Philippians 2:19-30 - Gospel Ministry Is Modeled by Faithful Servants

“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.”

The title of our sermon today is “Gospel Ministry Is Modeled by Faithful Servants.”

PRAY

Introduction

The model for gospel ministry starts with Christ in 2:5 and then with Paul in verse 17 which is where we ended last week.

The example that Christ set for us is one of humble and sacrificial service for others. It says in verse 8

Philippians 2:8 ESV

8 …he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

In like manner, Paul does the same thing…

Philippians 2:17 ESV

17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.

In our text today, it’s not just Paul being like Christ, but it’s also Timothy and Epaphroditus.

Timothy, who we’ll see in a moment. The church kid. The one, who if you asked for his testimony, would probably not sound so exciting. He wasn’t breathing down threats of violence against the disciples of Jesus Christ like Paul did or have a miraculous encounter with Jesus the way Paul did. No, he was raised by mom and grandma. Which actually is a fascinating story, but to the naked eye, maybe not so much.

Epaphroditus on the other hand, not a church kid. According to 2:25, he came from this church. When Paul came into town, it was probably the first time he heard the gospel. We see that hinted at in 1:5 where Paul describes the church as “[partners] in the gospel from the first day until now.” Which means that they’ve been partners with Paul ever since they came to Christ. This was different from Timothy who already knew Christ when he met Paul. For this church and most likely Epaphroditus, Paul was there when they came to Christ. Epaphroditus was more like the kid from the streets. Different from Timothy, and yet both in need of the same Savior.

I actually have a good illustration for this. Pastor Ryan and Pastor Amel. Someway, somehow, a Pastor Ryan and Pastor Amel illustration was destined to emerge.

Pastor Ryan, the church kid. Clean cut, nice smile and a fine Christian pedigree to go with it. Fine Christian parents, grandparents and who knows how many generations out we’re talking here, memorized verses in the King James Version, in church for most all of his life … child prodigy, destined for great things. And let’s be real here, he’s not just pastor Ryan, he’s doctor pastor Ryan.

On the other hand, you have Pastor Amel. Kid off the street. No Christian anything growing up except for maybe a dusty Bible on the bookshelf that was only opened for it’s illustrated pictures and the occasional visit to the local Roman Catholic Church. Nominal attender at best, but far from being genuine at all. Memorizing verses in the Bible! Forget about it…wishful thinking…for a guy who hated reading, memorizing verses was the furthest thing from his mind.

Saving Pastor Amel was going to be impossible and yet God did it as He did also for Pastor Ryan. Absolute miracle in both cases. Now ironically they both had a Paul type in their life who discipled them at different times with some overlap … his name happens to be Chris Rippee. Now Ryan had no choice because that was his dad, but I had no choice either … he was my small group leader. We were both stuck!! Two very different backgrounds and upbringing with overlap in different areas, these two guys make up the next generation of guys after Chris Rippee.

That’s who Timothy and Epaphroditus were. Two very different guys who make up the next generation of faithful workers after Paul. I love the highlight here of Timothy and Epaphroditus because these guys were not macho like Paul at all. After-all Paul was shipwrecked, whipped, and imprisoned among other things and lived to fight another day. No big deal, just another day in the life of Paul.

Timothy, on the other hand, was timid (2 Timothy 1:6-7). According to 1 Timothy 5:23 he had frequent ailments. He was not Paul, but God was going to use him anyways.

Epaphroditus too was no Paul, but had a near death experience. Different from Paul who was shipwrecked, whipped, and imprisoned … who we know from church history was martyred. Epaphroditus was certainly not Paul, but God was going to use him anyways.

I’m speaking at length about this because I want us to understand that God doesn’t just use the Paul’s in this world to accomplish His will. He’ll take a timid ailing guy like Timothy who grew up in church his whole life or a kid off the streets so to speak like Epaphroditus who nearly dies off of sickness … God will use the both of them to minister the gospel, to encourage the church and in so doing, they glorify God in the process. They are instruments in God’s hands for the cause of Christ here in this world.

We’re going to look a little further into these guys, but at the beginning here what you need to know is that being like Christ in His humility isn’t limited to Paul. Regular guys like Timothy and Epaphroditus are doing it. How? Because what’s true of them is true for you. 2:13, “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” He uses a Paul. He uses a Timothy. He uses an Epaphroditus. He’ll use you.

Let’s explore more. Starting in verse 19 we see…

I. The Hope of Sending Timothy

Philippians 2:19 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.

Who is Timothy? Timothy is at the very least a third generation Christian following the footsteps of faith of his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. His mother was Jewish and his father was Greek. His upbringing probably did not follow the Law to the tee because as a grown man in Acts 16 … he got circumcised. Now there were reasons for doing that, but the point is he did not get circumcised on the prescribed 8th day out of Leviticus 12:3. Maybe because his dad was Greek; I’m sure that had a factor.

