Sometimes when a group of Christians are getting to know each other, we may often ask each other which Bible character intrigues us. We often mention the "big names" like Paul or Peter or Moses. But sometimes people in the group might mention a lesser known person.
In today's passage, there is Epaphroditus!
A search of the whole Bible reveals his name just three times and all in Philippians and twice in this passage for today.
So if I were to "preach a sermon" on the life of Epaphroditus it would be on: how should we treat those who minister to others?
1. Encourage them by naming the qualities you see in them
Here the Apostle Paul is very open about what it is about Mr. E that he finds so special.
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.
He calls him my brother!
Remember how in the previous passage Paul thought of Timothy like his own son?
Paul was the very logical writer of a theological masterpiece like the Letter to the Romans. He was also a man who had a heart for those in his life. As a single guy and often on the go doing missions work, he nevertheless formed deep relationships.
He also called him a fellow worker and fellow soldier.
Think teamwork. Paul was pretty careful about who he had on his team. See the dispute Paul had with Barnabas over Mark. Eventually, Mark under the training of Barnabas grew further and Paul would recognize that. See Col. 4:10, 2 Tim. 4:11 and Philemon 1:24.
Paul also said of E, that he was the messenger who met my needs. We read Mr. E was the bearer of gifts in Philippians 4:18.
We can surmise that Epaphroditus brought a monetary gift and perhaps other items in a sort of care package for Paul!
2. Pray for them as they have needs too and if you can meet their needs meet them!
In the old days, travel was not so simple. For Mr. E to volunteer to deliver a package to Paul was not quite like it is today.
Click image to get a bigger map. Image source: http://www.bible-history.com/Pauls_Second_Mission_Map/
Philippi is the city with the number 4 next to it. Paul was in Rome in prison which was off the map. A journey from Rome, Italy to Philippi, Greece today would be no problem: take your pick, land, air or sea or some combination of it.
But in those days, such a journey was not a trivial exercise. It is quite possible that on this journey Epaphroditus got sick, in fact deathly sick.
For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 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. 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.
We need to be in prayer and in support for our ministers. They are human beings too with all the problems that come with that. They get sick. They have family concerns. They have a house with a leaky roof. All the problems that you and I have as ordinary people going to church, the pastor and his family have those same things too!
3. Honor them for their service
Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.
'Nuff said?
Lord, I ask for your blessing upon the pastor of the church I go to and the rest of the staff. Bless him and his wife as they serve you in our midst. Bless the other pastors and staff too as they go about life in the church visiting people in hospitals, meeting people who are having troubles, and simply living their lives with their familes. Thanks for bringing a new youth pastor to us. Guide our new youth pastor as he gets adjusted to working with us. And may anyone who happens to stumble on this blog post be moved to pray for their church leaders too! Amen.
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