Servants of God - Philippians 2:19-30
Servants of God - Philippians 2:19-30
By Pastor Lee Hemen
May 10, 2009 AM
Every mother knows that their children show different characteristics and qualities. It does not necessarily make one child any less in the eyes of a loving mother, but rather unique and individual. Mothers do this with their children because they see special things in each child that make them special only to her. Why else would Mary, the mother of Jesus, ponder in her heart the things she saw and experienced in the life of her son? I know my mother often “pondered” the things she saw displayed in the lives of her children! For instance, when we brought huge night crawlers into the house and then chased her around with them because she thought they were baby garter snakes. Then, there was the time we were all lined up in a row to “confess” our crime of breaking her favorite cookie jar and none of us would crack. Years later her devoted daughter would admit it was her fault but that she honestly thought one of us boys would get the blame because we were always “up-to-something.” Then there was the time our huge cedar tree next to the house burnt down on a clear and cloudless day due to “lightening.” Heedless of her eldest fireman son, she found it plausible and looked past his culpability in the arson and deemed him a “hero” for saving the house with his quick thinking in using the water hose. Mothers do that with their children.
In this section of Scripture we find Paul addressing the Philippian church about two young men who he relied on, and I believe it is a testament to their character, probably learned from their mothers, that shines through in their lives as servants of God. In fact, we know this to be true of Timothy because Paul mentions in a letter to him “I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” (2 Timothy 1:5) Let’s therefore take a look these servants of God.
READ: Philippians 2:19-30
Learning the skills of shepherding a group of people is something that often takes time. However, one thing I have learned over the years is that if you are not called of God to serve people and present the gospel, you will not last as a pastor. It has to be something that you desire because, like sheep, people can often be very frustrating. Sheep can stomp, kick, and bite but the shepherd cannot harm the flock. Sheep can wander every which way but loose, but the shepherd has to go and look for the wayward individual. Sheep do not care if you have not slept, are tried, or hungry – they just want to be fed the very best food and watered with cool clear water. Timothy was such a shepherd. Let’s take a look at…
I. Timothy, the fellow shepherd of the gospel!
1. A true shepherd serves both his master and his sheep! A pastor serves Jesus and others. We find that Timothy was a blessing to both Paul and the Philippians. Far too many shepherds want to cut and run when things get tough, leaving the sheep to the wolves, but not Timothy! Jesus said these people are like “hired hands” and the “hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.” (John 10:12-13) Notice however that Timothy was dependable and responsible: Paul writes that “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon,” because Paul knew wherever and whenever he sent Timothy, Timothy was a trustworthy kind of guy. He was a true shepherd. In fact, Timothy means “valued of God.” Paul also knew that Timothy would relate back to him the absolute truth of the situation in Philippi and Timothy would be accurate in his spiritual assessment. This is why Paul writes “that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you.” Timothy took a “genuine interest” in the “welfare” of the Philippians because he deeply cared for the sheep. Why would Paul bring up this kind of thing with his readers? Evidently, he had been betrayed by someone else: “For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ!” However, Paul knew he could trust Timothy: “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!” Wow! Timothy had a father-son relationship with Paul! Therefore, Paul trusted Timothy because he had no one else “like him,” literally that was “like-minded,” (isopsuchon), which means “equal in spirit.” Just as Jesus was equal to the Father in deity (2:6), Timothy was equal to Paul in the characteristics of being a shepherd -- a pastor! Paul therefore hoped “to send him… soon.” Timothy was a fellow shepherd of the gospel.
EXAMPLE: I can remember learning lifelong truths from my mom. She taught me to appreciate a job well done: “If you’re going to kill each other, do it outside. I just cleaned the house!” She taught me logic: “If you fall down and break your leg, don’t come running to me!” She taught me justice: “One day you will have children and I hope they turn out just like you!” Yes, we learn a lot of things from our mothers and one of them is to be dependable. I mean just try and forget Mother’s Day one time and you’re toast! We know that good mothers are always there to heal the hurts, give out the hugs, and help out with the science project. That’s what moms do for their children, and somewhere in the process of serving their children, hopefully, their children learn to serve others. This is to be true for the Christian as well. In our relationship with Christ if we want to be the people God has called us to be in His Son, we learn to serve. And, that is exactly what Timothy learned as he watched Paul’s life. He learned it first from his mother Eunice and saw it in Paul as he lived for the Lord. Timothy was a fellow shepherd of the gospel.
