Epaphroditus

Introduction

Greetings…

In Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi, the congregation he loved dearly due to their work from the beginning with him, we read of a man named Epaphroditus.

This man was sent by the church in Philippi to deliver supplies for Paul’s need while he was in Rome on house arrest.

Philippians 4:18 ESV

18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.

However, while there in Rome Epaphroditus becomes ill and almost dies.

This news travels back to the church in Philippi and they are worried about their “messenger and minister” to Paul’s needs (Philippians 2:25).

Let’s read Philippians 2:25-30 now.

Philippians 2:25–27 ESV

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.

Philippians 2:28–30 ESV

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.

Paul describes Epaphroditus, in verse 25, using three specific terms.

A Fellow Brother

Born Of God.

Every single person that obeys God’s gospel plan of salvation is "born of God” out of a love for him.

1 John 5:1 ESV

1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him.

When born of God, we are adopted into his family.

Ephesians 1:5 ESV

5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

Summary

This means we are all “brothers and sisters” in Christ who have obeyed “God’s gospel plan of salvation.”

Galatians 3:28 ESV

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Epaphroditus was also…

A Fellow Worker

Born To Serve.

When we are “born again into a new creation” it is one that is meant to simply sit back and be satisfied with that accomplishment.

No, we were created as this “new creation” to work.

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Epaphroditus understood this and gladly accepted the opportunity to “supply Paul’s needs” so Paul could continue his work for the Lord.

This is admirable and worthy of “honor” as Paul described in Philippians 2:29.

But the congregations great concern for Epaphroditus demonstrates his work was not limited to traveling around and supplying missionaries needs. No he was much loved by the church there in Philippi.

Why are the hardest working members the most beloved in a local congregation?

Because they work hard for the Lord and fellow brothers and sisters notice.

Summary

Epaphroditus was not just a brother and sisters to the Lord’s church.

He was also one of its hardest workers!!!

We also find Epaphroditus was…

A Fellow Soldier

Born To Fight.

As Christians, we are to be a people that seek peace wherever possible.

Romans 12:18 ESV

18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

However, when we obey the gospel and are therefore “born again” to walk in newness of life we find ourselves immediately “born to fight.”

1 Timothy 6:12 ESV

12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Ephesians 6:10–12 ESV

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Summary

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Conclusion

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Invitation

Isaiah 59:1–2 ESV

1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; 2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.

Philippians 2:6–7 ESV

6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

Romans 10:17 ESV

17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Hebrews 11:6 ESV

6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Acts 17:30 ESV

30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,

Matthew 10:32–33 NKJV

32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

2 Thessalonians 1:8 ESV

8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

1 Corinthians 15:1–4 ESV

1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,

Romans 6:3–5 ESV

3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

1 John 1:7 ESV

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.