How to Receive Our Missionaries (Philippians 2:28-30)

Philippians 2:28-30

GBCCR 7/6/24

Introduction

We know we should honor those worthy of honor, but sometimes we get distracted

A story is told of An aged missionary couple returned to the United States after a lifetime serving the Lord in Africa.

They thought of it as a glorious homecoming.

On the same ship was a famous personality returning from a six-week game hunt.

When the ship docked the hunter was greeted by a large crowd and a marching band. With much fanfare the crowd thronged about the game hunter, leaving the missionary couple standing alone.

The husband complained that this was not fair. The parade should have been for them rather than some great game hunter

He thought about his words at the suggestion of his wife and said no, don’t fret. we’re not home yet.’ ”

This is not atypical as we often praise what our world praises

So the church must seek to be different

The church is an embassy of heaven.

sojourners, exiles, citizens of Christ’s kingdom. Inside such churches, you’ll hear the King of heaven’s words declared. You’ll hear heaven’s language of faith, hope, and love. You’ll get a taste of the end-time heavenly banquet through the Lord’s Supper

So we must value what our king values, not assume we’re valuing the right thing

Review-

The therefore reminds us that

that Ephroditus was the Philippians medium term missionary

He was sent by the church to support Paul and his long term missions endeavors,

but he got horribly sick and almost died

Ephroditus almost died on this missions trip, but God spared him and the spared Paul the sarrow

Paul is in prision, so he can’t go anywhereTimothy is needed with Paul,

Timothy is needed with Paul, so Paul sends Epaphroditus

so Paul sends Epaphroditus

And he lifts him up as a present day example of Jesus Christ, who considered others more important than himself

Jesus gave his life for others

Those who give all for the sake of Jesus Christ are the ones who look the most like him.

So let’s see

3 guidelines for praising those who have given everything for Christ

When to praise? (28)

Explanation- When you see them.

Paul sends Epaphroditus back probably with this letter

But Paul sends him for the because he wanted to go and for the sake of the Philippians.

He didn’t do this begrudgingly, but with great desire..

Do not forget how unnatural this is.

We learned from Timothy’s story that a true friend goes where he is needed most even when it is not you.

Even though Paul had a greatly important need, he sent Epaphroditus to where he was needed most.

That need for Epaphroditus was Philippi

So when he arrived they would rejoice,

The word means be happy or delighted

They had worried because they heard he was sick

But now they could see God’s mercy just as Paul had

His coming would be an answer to their prayers, so they would rejoice

Praise those who give their lives for Christ as soon as you see them

I once got to an airport really early because that was when I could get a ride and I spent 6 hours by the exit door watching people arrive and those waiting for them

It was amazing to watch certain people peering through the sliding glass door, looking for the first glance of their loved ones

Perhaps most encouraging was Military group brought flags for their family member and friend to walk through

There were cheers and honor given

Christians, we are to have the same attitude

We are praise those our missionaries as soon as we seen then

Application

We must rejoice when we see our missionaries return

It’s not just the job of the leadership, but the whole church to rejoice at seeing them

Can I give some suggestive for what you can say that I’ve heard from various missionaries over the years?

“welcome back”

They come and may feel uncomfortable or discouraged

You’re encouraging them with the fact that you remember them and know who they are.

In that one line, they hear an affirmation of their hopes and a calming of their fears.

We’ve been praying for you

I’ve ben told how often they send out letters, not knowing if they are ever seen

But if you take these and actually pray for them

Maybe write an email back letting them know you’re praying

Kids… I did this when I was in 5th or 6th grade, just saying hi!

So, you must rejoice when they are away

Trans: But Paul also wanted Epaphroditus to do something for him

Epaphroditus was needed to serve them and Paul by passing on Paul’s letter to them and dealing with some of the issues.

that brings us with how to praise

How to praise (29)

2 practices of praise:

Receive them with Joyful listening

Receiving is the idea of welcoming them into your house,

Luke 15:2- Both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

sitting them down on the couch, grabbing them some fresh lemonade, and then sitting down to talk and share stories

The same word is used in Matthew 10

The apostles are to go spreading the word in every town in Israel about Jesus. He tells them

Matthew 10:40–41- “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward.

This is because they represent Jesus

And so Epaphroditus represents Paul, but he represents Jesus as wellHe is that example of one who has the mind of Christ

He is that example of one who has the mind of Christ

The Philippians are called to listen to him and rejoice with what he tells them because he, like Paul, is only excited about the gospel going forth.

Illus

We too are called to not only be excited as people walk down that walkway from the airport, but to receive in them in a listening way

Something crazy happens when you get cateracts in your eyes... you stop seeing clearly but it is slow, so you do not notice it right away

That is until surgery happens and you notice what you’ve been missing

In the same way, we don’t always see clearly what is beautiful and then we get hit with some spiritual surgery from Isaiah

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”” (Isaiah 52:7, ESV)

Those who bring the gospel and work to build the gospel are beautiful.

