August 11, 2024 Service
The Gospel is Radical.
Philippians 2:25-30
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 honor 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.
Out of Paul’s love, care, and concern for the church in Philippi, he wants to send Epaphroditus to them. Who is Epaphroditus? Why would Paul want to send him? Paul says first, Epaphroditus is a “brother”, meaning he is a saved follower of Jesus and dearly loved by Paul. He speaks of him as a “fellow worker”, fully engaged with Paul for the health and witness of the church. He’s a “fellow soldier”, carrying the responsibility of the gospel with willingness to suffer for the name of Jesus. He is a “messenger”, a sent one, sent to proclaim the gospel and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. And Paul refers to him as a “minister”, shepherding and serving God’s people in small and big ways like Jesus. That’s an amazing referral by Paul.
The book of Philippians could be summed up as a message of: Live a life worthy of the gospel. John Piper summarizes this by saying, “show the worth of the gospel through your life.” The entire letter is Paul’s pastoral exhortation on how we live this way of life.
This week, through the example of Epaphroditus, we see three aspects of what this looks like.
Radical Unity – having one spirit, one mind, and striving side by side for the gospel.
Radical Humility – having the same heart, same mind, serving others, a willingness to suffer and lay down your life.
Radical Concern – having a true heart of others more than one’s self, love for the community of faith, and deep concern for the gospel to be heard and received.
All of this is found throughout the letter. We see this lived out in Paul and Paul speaks of the same concerning Timothy and now Epaphroditus. They are able to live this out because of Jesus, who is the ultimate giver, teacher, and authentic model of a life poured out in unity, humility, and concern.
All of this at work together produces a unified witness that glorifies God.
Reflection
When you consider unity, humility, and concern as Paul instructs, what do you sense the Holy Spirit inviting you to grow in?
What is one thing that needs to change for you to step towards having a radical unity, humility or concern for others like Jesus?
When you think about the length Jesus went through in these ways for you, for his church, what is stirred up in your heart?
COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION
Read the passage for this week together: Philippians 2:25-30
What do you think Paul is wanting to convey through his referral and sending of Epaphroditus to the church in Philippi?
What does a person with Epaphroditus’ character and attributes bring to a group of people?
Discuss what Unity, Humility, and Concern look like and their impact today. In family. In our church.
What did God speak to you personally through the reflection? What is God inviting you to respond to and how? Share this with your group.
What happens when believers live a life worthy of the gospel?
We become…
- known for our salvation
- known for our service
- known for our struggle (soldiering)
- known for our sacrifice
- known for our sensitivity to the community of faith
This type of radical unity, made possible by radical humility, would truly bring about radical change in this community of faith.
Spend time praying for each other and for our church to be reconciled in the ways God desires and for our witness to be made good, pure, and glorifying to the LORD.
Grace and peace on this journey together,
Chad Hollowell
Executive Pastor