Lesson 12

Tribute To A Layman

Philippians 2:25-30

Troublesome Pattern / Potentially Dangerous in churches = A professional clergy hired by a spectating, uninvolved congregation.

A paid staff is not wrong - but not hirelings!

I am not a hired pastor! I am not paid to preach!

I am supported by the church to be free to preach and the church supports me so that I can devote all my energy to the work of the Lord and so I don't have to be encumbered by providence for my family.

All Christians should be doing the work of Christ. All Christians should be involved in ministry. Some are financially supported so that they can give more time, all are involved.

If we allow the pattern to develop which becomes a paid clergy hired and paid by a spectating congregation, we will drive a wedge between the pulpit and the pew. We will create an ever-widening gap between the church staff and the congregation. There is likely to become an adversary relationship and a power struggle (tension between a pastor and his people). People in the pew will consider themselves to be the hiring "bosses" who are paying for the preacher and his staff to be performing certain duties for them and instead of them. The idea of lay people involved in ministry will disappear. This pattern is troublesome and potentially dangerous. But more than that it is not biblical. Our text for today demonstrates the function of the layity and the relationship between clergy and laymen.

Today we are going to meet a man named Epaphroditus. It is likely that you have never heard of this man. He is mentioned only twice in Scripture, both times in Philippians, once in chapter 4 and in our text Philippians 2:25-30.

He was not a pastor, not a missionary, not an evangelist. There is no indication that he was a leader in any way. He was a church member, a lay person. Yet, our text tells us that he was a man whose kind deserves immense praise and respect. This kind of man is necessary, yes, essential to the work of Christ. After all, what kind of church would we have if everyone was a pastor, a teacher, a leader, a speaker? I believe that the world is more affected by great Christians than by great church leaders. The church meets great Christians more than it needs great pastors.

In Philippians 2:35-30, Paul pays tribute to laymen. Allow me to introduce you to this man, as well as the context in which Paul writes about him.

Philippians is an epistle. Someone said that an epistle is an apostle's wife! An epistle is a letter. Philippians is a letter. It was written by Paul to a church in the city of Philippi. Paul was intimately familiar with this church. He was involved with its beginning (Acts 16). Now, about 10 years later he writes a letter to them. He writes this letter from the confinement of Roman's imprisonment where he is under house arrest awaiting trial (Acts 28:16,23,30).

The theme of this book is joy in the Lord. Out of his own expense, Paul is reminding the church that they can have joy no matter what happens to them. In Chapter 2, his point is that Christian joy comes from serving others and sacrificing yourself. He gives four examples, to which the Philippians can relate: Christ (2:5-8), Paul himself (2:17), Timothy (2:19-22), and finally Epaphroditus (2:25-30).

We don't know a lot about this man, but from the text we can get enough clues to be able to piece a pretty good picture of this man's life.

  1. A Philippian - "your messenger" vs.30
  2. Brought offering to Paul from church - 4:18

  3. Stayed to help Paul - 2:25

  4. Got sick, life threatening

  5. Recovered

  6. Paul sent him back to Philippi - "consider necessary" Why?

a. Paul couldn't go (2:24) (vs.28)

b. Paul didn't want to release Timothy just yet (2:23)

c. Epaphroditus wanted to go (2:26)

                  1. d. Philippian church was anxious to know of his condition (2:26,28)

  1. Epaphroditus carries the letter (25,28,29)

Paul highly recommends his character. He is the kind of person whom the church should receive (welcome) and hold in highest esteem (29).

There are three characteristics which made Epaphroditus a great layman. There are three recommendations made to every church member.

 

I. His Relationship With Paul (close)

Philippians 2:25,27b

It is clear that Paul felt very close to him. In verse 27, Paul writes that God was having mercy on him by restoring health to Epaphroditus. Had he died, Paul's difficult circumstances would have bereavement and grief added (27). Paul considers he and Epaphroditus (25).

  1. Sons of the same Father - "my brother"

    Affection, not equality

  2. Servants in the same faith - "my companion in labor"

    Co-operation, competition - share same causes

    Companionship, not rivalry

    Different gifts but the same God

  3. Soldiers in the same fight - "my fellow soldier"

There was no tension here, just a very close relationship of friendship

The Christian life

Sons, servants, soldiers

Worship, work, warfare

 

II. His Relationship With Philippi (committed)

Epaphroditus not only loved Paul but he also loved his church.

  1. He wanted to be with them - 26a

    Longed = deep desire, yearning

    For him to be at his home church would mean a long, tedious journey over hundreds of treacherous, dangerous miles.

    Contrast that with many people today. Do you long to be with your church? Or can you take it or leave it? If it's convenient! Do your yearn for your church? Important? Mean much? Casual attitude toward church - attendance, tithe.

  2. He was full of heaviness for them, 26

    = anguished, distressed Why?

    Because they had heard that he was sick. He was worried about them worrying about him being sick? That is a man who cares for his church! Totally unselfish - burdened for them

    Not wanting to be a burden to them

  3. He was involved in his church's ministry
  1. Their messenger, 25.
  2. Ministering to Paul, 25.
  3. Supplying on behalf of Philippi service to Paul, 30.

 

III. Relationship To His Circumstances (undiscouraged)

What was Epaphroditus' circumstances? He was sick! What was the nature of his sickness? Did he have a headache? Did he not sleep well? Got the sniffles? NO! He had a life-threatening sickness! (27a)

  1. The reason for his illness (30a).

    Nearly worked himself for Christ. Exhausted, abused, over-worked, would not give up. How many people do you know like that?

  2. His response to his illness (30b).

    "not regarding his own life"; gambling with his life; risking his life

    He didn't care if he was sick - arrived sick.

    He cared more about the work of the Lord than his own health!

  3. The recovery from his illness (27b).