EPAPHRODITUS: THE MAN WHO SERVED Philippians 2:25-30 I. INTRODUCTION- a. In our study of people like us in the Bible that were used by God we meet a man named Epaphroditus. b. Epaphroditus is mentioned only twice in the New Testament both times in Paul s letter to the Philippians Philippians 2:25-30, 4:18. II. WHO WAS EPAPHRODITUS? a. Epaphroditus was a respected member of the church in Philippi. b. When Paul was under house arrest in Rome the first of his two Roman imprisonments the Philippian church took up a special offering and sent it to Paul. c. Epaphroditus was the member of this church that the church trusted to deliver this offering. d. When Epaphroditus arrived in Rome he became seriously ill but God mercifully restored him to health. e. When Paul sent Epaphroditus back to Philippi he sent with him the letter to the church which we know as the letter to the Philippians. f. Epaphroditus was not an author he was not a preacher an evangelist or an apostle. g. There is no record of any outstanding work that Epaphroditus accomplished. h. Nothing is known about his family his personal background his conversion how long he had been a believer or his specific function or place of service in the church at Philippi or in Rome or elsewhere.
i. We do know that Epaphroditus is a Greek name which means that he was a Gentile believer probably lead to the Lord by Paul when Paul ministered in Ephesus. j. Because the church in Philippi chose Epaphroditus to bring their gift to Paul and to minister to him Phil. 2:25, 4:18 the Philippian Christians obviously held this brother in the Lord in the highest regard and they trusted him implicitly. k. The fact that Epaphroditus was willing to go to Rome and help Paul in any way he could showed that he had the heart of a servant this also showed that he had great courage. l. According to the book of Acts (28:30-31) during Paul s first imprisonment in Rome Paul was allowed to live in a rented house and he had unlimited freedom to receive visitors. m. But that situation could have changed overnight if Caesar decided that Paul was indeed a threat to him as had been charged he would not have hesitated to order Paul s immediate execution. n. That would have put anyone associated with Paul in danger of arrest, imprisonment and perhaps execution. o. Epaphroditus knew the risk he was taking by going to be with Paul was real. p. Epaphroditus was not a high profile Christians in the early church his service and sacrifice for Christ involved no public acclaim no prominence no high office no great talents or gifts. q. He was not a noted preacher teacher or leader he was a Christian just like us and is a wonderful model and example of how everyday Christians like us can serve the Lord in significant ways. r. It is obvious that Paul had great affection for Epaphroditus.
s. In this passage Paul uses a series of terms to describe the character and service of Epaphroditus. t. These terms describe the kind of Christian the Lord would have every Christian to be. III. EPAPHRODITUS THE BROTHER- a. Philippians 2:25 (NKJV) Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother b. In the letter to the Philippians Paul uses the word brother nine times to refer to his fellow Christians. c. Before the sisters get upset the word translated brother is a term that could be translated brothers and sisters and it is translated that way in many of the newer Bible translations. d. In the social structures of Paul s day there were far more reasons for people to be divided than united. e. In Paul s day there were slaves and freemen Greeks and Romans Jews and Gentiles aristocrats and commoners citizens and soldiers. f. But in the church in the body of Christ a remarkable thing happened those differences disappeared. g. People who had spent their entire lives separated along class lines were now united as brothers and sisters in Christ. h. One of the most beautiful things about the church is how people of all races, colors, origins, ethnic, social, educational, economic backgrounds are brought together blended together and bonded together in Christ made one and unified in the body of Christ.
i. Anywhere in the world if a person is a Christian they are my brother or sister in Christ we are family we have a bond that transcends this world. j. The love and brotherhood that Christians share.. is a mark of a true Christian. k. No matter what a person claims if they don t have a love for the church if they don t have a desire to fellowship with other believers to worship with other believers to serve the Lord with other believers they are not saved. l. 1 John 3:14 (NKJV) We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. IV. m. The life and service of Epaphroditus proved that he was a good brother in the Lord who loved the family of God. Brother EPAPHRODITUS THE WORKER- a. In Philippians 2:25 Paul also referred to Epaphroditus as a fellowworker. b. There is more to the Christian faith than just enjoying the fellowship that we have with other Christians. c. God expects every Christian to be a worker in the kingdom of God. d. God did not save me and you to sit He saved us to serve He saved us to work and Epaphroditus was a worker. e. The brand of Christianity that does nothing that is satisfied with being served instead of working and serving others is not the Christian faith that is pictured, promoted and described in the Bible.
