Two Model Messengers

Scripture Reading

Philippians 2:19–30 NIV84

19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. 23 I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24 And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon. 25 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26 For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. 29 Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, 30 because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.

Introduction

All of us have role models in life. We have those men or women who exemplify the kind of qualities that we love in a person, and we look up to such people, and ultimately we seek to be like them, even if that’s just in some small measure.

And role models are certainly a good thing to have - provided of course that they are sound in what they exemplify! But the idea that Christ is our only role model is not one that is demonstrated for us in Scripture. In fact, we often read of examples of men and women who have put their faith into practice, and stand as great examples for us today.

This is indeed what we find in the passage that we turn our attention to today. Paul has been writing to the believers in Philippi, encouraging and exhorting them to live a particular kind of life. He’s set before them the importance in the Christian life of self-sacrifice, of looking to the needs of others, of living humble lives. He also set before them the greatest example in this kind of life - that of Jesus Christ the Saviour. His extreme condescension and humility for our sake.

But in our text this morning, Paul is going to proceed to show that this kind of life is possible by ordinary people like you and I. Sometimes, if we see the example of Christ, we may think to ourselves that this kind of life is unachievable, and so we give up and resign ourselves to our own shortcomings or struggles in living this out. But friends, there are examples for us apart from Christ, those who also live this kind of beautiful life where they love an serve, and give up their own good and their own desires for the benefit of others, particularly within the church.

And so I’ve titled this mornings message: “Two Model Messengers.” We will look briefly at how Paul sets two messengers - Timothy and Epaphroditus before the Philippian church - as examples of those who are living lives after the example of the great example, Jesus Christ.

The First example that we will look to is the...

1. The Messenger of Paul (vv.19-24)

Paul begins this section by speaking about a particular messenger that he longs to send to the church in Philippi, and that messengers name is Timothy. And we see firstly Paul’s desire to send him.

1.1. Paul’s Desire to Send Him (v.19)

In verse 19, Paul writes:

Philippians 2:19 NIV84

19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you.

Paul had just received Epaphroditus who had traveled to him having been sent by the Philippian believers, along with various gifts. So, Epaphroditus is currently with Paul in Rome. But along with them is Timothy. And Paul’s desire is to send this young Timothy to the Philippian church.

Notice that the reason that Paul desires to send this messenger Timothy is so that he himself may be cheered when he receives news about them. Paul continued to have a concern for all of the churches that he had been involved, and even that he had only heard about. But notice that makes efforts, even in his imprisonment, to receive word about them, and also to send word to them.

Encouragement all around was essential for the building up of the saints. And so Paul ensured that this would take place.

I must add a word at this stage about Timothy in particular. If you know the book of Acts reasonably well, you’ll know that Timothy joined Paul in his missionary journeys from Acts 16.

Acts 16:1–5 NIV84

1 He came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was a Jewess and a believer, but whose father was a Greek. 2 The brothers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. 3 Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.

It was directly hereafter, that Paul received the vision to into Macedonia, where Philippi was situated, and Timothy was with him. And so Timothy was involved in the planting of these churches in Europe, and thus had a close connection with them.

This becomes more apparent as we go on. Notice further from our passage...

1.2. The Messengers Character (vv.20-23)

In verse 20, Paul begins by saying of Timothy...

Philippians 2:20 NIV84

20 I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare.

Well here is a great word of commendation from Paul concerning Timothy… “I have no one else like him...”

Timothy had indeed been spoken of well by those in Lystra and Iconium. And young Timothy had continued to show his value as a servant of Jesus Christ to Paul in his ministry. In fact, Timothy was a key messenger as well as co-worker for the Apostle Paul. This very letter from Paul to the Philippians has Timothy as a co-author.

In 1 Corinthians 16:10, Paul says of him...

1 Corinthians 16:10 NIV84

10 If Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am.

There again, Timothy is sent to the Corinthians, and he is seen as a valuable co-worker in the Gospel.

But notice also the reason that Timothy is held up as an example here by Paul. He says that Timothy takes a genuine interest in your welfare.

Timothy was a servant of Jesus Christ that had a genuine interest in the welfare and well-being of these believers. He didn’t merely ask in passing about them. He didn’t merely give lip service to his care and concern for them. But he was genuinely concerned for them.

Paul develops that idea further in verses 21-22...

Philippians 2:21–22 NIV84

21 For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.

Timothy’s genuine interest in the Philippian church flows out of the fact that he does not have only self-interest. The reason that Timothy is able to have such a concern for that church is because he is not consumed by his own life and what he needs to do in life, or achieve in life.

Paul’s sad description of the life of others is that “everyone looks out for his own interests.” People are selfish. It appears here that Paul is even speaking of believers - those in the church. He’s concerned that many people even within the church are only interested in themselves, and in their own lives, and in what their own goals are. That’s precisely why Paul raised this exhortation to them back in verses 1 through 4 of chapter 2, where he said that these Philippians mustn’t think only of themselves.

And so he holds up to them the example of Timothy. If Timothy is labouring for you, for the Gospel, look at him, and copy him.

