WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.459 Good morning, CFC. Go ahead and turn with your Bibles to Philippians chapter 2. 00:00:05.459 --> 00:00:08.160 ! We're going to be starting in verse 17. 00:00:08.859 --> 00:00:17.260 And for those who are paying attention to bullets, and we're supposed to start in verse 19, but I called an audible, so hopefully I'm invited back. 00:00:18.320 --> 00:00:18.620 Let's see. 00:00:19.960 --> 00:00:21.320 Yeah, we'll be in verse 17. 00:00:21.320 --> 00:00:31.480 And before we actually read from there, I just wanted to read a brief quote, because I think it sets the stage well for what we're about to read. 00:00:32.500 --> 00:00:36.880 This quote is from John MacArthur, and he says, 00:00:38.159 --> 00:00:45.179 Philippians 2, 17 through 30, presents three men whose lives are exceptional patterns for godly living. 00:00:45.179 --> 00:00:52.299 These three, Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus, were together in Rome at this time. 00:00:52.899 --> 00:00:55.159 Paul was a prisoner in his own rented quarters. 00:00:55.439 --> 00:00:59.719 Though chained to a soldier, he was free to carry on his work unhindered, Acts 28, 16. 00:01:00.519 --> 00:01:06.739 And Timothy, the apostle's son in the faith, 1 Timothy 1, 2, had been with him for some time. 00:01:08.039 --> 00:01:13.519 Epaphroditus had been sent from the Philippian church to bring financial support for Paul and to minister to his needs. 00:01:13.519 --> 00:01:21.119 The men were knit together geographically, spiritually, and ministerially in a common cause. 00:01:21.599 --> 00:01:26.879 Each was passionately devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ, not consumed with his own interests. 00:01:27.799 --> 00:01:32.899 For the Lord's sake, each had risked his health, his freedom, and even his life. 00:01:33.939 --> 00:01:40.620 So let's now read our passage, and I'll trust that you'll see some of those themes we just read there emerge and be woven into the text. 00:01:40.620 --> 00:01:44.500 But again, our text is Philippians 2, starting verse 17. 00:01:45.500 --> 00:01:46.740 And Paul writes, 00:01:46.739 --> 00:01:54.259 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, 00:01:54.479 --> 00:01:57.780 I am glad and rejoice with you all. 00:01:58.500 --> 00:02:01.780 Likewise, you also should be glad and rejoice with me. 00:02:02.259 --> 00:02:05.539 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, 00:02:06.019 --> 00:02:08.579 so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 00:02:08.580 --> 00:02:14.000 For I have no one like him who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 00:02:14.620 --> 00:02:18.900 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 00:02:19.680 --> 00:02:22.280 But you know Timothy's proven worth, 00:02:22.860 --> 00:02:26.960 how as a son with a father, he has served with me in the gospel. 00:02:27.900 --> 00:02:32.080 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me. 00:02:32.080 --> 00:02:36.840 And I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also. 00:02:37.719 --> 00:02:38.140 Verse 25. 00:02:38.820 --> 00:02:42.340 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, 00:02:42.460 --> 00:02:44.900 my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, 00:02:45.500 --> 00:02:47.460 your messenger and minister to my need. 00:02:48.080 --> 00:02:52.460 For he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 00:02:53.340 --> 00:02:55.939 Indeed, he was ill near to death. 00:02:55.939 --> 00:03:00.939 But God had mercy on him, and not on him, but also on me, 00:03:01.400 --> 00:03:03.620 lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 00:03:04.840 --> 00:03:07.039 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, 00:03:07.159 --> 00:03:09.340 that you may rejoice at seeing him again, 00:03:09.579 --> 00:03:11.139 and that I may be less anxious. 00:03:11.919 --> 00:03:15.740 So receive him in the Lord with all joy and honor such men. 00:03:16.680 --> 00:03:19.079 For he nearly died for the work of Christ, 00:03:19.400 --> 00:03:23.639 risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me. 00:03:23.639 --> 00:03:29.000 So a quick outline here, and don't worry about writing these down, 00:03:29.099 --> 00:03:32.539 because I'll repeat them later, but we just have four points this morning. 