f. Every church needs every member to be a worker every church needs every member to exercise and use their talents and the gift of service that God gave them when they were saved. g. The Apostle Paul would cut no slack with professing Christians today who refused to work in the church and who are doing nothing to advance the kingdom of God. h. No church should have to beg for workers for nursery workers people to work with children and youth and other ministries. Brother Worker V. EPAPHRODITUS THE SOLDIER- a. Paul also referred to Epaphroditus as a fellow-soldier. b. We have said it before and we will say it again the Christian life is not a playground it is a battleground. c. Christians are at war against Satan and his forces for a lost world and the souls of men and women and boys and girls. d. 2 Chronicles 20 tells the story of the armies of three nations which joined together to invade Judah and Jerusalem. e. When Jehoshaphat the godly king of Judah heard what was happening he called the people of the southern kingdom together to pray. f. Jehoshaphat knew that without the help of God his army had no chance against the armies of three nations. g. The next day Jehoshaphat led his army and the people of his kingdom out against the enemy lead by a choir of singers! h. But before Judah s army could engage them God sent a panic into the enemy camp and the enemy armies attacked each other and Judah won the day without an arrow being shot.
i. Christians today spend too much time fighting with one and shooting at one another instead of joining together as we should and fighting our real enemy Satan. j. More than ever today the church needs prayer warriors who will storm the throne room of Heaven with fervent prayers for the lost for revival in the church and for a spiritual awakening in our land. k. More than ever today the church needs committed Christians who will put on the armor of God and stand for what is holy and righteous and who will stand in God s strength against the relentless onslaught of evil in this world. l. When you go to war against Satan he will shoot at you he will use his forces to assault you he will put things in your path to try to make you stumble he will complicate your family life or your work life Satan will do whatever he can do to make you retreat to the safety of cushioned pew. m. Today in the church we have enough people who are content to sit on the pews. VI. n. We need Christian soldiers willing to go to the front lines of the spiritual warfare that is going on all around us Christians who are willing to be shot at and wounded for the cause of Christ. Brother Worker Soldier EPAPHRODITUS THE MESSENGER- a. Paul called Epaphroditus a messenger from the church in Philippi. b. Epaphroditus was the one who had delivered the offering and the care package that the church at Philippi had taken up for Paul. c. In a similar way every Christian is a messenger called by God to deliver the gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost. d. Today too many Christians have forgotten that God has called us to be messengers of the gospel.
e. Today too many Christians have become complacent and comfortable in our faith we have forgotten the urgency of doing what we can do to carry the message of Christ to a lost and dying world. VII. Brother Worker Soldier Messenger EPAPHRODITUS THE SERVANT- a. Paul said that Epaphroditus was a servant a minister one who ministered to my need. b. After Epaphroditus delivered the church of Philippi s love offering to Paul he stayed on to serve Paul and help Paul in any way he could. c. Epaphroditus had a servant s heart he was not one who sought the limelight he did not seek attention or recognition for his service to the Lord. d. If it was required Epaphroditus would have taken out the trash he would have set the tables for others he would have cleaned up after others he would have done the down and dirty work of ministry he would have done whatever needed to be done to serve others in the name of Christ. e. Epaphroditus served for no other reason than he loved the Lord he loved God s people he loved the church and he wanted to see the lost saved. f. Epaphroditus paid a price for his service he got sick while he was in Rome and he almost died. g. In this world if you serve the Lord you will pay a price. h. You will be shot at beat up rejected and hurt and that is by those who profess to be Christians! i. The world will hate you reject you and in some cases persecuted and maybe even killed.
j. But God will keep you protect you bless you and reward you as you serve Him. VIII. CONCLUSION- a. Epaphroditus was a Brother Worker Soldier Messenger Servant. b. Epaphroditus was not famous he was not flashy he was not high profile leader. c. Epaphroditus was just a common, everyday, humble church member but it is people like Epaphroditus that make a great church. d. Paul closes this chapter of Philippians by telling the church the people like Epaphroditus are to be held in esteem they are to be recognized and honored. e. People like Epaphroditus do not seek recognition they don t seek honor but Paul says that they should be honored. f. Secondly Paul says that people like Epaphroditus should be emulated their example should be followed. g. You don t have to be famous or flashy to serve the Lord in a great way any Christian can be a person like Epaphroditus and serve the Lord in a great way.