WEBVTT 00:00:06.959 --> 00:00:12.720 This sermon was recorded at Faith Evangelical Free Church in Grand Forks, North Dakota. 00:00:17.280 --> 00:00:26.239 I've said before that I love history, just all kinds of aspects about history. 00:00:26.559 --> 00:00:38.479 Church history is especially interesting, and church history is filled with displays of selfless character and sacrificial service. 00:00:39.039 --> 00:00:41.840 Here are three of them, very briefly. 00:00:42.479 --> 00:00:48.240 In 1793, William Carey left England for what was then known as Bengal. 00:00:49.200 --> 00:00:58.960 Over the next 30 years, he translated the entire Bible into Bengal and parts of it into twenty-four other dialects. 00:01:00.079 --> 00:01:19.439 He also founded Asia's first degree-seeking institution while facing the deaths of his wife and his son, enduring financial struggles, opposition from all corners, and massive cultural barriers. 00:01:20.879 --> 00:01:22.400 Mary Slesser. 00:01:23.040 --> 00:01:28.640 Mary Slesser was a Scottish Presbyterian missionary who traveled to what is now Nigeria. 00:01:29.120 --> 00:01:32.879 There she became widely known as the mother of all. 00:01:34.159 --> 00:01:48.000 She lived in remote locations and hostile regions for decades, fighting against harmful native customs and risking her life repeatedly as she spread the gospel with Christ-like humility. 00:01:50.480 --> 00:01:58.079 John Rogers printed the second complete Bible in English following William Tyndale. 00:02:00.319 --> 00:02:14.960 He refused to comply with Roman Catholic teaching, and so on February 4th of 19, 1555, he was burned alive at the stake for his beliefs. 00:02:16.879 --> 00:02:22.879 Church history is your history if you believe in Christ. 00:02:24.479 --> 00:02:31.840 Church history is filled with countless examples of selfless character and sacrificial service. 00:02:33.039 --> 00:02:39.360 They follow in the footsteps of two individuals that we find in our passage this morning in Philippians chapter 2. 00:02:39.520 --> 00:02:43.599 If you'd like to take your Bible or your device and open to that passage. 00:02:44.960 --> 00:03:02.479 Two instances of selflessness and sacrifice in ordinary people are found in Philippians chapter 2, and God recognized them for showing the character of his only begotten Son. 00:03:03.039 --> 00:03:09.439 Philippians chapter 2, we're going to focus this morning on verses 19 through 30, finishing out this chapter. 00:03:09.520 --> 00:03:11.680 I'll read it if you'd like to follow along. 00:03:12.000 --> 00:03:16.159 Again, beginning in Philippians chapter 2, verse 19. 00:03:16.639 --> 00:03:28.319 The Apostle Paul, writing from prison, says, I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 00:03:29.360 --> 00:03:37.680 He's going to send him, because I have no one like him who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 00:03:38.719 --> 00:03:44.879 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 00:03:45.280 --> 00:03:52.879 But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 00:03:53.120 --> 00:03:58.000 I hope, therefore, to send him just as soon as I will see how it will go with me. 00:03:58.240 --> 00:04:03.120 And I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will also come. 00:04:04.159 --> 00:04:14.319 I've thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need. 00:04:15.039 --> 00:04:20.879 For he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 00:04:21.120 --> 00:04:24.639 Indeed, he was ill, near to death. 00:04:25.279 --> 00:04:33.120 But God had mercy on him, and not only on him, but on me also, that lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 00:04:33.360 --> 00:04:41.439 So I am all the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 00:04:42.000 --> 00:04:54.959 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. 00:04:55.680 --> 00:04:56.319 Amen. 00:04:57.360 --> 00:05:11.120 Epaphroditus, as we learn in chapter four, verse eighteen, was sent from the city of Philippi by the church there with a financial gift of support to the apostle while he was imprisoned in Rome. 00:05:11.199 --> 00:05:14.959 And it seems as though he stayed there with Paul for a while. 00:05:15.600 --> 00:05:18.639 While there he became quite sick. 00:05:19.199 --> 00:05:30.079 Timothy, the young man from Asia Minor, who became Paul's protege, was already with Paul in Rome and had been there with him perhaps the whole time. 00:05:31.040 --> 00:05:35.759 These two men stand out for at least two reasons. 00:05:36.399 --> 00:05:52.000 They stand out for mirroring in Philippians chapter 2 what we see of Jesus Christ, who considered others more significant than himself and humbled himself to the point of death, even death on a cross. 00:05:52.319 --> 00:05:53.600 They mirror Jesus. 00:05:53.759 --> 00:05:58.800 Second, they stand out because they are different from other human beings. 00:05:59.040 --> 00:06:07.759 Specifically, in the context of the book of Philippians, they are different from the women in chapter 4, Yodia and Syntiche, who can't get along. 00:06:09.040 --> 00:06:11.199 They seek to please Christ. 