INTRODUCTION
Where are the Timothy(s) and Epaphroditus(es) today? Do we have servants like them in our churches today? If there are servants like them today in our midst, then the church is in danger. It is now becoming a world-like organization where people desire to be served rather than to serve.
Who are Timothy and Epaphroditus anyway?
Paul said,
I. ONE WHO HAS THE SAME ATTITUDE WITH CHRIST, 19 (Timothy)
a. One who cares about the brethren, 20
He really cares about what happens to you.”
Timothy is a brother in the Lord whose concern is not for himself but for the things of the Lord. That includes what is best for everybody.
3rd John (ESV—English Standard Version)
9 I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. 10 So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.
Illustration:
A neurotic sickly girl, suffering from insomnia, consulted a physician. After examining her and finding no physical cause, he bluntly said, “You have ingrown feelings.” She looked puzzled, so he made it plainer. “You think too much about yourself. What you need to do is to get away from yourself, get out among others, think of their troubles, and work to relieve them.” “Do you mean that I am selfish?” she asked. “Not exactly selfish,” the doctor said, “but you are self-centered.” The girl went home, thought over carefully what the wise physician had said, took his advice, and soon was restored to health.
Contributed By:Davon Huss in sermoncentral.com
Timothy is definitely healthy as a Christian and a servant. He can go anywhere for God’s service. Actually, he is about to travel back to Philippi from Rome. Pride, selfishness and lording-it over attitude bring sickness. Timothy in this case, shown his humility and Paul said he has passed the test.
b. One who seeks for the lost sheep, 22
“He has helped me with the Good News, as son working for his father.” (Full obedience)
Seeking the lost is Christ foremost reason why He came. Paul’s reason of going around known and unknown cities of the Roman Empire is to win the lost for Christ. In humility, they humbled themselves and became obedient to God. Christ gave up His place of honor in heaven and came down to earth. Paul did not mind being sent by the unlearned, unschooled, ordinary Apostles to the mission field worst among the Gentiles, whom they despises so much. Timothy did the same—He did everything Christ and Paul, share the Good News to find the lost sheep. There’s an urgency of sharing the gospel in his heart. Evangelism is the very thing in the heart of Jesus.
Illustration:
John Harper a Scottish preacher demonstrated his firm hold in God’s word—believing that the gospel is the only power of God to save sinners.
• He and his 6-year old-daughter were on board in the first and last voyage of the Titanic.
• When the ship was already sinking and after giving his daughter to the man pulling people to be on board of the lifeboat in the upper level.
• He made himself busy by helping others to get save. He was shouting, “Women and children and the unsaved to the lifeboat first!”
• Then he met a man without life vest, he take off his own and gave it to the man.
• When the ship sank and he was floating and drifting in icy water, he came across a man and he asked, “Are you saved?” “No!”, the man answered
• “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved!” he proclaimed to the man. And then, they drifted apart.
• Then, in a little moment he met the man again.
• He asked once more, “Are you saved?” “Honestly, I don’t know. No! I am not save”, the man answered
• “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved!” he proclaimed to the man. And then, John Harper went down to the water and was not seen by the man again.
• In a meeting in Ontario, Canada, a man was giving his testimony, he said, “Shortly after he went down, and there, alone in the night with two miles of water under me, I believed!”
• The man is saved because John Harper firmly believed that God’s word brings salvation to the lost.
II. ONE WHO IS WILLING TO SERVE IN ALL POSSIBLE WAYS, 25 (Epaphroditus)
a. One who sees all works are God’s work, 25
“He has helped me with whatever I needed.”
"Do all in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Col. 3:17). Epaphroditus did everything in the name of the Lord. He ran errands for Paul while he is in prison.
In the times when many do not want to do tasks that that seems to be degrading it brings disunity to an organization. I don’t know what really happened in Philippi before they sent Epaphroditus, especially how the choice was made to make him as their envoy to Paul. Knowing that Paul in prison, what could be the most possible thing they can do for Paul. Paul was inside a jail and chained. I’m sure; it will be a lowly job. Was everybody is willing as Epaphroditus? Whatever happened, we all know now that he took the job and helped Paul in whatever he needed. By the way, I read study about this man as retired military Roman soldier. So, he’s no longer young but still he took the call.
b. One who risks his own life for God’s work, 27, 30
“He has risked his life…”
Now, we know that all he did for Paul were not easy. It became heavy for his body. He got sick. He almost died.
I believed Paul prayed for him. I believed also that Epap expected an instant healing in the early stage of his sickness but it never came. Nevertheless, he wasn’t angry or discouraged. He did not blame the Philippians who sent him, Paul for not praying hard for him and God for not being merciful to him right away.
Illustration:
I remember Ninong Dan Baclayon when he was sick already of Cancer that took his life in 2009. In all the instances that I was with him during those days, I never saw him angry because of the pain he was suffering. He was still very caring for the people who visit him. He will always tell his wife or children, or whoever is there to offer something to them and make them comfortable. Up to his deathbed, Ninong Dan is serving the Lord.
c. One who makes up for others service, 30
“He… make up for what was missing in your service to me.”
Epaphroditus presence demonstrated his desire for unity. In order for the church to keep the unity he went to Paul as the whole body decided. He served Paul as a symbol of unity of the Philippians. When he was sick, according to Paul, he was also depressed because he got sick. He was worried that his sickness will be to stop the Philippians desire to help Paul in his needs.
Illustration:
In one of the war movies that I watched, a soldier was so sorry to his commanding officer that he got hit and will not be able to help them fight the enemy. And when he was at the hospital, he was visited by his officer and he said, “Don’t go back there without me!”
CONCLUSION
We are to become the Timothys and Epaphroditus of today’s church, so that the church can penetrate the world with its mission. This is possible because Paul believed that we can. That is why he admonished and challenge us to become like Christ—a humble servant of God.
