Everything Is Awesome And Nobody Is Happy Friends Are Friends Forever

 Everything Is Awesome And Nobody Is Happy

Friends Are Friends Forever

Opening Illustration:

Going up my family listened to a lot Christian music. Perhaps the best example of Christian music in the 1980’s and 90’s was that of Michael W. Smith. During that time, his music was everywhere. Today we look back at those times and that brand of music as a bit cheesy. Let’s get real, it was super cheesy. It was a cheese factory. When you think of Michael W. Smith, you cannot help but think of his song “Friends”. Michael, along with his wife Debbie in 1987. They were living in Nashville at the time and they hosted a small Bible study at their house. The group became very close, very tight knit. Sadly, a member of the group named Bill Jackson was moving away. The group was sad so Michael W. Smith did what any artist would do, he wrote a song. His wife sat down and wrote out the lyrics on a napkin in about 30 minutes and Smith pulled up to his piano and banged out the chords in about 3 minutes. They sang the song for their friends and everyone around the piano wept. In under 45 minutes, Michael W. Smith and his wife had written a song about friendship. The song struck a nerve across America. Smith sold millions of copies, won numerous Dove Awards, and even sang the song at the funeral of George Herbert Walker Bush. 

Lyric From Michael W. Smith’s “Friends”

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends

Point:

Why did this song mean so much to people today? Why do so many people, after all these years, still remember the lyrics to this song? I think the reason is really simple. Friendship matters. God created us to long for and desire real, true, deep, long lasting friendship. Think of all the ways God loves. We often remember “Eros” love or passionate love. Then there is “agape” love or unconditional love. Then there is “Phileo” love. Brotherly love. This is the love that we find between friends. God created all mankind with this need to be loved and a friend. 

Point:

Friendship is a thread that we see woven through the tapestry of the Bible. Friendship is everywhere in both the Old and New Testament. In Genesis we see God and Adam cultivate an intimate friendship with one another. This friendship expanded to include Eve. What about…

Abraham and Lot

Moses and Aaron

Joshua and Caleb

Ruth and Naomi

David and Jonathan

Elijah and Elisha

Jesus with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus 

Peter and Andrew

James and John

And Paul and Timothy.

All perfect examples of how God created us to have deep, passionate friendships. Possessing healthy, Biblically oriented friendships is the life blood of effective Christian living. Friends, look around the room. What do you see? When you look to your right, your left, the front and the back, what do you see? You should see a gift? The people you see could potentially be the friend you have been looking for. God’s gift to you this morning is a friend. There is someone here today that is need of a friend and there is someone in here today that can be that friend that you were looking for. 

Quote:

“I would rather walk in the dark with a friend, than alone in the light.” Helen Keller said those words. 

Point:

This morning we are looking at the friendship between Paul and Timothy. Timothy was a faithful friend to Paul. God gave Paul a true gift when he introduced him to Timothy. Today I hope that as we examine this precious friendship that we will be enlightened to what a Godly friendship really looks like and how our friendships can glorify God. So, fill in these blanks this morning, grade your friendships, fleeting or faithful. Do you have long lasting friendships that push you to knowing God or do your friendships end in catastrophe and crisis? Are your friendships filled with drama and chaos? Are your friendships pleasing to God?

Remember brothers and sisters, we need Jesus and we need each other.

Today’s Thought:

Grade Your Friendships: Fleeting or Faithful?

Background and Context:

Before we read Philippians 2:19-24 this morning, let me set the scene. Paul is alone. Every second that ticks by in this Roman cell, Paul nears ever closer to his death. So, what will it be: flogging, whips, stoning, beheading, or crucifixion? Paul knew that crucifixion was reserved for criminals outside the Roman Empire but still, Paul was a follower of Christ and the Romans may very well dispense with the pleasantries and kill him the same way they killed his “master”. Paul must have had these thoughts. What would you do if you were chained to a Roman guard, under 24 hour surveillance? Paul was human so he must have been scared, worried about the pain that he may have to endure. I imagine that Paul wrote to take his mind off of his future. So, he began to write a letter to his favorite church in Philippi which was in Macedonia. The Philippians were Paul’s friends and he treasure them. They were his encouragers, his supporters, and he would sent Timothy to them. Timothy would be Paul’s representative. I think that it was this friendship, friendship with Timothy and the Philippians that kept Paul going. Friendships can do that cant they? They can keep you going when times are hard. If we are not careful, friendships can ruin our relationship with God. So, let’s read together this morning from God’s Word concerning the relationship that Paul had with Timothy. Let’s read Philippians 2:19-24 NLT. 

