Lessons from Timothy - 11

Well I don't know about you but I'm happy to be moving back to the epistle of Paul to the Philippians after being away from it for several weeks and recall that Paul is under house arrest in Rome and as he awaits his trial. He writes a number of epistles you don't know how many altogether, but for the dark included by the direction of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament Scriptures.

We call these the prison epistles are Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon. We are currently preaching our way through the book of Philippians. A broad statement about chapter 1 tells us that it was written, among other things to encourage the Philippian believers to persevere in the faith there always temptations to be turned aside to other things. They, unlike ourselves, were facing serious persecution of their day from those who were enemies of the gospel. I mean real physical persecution, physical harm, jail time and other persecutions that would make it easy for someone to say I think I'll make my life easier. I think I'll stop professing to be a Christian. So Paul writes to them, to encourage them on unit faith. Chapter 2 Paul gives them and us several examples of faithful Christian service, starting with the perfect example. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, that wonderful passage about the incarnation of Christ that emphasizes his humility is self sacrifice is selflessness on behalf of others. That's a perfect example of our service for the Lord.

But beyond that as we move toward the close of chapter 2 of the portion we are coming to today. Paul gives true more examples, not perfect examples, but two more good examples to follow in the persons of Timothy and Papaver died us and then talking about them. Paul also revealed some things about himself and I think there's enough there about Paul that we could say he becomes yet another example of solid Christian commitment and service to the Lord that we can safely follow though. Again, no one can be followed as a perfect example.

Except the Lord Jesus Christ.

But today we come to Timothy. Paul has some things to say about Timothy and in connection with what he says about Timothy.

He has some things to say about some others regard to Timothy.

He has some positive things to say in regard to others. He has some negative things to say and we can learn from both of these these sides of the coin of truth I'm going to divide this portion of the three parts number one Paul's concern for Philippi number two Paul's's election of Timothy, a number three.

Paul's personal commitment to the Philippian believers number one Paul's concern for Philippi comes through all throughout the epistle and come through very strongly in verses 19 and 20, but I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly that I also may be encouraged when I know your state, for I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. Paul's concern for Philippi, that is for the church at Philippi in some respects, we might call it a natural concern. Paul says again. Verse 19 I trust in the Lord to send Timothy to you shortly that I also that little word. Also, I'm focusing on. For the moment, because what that means is I as well as you. I also what is he saying I also may be encouraged when I know your state so it's clear that what he saying is that the sending of Timothy as a twofold purpose fact as we move to the next verse will see a three fold purpose, but nevertheless in that statement a twofold purpose. The number one Timothy is going to encourage the Philippians, but his report back to Paul. Paul is confident is going to encourage him so that I also may be encouraged and so Paul is expressing a concern that we might call it a natural concern for these people because we don't have to read very much in Paul's epistles before we realized this is a regularly stated concern in nearly every epistle. He's concerned for the people in the church at Corinth. He's concerned for the people in the churches of Galatia. He's concerned for the people in the church in Colossae. He's concerned for God's people all over the world.

So were not surprised that he's also concerned for those who are Christians in the city of Philippi just seems to be an outflow of Paul's love, Paul's interest in other people and Paul's concern for the welfare of others and especially for people that he knew personally as he did these for the church at Philippi had been established by the labors of the apostle Paul and is is writing to the church. He has particular individuals in mind, we read the general statements and we don't know these people.

But as Paul writes, he's thinking about this one and that one is thinking about the Philippian jailer he's thinking about Lydia, the seller of purple. He's thinking about the slave girl that was saved by the grace of God. He's thinking about others.

These are real individuals that come to his mind, he knows them personally and therefore he has a very personal concern in their welfare and natural concern, but of course that spills over into a spiritual concern. It's hard to divide these completely one from the other spiritual concern that Paul had.

We can trace this all the way back to his conversion on the Damascus Road along with the conversion were God changed his heart and instead of giving him hatred for the people of God which he had before animosity vehement opposition to the people of God. Now suddenly all that is changed and he has a love for the people of God that he didn't have before. The same love that God puts in the hearts of all that he saves. He gives his saved people a love for his other saved people so Paul has that as a result of his conversion on the Damascus Road. But beyond that of the Damascus Road. He was also given his apostolic commission I'm calling you Paul to be an apostle of Jesus Christ, strange commission that point in history when all the other apostles had been trained by Christ when he was upon the earth. Not Christ is back in heaven it wouldn't seem possible to to call another man, an apostle of Christ in the pointing to that that task but indeed, that's exactly what Jesus does speaking to him personally from heaven, showing himself in his glorified risen physical body from heaven, showing that the apostle Paul so that he too becomes a witness of the resurrection of Christ and then training Paul personally over the next three years. The details of which we know very little, but there just little mentions of this here and there that make it clear that Paul was trained by Christ.