00:03:33.799 --> 00:03:38.659 Point one, Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus are going to serve as an example 00:03:38.659 --> 00:03:43.060 or a paradigm of everything Paul has exhorted the Philippians to be so far. 00:03:44.019 --> 00:03:45.339 We'll talk about what that is. 00:03:45.539 --> 00:03:49.299 Point two is that these three men knew and loved each other, 00:03:49.399 --> 00:03:50.619 as well as the Philippians. 00:03:50.620 --> 00:03:55.480 Point three, we are called to be relational because the Trinity is relational. 00:03:55.860 --> 00:03:58.860 And point four, the gospel undergirds everything. 00:03:59.480 --> 00:04:00.879 And then we'll close with some application. 00:04:01.700 --> 00:04:04.120 But I just want to lay those out so you get an idea of where we're going. 00:04:04.980 --> 00:04:08.860 But really briefly, I also want to summarize where we're at so far in this text. 00:04:09.020 --> 00:04:12.620 What has happened so far in this epistle to the Philippians? 00:04:12.620 --> 00:04:17.060 So Paul writes with thankfulness and joy to the Philippians, 00:04:17.600 --> 00:04:21.340 quote, because of their partnership in the gospel, Philippians 1.5. 00:04:22.079 --> 00:04:28.060 His prayer for them is that they would abound in love more and more with knowledge and all discernment 00:04:28.060 --> 00:04:32.120 so that they may approve what is excellent, Philippians 1.9-10. 00:04:33.459 --> 00:04:37.160 Paul then explains the joy it is to suffer in prison 00:04:37.160 --> 00:04:42.180 while knowing that it is advancing the gospel of Jesus Christ, Philippians 1.12-30. 00:04:43.300 --> 00:04:45.520 Paul then exhorts the church of Philippi, saying, 00:04:45.740 --> 00:04:45.900 quote, 00:04:46.300 --> 00:04:49.860 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ 00:04:49.860 --> 00:04:52.920 so that whether I come and see you or am absent, 00:04:54.040 --> 00:04:57.800 I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, 00:04:57.800 --> 00:05:02.280 with one mind, striving side by side for the faith of the gospel. 00:05:02.540 --> 00:05:03.540 That's Philippians 1.27. 00:05:03.540 --> 00:05:08.020 And Paul explains that the key to this worthy life, 00:05:08.180 --> 00:05:11.720 this life that is side by side, consisting of one mind and one spirit, 00:05:12.260 --> 00:05:15.260 is humility, as exemplified by our Lord himself, 00:05:15.620 --> 00:05:18.120 in Philippians 2.1-11, who came down in the form of man. 00:05:19.780 --> 00:05:21.480 So in light of Christ's personal work, 00:05:21.939 --> 00:05:25.520 Paul calls the church of Philippi to continue in the work of sanctification, 00:05:26.100 --> 00:05:27.920 which is the work of God, Philippians 1.6. 00:05:28.379 --> 00:05:33.240 And an outflow of this is doing all things without grumbling or questioning, 00:05:33.540 --> 00:05:37.319 but rather sacrificing oneself with gladness and rejoicing. 00:05:37.760 --> 00:05:39.180 Philippians 2.14-18. 00:05:40.420 --> 00:05:45.240 So this is my very quick summary of what we have covered so far in this epistle. 00:05:46.060 --> 00:05:50.040 You might be wondering, okay, Christ is our great example of humility, joy, 00:05:50.379 --> 00:05:51.820 righteousness, obedience, etc. 00:05:51.819 --> 00:05:58.259 But what does it look like for a sinner or a community of sinners to replicate Christlikeness? 00:05:59.060 --> 00:06:01.459 Why is this passage that we're about to read included? 00:06:01.579 --> 00:06:03.659 It seems somewhat out of place. 00:06:04.519 --> 00:06:06.500 So this leads me to my first point. 00:06:07.139 --> 00:06:11.920 Point number one, Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus are an example or a paradigm 00:06:11.920 --> 00:06:15.199 of everything Paul has exhorted the Philippians to be so far. 00:06:15.199 --> 00:06:18.000 So like I said, this text seems out of place. 00:06:18.099 --> 00:06:18.860 Why might I say that? 00:06:19.120 --> 00:06:21.800 Because normally when you read a Pauline epistle, 00:06:22.699 --> 00:06:27.539 he's going to put something personal and logistical like this text towards the end of his epistle. 00:06:28.399 --> 00:06:31.300 And yet this is right smack dab in the middle of Philippians. 