Committed to Shine
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INTRODUCTION
For our last couple lessons, we have been in a very challenging section of the epistle. Beginning in 1:27, Paul has been showing us what it means to live a life worthy of the Gospel of Christ. Paul is showing the Philippians (and us) that our lives need to be lived in a certain way: a way that reflects the heart of the Gospel message. It is a message of sacrifice, self-denial, and showing love and concern for others who are in need. This was best shown by Paul in 2:1-11 in the example of our Lord Jesus. He showed how Jesus made Himself nothing and counted others as more important as Himself so he could help us, through His sacrifice, to be able to be glorified alongside Him. Paul commands us to have this mind; the mind of Christ towards others.
Then Paul shows in application in verses 12-16 how they are to live and walk in following Jesus’ example. If they are following Jesus, their lives will be characterized by a desire to work; to be obedient to Christ so that God can work in us and through us to serve others. We will be less focused on our own comforts and discomforts, not complaining or disputing towards one another and towards the Lord, and thus will be able to shine as bright lights in this dark world.
This catches us up to where we will pick up today, where Paul gives us three more examples of lives that are being lived in the way that he has shown us in this section; in this Gospel-oriented way. These men were committed to shining as lights in the world by their service to Christ. These three men:
1. Paul (2:16-18)
2. Timothy (2:19-24)
3. Epaphroditus (2:25-30)
PAUL
Let’s begin with Paul. I believe Paul has already within this Epistle has showed us one who was seeking to have the mind of Christ and to live a life that was worthy of the Gospel. I believe this was best seen in chapter 1 when he talked about his internal struggle regarding whether to die so he could be with Jesus or remaining here in this life. Even though being with Christ would have been so much better, Paul was willing to deny himself, to delay receiving his reward, and along with it a rest from his suffering, so he could stay here and serve in the kingdom. He knew that he could bring further blessing to God’s people. That was a humbling example to us. He continues giving us an example of a Gospel-worthy life here. Let’s read verses 16-18:
16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. 17 Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.
Beginning in the middle of verse 16, he talks about his desire to glory when he sees that his work among the Philippians led to their salvation. He wanted to rejoice in the day of Christ for them. Seeing that his labors were received with willing hearts that were willing to be changed by Jesus and that were willing to follow Jesus’ example is the greatest reward that a worker in the Lord can receive. There is nothing more discouraging than seeing all of the work you do make no difference among those you are working with, and it is such an amazing blessing from the Lord to see growth among those who you teach and serve. Then just imagine seeing those who you taught and served, those who you made so many sacrifices to help, standing before the throne of God in glory, your children, your brothers and sisters in Christ, those who you brought to the Lord…. WOW, what a reason to rejoice in the Lord for the good work He has done. What a reason to rejoice seeing that your labors for Christ in this life actually made a difference for good in the kingdom. This is what Paul desired among the Philippians, and dare I to say, among ALL those he taught. There would be many reasons for Paul to rejoice in being with the Lord, but he so badly wanted to be able to rejoice in seeing his brothers and sisters who also received their reward.
Then Paul in verse 17 shows us that he was willing to fully give of himself to make this happen; to make it possible for the Philippians to receive their reward. He uses sacrificial language in verse 17, viewing himself (it seems) as a priest offering God a sacrifice that is without blemish, the sacrifice which is the faithful work and service of the Philippians. Then he adds that if he was poured out on top of the sacrifice as a drink offering, he would rejoice. He is viewing himself as a drink offering that accompanied sacrifices in the Old Testament. Many, myself included, think that Paul is referring to his willingness to even pour out his life’s blood completely in order to see these brethren rewarded on the day of Christ. Even if he were to lose his life, pouring out his blood for the growth and faith of these brethren, he rejoices at such a possibility! He is clearly showing the mind of Christ in this, thinking of others as more important than himself. Emptying himself, being willing to be spent for his brothers and sisters in Christ.
TIMOTHY
Next, let’s think about what Paul says regarding Timothy in verses 19-24:
19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. 20 For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. 22 But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel. 23 Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me. 24 But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly.
What Paul says about Timothy is quite a compliment. Paul was going to, if the Lord was willing to allow it, send Timothy to them shortly, and he had not hesitation to send Timothy because of the character that he had. Paul says he had no one else as like-minded as himself who truly was concerned for the Philippians as he was. This is a great picture of the unity that Paul encouraged the brethren to strive for in 2:2, where he told them to fulfil his joy “by being like-minded, having the same love…” Timothy was like-minded with Paul, having the same kind of concern and love for the brethren in Philippi. If Paul was unable to go to the Philippians, sending Timothy would be of equal value to them.
In verses 20-21, Paul is showing that Timothy was a rare gem among the brethren. It is interesting that even among all of his brethren, even among Paul’s coworkers it seems, Timothy’s Christ-like light shined so much brighter. Paul says that he has NO ONE else as like-minded as himself. He lifts Timothy up to the level as himself here… He was a step above the rest. Timothy was someone Paul could count on to get the job done. Even when others would allow their own affairs to get into the way of their service of Christ and their service to their brethren, Timothy would not. Timothy would not be distracted. He was dedicated to the interests of Christ and His people (2:4-5).
