Sunday PM Aug 4

A Contrast in two different kind of human leaders

d him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24 I am confident in the Lord that I myself will also come soon.

CSB19 Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon so that I too may be encouraged by news about you. 20 For I have no one else like-minded who will genuinely care about your interests; 21 all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know his proven character, because he has served with me in the gospel ministry like a son with a father. 23 Therefore, I hope to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24 I am confident in the Lord that I myself will also come soon.

Philippians 2:19–24 CSB

19 Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon so that I too may be encouraged by news about you. 20 For I have no one else like-minded who will genuinely care about your interests; 21 all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know his proven character, because he has served with me in the gospel ministry like a son with a father. 23 Therefore, I hope to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24 I am confident in the Lord that I myself will also come soon.

Phil

2:19

Why does Paul want to send Timothy to the church in Philippi?

Paul wants them to know exactly what is going on in his life. He wants to know exactly what is going on in the life of the church. Why is this important?

What does this teach us about accountability?

2:20-21

Why does Paul have so much confidence in Timothy?

What is different about Timothy and others that may be seeking human leadership positions?

Whose interests or welfare does Paul and Timothy care about?

Who else cares about the church’s interests or welfare?

What does this teach us about Jesus?

2:22-24

How does Paul want the church to receive Timothy in his absence?

The Cost of Help—The Honor of Commitment

25-

Philippians 2:25–30 CSB

25 But I considered it necessary to send you Epaphroditus—my brother, coworker, and fellow soldier, as well as your messenger and minister to my need— 26 since he has been longing for all of you and was distressed because you heard that he was sick. 27 Indeed, he was so sick that he nearly died. However, God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 For this reason, I am very eager to send him so that you may rejoice again when you see him and I may be less anxious. 29 Therefore, welcome him in the Lord with great joy and hold people like him in honor, 30 because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up what was lacking in your ministry to me.

2:25

Who is carrying this letter back to the Philippian church?

How does Paul describe Epaphroditus?

The word “messenger” is the word “apostle.” It simply means “Sent out One.” He was the church’s “sent out one.”

2:26-28

What did it cost Epaphroditus to be sent out?

800 miles from Philippi to Rome.

Wh

Why was Epaphroditus eager to get home?

What would the church do when they saw Epaphroditus again? What does this tell you about what the church was going through over the matter?

Why was Paul so deeply concerned about this situation? (Epaphroditus was not still sick…he had gotten better):

Side note: notice that in Paul’s missionary world, there was no missions agency. There was no para-church organization. One of the things we have lost by creating missions organizations and para-church organizations is the feeling of personal responsibility. We feel responsible for sending money, but if we are not careful, we can lose our sense of personal responsibility.

The Romans did not provide for the needs of prisoners. So Paul was without a way to provide for himself. The church saw it as their responsiblity.

2:29-30

What does Paul command them to do?

Why does Paul say that Epaphroditus and people like him deserve honor? I want to show you something really cool!

Epaphroditus risked his life to bring a monetary gift to Paul. He has never looked more like Christ than this moment.

Paul had told them to put other’s interest before their own. So they would understand this, he used Jesus as the example:

Philippians 2:1–11 CSB

1 If then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. 4 Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, 6 who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited. 7 Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, 8 he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death— even to death on a cross. 9 For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow— in heaven and on earth and under the earth— 11 and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

if there is…and there obviously is

Have one mind—one purpose. Don’t let anything (including your persecution and mine) distract you from doing the one job!

Have the same attitude that Jesus had:

What it takes to fulfill the Great Commission: Those who you are equal with you submit to.

Jesus had a job to do…promised in the Garden. Innocent death.

Jesus is God. He is the second person of the Trinity. He is equal with God but He did not use His equality with the Father to deny doing the job He had to do.

Epaphroditus was an equal standing member of the church. Why did he have to risk his life and no one else did? He was in equal standing with Paul: Why did he have to risk his life so that Paul would have food and clothing?

Obviously, the church had voted on and the Holy Spirit had set apart Epaphroditus for the job.

Those you witness to and invest in a personal faith-journey with who are equal to you in social status, economic status…it will cost you something to reach them.

If the church gives you a job to do…it will cost you something to do that job well.

Those who you are higher than, lower yourself to reach.

Jesus took on flesh. He became like a servant. (He prayed to the Father. He only said what the Father told him to say. He only did what the Father told Him to do.)

He obeyed to the point of death…but not just death…death on a cross!

You have to remove your high standing to reach to least of these. (What does it take to have someone like that over for dinner? What does it take to hug someone like that? What does it cost you to disciple someone like that?)

This is why is is so hard for wealthy American’s to do missions. We can easily give out of our wealth without becoming a servant.

Paul is saying that Epaphroditus is worthy of honor, because when he took the 800 mile journey at a risk of his life to deliver funds for food and clothing to Paul…he looked a lot like Christ.

Be willing to receive honor later

The Father exalts the name of Jesus above every other name…even His own. (I want you to see this: Yaweh in the Old Testament)

John 6:29 CSB

29 Jesus replied, “This is the work of God—that you believe in the one he has sent.”

Romans 10:9 CSB

9 If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Acts 16:31 CSB

31 They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”

John 20:31 CSB

31 But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Look at how Jesus is exalted:

Jesus is the one who receives the Bride. The church is a gift to Jesus. Man sinned and needed reconciliation with God. But think about this, the Father gives the redeemed to Jesus. We are the ones in white robes dipped in the Lambs blood…approved by God the Father, but given to Jesus as a clean spotless bride.

Those who are thrown into Hell, do not say God the Father is not who we thought He was, He is Creator. They say Jesus is Lord.

This honor for Jesus came after His suffering. After he humbled himself to reach us.

Epaphroditus is honored after he humbled himself for the sake of the gospel.

Paul’s plea to the church of Philippi: Don’t live your life without ever looking like Christ. Don’t live your life in the safe areas. Ministering without cost, without humility, without servanthood.

God has promised honor to the one who loses his life to gain the gospel.