Philippians 1:1-11
Joy in participation
Philippians 1:12-26
Joy in Christ taught
Joy in Paul's deliverance
Joy in faith
Philippians 1:27-30
Joy in suffering

Philippians 2:1-11
Joy in same mind (unity)
Philippians 2:12-18
Joy in sacrifice

Philippians 2:19-30

Submissive Mind & People
Part III

A Priceless Pair

TIMOTHY

• Mentioned in Paul's letters at least 24 times
• Converted by Paul
• Paul's son in the faith
• Traveling companion
• With Paul in Rome
• Paul's emissary

Acts 16:1-4
Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey.

Philippians 2:19
I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you.

I Corinthians 16:10-11
When Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am. No one, then, should treat him with contempt. Send him on his way in peace so that he may return to me. I am expecting him along with the brothers.

I Thessalonians 3:2,3,6
We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them.
But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you.

Philippians 2:20-22
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.

TIMOTHY

• Servant's mind
• Kindred spirit (isopsuchos) equal (isos), soul (puche): like-souled, like minded
• Others looking after own interests (1:15-16)
• Servant's training
• Served with (not servant of)

OTHERS WITH PAUL IN ROME

• Luke and Aristarchus
• Tychicus
• Onesimus and Justus
• John Mark and Demas
• Epaphras
• Crescens and Titus
• 26 Romans

I Corinthians 4:17
For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.

I Timothy 1:2
To Timothy my true son in the faith:
Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

II Timothy 1:2
To Timothy, my dear son:
Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

II Timothy 3:10-17
You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is usefu…

Philippians 2:23-24
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.

SERVANT'S REWARD

• Encouragement to Paul (report)
• Encouragement to Philippians
• Not a guaranteed outcome to eminent trial, but hopeful
• Hope to travel to see them himself

Philippians 2:25
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.

EPAPHRODITUS

• A man who dared
• Brother (1:5)
• Companion in labor (1:12)
• Fellow soldier (1:27)
• Philippi's apostle/messenger
• Affectionate friend: ministers to Paul's needs

BALANCED

• Outstanding servant of God
• Only mentioned in Philippians
• Commonly used name in ancient literature
• Sometimes shortened to Epaphras (not the same as Epaphras from Colossae)
• Greek name meaning charming

BALANCED

• Philippians probably poverty-stricken like other Macedonian churches
• Your messenger (apostolos) (apo)from (stello)send: one sent forth
• Same word used for those sent out by Jesus
• Minister (leitourgos) benefactor

APOSTOLOS

• Matthew 10:2
• Acts 1:2, 26; 2:42-43
• Romans 1:1, 11:13
• Galatians 1:1, 17
• Acts 14:14
• Romans 16:7

Philippians 2:26-27
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.

BURDENED

• Distressed (Matthew 26:37)
• Worn out
• Overpowered with heavy grief
• Sorrow upon sorrow (overwhelming)
• 1st sorrow: Epaphroditus' illness and/or imprisonment and trial
• 2nd sorrow: Epaphroditus' death

Why not heal?

Trophimus left at Miletus (II Timothy 4:20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus.)

Epaphroditus

Philippians 2:28-30
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.

BLESSED

• Recovered
• Hero's welcome
• Honor - high regard
• Risking (paraboleuomai) (para) alongside (ballo) throw: throwing oneself in a dangerous situation

Romans 13:7
Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

I Thessalonians 5:12-13
Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.

RISK

• 700 mile trip
• Paul was on trial for treason
• Friends could also be put on trial for treason (guilty by association)
• Minister to the sick

DEFICIENT

• Not criticism
• Concerned without opportunity to assist (4:10) I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.
• Deficient = absent
• NIV help you could not give me

CHAPTER 2

• Description of a submissive mind (Christ) 2:1-11
• Dynamics of a submissive mind (Paul's experience) 2:12-18
• Examples of submissive minds (Timothy & Epaphroditus) 2:19-30

Contrast

Philippians 1:21
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Philippians 2:21
For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.

In 2 weeks

Philippians 3:1-11

Spiritual Mind & Things
Part I

Learning to Count

Untitled Slide