If you can get well-coached by the best, that's what you want. And
that's what we get here in Philippians 2. Matt talked last Sunday on
the first part of the chapter where Paul sets up the example of Jesus
to show us how humility works. Humble myself --> serve others -->
sacrifice --> then get honor afterward. Now in the next part Paul sets
up two human examples of service and humility who we can learn from,
Tim the Truth Timothy, and Big Papi Epaphroditus.

I've just pulled out two of their important characteristics that we can
imitate: sincerely caring for people, and having deep, meaningful
friendships that revolve around serving Jesus.

When we compare ourselves to people who are stars in their field, we
always come up short. But if we learn and imitate what makes them
skillful, we can grow more like Jesus.






LEARN FROM AN MVP
TEAMWORK CAN CHANGE MY LIFE (part 6)

We’re partners,
working alongside you, joyfully expectant.
1 Corinthians 2:24 Msg



* DEVELOP CARE FOR OTHERS

19I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may
be cheered when I receive news about you. 20I have no one else like
him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. 21For everyone looks
out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.

22But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with
his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. 23I hope,
therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24And I
am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.          Philippians
2:19-24 NIV

The good shepherd gives up his life for his sheep. ... Hired workers
run away because they don’t care about the sheep.        John 10:11-13 CEV

    > WHO DO I REALLY CARE ABOUT?
    > WHAT IS JESUS DEEPLY INTERESTED IN DOING IN THEIR LIFE?



* DEVELOP FRIENDSHIPS WITH GOD IN THE MIDDLE

 25But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my
brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger,
whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26For he longs for all of you
and is distressed because you heard he was ill.

27Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not
on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 28Therefore
I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you
may be glad and I may have less anxiety. 29Welcome him in the Lord with
great joy, and honor men like him, 30because he almost died for the
work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not
give me.                        Philippians 2:25-30 NIV

    > HOW AM I SERVING CHRIST?
    > WHO AM I DOING IT WITH?



He is my brother in the Lord.
He is a worker and a soldier of Christ together with me.
Philippians 2:25 NIrV




God has put us together as Ridgewood to:

Get Out the Good News
Gladly Glorify God
Grow More and More Godly
Give Our Gifts Generously
Gain Genuine Grace-Filled Friendships