00:06:11.680 --> 00:06:17.120 That is, Timothy and Ephroditus do, not themselves. 00:06:18.399 --> 00:06:23.279 So in fact, Timothy and Epaphroditus live out verse 15. 00:06:24.000 --> 00:06:32.079 The reality that they are children of God who are called to mirror Christ through selfless sacrificial service. 00:06:33.360 --> 00:06:42.720 So in this greeting in the middle of the book, the Apostle Paul is telling the church, hey, I'm going to send these two guys to you. 00:06:42.879 --> 00:06:44.560 And you know all about them. 00:06:44.720 --> 00:06:47.839 This is no surprise what he's going to write. 00:06:48.160 --> 00:06:53.279 So we have to ask the question: why is he telling them what they already know? 00:06:54.720 --> 00:06:58.720 Why is he telling them what they know to be true about Timothy? 00:06:58.959 --> 00:07:06.079 And why does he tell them about what they know to be true about Epaphroditus who left them just fairly recently, apparently? 00:07:07.680 --> 00:07:12.800 The apostle composed one section on Timothy and a second section about Epaphroditus. 00:07:12.959 --> 00:07:14.480 So let's look at them briefly. 00:07:14.639 --> 00:07:22.959 First, Timothy here reflects Christ's selflessness by considering others more significant than himself. 00:07:23.839 --> 00:07:26.319 Timothy reflects Christ. 00:07:26.879 --> 00:07:28.879 How does he reflect Christ? 00:07:29.279 --> 00:07:30.959 By being selfless. 00:07:31.759 --> 00:07:35.600 He considers others far more significant than himself. 00:07:35.759 --> 00:07:37.680 What do we know about Timothy? 00:07:38.399 --> 00:07:46.079 Well, we know that his faith was formed at a very young age through his Jewish mother and grandmother. 00:07:46.959 --> 00:07:49.199 They taught him the scriptures. 00:07:49.839 --> 00:07:59.519 And at some point, Timothy came to genuine faith in Jesus Christ, and after that he became Paul's apprentice at a fairly young age. 00:08:00.000 --> 00:08:05.120 They were so close that they developed a father and son-like relationship. 00:08:05.439 --> 00:08:07.279 But it was more than that. 00:08:07.759 --> 00:08:16.319 Their ministry together was based not on superiority of Paul, an apostle, to a young man, or on authority. 00:08:16.560 --> 00:08:19.279 No, it says they served together. 00:08:19.920 --> 00:08:28.480 When it says in verse 22, he has served with me in the gospel, that with me literally means together with me. 00:08:28.959 --> 00:08:30.399 He is linked with me. 00:08:30.560 --> 00:08:32.720 We are in this together. 00:08:33.919 --> 00:08:40.799 Timothy was meaningful to Paul because of their relationship and partnership in gospel ministry. 00:08:42.080 --> 00:08:45.519 But there's something that stands out even more than that. 00:08:47.200 --> 00:08:55.279 Timothy reflects Christ's selflessness by considering others more significant than himself. 00:08:55.519 --> 00:08:56.960 How do we know that? 00:08:57.360 --> 00:09:04.720 Well, I see here five characteristics that reflect the Lord's selflessness in verses 19 through 24. 00:09:05.279 --> 00:09:10.000 Notice first that Timothy was selfless in his labors. 00:09:10.559 --> 00:09:13.039 He was selfless in his work with Paul. 00:09:13.200 --> 00:09:22.559 Verse 22 says, You know Timothy's proven worth how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 00:09:23.360 --> 00:09:25.440 Timothy left his family. 00:09:26.080 --> 00:09:30.159 He left his mother and his grandmother behind, and he followed Paul. 00:09:30.559 --> 00:09:34.320 He was beside him in preaching and in prison. 00:09:34.799 --> 00:09:44.159 In fact, the word served here in verse 22 could be translated slaved, as in he has slaved with me in the gospel. 00:09:44.799 --> 00:09:52.000 Timothy's side-by-side service with Paul for Christ was a priority for Timothy. 00:09:52.320 --> 00:09:57.440 He set aside his own interests to elevate the interests of Christ. 00:09:57.679 --> 00:10:01.679 That's why Paul could commend Timothy to the church in Corinth. 00:10:02.000 --> 00:10:11.679 He said in 1 Corinthians 16, when Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease, for he is doing the work of the Lord. 00:10:13.440 --> 00:10:25.840 An example of his selfless labors, then, was his willingness to go to Philippi, his willingness to go to Corinth and to do whatever Paul needed him to do on his behalf for the churches. 00:10:26.320 --> 00:10:29.600 He labored on behalf of others. 00:10:30.720 --> 00:10:33.039 So we have to ask the question, don't we? 00:10:33.279 --> 00:10:39.279 What does selfless labor for Christ look like for us today? 00:10:42.159 --> 00:10:44.720 We could probably make a list a mile long. 00:10:45.679 --> 00:10:48.000 Here are some thoughts to get us started. 00:10:48.240 --> 00:10:51.519 I think it means showing up when it's inconvenient. 00:10:53.759 --> 00:10:58.960 When it's hard, when it's not necessarily the thing we would like to be doing. 00:10:59.200 --> 00:11:03.200 It means serving in the nursery when you'd rather be in the service. 00:11:03.919 --> 00:11:06.320 Yes, that's intended to put pressure on you. 00:11:09.360 --> 00:11:14.960 It means staying late to take down or set up tables or chairs. 