Two Faithful Brothers

Sermon 9 in Series

Philippians 2:19-30
[19] I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. [20] For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. [21] For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. [22] But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. [23] I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, [24] and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.

[25] I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, [26] for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. [27] Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. [28] I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. [29] So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, [30] for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   Why does Paul need to send someone to Philippi? Why is Timothy the only one qualified among the brothers in Rome?
2.   What is the connection between being concerned for others’ interests and being concerned for Jesus’ interests?
3.   What does it mean to be concerned for one another’s welfare? How do we work this out within the church?  What about outside the church?
4.   How has Timothy proven himself as a faithful servant in the gospel?
5.   What does it mean to have the service of the gospel as our vocation?
6.   How does this passage present a flurry of others-orientedness?
7.   How does these updates on practical missionary movements remind us that God is busy and still about making his name known?

References: 1 Timothy 1:2; Phil. 2:3-4; 1 Timothy 6:11-14; Isaiah 49:6