Encouragement: Embracing Christ-like Attitudes in Community

Summary

### Summary

Good morning, Central Manor Church. Today, we explored the theme of encouragement through the lens of Philippians 2:19-30. Paul’s letter to the Philippians highlights the importance of encouragement within the Christian community, using Timothy and Epaphroditus as examples. Paul commends Timothy not for his preaching skills but for his Christ-like attitude and genuine concern for others. Similarly, Epaphroditus is praised for his hard work and dedication, even though his role might seem less glamorous. This teaches us that God values the heart and attitude behind our actions more than the actions themselves.

Encouragement serves as a safeguard against the worldliness that surrounds us, reminding us of what truly matters to God. It’s not just about recognizing talents but about acknowledging the Christ-like attitudes and actions in others. Paul’s instructions to the Philippians include receiving one another with joy, honoring each other, and caring deeply for one another. These principles are essential for fostering a community that reflects Christ’s love and humility.

We are called to emulate Christ, who, despite having the power of heaven at His fingertips, chose to serve humbly and sacrificially. This humility should guide our interactions and our encouragement of one another. Encouragement can take many forms, from a kind word to financial support, but it must always be rooted in recognizing and celebrating the work of the Holy Spirit in each other’s lives.

As we strive to encourage one another, we must continually come to Jesus for our supply, recognizing that it is through His care for us that we can care for others. Let us be a church known for our encouragement, honoring God in all that we do.

### Key Takeaways

1. Christ-like Attitude Over Talents: Paul commends Timothy not for his preaching skills but for his Christ-like attitude and genuine concern for others. This teaches us to value the heart and attitude behind actions more than the actions themselves. We should strive to recognize and encourage these Christ-like qualities in each other. [40:11]

2. Encouragement as a Safeguard: Encouragement serves as a safeguard against the worldliness that surrounds us. It reminds us of what truly matters to God and helps us stay focused on His values. By encouraging one another, we help each other resist the pull of worldly distractions and stay rooted in Christ. [42:38]

3. Joyful Reception and Humility: Paul instructs the Philippians to receive one another with joy and humility, reflecting Christ’s own attitude. This joyful reception requires us to approach each other with open hearts and hands, valuing the work of the Holy Spirit in each other’s lives. [47:01]

4. Honoring Without Flattery: Honoring someone goes beyond simple recognition; it involves acknowledging the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Unlike flattery, which is self-serving, true honor is Christ-focused and leads others to recognize God’s work in them. [49:59]

5. Care Rooted in Christ’s Care for Us: We will never truly understand how to care for one another until we first see how Jesus has cared for us. Our ability to care for others flows from our recognition of Christ’s provision and care in our own lives. [55:40]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[37:55] - Introduction and Prayer for Pastor Scott
[39:03] - Background on Philippians
[40:11] - Christ-like Attitude Over Talents
[41:27] - Timothy’s Example
[42:38] - Encouragement as a Safeguard
[43:41] - Jesus’ Transformative Power
[45:12] - Epaphroditus’ Example
[46:29] - Joyful Reception, Honor, and Care
[47:01] - Joyful Reception Explained
[49:19] - Celebrating God’s Work
[49:59] - Honoring Without Flattery
[51:36] - Recognizing the Work of the Lord
[52:48] - Care in the Christian Community
[55:40] - Christ’s Care for Us
[57:06] - Practical Ways to Encourage
[58:14] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Philippians 2:19-30
- 1 Samuel 16:7
- 1 Peter 4:8-11

#### Observation Questions
1. What qualities did Paul commend in Timothy and Epaphroditus according to Philippians 2:19-30? [40:11]
2. How does Paul describe the attitude of Christ in Philippians 2:5-8? [47:33]
3. What does 1 Samuel 16:7 reveal about what God values in a person?
4. According to 1 Peter 4:8-11, how should we use our gifts to serve one another?