He didn't get his doctrine from any man, not even the other apostles. He was trained by Christ. This apostolic commission said he and forth with the burden for others and especially for those throughout the Gentile world because his apostolic commission was especially to be the apostle of the Gentiles. Peters apostleship which also had some ministry to Gentiles along the way. You can read about it in the book of acts, but Peter's commission was primarily as an apostle to Jews, particularly of course those who came to faith in Christ, whereas Paul's was to Gentiles. And so Philippi is what a Gentile church in northern Greece and so we see a spiritual concern grows out of his conversion work of the Holy Spirit in his heart. The grows out of his apostolic commission that grows out of his special assignment to Gentiles.

All of that involved here and, furthermore, Paul as a spiritual concern as a spiritual father, a special concern because of the relationship which Paul was given to these people in Philippi notice what he says to the Corinthian church is similar relationship when he says in first Corinthians 310 according to the grace of God which is given to me as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. When you couple that with what he says in chapter 4, first Corinthians verse 15 for though you might have 10,000 instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers were in Christ Jesus, I have begotten you through the gospel with José. I have the special relationship with you as a wise master builder we would say a church planter who laid the foundation for the church.

Others have contributed others have added to the foundation others and preach the gospel. Others in Corinth have come to Christ through the ministry of other men besides Paul. But, though there are many others who have contributed to this working all share in the fruit of that labor at all share in the rewards that Christ will give to those who are faithful in that day. Nevertheless, I have a special relationship to you as the master builder as your spiritual father who has begotten you speaking really of the birthing of the church more than the individuals in the church. I have I have birthed this church into existence. I am the master builder who laid the foundation. I am the church planter and therefore these are wonderful facts and worthy of commendation, but what Paul is saying is this gives me special responsibility. I have a special burden for you. I have a special concern for you, I have a special responsibility for you that goes beyond what other people have. Paul's spiritual concern moving from Paul's concern for Philippi. We move secondly to Paul's selection of Timothy because of his concern for Philippi.

He is very eager to send a messenger to them because he himself can't go at this time. He's under house arrest but he sees a need for someone to come to them and so he selects Timothy for that job in Paul's selection of Timothy as announced in verse 19 we read of the moment ago, he says, but I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly that I also may be encouraged when I know your state.

Paul's choice for this important assignment is a man named Timothy that choice.

Of course as always subject to God's will I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy, I trust, as the Lord Jesus allows is the Lord Jesus approves as the Lord Jesus sanctions mine plans and what I believe our God-given desires, but I won't know until the Lord Jesus brings them to pass and so it's it's another way of saying if the Lord wills.

I send Timothy to you. Paul's selection of Timothy as announced, but then we see. Secondly, Paul's selection of Timothy explained in verse 20 why Timothy as opposed to someone else, for he says, verse 20 I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state.

I have pondered on that verse a lot over the last several weeks. The last time I preached from this text in Philippians goes back to the second Sunday in Mesa. Here we are the first Sunday of June. Looking ahead, from that last preaching assignment. I've been thinking about this passage. All of that time in the study and get off and on all of that time even during my wonderful vacation away and that those words in verse 20 are haunting words, they are perhaps in some ways.

Some of the most sober words in all the New Testament sending Timothy why because there's nobody else who qualifies there's nobody else who's like-minded and when you couple that with a further explanation of verse 21 for all seek their own and not the things which are in Christ Jesus. Your heart just tends to go but it's Paul saying always explains Timothy selection. First of all, in positive terms in verse 20 he selects Timothy because he is like-minded to Paul. He is my translation says like man minded.

A more literal translation would be like, sold as OU L ED is like sold, of equal sold to mine. But that word soul is properly translated mind in many places and I think this is one of those places where that is the most appropriate translation.

