“Weirdest herd I’ve ever seen.”
(Show clip from Ice Age 1 where the mammoth saves the saber tooth tiger, Diego. Afterwards Diego asks the mammoth why he risked his life to save him. The mammoth replies, "Because that's what you do when you are a part of a herd. To which the sloth says, "Weirdest herd I've even seen".)
What a great description of the church! (Title Slide) A weird mix of people of different generations, with different personalities, different ethnic, economic, religious backgrounds, different ideas sometimes, who might never hang out together— except for the one thing that we have in common: we love Jesus. And are being transformed by His amazing love and mercy. Because of that, we hang out together. But even more than that, this “weird herd” of Christ followers, are called to look after each other.
When the church is working right, it becomes a place where our old sinful nature and selfish instincts begin to die and we start thinking differently about the people around us. People whom we might never have associated with, or befriended before, become our spiritual brothers and sisters. In Christ we become family. And we find ourselves wanting to bring in more and more people of all shapes, colors, sizes, ages and stages. The church becomes a place for those who might not otherwise fit anywhere else—to belong! And our herd, our community, becomes a place of love, service and sacrifice. A place where people become new through the transforming power of Jesus at work in their lives and a place where they belong.
This is week 2 of our Vision 2017 series! We are looking at EWC’s 4 E’s. Encounter Christ, Embrace Community, Equip to Serve and Engage Culture. Last week I shared the vision for Encounter Christ. If you missed last week I encourage you to watch last week’s message online and get caught up.
Today we’re looking at Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi. If there is one theme that continually surfaces in Paul’s letter to the Philippians, it’s this theme of sacrificial love and service. Paul introduces himself and Timothy in Philippians 1:1 as (Slide) “servants of Christ Jesus.” In chapter 2 Paul describes how Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords humbled himself and became a servant.
All this talk about servanthood and sacrifice sets the stage for the section of his letter we’re looking closely at today, where Paul talks about his friends, Timothy and Epaphroditus.
Remember, Paul’s not writing some kind of theological dissertation. This is a letter from a friend to a group of friends. We know that when Paul wrote this letter, he was in prison. He was far from his home. Far from his friends. Unable to carry out the calling that he was so passionate about, to share the message of Jesus wherever and with whomever he could. Isolated in prison, he felt an incredible sense of distance from his friends his herd in Philippi, people for whom he cared deeply.
But he has not been completely alone. What makes this section so meaningful is the positive influence that Timothy and Epaphroditus, two very good friends have had in Paul’s life. And what we see in these verses is how they have served as connecting points between him and the church in Philippi . They have blessed him as friends while he was in prison. And they have also been a link between him and his faraway friends.
I love the way Paul talks about Timothy. In verses 20-23: (slide)
“I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 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. I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me.”
One of the issues that the Philippian church was struggling with was manipulative self-serving teachers, were abusing their position as spiritual leaders to gain power and influence.
Paul’s response to the leadership crisis in Philippi is to send Timothy and Epaphroditus to the church to address the situation. In these two friends we see the ingredients of true community.
What stands out about Timothy is that he isn’t sent to Philippi to help resolve their issues because he has such a great bible teacher or has such great leadership credentials. What makes Timothy the man for the job is that he has a servants heart. Unlike the teachers who were causing problems in the church Timothy is Christ-like example of a humble and selfless servant. Again Paul said “I have no one else like him who takes a genuine interest in your welfare and is sincerely focused on the mission of Jesus in the world. It is the faith and heart of Timothy that makes him qualified to deal with the leadership issues in Philippi . They are out for their own selfish gain and advantage. Timothy is all about selflessly serving Jesus and others. (slide) So the first characteristic of community is Selfless service.
The second example of community is found in what Paul writes about Epaphroditus. (Slide) We know quite a bit about Timothy because we can read about him in other places in Scripture. In fact Paul wrote 2 letters specifically to Timothy that are in the bible. But a couple of short passages in Philippians is the only place in the Bible where we read about Epaphroditus, so we don’t really know much about his background.
Epaphroditus apparently sent to Paul by the church in Philippi. They were so concerned about Paul incarceration, that they sent Epaphroditus to Paul with a care package. It’s likely the journey from Philippi would have taken more than a month, most of it would have been by ship. This was no small commitment of time and money. We know that it was a challenging journey because Paul tells us that Epaphroditus became so ill on the way that he almost died.
So the Philippians sent Epaphroditus to Paul to encourage him. Now, after he has been with him for a while, Paul is sending Epaphroditus back to the Philippians, likely carrying the letter we know as the book of Philippians.
What’s so interesting about Epaphroditus is the way that Paul introduces him in verse 25. (slide) He calls him, “my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier.” These are fascinating words. Bible scholars point out that each word in the original Greek language holds deep meaning, each one deeper than the one before it. Each new description builds on the last and so it appears that Paul is using each word intentionally. And each of these words serves as a great picture of how a community of Christ followers can grow deeper together in Him.
