Joy In Ministry Partnership
Today we’re continuing our teaching series on a book of the bible called Philippians, and it’s a series that’s about finding Joy In Everything. It’s about finding joy in daily life, and what we’re talking about specifically today is finding joy in ministry partnership.
Introduction:
If you’re not a Christian, you may have various thoughts about Christians. Maybe you’ve been turned off by the phony religiosity of people who say they’re Christians. Maybe you’ve detected nothing different about their lives compared to yours. I want you to look at some better examples in this passage.
Here, we see the type of believers that we’re supposed to be like. Don’t reject Christ and the church based on poor representation from those who claim the name Christian but seem no different from anyone else. Today, we look at an authentic version of Christianity here in Philippians in two men who have been radically transformed by God’s saving grace in Christ.
Background:
The Apostle Paul writes this letter while sitting in a Roman prison facing the death penalty not for a crime, but for his faith in Jesus. So, he’s innocent, sitting in prison, facing the death penalty, and one of the primary things he writes about is joy.
In Philippians chapter two, Paul encouraged the believers to pursue unity that comes through humility (2:1-4). Paul illustrates what a humble mind-set looks like with the example of Jesus Christ (2:5-11). He then challenged them to “work out [their] own salvation with fear and trembling” by doing “everything without grumbling and arguing” (2:12, 14), Paul describes his own inspiring example of being “poured out as a drink offering” (2:17–18).
In today’s passage, Philippians 2:19-30, Paul shares his travelogue, which focuses on two men, Timothy and Epaphroditus, who provide concrete examples of what it means to live out the Christian life by putting Jesus first, then Others, and then Yourself (JOY) as we learned a few weeks ago. Paul commends the character of these two brothers in Christ. He holds them up as model servants. Practically, these brothers show us what it looks like to have a changed heart and mind. Jesus transformed them into compassionate, self-forgetful, sacrificial servants worthy of emulation. When a church like the one in Philippi, or a church today, follows such selfless examples, they will grow united (1:27–2:4).
So, this passage is more than a travel itinerary, it is infused with crucial lessons of Joy in Ministry Partnership.
Our big idea: Sacrificial service to God brings joy to others. Let’s look at our two examples today in Philippians 2:19-30 as projected on the screen for us.
The Example of Timothy
I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you (v.19).
Paul lived in the days when there were cellphones, no FaceTime with anyone; no internet and computer to Zoom, no Microsoft Teams or Google Meet. Philippi is 960 miles from Rome, and traveled by land, boat and a good stretch of walking. (e.g. Distance by road from Orlando to Houston, Texas). It took six weeks to make the journey one-way and twelve weeks to make a return trip (3 months). Today, you can travel by road in 20hrs or 2hrs 45minutes by airplane.
The only way to get news about people in distant lands is through letters carried by messengers. Paul could not go because of his imprisonment and wanted to send Timothy to Philippi so he may receive news that would bring him joy. However, for that to happen there must be partner who is willing to go. Willing to go is a challenging proposition (Conference in Egypt).
Paul did not say, I hope to send Timothy to you IF he is willing. Paul knows Timothy’s In many areas of our Christian life Jesus is calling us to go so we may bring joy to others. Go to the neighbor who needs help, go to the senior home and spend some time with some beautiful souls, go on a mission trip, to that colleague in the office who needs kind words of grace and encouragement, go to that fellow student who is struggling to focus on the lesson in class, etc., BUT why should I go? Our willingness to go brings joy to others.
I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ (vv.20-21).
Paul did not say, I hope to send Timothy to you IF he is willing. Paul knows Timothy’s heart and willingness. I am sure Timothy’s willingness to go is because of his love for Paul his spiritual father and mentor, but more important he takes a genuine interest in the welfare of the Philippians. Timothy is an example (Philippians 2: 3-4), he is not seeking his own interest but the interest of the Philippians.
Paul declared, I have no one else like him. Paul is not saying Timothy is better than everyone serving with him but rather in Rome he has no ministry partner like Timothy who brings him joy by his service and willingness to do whatever it takes for the sake of the gospel.
A genuine interest in the welfare of God’s people is an interest in Christ. When your sacrificial service is first to Jesus, others and yourselves, (JOY) it changes how you go about your ministry. Yes, sometimes we serve sacrificially because someone asked us to do it, but wouldn’t it be wonderful when the motivation to do it is from our hearts.
Everyone looks out for their own interest, NOT those of Jesus Christ. Looking out for the interest of Jesus Christ is what gives us the deep affection for others because fundamentally we are all selfish people including myself. It our pursuit of Christ and his interest that helps us to obey the command in Philippians 2: 3-4 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but the also the interests of others.”
Our society is constantly pushing more and more for us to seek our own interests (focus on self) and does so by telling us how different we are from others, how important we are, how we should be treated, and everything about us should come first. Our preferences, needs, comforts, culture, people etc., should come first.
Everywhere you go you see leaders seeking their own interest. What kind of leader do you follow? What kind of leaders are we? At home, work, school, and community. Do we follow compassionate servant-leaders who are following Christ, like Timothy? We have a great example here to follow.
