Main Point and Overview:
Dependable servants are hard to come by in today’s day and age. People are always asking the question – what’s in it for me? From social media posts to vying for attention in the crowd, the human heart naturally seeks to be “center stage.” Finding people who simply want to serve looking for no accolades or attention is countercultural. This is what we are called to be…dependable for the Kingdom of God! The Apostle Paul was blessed to have a couple of dependable guys, and he absolutely knew it. He saw these men as special… guys who loved Jesus and people more than their own welfare. Timothy was Paul’s young protégé who was always willing to advance the Gospel no matter what it took. Epaphroditus was a member of the Philippian church with no unique skill set described in God’s Word, yet he was willing to “go the distance” for Paul risking his own life. Very few things bring a pastor or leader in God’s church more joy than seeing someone loving and serving his fellow church members. This kind of a person is the key to advancing the Gospel in a community through a local church. Why might you ask? It’s because he or she will never bring unnecessary distractions to the ministry. This kind of person cares for people at a high level. This kind of person listens and learns from his or her church leadership. This kind of person is willing to do the “behind the scenes, glory-less jobs” that many people are simply not willing to do. This kind of person is the “strength” behind every strong church. Paul knew what he had, and he took a moment to “point it out” to the Philippians. Make no mistake, these men were not perfect. Timothy especially struggled, yet he persevered, proving to be dependable. How dependable are you?
Dependable servants are hard to come by in today’s day and age. People are always asking the question – what’s in it for me? From social media posts to vying for attention in the crowd, the human heart naturally seeks to be “center stage.” Finding people who simply want to serve looking for no accolades or attention is countercultural. This is what we are called to be…dependable for the Kingdom of God! The Apostle Paul was blessed to have a couple of dependable guys, and he absolutely knew it. He saw these men as special… guys who loved Jesus and people more than their own welfare. Timothy was Paul’s young protégé who was always willing to advance the Gospel no matter what it took. Epaphroditus was a member of the Philippian church with no unique skill set described in God’s Word, yet he was willing to “go the distance” for Paul risking his own life. Very few things bring a pastor or leader in God’s church more joy than seeing someone loving and serving his fellow church members. This kind of a person is the key to advancing the Gospel in a community through a local church. Why might you ask? It’s because he or she will never bring unnecessary distractions to the ministry. This kind of person cares for people at a high level. This kind of person listens and learns from his or her church leadership. This kind of person is willing to do the “behind the scenes, glory-less jobs” that many people are simply not willing to do. This kind of person is the “strength” behind every strong church. Paul knew what he had, and he took a moment to “point it out” to the Philippians. Make no mistake, these men were not perfect. Timothy especially struggled, yet he persevered, proving to be dependable. How dependable are you?
Posted in Devotional