Tag: the church

This blog is based on a sermon from Philippians. You can listen to the sermon here.

Many people today are looking for an extraordinary worship experience. They attend their church’s worship gathering or watch a service online hoping to get an emotional high and feel a certain way. Vaughan Roberts calls them the “liver shivers.” ^[1]See True Worship by Vaughan Roberts.

Instead of constantly seeking an emotional worship experience or a particular feeling, we should seek to be faithful day-to-day. Most of the Christian life is not extraordinary. In many ways, the Christian life is ordinary. We are to pour our lives out, little by little, as we serve Christ and others throughout our lives.

As we live the Christian life, we need faithful examples of Christ to follow that will encourage us to live for Jesus.

That is what we see in our text today in Philippians 2:19-30. This passage is an excellent example of why preaching through books of the Bible is so valuable. Rarely would this text be used for a topical sermon, but its truths are so needed in our day.

My sermon title is, “Recognizing Gospel Workers.”

What do you think of when you hear the words gospel worker?

Perhaps you think of Billy Graham, Adrian Rogers, or John MacArthur. I would bet that in America most Christians think of a gospel worker as someone that is in public ministry.

We might think of those with a large church or a large following on social media. Perhaps they’ve written numerous books and are eloquent speakers. Adherents to the prosperity gospel (which I despise, by the way) would argue that a faithful gospel worker should be materially rich. In fact, this wealth is “evidence” that God is blessing this person’s ministry.

While certainly pastors and missionaries should be gospel workers, I am not limiting the term gospel worker to someone in full-time ministry. I use the term to mean anyone who is seeking to serve the kingdom of God – whether in a vocational or volunteer sense. We see this in our text – Timothy was Paul’s assistant and Epaphroditus was a layperson in the Philippian church.

Biblical Text: Phil 2:19-30 (click to read)

As we get started, remember Paul’s Situation. He is writing from a Roman prison. Today, we might say that he is under house arrest, perhaps even in Caesar’s house (Phil 4:22). He is chained to a guard at all times but does have some freedoms. He is allowed visitors and to write letters such as Philippians to local churches.

In our text, Paul outlines his plans to the Philippian church. He is sending Timothy to the church later than he originally expected and Epaphroditus sooner than he originally expected.

Epaphroditus was sent by the Philippian church with a gift to Paul (Phil 4:18). The Philippian church expected Epaphroditus to stay and minister to Paul while he was in prison.

You’re probably aware that Paul normally puts his travel itineraries at the end of his letters. So, why does Paul put this one in the middle of his letter to the Philippians?

We can’t know for sure, but it’s probably because Timothy and Epaphroditus provide examples (or illustrations) of what Paul’s been talking about so far in chapters 1-2.

Timothy and Epaphroditus are real-life examples of the kind of living that Paul has commended in this letter. Both of these men were passionate about Christ. Both were living worthy of the gospel, suffering for the sake of Christ, serving with humility, not grumbling or arguing, and holding fast to the gospel.

There are only two commands in vv. 19-30 and both are found in v. 29 – “receive” and “honor.” These commands form our only main point for this message. Of course, like any good preacher, I’ve cheated by adding subpoints.

We are to receive and honor faithful gospel workers (19-30)

The question becomes, how do we identify faithful gospel workers? Our text helps us to answer this question. Gospel workers are those who are working for the sake of the gospel in some way.

As Paul writes to the Philippians, he wants the church to benefit as much as they can from these two gospel workers.

The Benefits of Gospel Workers (19-20, 28)

Timothy (19-20)

Paul’s benefit – He will be cheered by the good news of Timothy’s report about the Philippians (v. 19).

The Church’s Benefit – Timothy “will be genuinely concerned for [their] welfare” (v. 20).

Like Timothy, I hope that you want what is best for the church and the kingdom of God. We are to be concerned more about the good of the church and the kingdom of God than ourselves.

Epaphroditus (28)

As I said, Epaphroditus had brought the gift to Paul that the Philippian church had sent (Phil 4:18).

Paul’s Benefit – He will be less anxious because Epaphroditus’ will be with the Philippians (v. 28).

The Church’s Benefit – The church will be able to rejoice because they were worried about Epaphroditus and his illness (v. 26). The return of Epaphroditus would bring the Philippians joy.

The church loved Epaphroditus and he loved them. I wonder, do we love and care for one another? Do we care for the sick among us? I pray that we do.

In vv. 19-24, we see the example of Timothy.

The Example of Timothy (19-24)

What made Timothy a faithful gospel worker?

First, we see that Timothy loved the church (v. 20). Paul said that Timothy would be “genuinely concerned for your welfare.” Remember, Timothy was with Paul in Acts 16 when the church was founded. Timothy loved the church as Paul did.

Second, Timothy had proven character (v. 22). Paul wrote, “But you know Timothy’s proven worth.” Paul had plenty of opportunities to observe Timothy’s character.

Often, churches value a resume over proven character and faithfulness. May it never be.

Often, churches value a resume over proven character and faithfulness. May it never be.

Third, Timothy sought the interests of Jesus Christ and the gospel (vv. 21-22). Paul wrote this about Timothy: “they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But…Timothy…has served with me in the gospel.