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize Timothy’s Christ-like attitude over his preaching skills? How does this reflect what God values? [40:11]
2. How does encouragement act as a safeguard against worldliness, according to the sermon? [42:38]
3. What does it mean to honor someone without flattery, and how can this be applied in our church community? [49:59]
4. How does recognizing Christ’s care for us enable us to care for others effectively? [55:40]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you were encouraged by someone’s Christ-like attitude rather than their talents. How did it impact you? How can you do the same for others? [40:11]
2. In what ways can you provide encouragement to someone in your life this week to help them stay focused on God’s values rather than worldly distractions? [42:38]
3. How can you practice joyful reception and humility in your interactions with others in your small group or church? [47:01]
4. Think of someone in your church who serves faithfully but might not receive much recognition. How can you honor them in a Christ-focused way this week? [49:59]
5. Identify a specific way you can show care to a fellow believer, rooted in the care Christ has shown you. What steps will you take to act on this? [55:40]
6. How can you cultivate a habit of looking for and acknowledging the work of the Holy Spirit in others’ lives? Share a recent example where you saw God at work in someone else. [49:19]
7. What practical steps can you take to ensure that your encouragement to others is genuine and rooted in recognizing God’s work in their lives? [49:59]

Devotional

Day 1: Valuing Christ-like Attitudes Over Talents
Paul commends Timothy not for his preaching skills but for his Christ-like attitude and genuine concern for others. This teaches us to value the heart and attitude behind actions more than the actions themselves. We should strive to recognize and encourage these Christ-like qualities in each other. Timothy’s example shows that God values our intentions and the love we show to others more than our abilities or achievements. This perspective shifts our focus from seeking personal glory to seeking ways to serve others humbly and sincerely.

In our daily lives, we often get caught up in the pursuit of success and recognition. However, God calls us to a different standard. He looks at the heart and the motives behind our actions. By valuing Christ-like attitudes, we align ourselves with God’s values and create a community that reflects His love and humility. Let us encourage one another to develop and display these attitudes, recognizing that they are more precious in God’s sight than any talent or skill. [40:11]

Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV): "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who demonstrates a Christ-like attitude. How can you encourage and support them today in a way that acknowledges their heart and motives?

Day 2: Encouragement as a Safeguard
Encouragement serves as a safeguard against the worldliness that surrounds us. It reminds us of what truly matters to God and helps us stay focused on His values. By encouraging one another, we help each other resist the pull of worldly distractions and stay rooted in Christ. In a world that often values material success and superficial achievements, encouragement helps us keep our eyes on what is truly important.

Encouragement is not just about making someone feel good; it is a powerful tool that helps us stay aligned with God’s purposes. When we encourage others, we remind them of their worth in God’s eyes and help them stay strong in their faith. This mutual support is essential for building a community that reflects God’s kingdom values. Let us be intentional in our encouragement, using it to uplift and strengthen one another in our walk with Christ. [42:38]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: Identify someone who might be struggling with worldly distractions. How can you offer them encouragement today to help them stay focused on Christ?

Day 3: Joyful Reception and Humility
Paul instructs the Philippians to receive one another with joy and humility, reflecting Christ’s own attitude. This joyful reception requires us to approach each other with open hearts and hands, valuing the work of the Holy Spirit in each other’s lives. When we receive one another with joy, we create an environment where everyone feels valued and loved, mirroring the way Christ receives us.

Humility is key to this joyful reception. It means putting aside our own preferences and prejudices to truly welcome and honor others. This kind of reception fosters a sense of belonging and unity within the community. By embracing each other with joy and humility, we reflect Christ’s love and create a space where the Holy Spirit can work powerfully. [47:01]

Romans 12:10 (ESV): "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor."

Reflection: Think of someone you may have overlooked or taken for granted. How can you show them joyful reception and humility today?

Day 4: Honoring Without Flattery
Honoring someone goes beyond simple recognition; it involves acknowledging the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Unlike flattery, which is self-serving, true honor is Christ-focused and leads others to recognize God’s work in them. Honoring others in this way builds them up and encourages them to continue in their faith journey.

Flattery seeks to gain favor or manipulate, but true honor is rooted in love and respect. It is about seeing and celebrating the divine work in someone’s life. When we honor others, we help them see their value in God’s eyes and encourage them to keep growing in their faith. Let us practice honoring one another in a way that glorifies God and strengthens our community. [49:59]

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV): "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."

