Bible Study for Texas for 9_21_82503

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Posted: 8/22/03

Baptistway Lesson for Sept. 21

Philippians 2:19-30

Make a difference with your life

By David Morgan

Our pre-teens attended camp this past summer at Highland Lakes Conference Center. They had a marvelous week. Marcy, an elementary school teacher, and Mary, a college student, went as sponsors. They, like the students, returned with glowing reports of their camp experience. I was grateful for their willingness to attend and to prepare in advance for the Bible studies and church times. God made a difference in the lives of our children because Marcy and Mary made themselves available.

Our youth attended camp the same week at Pineywoods Baptist Encampment. Curtis planned to go as a sponsor, but at the last minute work schedules left the teens without a driver. Mickie stepped in and drove a van to the camp and returned home the same day. On Thursday, Howard took a day off from work so he could bring the youth home. Five of our students made professions of faith during the week. God made a difference in the lives of our students because Mickie and Howard made themselves available.

People who make a difference in the lives of others give of themselves in serving others for Christ's sake. Philippians provides us with two examples of men who gave themselves to Christ and to his work.

Paul's plans for Timothy

Paul's imprisonment prevented him from personally visiting the Philippians. This created two problems for the apostle. First, he could not receive first-hand information about their condition but had to rely on reports from others. Quite likely, Epaphroditus had been gone so long from Philippi that the information he relayed to Paul was out-of-date. The second issue was that Paul could not share information about his current condition with his friends. He wanted to quiet the fears of the Philippians; tell them he was doing well.

Paul planned to send Timothy to Philippi as soon as possible. Timothy had ministered to the Philippian church with Paul on several occasions (Acts 16:1,3; 19:22; 20:3-6). Timothy had earned Paul's confidence through his years of joint service. Paul had dispatched him on many crucial assignments (Acts 17:14-15; 18:5; 19:22; 20:4; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 16:10, 1 Thessalonians 3:2, 6).

Paul intended for his young colleague to visit Philippi to report on Paul's situation and return with an update on the church. Paul trusted Timothy would return with an accurate and positive report that would cheer Paul's spirits. Since the letter of Philippians would have been sent earlier, I suspect Paul wanted to hear if the church had eliminated factions and restored broken relationships in the congregation.

Paul's letters and Acts reveal he was not alone in Rome. But Timothy alone, of all Paul's possible choices as a representative, possessed a kindred spirit with Paul. Years spent together had forged Timothy into a man Paul could trust. Timothy would have the best interests and welfare of the Philippians in mind.

Others whom Paul could have sent might have had divided loyalties. They might have brought a report clouded with information that served their personal advantage. Their message might have been tainted by selfish ambition. Paul had mentioned in the first chapter that some were preaching the gospel out of envy and strife. They were more concerned with personal gain than with what Christ Jesus would have desired for the church.

Paul elaborated further on his relationship with Timothy. He had served with Paul as a child would serve his father. Paul called Timothy his son in the faith (1 Timothy 1:2). This designation and Timothy's joining of Paul and Silas on their first missionary journey suggests Timothy was converted during Paul and Barnabas' missionary journey. Paul had nurtured Timothy and watched as the young man was tested by adversity. Through it all he had remained true to Christ and to Paul.

Communication capabilities have advanced dramatically since Paul wrote Philippians. When this material was finished. it was transmitted electronically to the Baptist Standard. It usually transfers almost instantly with no glitches. It was a direct delivery of information between the editor and me.

The sharing of information was far less reliable and much slower in ancient times. Information was carried by letter or messenger, both of which often took extensive time. Regular postal service did not exist, and correspondence was carried by individuals. We can easily see the need for trustworthy messengers and couriers. Timothy fulfilled a most significant role in the communication between Paul and the Philippians. We should not underestimate his importance and the role he played.

When Paul sent the letter to the Philippians, he was anticipating some resolution of his current situation. He wanted to know the results of this before sending Timothy. He wanted the information to be as accurate and up-to-date as possible. Paul still felt certain he himself would soon be able to visit the Philippians.

Plans for Epaphroditus

Paul apparently sent this letter with Epaphroditus. That Paul would state he felt it necessary to send Epaphroditus back may sound odd. Epaphroditus had brought the Philippians' gift to Paul. The Philippians had placed a great deal of confidence in Epaphroditus, entrusting him with the gift and with the facts about their situation. He likely had planned to remain in Rome with Paul and assist him in any way he could.

Paul's referring to him as “my brother,” “fellow worker” and “fellow soldier” suggests he planned to stay and serve with Paul for an extended time. As brothers in Christ, they shared a relationship through their Lord. As fellow workers, they labored together. They shared common dangers as soldiers of the Lord.

Epaphroditus had fallen gravely ill while in Rome. The Philippians had received a report of his illness and were quite concerned about his welfare. Paul reported that God intervened during his sickness and restored him to health. Paul described God's intervention as an act of divine mercy. God bestowed this mercy first on Epaphroditus in sparing his life but also on Paul, for Epaphroditus had served him well. Furthermore, Paul noted that Epaphroditus had developed a severe case of homesickness and wanted to return to Philippi.

Paul sent Epaphroditus back to allay the fears of the Philippians. Their concern about their fellow worker created some anxiety for Paul. Their uneasiness affected his well-being. Paul would have a greater peace if he knew the Philippians were not worried about their co-worker.

Paul instructed the church to receive Epaphroditus with joy. Servants like him deserve to be revered by the church. They provide an example for other Christians as the minister to others for Christ. We know nothing about this man apart from what Paul wrote. God is able to use the unsung hero to achieve great things. This obscure man nearly died in serving God. He shouldered the responsibility for the Philippian's service to Paul. Distance prevented them from fully ministering to Paul. Epaphroditus was able to complete their service and attention to Paul through his personal ministry.

Gerda is one of those unsung heroes who reflect the qualities of Timothy and Epaphroditus. Several months ago, our deacons honored her with a “hug 'em and mug 'em” coffee cup. Gerda ministers to our homebound. She has never been formally elected to this task. She simply began to visit them. She asked our sound technicians to provide a tape of our services to carry to the homebound. When it became impractical for her to copy tapes, she challenged us to purchase a tape duplicator. She reports often how blessed our homebound are by this simple ministry. One person like Gerda who serves can make a difference. What service can you offer? How much better to obey willingly than by compulsion!

Questions for discussion

bluebull What qualities do you look for in a person who represents you before others? What can you do to develop these qualities in yourself?

bluebull Imagine a gathering at church for prayer in which those present offer only reports of what God is doing in

their lives. Compare or contrast that with what occurs now when prayer concerns are shared.

bluebull In what ways do church members put their own interests above those of the church?

bluebull What is our responsibility to those whom we select as ministers/servants for our churches? (Include Sunday School workers, deacons, committee or team leaders in addition to church staff.)

bluebull What risks are you willing to take to serve Christ? What risks do you consider too great to take?

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