In other words, Timothy thinks like I think Timothy's burden is like my burden Timothy spiritual concerns are like my spirituals concerns. He is like-minded to make eye, so I will send you the best. It's available I will send you someone else who was as close to me as possible whose thoughts whose motives whose ministry is as much like mine as it's possible for another individual to be. I'm selecting Timothy he will sincerely care for your state.

Sincerely, without hypocrisy, without ulterior motives. He's going to minister to you, simply out of love for Christ and concern for your well-being. That's the way he will come to you that's why I'm sending Timothy. That's the explanation. But we come to verse 21 we see Paul's great disappointment declared for all seek their own, not the things which are in Christ Jesus. Paul's disappointment involves a scarcity of qualified men to send the sending Timothy because he is highly qualified but is also sending Timothy because at the moment is nobody else who is qualified.

That's what said I all seek their own, not the things which are in Christ Jesus is a broad general sales statement all seek their own, everybody seeks their own, but like so many of these all statements in the Bible it needs to be qualified by the context that in mind, that applies to other areas of doctrine, which I will go into now. Keep that in mind, here's another example of it all seek their own are you talking about every individual in the world without exception will know all seek their own you talking about all Christians in the world without exception will know that this doesn't work in the context all seek their own what you talking about all the men who are in Rome who are involved in ministry who might possibly be considered for this assignment. All of them are not really qualified because they seek their own interests above above Christ's Timothy's the only one whose mind is like mine, Timothy's the only one who is without any hypocrisy without any selfish interest without any self-serving motives. Timothy's the only one that I can send because everybody else that I could possibly send doesn't meet the qualification no one among those who are available to Paul in Rome at this time that narrows this broad general statement that starts out as a big all narrows it down to probably just a handful. We don't know how many but in that handfuls. Paul looks over the people who could potentially be sent on this assignment. He says not that one. Not him, not him, not him. No, not him.

Timothy's the only one know this tells me that some of those who traveled with Paul on his missionary team must've been away on other assignments. Titus must not of been with Paul at this time because we know the Paul considered him trustworthy.

Luke must not of been with Paul at this time because we know the Paul considered him trustworthy.

We don't know who these men are because Paul doesn't name them. I suspect maybe Demas was one of these. He doesn't name him later as he actually defects completely from the path of of following Christ, but this time things are man who are following Christ.

They believe in Christ. There following Christ there involved in gospel ministry in some fashion in the city of Rome. But Paul can't entrust them on this very significant assignment because he can't trust them if they're sent to Philippi to care for the spiritual state to care for your state. The way Paul would in the way the Timothy will. In other words, these are men who we would assume are saved, we can see their hearts, and these are men who are involved in ministry. We can see that that's true, and are therefore able in the grace of God to carry out some useful work in the in the because of Christ and the church at Rome in the gospel work that's going on there. They can do some of those things, but there are some task that they're not qualified for because they're not totally committed to the Lord. Paul will not send any self-serving men to Philippi if he knows it again he can't see every heart he doesn't know every person, but as indications of what he's describing here reveal themselves in the words and actions of some of these men who were involved in ministry.

Paul says, oh, what a disappointment that man shows that when push comes to shove, he's going to put his own interest ahead of Christ and others. That's disappointing and I can send somebody like that to Philippi, but Timothy is qualified in his selection as confirmed in verse 22. But you know here is that is Timothy's proven character that is a son with his father. He served with me in the gospel Timothy selection is confirmed. Timothy was observed by the members of the Philippian church. You know this. I'm not just simply telling it to you and say, believe me you know what you observed him he was there he worked with me and Philippi. You know that what I'm saying is true. You have personally attested to it yourself. He was observed by you.

He was tested in ministry. He is a proven character which comes from a Greek word which means to put to the test. He's been put to the test and found that he is. He's qualified he met the test. He is an extension of Paul. He's like a son to me.

It's almost like a father-son relationship between Paul and Timothy, which means in the case of Timothy that number one he had in assisting role.

Paul was the father. He was the son not these are not two sons laboring side-by-side and exactly equal basis but it's a father-son relationship in assisting role, but a strong bond father-son in the best sense of that relationship. Not all father-son relationships are good, wonderful, wholesome, strong relationships, but when they are. It's a wonderful thing and that's what Paul is describing here how many times I've observed a man who has worked hard to establish a business that he gets to the place where he's too old. He needs to turn it over to somebody else and in many cases. One. He wants to turn it over to is to one or more of his sons. Sometimes that turns out to be good and sometimes it turns out to be bad as we have all observed, but if the sun really is like minded with the father. That's a good thing.

