Epaphroditus Series

A Living Example: Epaphroditus

Philippians 2:25-30

Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567

The spiritual gifts and divine tasks a believer receive are the work of the Holy Spirit. While we know that every task in the church is to be honored, we tend to rejoice, give credit, and even covet those tasks within the church that are public because they make the believer appear to be holy. I guess in a self-seeking generation this is to be expected for are not those who publicly minister by preaching, singing, playing instruments, or teaching tempted to seek such positions because they are noticed and therefore prestigious? And is it not easier to convince others that one is holy when the outward mask one wears so visibly and publicly appears to honor our Lord? While some believers seek prestigious gifts for self-serving goals there are many who publicly minister with a servant’s heart and deserve to be honored. But what about those who are not given public gifts and roles inside the church but serve indiscriminately in the manner the Lord asks? Does not seeking unity inside a group of diversified members require that each of us see all others as indispensable and equally valued at the foot of the cross? After all, was not Christ’s sacrifice of silence when questioned by Pilot the act of an honorable and holy God? If one wants to live a life worthy of the Gospel should not one be like Christ and practice humble service and give our lives, i.e., our time and resources, to serve others? Apostle Paul in today’s passage reminded the Philippians that while Epaphroditus’ service was merely to take a gift of money to him it was truly a sacrifice of praise to the Lord for he risked his very life in doing so! As you read through this sermon, please ask yourself what does an honorable believer look like? What are their characteristics and am I that person? Is there someone in the church that deserves to be honored but has been ignored because their service is not public and if so, how can I honor that person?

The Character of an Honorable Man

When one reads the various letters of Paul to the churches one soon realizes that during his ministry, he encountered a variety of ministers. Some were a “great hindrance to his work for the Lord” for they “preached Christ out of envy and rivalry” (1:15) but others emulated Christ’s humility and were considered by Paul to be partners, co-equals because they lived the Gospel of Christ! Last sermon we met such a person, Timothy, whom Paul called his dear son, and this week we are going to look another, Epaphroditus. We know very little about this man except for the meaning of his name and what Paul says in his letter to Philippi about him. “Epaphroditus is a Greek name meaning lovely, charming, or amiable. His name was derived from the name Aphrodite, the goddess of love.” It is likely he was a Gentile convert. He was a messenger sent from the church of Philippi to “convey their love” to Apostle Paul. Since “Roman prison officials provided little, if any, provisions for prisoners’ food, clothing, bath, or bedding;” it fell upon friends, family, and colleagues to provide these “basic necessities.” Epaphroditus was commissioned by the church of Philippi to not only take a gift of money to Apostle Paul (4:8) but also to become his personal assistant in charge of taking care of his needs (2:25). Unlike Timothy whom Paul would send soon (2:19), Paul explained to the church that he felt “it necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus” (2:25). Before giving his reasons for doing so Paul honored him by stating five of his characteristics that “should be possessed by every born-again believer.” First, Paul called him brother because having “been adopted by the Father” he had entered a new relationship with other believers, a spiritual sibling in Christ! Are not those in the church today to view each other as family? Second, “he was on a team who lived, traveled, and served Paul for the advance of the Gospel.” As ambassadors of Christ are we not also called to give reason why we have hope too (2 Corinthians 5:20; 1 Peter 3:15)? Third, Epaphroditus and Paul had been and were still in a spiritual war which required them to stand firm for Christ and proclaim the Gospel. Are not we as believers still called today to put on the armor of God because we are constantly wrestling against “the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:10-23) as we spread the Good News? Fourth, Epaphroditus was a messenger of the church of Philippi. Likewise, when believers go into the world are we not to let our light shine as messengers of the Lord (Matthew 5:14-16)? And finally, Paul stated Epaphroditus was a servant of the Lord in which we too share in this glorious calling!