App: SO..

We need to welcome them in our lives

One missionary reported a few simple ways:

“Let us talk to you and your congregations, and small groups. We want to share what God has been doing and would love the opportunity to talk about it, raise awareness and hopefully gain more prayer support.”

Invite us out to lunch or dinner. Nothing fancy is needed.

Dave Sprunck says if you want to spend time with one of our missionaries… you talk to him

One of the greatest blessings I’ve had over the years has been inviting various missionaries into our home

Sitting with them, talking about life

Ask them about their ministry

And then seeing how we can pray for them

It’s not complicated, it is just care.

Trans: Another way we praise these godly people is by considering them precious

Honor them with respect

Expla

Literally this next clause says “have much value in these kind of men.”

It is the same phrased use of the Centurion’s servant in

Luke 7:2- And a centurion’s slave, who was highly regarded by him, was sick and about to die.

This servant was worthy of sending someone to beg jesus for help,

A servant describes Epaphroditus best, doesn’t it? Again, he is little noted. As we shall see, he is only praised for serving others.

Again, he is little noted. As we shall see, he is only praised for serving others.

But this makes sense in light of what Jesus told his followers

“And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”” (Mark 10:42–45, ESV)

And Jesus gave the greatest example:

“You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.” (John 13:13–15, ESV)

.By holding up Epaphroditus, Paul contradicted the Greco-Roman culture’s, and also our modern culture’s, rewarding those who seek prestige and position

Illus-

Like a far sighted person who can’t see someone clearly until they put on their glasses.. only to find someone who they thought was plain is actually quite stunning

So thinking God’s thoughts about those who serve will make us see their work as worthy of praise

App: Those who serve others are the ones we should respect

We need to watch in our hearts

Do we just get excited about those

Who make a ton of money

Who have lots of fans or are skilled at a sport or video game

Who have the perfect family

They were to honor their mid term missionary, ephroditius and today we do not send missionaires to deliver checks, we have banks for that. But we do send missionaries to give care and concern to a people… we give short term trips

we must train our eyes to follow those who give their all to others

Missionaries are some of the greatest examples

You are to honor men like Ephroditus, those who give themselves to the work of ministry, who will travel to support missions

They leave the comfortable lives they have in the states

Move to a place where perhaps getting cereal is a treat that only happens a couple times a year

Or a place like Europe where Christians are frowned upon every moment.

So, ask yourself… who do I really value?

Parents, who do you kids know you think is important?

Instead of just speaking about politicians, try reading a missionary report letter together

(They sit out by the front double doors)

And remember, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery

You who are young, or especially if you’re still single

What might you do to set yourself on the path to value what our missionaries do?

Missions is not some special calling for super Christians, but for those who love what missionaries love.God & others in a culture unlike our own

God & others in a culture unlike our own

Trans: But in trying to love what they love, we must answer the why question

Why praise them? (30)

They served Christ

He came close to death reminds the Philippians of the cost he took in service

But this service was the work of Christ

The phrase is like the “in the lord” of the previous verseBoth

Both point to draw the attention to the one who assigns the task and away from ourselves.

They were to receive Him in the Lord because of the Lord’s work in Him and in them

So the work that Epaphroditus did was truly his work, but it was God at work in Him, both to will and to work

Epaphroditus’ desire and mission was to serve Christ, so when he succeeded in his service to Paul, then he served at serving Christ

And he risked his life to do so

Risk literally means “to throw aside.” It speaks of voluntarily hazarding one’s welfare and thereby exposing oneself to danger

It is used in some writings as to gamble. The idea of rolling dice when you don’t know what the outcome would be.

John piper defines- “an action that exposes you to the possibility of loss or injury. If you take a risk you can lose money, you can lose face, you can lose your health or even your life.”

If his mission was to get to Paul and serve him, this makes us think that he probably got sick along the way.he then had a choice, do I

he then had a choice, do I continue on and risk my health to complete this much needed task.

So he pushed on, not knowing what would come of him, but thinking the need was much greater=disregard for his own welfare for the sake of his mission

=disregard for his own welfare for the sake of his mission

But in reality, he wasn’t risking anything. The gamblers may have been hoping for a greater prize, but he knew to be absent of the body would be to be present with the Lord, which is gain.

The gamblers may have been hoping for a greater prize, but he knew to be absent of the body would be to be present with the Lord, which is gain.

Illus- we praise these kind of people because they serve Christ

Famous line of Jim Elliot I often try to remind myself of when I do not want to make that risk

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose."

This wasn’t’ from some big speech he gave, but a message he preached to himself in his own journal

And Jim died for this… but he would call this a success because he gained heaven because the gospel went forth.

