Text: Philippians 2:25-30, Title: Gambling Ministry, Date/Place: NRBC, 10.28.12, AM
A. Opening illustration:
B. Background to passage: Paul is explaining to the Philippians why their emissary was sent home early.
Epaphroditus is an example of a growing disciple and his commitment to his church. That is what we are
going to talk about today, commitment to the local body – another mark of a growing disciple. Paul says that
Epaphroditus banked everything on Christ, risked his life, and set out for an 800 mile journey to minister on
behalf of the church. The word that Paul uses about his actions are that he bet it all on Christ, counted his
physical life as little, and serve the church with the last ounce of his strength.
C. Main thought: Epaphroditus exhibited huge commitment to the church; one of the marks of a growing
disciple
A. A Huge Gamble (v. 30)
1. Paul calls E his fellow worker and soldier, and notes that E was their messenger to him when he was in
prison. There is nothing to indicate that he was leader in the church, or anything more than just your
average church member. The Philippian church cared for Paul and his ministry, but he was in prison in
Rome and they couldn’t take care of him as they wished, so they did what they could, sent someone.
They sent money and E to help Paul out. He was “supplying what was lacking” in their service to him –
a bodily presence. So he goes on an 800 mile walk and voyage, and takes the money to Paul in prison.
He acts as a messenger boy, doing for Paul what Paul couldn’t do for himself because of chains. But
somewhere on the way, he got sick; very sick; almost died. It could have been from exhaustion, or just the
harshness of the trip. But somehow the church at Philippi heard of his sickness. And so for this reason
and others, Paul sent E back to the Philippians, they explained why.
2. Argumentation
3. Illustration:
4. What we want to see here is the relationship of E and the church at Philippi. This near death experience
was the result of ministering on behalf of the church. That’s commitment. I am arguing today that one of
the marks of a growing disciple is USUALLY a commitment to a local body. Two cautions: it is possible
for a believer to not be a part of a local body and grow (missionary contexts for ex, shut-ins), but it is not
normal. For most of us the absence of a vibrant connection to the local body is like spiritual suicide. The
other caution is: just because someone is always “at church” or gives a ton of money or is the leader of
all the ministries, doesn’t necessarily make them a growing believer. The local church is who you gather
with for fellowship, encouragement, accountability, combined ministry, discipleship, and love. It is made
up of the believers who are covenanted together to share life together. And this is why it is such a mark in
a growing disciple’s life—it is the main vehicle for growth. After your personal commitment to Christ, I
cannot stress enough another relationship or activity that will enhance/enable spiritual growth like active
involvement with a church. The lack of it is a huge hindrance to personal growth.
B. A Paradigm Shift
1. In the evangelical world, the first estimate of one’s commitment to a local body is...? Then there are other
measures that we in a pharisaical fashion begin to elevate or condemn ourselves based on how much we
do these things compared to others. But let’s define some terms carefully, then move toward evaluating.
What is the church? Better, who is the church? If we are supposed to be committed to it, have a vibrant
relationship with it, we must know what or who it is. The church is not the building or the building or
the structure or services, the church is the people. So when we speak of commitment to the church, we
are talking about your commitment to people, the people that you gather with for worship, ministry, and
encouragement. This is a definite group of people, but it is more fluid that our documents and statements
imply.
2. Argumentation investment
3. Illustration: Can I be a Christian without joining the church?
4. So what does this commitment, this vibrant relationship look like? 1) Commitment to common care: we
must be involved in each other’s lives to where we know and care about what is going on in the body.
AND our actions express that concern appropriately. One of the places that this becomes real is when
we love those we don’t know, those who don’t deserve, and those who don’t expect it. 2) Commitment
to common allegiance. We are committed to Christ and to each other. This is a long range commitment.
It is not swayed by momentary feelings or by circumstances. At the core of this commitment is unity.
Churches should be unified around a common Lord and a common purpose. This includes our behavior.
3) Commitment to common ministry. Believers have been called, given gifts, and encouraged to use them,
and the main outlet for them in the ministries of the church. Notice I said main, not only.
C. A Reasonable Evaluation
1. There were three reasons that Paul sent E back. He missed his church family. He was worried about them
(because he knew that they would be worried about him). And it would bring them great joy to have him
back. Paul wanted them to know that he sent E back. E didn’t quit, almost died, but didn’t quit. The
church is a family that longs to be together, worries about each other, even over and above concern for
themselves.
2. Argumentation
3. Illustration: two church members contacting me this week because another was going through a hard time,
and wanted to know how to get in contact with them and minister to them. Church Membership Vows
4. So let’s evaluation. Hopefully you and I will not be put in a position of near death for doing church work,
but you never know. 1) So how is your love for the church? Do you have an affinity for the family
of God here at New River? Think about the last time that you went out of your way for another of our
church family or attendee that is outside of your normal circle of friends. Do you miss us when you are
gone? Are you invested in friendships here? Are you willing to take steps to remedy it, if you are not?
2) How about you loyalty? What would it take for you to leave NR? You may have considered it before.
Some come and go, but those who are committed to the local body stay when things are tough and rough.
Family is still family even when they hurt you. Loyalty brings pride. Are you proud of your team even if
they are on a losing streak (GA)? Mr. John has his NR license plate hanging on his walker. Do you brag
on her? Do you speak ill about her or her members even if you are disappointed or in disagreement with
them or the church’s decision? 3) How about your ministry? Do you have something that you do to serve
the body? Doesn’t have to be an official position, but it has to be serving. There are some of you that are
not serving the members or the community around us in any way. Some others are picking up your slack,
but ultimately the church is suffering because the person that God has enabled and equipped to serve is
not fulfilling that role. Every member is a minister. You are all on staff. There is so much to do, and
something that each one of you can do. And there are probably things that you have a desire to do that are
not even on our radar map.
A. Closing illustration:
B. If we are to seize the day, achieve God’s purposes for us in our time and in our community, we have to
ratchet up our commitment to the church
Some of us have affairs of convenience with Christ and with his church. There are some of you who need
to join this church and commit to ministry. There are some who need to check their hearts and see where
their love really is. There are some Epaphrodituses out there who are willing to sacrifice anything.
C.
Additional Notes
Some have claimed that the verb describes the gambler’s staking everything on the throw of a dice. On the
possible derivation of the verb from παραβάλλεσθαι (‘to throw down a stake’, ‘to make a venture’) or παράβολος
(‘gambling, rash, reckless’) or παραβολᾶνοι (‘persons who risk their lives to nurse those sick with the plague’) see
the discussion of and further references in G. F. 120. A. Deissmann, Light, 84–85, 88, cites a second century A.D.
inscription in which παραβολευσάμενος means ‘he exposed himself to dangers’; cf. BAGD, 612. 1
Question: Can I be a Christian without joining the church?
Answer: Yes, it is possible. It is something like being:
A student who will not go to school.
A soldier who will not join an army.
A citizen who does not pay taxes or vote.
A salesman with no customers.
An explorer with no base camp.
A seaman on a ship without a crew.
A businessman on a deserted island.
An author without readers.
A tuba player without an orchestra.
A parent without a family.
A football player without a team.
A politician who is a hermit.
A scientist who does not share his findings.
A bee without a hive.
Church Membership Vows Will you ___________, take your church to be your church; to live together in the holy
covenant of membership? Will you love, comfort, honor, and keep your church and be faithful to your church as
long as you live? Do you ___________, take your church to be your church, from this day forward, for better or
worse, in good and bad times, when the treasury is full and when it is empty, when it is healthy and growing and
when it is weak and struggling? Will you love it and honor it and serve it until death, as God is your witness?
