It Takes All of Us

Introduction

Good leaders: lots of books have been written on this topic over the last 25 years. Before that, there was not a lot out there on leadership. Think maybe for a moment on those who you would call a good leader in your life. Take a moment and picture them. Think why they were good leaders.

As we think of those leaders and individuals, there is one who I would argue is the most dynamic, exciting, and out of the box thinker as it came to leadership… that is Jesus.

Many books and seminars in leadership are based on the life and work of Jesus.

Jesus takes the paradigm of leadership and turns it upside down. In the last decade or so there is even a term that has been coined to talk about Jesus’ style of leadership… servant leadership.

Maybe you can draw some comparisons around that good leader you are imagining you’ve had in your life. Just thinking of some of characteristics that the Gospels show us about Jesus and who He is…

He is humble (not arrogant)

Kind (not rude)

He has conviction (not ambivalent)

He has a vision (not aimless)

He has compassion (not heartless/cold)

He is purposefully dependent on others (not one-man-show): Mary/Joseph, Disciples, women (money), even the donkey to ride into Jerusalem was not his.

He empowered others to do what he did

He held people accountable/responsible (not playing favorites)

He showed lavish grace (not condemned the sinner)

He had the hard conversations (didn’t shy away from conflict)

He loved and died for his enemies… making his enemies his friends (all who would believe)… still giving people agency

In this personal letter to the Philippians, Paul leans into the way of Jesus and prepares the church to receive Timothy and Epaphroditus who are working with Paul.

It’s quite possible that only Paul would have the respect of the people, well because he’s Paul, but what he speaks to in this moment is that these men are exemplifying what he sees lacking in the church. He is saying to them, honor them as you would me.

If you have your Bibles, or on your devices, turn with me if you would to Philippians 2:19-30. If you are able and/or willing, would you stand with me as I read God’s word this morning.

Let’s pray. Thank you. Please be seated.

Who are Timothy and Epaphroditus?

Timothy:

Personal name meaning “honoring God.” Friend and trusted coworker of Paul. When Timothy was a child, his mother Eunice and his grandmother Lois taught him the Scriptures (2 Tim. 1:5; 3:15). A native of Lystra, he may have been converted on Paul’s first missionary journey (Acts 14:6–23). Paul referred to Timothy as his child in the faith (1 Cor. 4:17; 1 Tim. 1:2; 2 Tim. 1:2). This probably means that Paul was instrumental in Timothy’s conversion. When Paul came to Lystra on his second journey, Timothy was a disciple who was well respected by the believers (Acts 16:1–2). Paul asked Timothy to accompany him. Timothy’s father was a Greek, and Timothy had not been circumcised. Because they would be ministering to many Jews and because Timothy’s mother was Jewish, Paul had Timothy circumcised (Acts 16:3). (Would eventually become first bishop of Ephesus)

Timothy not only accompanied Paul but also was sent on many crucial missions by Paul (Acts 17:14–15; 18:5; 19:22; 20:4; Rom. 16:21; 1 Cor. 16:10; 2 Cor. 1:19; 1 Thess. 3:2, 6). For example, when Paul was unable to go to Corinth, he sent Timothy to represent Paul and his teachings (1 Cor. 4:17). Later when Paul was in prison, he sent Timothy to Philippi (Phil. 2:19). Paul felt that no one had any more compassion and commitment than Timothy (Phil. 2:20–22).

So close were Paul and Timothy that both names are listed as the authors of six of Paul’s letters (2 Cor. 1:1; Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:1; 1 Thess. 1:1; 2 Thess. 1:1; Philem. 1). In addition, Paul wrote two letters to Timothy (1 Tim. 1:2; 2 Tim. 1:2). As Paul’s ministry neared the end, he challenged Timothy to remain true to his calling (1 Tim. 1:18). As Paul faced death, he asked Timothy to come to be with him (2 Tim. 4:9). At some point in his life, Timothy was imprisoned, but he was released (Heb. 13:23).