Another generation will carry on that business in the same spirit, the same commitment the same quality work the same the same commitment to customers and to integrity that his father had one son has a mind like his father and has been trained by his father and his work with his father. That's probably the very best selection you can make for someone to carry on that business and it's a similar thing the Paul is describing here with Timothy. There's a strong bond between us is a common goal that we share. And though Timothy has in assisting role as a son to a father, it is nevertheless a significant role. Paul doesn't say he served me in the gospel.

Though there is a sense in which that's true, but if you look at the words carefully, you'll see.

He says he served with me.

There's a partnership. So Timothy selection is confirmed.

Then in verse 23. Interestingly, this might seem like unimportant details, but they seemed important to me. Timothy schedule is clarified in verse 23 therefore Paul says I hope to send him at once back in verse 19 he says I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly. I'm sending Timothy to you shortly. I'm sending Timothy to you at once translated and some Bibles immediately. What is that mean well, it means immediately after something else happens. First, again, context context is King.

Verse 23 therefore hope to send payment once. As soon I see how it goes with me. This clarifies and explains the word shortly. The word once the word immediately immediately after Paul's legal verdict is announced after the trial has been concluded. Paul clearly expects to be acquitted. He knows he is not guilty that he believes is going to be acquitted, but he also knows it's possible he could be pronounced guilty but an end. If he is pronounced guilty than the likely outcome of that will be his execution will not be addressed. Verdict but as a possible verdict as we know, trials don't always render the right verdict.

Juries don't always get it right. Judges don't always get it right sometimes because of their own corruption.

Sometimes just because they're not God.

They don't all the facts. They can see hearts they don't know they can only thing they can only deal with the evidence that they have.

Sometimes it's incomplete. So Paul isn't sure how the verdict will go but he's pretty sure how it will go.

He thinks he's going to be acquitted, but is going to hold Timothy there until after the trial, but as soon as that not guilty verdict comes down Timothy's going to be immediately dispatched to Philippi.

That's what shortly means in this case.

Now I only mention that will for two things, but it's important I think to notice the small details, but there are other places in the Bible where immediacy may not mean what would appear to be immediacy to us in context will help in some cases work. We have a hard time telling from the context we we see things the Bible about the second coming of Christ being shortly to take place quickly. The cup immediately to come in 2000 years of gone by we to make of that.

Something similar to this. Timothy's going to come quickly is going to come immediately but not immediately immediately is going to come immediately after the acquittal and we don't even know if this point Paul doesn't know when the trials were to take place. Could be weeks could be months. How long is going to be before Timothy can be sent. We don't know when the time comes. He's out here resending him. I'm sending them to you immediately. Let's see what we look like at so far Paul's concern for Philippi number two postelection Timothy number three Paul's personal commitment. Verse 24, but I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly. There it is again. Shortly Paul stated intentions.

Paul plans to visit Philippi personally and he will come shortly. Just like Timothy will come shortly but Timothy was not coming immediately. Immediately she's coming pretty immediately.

Pretty shortly is going to come more quickly depositing the cup to come shortly but not until after Timothy has come probably even returned to Paul to give a report. Paul will visit Philippi personally and he will come as soon as possible. That's really what shortly has to mean in this context he will come as soon as possible as soon as circumstances allow, now he can't come. He's under arrest.

He can travel when the verdict comes down he will be free to travel, but evidently there are some things that he'll need to attend to that perhaps he couldn't attend to. While he was under arrest but they gotta be addressed before he's free to travel. We don't know what they are. But there is indication of such things here, but as soon as it's humanly possible. I'm going to come. That's Paul's intentions, but with that. We also see something of Paul's powerful indications and what is he indicate by sending Timothy he's making some statements.

First of all, it's clear from his own statement of of planned visit to Philippi in verse 24. The Timothy is not to be considered a replacement for Paul. Paul isn't saying it's difficult for me to come right now so I'm sending Timothy and you'll have to be satisfied with him. That's the best that you can hope for.

