What to do When you Hit the Wall
Philippians 2:25-30
August 19, 2001
Morning Service
Introduction
When I was in high school I was a part of the cross country team. A cross country meet would consist of a 3.1 mile or 5 kilometer race. As you crossed the finish line you would be given your time and a number. The team who had the lowest score would win. Our coach wasn’t big on winning but he always wanted to be sure that we all finished the race and gradually improve our times.
One of the things that my coach was constantly warning us about was the “wall”. This may sound strange but it was a reality in running. During the race there comes a point, where your energy would be spent and your body would start to give out. This was hitting the “wall”. It was at this time when you would feel like giving up and quitting the race. So a choice would have to be made, either you push through the pain, the exhaustion and keep moving toward the finish line or you give up and quit. Our coach was always on us to push through the difficulty and to not give up.
The same thing is true of our spiritual race. There are going to be times when we feel like giving up and quitting. There are going to be times when we “hit the wall” and make us feel like giving up.
Times when we feel spiritually and emotionally exhausted and fatigued
Times when our best efforts seem to fail
Times when we are plagued with frustration
Times when we feel like we don’t make a difference anymore
It is during these times that we have to make the choice either to keep pushing forward to move through our difficulties or just give up and stop trying. This morning I want to look at the life of someone who would not give up and never quit trying to make a difference. More than likely you’ve never heard of this man or you have just read over his name, never to give it another thought. Epaphroditus served God with distinction and stood by Paul when many others abandoned him.
Read Text – Philippians 2:25-30
25 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26 For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. 29 Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, 30 because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.
Body
I. Purify your Passion
A. Epaphroditus had a loving heart
1. Epaphroditus was loved by his church
a.) Epaphroditus was a highly respected member of the Philippian church and was more than likely an elder with in that church. He was chosen to be the courier of the church to Paul
b.) We can see that he was loved by the church because of the deep concern that we see when the church hears that he had become ill. Why was he loved?
2. Epaphroditus loved the people of his church
a.) He accepted the task of going to Rome because of his deep love for Christ and his church.
b.) We see Epaphroditus’ love for the church become clear after he learns that the news of his illness reached Philippi. He became deeply distressed over this situation. By the time that Epaphroditus learns of the church’s concern, he has most likely recovered from the worst of the illness. Look at the depth of love, he has just recovered from a life threatening illness and he is more concerned with the welfare of the church.
B. Epaphroditus had a servant’s heart
1. Epaphroditus risked a great deal
a.) The concept of risk
The Greek term that Paul uses for risk was a word that referred to gambling. It literally meant to gamble one’s life or to risk everything. What Paul is trying to tell the Philippians is that Epaphroditus risked everything for the service of Christ
b.) Public risks
Travel to Rome
Courier of the Philippian gift
Open association with a criminal – Paul
Carry the letter from Paul to Philippi
c.) Private risks
Personal illness
Roman arrest that would result in either jail term or execution
2. Epaphroditus served with distinction
a.) Paul called Epaphroditus his “fellow worker”
Paul gives Epaphroditus the title of fellow worker to signify the partnership that existed between these two men. Paul clearly considered Epaphroditus an asset to his ministry and a great servant of the lord
b.) Paul called on the church to honor Epaphroditus
Paul is making it very clear that Epaphroditus was being sent back to Philippi in an honorable way. Some may have seen his early departure from Paul as a sign of giving or quitting. Paul shows that Epaphroditus had been a faithful servant of Christ and a great help to him in Rome
Paul sent Epaphroditus back for several possible reasons
Paul wished to remove him from risk – either another illness or arrest
Paul wanted to address the difficulty in the Philippian church and needed Epaphroditus to carry the letter
Paul wanted to ease the burden of the church
II. Position your Priorities
A. Epaphroditus set high priorities
1. Epaphroditus served Christ
a.) Epaphroditus was a Christian
We can see the evidence of his faith in Paul’s statement “my brother” and he had earned great respect with both his church and with Paul.
b.) Epaphroditus served Christ
Epaphroditus took many risks to go to Rome and be with Paul. He refused to give up and quit. Why? He was serving Christ and doing the will of his savior. When this is the case in life there is little that can stop us.
2. Epaphroditus served Paul and the church
a.) Epaphroditus was so committed to completing his mission that he remained with Paul through his illness and after he had recovered. Most people would have taken that opportunity to go on home but not Epaphroditus. He stayed with Paul at the risk of his personal health and personal freedom.
b.) Epaphroditus was the messenger for the Philippian church and was likely an elder. He did the work that others in the church either could not or would not do.
B. Paul recognized his priorities
1. My brother
Paul shows that Epaphroditus is his brother in Christ. Paul is also stating that there was a special relationship with Epaphroditus as members of God’s family
2. Fellow soldier
Paul speaks highly of Epaphroditus and his faithfulness in service. He stood by Paul through the personal difficulties of prison when others had abandoned him. The description of a soldier is very important. Roman soldiers would fight in long and large battle lines. Once the line was formed there was no going back. In defense, the only way to break through was to kill the soldier in the front line. In offense, the soldiers would only be able to move forward side by side. Paul is stating in a powerful way the faithfulness of Epaphroditus
3. Your messenger
Epaphroditus was sent to deliver the gift to Paul but also to stay and be a service to him in prison for an extended amount of time. More than likely Epaphroditus was to stay with Paul until he was no longer needed. This would happen when Paul’s trial was over. It is also important to notice that Epaphroditus was trustworthy enough to carry the financial gift and letter to Paul.
Conclusion – Lessons we learn from Epaphroditus
1. Never give up
A. Winston Churchill quote
“Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never – in nothing, great or small, large or petty – never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never give in.”
B. We must never give up the good fight
1.) 1 Timothy 6:12: Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
2.) We are called to stand like soldiers in battle line. No retreat but rather we must move forward to take that which God has set before us.
2. Move forward through serving others
A. The key a fulfilling life is found in serving others
1.) I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And that which I can do, by the grace of God, I will do. DL Moody
2.) He who is the greatest among you shall be your servant – Matthew 25:11
B. Serving others brings blessing into our lives
1.) God blesses those who serve Him with new strength and new power to do what they believe is not possible. It is when we wait on God to deliver strength to us that we find that impossiblities vanish
2.) When you do something for someone else it blesses you. It doesn’t have to be big. It can be as simple as giving them a cold drink on a hot day, a note of encouragement or just praying for them
3. Live a life of love
A. God pours out His love to us
1. God has loved us enough to sacrifice His son for us and to allow Him to take your place. If God loves you that much, He loves you enough to get you through the daily difficulties and trails of life
2. It is the love of God that allows us to carry on when times get tough. It is the love of God that becomes our second wind for overcoming the difficulties of life
B. We are called to pass it on to others
1. The highest calling that we can ever receive in life is to carry the love of God to other people
2. Stay the course. Never give up