His name means “honor God”. “Timē” for honor and “theos” for God … Timothy! He is a native of Lystra and a ministry companion of Paul. He is described by Paul as a…

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)

Coworker in the gospel (1 Cor. 16:10; 1 Thess. 3:2)

As a partner in gospel ministry, we see from Scripture how Paul exhorts Timothy to…

Be an example to all believers (1 Tim. 4:2)

Guard the treasure of the Word (1 Tim. 6:20)

Suffer for the gospel (1 Tim. 1:8)

Retain the standard of sound words (1 Tim. 1:13)

Pass the baton of discipleship (2 Tim. 2:2)

And among many more things, to preach the Word in season and out of season (2 Tim. 4:2)

It’s this Timothy that Paul hopes to send out to Philippi.

Verse 19

Paul is “hopeful” it says because as much as he wants Timothy, a man of this character, to minister and encourage the church, he knows that his life, Timothy’s life, and the church’s life are all in God’s hands. That even though in his mind that Timothy might be the best thing for them, he’s not the final say; God is. Just like when he desired to go to Asia and was prevented in Acts 16, God could do anything with this desire of wanting Timothy to go to Philippi. So even from prison, Paul is mindful of his limitation and is yielding his desire to God’s sovereignty; he’s hopeful.

The purpose of wanting Timothy to go to Philippi is so that heeee could be encouraged. When it says, “so that I too may be cheered”, I think it means that Timothy will be cheered and “I too may be cheered.”

You ever rejoice when you hear that someone is doing good? It’s kind of like when you’re son goes off to boot camp. And somewhere during boot camp they make a phone call home. When they do, they’re weeping and crying because they’re suffering so much at boot camp. How sweet it is for mom and dad to hear the words, “but I’m doing okay mom…dad! I’m doing okay!”

In Christ, it delights Paul to hear that the church is doing good.

Pastor Ray of Island Grace Church called me the other week. For those of you who don’t know, Island Grace Church is a church I helped plant over 15 years ago now, and how sweet it is to hear that the church doing good.

In Christ, it is a delight to hear that the church is doing good. So of course if Timothy was sent by Paul, he would get encouraged too in the process. This is why it’s good to know how the missionaries we support are doing, or the churches we partner with … how they’re doing. The reason why it’s a joy for Paul to know that they’re doing good is because back in verse 17 he labored for their good. You see…gospel ministry puts us in such proximity to Christ and each other that we can’t help but rejoice in each others well being and well doing. Man, I labored for 7 years at Island Grace Church. It makes Ray’s report so much sweeter to hear that they’re doing good.

You know when Paul says back in verse 18, “rejoice with me.” He wants you to have this kind of joy that sacrifices for the church and delights in its well being. Timothy shares in this with Paul. He invites the Philippians to share in this with him. I believe this is the way it should be with us. To delight in gospel preaching, gospel heeding, and gospel spreading churches … that they would thrive here in our area and beyond.

Verse 20

Philippians 2:20 ESV

20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.

It’s not just about Paul or Timothy having joy or being cheerful, but in verse 20, it’s also for the good of the church; their welfare. Not just for the good cheer of Paul and Timothy, but the absolute good of the church. By sending Timothy, Paul is sending someone like him, kindred in spirit, who has genuine concern for them. He has a compassion and care that attends his gospel ministry. He wants what’s best for them, unlike those who back in 1:17 “proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition.”

Verses 21 - 22

Philippians 2:21–22 ESV

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.

He says in 2:21 “they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.” What’s theeeere … in and around the Philippian church are mixed groups of ill-willed and good-willed preachers. By sending Timothy what they will get is a Christ-like example of Philippians 2:5-8.

How does Timothy show this?

Character. He is known for this (cf. v. 22). He’s not all talk. Christ-like humility is not all talk.

To emphasize it, Paul uses family language to get the point across, “…you know Timothy’s poven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.” Ever since Acts 16, Timothy was with Paul when Paul was with the Philippians. When Paul in 2:17 poured himself as a drink offering for the sake and the good of the church, like a son there was Timothy along with him … sacrificing for them, sweating for them, agonizing over them along with Paul.

Like Paul, but ultimately like Jesus, Timothy had the mind of Christ of humble servanthood.

Verses 23-24

Philippians 2:23–24 ESV

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.

Once again in verses 23-24, Paul reiterates his hopefulness to emphasize his desire and God’s control, that the church’s good is of great importance.

Moving on, we go from Timothy to Epaphroditus.

II. The Necessity of Sending Epaphroditus

Philippians 2:25–30 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. 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.

Who is Epaphroditus? We don’t have as much information on him like we do with Timothy.

Like if you did a Google Search on Pastor Ryan, you’d probably get a ton of hits. Book author, academic papers, board member, seminary president, etc., etc., etc. You do a search on Pastor Amel … the Lord be with you!!

