A Model of Discipleship

Philippians 2:22

“But you know of his (Timothy) proven worth that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father.”

Timothy provides for us a model of discipleship. Paul wrote two letters to him that are a part of our Bible and they provide good insight into his character. Paul must have met him as a young man and developed a deep relationship with him. We see in II Tim. 1:2 he calls him “my beloved son”. Timothy traveled with Paul to some extent and was obviously with him when Paul wrote the letter to the Philippians (Phil. 2:19).

There are three characteristics we can note about Timothy. First he and Paul had a kindred spirit. That is probably what drew them to each other. As you go through life you will meet many friends and casual acquaintances, but few who really think like you, react to situations like you; someone you don’t have to work hard to have a relationship with. That person understands your motives and needs without them being expressed. I believe another Biblical relationship like this existed between David and Jonathan. These are valuable relationships and I urge you to carefully develop them.

Secondly, Timothy had a genuine concern for others. He was not like those mentioned in the previous verse that “seek after their own interest”. He really regarded others as more important than himself (Phil 2:3-4).

Finally, Timothy had a servant’s heart. We can see that in our verse today as Paul said he “served with me…like a child serving his father.” Although we see Paul as a very strong character, I believe he also had a servant’s heart after his salvation. He was so concerned about the welfare of others he was willing to give his own life on their behalf.

The world we live in today doesn’t provide much encouragement to develop the attitudes we see in Timothy. Do you have a special friend with a kindred spirit? Consider sending them a note today about what their friendship means to you.

The Day of Christ

Philippians 2:26

“Holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may have cause to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.”

Paul uses an interesting phrase in this verse that I would like to dwell on for a moment; the day of Christ. It is interesting that as we are working our way through the book of Philippians we should come to this passage on Easter Sunday. As Paul explains, for himself and all Christians that will certainly be a day of rejoicing.

The day of Christ is speaking of the time when Christ will return to this earth to receive Christians unto Himself. The next event we expect to happen at any moment is called the Rapture. I Thessalonians 4:16-17 says “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord.” Jesus doesn’t come all the way to the earth at this time, but Christians are caught up to meet him in the air. Non-Christians on this earth will certainly recognize that some major event has occurred as all Christians are removed from the earth. The imminent coming of this event is our great hope.

The Bible tells us of other important events that will occur but this is the one that we think will happen next. Notice earlier in that passage (v. 13-14) the phrase “the dead in Christ shall rise first”. That means our Christian relatives and friends who have died will be united with their glorified bodies and then we will join them. Because of that we, as Christians, do not mourn as non-Christians because we know our separation from our loved ones is only temporary. The non-Christian does not have that hope so their sorrow is much deeper.

Today, as we celebrate the resurrection of our Savior, we look forward with anticipation to His return.

HE IS RISEN