00:06:31.300 --> 00:06:37.280 So if you accept that the section is not out of place, which I don't think it is, 00:06:37.780 --> 00:06:41.600 then the best justification of Paul writing verses 19 through 30 right here 00:06:41.600 --> 00:06:44.639 would be to tie it into what has already been said. 00:06:45.720 --> 00:06:51.240 Paul commands the Philippians that they should be glad and rejoice with him, 2.18. 00:06:52.259 --> 00:06:54.699 Notice the repeated command within our main body. 00:06:55.780 --> 00:06:57.699 Paul says the Philippian church should, quote, 00:06:57.759 --> 00:07:00.699 rejoice at seeing Epaphroditus again in verse 28, 00:07:00.699 --> 00:07:04.959 and that they should receive him in the Lord with all joy, in verse 29. 00:07:06.740 --> 00:07:11.839 Paul also commanded the Philippians to do all things without grumbling or questioning, in verse 14. 00:07:12.939 --> 00:07:14.779 So think about Epaphroditus. 00:07:15.680 --> 00:07:19.879 It is mentioned twice that he almost died, verse 27, verse 30. 00:07:21.319 --> 00:07:26.219 And Epaphroditus willingly risked his life to serve Paul and ultimately Christ. 00:07:26.220 --> 00:07:32.920 Does that not sound like a man, somebody who does things without questioning or grumbling? 00:07:33.860 --> 00:07:40.500 How on earth could you willfully sacrifice yourself to the point of death and serving another while grumbling and questioning? 00:07:40.800 --> 00:07:42.420 Those things don't compute. 00:07:43.060 --> 00:07:43.540 You cannot. 00:07:43.540 --> 00:07:49.280 So clearly, Epaphroditus is a good example of a soldier, verse 25, 00:07:49.580 --> 00:07:53.960 who takes his orders and obeys them diligently without thought of self. 00:07:55.520 --> 00:07:59.920 Of course, we see Paul in 2.17 expressing the same selfless attitude. 00:08:00.800 --> 00:08:05.720 He joyfully sacrifices himself for the benefit of the other's faith and the glory of God. 00:08:05.720 --> 00:08:13.900 In Timothy, the text says it all, there is no one like him who will genuinely be concerned for the Philippians or others. 00:08:14.520 --> 00:08:15.640 Welfare, verse 20. 00:08:17.080 --> 00:08:20.080 So Paul emphasizes humility throughout this epistle. 00:08:21.520 --> 00:08:25.680 Paul's greatest argument for humility being necessary is our Lord's own humility 00:08:25.680 --> 00:08:28.340 and coming down and form a man, as I mentioned earlier, 2.8. 00:08:28.339 --> 00:08:33.720 No one is a greater example of humility than Christ, but still, by God's grace, 00:08:33.839 --> 00:08:39.240 the Philippian church was given other examples of humility in Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus. 00:08:40.799 --> 00:08:45.139 Timothy submitted himself to Paul as a child submits to a father. 00:08:45.759 --> 00:08:48.220 A very humbling thing to do. 00:08:48.220 --> 00:08:53.840 And again, both Paul and Epaphroditus, that's going to happen a couple times today, 00:08:54.259 --> 00:08:59.000 and Epaphroditus show their humble qualities and their willingness to die for the work of the gospel. 00:09:00.100 --> 00:09:04.500 So Paul sets himself, Timothy, and Epaphroditus up as examples of humility, 00:09:04.820 --> 00:09:08.120 of joyful serving, and so on to be followed. 00:09:09.300 --> 00:09:12.940 So now we see how this text fits with the flow of Paul's epistle. 00:09:14.080 --> 00:09:16.600 So what can we learn about these men from this text? 00:09:16.600 --> 00:09:18.340 And this leads me to point number two. 00:09:19.600 --> 00:09:25.060 So point number two, these three men knew and loved each other as well as the Philippians. 00:09:25.899 --> 00:09:28.899 These three men knew and loved each other as well as the Philippians. 00:09:30.220 --> 00:09:34.200 It goes almost without saying that this text is highly relational. 00:09:35.120 --> 00:09:40.340 I say almost because it is easy for us to imagine Paul in his ivory tower 00:09:40.340 --> 00:09:42.740 writing all his brilliant epistles to the churches. 00:09:43.940 --> 00:09:46.279 I mean, after all, how could he have time to write so much? 00:09:46.600 --> 00:09:50.820 Unless he had his tea, his desk, his lampstand, no distractions like pesky people. 00:09:51.600 --> 00:09:52.779 Right? Gosh, they're the worst. 00:09:53.720 --> 00:09:58.399 No. I mean, we forget that Paul was a traveling missionary and he loved people. 00:09:58.519 --> 00:09:59.300 He loved the church. 