The first word that Paul uses to describe Epaphroditus is (slide) “brother.” It’s a favorite word of Paul’s. He often describes the people he is connected to as brothers. It was an inclusive word. Today, we would use the term brothers and sisters. A number of modern translations reflect the spirit of Paul’s tone here by replacing “brothers” and sisters, with the word “friends.”
Paul also calls the Philippian Christians brothers. Letting them know and emphasizing that his connection with them goes beyond the fact that they just happen to share the same faith in Jesus. They have a heart-connection with each other. They have worshiped together and experienced God together. They have grown to love one another deeply like close friends or family.
In today’s context, your brothers and sisters are those fellow Christians you see regularly. The people you worship with. Those who in a Small Group, or Equip U class with you. When you think of the people in our church who you spend time with every week in the presence of God, or those Christians perhaps in other places of the world, or other churches that you keep in touch with, those are your brothers and sisters in Christ! Many times a friendship that may have started with seeing each other in church, grows beyond the walls of the church and you find yourself getting together outside of church events.
Barna Research has revealed a connection between growing churches and the development of friendships. In fact, if a guest at church fails to make some meaningful connections in the first 6 weeks they are 75% less likely to remain at that church than those who begin making friends. In other words, the people who come through our doors aren’t looking for a friendly church, they’re looking for friends!
The second word that Paul uses to describe Epaphroditus is (slide) “fellow worker.” Here, the connection goes to another level. Now it’s not simply about a personal connection on a faith level. It’s not just being friends. This is about serving and partnering together. Paul and Epaphroditus didn’t just hang out together as friends, they worked together. They’re on mission together. There is a powerful bond that forms between people who serve together to accomplish the mission of God in the world.
Personally, I have felt closest to people at EWC and other churches as I have had opportunities to work and serve alongside them in ministry. Whether it is raising tents, or clearing off tables, or handing out invitations to our neighbors, or packing snack packs; there is a sense of being on mission together and being a part of something bigger than ourselves that forges an almost unbreakable bond.
Epaphroditus was not content to just watch from the stands with his friends, he had to get onto the playing field. He’s in the game. And Paul can help but think about investment of time and money Epaphroditus has made to come alongside him and encourage him as they’ve served God together. Together, they have made a dent in the Kingdom of darkness and were used by God to make a difference. There is a rich sense of satisfaction and fulfillment that developed as a result of what they accomplished together in ministry as fellow workers, team mates and partners in ministry.
The finally Paul calls Epaphroditus a (slide) “fellow soldier.” Here, Paul borrows some war imagery. He takes the fellow worker analogy and presses it even further. Paul thinks about how they went through the trenches together; how Epaphroditus had his back and was willing to sacrifice everything to make ministry happen. Coming to see Paul in prison was a huge risk, he almost lost his life in the process. Paul recognizes Epaphroditus as a fighter!
There is a saying that originated with WWI fighter pilots. “I’ve got your six” means I’ve got your back. Fighter pilots referred to the rear of their plane as the six o’clock position. If you picture yourself at the center of a clock face, the area directly in front is your twelve o’clock. Six o’clock is what’s behind you. In battle your “six” is the most vulnerable. So, the phase “I’ve got your six,” meant they had your back. By extension, that person expected you to be looking out for them as well.
The problem in many churches that Christians are fighting with each other instead of fighting FOR each other!
There is a primary difference between stallions and donkey’s in the way they fight. A herd of donkeys will gather together, as they face their enemy they kick inward , at each other. Stallions on the other hand, gather together and face each other and kick outward at their true enemy!
I want to encourage you to be a fighter, gather together and fight the enemy! Don’t be a…a donkey kicking at and fight with each other! Fight FOR each other!
It’s interesting to note how Paul even has some fun with Epaphroditus’ name. His name is taken from the god, Aphrodite, who was among other things the goddess of good luck at games of chance. The highest roll of the dice was called the Aphrodite. And the man who was lucky in play was called Epaphroditus.
In verse 30, Paul says that “he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you couldn’t give.” The Greek word for “risk,” means literally, “to gamble.” You can almost see Paul smiling at his play on words as he talks about Epaphroditus “rolling the dice,” risking his life, in order to come help his friend in prison.
Epaphroditus was thinking, “Paul needs help, so I’m going to help. It’s what brothers do, they’ve got each other’s back. He decided I’m going! It’s doesn’t matter what that the odds are stacked against me or happens to me. If I don’t make it, I don’t make it. But if I do, Paul gets blessed and the gospel gets out.” As a fellow soldier, he had Paul’s six. He was willing to risk and if necessary to lay down his life for Paul. He fought for Paul. What an amazing illustration of true community.
This final description of Epaphroditus reminds us that at the center of a healthy community is (slide) sacrifice. We are fellow soldiers in a spiritual battle and if we are going to be effective for God, we must be prepared to put our lives on the line for one another if necessary. It’s one thing to have an affection for one another as brothers and sisters. It’s a step up to step out and serve alongside one another for the kingdom. But a whole new level develops when as fellow soldiers we trust one another to have each other’s back in the battle.