Just as Paul trusted Timothy he also trusted Epaphroditus. We will later learn that evidently the Philippian church had sent him with gifts they had collected to help Paul and his work. Paul writes that “I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.” (Philippians 4:18) In his writing, however, Paul related that Epaphroditus was much more than a bringer of good gifts. Let’s take a look at this servant of God…
II. Epaphroditus, the willing soldier of the gospel!
1. A soldier in the Lord is willing to keep waging the battle! Epaphroditus’ name literally meant “follower of Aphrodite,” so he was a Greek from a truly Greek home that honored false gods. But now Epaphroditus was a battle-hardened warrior of the Lord! He had to leave behind his family heritage, religion, and follow that which had changed his life completely! How do I know this to be true? Notice how Paul describe this young man: He calls him “my brother.” Where Timothy had been like a son to a father, Epaphroditus was like a brother (adelphos), a womb partner to Paul! Spiritually reborn just as Paul had been, Epaphroditus understood what it meant to leave everything you once held dear behind in the dust. Also, a brother is not subservient in any way but rather like a “fellow worker,” a companion, a co-laborer in the work of the Lord! Shoulder to shoulder he shares the heavy load of getting the gospel message to a sin-fallen world. Epaphroditus had shared with Paul perhaps imprisonment, hardship, and the day-to-day grueling work of ministry. In fact, Paul goes on to call Epaphroditus a “fellow soldier,” which is literally a “co-campaigner” or fellow foot soldier in the field of battle waged for the gospel of Christ! Epaphroditus was willing to camp out in the field and crusade for Christ! He was willing to rest during the lull of the fight and join in with Paul in the frontline when needed! Wow! Where Timothy was a spiritually sensitive son to Paul, Epaphroditus was a battle-hardened warrior for the Lord, ready with the armor of God to go and do battle with Paul! The Philippians must have known this because they had sent him as their “messenger (ambassador)… to take care of [Paul’s] needs.” He not only helped heal the wounds of conflict Paul had suffered, Epaphroditus had been struck down himself! He had been ill and had “almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help [the Philippian Church] could not give” Paul. Paul tells them to “Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him” because Epaphroditus was a willing soldier of the gospel.
EXAMPLE: I remember the first time I discovered how fun it was to freak your mother out. We were walking down the dirt road that ran in between our mailbox and home. A house along the way was rented by a young man who owned a big Saint Bernard named “King.” He was huge, fierce-looking, but unbeknown to my mother, the biggest sap on the face of the earth! King and I used to “wrestle” with one another. He would drag me around like a ragdoll but never hurt me. He saw me and came bounding out of his dog house woofing up a storm and my mother instantly placed herself between me and him. She was going to face down this behemoth and protect her “baby.” Immediately understanding what was occurring, I grabbed a small stick and ran towards King yelling at the top of my lungs “You leave my mom alone!” Mom was now in a state of panic. Her skinny little boy was going to be eaten by a huge dog and to her shock I stuck my hand in his mouth and began to scream, “Mom! He is eating me! Help!” Of course he was not doing any such thing and in fact began to rather enjoy this new game and drag me around the yard by my arm. Mom went into action. She started to pound on this bewildered dog and yell like a Hebrew, “Let my little boy go!” He, of course, turned tail and hid in his doghouse. All I could do was roll on the ground and laugh. Then it dawned on mom what was occurring and how her cherubic five-year-old son had set her up. She did not see the humor in it at all. But I learned a lesson that day: Little red-headed mothers can become big time warriors when their child is threatened. Epaphroditus would understand. After all, he was a co-campaigner and soldier with Paul for the gospel. All Christians should be. Are you?
Conclusion:
Today we discovered two young men who were servants of God: Timothy, the fellow shepherd of the gospel and Epaphroditus, the willing soldier of the gospel! Could others, besides your mother, see these kinds of characteristic these two men displayed in their lives in your life as a Christian?---This article is the copyrighted 2009 © property of Lee Hemen and may not be copied or reproduced in any way shape or form without using the full text of this entire article, and getting the permission of its author.