00:09:59.899 --> 00:10:05.159 He went all over the place from Jerusalem to Asia Minor to the Greek Peninsula and to Rome. 00:10:05.159 --> 00:10:12.459 He was in prison and still showing concern and care for the churches that he was a part of that he helped planted in writing this epistle. 00:10:12.460 --> 00:10:21.400 But the point is that Paul knew these people and came alongside them, not choosing to just send letters from an ivory tower. 00:10:22.019 --> 00:10:26.379 He was not on his own island, but in relationship with the body of the church. 00:10:26.379 --> 00:10:30.860 We see this relational aspect in a few ways within our text. 00:10:31.759 --> 00:10:35.019 Paul calls Timothy his son and they served together. 00:10:35.439 --> 00:10:36.000 Verse 22. 00:10:37.059 --> 00:10:41.679 Paul relies on Timothy as indicated by the fact that Paul intends to send him. 00:10:42.320 --> 00:10:46.000 After he learns more of his own situation, he's going to send Timothy to Philippi. 00:10:46.000 --> 00:10:48.100 So he relies on Timothy. 00:10:48.320 --> 00:10:49.340 That's verse 23. 00:10:50.179 --> 00:10:57.480 Paul calls Epaphroditus his brother, his fellow soldier, his fellow worker, and minister to Paul's own needs. 00:10:57.559 --> 00:10:58.080 Verse 24. 00:10:58.320 --> 00:11:01.039 So again, notice that relying language. 00:11:01.240 --> 00:11:04.200 Paul relies on Epaphroditus, not just Timothy. 00:11:05.220 --> 00:11:08.139 And notice how all those descriptions are relational. 00:11:08.299 --> 00:11:10.059 My fellow soldier, my fellow brother. 00:11:11.039 --> 00:11:12.200 These men knew each other. 00:11:12.200 --> 00:11:20.960 This relational aspect does not just cover Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus, but also each of their relationships to the Philippian church. 00:11:22.360 --> 00:11:27.860 Paul wants to send Timothy so that Paul may be cheered by news of the Philippians, 219. 00:11:29.300 --> 00:11:31.759 Timothy genuinely cares about the Philippians, 220. 00:11:32.640 --> 00:11:38.340 And Timothy is known by the Philippians, apparently, since he has a, quote, proven worth, verse 22. 00:11:38.340 --> 00:11:45.160 And Paul wants to come to Philippi to be with the church, the people, verse 24, right? 00:11:45.200 --> 00:11:47.680 It's not just a organization, but a people group. 00:11:48.840 --> 00:11:52.360 And Epaphroditus has been longing for the Philippian church, in verse 26. 00:11:54.040 --> 00:11:59.759 Paul wants to send Epaphroditus to the church because he expects they will rejoice at seeing him, verse 28. 00:11:59.759 --> 00:12:04.879 And he expects this because they obviously know Epaphroditus, who is from Philippi. 00:12:06.039 --> 00:12:11.580 So this may have seemed like overkill, but clearly Paul writes in an overtly relational manner. 00:12:12.120 --> 00:12:17.439 There is something here that he wants the Philippians to notice, and us by extension. 00:12:19.039 --> 00:12:26.220 I think he is reaffirming the trustworthiness of these servants by highlighting their Christ-like characteristics. 00:12:26.220 --> 00:12:30.899 This can be deduced by noticing how they love one another. 00:12:31.820 --> 00:12:33.080 The Apostle John tells us, 00:12:33.600 --> 00:12:38.700 Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. 00:12:39.200 --> 00:12:44.300 Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. 00:12:44.639 --> 00:12:46.080 First John 2, 9-10. 00:12:47.360 --> 00:12:53.300 So this issue of loving others is imperative and cannot be overstated in gospel ministry. 00:12:53.299 --> 00:13:00.719 Further, I think Paul is showing the necessity of such love and servanthood within the church. 00:13:01.379 --> 00:13:03.659 Notice that phrase in 2-21. 00:13:04.599 --> 00:13:09.519 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 00:13:09.719 --> 00:13:11.919 Who are these they that Paul is speaking of? 00:13:13.240 --> 00:13:14.879 So Paul is in Rome, he is in prison there. 00:13:15.359 --> 00:13:17.319 So he must be talking about the Romans, right? 00:13:17.359 --> 00:13:18.179 The Roman church. 00:13:18.179 --> 00:13:27.019 Sadly, Paul could not find anyone in Rome where he was imprisoned that looked out for the interests of others rather than themselves. 00:13:29.939 --> 00:13:37.659 Previously, Paul had exhorted the Philippians to look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others in verse 4 of chapter 2. 