00:11:15.279 --> 00:11:20.799 Or arriving early to help people cross an icy parking lot or to greet them with a smile. 00:11:21.120 --> 00:11:33.360 And any number of other kinds of examples where we say serving Christ on behalf serving others on behalf of Christ is more significant than what I want or I desire. 00:11:33.600 --> 00:11:42.000 Selfless labor means your service to Christ and his church takes priority over our personal schedules and our personal comfort. 00:11:42.720 --> 00:11:46.320 That's the first thing we see about Timothy's character. 00:11:46.480 --> 00:11:51.200 But we also see that Timothy was selfless in his relationships. 00:11:53.039 --> 00:12:00.639 Paul says, I have no one like him in verse 20 who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 00:12:02.799 --> 00:12:05.759 Do we think the apostle lied? 00:12:06.639 --> 00:12:08.240 No, of course not. 00:12:10.159 --> 00:12:18.559 He's speaking genuinely, truthfully, and he says, There's no one that I have with me who is like Timothy. 00:12:20.240 --> 00:12:26.000 Paul knew that Timothy would be genuinely concerned for the welfare of the Christians in Philippi. 00:12:27.279 --> 00:12:32.080 So that speaks of a particular kind of concern for others. 00:12:33.519 --> 00:12:34.879 It's not fake. 00:12:35.840 --> 00:12:38.000 It's not half interested. 00:12:38.399 --> 00:12:38.960 It's real. 00:12:42.399 --> 00:12:48.399 Insincere concern for others is fake and not Christ-like. 00:12:48.480 --> 00:12:51.279 But Timothy's concern is the real thing. 00:12:51.759 --> 00:12:58.720 He considered others more significant than himself, and Paul knew that concern for others was genuine. 00:13:00.080 --> 00:13:06.000 So how do we demonstrate genuine concern in our relationships within the church? 00:13:07.440 --> 00:13:09.039 Let's start simply. 00:13:09.919 --> 00:13:17.360 It starts with asking people how they're doing and truly wanting to know the answer. 00:13:18.000 --> 00:13:19.840 Whatever it might be. 00:13:21.039 --> 00:13:38.799 And maybe not simply knowing who they are and knowing what's concerning them or how they're doing today, but maybe staying up with them and hearing the answer and then checking in later to see what's what's happening in their lives? 00:13:39.120 --> 00:13:40.320 How can we pray for them? 00:13:40.399 --> 00:13:41.600 How can we encourage them? 00:13:41.840 --> 00:13:46.399 Genuine concern, friends, cannot be scheduled or manufactured. 00:13:47.519 --> 00:13:51.919 It flows from a heart that truly values others. 00:13:52.879 --> 00:14:00.559 So we should ask ourselves: are our relationships in the church characterized by authenticity and care for one another? 00:14:01.600 --> 00:14:04.960 Or are they merely polite? 00:14:05.840 --> 00:14:10.480 You know, we have to talk to each other because we're in church together, kind of thing. 00:14:12.559 --> 00:14:16.080 Do you know what burdens your brothers and sisters are carrying? 00:14:20.080 --> 00:14:28.480 Genuine care, friends, also becomes a way in which the Lord draws unbelievers to this strange thing we call church. 00:14:30.080 --> 00:14:48.159 The early church was almost invaded by the poor, by the outcast, because the church showed genuine care for them as a way of showing Christ to them. 00:14:49.440 --> 00:14:52.559 And through that, they were led to genuine faith in Christ. 00:14:52.799 --> 00:14:57.200 Do we live out our selflessness in that way? 00:14:57.360 --> 00:15:05.919 There's a third characteristic we see of Timothy, verses 21 and 22, and that is that Timothy was selfless in his loyalties. 00:15:07.039 --> 00:15:09.279 He was selfless in his loyalties. 00:15:10.720 --> 00:15:14.799 The humble selflessness of Timothy's loyalties is incredible. 00:15:15.039 --> 00:15:19.519 I think we can lay out at least four levels of his loyalty. 00:15:19.759 --> 00:15:23.120 His greatest loyalty in verse 21 is to Christ. 00:15:23.519 --> 00:15:25.120 That is supreme. 00:15:25.919 --> 00:15:27.600 That's his greatest loyalty. 00:15:27.759 --> 00:15:32.480 His second loyalty is to Paul, like a son to a father. 00:15:33.039 --> 00:15:38.960 His third level of loyalty was to others in service of the gospel, verse 20 and verse 23. 00:15:40.320 --> 00:15:45.120 And only at the bottom do we find Timothy's concern for himself. 00:15:46.480 --> 00:15:53.360 And isn't that exactly what we find laid out for us in chapter 2, verse 4? 00:15:54.000 --> 00:16:02.960 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, you're going to look out for your own interest, but also for the interests of others. 00:16:03.919 --> 00:16:06.879 Consider them more significant. 00:16:10.320 --> 00:16:28.559 How would our assembly, this gathering of saints at Faith Evangelical Free Church, how would our gathering be transformed if we all pursued this arrangement of loyalties that we see in Timothy? 00:16:29.519 --> 00:16:43.279 If we consistently lived out putting Christ first and putting ourselves at the bottom and others in between, what would our assembly look like? 00:16:43.519 --> 00:16:51.279 I think it would certainly make the unity and the partnership and the gospel that we find at the end of chapter one much easier. 