But notice further that Paul doesn’t just say that they look out for their own interests, but he mentions that in contrast, they are “not looking out for those of Jesus Christ.” When people become so inward focused that they only concentrate on their own lives and on their own good, ultimately this is directed against the Lord Jesus Christ.

We must exercise some caution here… I don’t believe at all that this is saying we must all resign from so-called “secular” employment and go into full-time ministry so that we can have Christ’s interests at heart. That’s not what he means. That would go contrary to God’s revealed will for man to subdue the earth and rule over it.

But what it is saying, I believe, is that when we as Christians fail to serve one another in love, and when we fail to do that in practical ways, sacrificing looking at merely our own wishes and desires, and rather looking out for the interests of others, we in fact are not concerned for the interests of Jesus Christ.

A lack of care and concern, a lack of self-sacrifice for the benefit of the body of Christ, is at root a lack of concern for Christ himself. Are we looking to our own interests only, and so failing to look to the interests of our Lord? Our King?

On the other, according to verse 22, Timothy “has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with [Paul] in the work of the gospel.”

The thing that makes Timothy so valuable, that sets Timothy up as a great example to follow, is the fact that he is deeply concerned for and involved in Christian ministry.

It is so sad that in our modern day church, the order of the day in many churches is entertainment - it’s called the seeker-sensitive movement. What can I get out of church. If that’s the attitude towards church, then you are not searching for Christ, you’re searching for a self-made God… and idol.

Friends, here is the great example of Timothy. He used the gifts that were bestowed upon him for the building up of the church. He was actively working out his faith in Jesus Christ.

You and I are called to no less. And we should have great joy in the opportunities that exist to serve one another within the body.

In verse 23, Paul gives us some indication of another part of the reason for wanting to send Timothy to them...

Philippians 2:23 NIV84

23 I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me.

I believe that what Paul is most likely referring to here is his impending trial in Rome, as awaits to see what the verdict or finding will be against him. He has already expressed that he is confident, or at least hopeful, that he will be released from captivity and imprisonment. But he has also hinted towards the possibility that he will be put to death.

Paul confirms, however his hope of being released in verse 24...

1.3. Paul’s Hope for a personal visitation (v.24)

Philippians 2:24 NIV84

24 And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.

Again, Paul doesn’t give absolute certainty that he will be released, but he has a hopeful confidence. And as soon as he receives news concerning his final sanction, he wants to send young Timothy to convey that news to the Philippian believers, with the hope that they will be encouraged through the news that is sent, but also that Paul himself would be encouraged as Timothy returns to him and brings word back to him concerning the church.

2. The Messenger of the Philippians (vv.25-30)

We’ve considered the messenger of Paul, but we must now go on to consider the messenger of the Philippians. They too had a messenger that they had sent to Paul in order to encourage him in his trial, and take a gift for his encouragement.

Verse 25 reads...

Philippians 2:25 NIV84

25 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.

Paul had expressed his desire to send Timothy to them, but there would be some time before he would do that, as awaited to see how things went with him. In the interim Paul sees it as necessary to send back Epaphroditus to them for their own encouragement.

Before we look further at this servant, I just want to emphasize some important points. Firstly, notice Paul’s own care and concern for the church, and the way in which he doesn’t allow his imprisonment to stop the efforts that he puts into serving the needs of the church. Even from prison, he directing and administrating according to the needs of churches. He is writing letters to various churches as he receives word on how they are doing. Inasmuch as there are two model messengers being outlined in these verses, there is a model minister in the person of Paul, as he continues to care for the needs of the church.

But notice also the great encouragement that was both needed, and then met, through faithful saints who had a genuine and deep concern for one another. I think it’s a beautiful picture, and can be a wonderful encouragement to us as Christians to keep striving towards this. You get the very clear sense through this that ministry and living for Christ was not a side-line affair. They loved Christ, they loved the people of Christ, and they lived with a continual desire to serve Christ and the body.

As we continue in our text, notice the Character of this messenger of the Philippians...

2.1. The Character of the Messenger

Paul speaks firstly of Epaphroditus with terms of endearment and unity in the labours of the Gospel.

He calls him “my brother”. Epaphroditus is Paul’s brother, united with him in faith. He is a member of the same spiritual family, with God in Christ as Father. This word use to describe Epaphroditus is one of Paul’s favorite terms of affection. In this very letter to the Philippians - a church that Paul had very strong affections for - it is used more often than in any other prison-epistle.

But Paul takes this a step further, and speaks of Epaphroditus as his “fellow worker.” They are united together not only in their faith, but in the work that they are doing. This term was a typical phrase used by Paul of those who truly laboured hard in proclaiming and exalting Christ in a lost and dark world.

Romans 16:3 NIV84

3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus.

Romans 16:9 NIV84

9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.

Romans 16:21 NIV84

21 Timothy, my fellow worker, sends his greetings to you, as do Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my relatives.

But even further than this, Paul also describes Epaphroditus as his “fellow soldier.” In doing this, he reminds the believers of the nature of the spiritual battle going on. Considering that Paul is in prison, sitting under the Roman guard, this would have been an apt picture for them. They needed to recognise the spiritual battle that was going on. And Paul asserts to them that Epaphroditus has been a faithful fellow soldier in this battle.