Reflection: Who in your life can you honor today by acknowledging the work of the Holy Spirit in their life? How can you do this in a way that is sincere and Christ-focused?

Day 5: Care Rooted in Christ’s Care for Us
We will never truly understand how to care for one another until we first see how Jesus has cared for us. Our ability to care for others flows from our recognition of Christ’s provision and care in our own lives. When we understand the depth of Jesus’ love and care for us, we are empowered to extend that same care to others.

Caring for others is not just about meeting their physical needs; it is about showing them the love and compassion of Christ. This kind of care requires us to be deeply connected to Jesus, drawing from His example and strength. As we experience His care, we are equipped to care for others in a way that reflects His love and grace. Let us continually come to Jesus for our supply, so that we can care for others with His love. [55:40]

1 John 4:19 (ESV): "We love because he first loved us."

Reflection: Reflect on how Jesus has cared for you in your life. How can you extend that same care to someone in need today?

Quotes

1. "Encouragement stands as a reminder for those who are looking to serve Christ what matters. I'm going to read verse 19. I'll read it to you soon. So that I too may be cheered by news of you. For we have no one like him who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare, for they all seek their own interests, but not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel." [40:11] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "How often do we commend people for a skill or a gift or an aptitude over an attitude that is in Christ Jesus? And how do we weigh those things up? I'm not saying that we need to abandon encouragement of the gifts that God has given to us, but put them in their right place and look to the things that God cares about first." [41:27] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Encouragement is a safeguard to the worldliness that was around them. Because it reminded them of what God values, opened their eyes to look around for what that was, and then speak that truth to one another. We see in verse 21, it says this, You see, Jesus changed Timothy's heart so much that he couldn't not love his brothers and sisters. And that's the key that we're trying to get to out here. We have to let Jesus change us." [43:41] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We can't just accept the salvation of Jesus. We also have to accept the calling that he has called for us to do. And what he commands is hard. And to love people rightly is one of the hardest things you can possibly ever do. But whatever Jesus commands us to do, he also gives us the ability to do. And he gave it to Timothy, and I believe and I know that he can give it to you too." [44:25] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Hard work for Jesus' sake is an honorable thing. And it's worthy of encouragement. So the first thing that we need to do when we're looking to encourage someone in Christ is to look for the things that God cares about and the attitude that God cares for. And the second is to speak that out and to encourage it, encourage them." [45:52] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Honoring is not flattery. It's not about saying nice stuff to pump up the self. Flattery is self-serving. Honoring is Christ-focused. And I want to tell you a little story about myself a little bit because I wanted to put this in perspective. When I was going to LBC, I was doing pretty well. People were coming up to me and saying, Hey, Noah, you're talented at this. You're good at singing. You're good at doing this. And I appreciated all of it, but in my flesh, what ended up happening was I started transforming and misunderstanding what my gifts were, and I thought my gifts were what made me worthy." [50:34] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "To honor someone goes beyond a simple recognition of efforts. It's beyond saying how honorable the work that they're doing, but it's to look deeper at the work that the Holy Spirit is doing through someone and their gifts thereof. That is why there's no competition. We're boasting in the Lord and what he is doing. And I want you today to choose to recognize the work of the Lord in someone else." [51:00] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Christians are the most dejected people in the world. I'm convinced of it. We see our sin. We see all these things. We never really receive encouragement, and we see all of our sin. We see our weakness, and we just see that as a fault, and we're just always, it's very easy to get in our own heads about that, but we also need to hear, and we need to hear from other people, is that you are made glorious because of the blood of Jesus Christ as well, and someone needs to hear that." [52:05] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "We will never truly understand the care for one another rightly until we first see how Jesus has cared for us. We need to see that the care that Jesus had for us and through that care we have something to give. That's why the gospel can never grow old. Because we wake up every morning in need of a care that only Jesus can give to you. If only we would come to him. And we need to see his provision and his care." [55:40] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "Choosing to encourage one another is one of the greatest honors that you can possibly do for one another. So, would we remember to encourage one another as we continue to strive towards what Jesus has called us to do. So let us come before God and remember what he's done for us. Continue to look out for the things and attitudes that God cares for first. Encourage one another with honor, care, and joy." [56:20] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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