Welcome to Day 2329 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Philippians-6 A Son and a Brother – Daily Wisdom

Putnam Church Message – 01/21/2023 Joy in Serving – A “Son” and a “Brother” – Philippians 2:19-30 Last week, we explored “Working Out God’s Inner Work,” and we concluded that it is only through the inner work of God's Spirit in our lives that we can progressively become more like Christ. This week, we continue our study of the letter to the church at Philippi. Paul is thankful for two close friends, Timothy and Epaphroditus, in a message, “A Son and a Brother.” Today's scripture passage is Philippians 2:19-30. I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 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. I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon. But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 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.  So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me. It’s impossible to put a price tag on friendship. Our relationships with some people are so significant that we often liken them to family. Close friends not only help us; they transform us. Just as “Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for ‘bad company corrupts good character,’” (1 Cor. 15:33), good company promotes good character: courage, leadership, humility, strength, faithfulness, and joyfulness. Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.” Close friends prop us up when we’re weak, lift our spirits when we’re down, and push us when we wear out. Friends motivate us—sometimes even without words—to be more than we could be without them. As we observe their perseverance, we’re prompted to endure hardship. As we hang around a servant leader, seeds of humility are planted into our lives. As a godly saint stares down adversity with a smile, we learn how to have deep-seated joy amid frustrations and challenges. We shouldn’t be surprised, then, that God’s Word is filled with references, accounts, and commendations of men and women who were faithful friends— There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother (Prov. 18:24). Paul experienced this kind of friendship. Sometimes, we are tempted to picture the apostle Paul trudging through forests and swamps, shipwrecks, across deserts and over mountains, with someone like Barnabas, Silas, Luke, Mark, or Timothy following behind only to help him carry his cloak and scrolls. We may view him as a rugged individualist, a man who didn’t need anyone per se, a lone missionary risking all for the gospel's sake. But that picture of Paul is entirely false. He was an ordinary man who needed, wanted, and valued friendship. The friends involved, directly or indirectly, in his ministry of evangelism, church planting, teaching, and writing were in the dozens—many names we’ve heard /and others we haven’t. From his letters alone, the list is massive: over five dozen named men and women supporting, encouraging, or assisting Paul in the work of ministry—these are just the ones he happens to mention. In Philippians 2:19–30, Paul focuses his attention on two of his friends who were incredibly close to him during his time in Rome under house arrest. These men brought him great encouragement, strength, comfort, and joy. One he regards as a “son,” the other as a “brother;” both are worthy of reflection as we consider the faithful friends God has brought into our own lives. 2:19–24 In all of Paul’s writings, Timothy is the friend and ministry companion mentioned more than any other. In Philippians 2, Paul informs his readers that he would send Timothy to them from Rome to bring back personal news of their situation (2:19, 23). He characterized Timothy as having a “kindred spirit” and someone with genuine affection for the church in Philippi (2:20). Timothy wasn’t simply told to go; he wanted to go. Paul says he had “proved himself” (2:22). Since they had been ministering together for over a decade, Paul had been able to observe Timothy in a variety of situations and to see how he handled all sorts of challenges. He was tested and approved. He was, in fact, “like a child serving his father”—a relationship even closer than a friend (2:22). Who was this young man who figured so prominently in Paul’s life and ministry and frequently appeared in his writings? Paul first encountered Timothy in ad 50, during the first months of his second missionary journey with Silas (Acts 16:1–2). Paul arrived in Lystra and heard the Christians speak with glowing praise of the young man. Though Timothy’s father was a Gentile (and presumably an unbeliever), Timothy had been steeped in the Old Testament Scriptures thanks to his Jewish mother, Eunice, and grandmother, Lois (2 Tim. 1:5; 3:14–15). Paul found in Timothy, an ideal apprentice. He was much like himself—a scripturally astute, devout follower of Christ with one foot in the Jewish world and the other in the Gentile world. He had a perfect background to join Paul’s ministry “to the Jew first and also to the Gentile” (Rom. 1:16). For Timothy to become part of Paul’s ministry among the Jews, however, he had to be circumcised (Acts 16:3)—not for spiritual reasons, but for practical ones. While Paul considered himself primarily an apostle to the Gentiles (Eph. 3:1–10), whenever he entered a new city, he first took the gospel to the synagogue (Acts 13:14–15; 17:1–3), and then to the marketplace. For Timothy to accompany Paul in the Jewish portion of his mission, he had to undergo the rite of access to that community—circumcision to be allowed into the synagogues. His willingness to do something that was not obligatory for Christians but was suitable for ministry gives us an insight into his passion for the mission. As the years passed, Paul also found in Timothy a “kindred spirit” (Phil. 2:20). The term translated “kindred spirit” is iso/psychos, from two Greek words, isos, meaning “equal,” and psychē, meaning “soul” or “mind.” Thus, it essentially means “being of like mind” or “having much in common.” Like Paul, Timothy was studious (2 Tim. 3:14–15), sensitive (2 Tim. 1:3–4), and dedicated (Phil. 2:22). In time, Paul also came to see Timothy as a reflection of his own ministry priorities and methods, sending his “true son in the faith” (1 Tim. 1:2) to solve problems he usually would have undertaken himself. On his second missionary journey, when Paul worried that the churches in Macedonia—Thessalonica in particular—might have succumbed to Jewish persecution, he sent Timothy to “strengthen and encourage” the members of the church (1 Thes. 3:1–2). During his third missionary journey, he sent Timothy (and Erastus) ahead from Ephesus to prepare the churches in Macedonia and Greece for his visit (Acts 19:21–22). Then, in final preparation for his long-anticipated journey to Spain—not expecting to see most of his pupils again—Paul placed Timothy in charge of the church in Ephesus. This was the most strategically important congregation in Asia and, situated in a center for pagan philosophy, the church most susceptible to corruption. 