In summary, Paul is using terms here to speak of the great faithfulness of this man Epaphroditus. He speaks of the committed nature of the man, and how faithfully he is serving alongside Paul and the other believers.

Having done this, Paul will now go on to give...

2.2. The Reasons for Sending the Messenger (vv.26-28)

In these verses, Paul outlines three reasons for sending Epaphroditus back.

The first reason is for the sake of Epaphroditus himself.

Paul writes in verse 26-27...

Philippians 2:26–27 NIV84

26 For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow.

Epaphroditus himself was a man who cared deeply for the church at Philippi. He was himself commissioned by that church to take the gifts that he did to Paul. He was a spiritual leader within that church. But as he had been sent out, on the journey to deliver the gifts to Paul, he had become dangerous ill, to the point that he nearly died. And word of this had gotten back to the Philippian church, which led them to become anxious for him.

Notice the description of Epaphroditus’ concern: he is distressed for them. The word distressed here speaks of severe distress of mind and heart. His soul is in agony. It is the same word that is used to describe the anguish of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane as he faced his own death.

Epaphroditus is deeply concerned for these believers. He’s concerned and distressed for the anxiety that the church has for him. Again, a beautiful picture of the unity and the love shared between these believers.

The second reason then, that Paul wants to send Epaphroditus back is for the sake of the church, that they may be encouraged. Paul confirms to them as a church that Epaphroditus was indeed very ill, but that God had mercy on him. And now he will send him back to them in order to encourage their hearts.

Look at what Paul goes on to say in verse 28...

Philippians 2:28 NIV84

28 Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety.

The word in the NIV for “be glad” is really to rejoice. Paul longs of the church to rejoice and celebrate the return of this faithful brother. Paul is more concerned here with the well-being of the church in Philippi than he is of his own well-being - again, he’s setting the example. He could easily have said that it was more important for Epaphroditus to remain in Rome, and to minister alongside him, or to bring encouragement to him. But he doesn’t do that. He considers the needs of that church, and says that he must send Epaphroditus back to them in order to be of encouragement to them.

Flowing out of that directly is the third reason for sending Epaphroditus, and that is Paul’s own encouragement of heart.

At the end of verse 28, Paul says that he will send Epaphroditus in order that he himself may have less anxiety.

Even from the side of Paul, the care was deep. Paul is concerned, as always, for the well-being of God’s people. He does not wish that they become overwhelmed with sorrow and trouble.

Finally, from our text, we must consider...

2.3. The Charge in Receiving the Messenger (vv.29-30)

Because of all that Epaphroditus is, and because of his labours in the Lord, there is an appropriate manner in which he is to be received by the believers in Philippi.

Philippians 2:29–30 NIV84

29 Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, 30 because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.

Firstly, they are to receive him in the Lord with great joy. They are to celebrate his coming to them. He is to be received with deep gratitude. But even more than this...

They are to honour men like him… due respect must be shown to those who have proved themselves willing, if necessary, to surrender their lives for Christ. When men and women faithfully put their own lives and well-being at risk because they see the need that there is in the world for the Gospel, they are to be honoured. This is something found in many places in Scripture. To the Corinthians, Paul wrote...

1 Corinthians 16:17–18 NIV84

17 I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. 18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.

To the Thessalonian believers, he wrote:

1 Thessalonians 5:12–13 NIV84

12 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.

And to Timothy, he wrote...

1 Timothy 5:17 NIV84

17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.

The point is that honour should be given where due, not that undue honour should be given. These are men, and faithful labourers. The glory must go to God, but there is an appropriate place and manner for showing honour.

In the case of Epaphroditus, they were to show honour because he had nearly died for the work of Christ. He had risked his own life for a noble purpose - in order to make up for the help that the Philippians were unable to give. This is not to say that they lacked anything towards Paul - he is simply saying that if there was in fact anything lacking, it was more than made up through your kindness shown through Epaphroditus.

Application and Conclusion

Two Model Messengers. These are what have been set before us today. As we close, there are a few lessons in specific that I’d like us to take away from this passage.

A.1. Develop Practical Affection for One Another

Work hard at relationships within the body.

Invite one another for quick, easy meals.

Coffee together etc.

Use every opportunity to increase your love for fellow-believers - not just when you feel like it.

A.2. Be A Model for Others

Don’t think that only the pastor - or only those special types can be models!

Strive to model Christ’s love, and to model genuine care in every day of your life.

Paul was able to hold himself up as an example...

1 Corinthians 4:16 NIV84

16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me.

1 Corinthians 11:1 NIV84

1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

Be a person that sets an example for others, and make it your goal to increasingly do this… not only when people are watching you, but also in private.

A.3. Honour one another as is fitting

Where someone has served you, or has laboured for you, helped you in a particular situation, give them due honour

I mean hereby to encourage them...

A.4. Take Interest in Other Believers

Consider how you may pray for those further afield, or in other churches.

Get in touch with, and get to know other churches, that you may pray for them, encourage them, and be encouraged by them.