By Pastor Lee Hemen
May 10, 2009 AM
Every mother knows that their children show different characteristics and qualities. It does not necessarily make one child any less in the eyes of a loving mother, but rather unique and individual. Mothers do this with their children because they see special things in each child that make them special only to her. Why else would Mary, the mother of Jesus, ponder in her heart the things she saw and experienced in the life of her son? I know my mother often “pondered” the things she saw displayed in the lives of her children! For instance, when we brought huge night crawlers into the house and then chased her around with them because she thought they were baby garter snakes. Then, there was the time we were all lined up in a row to “confess” our crime of breaking her favorite cookie jar and none of us would crack. Years later her devoted daughter would admit it was her fault but that she honestly thought one of us boys would get the blame because we were always “up-to-something.” Then there was the time our huge cedar tree next to the house burnt down on a clear and cloudless day due to “lightening.” Heedless of her eldest fireman son, she found it plausible and looked past his culpability in the arson and deemed him a “hero” for saving the house with his quick thinking in using the water hose. Mothers do that with their children.
In this section of Scripture we find Paul addressing the Philippian church about two young men who he relied on, and I believe it is a testament to their character, probably learned from their mothers, that shines through in their lives as servants of God. In fact, we know this to be true of Timothy because Paul mentions in a letter to him “I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” (2 Timothy 1:5) Let’s therefore take a look these servants of God.
READ: Philippians 2:19-30
Learning the skills of shepherding a group of people is something that often takes time. However, one thing I have learned over the years is that if you are not called of God to serve people and present the gospel, you will not last as a pastor. It has to be something that you desire because, like sheep, people can often be very frustrating. Sheep can stomp, kick, and bite but the shepherd cannot harm the flock. Sheep can wander every which way but loose, but the shepherd has to go and look for the wayward individual. Sheep do not care if you have not slept, are tried, or hungry – they just want to be fed the very best food and watered with cool clear water. Timothy was such a shepherd. Let’s take a look at…
I. Timothy, the fellow shepherd of the gospel!
1. A true shepherd serves both his master and his sheep! A pastor serves Jesus and others. We find that Timothy was a blessing to both Paul and the Philippians. Far too many shepherds want to cut and run when things get tough, leaving the sheep to the wolves, but not Timothy! Jesus said these people are like “hired hands” and the “hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.” (John 10:12-13) Notice however that Timothy was dependable and responsible: Paul writes that “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon,” because Paul knew wherever and whenever he sent Timothy, Timothy was a trustworthy kind of guy. He was a true shepherd. In fact, Timothy means “valued of God.” Paul also knew that Timothy would relate back to him the absolute truth of the situation in Philippi and Timothy would be accurate in his spiritual assessment. This is why Paul writes “that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you.” Timothy took a “genuine interest” in the “welfare” of the Philippians because he deeply cared for the sheep. Why would Paul bring up this kind of thing with his readers? Evidently, he had been betrayed by someone else: “For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ!” However, Paul knew he could trust Timothy: “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!” Wow! Timothy had a father-son relationship with Paul! Therefore, Paul trusted Timothy because he had no one else “like him,” literally that was “like-minded,” (isopsuchon), which means “equal in spirit.” Just as Jesus was equal to the Father in deity (2:6), Timothy was equal to Paul in the characteristics of being a shepherd -- a pastor! Paul therefore hoped “to send him… soon.” Timothy was a fellow shepherd of the gospel.
EXAMPLE: I can remember learning lifelong truths from my mom. She taught me to appreciate a job well done: “If you’re going to kill each other, do it outside. I just cleaned the house!” She taught me logic: “If you fall down and break your leg, don’t come running to me!” She taught me justice: “One day you will have children and I hope they turn out just like you!” Yes, we learn a lot of things from our mothers and one of them is to be dependable. I mean just try and forget Mother’s Day one time and you’re toast! We know that good mothers are always there to heal the hurts, give out the hugs, and help out with the science project. That’s what moms do for their children, and somewhere in the process of serving their children, hopefully, their children learn to serve others. This is to be true for the Christian as well. In our relationship with Christ if we want to be the people God has called us to be in His Son, we learn to serve. And, that is exactly what Timothy learned as he watched Paul’s life. He learned it first from his mother Eunice and saw it in Paul as he lived for the Lord. Timothy was a fellow shepherd of the gospel.