00:13:37.659 --> 00:13:44.399 And this sounds like Jesus, who assumed people loved themselves and commanded people to love their neighbors. 00:13:44.600 --> 00:13:46.339 Matthew 22, 39. 00:13:48.319 --> 00:13:51.039 So Paul is assuming that they will look after their own interests. 00:13:51.159 --> 00:13:52.600 He is not worried about that. 00:13:53.279 --> 00:13:58.259 But rather, he is worried that they will remember to look after the interests of others. 00:13:58.259 --> 00:14:03.639 But now we see he is surrounded by people who seek their own interests. 00:14:03.779 --> 00:14:07.259 And one of the resulting problems is that they are useless for the ministry. 00:14:08.379 --> 00:14:13.059 And ministry is at the very least the outflow of loving God and loving neighbor faithfully. 00:14:14.120 --> 00:14:19.639 So contrast Timothy, Epaphroditus, and Paul with these Romans that Paul speaks of. 00:14:20.100 --> 00:14:25.360 And it becomes abundantly clear why those two whom Paul desires to send are the ones that he wants to send. 00:14:25.360 --> 00:14:34.820 So Paul wants every Christian to understand his or herself in light of being a part of the body of Christ. 00:14:34.980 --> 00:14:37.519 A community with interrelationships. 00:14:37.860 --> 00:14:38.919 They all know each other. 00:14:40.940 --> 00:14:45.580 This relational aspect is deeply theological, which leads me to the third point. 00:14:46.180 --> 00:14:48.419 And this one will be quick, but really important. 00:14:48.919 --> 00:14:51.100 And I'm going to go through it slowly because it's about the Trinity. 00:14:51.700 --> 00:14:55.139 And anybody who's ever studied that, you know you're one breath away from heresy. 00:14:55.139 --> 00:14:56.539 If you mess up your sentence. 00:14:56.720 --> 00:14:58.799 So I'm going to go slow but quick. 00:14:59.000 --> 00:14:59.779 So point number three. 00:15:00.620 --> 00:15:04.480 We are called to be relational because the Trinity is relational. 00:15:05.480 --> 00:15:09.519 We are called to be relational because the Trinity is relational. 00:15:10.980 --> 00:15:13.460 Have you ever wondered why God appoints leaders? 00:15:14.100 --> 00:15:16.720 Why he calls his followers to join the church community? 00:15:16.720 --> 00:15:24.080 After all, why can't we just find our own caves and worship God where we can be free from the temptations and troubles of this world? 00:15:24.680 --> 00:15:25.960 Isn't it God who sanctifies? 00:15:26.100 --> 00:15:27.080 Why do I need an elder? 00:15:27.240 --> 00:15:28.160 Why do I need people? 00:15:28.279 --> 00:15:29.440 Why do I need a church? 00:15:30.540 --> 00:15:30.879 Right? 00:15:31.860 --> 00:15:34.060 Well, a lot could be said to answer that objection. 00:15:34.059 --> 00:15:37.379 I did want to focus on the fact that the Trinity is relational. 00:15:38.539 --> 00:15:47.839 Even before the world was created, we see the Trinity, three persons in one divine essence, communicating with one another or relating. 00:15:48.659 --> 00:15:50.899 Genesis 1.26 says, 00:15:50.899 --> 00:15:52.419 Then God said, 00:15:52.419 --> 00:15:57.419 Let us make man in our image after our likeness. 00:15:59.120 --> 00:16:05.539 Paul tells us that the Holy Spirit is constantly searching everything, even the depths of God. 00:16:05.939 --> 00:16:07.120 1 Corinthians 2.10. 00:16:07.959 --> 00:16:09.319 Which means a lot of things. 00:16:09.819 --> 00:16:10.759 But one thing is clear. 00:16:10.919 --> 00:16:14.899 God the Spirit has a significant relationship to God the Father. 00:16:14.899 --> 00:16:25.899 Likewise, God the Son obeys the will of God the Father, John 6.38, and sends God the Spirit to help his disciples, John 14.16. 00:16:27.600 --> 00:16:31.419 The Trinity is the basis for the church's inner relationships. 00:16:33.840 --> 00:16:39.919 He's building this case from the Father, the Son, and the Spirit and their relationships to one another and saying, 00:16:40.199 --> 00:16:42.240 Thus, likewise, so it be with the church. 00:16:42.240 --> 00:16:45.740 Right? That's the theological underpinning of this. 00:16:46.759 --> 00:16:50.240 Jesus asked the Father in his prayer in Gethsemane. 00:16:50.419 --> 00:16:50.740 He says, 00:16:52.500 --> 00:16:59.820 Keep them, the church, in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 00:17:00.600 --> 00:17:02.200 That's Christ's prayer to the Father. 