How to Treat Good (but Imperfect) People - Part A

If you are not getting along with another Christian, you can at least acknowledge this, that person is your brother, your sister back. This will help you treat them well because if you look at that brother or sister you're not getting along with think this I have to spend eternity in you nonstop with you forever yeah you are. And because of that it should behoove you to try to get along a little bit better now before you get to return it the way you treat people differently if you saw them through Christ's eyes. Today on connect with Skip Heitzigs, Skip looks to the apostle Paul for insight on how you can treat others with the same love and compassion. Christ showed you first Skip is to share about another way can hear these encouraging Bible messages.

Now I just want to let you know how we can stay connected on my YouTube channel. Just search for Skip Heitzigs that that's HEIT CIG will find in-depth Bible teachings and insightful interviews. And don't forget to subscribe, then Skip now were in Philippians chapter 2 as we dive into her study with Skip Heitzig while in Philippians chapter 2 we read about a guy named a pathic guidance.

That's an unusual name. In fact, Aphrodite us at first.

Sounds like a disease and appendicitis diverticulitis. I have a bad case of a pathic guidance but a proper Titus was not a disease he was a dear friend of Paul the apostle, who is also a servant of Paul were introduced to them. Here in Philippians chapter 2, but he's unknown to most of us, and that's because his name only shows up twice in the Bible and both of them are found in the book of Philippians that brings up what I would consider an important point son of God's choices, servants go unnoticed. They serve behind the scenes their content to be active but behind the scenes. Their name is and and rights is not in the bulletin. You never read their books or heard the music, but they are servants and they are important nonetheless in a proper Titus falls in that category we would call him a layman that is he had no official position in the church. He was Nada a deacon that we now release. He was an elder. He was in a pastor but he was a friend of a servant to Paul the apostle. So if you have a worship folder with you. You'll notice that I am calling this message how to treat good but imperfect people how to treat good but imperfect people and what Paul is doing is giving a good example of a greater principle. The good example is up Aphrodite us the greater principle is the principle of serving loving humility. Rocchi begins to start at the beginning of chapter 2 opens up the chapter by saying there is therefore any consolation in Christ and comfort of his love any fellowship of the spirit fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, same mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in the lowliness of mind let each consider others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interest of others as the first four verses of the chapter that that's the principle. After giving the principle of humility.

Lowliness of mind.

He then gives us examples in the first example is the best example of Jesus Christ. So verse five begins.

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but made himself of no reputation. After that example that is in the next several verses he uses example number two of humility and that is of his own sacrificial service. He says down in verse 17. If I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith. I am glad and I rejoice now the readers who are getting this letter here that principal being spoken of and read about the two examples of the use Jesus and Paul and some might be tempted to say, well, great. You just gave me two examples I could never be like Jesus is the son of God. I know you tell me to be Christlike. The problem is actually being Christlike. He's Jesus, I'm not. And even Paul the apostle good example, but unattainable. He's that great apostle who has done more for Christianity to probably anybody else so they may be thinking as her getting this letter. Do you have anybody else that I can relate to and perhaps Paul knowing that they would think that way. After listing Jesus as an example and himself.

As an example he gives to her. Timothy is the first one we covered him last time and up.

Aphrodite us is the second verse 25 of Philippians 2 begins yet. I considered it necessary to send to you. Aphrodite is my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who minister to my need. Since he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick for indeed he was sick almost unto death, God had mercy on him and not only on him but on me also list I should have sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore, I sent him the more eagerly that when you see him again. You may rejoice and I may be less sorrowful receiving. Therefore, in the Lord with all gladness and hold such men in a steam because for the work of Christ.

He came close to death not regarding his life to supply what was lacking in your service toward me now looking at this tax will want to do with you or show you some principles of getting along with people treating other people will find this. I think helpful in treating people who are your neighbors, your colleagues, other Christians within the church.

Even members of your own family because one thing you know about every family there's not just one temperament per family. There's one temperament per individual in that family. A few years ago to counselors John Trenton Gary Smalley. I did some seminars that made its way into a book where they talked about temperaments within a family, and they creatively linked family temperament to the temperament of certain animals in the animal kingdom. So for example they talk about. First, the lion temperament. The lion temperament they say is the strong hearted determined resilient individual decisive, opinionated, and usually loud as the lion temperament when there's a golden retriever caregiving compassionate. This one doesn't make any demands you can unload on the golden retriever lie right down there in understand.

Next is the author the fun-loving kickback water. Usually this is the youngest in the family.

You know the water and it doesn't make any difference.

You know, my older brother he'll handle it. Just go and see him I'm kicking back, baby. This is no big deal, is the hard-working beaver diligent responsible organizing verse don't have one briefcase to have two and are not the slim thin little runs of the expandable ones that look like small luggage.

They need always to carry them.

They know exactly where they are going, but you get a beaver and a lion combination and look out now.

