MY FRIENDS
Opening Prayer
Holy Spirit, thank you for the ways you have worked in me to bring me to faith in Jesus and enable me to follow him. I look to you to increase my faith and help me follow him more closely.
Read PHILIPPIANS 2:19-30
Timothy and Epaphroditus
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for their 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. 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.
25 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. 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. 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. 29 So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, 30 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.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What does it mean to you to be Christlike?Paul was undoubtedly a leader. But he was also a team player. From these verses, what can you discover about his friends and colleagues, Timothy and Epaphroditus? Note this letter was authored by Paul and Timothy, a co-servant of Christ Jesus (1:1).
Paul came across Timothy in Lystra (see Acts 16:1-5). He became one of Paul’s closest partners in the gospel, with a father–son relationship (v 22). Paul sent him to build up the faith of various churches. His love for, and trust in, Timothy is palpable. He was confident the Philippians would welcome him back.
Meanwhile, Paul was sending Epaphroditus back home to Philippi, presumably from Rome. (See also Philippians 4:18.) Here is another unsung brave hero of the faith—a brother, a co-worker, a fellow soldier, a messenger (v 25). What do these accolades suggest? You might say Paul goes over the top in his praise… except Paul is not like that. He offers praise where praise is due. He offers advice or admonishment when needed. Maybe he is fearful Epaphroditus will get a cool welcome. Or maybe Paul sees in him an outstanding Christian to be imitated: one who has suffered; one who is not an obvious leader.
Apply
Who are the Christians you admire for their Christlike qualities? How do you speak of them? How do you imitate them?
Closing prayer
Jesus, I am grateful for Christian friends in whom I see you, who help me to see and know you better. Encourage them, enabling them to know your pleasure.
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