.          A gospel-worthy life deeply trusts in the sovereignty of God [v19, vv23-24]
II.        A gospel-worthy life truly cares for the church of God [vv20-21]
III.       A gospel-worthy life diligently labors for the kingdom of God [v22]

I.         A gospel-worthy life deeply trusts in the sovereignty of God[v19, vv23-24]
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you…23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.

1 Cor 4:19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills.

1 Cor 16:7 I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.

Jam 4:15 If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.

Do you believe that God is in control of all things, down to the smallest details, difficulties, and distresses of your life?

John Piper: “The church has not been spending its energy to go deep with the unfathomable God of the Bible. Against the overwhelming weight and seriousness of the Bible, much of the church is choosing, at this very moment, to become more light and shallow and entertainment-oriented, and therefore successful in its irrelevance to massive suffering and evil. The popular God of fun-church is simply too small and too affable to hold a hurricane in His hand. The biblical categories of God’s sovereignty lie like landmines in the pages of the Bible waiting for someone to seriously open the book. They don’t kill, but they do explode trivial notions of the Almighty.”

William Cowper: “God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform; He plants His footsteps in the sea, and rides upon the storm. Deep in unfathomable mines, of never-failing skill; He fashions up His bright designs, and works His sovereign will. Ye fearful saints fresh courage take, the clouds that you much dread, are big with mercy and will break in blessings on your head. Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust Him for His grace; behind a frowning providence, He hides a smiling face. His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour; the bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower.”

II.        A gospel-worthy life truly cares for the church of God [vv20-21]
20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.

22 But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.

1 Tim 1:2 To Timothy, my true child in the faith.

2 Tim 1:2 To Timothy, my beloved child.

2 Cor 11:28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.

Phil 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

“Ours is a day of weightless souls consumed with their own gravity.”

The Christian life is a call to die to self. It’s a call to loving others and being genuinely concerned for the welfare, especially the spiritual welfare, of others.

Do you have a genuine concern, even anxiety, for the spiritual well-being of the members here? Are you spending time each week trying to die to self and live for others? Are you pursuing spiritual friendships here at CrossLife to both be blessed and be a blessing? Are you investing in the lives of brothers and sisters who need your love, support, encouragement, and prayers?

III.      A gospel-worthy life diligently labors for the kingdom of God [v22]
22 But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.

2 Cor 2:9 For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything.

1 Tim 3:10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless.

22 But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.

What is the cost in your life for the sake of the gospel? How are you serving, or better yet slaving, to advance the gospel and kingdom work? Are there needs in this church that you can fill?

19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.