Sent to Sacrifice
Philippians 2:19-30
November 5, 2023
Sometimes we find ourselves in situations which kind of amaze us. Some of those times are great and some are not. Have you ever wondered . . . . “How did I get here?” The dishes are stacked high, the kids are still up and you still have work to do . . . and you think “How did this all happen?”
Maybe it’s time for your annual review with your boss, and you’re a little anxious about what the end result is going to be and on your drive to work, you’re thinking “how did I here in this job?”
Maybe as finals approach, you’re thinking about all the work you have to do. And you know you could never finish it all, even if you never slept . . . and you’re wondering “how’d this happen?”
A loved one is in need and you’re trying to figure it all out . . . “what happened that brought us to this point?”
Or maybe life is at it’s zenith! All’s good. Life is great, you’re blessed! You have everything you need . . . and it astounds you . . . and you’re so thankful, but you wonder, “how’d this all happen? How’d I get here?”
Those and others can be real head scratchers. “How did I get here?”
The point that I want to get to this morning is asking and answering this question - - - - - Where has Jesus sent you to sacrifice?
How would you answer that question? Do you have a sense that you’ve been called by Jesus? Even called to have the courage to sacrifice.
We’re in week 3 of looking at what it means to sacrifice in Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi. It is so important in the sacrificial Jesus-life that every follower of Jesus is called to live — that you’re clear how you got there.
I want you to have a sense of a clear calling from Jesus. That Jesus called you and sent you. Jesus asked you to come into a certain place, a job, a family situation, a neighborhood, a roommate dynamic, a classroom.
You’ve been called by Jesus. This was not of your own doing. And God is certainly not surprised by what’s happening in your life. He’s not scratching His head, asking the same question, “how’d this happen?”
In our scripture today, Paul talks about 2 different people. We read about Timothy and Epaphroditus. We have stories from both of them about being called to sacrifice.
I want you to understand that the sacrificial life generally starts with a call which leads to a sending. It’s Jesus calling you, then sending you. I believe we’re called to live a sacrificial life in the name of Jesus. He gets the glory and honor as He frees us to serve others and Him.
So, let’s look at part of the story. Paul helps us as he separates the story into 2 distinct sections. In Philippians 2:19, Paul wrote - - - -
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you.
20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.
21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.
22 But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.
23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me,
24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.
I want to give you a quick background on Timothy. First off, he was born to a Jewish mother and a Gentile father. He ultimately became a follower and demonstrated his genuine faith, as he was mentored by Paul and ultimately became a minister in the faith and was even circumcised as an adult so that the message of Jesus wouldn’t be impeded.
The scripture I read may not sound like a big deal, but the Greek words Paul used to describe Timothy are really important for us to understand, because it showed a life of sacrifice.
Remember, when Paul wrote this letter, he was in prison. Timothy was a great comfort to Paul in his imprisonment. But Timothy was more than just a familiar companion. Paul trusted that he could send Timothy to deal with sensitive church problems. Paul knew there were some problems in Philippi, so he wanted to send Timothy to help them.
When Paul stated in verse 20, that Timothy would be genuinely interested in their welfare . . . . . Paul’s telling them that Timothy isn’t self-absorbed, he’s not always checking his tweets and social media, he doesn’t have a hidden agenda. He’s not coming as a hired hit man, but as someone who genuinely cares about you.
Remember what we looked at last week in Philippians 2:3-4 ----
3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Turn this into a positive and you’re now describing Timothy. Timothy was humble, filled with humility and kindness. He valued and respected others and was always looking out for their best interests in how he could serve others.
That’s Timothy. Paul’s a good judge of character.
By now, Paul had lots of experience with church leaders. Paul started that verse by saying, “I have no one else like him.” Paul’s telling them -- Timothy is likeminded or has the same soul or mind as Paul does.
Others are looking out for their own interests, because they’re needy, they want control, or power, but Timothy’s not that way. Timothy’s showing his maturity and character by the way he demonstrates his care and love. So, trust him because it’s genuine, it’s authentic.
Have you had someone who wanted to help you, but you didn’t detect 1 authentic bone in their body? Usually, we just say no and move on, until someone who really means it, comes up and we allow them to help.
Paul goes on to describe Timothy, by saying Timothy’s proven himself, which means he’s been tested and has passed the character test. It’s like saying Timothy has been through the fires of life, and he’s proved he’s the read deal. He’s pure. Even though he’s younger, I have complete trust in him.
Paul then compares Timothy to being a son to him, and he’s a father to Timothy. They have a father - son relationship. A strong and powerful mentoring relationship.
Timothy was an apprentice. He trusted Paul and Paul trusted him. Paul poured into Timothy and Timothy was open to the pouring. Think about people you’ve mentored or attempted to mentor . . . Consider people who have come into your life and poured into you.
Maybe this leads you to think about someone you can walk alongside, to help them grow in who Christ is calling them to be. Or you recognize a need, and this is something you desire. If so, then find someone and talk to them about helping you walk that walk in Christ.
