Servanthood in Action. Philippians 2:19-30

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Theodora Austin
5 years ago
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1 Servanthood in Action Philippians 2:19-30

2 Some of the imperatives from Philippians 1:27-2:18: Let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ (1:27). Be of the same mind (1:27; 2:2). Have the same love (2:2).

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit (2:3). In humility count others more significant than yourselves (2:3). Look to the interests of others (2:4).

4 Have the mind of Christ (2:5). Work out your own salvation (2:12) Philippians 2:19-30 has no such commands.

5 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;

6 The first report of Paul s circumstances is found in Philippians 1: He abruptly ends that discussion and exhorts the Philippians to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ (Philippians 1:27).

7 Paul wants he readers to understand that the gospel is infinitely more important than any personal interests, desires, or agendas. Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.

8 Paul wants he readers to understand that gospel is infinitely more important than any personal interests, desires, or agendas. Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. Our salvation was the motivation that drove Jesus to leave heaven and enter His creation.

9 Philippians 1: If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.

10 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

11 Philippians 2: 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.

12 22 But 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.

13 As we study Philippians, we should look at the literary flow of the letter. Paul starts his letter out with an introduction. He then tells the Philippians that he prays for them, and he lets them know specifically what he s been praying for.

14 In Philippians 1:12, Paul begins to discuss his imprisonment. Paul reminded the Philippians that they needed to live lives that were faithful to the gospel, whether he was with them or not.

15 In Philippians 2:19, Paul returned to his discussion about his present situation. He informed the Philippians that he was going to immediately send Epaphroditus to them and he would send Timothy at a later date.

16 Timothy and Epaphroditus are both concrete examples of individuals who humbly loved and served others.

17 Philippians 2: 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.

18 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But 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,

19 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,

20 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.

21 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.

22 Timothy and Epaphroditus were shining examples of two individuals who were working out their salvation through practical acts of loving service to others.

23 Philippians 2:3-4 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

24 Timothy and Epaphroditus were exhibiting the traits that Paul was exhorting the Philippians to have.

25 Timothy showed genuine concern for both Paul and the Philippians, at a time when others were seek(ing) their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ (verse 21). Philippians 2:4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

26 When Epaphroditus risked his life and nearly died for the work of Christ, he reflected the mind of Christ, who took on the form of a servant and humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death (Philippians 2:7-8).

27 The descriptions of Timothy and Epaphroditus are intended to motivate Paul s readers to reflect Christ-like attitudes in their lives.

28 Philippians 2: 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.

29 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But 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,

30 24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also Philippians 2:19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon The current plan is to send Timothy to Philippi at a later date, unless the Lord reveals a different plan to Paul.

31 Paul anticipated that the Philippians would take to heart the things he wrote about in this letter. Paul no one else like Timothy who was genuinely concerned for the Philippians. He was a compassionate servant who loved the church, like he loved Christ.

32 Philippians 2:22 But you know Timothy s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. Paul viewed Timothy as his spiritual son.

33 Philippians 2:22 But you know Timothy s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. Paul viewed Timothy as his spiritual son. They were also very close friends and ministry partners.

34 Paul mentioned Timothy in the introductions of eight of his thirteen New Testament epistles, including the two Paul addressed to him personally. Epaphroditus is only mentioned twice in the New Testament, here and in Philippians 4:18.

35 Philippians 2: 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.

36 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.

37 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.

38 The Philippians knew Epaphroditus, trusted him, and found him to be faithful. Paul described him as his brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier. Paul viewed Epaphroditus as an equal.

39 Epaphroditus relationship with the Philippians is described by calling him your messenger and minister to my need.

40 Epaphroditus had a great heart and compassion for the believers in Philippi. Philippians 2:26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill.

41 Epaphroditus was more concerned about how the Philippians were feeling than he was about his own sickness. He was a living example of Philippians 2:3-4, where Paul said, in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

In My Absence. Phil. 2:12-30

In My Absence. Phil. 2:12-30 In My Absence Phil. 2:12-30 Paul Desired the Philippians To continue their faithful obedience To serve in a way that would cause him joy whether he lived or died To benefit from the ministry of faithful