(slide) There are many here today that have connected with each other simply because you attend the same church. Maybe have visited with each other at our café or gotten to know each other in Equip U class or Women’s bible Study or Men’s ministry Event and you’ve develop a growing friendship
Some of you have gone further as you have served together at the BIG Serve, or the Worship Team or on a missions trip and you have become fellow-workers, united by your work. You can learn a great deal about someone by working with them. Lifting a common load and working together builds trust, and comradery, and friendship.
And there are some who have gone even deeper as you have realized that you have become fellow-soldiers, fighters for one another. Maybe you’ve walked with someone through a dark and difficult time in their life and God has used that experience to bond your heart with theirs. Maybe you’ve taken on the enemy and fought on your knees for your fellow soldier in prayer. This level of community is not just about promoting the church and loving on people, it is spiritual warfare it’s knowing that you’ve got each other’s back through thick and thin. It’s loving people towards Jesus, breaking down strongholds and setting captives free! We are engaged in a spiritual battle and often our brothers and sisters and fellow workers victims and casualties of war who need to someone too stand with them and fight FOR them.
I gather with some men right here every Wednesday to pray for the church. To pray for your needs, and the prayer requests that come across my desk. Over the past couple of years I have grown closer to each man that I have had the privilege to pray with. They are fellow soldiers who I have come to trust to have my six.
The challenge for each of us is to walk the journey of Epaphroditus. For some of us, we need to move from being outside observers to the place where we embrace the people of this community as our brothers and sisters. You know, for a church to be healthy it has to have connection points. Places and ministries that encourage and facilitate connections with one another. My vision for this year is that each of us would become a connection point for community to develop.
How many of you grew up playing with Legos? (slide) Some Legos have just one connection. Some have multiple connection points. Like Lego’s we all have different capacities for connecting with others. But we all have the ability to connect with others. By connecting Legos you can make unlimited number of connections. BUT, here’s the thing you can also create a cube (slide) where all the connection points are used up connecting to each other inside the cube and there are no more connection points available for new Legos to join in. This is the picture of too many churches. Connecting to one another, but closed to others who come later and want to get connected. My vision is that we would excel at
Another thing about connecting. (slide) It may be that some of us need to take a step toward membership. We need to begin speaking of EWC as “our church,” not just “the church” or “your church.” It is a very significant decision to embrace a community of believers as your own, and to see yourself as part of the “weird herd” on a spiritual journey together. If you haven’t yet taken that step, I encourage you to talk with me or sign up for a membership class and officially join our EWC family with your brothers and sisters in the Lord.
One last thought about connecting. You have probably all heard the saying, “To have a friend you have to be a friend.” Well, I think to be a connecting point you have to have a connecting point. For this to work we need to get plugged into a small group, or a class, or a fellowship, where we are being connected with others in meaningful ways. You may have 500 friends on Facebook but the reality is that none of us has enough real friends. There is always room for another person who has the capacity to lift you up, encourage you, pray for you, care for you and simply love you with the love of Jesus.
The next step may be to take your involvement to another level where you see yourself as a fellow worker. A great analogy is a dinner table. As someone has said, both dinner guests and family members may enjoy the same meal. The difference is that at the end of the meal, family member also does the dishes.
It’s appropriate to be a dinner guest—for a while. But there comes a time when it’s appropriate to get up and help with the dishes. Perhaps there are areas that God has laid on your heart where you would love to dive into community and service, but you just haven’t dared to yet. Helping our children’s ministry; getting involved in our Equip U classes, serving as an usher or greeter, helping with our Snack Pack Ministry, or maybe helping us provide pastoral care to those who have been missing from our services recently. Maybe you want to start helping with our youth. Or serving with our maintenance team, or maybe God is nudging someone just to be more available to the life and ministry of your church—for His sake!
Friends, fellow workers. The final challenge is for those who need to take another step forward. Perhaps God is inviting you to see yourself as a fighter! That raises some significant questions: What does it mean for me to really live sacrificially for the Lord? Where is God calling me to surrender my life? What does it mean for me to step out and faith and trust that God will work through me if I let him? How can I partner with others here to fight against Satan and his spiritual forces! What would it look like for me to fight FOR the people I worship with and serve alongside?
True community doesn’t happen overnight. But when each person in the family begins to wrestle with their own place in the church and takes a step toward deeper relationships, slowly, the community grows. People who would normally never hang out together begin to love each other and even lay down their lives for each other for one simple reason: Jesus laid down His life for us. It is my prayer that our community would become a place filled with people who know each other as friends, and family, and serve as fellow workers and fight together against a common enemy, and fight for each other.
To the world, we might look like one weird herd, but when the love of Jesus flows through us, I believe they’ll want to join in this amazing journey of faith and be a part of this weird herd!