00:17:02.500 --> 00:17:03.560 Son speaking to the Father. 00:17:03.680 --> 00:17:04.440 Let us be one. 00:17:05.160 --> 00:17:07.160 Let them be one, even as we are one. 00:17:07.299 --> 00:17:08.200 John 17.11. 00:17:08.200 --> 00:17:09.819 He later adds, 00:17:10.420 --> 00:17:26.460 That sounds like the unity and the oneness and the love that Paul is expressing in Philippians, doesn't it? 00:17:26.460 --> 00:17:32.900 We worship God by imitating him in the things that he has called us to imitate him in. 00:17:34.680 --> 00:17:37.160 Some call these the communicable attributes of God. 00:17:37.740 --> 00:17:41.700 But just a brief list, some examples here that I think are prevalent throughout Philippians. 00:17:42.400 --> 00:17:44.980 We are to love because God is love. 00:17:45.360 --> 00:17:47.579 We are to be humble because God is humble. 00:17:48.319 --> 00:17:50.380 We are to be meek because God is meek. 00:17:50.740 --> 00:17:52.640 We are to be gracious because God is gracious. 00:17:52.640 --> 00:17:56.140 And we are to be relational because God is relational. 00:17:57.680 --> 00:17:59.140 And so on and so on. 00:18:00.740 --> 00:18:07.660 So now you're starting to see more of the beauty and the purpose behind Philippians 2.17-30 and Paul's epistle. 00:18:07.660 --> 00:18:14.640 In that text, we see three men and their relationship to one another along with the Philippians. 00:18:15.200 --> 00:18:18.680 These are God-honoring relationships shaped by obedience. 00:18:19.500 --> 00:18:23.840 And these relationships are only possible because of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:18:25.300 --> 00:18:28.120 Which leads me to the final point, point number four. 00:18:30.019 --> 00:18:32.240 The gospel undergirds everything. 00:18:32.240 --> 00:18:39.000 I don't know about you guys, but I always hear Clay reading in his Scottish accent, the KJV with the gird. 00:18:39.140 --> 00:18:40.400 You know, gird up your loggings. 00:18:40.599 --> 00:18:41.420 You know, the way he says that. 00:18:42.579 --> 00:18:44.740 The gospel undergirds everything. 00:18:44.920 --> 00:18:45.579 Point number four. 00:18:47.099 --> 00:18:51.279 So Paul is willing to sacrifice himself for the Philippians' faith. 00:18:51.519 --> 00:18:52.740 Chapter 2, verse 17. 00:18:54.400 --> 00:18:56.240 That is gospel language, right? 00:18:56.319 --> 00:18:59.160 For their faith, their faith in the gospel, the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:18:59.160 --> 00:19:02.140 Then we learn what Timothy is doing with Paul. 00:19:02.660 --> 00:19:04.980 He is serving with Paul, quote, in the gospel. 00:19:05.180 --> 00:19:05.640 Verse 22. 00:19:06.940 --> 00:19:16.240 Likewise, Epaphroditus is a fellow soldier of the gospel, fellow worker for the gospel, and a minister of the gospel to Paul's needs. 00:19:17.180 --> 00:19:22.100 And Paul sends him as a messenger of the gospel to the Philippians. 00:19:22.300 --> 00:19:23.360 Chapter 2, verse 25. 00:19:24.620 --> 00:19:27.480 A messenger of news about Paul, to be sure. 00:19:27.480 --> 00:19:31.759 But I think more importantly and more primarily, a messenger of the gospel. 00:19:33.440 --> 00:19:35.980 We have mentioned that Epaphroditus nearly died. 00:19:36.160 --> 00:19:37.660 But what did he nearly die for? 00:19:38.180 --> 00:19:41.460 Well, he nearly died for, quote, the work of Christ. 00:19:41.759 --> 00:19:42.400 Verse 30. 00:19:42.599 --> 00:19:45.319 Which could also be rephrased as the work of the gospel. 00:19:46.980 --> 00:19:50.579 Epaphroditus is serving the mission of Christ, which is to preach the gospel. 00:19:50.579 --> 00:19:56.399 And being about the work of fulfilling the great commission, which we see in Matthew 28, verses 16 through 20. 00:19:57.740 --> 00:20:02.319 But I want to highlight the amazing unity and oneness that these three men have together. 00:20:02.759 --> 00:20:06.879 Because we often forget the hostilities that existed during this time. 00:20:06.880 --> 00:20:15.840 Paul is a Hebrew of Hebrews, a zealous Pharisee, which we're going to see later in Philippians chapter 3, verse 5. 00:20:17.040 --> 00:20:23.800 Timothy was half Greek and uncircumcised, which to a pre-converted Paul would have been an anathema. 00:20:24.740 --> 00:20:28.380 And Paul, of course, circumcises him later in Acts 16, 1 through 5. 