Dean, R. J. (2003). Timothy. In C. Brand, C. Draper, A. England, S. Bond, E. R. Clendenen, & T. C. Butler (Eds.), Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (pp. 1597–1598). Holman Bible Publishers.

Epaphroditus:

Personal name meaning “favored by Aphrodite or Venus.” A friend and fellow worker of Paul the apostle (Phil. 2:25). He had delivered to Paul a gift from the church at Philippi while the apostle was in prison. While he was with Paul, Epaphroditus became seriously ill. After his recovery, Paul sent him back to Philippi, urging the church there to receive him “with all gladness” (Phil. 2:29). The name Epaphroditus was common in the first-century Greek-speaking world.

Epaphroditus. (2003). In C. Brand, C. Draper, A. England, S. Bond, E. R. Clendenen, & T. C. Butler (Eds.), Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (p. 491). Holman Bible Publishers.

We really don’t know much about him. He’s mentioned here in our text, but no where else in scripture.

I take comfort in the fact that there have been many a player who are not remembered in the life of the church. We might remember, study, and talk about giants such as Luther, Zwingli, Barth, Augustine, Spurgeon… I’m not convinced that 100’s of years from now Voorhees is going to be on that list (unless of course it’s a horror convention and Jason Voorhees from Friday the 13th is in the lore).

But it’s quite possible we will not be remembered outside of our families when we die. Here’s what comforts me, the most important person in all history knows each of us intimately. Loves us intimately. Rules our lives for our good and his glory. No matter how we feel about ourselves and our contributions, God sees us, God remembers us, and, by his astounding grace, God uses us. We may remain largely unknown through the rest of our lives (and beyond), but we have never been anonymous. Jesus calls each of us by name (Isa. 43:1; John 10:3).

Isaiah 43:1 “But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”

John 10:3 “The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”

With the passing of time, we’ll become largely unknown, but throughout all eternity, we’ll never be anonymous.

What are their qualifications?

Paul presents Timothy and Epaphroditus as case studies or models of obedience to God and the gospel of Jesus Christ that is marked by humility and unity. He describes their lives of faith and obedience in a way that it reflects his hopes for the way the church in Philippi would be and to stop the unhealthy (un-Christlike) ways that they are behaving.

Paradigm that’s helpful: People belong, the believe, they behave

Unhelpful church-y paradigm: People behave, then they can belong, and we assume they believe (or hope they do)

Paul has loved this church, they have confessed Christ, and now he’s calling them to grow and mature. It’s good to mature, it’s good to grow, it’s good to be challenged to become more mature in faith… it’s just helpful if it happens in the right order.

Paul hopes to be cheered (v19) when he receives news of their well being.

Timothy is deeply “concerned” with them (v20).

Epaphroditus “longs” for them (v26).

Paul was spared deep grief when Epaphroditus survived his near-death experience (v27)

This is not mere sentimentalism but but an expression of lives intertwined in such a way that they share the ups and downs of life.

Paul models here a network of persons (Paul, Timothy, Epaphroditus, and the Philippians)whose lives are intertwined, and they inevitably share each other’s joys and sorrows.

It’s this deep intertwined relationship that builds unity and deep friendship within the church. It doesn’t come quickly, it takes time to build, and it is done when centered around a common purpose.

What counters this…

Not making time to know people (meeting people, interest in their lives, really seeing people)

Not committing and leaving (there are temptations to bounce when it gets uncomfortable or things aren’t they way we want them, this can leave us going “is the church doing their job”, “no faithful churches”, “bunch of hypocrites”, “church not being church”, etc.)

Not participating (it becomes a service for me, about me, and to me. consumer oriented approach)

All of these things counter deep growth and maturity for individuals and congregations.

But let’s drill in a little more to Timothy and Epaphroditus:

Paul gives a qualification of Timothy’s character… Philippians 2:21 “For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.” Timothy is the anti-type to this. Paul is possibly thinking of those he mentions previously in Philippians 1:15–17 “It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.” Paul sets up Timothy as one who embodies Philippians 2:4 “not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

Timothy is still needed by Paul (think dependence on others… modeling humility, trust, care, etc) and when Paul has an idea of how things will work out for him, Timothy will be sent to care and minister to the Philippians.