Today’s Scripture:

Philippians 2:19-24 NLT

“If the Lord Jesus is willing, I hope to send Timothy to you soon for a visit. Then he can cheer me up by telling me how you are getting along. I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ. But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News. I hope to send him to you just as soon as I find out what is going to happen to me here. And I have confidence from the Lord that I myself will come to see you soon.”

Timothy & Paul’s Call For A Closer Connection! Timothy Was…

I. A Supporter vs. 19

Philippians 2:19 NLT

“If the Lord Jesus is willing, I hope to send Timothy to you soon for a visit. Then he can cheer me up by telling me how you are getting along.”

Point:

There are a couple of significant points in this short statement by Paul to the Philippians. The first statement is “if the Lord is willing”. This statement reminds me of James words captured in James 4:13-17. 

“Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil. Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.”

James 4:13-17 NLT

We humans make plans and then there is what happens. God’s plans are often times not ours. Is it wrong to have a schedule or day timer? Clearly not. The point of what Paul is saying is that he plans to send Timothy to encourage them but Paul understands that he needs to leave room in his plans for God. God can turn our plans upside down. We Christians had better learn flexibility, otherwise we will be constantly frustrated. 

Point:

Second, Timothy was one of Paul’s greatest encouragers. Paul’s desire was to send Timothy to the church and then bring word back to him about how well they were doing. Know this, there is always room for an encourager in God’s army. You cannot have enough encouragement and encouragement is one of God’s primary weapons against defeating the Satanic forces of this present age. 

Point:

I want you to take a second and ask yourself the following question, “who is my greatest encourager”?  Is it your wife, your husband, a Life Group teacher, a co-worker? Who is it? Now, how did their encouragement make you feel? When this person encouraged you, did it come unexpectedly? Could it be that you were feeling low at that point and it was their encouragement that kept you going. I will tell you friends that I have had people in this very church that encouraged me in critical points in my marriage, in my parenting, and in my ministry. God has used the encouragement of others to keep my eyes on Christ. What’s funny is that many times these friends had no idea what their encouragement meant to me. 

Point:

Years ago I was talking to someone who told me that he did not possess the spiritual gift of encouragement. That may have been true. Still, I believe that all of us, gift or no gift, can encourage one another? I will tell you how I do it. I smile. A simple smile can go a long way with someone. I listen. Sometimes someone just needs to be heard. Develop your listening muscles. Stay quiet and let others speak. Acknowledge people and give credit away. Trust me friends, if you take the credit for everything then you will also take the blame for everything. Shine the light on someone other than yourself. Look around and find someone doing something right and good and acknowledge it. Everyone likes having a pat on the back and everyone loves being told when a job was well done. 

Quote:

I have no idea who said this…

“A word of encouragement during failure is worth more than an hour of praise after success.”

Point:

So, be flexible. Leave room for God to change your plans. Before you make plans, ask God to direct your steps and show you the right paths. Next, be an encourager. Encouragers will always be used by God. Encouragers are never on the bench, they are always in the game.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT

“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”

Timothy & Paul’s Call For A Closer Connection! Timothy Was…

I. A Supporter vs. 19

II. Selfless vs. 20-21

Philippians 2:20-21 NLT

“I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ.”

Point:

“I have NO ONE else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare”. That is quite a statement by Paul. Paul had many talents: prolific writer, educated theologian, avid church builder, and highly relational. Such traits are rare to find in an individual. Over the years I have met pastors who are amazing teachers but are awkward making a hospital visit. I have met pastors who are highly loving and exceedingly sympathetic, but they are horrible communicators and preachers. Paul was the total package. Yet, behind every great man is a mentor. Behind every great preacher is a partner and Timothy was Paul’s partner. Paul was Timothy’s mentor. Paul states that he has no one else like Timothy. Looking over Paul’s extensive career and undoubtedly the thousands of relationships that he must have cultivated, Paul stated that he had no one else like Timothy. Timothy was special. Unique. Gifted. Why did Paul make such a statement?

True friendship is rare. In today’s culture, acquaintance is often shallowly substituted for intimacy. We may have thousands of “friends” on social media but when crisis comes we do not know who to call. Think about that for a second. When catastrophe knocks at your door, are you going to be pick up your phone and tweet? Are you going to open up the Facebook Messenger app and shoot a message to some “friend” who “liked” the picture of your last meal at Waffle House? Are you going to open up SnapChat and post? Of course not. Why? Those people are not really your friends, they are acquaintances. When disaster strikes you will reach out for a friend that you can count on. 

