Philippians - Week 7

Introduction

Review: We are in a Wednesday night series on the book of Philippians. Just to recap and catch you up:

The story of how Paul Planted this Church is found in Acts 16

Remember this is a city of about 10,000 people

It’s located on a major roadway

Paul is supernaturally directed here

This is the first time in the New Testament where the Gospel makes its way into Europe

This was the place where Paul and Silas were placed in prison

Think of Philippians as a big thank you letter. Here a few things you should remember about Philippians:

It was written to the church in a City called Philippi

It was written by the apostle Paul

It was written while he was in Prison - Though there is considerable debate over where he was in prison when he wrote.

The Philippians Church was planted by Paul and they loved and supported him. They sent Epaphroditus to visit him in prison and check on him and take him a financial gift.

Prisoners in the ancient world had no food from local authorities. So their gift and visit was important for Paul.

Paul is writing primarily to thank them for their support –It’s like a missionary thanking our church for our prayers and support for his ministry

Opening Story/Illustration: A year ago I had the privilage of participating in a mentorship program with Jeanne Mayo. For those of you who may not know, she was once considered “America’s Youth Pastor.” She’s in her late 60’s or early 70’s now and she has over 40 years of experience in ministry. She hosted our group at her house twice last year and it was an amazing experience. She’s known for her famous quotes called “Jeannisms.” She didn’t come up with all of them, but she collected and used them over the years.

One of my favorite quotes is this –“Show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future.” I believe this to be very true. Your friends influence your life far more than we like to recognize. When we are going through a tough time, who we choose to hang around and who we choose to allow to influence us will have a great deal to do with how things turn out.

Transition to Text: In the book of Philippians Paul mentions 2 of his close friends. You can tell by the way he talks about them that he is very fond of them. I think that these two guys and the fact that they were there for Paul, had a great deal to do with Paul’s attitude in the midst of his imprisonment.

Text: Philippians 2:19-30

Philippians 2:19–30 NLT

19 If the Lord Jesus is willing, I hope to send Timothy to you soon for a visit. Then he can cheer me up by telling me how you are getting along. 20 I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. 21 All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ. 22 But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News. 23 I hope to send him to you just as soon as I find out what is going to happen to me here. 24 And I have confidence from the Lord that I myself will come to see you soon. 25 Meanwhile, I thought I should send Epaphroditus back to you. He is a true brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier. And he was your messenger to help me in my need. 26 I am sending him because he has been longing to see you, and he was very distressed that you heard he was ill. 27 And he certainly was ill; in fact, he almost died. But God had mercy on him—and also on me, so that I would not have one sorrow after another. 28 So I am all the more anxious to send him back to you, for I know you will be glad to see him, and then I will not be so worried about you. 29 Welcome him in the Lord’s love and with great joy, and give him the honor that people like him deserve. 30 For he risked his life for the work of Christ, and he was at the point of death while doing for me what you couldn’t do from far away.

State or Setup Main Idea:

Transition to Points: This material is known as a “Travelogue.” Paul is detailing his travel plans and provides some detail to let his readers know of his intended movements.

This is in an odd spot in the letter.

Normally, Paul would have only devoted a couple of verses to talk about his friends and normally this would come at the end of the letter.

Why Include this here? There are two reasons:

Paul wanted to deal with some issues facing this church. He felt the issues were urgent and he’s not sure when he’s going to get out of prison. So, he wants to let them know he’s sending Timothy as his representative. Paul wants to make sure they accept him, so he spends some time reminding them who Timothy is and that he comes with the authority of Paul.

Paul is using Timothy and Epaphroditus as examples of humble-minded servants of God. In other words, Timothy and Epaphroditus are living out the story of Jesus in their own lives.

So, this passage is more than a travelogue with mundane details. It continues a Critical theme of the letter.

Let’s look at some background real quick:

Paul has been in prison for probably about two years at this point.

The Philippian church sent Epaproditus to deliver a gift to Paul and his ministry.

While Epaphroditus is there, he turns deathly ill and Paul begins to hear about some problems and disunity within the Church there.

Epaphroditus recovers from his Illness, and Paul, since he’s in prison and can’t go himself, sends Epaprhroditus with this letter and plans to send Timothy later.

So Paul takes both of these men and holds them up as examples for the Philippians to follow.

Let’s look at these two men and see how they lived out the story of Jesus in their own lives.

Points

They put Christ First

Timothy was known as a guy who cared about the things Jesus cared about.

Timothy wasn’t like everyone else.

He had proven himself over and over again with Paul

He was the closest thing Paul had to a son.

Paul often sent him to other Churches as his representative.

Paul wants Timothy to go and let him know exactly what is going on in this Church.

Timothy is mentioned numerous times in the New Testament

He is with Paul when he writes at least 6 of his letters.

Notice what Paul says about him here - “Everyone else cares for their themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ.”

Epaphroditus was a true brother a coworker with Paul

We don’t know too much about this guy

We do know that the Philippians had sent him to help Paul in his time of need.

We are told that he “Risked his life for the work of Christ.”

This is someone who had put Jesus first!

He was being Jesus to Paul, on behalf of the Church in Philippi!

They genuinely cared about others

Timothy genuinely cared about the Philippians

Paul says that he has no one like him

Everyone else looks out for their own interests – Timothy is willing to put others first.

Epaphroditus was willing to go Help Paul

He gets sick while going to visit Paul

He’s sick – almost to the point of dying.

He was willing to put Paul’s needs above his own – and it almost cost him his life.

Notice the langague here of caring and loving:

He “was distressed that the Philippians heard he was ill.”

He “Longs to see the Philippians”

Surround yourself with people who put Christ First

Your closest friends in life should be people who follow Christ.

Illustration – Tie two kids together at the leg and tell them to walk (in order to walk they have to be together, they can’t be going different directions) If we are going to tie ourselves to people – to tie our lives to them, we need to make sure they are going the same direction as we are.

Being a Christian and knowing Christ should be the core of who you are – don’t tie yourself to people who move you away from that.

This doesn’t mean you don’t have non Christian friends.

This doesn’t mean you don’t reach out to those around you

During a difficult time, you need those who are going to push you towards Christ.

Surround yourself with people who genuinely care about others.

Be friends with people who show genuine and deep concern for others.

No one wants to be friends with a selfish jerk.

You might find that jerk funny at times – but when difficulties come into your life you want people who are willing to sacrifice and give of themselves to help you.

Illustration – When your down and hurting you don’t need someone who is sarcastic and funny – you need someone who genuinely cares for you.

Why Bring These guys - Timothy and Ephroditus up?

Remember a couple of weeks ago, we said that the center of this letter is Philippians 2:1-11?

Philippians 2:1–11 NLT

1 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. 3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. 9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Think of it like the center of a wheel and all the spoke branch off of it

I want to keep reading and connect our passages Philippians 2:12-18

Philippians 2:12–18 NLT

12 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. 14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. 16 Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. 17 But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. 18 Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.

This is one of those spokes

So why is Paul bringing up these two men? Because they are examples of what it means to replay the story of Jesus is one’s life!

Conclusion

Restate or Reveal Main Idea: Remember this - Surround yourself with people who are replaying Jesus’ story in their lives.

Prayer