“Offer Your Very Best”
Epaphroditus
PHILIPPIANS 2:25-30
Epaphroditus would be considered one of the “nobodies” in scripture. He never wrote a
book in the Bible, nor is he mentioned anywhere else. He never had a statue erected in his
honor or became famous for his accomplishments. However, Paul called Epaphroditus a
hero. In this passage, Paul uses five terms to describe him:
1. A Brother
2. A Fellow Worker
3. A Fellow Soldier
4. A Messenger
5. A Minister
Epaphroditus made four decisions which each allowed him to give his very best:
1. He was a People Lover
Paul called him a minister. He longed for them, v.26. He felt distressed, not by his own
sickness, but because the Philippians might worry about him when he was sick.
Question: Do you long for people?
2. He was a Risk Taker
Paul called him a soldier. He risked his life for the sake of Christ, v.30. He ran all the
way from Philippi to Rome to meet Paul in prison and almost lost his life in the process.
Question: Do you play it safe?
3. He was a Tireless Worker
Paul called him a laborer—the word Jesus used in Matthew 9:37 when he described them
as rare. All we know of his sickness was that it was due to his hard work for Christ.
Question: Do you work tirelessly?
4. He was a Servant-Leader
Paul called him a minister and a messenger: a servant who is a leader. He was a pioneer.
He did the work no one else would do. Paul said to hold men like him in high regard.
Question: Do you lead the way in some area of service? Do you excel?
25 Ways to Win With People
How to Make Others Feel Like a Million Bucks
By John C. Maxwell and Les Parrott III
1. Start With Yourself – King Solomon (I Kings 3:5-14)
2. Practice the 30 Second Rule – Jesus and Simon Peter (John 1:42)
3. Let People Know You Need Them – Paul (II Tim. 4:11) / Galatians 4:13-15)
4. Create a Memory and Visit It Often – Joshua (Joshua 4:1-7)
5. Compliment People In Front of People – John the Baptist (John 1:29-31)
6. Give Others a Reputation to Uphold – Jesus and Nathaniel (John 1:45-48)
7. Say the Right Words at Right Time – Mordecai to Esther (Esther 4:13-14)
8. Encourage the Dream of Others – Naomi and Ruth (Ruth 3:1-6)
9. Pass the Credit Onto Others – David and his men (I Samuel 30:21-31)
10. Offer Your Very Best – Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25-30)
11. Share a Secret With Someone – Mary and Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-45)
12. Mine the Gold of Good Intentions – Abigail and David (I Sam. 25:23-35)
13. Keep Your Eyes Off the Mirror – Joseph & Brothers (Genesis 50:18-20)
14. Do for Others What They Can’t Do for Themselves – Joseph (Genesis 41)
15. Listen With Your Heart – Barnabas & John Mark (Acts 15:36-41)
16. Find the Keys to Their Heart – Nehemiah & Builders (Nehemiah 2:17-18)
17. Be the First to Help – Barnabas & Saul (Acts 9:26-27)
18. Add Value to People – Rebekah & Abraham (Genesis 24:10-27)
19. Remember a Person’s Story – David, Jonathan, Mephibosheth (I Sam. 9:1-13
20. Tell a Good Story – Paul (Acts 26:1-29)
21. Give With No Strings Attached – Jonathan (I Samuel 18:1-4)
22. Learn Your Mailman’s Name – Paul (Romans 16:3-15)
23. Point Out People’s Strengths – Peter and Paul (II Peter 3:14-16)
24. Write Notes of Encouragement – Paul and his Epistles (Philippians, II Tim.)
25. Help People Win – Deborah and Barak (Judges 4:4-5)