There was no one else like Timothy for Paul because Timothy was a true friend. When all other abandoned Paul, Timothy stayed. When Paul’s “friends” turned their back on him, Timothy stood with Paul and together they faced the music. Timothy was the Robyn to Paul’s Batman, the Shaggy to Paul’s Scooby Doo, and the Frodo Baggins to Paul’s Gandalf. Timothy was tried and true. It is rare to find a friend who will carry water to the dumpster fire that has become your life. Timothy was that sort of person and that sort of person is rare indeed. 

Timothy was also an encourager. Remember, Paul wrote this letter from jail. You can imagine how miserable, how frustrating, and how depressing that must have been for Paul. Timothy was there to shine light in Paul’s darkness. In my imagination, I see Timothy as being quick with a joke. A person of good humor who could lighten up a situation. In life, there will always be circumstances that are difficult, but it is rare to find someone who can laugh in the middle of chaos. Timothy was someone who could find the silver lining in Paul’s misery. Timothy was positive and pointed his mentor to Christ. 

Do you have a friend like that, a friend that can lift you up when you are low? Better question, are you that friend to someone else? In life, you will be called upon to be someone’s Paul and in other situations, someone’s Timothy. No matter the role, stay fixated on the truth, stay faithful in the trials, and stay focused on the awaiting triumph. Be Timothy! In doing so, you will be a rare person!

Illustration:

So, what does selflessness look like? 

Recently I came across a true story that happened during the Holocaust of the Second World War.

Solomon Rosenberg, his wife and their 2 sons were arrested, together with Rosenburg's mother and father for the crime of being Jews. They were placed in a Nazi concentration camp.

It was a labour camp, and the rules were simple.

"As long as you can do your work, you are permitted to live. When you become too weak to do your work, then you will be exterminated."

Rosenberg watched as his mother and father were marched off to their deaths. He knew that the next would be his youngest son, David - because David had always been a frail child.

Every evening, Rosenberg came back into the barracks after each day of hard labour and searched for the faces of his family. When he found them they would huddle together, embrace one another and thank God for another day of life.

One day Rosenberg came back and didn’t see those familiar faces.

He finally discovered his oldest son, Joshua, in a corner, huddled, weeping and praying. He said, "Josh, tell me it’s not true."

Joshua turned and said, "It is true, Dad. Today David was not strong enough to do his work. So they came for him."

"But where is your mother?" asked Mr. Rosenberg.

"Oh Dad," he said, "When they came for David, he was afraid and he cried. So Mum said, 'There is nothing to be afraid of, David,' and she took his hand and went with him."

That illustrates a mother’s love-- a love so strong that it chooses to give up life so her child can be comforted.

Point:

Brothers and sisters, that is what true selflessness looks like. When a mother holds the hand of her child as he is being marched to his death. Not letting him die alone. That is what Timothy did for Paul. He held his hands all the way to his death. Never giving up. Never having something better to do. That is the sort of friend that we should all want and the sort of friend that we should all desire. 

1 John 3:18 NLT

 “Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.”

Timothy & Paul’s Call For A Closer Connection! Timothy Was…

I. A Supporter vs. 19

II. Selfless vs. 20-21

III. A Servant vs. 22

Philippians 2:22 NLT

“But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News.”

Timothy was a unique person. A special person. Paul loved Timothy because he was an encourager. Timothy was an uplifter. However, in verse 22, Paul states specifically why Timothy is so special. While others care only for themselves, Timothy cares for what matters to Jesus. Timothy had the unusual ability to correctly prioritize Christ’s commands above his desires. Timothy knew that there was greater glory in pursing the call of Christ than his personal desires and dreams. There is nothing wrong with having a dream or plan for your life. Yet, if our plans or dreams conflict with the commands of Christ, Christ must win out. 

Timothy was many things, but above all, Timothy was a servant. 

So, the question must be asked, what matters to Jesus? If Timothy was able serve and to lay his desires aside for what matters to Jesus, then what matters to Jesus? You might say, what WOULD Jesus do?

Illustration:

The WWJD movement started in 1989 when the youth group at Calvary Reformed Church in Holland, Michigan, studied Charles Sheldon's 1896 novel, In His Steps. In the novel, parishioners preface every thought and action with "What would Jesus do?" and begin to see the difference it makes. Calvary's youth took Sheldon's model to heart and made up colorful woven bracelets to wear as a tangible reminder of that powerful question. Soon people throughout their community were wearing the bracelets, and it mushroomed from there. By the late '90s, the letters wwjd could be found on a multitude of books, T-shirts, and other Christian merchandise. To date, an estimated 14 million bracelets have been sold. One of the great joys of my life is that my oldest son wears proudly the WWJD bracelet daily, reminding him to always seek out the will of God in his life. 