But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon. (vv. 22-24)
The believers in Philippi know Timothy experientially as a selfless, sacrificial servant of God. They first experienced his love when he visited Philippi with Paul Acts 16.
Paul and Timothy exemplify the spiritual father-son relationship as “servants of Christ Jesus.” The expression “he has served with me” indicates that Paul did not consider himself higher or more important than Timothy though he was his spiritual father but put him on the same level as himself.
I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. Paul was willing to let Timothy go although he was a great companion and served Paul in many ways. This is Another demonstration of sacrificial service to God because it brings joy to others. “Joy is the serious business of heaven” C. S. Lewis
The Example of Epaphroditus
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 (v. 25)
Paul wasn’t ready to send Timothy, but plans to send Epaphroditus, who brought financial assistance from the believers in Philippi.
As a brother: we become partners in the gospel because we are brothers and sisters. Through Christ we have been adopted by the Father. Our identity has changed, we are adopted family members. A judge asked Mr. Williams why he wanted to adopt a child, and he said, “Because he was adopted by his heavenly father.”
Co-worker: Paul also labored on the same mission as Epaphroditus; they worked together for the cause of Christ.
Fellow soldier: He goes to the battlefield and calls him a “fellow soldier” (cf. 2 Tim 2:3–4). He and Epaphroditus had been through a spiritual war together (cf. Eph 6:10–20). As with many good soldiers, Epaphroditus had been wounded, and he was being sent home to rest (Hughes, Philippians, 115).
Messenger: He was their “messenger” (apostolon). Like the apostle Paul, he was “sent” with a mission to convey the love of the church and to give a gift to Paul.
Minister: He was sent to take care of Paul’s need. Ministry is more than what happens in the church on Sunday.
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 (vv.26-27)
He longs for the Philippians and is distressed because they heard he is sick. He wanted them to know that he had gotten well, he wanted them to know that it was all worth it, and he wanted them to know that his presence and the gifts he carried to Paul brought him a lot of joy. “The gigantic secret of the Christian is joy” G. K. Chesterton
If you have been sick for a long time and are almost at the point of death, it is difficult to convince people when you tell them you are now doing well—they often ask if you are sure. You care so much about them that you want them to know you are doing well. Paul knew that the presence of Epaphroditus would bring the Philippians joy.
We did not know how his sickness or how he got well, but Paul tells us his recovery was due to the sovereign act of a merciful God. Does this phrase, “However, God had mercy on him,” move you? His mercies are new every morning (Lam 3:22)
Epaphroditus’ healing spared Paul because of sorrow, meaning it brought relief to Paul.
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. So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, 30 because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me (vv.28-30)
Paul wants to experience joy through Timothy’s sacrificial service, but he also wants the believers in Philippi to experience joy and so he is sending Epaphroditus to them. He wants to have less anxiety about his condition.
The church in Philippi expected Epaphroditus to stay longer till the end of Paul’s trial, but because of his sickness, he had to leave earlier than planned and carry 44 this letter to the Philippians.
If Epaphroditus had not fallen ill and stayed to the end of Paul’s trial, there is a chance that Paul would not have written this letter of joy. Epaphroditus would have returned to Philippi without any letter after Paul’s death. This letter is born out suffering, lightens up the whole New Testament and has been an encouragement to hundreds of millions for over 2000 years. It is a mystery, how our suffering aligns with God’s purposes.
This command to honor Epaphroditus is so refreshing. They expected him to stay longer, but that didn’t happen because he fell sick but still honor him. Our culture usually honors the famous, the talented, and the powerful, but simple messengers who deliver gifts in humble service and sacrifice to the Lord may not qualify. Paul doesn’t want that to happen, he encourages the Philippians to give him rousing welcome.
There are many movements in this passage, and sometimes sacrificial service to God demands movements as exemplified in this travelogue. It results joy
Key Lessons from this passage about Joy in Ministry Partnership
Ministry partnership thrives on relationships.
Ministry partnership demands sacrifice
Ministry partnership brings joy to all involved.
Our big idea: Sacrificial service to God brings joy to others.
Conclusion
In which areas in your life and ministry is God calling you to follow the example of Timothy and Epaphroditus? How are you responding to the opportunities God is bringing to life daily to serve others with the love of Christ?
If you are a skeptic, what does the example of these two servants tell you about Christians and their sacrificial service to others? Where else can you find such love, care, and affection for one another? Where else can you find a testimonial like what Paul gave about Timothy and Epaphroditus?
(PowerPoint Slides)
Joy in Ministry Partnership
Philippians 2:19-30 (NIV)
Example of Timothy
I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you (v.19).
I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ (vv.20-21).
But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon (vv.22-24)
Example of Epaphroditus
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 (v. 25).
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 (vv.26-27).
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. So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, 30 because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me (vv.28-30)
Key Lessons from this passage about Joy in Ministry Partnership
Ministry partnership thrives on relationships.
Ministry partnership demands sacrifice
Ministry partnership brings joy to all involved.
Our big idea: Sacrificial service to God brings joy to others.