There are different temperaments within the body of Christ, as well as within a family and the principles you to see with me are principles in treating other people. Imperfect people and treating them well. Now a few words about up Aphrodite's up. Aphrodite us was a convert up all the apostles. Aphrodite us was a Gentile, that is, he was not a Jewish person he was from the pagan world of Philippi. His name gives it away. Aphrodite us, if you're a Google that name don't even do that now, please. But if you're a Google that name. They probably would say things like charming or lovely or handsome but that's a stretch from the original meaning because up Aphrodite us means the love of Aphrodite, anybody know who Aphrodite is or remember the name ever heard of Aphrodite, goddess of love, the Greek goddess of love and fertility of the Roman equivalent was Venus.

So look up Aphrodite's means somebody who belongs to, or his or who is favored by the pagan goddess Aphrodite so he had a pagan background and he was saved on one of Paul's missionary journeys in Philippi.

We went to that city. Paul is in jail.

As you know he is into your prison incarceration in Rome, which means he's under house arrest is changed to a Roman soldier, but people can come and go so up. Aphrodite is in Philippi.

Here's about what's happening with Paul and he volunteers to go to Roman minister Paul know that in mind we can look at these verses and I'm in a get these principles in principle formidable probe down into the text.

First of all when it comes to treating good, but imperfect people number one acknowledge their strengths acknowledge their strengths. You will notice in verse 25 that Paul the apostle writes no less than five titles for his friend up Aphrodite's five strengths that he lists and is kind of written like a crescendo run top of the other solar. The first one yet.

I considered it necessary to send to you up Aphrodite us. My brother, that's who he is. First of all, my brother now. If you are not getting along with another Christian, you can at least acknowledge this, that person is your brother, your sister, in fact, this will help you treat them well because if you look at that brother or sister you're not getting along with think this I have to spend eternity with that person you nice talk with you forever yeah you are. And because of that it should behoove you to try to get along a little bit better now before you get to eternity know this whole brother sister thing was a new concept in the ancient world. In the ancient world.

The Greeks thought they were better than everybody else. The Greeks divided the whole world into two classes Greek and barbarian. If you're not a great barbarian. The Romans divided the world into Roman citizens and slaves are subjugated people and if you are subjugated, you will be soon. I was there mentality so the Boomer divided by class. They were divided ethnically by race and so there were feelings of superiority and into that Greco-Roman culture comes the church which treats people who are saved at the same level matter what your background is a matter how much money you make this a Medicare king or popular.

This matter your ethnicity. You are a brother. You are a sister in Christ, and I believe this really is the answer to our polarized society. Instead of saying, brothers, Blacks and Hispanics and whites or Democrats and Republicans listen, if you're a Christian, you're my brother, my sister were in God's family. In fact, you will notice that sometimes you are closer to your spiritual family than even your physical family. I know I found that to be true. I first came to know the Lord about my principal all excited that I'm born again.

They words.

I got Elyse, my brothers will think this is really cool. They didn't.

There was an alienation and Jesus even promised a man's enemies will be those from his own household. So God is provided a belief for us to grow close to to rock true life with member, the time when Jesus was teaching in his actual brothers and sisters and mom came to CM and Jesus looked around the room and said it was my brother my sister my mother for whoever does the will of my father in heaven. The same is my brother, my sister and my mother so first thing he says is key.

Aphrodite this is my brother look at the second title that he gives him fellow worker Aphrodite is my brother, fellow worker okay if Aphrodite's went all the way from Rome on Tuesday from Philippi to Romans 800 miles. In ancient times I was six week journey. He volunteered for the job.

He volunteered to work for Paul the apostle. Now I want you to turn to chapter 4 for just a moment and look at the only other verse that has a proper diet is his name and it will try to construct a profile of what this guy was like chapter 4, Philippians, verse 14. Nevertheless, you have done well and that you shared in my distress. Now you Philippians. Note also that in the beginning of the gospel. When I departed from Macedonia. No church shared with me concerning giving and receiving. But you only for even in Thessalonica, you did send a once again for my necessities. In other words, nobody else financially supported me on this mission except you guys, you got it again and again for 17 not that I seek the gift but I see the fruit that abounds to your account. Indeed, I have all and abound I am full, having received from up Aphrodite us the things sent from you a sweet smelling aroma and acceptable sacrifice well pleasing to God. Get the picture.

He went on behalf of the Philippian church with money and supplies to help Paul while he was in that incarceration in Rome to serve him personally and serve alongside of he put his back to the work. If Aphrodite is wasn't like a guy who said I like work fascinates me.

I can watch it for hours. You actually said Paul I'm here to serve.

I'm here to work years ago. Growing up before I had my own wheels is to hitchhike see a picture along here kid in California try to find his way different place and I thought dogs are cool to stick it out. People give you why.

One day it dawned on me that we hitchhikers were in effect telling people this you buy the car you will pair the car you paid for the insurance you put gas in it and all right along for free. That's my job. I get a free ride. You do all the work and if you get in an accident you're on your own and I'll probably sue you and so Paul wants the Philippians to know is up Aphrodite's came as a worker is a spiritual hitchhiker.