00:16:53.039 --> 00:17:03.759 But even more than that, we would display the Christ-likeness necessary to shine as lights in a crooked world, as we saw in verse 15. 00:17:05.759 --> 00:17:15.119 This hierarchy of loyalties challenges deeply ingrained individualism in us. 00:17:17.759 --> 00:17:19.279 We are almost bred. 00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:27.039 We are almost poured into and trained to be selfish and individualistic. 00:17:28.480 --> 00:17:32.000 We're taught from childhood to look out for number one. 00:17:33.039 --> 00:17:35.599 Pull yourselves up by your bootstraps. 00:17:44.480 --> 00:17:49.200 We're taught to prioritize self-care and self-advancement. 00:17:51.599 --> 00:17:55.519 But don't you think that Timothy's example turns that upside down? 00:17:58.000 --> 00:18:05.680 It says, elevate and prioritize Christ first, and then others, and then yourself. 00:18:05.839 --> 00:18:10.319 So what would it look like to restructure our loyalties like that? 00:18:11.359 --> 00:18:23.680 Well, it might mean rearranging our schedule to serve somewhere in the community where we can connect with people, tell them about Christ, and invite them to church. 00:18:25.119 --> 00:18:32.640 It might mean coming alongside a newer believer and mentoring them even when you're exhausted. 00:18:34.240 --> 00:18:38.880 It might mean giving financially beyond your comfort level to support gospel work. 00:18:38.960 --> 00:18:45.759 I think it definitely, in the context of Philippians, means refusing to participate in division and gossip. 00:18:47.440 --> 00:18:55.759 You see, Timothy was sincere, he was genuine, and he was loyal toward others while he ministered with Paul. 00:18:56.319 --> 00:19:00.799 He could have abandoned Paul in prison and said, Yeah, this isn't what I signed up for. 00:19:03.519 --> 00:19:12.079 And these characteristics were displayed often enough and consistently enough for the fourth characteristic to be true. 00:19:13.279 --> 00:19:16.559 Timothy was proven in ministry. 00:19:17.839 --> 00:19:20.640 Notice what the Apostle Paul says in verse 22. 00:19:21.119 --> 00:19:26.720 You, the Philippians, know Timothy's proven worth. 00:19:28.240 --> 00:19:30.880 His proven worth was known. 00:19:31.039 --> 00:19:33.200 To be proven means to be tested. 00:19:33.519 --> 00:19:46.319 For example, the Apostle Paul said to the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians chapter 2, he says, This is why I wrote to you, so that I could test you and know whether you are obedient in everything. 00:19:46.559 --> 00:19:48.400 Knowing is a result of testing. 00:19:48.559 --> 00:19:51.440 To know that you're obedient comes as a result of testing. 00:19:52.400 --> 00:20:01.119 Years of ministry and trials had tested Timothy, proving that he was valuable for the Lord's work. 00:20:03.359 --> 00:20:14.960 We generally don't know someone's true value and character for ministry and service until they've labored and endured in the work of ministry. 00:20:16.079 --> 00:20:25.519 Timothy had labored faithfully, sincerely, and loyally so that all people could see his proven worth for the Lord's work. 00:20:25.759 --> 00:20:33.599 So the apostle Paul could then say of Timothy in 2 Timothy chapter 2, you have followed my teaching. 00:20:33.920 --> 00:20:43.920 You followed my conduct, you followed my aim in life, you followed my faith, you followed my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecution and my sufferings. 00:20:44.079 --> 00:20:46.799 Timothy was there through it. 00:20:48.640 --> 00:20:51.680 Friends, proven worth doesn't happen overnight. 00:20:52.559 --> 00:21:05.839 It's built through faithful service in seasons of obscurity, through seasons when no one's watching, enduring through consistency, even when you feel like quitting. 00:21:07.680 --> 00:21:10.319 Some of you are in that season of testing right now. 00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:24.000 You're serving faithfully and you feel like you're you're walking in the steps of Christ and you're doing what He wants you to do, but it feels unnoticed and unappreciated. 00:21:26.240 --> 00:21:34.079 Maybe you're teaching the Sunday school class for the same Sunday school class, season after season, and there's no one to step in and give you a break. 00:21:34.640 --> 00:21:38.160 You're greeting at the doors week in and week out. 00:21:40.240 --> 00:21:42.640 Friends, don't despise the process. 00:21:43.839 --> 00:21:47.839 God is proving your character through those very experiences. 00:21:48.960 --> 00:21:53.359 And it's the testing that reveals what's really in our hearts. 00:21:53.759 --> 00:21:58.720 It shows whether we're serving for personal recognition or for Christ. 00:21:58.880 --> 00:22:09.440 It demonstrates whether Whether our commitment is conditional, based on appreciation or appraise, or whether it's anchored in obedience. 00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:27.440 You see, Timothy's proven worth came through years of faithful service that no one seems to have ever applauded, and through all kinds of difficulties that tested his resolve. 