Serving And RecoveringPhilippians 2:19-30
How do we welcome some one new into our church?
Someone different?An outsider?
How do we deal with a tired worked?The burnt out?
Those needing rest?
Paul wants us to welcome the newcomer
In this case a Christian A leader
An outsiderA younger man
Philippians 219 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you.
Before Timothy arrivesThe Philippians' receive this letter
A letter of reference
20 I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.
Be prepared, Timothy is coming I hope to come soon
So you better treat him well
23 I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24 And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.
TimothyI am sending him to serve
He is devotedI personally recommend him
Tested and proven
EpaphroditusPaul wants them to welcome the
tired servantAlso a Christian
A leaderAn insider
An older man
25 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.
Epaphroditus is from PhilippiHe had been sent to help Paul
Now Paul needs to send him backPaul gives the reasons he is
sending him home
26 For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow.
After explaining the reasons for sending him back
Paul ads thisOn my behalf accept him back
28 Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety.
He gives him a recommendation Pleads with the church to
welcome him back To honor him
To acknowledge him as a representative of the church
29 Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, 30 because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.
EpaphroditusI am returning him to his family
He has done his workHe is ill and he needs to recover
He needs your helpWelcome him and honor him
TimothyBeing welcoming
New peopleNew opportunities
New hope
In the churchWhen someone new arrives
Without referencesWe often assume the worstGuilty until proven innocent
FearBe welcoming
EpaphroditusAcknowledging our servants
Celebrate years of servicePreventing burnoutHonoring our own
We often work people dryMake them feel guilty when
they need a breakWhen they stop doing…
Many times they stop coming to church
We need to keep our eyes open1. Keep our eyes on Jesus2. Keep our eyes on the newcomer3. Keep our eyes on each other
That is what makes us a healthy church family
A church that represents Christ
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