When Sickness Strikes: Learning How to Cope From Paul and Epaphroditus
Philippians 2:25-28
1. Experiencing A Loss_ (V. 25-26).
Paul needed Epaphroditus, but Paul “thought it necessary” to send Epaphroditus back. He was the messenger from Philippi and was sent to “_minister_” to Paul. He delivered news of the Philippians, probably letters from individuals and messages from others. He brought a financial gift to Paul while Paul was imprisoned (probably) in Rome. He may have done errands, managed affairs, or written letters for Paul.
We do not know what Epaphroditus was _sick_ with. We do know that despite having public baths and a sewer system, Rome in the 1st century was considered quite filthy by modern standards, with overflowing waste on the streets, poor sanitation in many homes, and a lack of street cleaning, leading to a pervasive stench and rampant disease due to the accumulation of garbage and human waste. So Epaphroditus encountered all this and more to minister to Paul.
A. Sometimes in life, a _loss_ is required.
–a relationship needs to be counted as a loss, a hobby, job, routine, or habit needs to be a loss personal freedom, leisure time, or privileges need to be a loss, whether we are 20 or 90, we need to accept we are older than we were and we are not as young as we were. It’s not just older folks that need to accept their age–people who are in the their 30’s shouldn’t think of themselves as kids anymore. If you’re 18 you’re a man or a woman, you’re not a _kid_.
B. When do we need to _accept_ a loss in our life?
–when it is out of your control (job, death of loved one, lost opportunity), when it is pulling you away from God, when it is crowding out Bible study, prayer time, church involvement, when it is crowding out your responsibility to your family.
C. Comfort from the Gospel about _loss_.
• Psalm 147:3 "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds"
• Psalm 34:18 "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit"
• Revelation 21:4 "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more"
2. Experiencing _Comfort_ (V.27).
Paul experienced comfort in the physical health and vigor of Epaphroditus–his recovery was an encouragement to Paul (v. 27). Paul would have been made exceedingly sorrowful had Epahproditus succumbed to his illness. There are so many things to learn here:
A. Illnesses are discouraging for all involved.
When we gather together as the body of Christ, we want to pray for the sick, encourage the downtrodden, but we also want to rejoice with those who are discovering things for the first time. “ Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” (Ro. 12:15) (Kids and sap–”We can’t rejoice with those who rejoice if we are always talking about sad things” )
B. Illnesses are felt by more than just those who are sick.
When a spouse is sick, pray for extra energy for the care-taking spouse. When a child is sick, pray for extra energy for the parents. If you are the one sick, thank your spouse for caring for you and try to be easy to care for.
C. Illnesses happen–you can’t just decide to stop being sick, to heal, or to never have an accident! We all wish we could decide that! There are things you can do to minimize the likelihood of illness or accident, make sure your spouse sees you trying.
D. Your spouse is your primary caretaker, then at a certain age it is your children, and then it is the community/government/church after that (1 Tim. 5:1ff). Think ahead and arrange care for yourself when appropriate.
Paul felt Epaphroditus’ illness and the Philippians’ worry about his illness, and to ease Paul’s mind and free himself from this worry and anxiety (v.28), he sent Epaphroditus home. Perhaps Paul was worried he would become sick again, or perhaps he just wanted to see the matter conclude and Epaphroditus reunited with the Philippians.
Comfort When We Are Sick:
A. This too shall _pass_. “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” 2 Cor. 4:17-18
B. Heaven is our _home_. Heb. 12:28 “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”
C. It’s OK to be in a _waiting_ period. where you are less physically productive, even in the Spring. You can be more productive in other ways such as praying for others, mental exertions, learning an instrument, making phone calls to speak with the lonely, writing cards, or providing emotional stability for someone in your life.
D. The Gospel is our _comfort_.
Romans 5:10 ESV “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.”
E. Christ is our _life_.
John 5:11-12 “And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.”
Conclusion: Regardless of the experiences we go through in life, we know God is with us, God helps us, and God loves us. Whether our next years are good or hard, we have heaven to look forward to and each other to lean on.
Exegetical Idea: Paul could use all the help he could get and could not presently spare Timothy (v. 21-24). Nevertheless, he is sending Epaphroditus back to ease Paul’s mind. The reason Epaphroditus is distressed is that the Philippians are worried about him, having heard he was sick. He has recovered, however, and Paul is sending him and is asking the Philippians to receive him well and to honor him–and not just him, but all like him. Even though Paul could use his help, Paul is doing this to ease his own mind and ease the Philippians’ mind as well (v.28).