He put his arm in his back to the work. Serve alongside of them. So because of my brother and fellow worker through title. He gives him fellow soldier. Now when you hear the term soldier you ought to be thinking of a battle and that's because the Christian life is not a bed of roses.

It is indeed a battle and when you're in a battle. It's great to have a friend with you. It's great that people who will stand next to you, especially for Paul because if you know anything about Paul's journeys in the book of acts, you know that wherever Paul went the guy got in trouble. He was opposed wherever he went. He was beaten up several times. He was stoned that I was.

He had rocks thrown at him. He was a stonework on Colorado and each new world where Annie was thrown in jail quite a bit.

Not often made the joke that whenever Paul went to a city he's his first question is where's the jail I need to know I'm to spend the night tonight because he was always getting in trouble and that's because he preached boldly in the name of Jesus and people didn't like his message. He was intelligent he was gracious. He was articulate but he was bold and when he was bold and got himself in trouble. It's great to have fellow soldiers who will say Paul, I'm in this battle with you all walk through this battle with you all stand with you. So Paul wrote to Timothy in second Timothy chapter 2 verse three he writes endure suffering along with me as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Now there's an obvious point to be made and that is an effective Christian will be a target of the devil. If somebody says you know I really don't about the devil much. You never bothers me. That's not a good sign because the Bible says all who live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. Paul was right at the top of that list and Paul was grateful to have Timothy and up Aphrodite us standing alongside of him in that battle. If you have somebody in your life who stands with you when things get rough and you're fighting a spiritual battle. Would you please acknowledge them and thank them thank them for that one my favorite scenes in the movie the gladiator is when the Roman soldiers were in battle and their shooting those fiery arrows out of the enemy and the enemy shooting the fiery arrows back at the Roman soldier, but the Roman soldiers had a very unique practice of locking their shields together.

When the arrows are being lobbed at them so they would stand against the arrows and put their shields a little bit aimed at the sky where the arrows were falling rock their shields together so it from the protective wall and then they would march forward singing songs. The songs were meant to encourage and bolster the courage of the fellow soldiers, but they would advance singing locking shields together. That's a good picture of how we are to fight our battles for some people love to sing battle songs but not get into the battle sing the songs, but then get into the battle and encourage one another is up Aphrodite's did for Paul.

Paul acknowledges that that's one of the strengths my brother, fellow worker fellow soldier as 1/4 description the full strength of Hartford -itis verse 25 but your messenger, your messenger means your ambassador, your delicate pasta lawn.

We get apostle from that somebody set out on a task. So if Aphrodite is volunteered to be the guy set out by the Philippians to make a six week 800 mile journey to serve Paul to be there messenger or something I'd like you to do next time a missionary comes to town. We have our missionaries from the field come back during the year they set up a kiosk often in the foyer sometimes well on a Wednesday night bring them up and pray for them and hear from them next time you see a missionary back home.

Would you mind going up to them and just give him a good word of encouragement. Thank them for going to the field on your behalf go on my behalf. Yes on your behalf you're not there. You didn't go. I didn't go so they are sent out by us from us, and there out there in very difficult situations and it's always great when somebody acknowledges that they did that you thank them for that. My dad was a fisherman and when he was a deficient and he had his buddies and he try to get us in the fishing inside whatever I really wouldn't do it and sorry for your fisherman. You hear that I disappointed you.

Perhaps. But when they would talk about fishing having man.

They were just so into where they would go hunting or fishing and and if I were to Atlas so you are a fisherman here and really got it.

I would ask you. Okay, think of the best place you can think of in your mind right now. Best place you've ever gone fishing. You probably won't say Shady Lakes over all that's a great place for your family because they stock it full of fishing for your alignment deficient it in a week, but probably not your favorite nominee hear something probably like us all man I know this place, but it's so far away and it's hard to hiking and camp out and it's kind of difficult and dangerous man to fish hungry dance missions Skip the message from the series Technicolor joy right now want to share about a resource that will grow in your knowledge of God's word times you hear a sermon that really speaks to you. It's almost as if the pastor knows what you personally going through and he teaches a message like you're the only one listening. Well it's not that the pastor knows you personally that God gives you personally here. Skip, I think in nearly 40 years of expository teaching. I still love hearing that one of my messages focus on one person better for them on to know God better or more like that's not because of me that's just the power of the word of God doing the work of God in the hearts of the people get to know the God who knows you pastor Skip six a collection of some of pastor skip's most memorable teachings, including the rapture.

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Skip six euros you hope all affirmed the sacrifice of one of his dear friends, learn how you too can encourage your brothers and sisters in the faith learn to look at people through the lens of their strengths, there attributes of the beneficial qualities don't always notice their faults start noticing their strength so Skip presentation of connection to ever-changing time