But I
think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker
and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of
my needs. Phil 2:25
As Philippians 2 ends, we meet
Epaphroditus. Here’s a man very different than Timothy. Epaphroditus is the one
who brought the gift from Philippi, and the one who bore this wonderful letter
back to the Philippian church. His popularity is evident from the fact that he
was chosen by the church for this difficult task. He was probably one of those
whose natural disposition makes him popular and prominent in any group.
Paul says the quality he most
appreciates in Epaphroditus is helpfulness.
Notice he says, “I’m sending back to
you…my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom
you sent to take care of my need.” All these wonderful titles add up to one
who is a marvelous helper who demonstrates a selfless concern that’s the
distinctive mark of a believer in Christ.
Verse 26 says, “For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was
ill.” Word had gotten back to Philippi that this man had been terribly
sick, and Epaphroditus is concerned that they be over-anxious about him.
I couldn't help contrasting that with
so many today who become distressed because we
haven’t heard they were ill! I meet people like that occasionally. Now and
then I’ll greet someone and notice there’s a bit of coolness. Finally it comes
out and they’ll say, “Didn't you hear that I was sick?” I say, “No, I didn't
hear that.” Then, “Well, I expected I’d have a visit, but no one came.” I
wonder just how people expect to have a visit on that basis. It's interesting
that when people are sick, they’ll call a doctor; but they expect the pastor or
their Christian friends to get the news by osmosis, and then get upset because
word hadn't arrived.
Well, there was no such self pity in
Epaphroditus. His concern isn’t one of self pity because he was so desperately
sick, but of anxiety lest they be over-wrought in their worry for him. Even in
the midst of his own personal distress, he continues to exhibit selfless
concern for others. What a beautiful picture! You can see the character of
Christ in him.
Prayer: Lord, give me a
spirit of helpfulness. I know it doesn't come naturally, but rather by a quiet
dependence on you and a readiness to be used by you and for the work of your
kingdom. Amen.
For it
has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but
also to suffer for Him. Philippians 1:29
From Guest Blogger Colin Proft:
The
Philippians were undergoing the same things that Paul and Silas had experienced
in Acts 16:16-24. They were being intimidated. Some of them were put in prison.
Others may have experienced physical punishment such as being beaten with rods
or the confiscation of property. They were suffering.
Not
many of us have experienced physical violence because of our faith, but there
will come a time when we need to stand firm on what we believe. We live in an
age where some treat corporate policy as the basis for morality. You may face
pressure from your boss to do something that is immoral or illegal. Others of
us may be scorned for believing in God.
For
some of us, that persecution will come from our own families or close friends.
We will be excluded or ostracized from our own families because of our faith.
Believing in Jesus can come at a great personal cost. Yet let us remember what
Jesus said to His disciples. “If the head of the house has been called
Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!” (Matthew 10:25).
“Do
not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as
though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you
participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His
glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are
blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you” (1 Peter 4:12-14).
If
you are persecuted for your faith, then the Spirit of God rests on you. And
this (not the persecution) causes us to rejoice! We are to bear the image of
God to the world, being His ambassadors — His representatives. Jesus said in
His Sermon on the Mount, “Blessed are those who are persecuted
because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10).
Paul calls us to stand firm for the
Gospel. He reminded the Philippians that it is the Lord of Hosts, the God of
the angelic host, who fights by our side. And He will be victorious. It is God
who will deliver us. And if God is for us, who can stand against us? (Romans 8:31)
Therefore stand firm and rejoice. The
Lord is on our side.
Prayer: God of
angel armies, give me strength to stand firm in the face of every trial and
persecution. Amen.
#Uncommon
For to
me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Philippians
1:21
From Guest Blogger Colin Proft:
Paul had a victorious vision for his life. He
didn’t fear death and he saw each day as a blessing from God. To live was to be
with Christ on earth and to share in the encouragement, love, and joy of his
fellow brothers and sisters. To die was to receive the crown of glory which
Jesus had won on Calvary. In short, Paul couldn’t lose. Neither can we.
Paul didn’t draw his joy from his
circumstances. If that were true, he would have had a rotten life. He wrote to
the Church in Corinth: “Five times I
have received from the Jews forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten
with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I
spent a night and day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I
have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my
fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the
country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored
and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst
and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides
everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.
Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly
burn?” (2 Cor.11:24-27)
No, Paul’s source of joy was found in Jesus.
He fully understood that this world was fleeting and that he had everything he
could possibly want or need in Jesus Christ. That is the true meaning of
Philippians 4:13, “I can do everything through Him who strengthens me.” Paul
considered everything else as loss for the sake of knowing Jesus Christ. He
bought the pearl of great price (Matt. 13:44-46).