Just as Paul trusted Timothy he also trusted Epaphroditus. We will later learn that evidently the Philippian church had sent him with gifts they had collected to help Paul and his work. Paul writes that “I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.” (Philippians 4:18) In his writing, however, Paul related that Epaphroditus was much more than a bringer of good gifts. Let’s take a look at this servant of God…
II. Epaphroditus, the willing soldier of the gospel!
1. A soldier in the Lord is willing to keep waging the battle! Epaphroditus’ name literally meant “follower of Aphrodite,” so he was a Greek from a truly Greek home that honored false gods. But now Epaphroditus was a battle-hardened warrior of the Lord! He had to leave behind his family heritage, religion, and follow that which had changed his life completely! How do I know this to be true? Notice how Paul describe this young man: He calls him “my brother.” Where Timothy had been like a son to a father, Epaphroditus was like a brother (adelphos), a womb partner to Paul! Spiritually reborn just as Paul had been, Epaphroditus understood what it meant to leave everything you once held dear behind in the dust. Also, a brother is not subservient in any way but rather like a “fellow worker,” a companion, a co-laborer in the work of the Lord! Shoulder to shoulder he shares the heavy load of getting the gospel message to a sin-fallen world. Epaphroditus had shared with Paul perhaps imprisonment, hardship, and the day-to-day grueling work of ministry. In fact, Paul goes on to call Epaphroditus a “fellow soldier,” which is literally a “co-campaigner” or fellow foot soldier in the field of battle waged for the gospel of Christ! Epaphroditus was willing to camp out in the field and crusade for Christ! He was willing to rest during the lull of the fight and join in with Paul in the frontline when needed! Wow! Where Timothy was a spiritually sensitive son to Paul, Epaphroditus was a battle-hardened warrior for the Lord, ready with the armor of God to go and do battle with Paul! The Philippians must have known this because they had sent him as their “messenger (ambassador)… to take care of [Paul’s] needs.” He not only helped heal the wounds of conflict Paul had suffered, Epaphroditus had been struck down himself! He had been ill and had “almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help [the Philippian Church] could not give” Paul. Paul tells them to “Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him” because Epaphroditus was a willing soldier of the gospel.
EXAMPLE: I remember the first time I discovered how fun it was to freak your mother out. We were walking down the dirt road that ran in between our mailbox and home. A house along the way was rented by a young man who owned a big Saint Bernard named “King.” He was huge, fierce-looking, but unbeknown to my mother, the biggest sap on the face of the earth! King and I used to “wrestle” with one another. He would drag me around like a ragdoll but never hurt me. He saw me and came bounding out of his dog house woofing up a storm and my mother instantly placed herself between me and him. She was going to face down this behemoth and protect her “baby.” Immediately understanding what was occurring, I grabbed a small stick and ran towards King yelling at the top of my lungs “You leave my mom alone!” Mom was now in a state of panic. Her skinny little boy was going to be eaten by a huge dog and to her shock I stuck my hand in his mouth and began to scream, “Mom! He is eating me! Help!” Of course he was not doing any such thing and in fact began to rather enjoy this new game and drag me around the yard by my arm. Mom went into action. She started to pound on this bewildered dog and yell like a Hebrew, “Let my little boy go!” He, of course, turned tail and hid in his doghouse. All I could do was roll on the ground and laugh. Then it dawned on mom what was occurring and how her cherubic five-year-old son had set her up. She did not see the humor in it at all. But I learned a lesson that day: Little red-headed mothers can become big time warriors when their child is threatened. Epaphroditus would understand. After all, he was a co-campaigner and soldier with Paul for the gospel. All Christians should be. Are you?
Conclusion:
Today we discovered two young men who were servants of God: Timothy, the fellow shepherd of the gospel and Epaphroditus, the willing soldier of the gospel! Could others, besides your mother, see these kinds of characteristic these two men displayed in their lives in your life as a Christian?---This article is the copyrighted 2009 © property of Lee Hemen and may not be copied or reproduced in any way shape or form without using the full text of this entire article, and getting the permission of its author.
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