00:22:28.000 --> 00:22:31.359 This is why Paul could say, I have no one like him. 00:22:33.599 --> 00:22:40.400 All of that character and all of that labor leads to a final characteristic we see in Timothy, in verse 23. 00:22:40.799 --> 00:22:42.960 He is trustworthy. 00:22:43.200 --> 00:22:44.799 He's trustworthy. 00:22:45.680 --> 00:22:49.599 Paul sent Timothy on several trips to different churches. 00:22:50.559 --> 00:22:54.720 He left him behind in Ephesus to pastor the church there. 00:22:57.039 --> 00:23:05.599 Paul sent Timothy all over as his emissary, hoping that he himself here would get out of prison and be able to visit too. 00:23:07.119 --> 00:23:11.839 So consider what these few sentences about Timothy accomplish. 00:23:13.119 --> 00:23:17.599 Are they just here to say, hey, Timothy's coming? 00:23:17.839 --> 00:23:18.799 Expect him. 00:23:20.400 --> 00:23:21.039 I don't think so. 00:23:21.200 --> 00:23:24.640 I think they're doing something much richer than that. 00:23:26.480 --> 00:23:30.799 Timothy's likely the one who carries this letter to Philippi. 00:23:31.759 --> 00:23:35.519 He's likely the one who reads it to the church when he gets there. 00:23:36.480 --> 00:23:40.720 So this is a subtle way for the Apostle Paul to encourage Timothy. 00:23:41.599 --> 00:23:50.720 These words also remind the church of Philippi of what they know so that they will be ready to receive Timothy and to receive his leadership. 00:23:51.119 --> 00:23:55.759 They demonstrate Timothy's value to Paul and to the Lord's work. 00:23:57.279 --> 00:24:03.119 And most importantly, they show us Christ in Timothy. 00:24:04.400 --> 00:24:10.480 Timothy lived out the call of chapter 2, verses 1 through 5 to be Christ-like. 00:24:11.359 --> 00:24:17.279 And that shows a fifth characteristic that these sentences about Timothy do. 00:24:18.559 --> 00:24:23.920 They encourage us that it's possible to be like Jesus. 00:24:25.200 --> 00:24:28.160 Do you ever feel like that's a hard thing to do? 00:24:29.440 --> 00:24:32.480 Come back and read this when you feel that way. 00:24:33.920 --> 00:24:40.880 Timothy shows us that it's possible to follow in the footsteps of Christ. 00:24:41.200 --> 00:24:46.880 And so we can ask some questions of ourselves to see how we align with Christ through Timothy. 00:24:48.960 --> 00:24:52.880 Do we prioritize serving others over personal gain? 00:24:54.319 --> 00:24:57.440 Do we prioritize our own interests or the Lord's? 00:24:58.880 --> 00:25:03.599 Have we endured and proven ourselves to be valuable and useful in the Lord's service? 00:25:03.759 --> 00:25:06.480 And maybe we should even ask another question. 00:25:08.480 --> 00:25:09.920 Look around you. 00:25:12.000 --> 00:25:19.680 Can we identify and nurture and encourage the Timothy's among us today? 00:25:22.160 --> 00:25:25.920 Who are the young believers showing these characteristics? 00:25:28.160 --> 00:25:32.000 Remember, they might not at first stand out. 00:25:33.839 --> 00:25:35.279 How can we invest in them? 00:25:35.440 --> 00:25:41.279 How can we encourage them and create opportunities for them to grow even more in Christ-likeness? 00:25:43.039 --> 00:25:49.599 So much value in just looking at Timothy and seeing Christ. 00:25:50.240 --> 00:25:56.400 Now look with me for a few moments at Epaphroditus, verses 25 through 30. 00:26:04.160 --> 00:26:06.400 Specifically, a sacrificial life. 00:26:06.559 --> 00:26:13.359 And Epaphroditus shows us that in his service to both the church in Philippi and the Apostle Paul. 00:26:13.519 --> 00:26:15.200 Now notice here that the contrast. 00:26:15.359 --> 00:26:17.119 Timothy is called a son. 00:26:18.720 --> 00:26:20.000 High praise. 00:26:20.960 --> 00:26:25.359 Valuing relationship and connection and intimacy. 00:26:31.359 --> 00:26:43.119 The difference is likely that Timothy was with Paul constantly, serving as his assistant and right-hand helper, while Epaphroditus is serving in Philippi and making the travel to Rome when needed. 00:26:44.319 --> 00:26:56.079 But even more than that, Paul says Epaphroditus is a fellow worker and a fellow soldier and a brother that comes alongside him to work. 00:26:56.400 --> 00:27:00.400 So my brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier. 00:27:02.000 --> 00:27:04.799 Those are all connective elements. 00:27:05.680 --> 00:27:12.400 And they are significant because it demonstrates relational connection that grows in intensity. 00:27:13.039 --> 00:27:20.400 These men are so close that Paul would have sorrow upon sorrow if Epaphroditus died. 00:27:21.440 --> 00:27:24.400 So that's one connection that we see here. 00:27:25.200 --> 00:27:32.480 Aphroditus is so connected to Paul and the Lord's work that they could be called brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier. 00:27:32.559 --> 00:27:38.240 But there's a second connection here, and that is with the church in Philippi. 00:27:39.519 --> 00:27:48.480 Somehow, somehow in verse 26, the church in Philippi heard that Epaphroditus was sick. 00:27:50.079 --> 00:28:01.359 Imagine that we sent one of our elders to another church in another country, and we heard that they had gotten so sick while they were there that they were about to die, we would be concerned. 