Rather
than complaining about the circumstances he found himself in, Paul continued to
rejoice and worship God. Through his obedience, God used Paul to reach the
entire palace guard where he was imprisoned. It’s incredible.
As you go through your day today, look for
how God is moving in your life. Place your fears and frets in His hands; trust
Him to deliver you from each snare and difficulty. Wait patiently for the Lord.
And live this day through His power and love.
Prayer: Father
God, I will fix my eyes on You. With you by my side, I will not be shaken. You
are my portion and my cup. You are my strength. You lift me up when I am
discouraged. You are my ever-present help in time of need. As I go throughout
this day, I pray that You would strengthen me by Your power and fill me with
Your love. Come, transform my faith and life. I love You. Amen.
Be
Joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12
From Guest Blogger Colin Proft:
The first time the Gospel was shared in the
city of Philippi was when Paul and Silas visited there on their first
missionary journey (Acts 16:11-40). Later, Paul and
Timothy wrote a letter of encouragement and exhortation to the Christians in
that region — what is now in our Bibles as “Philippians.” Read through
Philippians 1, keeping the words of Romans 12:12 in mind.
Joyful
in Hope. Paul
was continually rejoicing before God. He knew what God had in store for him and
the Philippians — he has his heart and mind fixed on heaven. Paul knew that God
had given them both a new life in Jesus Christ while on earth and the promise
of eternal life with Him in paradise.
Paul had treasure in heaven. He knew that, no
matter what happened, He had eternal life because of Jesus Christ. And he had
Jesus! Whether he continued to live on the earth or was taken to heaven, he had
joy. And that joy was rooted in his relationship with God and in the fellowship
of other Christians. “I thank my God … for all of you … because of your
partnership in the Gospel” (Philippians 1:3-5).
Patient
in Affliction. Paul
wrote this letter from prison. If anyone had a reason to complain, it was Paul!
Yet he fully believed God would rescue him. Whether his imprisonment ended in
life or death, Paul chose to worship God. His confidence came from this
astounding truth: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). It was because of his imprisonment that
Paul was to share the Gospel with the whole palace guard.
Faithful
in Prayer. Paul
constantly prayed for his fellow brothers and sisters in Jesus. He knew them on
a personal level and loved them deeply. Again, they weren’t simply
acquaintances to him; they were his family and friends. He longed for them with
the affection of Jesus Christ! (Philippians 1:8).
Paul’s prayer was simple: he prayed that
their love would overflow and that their knowledge of Christ would increase (1:9). And the source of this love and knowledge is abiding in
Jesus. We do not produce the fruit of righteousness from our own strength; the nourishment
comes from Christ. As He said, “I am the vine; you are the
branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart
from me you can do nothing” (John
15:5).
Prayer: Gracious Lord Jesus,
I ask not simply that You be with me today but that You lead me also to join
You in the work You are already doing—in me and through me for the sake of
others. Amen.
Be
joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12
From Guest Blogger Kathleen Lane:
Remember Eeyore, Winnie the Pooh’s
friend in the A.A. Milne books? He is a rather melancholy character, one who
sees the glass half empty rather than half full. His favorite food is thistles
and the sign at his house says “Eeyore’s Gloomy Place.” Here’s a sample of
Eeyore’s viewpoint:
Winnie: Good morning!
Eeyore: If it is a good morning, which I doubt.
Winnie: Lovely day, isn’t it?
Eeyore: Wish I could say “yes.”
“Be joyful in hope,” Paul urges us. In other
words, don’t be an Eeyore!
A Christian is an optimist. We are
called to an uncommon life where, because of the victory already won by Christ,
we can be joyful in hope. There really are no hopeless situations for us. This doesn’t mean that Christian don’t have
troubles or that we should deny having troubles. In fact, Jesus assured us that
we would have trouble in this world (John
16:33). It does mean
that we can be sure that because God is God, the best is yet to be. That is
hope.
Because of hope we can be patient in
affliction, knowing that God’s grace is sufficient and that His strength is
made perfect in our weakness. We know
that nothing can separate us from God and His love (Romans 8:38-39).
“If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31) That is hope.
Having the sure hope of God’s
presence, now and forever, brings joy. Not that we must always have a sunny
disposition, but we can always have the quiet joy of knowing that God has
filled us, not just half full, but overflowing with His grace and love. As He
fills us we are transformed to share our joy and hope with the Eeyores of the
world.
In what specific situation has your
faith in Christ given you hope?
With whom can you share some joyful
hope today?
Prayer: God of hope, fill us
with joy and peace as we trust in You. Enable us to share our sure hope in
Christ with the world. Amen.
#Uncommon
