Preaching From Philippians #8

(1) HE HAD HIS SUNSHINE FRIENDS

One of the sunshine friends was Demas. When things were going great, Demas was there, but when things got rough, Demas got going!

Look at 2 Timothy 4:3, we read, “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.”

(2) HE HAD HIS SURE FRIENDS

These were Paul’s friends for sure, in good times and bad. He had many of these, but one of them was his friend Epaphroditus.

Epaphroditus attended the Philippian church, and this church that loved Paul dearly had heard that Paul was in prison and having a difficult time.

One way you can tell that you have true friends is when they hear about us having difficult times, they will try to do something to help us if they can.

The Philippian church decided they would do two things to help their friend Paul.

(1) They took an offering to meet Paul's financial needs

(2) They sent a dedicated layman who could remain with him and help Paul while he was in jail

This man would have to be someone very special because the individual would be risking his own life to help Paul, as he was in a Roman jail charged with a capital crime.

The man chosen was Epaphroditus.

He was sent to Rome to assist and to encourage Paul during this very difficult time in his life. His arrival in Rome set off a series of events, for example:

• When Epaphroditus went to Rome to help Paul, he became very sick and almost died

• The church in Philippi heard what had happened to Epaphroditus

• Epaphroditus heard that his home church was worried about his welfare

• He in turn began to worry about them

But God spared him, and after gaining his strength, Paul felt that he should send Epaphroditus back to Philippi:

• Perhaps to keep this illness from recurring

• Perhaps to eliminate the possibility of his being arrested for being associated with Paul

But the possibility of a problem existed if he returned.

WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM? If he returned, leaving Paul in the heat of the battle alone, some would call him a quitter or a coward. The answer to this problem is the very reason for this passage we are discussing.

Paul makes it clear that his good friend Epaphroditus was not a coward or a quitter. Paul tells us three things about his good friend Epaphroditus.

I. HIS LOVE FOR HIS BROTHER

Look at verse 25, we read, “Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.”

Paul did not want anyone to think badly of Epaphroditus returning. He no doubt was grateful for what he had done for Paul. Gratitude is a wonderful thing for Christians to possess.

Illus: It is amazing how churches can help some families financially by giving so much to them. Then when those families could give something back to the church, the only time the church will see them again is when they come back and want the church to help them again.

Paul knew what a friend Epaphroditus had been to him. Epaphroditus could have easily returned to Philippi after he recovered, but he did not. He stuck to his call and mission as long as he could. Epaphroditus was such a wonderful friend that Paul mentions five things about him.

(1) HE WAS A CHRISTIAN BROTHER

Look at verse 25, Paul called him "My brother." A brother is a person who has the same parent.

Paul knew that Epaphroditus was His brother, he was a member of God's family.

We read in Ephesians 2:19, "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God."

They both belonged to the “Household of God,” and Paul refers to him as “My brother.”

When we meet some folks in the church, we are not sure they belong to the “Household of God,” but Paul definitely felt that Epaphroditus was his brother.

(2) HE WAS A COMPANION IN THE WORK OF THE LORD

A companion is someone who works beside his friend. He is not working against him, but with him. He is beside his friend:

• Supporting

• Consoling

• Comforting

• Encouraging

• Helping whenever needed

Nothing comes between true companions...

• No distance

• No competition

• No envy

• No neglect

• No withdrawal

• No forsaking

As stated, a true companion in the ministry is there by the side of his friend, he never forsakes his friend regardless of the circumstances. Epaphroditus was a true example of a companion.