Longing to See You

Philippians 2:19–30 ESV

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.

An epistle

A letter, written for an occasion

Combat false teaching and encourage a newly established church

Paul had never been to Colisssea

Prison Epistles 60-62

Ephesians

Colossians

Philemon

Philippians

Written during his Roman imprisonment

Life is hard,

It can get harder when we add serving Jesus into the mix

Persecution,

serving Jesus is hard

How do I serve Jesus with Joy when my world is falling apart?

By fellowshiping with other believers we can find strength to follow Jesus, and Joy in the work that he is accomplishing.

Philippians 2:19–30 (ESV) — 19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon,

Name means “Reverence for God”

Acts 16:1–2 (ESV) — 1 Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. 2 He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium.

2 Timothy 1:5 (ESV) — 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.

Third generation Christian

Acts 16:3 (ESV) — 3 Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

2 Timothy 3:14–15 (ESV) — 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Mission)

Timothy became a vital member of Paul’s inner circle, as seen in the number of references to him in a number of Pauline prescripts

2 Corinthians 1:1 “1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia:” ;

Philippians 1:1 “1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:” ;

Colossians 1:1 “1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,” ;

1 Thessalonians 1:1 “1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.” ;

2 Thessalonians 1:1 “1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:” ;

Philemon 1 “1 Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved fellow worker” ). Timothy is described as Paul’s:

• “Fellow worker” (Rom 16:21; 1 Thess 3:2)

• “Brother” (2 Cor 1:1; Col 1:1; 1 Thess 3:2)

• “Bond-servant” (Phil 1:1)

• “Beloved and faithful child in the Lord” (1 Cor 4:17)

• “Son” (1 Tim 1:2; 2 Tim 1:2)

• Coequal in the Lord’s work (1 Cor 16:10; 1 Thess 3:2)

Pastored in Ephesus

Why Send Timothy?

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

-The name Epaphroditus, meaning “charming” or “handsome,” was common in the Graeco-Roman world.

Delivered a financial gift

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.

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.

Philippians 4:10–15 (ESV) — 10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only.

Philippians 2:19–30 (ESV) —

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.