00:28:06.960 --> 00:28:10.079 But notice how Epaphroditus reacts. 00:28:11.200 --> 00:28:20.000 He has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was sick. 00:28:22.319 --> 00:28:25.440 How easy is it for us to be selfish when we're sick? 00:28:27.119 --> 00:28:29.599 I know men get the worst rap on that, right? 00:28:30.960 --> 00:28:33.200 Wives, don't say hallelujah. 00:28:34.240 --> 00:28:36.240 Even though you might feel it's true. 00:28:39.440 --> 00:28:43.680 We get inward focused when we don't feel well. 00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:48.400 And here, Epaphroditus is so sick that he might die. 00:28:49.920 --> 00:28:53.839 But we don't see anything here about his concern for himself. 00:28:54.000 --> 00:28:58.480 Instead, we see his concern for his church at home. 00:29:01.359 --> 00:29:06.880 His greater concern is for the people in Philippi, even though he was close to death. 00:29:07.039 --> 00:29:16.960 So, like Timothy, he considered others more significant than himself, and he willingly sacrificed himself to serve others. 00:29:19.759 --> 00:29:30.000 These two connections, one to Paul and one to Philippi, came together when the believers in Philippi had an opportunity to minister to Paul's need. 00:29:30.079 --> 00:29:34.799 And so they sent Epaphroditus to Paul in Rome with their gift. 00:29:35.279 --> 00:29:40.480 And somewhere in the middle, Epaphroditus became sick, so sick that he's near death. 00:29:40.640 --> 00:29:42.480 Again, is Paul lying? 00:29:42.880 --> 00:29:43.200 No. 00:29:45.440 --> 00:29:47.599 Is he just feeling like he's near to death? 00:29:47.759 --> 00:29:51.200 No, I don't think that would be a faithful representation. 00:29:51.839 --> 00:29:53.519 He almost died. 00:29:55.920 --> 00:30:06.880 We need to remember that the near context of this section includes the humility and obedience of the Lord Jesus to the point of death. 00:30:09.119 --> 00:30:17.200 He considered others more significant than himself, and the end result of that mindset was his death on our behalf. 00:30:20.240 --> 00:30:23.440 Christ died for us. 00:30:25.039 --> 00:30:32.079 The cost of genuinely considering others more significant than ourselves is high, friends. 00:30:32.480 --> 00:30:39.680 Epaphroditus risked his health, his comfort, and even his life to serve Christ and support Paul. 00:30:40.640 --> 00:30:44.079 You remember the words of the Lord Jesus in the Gospel of John. 00:30:44.480 --> 00:30:51.680 He said, Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 00:30:51.839 --> 00:30:56.000 Now, of course, the Lord was speaking of himself in that passage. 00:30:56.640 --> 00:31:00.880 He is the good shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep. 00:31:03.119 --> 00:31:08.640 But Epaphroditus walks in Christ's footsteps. 00:31:09.599 --> 00:31:15.039 He shows us how we can emulate the Lord by considering others more significant than ourselves. 00:31:15.279 --> 00:31:25.680 The apostle John, I think, surely was remembering what Jesus said when he wrote in 1 John chapter 3 this is how we know love. 00:31:28.480 --> 00:31:31.200 But Christ laid down his life for us. 00:31:33.039 --> 00:31:35.519 Then he gives the implication of that. 00:31:35.920 --> 00:31:42.319 And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 00:31:42.799 --> 00:31:45.839 This is what we've seen as we've walked through Philippians 2. 00:31:46.079 --> 00:31:49.519 We've seen the call to consider others more significant than ourselves. 00:31:49.599 --> 00:31:56.720 We've seen that lived out and magnificent humility of our Lord Jesus taking on flesh to die for us. 00:31:56.880 --> 00:32:05.440 And now we see that lived out in the life of the early church where Epaphroditus willingly gave himself for others in the service of Christ. 00:32:07.759 --> 00:32:18.319 But if we let that sink down a little bit deeper into us, we begin to realize that Ephyphroditus' example raises an uncomfortable question for us. 00:32:20.079 --> 00:32:23.920 What are we willing to risk for Christ and his people? 00:32:27.519 --> 00:32:32.000 Not a question easily answered or quickly answered. 00:32:37.119 --> 00:32:53.599 Most of us, at least in the Western world, either actively or passively work to manage our lives and our circumstances to minimize risk and maximize comfort. 00:32:55.519 --> 00:33:02.079 But sacrificial service sometimes calls us to step out and be uncomfortable. 00:33:03.119 --> 00:33:06.240 Maybe even to enter dangerous situations. 00:33:07.200 --> 00:33:10.319 It might mean traveling to a foreign mission field. 00:33:10.720 --> 00:33:15.759 It might mean opening your home to someone in crisis, even when it disrupts your routine. 00:33:15.920 --> 00:33:21.440 It might mean using your vacation time to serve others rather than relax. 00:33:22.400 --> 00:33:24.720 Any number of ways that that could look. 00:33:25.039 --> 00:33:30.240 What we need to know is that Epaphroditus didn't plan to nearly die in Rome. 00:33:31.920 --> 00:33:34.160 He simply went where it was needed. 00:33:34.319 --> 00:33:40.480 He served Christ in whatever way was necessary, and he trusted God with the outcome. 