00:20:28.380 --> 00:20:32.720 But just understand the tension that would have existed there from a worldly standpoint. 00:20:33.660 --> 00:20:39.600 Half Greek, uncircumcised, to a Hebrew of Hebrews, a zealous Pharisee, circumcised one, right? 00:20:40.900 --> 00:20:42.200 Timothy would have been an anathema. 00:20:43.120 --> 00:20:48.940 And we know little about Epaphroditus, but he was almost certainly a full-blooded Greek, being a native of Philippi. 00:20:49.400 --> 00:20:56.040 And the fact that his Greek name was a very common Greek name, and it meant, quote, favorite of Epaphrodite. 00:20:56.039 --> 00:20:58.799 Epaphrodite, sorry, mispronounced that. 00:20:59.539 --> 00:21:03.740 This all matters because we know that Jews and Gentiles did not get along. 00:21:04.220 --> 00:21:09.779 And even within the Greek world, there was much disunity, division, hate, all kinds of hostilities. 00:21:09.960 --> 00:21:14.460 And if you don't know what I'm talking about, just go read about some of the Greek city-state wars sometime, 00:21:14.539 --> 00:21:16.279 and you'll realize how much the Greeks hated each other. 00:21:17.420 --> 00:21:17.819 Right? 00:21:17.920 --> 00:21:22.059 I mean, there's all kinds of division going here, not just between Paul and Timothy and Epaphroditus, 00:21:22.059 --> 00:21:25.339 but even within Timothy and Epaphroditus being from different regions. 00:21:25.339 --> 00:21:27.759 It would not necessarily have gotten along. 00:21:29.220 --> 00:21:35.359 Yet, despite all these factors that normally would have been reason upon reason for these three men to reject one another, 00:21:35.740 --> 00:21:40.119 they love one another in unity and oneness because of the gospel. 00:21:41.359 --> 00:21:42.240 Paul writes, quote, 00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:43.619 There is neither Jew nor Greek. 00:21:43.779 --> 00:21:45.319 There is neither slave nor free. 00:21:45.740 --> 00:21:47.339 There is no male and female. 00:21:47.980 --> 00:21:50.819 For you are all one in Christ Jesus. 00:21:51.099 --> 00:21:52.119 Galatians 3.28 00:21:52.119 --> 00:21:55.619 He also says that believers share, quote, 00:21:55.699 --> 00:22:02.579 One body and one spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all. 00:22:02.679 --> 00:22:04.699 Ephesians 4.4-6 00:22:04.699 --> 00:22:08.839 So these men were willing to be faithful to God, 00:22:08.839 --> 00:22:13.259 and as a result, they were able to stand side by side in the faith. 00:22:14.419 --> 00:22:19.980 They were not arguing and dividing over tertiary issues that Nathan talked about a few weeks back. 00:22:20.099 --> 00:22:20.259 Right? 00:22:20.699 --> 00:22:23.119 Doctrines that they matter, but they don't. 00:22:23.259 --> 00:22:23.399 Right? 00:22:23.459 --> 00:22:25.199 I mean, you don't let them divide you. 00:22:25.200 --> 00:22:33.900 So in closing, I want to offer four simple applications that I think come right from this text. 00:22:34.920 --> 00:22:39.640 Now let me say that I'm really thankful that our church practices these things that I'm about to prescribe. 00:22:40.100 --> 00:22:45.819 So these are offered as encouragement to continue in the good work, right, that we should joyfully participate in. 00:22:46.759 --> 00:22:48.360 So application number one. 00:22:48.359 --> 00:22:53.299 We should be known by our active love for one another. 00:22:54.399 --> 00:23:03.119 This can mean house visits, meal trains, helping one another with projects, serving one another, listening well, and so on. 00:23:04.240 --> 00:23:07.579 I'm so thankful our church is characteristically doing those things. 00:23:07.799 --> 00:23:11.240 I love all the interactions on Slack, despite the trolls we have. 00:23:11.519 --> 00:23:12.459 You know who you are. 00:23:12.460 --> 00:23:20.319 It is a joyful and humbling thing to see how everyone in the church comes together to serve one another. 00:23:20.840 --> 00:23:27.860 It can be a very convicting thing when I'm tired and don't want to, but I see everybody else jumping in on Slack. 00:23:29.700 --> 00:23:31.920 But that's application number one, active love. 00:23:32.000 --> 00:23:33.559 We should be known by our love for one another. 00:23:34.799 --> 00:23:35.799 Application number two. 00:23:35.799 --> 00:23:44.559 Paul commended and endorsed Timothy and Epaphroditus because of their character and faithfulness to God and the gospel. 