Application:

So can I be willing to give up my comfort and risk for the sake of the Christ’s work? For the sake of the gospel going out?

Not going to lie, Evangelism can be awkward sometimes. You are doing an impossible task of telling someone who does not care about spiritual things and cannot understand them those very spiritual things.

But is serving this master worth the risk?

John Piper writes “On the far side of every risk—even if it results in death—the love of God triumphs.

And do you want to be around those who risk everything for Christ?

Parents, grandparents… serving God can risk your kids… but what example do you want to set for them?

Remember, we should want to support the children of this church wanting to become missionaries some day

As your children grow in knowledge and skill, encourage them to think about how they could use their gifts in missions work.

Then, if God says, “go,” release them to go!

Nothing can encourage a missionary better than asking, what prepared you for this.. I want my kids, my grandkids to be just like you.

Those of you with jobs know well the challenge of serving God can risk your job…

but whose praise is more valuable, the boss who pays your paycheck, or the God who holds the whole world in His hands?

Trans: But it’s interesting that Epaphroditus’ work didn’t end up being towards many unbelievers because he got sick, but he still accomplished Christ’s work because.

They served Christ’s people.

Expla

It is clear throughout here that it is Paul who Epaphroditus is serving.

Flip to Matthew 25

Matthew 25:34–41- ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? ‘And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? ‘When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ “The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’

*Note that it is brothers of mine. The least of these refers to the same thing in v40 and 45*thus, what you give to other believers or refuse other believers is what you give to or refuse giving Christ.

*thus, what you give to other believers or refuse other believers is what you give to or refuse giving Christ.

This is part of Paul’s statement in 1:5 that they are participating in the gospel, by bringing their gift from ch 4.

this clearly shows that when you support a missionary with financial materials, you are a sender who is participating in their ministry

But why does Paul say the Philippians work is deficient?

They gave him money, they worked with him in the gospel, they experienced the same suffering he did

But they were not able to be present with them.

Who has? Epaphroditus!

A similar statement is made in 1 Corthinans which helps:

“I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence, for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such people.” (1 Corinthians 16:17–18, ESV)

Paul is stating here that he would love to have all of them, but only one could come and he did his job well.

This was Paul’s very mindset too

2 Corinthians 12:15

“I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls.

Illus

We praise these kinds of men because they serve Christ’s people

David Livingstone, the famous African missionary wrote

People talk of the sacrifice I have made in spending so much of my life in Africa. Is that a sacrifice which brings its own blest reward in healthful activity, the consciousness of doing good, peace of mind, and a bright hope of a glorious destiny hereafter? Away with the word sacrifice. Say rather it is a privilege. Anxiety, sickness, suffering, or danger, now and then, with a foregoing of the common conveniences and charities of this life, may make us pause, and cause the spirit to waver, and the soul to sink; but let this only be for a moment. All these are nothing when compared with the glory which shall be revealed in and for us. I never made a sacrifice.

App

This is why the best missionaries do not just go to a foreign land and do whatever is on their heart

No, they go to serve God’s people

Because God didn’t just send individuals, he sent a body… he sent a church

So they go to serve other Christians

They go to build churches and grow churches so because it takes a church to make a great commission

And just like Paul… it takes money to do this

We’ll be talking about our faith giving this month and We need to consider in the midst of everything else we’re doing, how can we support the right people like we’re commanded in

3 John 7–8- For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.

It shows you are focused on the great commission

And so one of the best way to say I support the work of missionaries is to put our money with our mouth is

So thank you for giving to the church to support them

Therefore

Since we have seen (Cohesion)-

We’ve seen a lot from this little known man in a very personal section of scripture

Go want you to praise missionaries and people who give their all for Christ

Praise them when you see them or when you hear from them

Praise them because joy and respect

Praise them because they love Christ and His people

We know we must (Resolution)-

1997 Michael Jordan Upper Deck Game Jersey with Autograph was Sold in February 2021 for $1,440,000

Why? Because he is the greatest of all time… well, until maybe today, right?

But now he’s discouraged

His self-esteem has always been, as he says, “tied directly to the game.” Without it, he feels adrift. Who am I? What am I doing? Since retiring for the third time, he has been running, moving as fast as he could, creating distractions, distance.

But on Thursday, May 23 national headlines talked about missioanries in Hatiti including Davy (23) and Natalie (21) Lloyd and Jude Montis (45) were killed by gangs who shot them and then reportedly set fire to the men’s bodies

Davy, Natalie and some children were leaving a church youth group event Thursday night when a gang attacked them

Then people started to mock them saying why were they leaving their home and families and should not waste their time on Haitians

Or why were they even there when Haiti has lots of Christians

But we know that the death of God’s people is precious in his eyes

So love our missionaries, because they show you Christ.