The Testimony of An Unsung Hero

Philippians 2:25-30

Philippians 2:25–30 (ESV)

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, for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 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. I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.

INTRO

The biblical landscape is painted with many well known & familiar faces.

· Adam & Eve

· Noah & The Ark

· Abraham, Isaac & Jacob

· Old Shepherd Moses & Young Warrior Joshua

· The life & times of King David

· Praying mothers like Hannah & Mary

· The outspoken disciple named Peter

These are just a few biblical shrine heads in the faith hall of fame.

One of if not the most popular characters in the bible besides Jesus, is the Apostle Paul. The writer of 14 out of 27 books in the New Testament.

This iconic Christian hero, writes a letter of encouragement and instruction to 1 of his favorite churches. The church at Philippi.

This letter is written during Paul’s 1st imprisonment in Rome between 60 & 62 A.D.

In chapter 1 Paul expresses gratitude to this church for their partnership with him in the gospel.

Chapter 2 v 1-11, he encourages them to follow the example of the greatest hero of them all, Jesus Christ; in living a life of obedience & humility.

Then in v25, Paul the iconic Christian hero shares the testimony of an unsung hometown hero.

A brother by the name of Epaphroditus.

It is a testimony of hope, love & mercy. It is an unsung story. It was never featured in VBS growing up. It isn’t peppered on walls in many Christian homes.

But it is a story, a true real life testimony that can give the weak strength, fearful confidence.

In v25 we’re given His Credentials

A. Worker- doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty for the Lord. Paul calls him a fellow or co worker with him. In other words he’s a willing worker. Nobody has to pull his teeth to work for God. He doesn’t need a pep rally or a cheerleading squad to get him up and serving. The goodness of God is all the influence he needs to put in work for the Lord & his church.

Today God is looking for some willing workers! Matthew 9:37 Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few”.

Compared to Paul’s gift set, this brother didn’t look like or have much. But worked with what God gave him. That’s all you got to do work with what God gave you!

Adam worked the ground

Abraham worked his faith

Moses worked his Rod

Joseph worked his favor

David worked his poetry

Jesus worked his Cross

It may not be much compared to what somebody else got. But when God gives you something, you better work it.

B. Soldier- This speaks to his attitude & demeanor. 2Tim 2:3 says to endure hardship like a good soldier.

He was a soldier, It took a lot to get him down and break his spirit. God deliver me from folk who run at the 1st sight or sound of danger.

2Tim 1:7, God has not given us the spirit…

This brother was soldier!

Soldier not only speaks to his strong demeanor and spirit. It also tells us that he had the competency & capacity to follow directions. A good soldier follows directions!

I believe this brother didn’t mind doing what God said & going where God said go because he knew that there’s power in his instructions.

Is 55:11: My word has gone out & won’t come back void and accomplish what the Lord please!

C. Minister- Missionary preacher, sent from the Church at Philippi, not to run revival. Not to start a church. Not to collect funds for personal profit. Not to tour the great city of Rome. He was sent to minister to the needs of Paul.

This speaks to the beauty & passion of his servant heart. He traveled from Philippi to Rome, just to serve. That is a 221 hr walk, just to serve.

An 815mi walk, just to serve. Not the Roman church.

Not a large assembly, but a 221hr walk to serve 1 person. I see why Epaphroditus gets a scriptural cameo.

Doesn’t he remind of another man, who came from a far and distant land not to be clothed in riches & beauty, but to save & minister to those in need!? This brother has a heart like God.

Notice the story transitions from his note worthy credentials in v25, to His unfortunate Crisis in v26

Epaphroditus, got sick…

Not a summer cold, not a tummy ache, but a sickness so fatal that v27 & 30 says that he almost died.

Embrace the tension in the text.. He doesn’t get sick while doing the devil’s deeds. He doesn’t get sick while following his flesh. He has crisis to knock on his door while working for Jesus!

God let the devil bully this man while he’s miles away from home, working for the Lord.

And all Epaphroditus wants to do, is go to Church!! V26 says he longs to be with the saints!

This brother never complained! Trust me he had good reason to complain.

Instead of complaining he desired to be around God’s people and back up & doing the Lord’s work! The crisis hasn’t destroyed his commitment!

I’m fully committed, crisis & all! Hardship & all! Pain & all!

V27-30 Gives us a sneak peek into His Comeback

“Don’t give up now, your comeback maybe closer than you think”

· Begins with God’s Mercy-

Paul says he’s not healed because of the hands I laid on him.

His health hasn’t been restored because of his jaw dropping credentials.

No, his comeback is the result of God’s MERCY.

He was sick unto death, but God had mercy on him!

When life knocks you down & the enemy is winning in your life. The only thing that can get you up & give a comeback is the Lord’s mercy.

It was God’s Mercy that cleansed the 10 lepers

God’s mercy called Moses to liberate His people

God’s Mercy healed a woman with an issue of blood

God’s Mercy sent his Son from heaven to earth, put him on a cross & placed him in a tomb, but got him out the grave to save you & I.

What would we do & where would we be without God’s Mercy!!?

You don’t know what mercy is. Mercy is when God withholds from you what you deserve.

Due to the sin in our lives we all deserve to be knocked down, sick, depressed & depleted.

But look at you! You’ve come back from unspeakable odds..

Beat sickness

Got an education

Got a good job

Raised children

And did it all in your right mind! Because the Lord had Mercy!!

His comeback ends with the Church’s Celebration