Paul then tells the people that Timothy has proved himself and has served with Paul in the work of the gospel. (22)
The word Paul uses to describe Timothy is interesting because it’s the root word for slave. In other words, Timothy gave up his rights, he willingly gave up his rights for the rights of the gospel.
Think about that!! We don’t like to give up our rights. We talk about it’s my right, as if we’re privileged. Yet, Timothy in an effort to sacrifice for the gospel, gave up some of his rights, for the kingdom of God.
It’s a reminder for us to ask who are we serving? As we serve one another, ultimately, we’re serving Jesus.
After describing Timothy and his qualifications, Paul tells the Philippians,
"I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon."
One final thought about Timothy in this passage . . . if you read it slowly, you’ll see that Paul felt alone. Timothy was there with him, helping him while in prison. When you were in prison, even under house arrest as Paul was, you don’t get privileges. You didn’t even have much freedom within the house.
Understand the Roman prison system, Paul needed help or he wouldn’t eat or drink. Timothy was the guy! Not only did Timothy help with sharing the gospel, but Timothy was a slave to Paul as well. He did the menial work to help Paul. Timothy did the dishes, he cleaned up, he cooked. He did whatever Paul needed. That takes it a step further. And as Timothy helped Paul, Paul encouraged Timothy and taught him as a father would teach a son.
Now let's move from Timothy to Epaphroditus, a believer sent by the Philippian church to assist Paul in prison. His name means "charming."
25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother
and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need,
Look at the ways Paul describes Epaphroditus:
brother - fellow worker - fellow soldier - messenger minister
Firstly, Paul calls him a brother. It means Epaphroditus is part of the Christian family, the church family. It means Epaphroditus doesn’t see himself as set apart, as better than others, but he’s willing to get his hands dirty in ministry, just as Timothy did. It’s what we would call in today’s world - - - - servant leadership. He’s a leader who’s willing to be a servant.
He’s a fellow worker. Paul’s in prison. There are no new cities to take for Christ. No glorious mission to the heathen. Just the everyday chores of helping Timothy, going grocery shopping, cooking, finding people Paul needs to talk to and bringing them to him, in prison.
Maybe he’s helping by transcribing letters. But Paul doesn't trivialize his time in prison. He doesn't see it as wasted. So Epaphroditus is a fellow worker with Paul. No matter that Paul is the famous apostle and Epaphroditus a humble layperson. He’s made a valuable contribution to the mission.
He’s also a fellow soldier. We don’t think this way all too often. Paul has no illusions about his situation. He’s a soldier in Christ’s army. He’s at war and does not hesitate to remind the troops of their status too. As he wrote to Timothy in his last letter - - - -
3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the One who enlisted him. - 2 Timothy 2:3-4
We are not to be complainers or slackers. We are soldiers who expect to endure difficulty and hardship. To achieve the mission no matter what the personal cost. Epaphroditus is a fellow soldier. And notice in this passage what Paul said about who we are to please . . . . the One who enlisted us! That’s Jesus!
As we continue, Epaphroditus is called a messenger. It’s the root word for apostle. Paul wasn’t calling him an apostle, but was using the word to describe Epaphroditus as a messenger with extraordinary status. He’s a delegate or ambassador. Epaphroditus was a messenger of the Church of Philippi sent on a mission to help Paul.
And finally in this one verse, Paul describes Epaphroditus as a minister.
The word has a dual meaning. It can mean one who is engaged in personal service, as an aide, or assistant. It can also mean one who is performing a priestly service. In any respect, Epaphroditus was a minister, an assistant.
Paul continued - - - -
26 for he (Epaphroditus) has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill.
27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious.
29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men,
30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me. - Philippians 2:19-30
As useful as Epaphroditus was to Paul, he must send him home. We're not sure of all the reasons for sending Epaphroditus home. We know he had been seriously ill. Apparently, it wasn't just a random disease, but something resulting from his ministry to Paul. As Paul he nearly died for the work of Christ.
It was some type of ministry related situation. We don’t know what, but we do know it was serious, to the point Paul feared and grieved over the possible loss of his fellow worker and soldier. And maybe that’s why Paul called Epaphroditus a fellow soldier.
Maybe he needed to go home to fully recover. He could have been homesick – as Paul said he longed for the Philippians. He is concerned that the Philippian church is so distressed about him.
Whatever the reason, Paul's letter is designed to ensure that his church will honor Epaphroditus for his work rather than consider him a failure and washout. I believe that’s the reason Paul called him a - - - - brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, messenger, and minister.
Paul commands the Philippians - - - - Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him."
Let’s be clear that the work of global mission is still the work of the church. That for so long, global mission is perhaps wrongly idolized in some ways within local churches, but let me be assuring to you that we no longer have that danger or fear. We have perhaps forgotten the urgency of global mission. And if there are people who are called on our behalf when we can’t go to places we will never go because they’re gritty Epaphroditus callings. They’re called to go cross-culturally, they’re called to go into great risk and physical risk.
How did you get here? What are you doing? Your answer can be clear and resolute and confident. I’m here because Jesus has sent me to sacrifice my life. I’m sacrificing like a Timothy. I’m sacrificing like an Epaphroditus. “As the Father has sent me,” Jesus said, “so send I you.”