Not Timothy's not a replacement for Paul. He is the one who is suitable most readily available for this assignment and he sat out of Paul's deep concern for them and he can get there more quickly than Paul can and he is coming because of Paul's willing sacrifice. Clearly Timothy was Paul's most valued partnership and gospel ministry and if there's anybody that Paul would've wanted to be at his side as he finishes up all of these details. Following the trial, it would've been Timothy but he's willing to make the sacrifice of of sending Timothy to them for the greater good of their spiritual welfare. But Paul is personally committed to them to they need to know that this is indication he will come personally as soon as he can in his personal visit will add to the message of sending Timothy to them in some sacrifice of how valuable Paul considers them to be but is willing to do that, but his personal visit. When that happens will even doubly certified the value the Paul puts upon the Philippian believers.

This is a powerful message. A powerful indication of Paul's love and concern for them, but Paula submitted to God and all these things as he was in earlier statement but here in verse 19. As I trust in the Lord to send Timothy to you here in verse 24. He says I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly.

In other words, if God wills acquittal is expected but execution is always a remote possibility. The outcome is in God's hands, not mine, not depending upon famous Roman justice, which was probably the best justice that the world is seen in a long time, nor is he depending upon his own superior ability. Paul was very intelligent.

He was sure that he could defend himself very wisely.

Paul was a good speaker, maybe not a great overflowing public orator, but he knew how to talk, particularly in small groups and one the one and he was very persuasive.

He had these gifts and abilities, but that's not what is depending on to get him through this trial safely.

What's he, depending upon God. It's in God's hands.

The outcome is ultimately dependent upon God. God may use Roman justice. Paul is trusting.

He shell got all God may use Paul's God-given abilities. No doubt he will. But the outcome is in God's hands in whatever it is, acquittal or execution. Paul is fully submitted to God's will, whatever that may be. And that's the key isn't it's easy to say I'm submitted to your will, God, if it pleases me. But that's not real. Submission is, I submit to the will of God when it's when it's the same as my will. That's not the surrender involved in that no submission involved in that you surrender to the will of God when it's not what you prefer. Are you surrender to the will of God when you don't even know what it is and you give them a blank check and say before I even know the issue settled. Whatever it is I'm content, not my will but thine be done. I surrender to thy will. That's what Paul is demonstrating here.

What makes Timothy an effective servant of Christ and in this passage, two things primarily number one and unselfish devotion to Christ another's not my interests first, but Christ's interest first and the welfare of others first like Christ taught us, seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these other things shall be added unto you what we have so much trouble believing that, why do we believe I've got to take care of this.

I gotta make this happen, I gotta take care of this matter, I can't trust God for that, seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these other things of life. Whatever is needed. God promises to supply 21st. He promises to put first demonstrate your trust in him. That's number one. What made Timothy a good servant of Christ.

He had unselfish devotion to Christ another's number two a willingness to serve in a secondary position. How long was Timothy going to be an assistant incentive. The main leader until God took Paul off the same.

When would that be only God knows how I was Timothy willing to do that until God beamed otherwise until God said I'm taking Paul no Timothy you better bear greater responsibility.

That's the attitude that's what made Timothy effective in the few closing moments. Let me try to make some specific applications of all of this. First of all, in regard to gospel minister. This text makes it clear that some gospel ministers are self-serving fact in this particular context. Nearly all of them where the majority were. I don't know that I want to go so far as to say that's always the case. I don't know. Only God knows, but it's clear that some are, and it's not just one or two, some are going to be aware of that for probably does something similar. In this epistle already and I think these two things are probably linked back in chapter 1. Remember, Paul talked about preachers of the gospel in verses 15 and the rating. He said some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife and some also from goodwill.

The former preach Christ from selfish ambition that sounds like what he's talking about in chapter 2000.sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my trains, but the latter out of love knowing that I appointed for the defense of the gospel and then this surprising statement.

What them only that in every way, whether in pretense could say in hypocrisy and self-interest, or in truth, Christ is preached, or we might say if Christ is truly preached if if the doctrine is not altered if heresy is not proclaimed. But if Christ is truly preached then in this I rejoice. Yes, I will rejoice, even knowing some of these men are not doing it out of pure motives. This passage in chapter 1. The issue seems to be that some of these preachers in Rome resented Paul's superior position. They had a certain measure of honor in Rome until Paul came Paul the apostle hadn't been there before Paul shows up and suddenly a lot of people are more enamored with Paul more attracted to Paul more interested in what Paul has to say more interested in hearing Paul preach then in hearing them preach and some of them didn't like that and so their attitude seems to be under preach all the harder to build up following so that I get honor like Paul hands I'm going out do Paul Hyman to work so hard that more people are listening to me that her listing to the apostle Paul.

