Philippians 2:19-30 | Partners in the Gospel

INTRO

MESSAGE

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.

True Service (19-20, 25)

Genuine Care and Concern

Philippians 2:19–20 “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.”

Philippians 2:25 “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,”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer: "The Church is the Church only when it exists for others... not dominating, but helping and serving."

Affections / Care for each other

Romans 12:10 “10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”

Philippians 2:3 “3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”

Galatians 6:2 “2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

1 John 4:7 “7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.”

True Service

James 1:27 “27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

John 12:26 “26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.”

Matthew 25:35–40 “35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”

Illustration: Consider a nurse in a hospital who goes beyond her duties to sit with patients, listening to their fears and comforting them. Her genuine care mirrors Timothy’s sincere concern for the Philippians.

Application: Encourage the congregation to invest time and empathy in others, showing Christ's love through small acts of kindness.

Total Service (20-21, 26-27)

Shared Mission and Commitment

Philippians 2:20–21 “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.”

Philippians 2:26–27 “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.”

John Stott: "We must be global Christians with a global vision because our God is a global God."

Shared mission and commitment

Philippians 1:27 “27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,”

Acts 4:32 “32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.”

Ephesians 4:3–6 “3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

2 Timothy 2:2 “2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.”

Total Service

Matthew 22:37 “37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”

Luke 9:23 “23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

Galatians 2:20 “20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Illustration: Think of a rowing team working in perfect harmony. Each member must be committed to the rhythm and direction of the team to reach the finish line together.

Application: Challenge the congregation to align their personal goals with the mission of the church, working together to spread the gospel.

Tested Service (22, 30)

Reliable Servant Leadership

Philippians 2:22 “22 But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.”

Philippians 2:30 “30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.”

A.W. Tozer: "A true and safe leader is likely to be one who has no desire to lead, but is forced into a position of leadership by the inward pressure of the Holy Spirit and the press of the external situation."

J. Oswald Sanders: "The man who is impatient with weakness will be defective in his leadership."

Reliable Servant Leadership

Mark 10:43–45 “43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.””

1 Peter 5:2–3 “2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.”

1 Timothy 3:2–3 “2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.”

Tested Service

1 Timothy 3:10 “10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless.”

2 Timothy 2:15 “15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”

Illustration: Imagine a bridge that has stood firm for decades, supporting countless travelers because it was built with quality materials and tested for strength.

Application: Encourage believers to build character through trials, becoming trustworthy leaders in the community and church.

Toasted Service (23-24, 28-29)

Worthy of Honor

Philippians 2:23–24 “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.”

Philippians 2:28–29 “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,”

John Calvin: "We should honor those who labor in the word and doctrine, and recognize that God has appointed them for this purpose."

Matthew Henry: "Our Lord will honor all who honor Him, and none more than those who give their lives to serve Him."

Worthy of Honor

1 Timothy 5:17 “17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.”

1 Thessalonians 5:12–13 “12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.”

Hebrews 13:7 “7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.”

Toasted Service

1 Corinthians 3:8 “8 He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor.”

Colossians 3:23–24 “23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”

2 Timothy 4:7–8 “7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”

Illustration: Picture a retiring teacher being celebrated at a school assembly. Her years of dedication and impact on countless students are recognized and honored.

Application: Urge the congregation to honor those who quietly and faithfully serve in the church, acknowledging their contributions and sacrifices.

CLOSE

Group Questions

Who are the people in your life who model Jesus? In what ways do they model Christlikeness? Who are the people in your life to whom you model Jesus? In what ways would they say you model Christlikeness?

What does it mean to you personally to be a "co-worker" in the gospel?

What qualities in Timothy and Epaphroditus stand out to you as essential for being a partner in the gospel?

How does Timothy's genuine concern for others challenge us in our relationships today?

In what ways can we demonstrate a shared commitment to our mission, similar to Timothy and Epaphroditus?

How does the concept of servant leadership appear in the lives of Timothy and Epaphroditus?

What sacrifices are you willing to make for the sake of the gospel, inspired by Epaphroditus's example?

What role does humility play in being a partner in the gospel, as seen in this passage?

How can we cultivate the kind of trustworthy relationships that Paul had with Timothy and Epaphroditus in our own community?

What are some practical ways you can “honor” servants of the gospel like Timothy and Epaphroditus at your church?