00:33:41.680 --> 00:33:44.079 Are we willing to do the same? 00:33:48.160 --> 00:33:56.000 At first glance, this passage seems like a simple update on mutual friends. 00:33:56.240 --> 00:33:59.920 Hey, you heard that Epaphroditus is sick, don't worry, he's okay. 00:34:00.880 --> 00:34:02.160 Hey, you remember Timothy? 00:34:02.240 --> 00:34:03.759 I'm sending him to you. 00:34:05.759 --> 00:34:08.719 But no, it's much more than that. 00:34:10.159 --> 00:34:21.920 Because we've already seen that the church in Philippi is tending toward selfishness, towards bickering and competing with one another. 00:34:22.480 --> 00:34:34.400 So writing about Timothy in Epaphroditus and then sending them back to the church is Paul's way of saying, friends, you're not imitating Christ like these two are. 00:34:35.360 --> 00:34:37.360 Follow their example. 00:34:39.199 --> 00:34:48.480 Sending these two men to the church at Philippi was Paul's way of pointing to Jesus, the ultimate selfless servant. 00:34:51.039 --> 00:35:05.039 And by preserving this letter for us, we can hear Paul asking us, are you imitating Christ like Timothy and Epaphroditus? 00:35:06.639 --> 00:35:11.039 Are you living out Christ's selflessness and sacrificial service for others? 00:35:11.280 --> 00:35:15.280 Are you about what merely interests you or what interests Christ? 00:35:19.440 --> 00:35:23.920 We shouldn't neglect the two commands at the end of this section. 00:35:25.280 --> 00:35:30.800 The imprisoned apostle doesn't ask for the church in Philippi to honor him. 00:35:33.039 --> 00:35:35.119 He doesn't say, hey, thanks for the gift. 00:35:35.199 --> 00:35:36.559 Please send me more. 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:43.360 He doesn't say, thanks for remembering my imprisonment and sending somebody to encourage me. 00:35:44.079 --> 00:35:52.960 No, he commands them to receive and honor people like Timothy and Epaphroditus. 00:35:54.159 --> 00:36:01.519 He says, I'm sending him, verse 28, so that you might rejoice at seeing him again, and I may be less anxious. 00:36:01.679 --> 00:36:06.960 So receive him in the Lord with all joy and honor such men. 00:36:12.239 --> 00:36:22.880 Supporting and honoring people who selflessly and sacrificially serve Christ is a command. 00:36:24.400 --> 00:36:30.320 The church has a responsibility to support and honor those who imitate Christ. 00:36:32.000 --> 00:36:36.800 Specifically by considering others more significant than themselves. 00:36:38.559 --> 00:36:40.000 How do we do that practically? 00:36:40.159 --> 00:36:44.800 Well, we might we might honor them by expressing gratitude. 00:36:50.400 --> 00:37:15.920 Maybe we could stop and attempt to, more genuinely than we ever have, say thank you to our coffee servers, or to our greeters, or to somebody who brings you a meal or praise for you. 00:37:17.199 --> 00:37:21.360 Because they're considering others more significant than themselves in their service. 00:37:23.119 --> 00:37:27.440 Maybe we we we defend their reputation when they're criticized. 00:37:27.599 --> 00:37:31.920 Hey, you gave him half a cup of coffee and me you only gave a quarter. 00:37:32.159 --> 00:37:33.519 Or you gave him a full cup. 00:37:33.599 --> 00:37:36.880 How come my we get we get selfish, don't we? 00:37:38.320 --> 00:37:43.199 When we're not treated the same way, we we we get irritated and rises up within us. 00:37:43.280 --> 00:37:51.599 But maybe we should defend those who are selflessly giving of themselves instead of criticizing. 00:37:51.920 --> 00:37:56.719 Maybe we can work to lighten their load when we have opportunity. 00:37:57.679 --> 00:38:07.599 Because supporting and honoring those kinds of people encourages them, just like Timothy would have been encouraged by reading this out loud to the church. 00:38:09.280 --> 00:38:15.199 And it reminds the rest of the church and us too of what we are to be about. 00:38:15.920 --> 00:38:26.079 Selfless, sacrificial service, full of humility that considers others more significant than themselves. 00:38:28.559 --> 00:38:31.920 Friends Timothy and Epaphroditus were ordinary people. 00:38:33.519 --> 00:38:38.559 They were ordinary people who reflected the extraordinary character of Christ. 00:38:40.000 --> 00:38:50.719 They weren't apostles, they didn't write scripture, yet here they are held up as examples for all generations of believers. 00:38:51.440 --> 00:38:58.000 That's encouraging because it means Christ-likeness is possible for ordinary people like us. 00:38:59.039 --> 00:39:10.800 You don't need special talents or unique abilities, you need a willing heart that's been transformed by the gospel aimed at following and demonstrating the character of Christ. 00:39:12.400 --> 00:39:15.199 But there's also an inherent challenge here. 00:39:16.800 --> 00:39:23.599 Because looking at Timothy and Epaphroditus reveals our self-centeredness, doesn't it? 00:39:26.079 --> 00:39:31.599 How often do we organize our lives around our own comfort instead of the needs of others? 00:39:32.880 --> 00:39:38.960 How frequently do we choose to invest in what interests us over what interests Christ? 