Sermon Tone Analysis

English Standard Version (Chapter 2)

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

1. v. 20 no one like him

In this recommendation of Timothy, Paul uses the adjective equal-soul (isopsychos) to highlight Timothy’s most important quality: I have no one else of equal soul, no one else of the same mind, no one else with a kindred spirit.

Paul wants to make sure that people he sends the community seek out the welfare of the community.

too Many have sought their own interests not those of Christ Jesus.

We have had too many pastors that have become pastors for all the wrong reasons.

this has become an epidemic in the church today.

and it begs the question.

Why?

I think Paul gives a clear answer.

A leaders motive should be his love for God and love for the church.

A leader must “be concerned for your welfare” and follow after the “interests of Christ Jesus” That is the litmus test for a successful pastor or leader.

Good leadership is essential for any organization, but the characteristics of leadership in business do not always translate to church work.

Why you think Paul went out of his way to commend his fellow workers?

2. But God had Mercy on him...

Paul communicates that the suffering we experience, whether illness or persecution from the outside, we are part of the the same attitude of mind Christ Jesus had (2:5).

But here, it seems that God spared them from sorrow.

There are time in our lives that God spared us from intense suffering.

what are ways that God intervened and spared you from intense grief?

3. honor such men...nearly died for the sake of Christ...

overwhelming gratitude to God that Epaphroditus is well again and that he has successfully completed his mission.

Paul uses the welcome that Epaphroditus should receive as a model for the way to honor people like him.

All such people should be highly honored and respected, “highly regarded because of status or personal quality.”

Since Paul draws such close parallels between Epaphroditus and Christ, the honor given to such people as Epaphroditus is really honor given to Christ since such people reflect Christ.

What I love is that suffering for the gospel includes illness...

How has illness changed your life?