Morning Moments

Philppians Devotional Outline (cont)

II. The Mind of Christ - A Mind of Peace 2:1-30
A. Peace Among Members - They were Encouraged 2:1-4
B. Peace About Messiah - He Emptied Himself 2:5-11
C. Peace Amidst Ministers - They were Examples 2:12-30
1. The Wtiness of Paul 2:12-18
2. The Wtiness of Timothy 2:19-24

3. The Witness of Epaphroditus 2:25-30

It has always been my conviction that every member of the body of Christ is a minister and I never cared for the word "layman" because it dichotomized the body into "clergy" and "laity", which usually implies that there are those who do the job and others who pay to have the job done. Epaphroditus would be considered a "layman" by today's standard. May God fill our churches with such "laymen"! God saw fit to record this account of him in Scripture for untold millions to read, although we know little about him except what is written here.

Look at the text as a whole and then we shall take it apart -

2:25. Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. 26. For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. 27. For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28. I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. 29. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation: 30. Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.

a. He was a Member of the Family - "my brother"

We began this study by noting that Paul and Timothy were a part of this amazing brotherhood of Christ, our elder brother, in the family of God. This man had certainly proved himself one of us. Wherever we are, whoever we are, we are connected and related, not by flesh and blood but by the Spirit of the Living God and through faith in His Son. These are unbreakable ties. It is only when we make something or someone other than our Lord Jesus Christ the basis of our fellowship that we cannot fellowship together. PLEASE keep that in mind. If you love Jesus and I love Jesus we can alway fellowship in Him for "truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ."

b. He was a Worker in the Kingdom - "companion in labor"

Christianity is not a sport and there are no spectators! We are a part of a Kingdom - the Church which is His body is only a part of that Kingdom - over which God rules. Although the Church is unique as the Body of Christ, God's Kingdom includes Old Testament saints, Tribulation saints, and Millenillial saints also. We are all (as believers) a part of the domain over which our God RULES AND REIGNS forever. We are workers, not shirkers and Epaphroditus was one of us.

c. He was a Fighter in the Battle - "fellow soldier"

We are not playing cops and robbers! We are not playing war games as kids! This is the REAL thing! LIGHT AGAINST DARKNESS! GOOD AGAINST EVIL! RIGHTEOUSNESS AGAINST UNRIGHTEOUSNESS! This is the battle that rages through the ages and we are on the winning side, for the VICTORY has been declared by the only ONE who has the Power and Majesty and Authority to Declare it! LISTEN to me, there may be some casualties in this war, but there are NO losses for Jesus said, "Father, I have KEPT all you have given me." Take heart dear friend and fight the fight of faith as never before as a fellow soldier.

d. He was a Messenger of and to the Church - "your messenger"

What's the word, my friend? Give us the report! How is the body where you are? How is your regiment? Any casualties? How about you? Are you standing firm in the fight, fully armed, alert to the danger, manning your post, keeping guard over your heart with all diligence? Tell me true! Are you wounded and bleeding, in sick bay, considering absence without leave? What is your condition and the condition of those of whom and to whom you report? KNOW THIS! As I write, I am praying that all is well and that your report will bring good cheer.

e. He was a Minister to the Apostle Paul - "my minister"

The best of us need ministering to. I remember the words of a pastor many years ago who has a nervous breakdown and was carried to the hospital on a stretcher saying, "A pastor has no pastor, a pastor has no pastor." Had sad it was and is that so many of us do not let others minister to us. How foolish it is to try to make folks think we are invincible and incapable of hurting or falling or failing, when all the time we know the agony and pain of a wounded soul. God has an Epaphroditus for you - a "layman" perhaps who will "minister" to you if you will open up and allow it. TRY it! TRUST him and GOD with it. Paul did Epaphroditus.

BLESSINGS!