There definitely isn’t a First and Second Epaphroditus in the Bible like how we have a First and Second Timothy. Epaphroditus is only mentioned twice in the New Testament. Both times in this book … here and Philippians 4:18. His name means “handsome” … “charming.” I will refrain from doing a Pastor Ryan / Pastor Amel correlation here. Epaphroditus, kid from the street … if he lived up to his name was super handsome. Good looking are useful for the Lord too. King David was. Joseph was. I mean, Potipher’s wife couldn’t keep her eyes off him, but you know what, Joseph stayed faithful to God.

I digress, but I throw it out there because you don’t normally hear people talking about that. Use everything that God has given you for the glory of God.

Back to Epaphroditus, look at how Paul describes him in verse 25.

Fellow worker (just like Timothy), he was one engaged in gospel ministry

Fellow soldier, meaning that he did not entangle himself with civilian affairs or the things of this world, he was all in in gospel ministry, fully engaged in the “battle” so to speak for the cause of Christ

Your messenger, which can also mean ambassador, and the word for minister (leitourgos) was used of a “civic administrator in the Roman Empire.” (Guthrie, Zondervan).

So you have these familiar and well respected titles and descriptors of not just in religious circles but also civic and public circles of a worker, of a soldier, of an ambassador and of an administrator to say that Epaphroditus represented the Philippian church well in Paul’s ministry and those they ministered to. He was beloved by his church and acted in some way as an extension of their love to wherever God would have him.

Somewhere in the ministry, he got really sick. The nature of his sickness is unknown. It’s not mentioned because it’s not necessary to know. What you need to know is what you see there in verse 27, “he was ill, near to death” and verse 30, “he nearly died.” His being alive and remaining is sheerly by the mercy of God it says in verse 27. His near death experience highlights something that’s true about Epaphroditus’ life, that he loved Christ and he loved people. Look at verse 30 again…

Philippians 2:30 ESV

30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.

What Paul said about himself was true for Epaphroditus as well, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). God was merciful by allowing him to recover and be healthy enough to make the travel back to Philippi. Since he’s still alive, his desire along with Paul is to be an encouragement and a blessing.

In v. 26 - he longs for the church and desires to not be a burden to the church to let them know he’s okay. In this case his presence would bless them tremendously and for that he’s willing to do that.

In v. 27 - his death would have meant great sorrow to Paul, which again speaks of what a true blessing Epaphroditus was. Now, if 1:5 applies to Epaphroditus, that Paul was instrumental in his coming to Christ, what a picture of discipleship this is. That not only was Paul instrumental to Epaphroditus in this way, but that Epaphroditus was now useful for Paul’s life in Christ. Somehow, because of Epaphroditus, Paul blessed, sanctified, more Christ-like even … so that what Paul says about himself in 1:24 regarding the church, Epaphroditus can say that about himself regarding Paul, “to remain in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.” Essentially, back in 2:27, Paul is glad that Epaphroditus is still alive for his own sake.

In v. 28 - his being alive is also for the sake of the church. He belongs to them. He came from them. And they love him. This is the way it should be.

A couple weeks ago, there was a memorial service for Janice Baker. It was pretty packed. She was beloved. She used to work at the church office at Community Bible Church. When we were at Hawaii doing the church plant, sometimes I had this weird thought that we were forgotten. Part of it was just that we were far far away. I remember calling the church for something and Janice picked up the phone. When she asked who this was, “I said this is Amel.” I still remember it like it was yesterday, “is this our Amel!” There’s something sweet about that.

Verse 29, “receive him in the Lord with all joy.” It’s a command, but this is the way it should be. I’m sure they did. The second command, “honor such men.” I have no reason to believe that they did not do this.

Verse 30, “for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.” It is not a waste to give your all to Jesus. This thing that he calls you to in 2:5 to humbly and sacrificially serve those around you, it’s not a waste. In the eyes of God, it is to be honored. “Oh, but who am I?” you ask. Exactly. Paul ravaged the church. Timothy was sickly. Epaphroditus was some dude off the street. He uses no bodies for His great purpose and glory in this world.

Conclusion

I know I joked around about Pastor Ryan and myself, but if you knew us growing up we were just kids. We had to work through foolish ways, childish tendencies, relational awkwardness, boastful pride, and on and on and on.

Who are we. We all need Jesus…

Come to Jesus…

If you do know Jesus, remember who gets the credit for Paul, for Timothy, for Epaphroditus and even for you for anything great you accomplish in the faith

Philippians 2:13 ESV

13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

PRAY

Communion

We now enter into a time of communion. If you are a baptized believer in good standing with your church, we invite you to join us in communion as we celebrate the Lord Jesus Christ in a time of remembrance.

On this note of thinking highly or thinking poorly and having the place of honor like we just looked at, I can’t help but think of our Savior as described in Isaiah 53:3-12…

Isaiah 53:3–12 ESV

3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? 9 And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. 11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.

SAY A FEW WORDS

PRAY

Christians, eat and drink, knowing Christ forgives our sins though His body by His blood.

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