Timothy was also a man who was tried and proven, so much so that Paul can say to the Philippians, “You know of his character” It has shined so bright for them to see. His character showed that he was a valuable asset to the Lord in his service to Paul and the brethren.
I wonder if it would be the case that Paul could say the same kind of things about us… It is so easy for us to become distracted in this life and to count what we want to do as more important than the multitude of things that we could be doing to further the kingdom and to help the Lord’s people grow in their faith.
What is also so great to see in Timothy’s example is that we know that he is a younger man. From the beginning of his work with Paul in the book of Acts, Timothy was known for his faith in Christ. Even then he was an example to believers. Paul took this young man and helped grow even more as a disciple. This passage goes to show that we should not “water down” the expectations that God has for younger people! Christians who are teenagers and those who are younger have the same standard to live by in the Kingdom and can make a great impact on the kingdom NOW. They are not just the church of tomorrow, but they are also the church of today. It is possible for the younger disciples here to outshine even some of the older ones in how they show love and concern for souls and a desire to be active in serving the Lord’s church.
So I say this to those here who are younger Christians… teenagers… twenty-somethings… The command that Paul gives in 2:3-4 is for you also… “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” How distracted are you? What kind of things are you doing right now to show concern for God’s people and for those who don’t know the Lord? My prayer is that Timothy’s example challenges you…
And to those of us who have been in the Lord for 10, 20, 30 years or more…. Just because many here have been Christians for decades does not mean that you or I are mature and showing the kind of love and concern for others. And it is often the case that our children learn from our example what it means to live for Christ… May it be the case that we are training our children to merely be church-goers, and not disciples because we ourselves are so distracted by the things of this world and get so much more excited about the things of this life instead of the things of the Lord… If we want our children to be like Timothy here, it begins with our own lives… Our own examples.
EPAPHRODITUS
And finally, lets consider what Paul says about Epaphroditus in verses 25-30.
25 Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need; 26 since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 27 For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. 29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; 30 because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me.
Paul presents Epaphroditus as a godly model for the Philippians to follow and expresses his high regard for this man. He is his brother, his fellow worker and his fellow soldier. Paul, in using this terminology to describe Epaphroditus, I believe is alluding to what he encouraged the Philippians to work towards in 1:27, where he stated his desire for them to be: “striving together for the faith of the gospel…” Paul saw Epaphroditus as one who was striving alongside him for the faith of the Gospel. He saw him as a soldier that was shoulder to shoulder with himself, fighting this battle for the truth, even in the face as hardship.
Paul also refers to Epaphroditus as the messenger of the Philippians who ministered to Paul’s need. We learn from 4:18 that Epaphroditus was the one given the duty by the Philippian church to bring financial support to Paul that they had collected. Just as a side note, most translations call Epaphroditus a “messenger” of the church in Philippi, but the Greek word used here is ‘apostolos’, which if brought straight into the English as it is elsewhere in the New Testament, would mean that he was an apostle of the church in Philippi. Those who were sent out as messengers between the churches and the Apostles, and those who were sent out to preach the gospel by the churches are also called “apostles” in scripture. They don’t have the same authority as the 12 and Paul, but they are nonetheless called apostles…
With that said, Epaphroditus was not only willing to perform this service for the Philippians towards Paul, he was willing to work for the kingdom to the point where it seems that it cost him his health in some way. It seems quite possible that Epaphroditus became ill en route to where Paul was to deliver their support to Paul. But whatever the health issue was would not deter him from his mission. He pressed on anyway to fulfill his commitment to the church and to Paul, and thus exposed himself to the very real possibility of death. Most would look what Epaphroditus does here as foolish and unnecessary… If you are sick and near death, you need to put your life on hold, get some rest, and heal… right??? Epaphroditus’ answer… NO! No matter what state he was in, there was work to do for Christ. There is something to do in the kingdom… And Paul seems to be in hearty agreement with the sacrifice that Epaphroditus was willing to make… He lifts up Epaphroditus as a Christ-like example of self denial for the sake of serving others. Christ in his self-humbling was obedient unto death, while Epaphroditus, who expended himself for the cause of Christ, came close to death. And Paul says of men who are willing to think less of themselves and to put their own health and lives on the line to serve others… “hold men like this in high esteem.” Respect them… honor them… Recognize the sacrifices that these kind of men are willing to make for the Lord Jesus.
CONCLUSION
And most of all, follow their godly examples…All three of these men give us great examples of what it means to deny self and to count others as more important than ourselves. They were following in the steps of their Lord. This is what living a gospel-oriented life is all about! All of these men give us examples to follow in being workers that shine their lights in this dark world.
9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Do you want to have peace and joy in this dark world? Look at Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus, and go and do likewise…
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