The Likeminded Man

Philippians 2:17-30 (text: vs. 20)

Intro: Today, there is a shortage of men to understand the mind of God's man and to be likeminded.  Imagine the blessing of the pastor having a host of men that were likeminded, instead of having to spend his time changing the mind of his men!  In these verses, we see what kind of mind Paul had, and the mind that Timothy had as well.  Remember, Paul was in prison, and needed help. Let's see what kind of man Paul was looking for in a "man that was likeminded..."

            I. He Sacrifices - vs. 17 - ...I be offered upon the sacrifice... (drink offering)

                        The drink offering is a pouring out; an emptying of one's self for another

            II. He Serves - vs. 17, 22 - he was poured into servicing their faith...

                        He serviced their faith - Illustration: We service a car before a trip: make sure everything is just right and in proper working condition. Remove all possible problems and check every detail.  He sacrificed for the service of their faith - he got involved in their life.

            III. He Shouts - vs. 17, 18 - I joy, and rejoice with you all - he got excited with them

                        NOTE: Joy - to rejoice exceedingly - to hail, to be glad

                        NOTE: Rejoice - to congratulate

            God give us men that will have joy and rejoice with God's people, and will in turn stir them up to rejoice.  Thriving off of one another's blessings and answered prayer.    His joy was prompted by his sacrifice and his service.  NOTE: And IF I BE OFFERED UP... I JOY!!!  You have no joy because you have not made any sacrifices and serviced anybody's faith!!!

            IV. He Shares - vs. 19,  23 - Paul delegated work - involved others in their work

            God give us men that the man of God can delegate work to, and they not only get excited about it enough to do it right, but they round up people to work with them and get involved.

            Most church work is done by DRAFTED people instead of VOLUNTEERS!!!

            V. He's Sincere - vs. 20 - ... who will naturally (not artificial - but real, genuine)

            NOTE: Naturally - not because he was hired, or paid, or benefited, but because it was a genuine, concern; a care for the spiritual state of God's people.  Not just an attitude of "I know what's going on and what needs to happen, and what needs to be fixed..."  His care was for the state of the church and was evident by his DAILY life; not just at church time.

            He was able to properly comfort the man of God by giving an ACCURATE assessment of the state of the church.  His ability to discern the true condition of the church was a huge relief to Paul.

            VI. He's Selfless - vs. 21 - seeking not their own, but the things of Christ...  (Matt. 6:33)

Ephaphroditus almost killed himself serving the church and the needs of the ministry - vs. 27-30

Conclusion: There's not a shortage of men today.  There's not even a shortage of good men.  But there is a shortage of LIKEMINDED MEN!