00:23:45.759 --> 00:23:51.440 Not their skin color, not their nationality, not their socioeconomic status, or so on. 00:23:52.899 --> 00:23:59.220 We live in a world where people are being picked for jobs, positions, and rewards not based on competence nor merit, 00:23:59.539 --> 00:24:01.899 but arbitrary categories like the ones I just listed. 00:24:01.900 --> 00:24:08.820 Let's continue to be a church that considers scripture our only plumb line in picking leaders to shepherd the flock. 00:24:09.900 --> 00:24:14.680 Let's avoid the socio-political mess that the world is entangled in and be salt and light 00:24:14.680 --> 00:24:20.640 by sticking to the biblical measurements of faithfulness, character, and integrity to God and the gospel. 00:24:21.680 --> 00:24:25.340 Look at 1 Timothy 3, 1 through 7 if you want to see what I'm talking about sometime. 00:24:26.259 --> 00:24:27.920 It's the heart of a man that matters. 00:24:27.920 --> 00:24:36.960 In application number three, let's honor those whom God has appointed as faithful leaders for us. 00:24:38.180 --> 00:24:40.759 Paul tells the church of Philippi in verse 29, 00:24:41.060 --> 00:24:42.360 Honor such men. 00:24:44.039 --> 00:24:47.320 I'm so thankful that we have so many servant leaders in our church. 00:24:47.980 --> 00:24:52.259 And I'm not talking about the elders exclusively, although they're certainly and especially in view. 00:24:52.259 --> 00:24:58.579 But let us rejoice at any righteousness, any good doing, any honorable thing that might be found. 00:24:59.480 --> 00:25:02.180 Later on in his epistle to the Philippians, Paul writes, 00:25:02.359 --> 00:25:09.359 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, 00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:12.599 whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, 00:25:12.940 --> 00:25:16.819 if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, 00:25:17.779 --> 00:25:19.500 think about these things. 00:25:19.500 --> 00:25:24.180 Well, you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. 00:25:25.000 --> 00:25:28.700 Practice these things and the God of peace be with you. 00:25:28.819 --> 00:25:30.819 Philippians 4, 8 through 9. 00:25:32.119 --> 00:25:33.900 So let's honor those who are faithful. 00:25:35.160 --> 00:25:37.680 And number four, final application. 00:25:39.140 --> 00:25:42.960 We rejoice and honor such things because such things are of Christ. 00:25:43.640 --> 00:25:47.000 We are to honor and love and praise Christ. 00:25:47.000 --> 00:25:49.819 Hebrews 1, 3 tells us, 00:25:50.400 --> 00:25:55.819 Christ is the radiance of the glory of God, the exact imprint of his nature. 00:25:56.500 --> 00:26:00.160 And he upholds the universe by the word of his power. 00:26:00.900 --> 00:26:07.019 After making purifications for our sins, he sat down at the right hand of the majesty on high. 00:26:07.019 --> 00:26:12.259 Christ was humble, joyful, kind, servant-hearted, 00:26:12.579 --> 00:26:17.920 to the point that he willfully poured himself out as a sacrifice for our sins. 00:26:19.839 --> 00:26:22.799 And he did this without grumbling or questioning. 00:26:23.980 --> 00:26:26.660 Though if anybody has right to, it's the innocent son. 00:26:27.519 --> 00:26:27.700 Right? 00:26:27.700 --> 00:26:31.519 But yet he submitted to God, the Father. 00:26:33.220 --> 00:26:36.400 There's none who compares to our righteous, perfect Lord and Savior. 00:26:36.519 --> 00:26:40.080 He came down in the form of man, poured himself out as a drink offering, 00:26:40.299 --> 00:26:43.360 bore the wrath of God, bore the cup that we deserved, 00:26:43.700 --> 00:26:46.759 that we might be reconciled to him for the sake of our faith. 00:26:46.759 --> 00:26:51.720 So the gospel undergirded everything, not just for Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus, 00:26:52.519 --> 00:26:53.839 but the gospel of Christ. 00:26:53.960 --> 00:26:55.859 Christ was about the work of the gospel, 00:26:56.019 --> 00:26:57.579 about bringing good news to the captive, 00:26:58.240 --> 00:26:59.480 proclaiming liberty to them. 00:27:01.299 --> 00:27:03.000 So we want to be about this work, 00:27:03.140 --> 00:27:05.420 as Christ is our great example of this work, 00:27:05.640 --> 00:27:07.379 and worship him in doing so. 00:27:07.920 --> 00:27:08.339 Let's pray. 00:27:08.339 --> 00:27:08.439 Amen.