00:39:40.800 --> 00:39:51.119 The selflessness and the sacrificial service of God's children reflects Christ, it builds others up, and it strengthens the church. 00:39:51.519 --> 00:39:54.320 We see it all throughout church history. 00:39:54.880 --> 00:39:58.079 We've seen now in Scripture, in Timothy and Epaphroditus. 00:39:58.480 --> 00:40:07.280 We see it in God's servants all throughout time, and the question is, will we now begin to see it in our own lives, in our own fellowship? 00:40:08.880 --> 00:40:11.199 Let me leave you quickly with three final challenges. 00:40:11.360 --> 00:40:15.599 Number one, first thing that we should do is evaluate our Christian life. 00:40:17.840 --> 00:40:19.840 Evaluate our own lives. 00:40:20.320 --> 00:40:23.280 Are we driven by selflessness or self-interest? 00:40:24.400 --> 00:40:27.599 Is our life sacrificial or merely convenient? 00:40:29.119 --> 00:40:32.400 Honestly evaluate your own life this week. 00:40:32.639 --> 00:40:36.000 Consider where you spend your time, your energy, your money. 00:40:36.159 --> 00:40:39.199 Does it reflect Timothy's ordering of loyalties? 00:40:39.840 --> 00:40:43.280 Christ first, others second, and self last? 00:40:44.400 --> 00:40:45.760 Evaluate your Christian life. 00:40:45.920 --> 00:40:51.519 Second, identify one way that you can grow in Christ-like service this week. 00:40:54.559 --> 00:40:59.599 Maybe it's actually praying for that person you committed to pray for. 00:41:00.079 --> 00:41:04.000 Instead of getting to Saturday night and realizing, oh, I forgot. 00:41:04.320 --> 00:41:04.719 Right? 00:41:05.280 --> 00:41:06.400 We've all been there. 00:41:06.639 --> 00:41:10.800 Maybe it's actually following through and bringing them to the throne of grace. 00:41:11.360 --> 00:41:15.039 Maybe it's volunteering for a ministry you've been avoiding. 00:41:15.519 --> 00:41:19.119 Maybe it's actually greeting that person that you've been avoiding. 00:41:19.519 --> 00:41:21.679 Maybe it's reconciling with someone. 00:41:21.840 --> 00:41:25.039 Maybe it's giving financially in a way that requires faith. 00:41:25.199 --> 00:41:29.440 Maybe it's showing genuine concern for someone you generally overlook. 00:41:29.760 --> 00:41:31.760 And don't just think about it. 00:41:32.079 --> 00:41:34.159 Commit to it and follow through. 00:41:34.239 --> 00:41:38.800 Ask the Lord to help you display selflessness and sacrificial service. 00:41:38.960 --> 00:41:42.320 Thirdly, look around you. 00:41:44.000 --> 00:41:48.719 Look around you for the Timothy's and the Epaphroditus among us. 00:41:50.480 --> 00:41:51.440 They're here. 00:41:52.559 --> 00:42:00.880 They're here serving quietly, sacrificially, willingly, and laboring faithfully. 00:42:02.079 --> 00:42:05.760 Look for them and encourage them. 00:42:06.880 --> 00:42:10.960 Thank them for how they've blessed you and this fellowship. 00:42:11.679 --> 00:42:13.599 Support them when they're weary. 00:42:14.000 --> 00:42:16.239 Maybe consider filling in for them. 00:42:18.000 --> 00:42:29.920 Because as we put this now into a little bit more context, back to verse 16 and 15 and 14, we see that there is a crooked world watching us. 00:42:31.440 --> 00:42:35.599 They're watching us to see if there's any practical difference in our faith. 00:42:35.679 --> 00:42:38.639 They're looking to see, is God at work among you? 00:42:38.719 --> 00:42:41.679 And are you working out your own salvation? 00:42:43.280 --> 00:42:51.679 When we live out our selfless character and sacrificial service, we shine as lights in a crooked and twisted generation. 00:42:53.440 --> 00:42:56.159 And so we work out our salvation. 00:42:56.480 --> 00:43:02.719 And in the process, Christ strengthens his church for the work that God has called them to do. 00:43:02.960 --> 00:43:03.920 Let's pray together. 00:43:04.079 --> 00:43:07.360 Lord Jesus, strengthen us for your work. 00:43:09.760 --> 00:43:14.000 Lord, we thank you that you have not left us alone in this endeavor. 00:43:15.840 --> 00:43:20.719 The book of Acts tells us that you are working right now, even this moment. 00:43:21.440 --> 00:43:24.639 You've promised us in the Gospels that you are in us and with us. 00:43:24.800 --> 00:43:26.880 You never leave us, you never forsake us. 00:43:27.039 --> 00:43:34.559 You have given us your spirit to come and live within us, to empower us and to work this out in real life. 00:43:34.800 --> 00:43:36.400 We are not alone. 00:43:37.119 --> 00:43:45.360 Lord, make us aware of your presence, aware of your grace that works out your desires in us. 00:43:46.400 --> 00:43:49.760 Cause us to shine brightly this week, Lord. 00:43:50.719 --> 00:44:04.400 Cause a crooked and twisted world to see a bright light, see you in us, your selflessness and sacrifice to the praise of your eternal glory. 00:44:04.880 --> 00:44:05.519 Amen. 00:44:07.760 --> 00:44:11.599 That concludes this sermon from Faith Evangelical Free Church. 00:44:11.760 --> 00:44:18.639 Our mission is to declare the Word of God and disciple believers into mature, devoted followers of Jesus. 00:44:18.880 --> 00:44:22.880 You can learn more by visiting our website at faithfree.com.