In chapter one (Phil 1:15), there were those that served out of envy and rivalry. But Paul says that Timothy serves with pure motives.

Like Timothy, we are to serve with compassion and care for others instead of trying to make a name for ourselves.

Timothy was a faithful gospel worker who loved the church and sought the interests of Jesus above his own. Today, there are many people who are in pastoral positions that use them to promote themselves instead of seeking to serve the church. Check out Justin Peters’ website if you need some evidence.

We’ve looked at the example of Timothy. Now let’s look at the example of Epaphroditus.

The Example of Epaphroditus (25-30)

What made Epaphroditus a faithful gospel worker?

First, we see that Epaphroditus labored for the church (v. 25). This is obvious for a number or reasons, but the title “fellow worker” removes any doubt.

In fact, Paul gives him five titles in verse 25:

• “brother” – Paul calls him a brother in Christ. When we go through hard times with brothers and sisters in Christ, we form deep relationships with one another. Epaphroditus had come to minister to Paul while he was in prison – both his physical and spiritual needs.
• “fellow worker” – A gospel worker is not lazy. We should not be lazy when it comes to the gospel and ministering to others.
• “fellow soldier” – Paul had been through spiritual war with Epaphroditus.
• “messenger” – Epaphroditus delivered the financial gift to Paul (Phil 4:18) and likely delivered the letter to the Philippians when he returned to them.
• “minister” – Epaphroditus offered sacrificial service, ministering to the needs of Paul and the Philippians.

Tony Merida writes, “Wouldn’t these five terms be wonderful on a tombstone?”

Second, we see that Epaphroditus loved the church (v. 26). Paul writes, “he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was will.”

Epaphroditus has been longing for the church since he left.

How about you? Do you long for the church? Do you love the people of Christ? Are you a committed member of a local church? If not, then you are living in disobedience.^[2]See Church Membership by Jonathan Leeman.

In our social media age, many Christians we would be “tagging” Paul, “checking in” at Caesar’s house (Phil 4:22) and posting pics on social media. But Epaphroditus was not in Rome for a photo op. He was ministering to Paul and longing for the church back in Philippi.

Third, Epaphroditus loved Christ more than his own life (vv. 27, 30). He was was willing to die for the work of Christ.

He had been changed by Jesus and he wanted others to know Jesus.

Epaphroditus had gotten deathly sick en route to Paul from the Philippians (4:18). Contrary to the prosperity gospel, Christian living involves suffering and sacrifice (Phil 1:29; 2:3-4).

When was the last time you sacrificed for the gospel?

When was the last time you prayed for an unbeliever?

When was the last time you had lunch (or better yet, into your home) with an unbeliever and tried to share the gospel?

In your budget, do you seek to give sacrificially to God’s work?

The bottom line is this – we are to honor and receive men like Timothy and Epaphroditus (v. 29).

Men like Timothy and Epaphroditus are to be and received and honored because they are modeling what it means to follow Christ. Consider how Timothy and Epaphroditus modeled Christ:

In service

• Timothy served with Paul in the gospel (Phil 2:22).
• Jesus took the form of a servant (Phil 2:7).
• As Christians, we should serve others (Phil 2:3-4).

By looking to the interest of others

• Epaphroditus looked to the interests of others by traveling from Philippi to Rome. This trip would have been between 700-1200 miles and would have taken between six weeks to three months, depending on the route (Phil 4:18). ^[3]https://matthewsharmon.com/2012/10/05/fridays-in-philippians-pauls-circumstances/
• Jesus looked to the interests of others by traveling from heaven to earth (Phil 2:5-8).
• We should look to the interest of others and be willing to travel to those who are lost – whether around the world or next door (Matt 28:18-20).

In sacrifice

• Epaphroditus risked his life to minister to Paul’s need (Phil 2:30).
• Jesus gave his life to meet our greatest need (Phil 2:8).
• We should be willing to give our lives for the sake of the gospel (Phil 1:29).

I hope by now, you see that we should value a gospel worker’s faithfulness over his or her fame and following.

We should value a gospel worker’s faithfulness over his or her fame and following.

Is that true of you?

Do you value faithfulness over fame and following?

If I asked you, “Who is someone you look up to in the Christian life?” Your answer will give you insight into what you value.

Do you love the church like Timothy and Epaphroditus?

Are you laboring for the church?

Do you serve your fellow church members?

Are we willing to sacrifice for the cause of Christ?

As soon as Epaphroditus left the comfort of his normal routine in Philippi, he opened himself up to the risk of suffering as he traveled to Rome to minister to Paul.

Who are the people in your life like Timothy and Epaphroditus that can help you live for Christ?

On the day of judgment, Jesus will not ask you about the number of members in your church. He won’t ask about our church’s budget.

He won’t ask how many followers we have on social media. He won’t ask how many Christian conferences we attended or spoke at or how many degrees we have or how much Greek or Hebrew we knew.

Instead, Jesus will look at our faithfulness.

In the end, being faithful to Christ is the true mark of a faithful gospel worker. Not fame. Not fortune. Not following.

There is only one way to hear the words “Well done, good and faithful servant.” It’s by being a good and faithful servant.