The WWJD movement may have somewhat petered out years ago, but the sentiment should still be considered. In any given situation, what would Jesus do? If we knew what was important to Jesus, would that not give us a new direction for our lives?

As I have read the Bible, these are some things that jump out to me that seem to be important to Jesus. 

1. He sought the Father-Jesus was always very concerned with having a relationship and be obedient to His Father. 

2. He sought the outcasts-Jesus, a King in His own right, did not just come for the up and in but also the down and out. You might even say that Jesus spent more time with the outcasts of society than the rich and powerful. 

3. He sought the broken-Jesus was a restorer of lives. He had the unique ability to see broken people. Once seen, Jesus used His words and His touch to bring salvation, wholeness and forgiveness. 

4. He sought the hypocrite-One of my favorite stories in the Bible is the story about Nicodemus, a Pharisee, and his conversation with Jesus. Nicodemus was a member of the religious elite who were threatened by Jesus’ growing popularity and power. The Pharisees were hypocrites and they laid heavy burdens on the people while they enjoyed their ill gotten power. Jesus confronted their hypocrisy and their lies. However, Jesus always left the door open even for their repentance and salvation. 

5. He sought to teach God’s Word-Jesus came not to abolish the law but to fulfill the law. Jesus was often called Rabbi and Teacher. When Jesus was just 12 years old He was found in the temple teaching and explaining with perfect application the law. He loved Scripture and referred back to Scripture when He battled Satan and his attacks. 

6. He sought to serve-Jesus was a servant. He even said that He did not come to be served but to serve others. He washed His disciples feet. 

7. He sought to equip others-Jesus could have easily done the work necessary for salvation, healing, and forgiveness. Yet, He called His disciples to participate in His mission. Jesus taught His disciples, demonstrated Himself how to achieve the goal, then invited them to help Him in His mission, then turned them loose to do it own as He watched. That is the perfect equipping model for today’s teacher and student. 

Of course Jesus did so much more than what is written here. Yet, these are things that matter to Christ. I pray that I will be like Timothy, that I will consider WWJD, and that I will do what matters to Jesus. Remember, in order to live out WWJD, we must FROG! Fully Rely on God!

2 Timothy 2:24 NLT

“A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.”

Timothy & Paul’s Call For A Closer Connection! Timothy Was…

I. A Supporter vs. 19

II. Selfless vs. 20-21

III. A Servant vs. 22

IV. A Substitute vs. 23-24

Philippians 2:23-24 NLT

“I hope to send him to you just as soon as I find out what is going to happen to me here. And I have confidence from the Lord that I myself will come to see you soon.”

Point:

Several years ago, I was invited to a conference in Montgomery dealing with the hardships of the children in Haiti. Sadly I was unable to attend. I began to think about how I could remedy the situation and God gave me an answer. God told me “why not send Bryant”? I did just that. I asked Bryant if he could go for me and speak to the people on my behalf. Bryant readily agreed and went for me. Bryant went to the conference and learned a lot about how our church can impact that area. 

Even today, Bryant often represents me. Just a week ago our church did a food distribution at Zion Fountain AME Church in Stockton. I was not able to go but Bryant went. I can tell you for a fact that Bryant spoke to our friends at Zion Fountain and told them that “on behalf of Stuart Davidson, he sends you his greetings” 

There have been several times over the 11 years of my being here at ESBC that our staff have spoken for me and I for them. 

Point:

Paul was in jail in Rome. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he was probably thinking that he may never get to see his friends ever again on this side of eternity. So, he did what he could do. He sent Timothy. Timothy would speak for Paul. He would act on behalf of Paul. Timothy became a substitute for Paul Himself. 

Point: 

There is an application for us today in this verse. No we are not a substitute for Paul or Timothy. We are a substitute for Jesus. We are His ambassadors on earth. We represent Jesus in everything we do, say, or think. How are you representing the King? Are you a good substitute?

Point:

The thing that make Timothy a great friend to Paul is that he represented him well. Bryant would never embarrass me. I can trust Josh to speak for me and not create problems. I believe in LeAnn and know that she would do everything possible to shine a positive light on me, my family, and of course Eastern Shore Baptist Church. 

You see friends, that what a good friend does. A good friend is trustworthy, dependable, honest, and filled with character. Who do you trust to speak for you, to represent you? Would someone trust you in the same way that Paul trusted Timothy? If not, why not?

Conclusion

Remember church we were created for friendship. A friend encourages, puts others ahead of yourself, serves others, and is obedient to the call of Jesus. Remember Romans 12:10, 

Romans 12:10 NLT

“Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”

We Need Jesus And We Need Each Other!