Paul says if Christ is truly being preached on the rejoice in that even though God knows the heart is not a reward you for that. But you see God draws straight lines with crooked sticks is a really yes how often always the issue is not when the issue is how crooked is the step sometimes maybe a little crooked sometimes greatly crooked but what if God uses any human being uses all he's always using crooked sticks is and yet he always gets his work done perfectly infallibly and in the final analysis, it's going to be faultless. It's going to be beautiful beyond imagination and he did it primarily with fallen sons and daughters of Adam redeemed. In most cases the sometimes even uses unredeemed people for these things. But God draws straight lines with crooked sticks. God gets his work done even when ministers of the gospel aren't what they ought to be.

But oh how grievous it is when they're not what they ought to be, but was Timothy's on grudging acceptance of second-place. The meeting valuable these others in chapter 1 didn't seem to be willing to take second place to the apostle Paul, but Timothy had no problem with that. That meeting valuable member of Jesus in Luke chapter 16. He said he who is faithful and what is least is faithful also in much.

And he who was unjust and what is least is unjust also in much. Therefore, if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon material things, who will commit to your trust the true riches and in addition to this, if you have not been faithful in what is another man's who will give you what is your own. If you can't serve faithfully under the authority and auspices of somebody else.

If you can't be an assistant, then you'll never be a good leader. Not all faith faithful assistance become leaders in the design of God. Not all of them even turn out to be great leaders because they don't always necessarily have the gifts were one thing is for sure, anyone who is not a faithful assistant will never be a faithful leader, market down. That's what the Bible is telling us you want to be an effective servant of the Lord Jesus Christ find the lowly places never.

Christ taught us final only place become the servant washed people's feet take the lowest position and let Christ promote you in advance you and elevate you as it pleases him. And what happens, don't let that captivate your heart either always a slave servant that makes you effective, but isn't it interesting though. Paul knows this about these men somehow they said enough. Somehow they got enough that he was able to recognize this problem even though he couldn't see their hearts.

But though he knows this about these men that they're putting their own interests ahead of Christ.

Lately, appear to be serving Christ the they're involved in ministry, they appear to be servants of the Lord Jesus Christ. But Paul knows that really their hearts motive is their own interest above Christ. But even though that's true.

Paul does not fire them. Paul doesn't dismiss them. He had the authority to do that. Paul doesn't even publicly denounce Demeter's name any names here. We don't always talking about. Though there are some offenses the rise to that level. Alexander the coppersmith have done be much wrong. May the Lord reward him according to his deeds that's coming down pretty hard. Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world that's identifying someone who was a serious defective, but in this area where people are from all measurable evidences are serving the Lord. They're not doing it with on sound doctrine and not doing it with not stealing the clock. The quick they're not not doing anything that's that's obviously of a disciplinary nature. The best thing to do. According to the example of Paul is leave them alone, like the tares among the wheat, leave them alone and let God deal with it if he wants to root them out. You'll bring something serious to pass so that they become an Alexander the coppersmith, it has to be denounced and if not, leave him alone. Leave him alone. Leave him alone.

God will use them. He'll draw straight lines with crooked sticks and of the judgment seat of Christ will sort it all. I think I'll call that my last application.

I'm reminded of the words of a familiar song search me oh God, and know my heart today try neo-Savior know my thoughts.

I pray see if there be some wicked way in me, cleanse me from every sin set me free to say I didn't have time to develop this but it is just ministers serve the Lord out of self-interest. It's what everyone: regular Christians laypeople just as much, maybe more so we better be examining our own hearts. We better be repenting of our sins we better be asking God to show us our selfish desires. We better be committing them to the Lord and read committing ourselves to the Lord. Rededicate ourselves to the cause of Christ surrendering again and again to his interest versus thinking first the kingdom of God all the way all the way home. Until we get safely home to heaven, shall we pray. Father, help us all help us not to slide into selfish nests into self interest. Instead of serving you with a whole heart. We ask it in Jesus name, amen