Guest Preacher: Rev. Mike Somerville
Philippians 2:19-30
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 will show genuine concern for your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for their 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, co-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 So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, 30 because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.
Timothy and Epaphroditus :
- Deliberately building up these two as living examples
- Paul challenged in his letter to the Philippians to
- Live a life worthy of the Gospel
- To face persecution with joy
- To be humble servants
- To put the needs of others ahead of your own
- Paul had already used Jesus and himself
- Paul understood our inclination to discount our abilities
- Paul held up these two as ordinary servant examples
How Paul described Timothy:
1. Sympathetic
2. Selfless
3. Seasoned
How Paul described Epaphroditus:
1. He was trustworthy
2. He was brave
3. He was active servant