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Friday, 26 March 2021

Christian Contentment - A Study through Philippians (8)

 


Today's blog is written by Martin Davids

Imitate Those Who Serve Others

 

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. 22But 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. 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, 26 for he 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 honour 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)

The cult of celebrity

We live in a celebrity driven world.  Our TV’s are saturated with ‘celebrity’ shows from ‘Celebrity Bake Off’ to celebrity quiz shows.  Of course, what passes as a ‘celebrity’ is questionable – with most of us thinking “Who?...You’re famous for what?”.  However, it does illustrate the need we all have to look up to someone – which is not wrong in itself – if we are looking up to someone for the right reasons.  In the passage above Paul asks us to do just that, however he provides us with the qualifiers with which to do so.  

The qualities of those worthy of imitation.

First, those who serve others have a caring heart. Paul was under house arrest in Rome. He was awaiting the outcome of his appeal to Caesar. He could receive visitors, but he was not free to leave his house. He wrote in verse 19, “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you.” Timothy was a young pastor, and Paul was going to send him to Philippi so that he would receive news about how the Philippian Christians were doing. The reason Paul wanted to send Timothy to Philippi is because Timothy had a caring heart, (vs 20-21). Timothy really cared about the welfare of God’s people. The second person we read about is Epaphroditus.  We know very little about him, he was not a pastor or an elder or a deacon. He was a simply member of the Philippian Church. However, at the time Paul wrote this letter, Epaphroditus was ill, yet he was not distressed over his own illness. He was distressed because the Philippians had heard that he was ill. In other words, he was concerned about their concern for him! Let us be people who are concerned about the welfare and wellbeing of others.

And second, those who serve others have an excellent character. Over the course of time, Timothy had proven himself faithful in his service to Christ and the people of God. Paul viewed Timothy with great affection, as a father viewed his son, and commented that Timothy had served with Paul in the advancement of the gospel. He was hoping to send Timothy soon, and Paul himself was hoping to come to the Philippians as soon as his legal case was resolved. Timothy was a pastor with an excellent character. He had, in the words of Paul, “proven worth.” Likewise, Epaphroditus (vs 25) was a brother, a fellow worker, a fellow soldier, a messenger, and a minister to his need. In other words, Epaphroditus was engaged in advancing the gospel. Neither man was a “armchair general” they both ‘served in the field’ for the advancement of the Gospel.

Thirdly both men suffered hardship for the sake of the Gospel.  Paul’s missionary journeys were not easy and we read of his sufferings and persecution in Acts.  Paul calls upon Timothy to endure suffering in 2 Timothy but added to this there were physical illness to endure.  We know that Timothy had constant stomach illnesses and here we read of Epaphroditus (vs 27) being ill to the point of death.  Paul writes to the Philippian church (and us by extension) that those who suffer hardship for the sake of Christ have a proven track record. They serve Christ and his gospel in various ways. They show a real concern for the wellbeing of others. And they are willing to suffer for the sake of the gospel.   

Summing it up (and a word of warning)

Paul clearly hold up these two men as examples for us to imitate and it is right for us to hold them in high esteem.  There is nothing wrong with having role models in the Christian faith yet we are not to turn them into ‘celebrities’.  We are all sinners, but some forget that and if their ‘celebrity Christian’ should fall it causes them to doubt the faith.  Paul holds up these men because the Philippian church knew them and knew their character.    

Therefore, having analysed the concept of imitation in Philippians 2:19-30, let us keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example of Christ. We can find Christian contentment knowing that there are Christians within our own fellowship who are living a Christlike life even through difficult times.  Furthermore, we grow in contentment and Christlikeness when we imitate worthy Christians. Let us imitate those who serve others. Let us imitate those who have a caring heart and have an excellent character.

Prayer for the day.

Our Father,

We thank you that you have given us examples of Godly men and women throughout the Bible.  We bring before you the men that faithfully serve in our church, may your Holy Spirit constantly guide them and uphold them as they seek to serve you and the Gospel.  We pray that you will protect them and their witness.  Lord. Let us be encouraged by their character that we may imitate them as they imitate Christ. 

For we ask in Jesus’ name

Amen   


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