2:25–30 The second close friend Paul mentions appears only in the letter to the Philippians—Epaphroditus (Phil. 2:25–30; 4:18). In this brief snapshot, we still get a clear picture of Paul’s friend. To Paul, Epaphroditus is a brother, a fellow worker, a fellow soldier, a messenger, and a minister (2:25). While visiting Paul from Philippi to deliver a financial gift to the apostle from that church, Epaphroditus fell ill, even teetering on the brink of death (2:26–27, 30). What I find most remarkable about this is that while deathly sick, Epaphroditus was distressed because of the worry he was causing the Philippians by his illness (2:26). Thankfully, God had mercy on Epaphroditus, restoring him to health and relieving both the Philippians and Paul of their anxiety over him (2:27). Though having such a faithful friend in Rome would have personally benefited Paul, the apostle sent Epaphroditus back to the church in Philippi to deliver the letter on Paul’s behalf. Why didn’t Paul keep him around? Paul likely wanted to ease the minds of the believers back in Philippi who had been worried about Epaphroditus’s physical safety and were probably wondering whether they had made a mistake in sending him to Paul (2:25–27). Sending Epaphroditus back to his home church would have been an excellent “thank you” from Paul for the church’s financial contribution to his ministry. Paul knew Epaphroditus’s return home would lead the Philippians to rejoice (2:28–29). However, it is possible that a few might see the return of Epaphroditus as a failure of his mission and the purpose of his journey to Paul. Maybe they had expected him not only to deliver financial support, but also to provide physical assistance to Paul for his imprisonment. Perhaps they would have sized him up as a quitter. If so, Paul painted quite a different picture of the man. He expected the church to receive him warmly: “Welcome him in the Lord’s love and with great joy, and give him the honor that people like him deserve,” (2:29). As a result of his long journey, he had almost lost his life>for the cause of Christ and on behalf of the church in Philippi (2:30). Epaphroditus was to be welcomed back, not as a “loser,” but as a home-grown hero and an example for them all. Application: Philippians 2:19–30 - Two Orders of Friends For our closing hymn today, we will sing, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer! The words of that old hymn remind us that Jesus is not just our God, Savior, and King, but also our close, personal friend. He’s available to anyone at any time. He exemplifies selfless humility, sacrificial love, and patience toward people who could never repay His affection. In the body of Christ, we’ve also been given others who reflect in real, tangible ways the immeasurable friendship of Christ. For Paul, it was Timothy and Epaphroditus. They were such friends who exhibited Christlike character. Let’s consider the two kinds of friendship encountered in Philippians. The Order of Timothy. Can you name somebody like Timothy, someone you’ve seen grow into an unselfish adult, perhaps someone in whom you’ve invested your time, energy, encouragement, and support? There are few things as rewarding as being a mentor for a Timothy, as Paul was. Maybe God is calling you to just that kind of friendship. Perhaps you can help them further their education, support them in a work or ministry endeavor, or take them under your wing to mentor or counsel them through hard times. Never underestimate the importance of having a Timothy. Or maybe you need to be a Timothy to someone else—an older saint involved in ministry who needs support, encouragement, or assistance. God may call you to humbly place yourself in their service, showing genuine concern for their concerns, relieving their stress and burdens, and exhibiting a servant’s heart. The Order of Epaphroditus. This was a person who risked it all for the sake of his call to the service of Christ. Are you willing to join the ranks of Epaphroditus? The truth is, every time you minister to someone in need, you risk something—every time. You risk being taken advantage of. You risk being misunderstood. You risk being ostracized. There is no ministry without some kind of risk, great or small. We’ve become complacent, seeking comfort and control over our lives rather than taking even minimal risks for the gospel. Are you willing to start risking for Christ? Have you felt the Spirit nudging you toward certain ministry decisions that might challenge your world? Let me tell you, the risk is worth it. How do you respond to an Epaphroditus in your life? You hold that person in high regard. You don’t scold him. You don’t despise her. You don’t say, “Why are you wasting your time and risking everything for this? Think about your future!” Instead, you lend your prayers, your support, and your encouragement. Of course, when you do that, you step into the Order of Epaphroditus yourself, because somebody will inevitably say, “You’re a fool to waste your time on somebody as reckless as that!” The great Roman statesman Cicero said, “He, indeed, who looks into the face of a friend beholds, as it were, a copy of himself.” Do you see yourself reflected in others? Do you want to be more Christ-like? Befriend those who are of the Order of Timothy and the Order of Epaphroditus—those who exhibit Christ-like character that will challenge and transform you. Next week, we will continue studying Philippians as we move on to part 3, Joy in Sharing.  We will compare trusting in our achievements to trusting in Christ’s accomplishments in a message titled:  “Human Rubbish vs. Divine Righteousness.”  Please read Philippians 3:1-11 in preparation for next week. If you found this podcast insightful, subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy. Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most importantly, I am your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal. As we take this trek together, let us always:

1. Live Abundantly (Fully)
2. Love Unconditionally
3. Listen Intentionally
4. Learn Continuously
5. Lend to others Generously
6. Lead with Integrity
7. Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you next time for more wisdom from God’s Word!