Philippians 2:25-29
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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,
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.
Philippians 2:25
Philippians 2:25-
Paul’s love for Epaphroditus
Paul’s love for Epaphroditus
Paul’s description of Epaphroditus
brother
Christ-follower
We are brothers and sisters in Christ. Just as if we where biological brother and sisters. We have been adopted into the family of God.
fellow worker
We are to work together. We are coworkers on the same job of winning this community to Christ. We are fellow workers in winning the 100,000 people by connecting, growing, sharing.
fellow soldier
We are in the same unit. We are in the battle together. We are lined up side by side.
your messenger
Epaphroditus was sent by the church of Philippi to care for Paul while in prison.
When you go to your work place you represent THBC. When you go on the mission field you represent THBC.
You are our messenger to the world
minister to my need
Ministered to Paul’s need. We are ministers. When we leave this place we want to minister to those around us.
Example: Co-worker going through hard time, waitress who is having a rough day (jacksonville Fl), the person in front of you in the check-out line.
you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Epaphroditus illness
Worried about what they are thinking because they have heard he was sick
Epaphroditus illness and calling
Epaphroditus illness and calling
for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill.
Epaphroditus illness
Epaphroditus illness
Epaphroditus loves the body of Christ at Philippi.
Notice he is the one sick and he is concerned for the church?
When you are sick do you turn inward?
Do you love and long for the body of Christ at THBC?
Epaphroditus is worried about what the church of Philippi is thinking because they have heard he was sick.
Epaphroditus was concerned for how the church was taking the news of his sickness
Selflessness of Epaphroditus.
He was always more concerned for others.
Concerned for Paul
Concerned for the church?
Are you concerned for others?
Are you selfless?
A lot of people are more worried about their own wants and preferences.
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.
Verse 27 Paul addresses Epaphroditus illness
Epaphroditus left Philippi because of his concern for Paul in prison in Rome. On the way to Rome he feel sick and stayed a while to heal.
He was going to Rome to be at Paul’s side.
On the way to Rome he feel sick, stayed for some healing and met Paul
Do you have friends who are at your side when you need them most?
Don’t you want to be that kind of person?
He was ill, near death.
This illness delayed his return to the church.
You know the church missed a worker like Epaphroditus.
But God had mercy on him and on me as well.
For I have faced sorrow upon sorrow
We serve a God that shows mercy.
He showed mercy to Epaphroditus, He has shown mercy to Paul. He has shown mercy to me and to you.
Some say well God let this person die. Death is sometimes a merciful thing.
God has shown us mercy by way of the cross and the death of his only son.
I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious.
I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious.
Paul was eager to send Epaphroditus back, not because he didn’t want him. But because Paul cared for the church as well.
Paul put the needs of the church ahead of his own.
Therefore: What is it therefore
I am eager to send him
in light of is recovery to sickness and your worrying about him so that you may rejoice
and so that I will be less anxious
Paul was anxious of what was going on in the church of Philippi because of Epaphroditus illness
So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men,
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.
Verse 29: So receive him in the Lord for he nearly died for the work of Chirst.
He almost died serving King Jesus.
Sometimes God will call us to do things that may cause us harm, death, and illness
Paul wants them to receive Epaphroditus in the Lord with:
Joy
honor
Some times we worry what to many people will think if we recognize people for their service.
Paul tells the church of Philippi to recognize this man with joy and honor.
Who would you like to recognize for their service to the Lord at THBC?
for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.
We find out in verse 30 that he almost dies because of his work in the Lord.
Risked his life life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.