Epaphroditus is on his way (and most likely delivered the letter).

Paul lists 5 characteristics alone in v25

Brother: This is not in a nuclear family sense, but a title that denotes a deep connection that can only be described as family. Paul is putting Epaphroditus on the same level as him. Like-minded, like-vision, and who is an extension of Paul himself.

Coworker: Paul usually only uses this when talking about people who (1) have exercised some sort of leadership alongside Paul and (2) have been some sort of public representation of the faith that they inevitably endure persecution (Priscilla/Aquilla; Urbanus; Timothy; Apollos and Cephas).

Fellow Soldier: Paul only uses this reference twice (here and in Philemon) but is imagery of a good soldier who not only served on the front lines, as it were, but risked his life such that he nearly died (v26-27)— courage was the single most important virtue to the Roman soldier, and quite possibly why Paul used this language in a culture of retired Praetorian elite soldiers in the city of Philippi.

Apostle/messenger: this word messenger is someone who is sent out. The word in Greek is apostolos which has two connotations… one of the apostles of Jesus or one who carries a message. But it calls a bit of a authority here as opposed to angelos (angel) another word used for messenger. Sent out with a purpose with authority on behalf of the sender as opposed to just delivering the mail.

Servant: There are some super cool Bible nerd stuff around the word here that Paul uses for the word that we translate servant… in the original Greek language that Paul wrote in, the word for servant is not diakonas, hypereetees, or doulos, but it is leitourgos.

Paul used this word in Romans 13:6 “This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants (λειτουργοὶ θεοῦ) , who give their full time to governing.”

Jews were accustomed to use this word when articulating priestly service in relation to the temple.

Paul goes out of his way in this letter to lift up, honor, recognize and highlight Timothy and Epaphroditus for the Philippians.

Why is this important?

The church is people. The church has movement. It grows, it shrinks, it’s new, it’s old, it’s immature, it grows in maturity.

The effort here, why we give ourselves to God’s word and study is to mature.

God has given us His word that we might taste and see that he is good and that we might grow into full maturity… that we might know Him and make Him known.

The Spirit of God is working and moving and drawing us into a deeper walk and more mature walk with him.

Illus: why youth are in service (Gen X and Y problem… wasn’t youth group when they grew up)… parents sit with your kids after service and ask them, what did you learn. What did you take away… they don’t have anything tell them what you learned, what you took away.

(SPEAK TO THE GOSPEL AND HOW THIS ALL RELATES TO WHO JESUS IS AND WHAT HE’S DONE)

Brother: Get to know people that they are like family (can’t shortcut this)… be there for people, give people an opportunity to be there for you

Coworker: Get involved in serving in the church and outside. Realize it’s hard but those hard moments shape and mold us into Jesus

Fellow Soldier: Do the work without grumbling/complaining… give your whole self to it, whatever it is. We serve God who sees all the things we do, in front of people or in secret.

Apostle: carry a message worth carrying. Not gossip, not trendy, not making things about you, but know, understand, believe, and live out the gospel of Jesus Christ. Let it, its implications, and inevitable conclusions lead you.

Servant: Can I just read again what paul wrote in Philippians 2:5–11 “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Don’t get it twisted, it’s all about Jesus. We get sidetracked, we get distracted, we need the good reminder to keep it about Jesus. Who He is. What He has done for you (and for me). How He wants to reach those we love (and especially those we don’t like) with the message of salvation.

“The example of Christ is not only one of humility; it is also one of obedience.” -Dr. Lynn Cohick

It takes all of us. God has created the community of the church as a light that gives understanding and illumination to the world. We don’t just hide that light, we don’t just keep it to ourselves, we don’t go burn people with it… but we allow the light to shine into the darkness.

As we walk with one another, we lean on one another, we commit to one another, we speak truth to one another, we love one another, we seek each others benefit and good, as we do this we grow and begin to see glimpses of the Kingdom of God here on Earth… where His good, right, and perfect will is done.

Let’s pray