Read Philippians 2:19-30
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.
25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, 26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.
PONDER
Think about the examples of Timothy and Epaphroditus who have embodied what it looks like to “in humility count others more significant than yourselves” (Phil 2:3). Who in your life has been this kind of example? Give the Lord thanks for this expression of His mercy.
What does it mean to seek Christ’s interests? What areas of your life are you tempted to look out for your own interests, not those of Jesus?
PRAY
“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment” (Phil 1:9)
- Father, you are above all—Creator, Sustainer, Lord over all creation. We worship you alone.
- Father, strengthen us to live holy and blameless lives in the midst of the dark and dying world around us.
- Father, convict us of the ways that we look out for our own interests. Give us selfless and sacrificial hearts.
- Father, strengthen our resolve to stand firm and strive today as we rejoice in what lies ahead in Christ Jesus.
- Father, prepare me to gather with my church and worship you. You are worthy! To you be the glory!
Sing: Listen to this week’s songs on Spotify
PRactice
Gather! 9:30am or 11:00am.
This Sunday we will take the Lord’s Supper to remember and rejoice in Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf. Take a moment before the gathering to prepare your heart to partake of the bread and the cup by confessing sin in your life. If you have children, have a conversation with them about the elements they will see in the gathering. Read 1 Corinthians 11:17-29 together. If your children are not believers, explain why they should not yet partake in the Lord’s Supper. If your children are believers, use this as an opportunity to praise God for his work in their lives.
5 Practices to Gathering Well:
- Be Present – The first step to gathering well: Gather!
- Be Early – Prioritize the gathering with your time. Don’t be late. The practical discipleship of this priority can be profound for you and your family.
- Be Prepared – Ponder, pray, sing, fast, and praise are all good ways to prepare.
- Be Uncomfortable – Sit with different people. Sing loud. Challenge routines. Gather on mission.
- Be Responsive – Don’t just be hearers of the Word, be doers. Pray. Ponder. Practice. Too often we gather to affirm what we already hold, rather than be taught, rebuked, corrected, or trained in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). Gather to be transformed.
- Get help and accountability in Prepare Sundays at 9:30 am across from the Give2Go Cafe. Prepare is a Go Study Group aimed to help us grow as doers of the Word by working through the next steps required to faithfully apply the biblical text we’re reading and preaching through at TCBC.
Talk about the things of the Lord in your families and your Go Groups. Make it a regular practice to ponder, pray, and practice the truths of God’s Word. Check out the Behind the Message podcast as a way to help start your conversations.