Philippians 2:19-30 'Selfless love'

On a university campus in Canada in the 1960’s two young students began an evangelistic Bible study.  It turned out to be more popular than they had anticipated.  The studies engendered all kinds of discussions.  Soon they realised they were out of their depths. So they turned to the help of a graduate student, called Dave, who was very effective in talking to people about the Christian faith.  

On one particular occasion they brought two students to meet Dave.  Dave was known for being rather abrupt.  So when the first student revealed that he had a merely academic interest in Christianity Dave suggested that he should come back when he was really interested in Christ.  Then he turned to the second student and asked, ‘Why did you come?’ ‘I come from what you people would call a liberal home,’ the student, whose name was Rick, replied.   ‘We don’t believe the way you do.  But it’s a good home, a happy home.  My parents loved their children, disciplined us, set a good example, and encouraged us to be courteous, honourable, and hard-working.   And for the life of me I can’t see that you people who think yourselves as Christians are any better.  Apart from a whole lot of abstract theology, what have you got that I haven’t?’

Dave stared at this guy for a few seconds and then he simply said, ‘watch me!’

Rick said something like, ‘I’m sorry, I don’t understand.’  Dave answered, ‘Watch me.   Come and live with me for a month, if you like.   Be my guest.  Watch what I do when I get up, what I do when I’m on my own, how I work, how I use my time, how I talk with people, what my values are.  Come with me wherever I go.  And at the end of the month, you tell me if there is any difference.’

Rick did not take Dave up on his invitation, at least not exactly in those terms.  But he did get to know Dave better, and in due course Rick did become a Christian.

I find that illustration really challenging.  If someone came and lived with me for a month, what would they see?  If someone watched you closely for a month, would they see Jesus?  Would they see that he is the centre of your life?  Would they see that Jesus flows through your veins?  This morning we see three people worth watching—Paul, Timothy and Epaphroditus.

Background

So far we have said that Paul was writing to a church that a problem with unity.  There were two women that were quarrelling.  It may be that the rest of the church had taken sides in that quarrel.  Paul certainly needs to keeping telling the Philippians that they need to love each other.

Paul has told the Philippians to live a life worthy of the gospel.  He has told them consider each other as being more important than they do themselves.  He has given the example of Jesus—who didn’t consider equality with God something to be grasped, took the nature of humanity, became a slave and died a humiliating death, for us and our salvation.

But hold on!  I can’t do it.  I seem completely self-absorbed.  I feel helpless in the fight against my over-whelming ego.  Thankfully there is hope.  In one of my favourite verses in the Bible, Paul tells the Philippians that, God works in you to will and act according to his good purposes.  Get that!  God can change you in a way that you could never change yourself.  Look to Jesus and be inspired, and then ask him to fill you with his Holy Spirit, so that you might be freed from slavery to your vanity.  When you are reminded about how self-absorbed you are, thank God that he is gracious and forgiving, thank him that he is graciously showing you where you need to change, and then lean heavily upon him in prayer. 

The unity and love that we are to share with each other are so important because they please our heavenly Father and enable us to shine like stars in the world—people will see that Jesus is amongst us and that he is love!

Now, up to this point the letter has been filled with teaching.  But now Paul gives them some details about his plans.  Paul normally leaves his travel plans to the end of his letters, but here he brings them forward in order to talk about two people whose example we can learn from.  Timothy and Epaphroditus model the sort of sacrificial living that this letter is all about.  

Timothy—a person who cares for the interests of Christ above his own

Once a month, some of the Christian leaders meet together on a Saturday for breakfast and prayer.  At one of these meetings, Jim Smiedt, from the World Outreach Christian Centre, gave us a book.  It is entitled, ‘In Search for Timothy—discovering and developing greatness in church staff and volunteers.’

There is no shortage of emphasis on leadership in Christian circles, but what about the need to be followers.  Indeed, I would suggest that you are not qualified to lead, if you have no desire to follow.  Timothy is a great model of follower-ship.  

I hope in the Lord to send Timothy to you soon.  Timothy is mentioned in a number of Paul’s letters.  He seems to have been Paul’s most valued co-worker.  The Philippians knew Timothy—he had been with Paul when he first visited Philippi (Acts 16).  Timothy had been converted through the ministry of Paul.  Now, like a son serving an apprenticeship, Timothy had served (literally ‘slaved’) with his spiritual father.  He had travelled with Paul, and was now with Paul in Rome (remember that Paul is in chains).   

He is not going to send Timothy until he sees how things go with me.  Paul is waiting to see if he will be released.  Until then he wants Timothy to stay with him.  Then he will send Timothy, who will bring back a report to him about how things are going with the Philippians.  He hopes that Timothy will bring him back news saying that they have got over their divisions.  Paul then anticipates coming himself, when he is released.

Look at how Paul describes Timothy.  He has proved himself (22a)—the word translated proven his worth, refers to the character of one who has remained faithful under pressure.  One of the things that strike me, as I work through these verses is that Paul is painting a picture that says that the Christian life will not be a bed of roses.  Sometimes it is really good to be amongst God’s people in church, because it is refreshing to be among people who know how we feel.  They know what it is like to feel looked down on and opposed because of what they believe.

Timothy takes a genuine interest in your welfare (20).  He is an example of someone who considers others more important than himself.  What is more, he puts the needs of Jesus before his own needs.  For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ (21).  Not Timothy.

Before I came to Limerick, I spoke in our church a couple of times.  On one of these occasions I used a children’s story that explained the acronym J.O.Y.  What do you think the key to ‘joy’ is?  It is putting Jesus first, others second and yourself last.  If that unrealistic, look at the example of Timothy.  For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ (21).  My mother is the person I have seen this quality in most.

Epaphroditus—the web of love

This letter was delivered to them by a messenger.  That messenger was Epaphroditus.  The Philippians would have been surprised to see Epaphroditus coming to them, for they had earlier sent him from them to Paul.  They had sent Paul a financial gift, and Epaphroditus to care help with his needs.  They didn’t expect him back so soon.  Paul explains why he has sent Epaphroditus back to them—it is all about love!      

They had heard that Epaphroditus was ill.  Poor Epaphroditus was distressed that his friends at home in Philippi were worried about him.  Indeed, he had been ill, so ill that he almost died.  But God had mercy on him, and not only him but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow (27).

They are not to consider Epaphroditus’s return home to be a sign of failure.  He comes highly commended by Paul.  He is to be honoured.  Paul calls him a brother, fellow-worker and fellow-soldier (25), he is to be welcomes home and honoured, for he risked his life.

Notice the web of love.  Paul loves Timothy as a son.  The Philippians love Paul, and so send him Epaphroditus.  Epaphroditus loves Philippians and was distressed when they heard he was sick.  The Philippians love Epaphroditus, and were worried when he was sick.  And on and on it goes.

I once went to a senior pastor to get advice about someone I was concerned about.  I feared that their behaviour needed to be addressed.  He gave me a wonderfully gracious instruction.  ‘Never let them have any reason to doubt that you love them.’  Sometimes we do need to talk to people about issues in their life, they may not be happy about what we have to say, but never give anyone a reason to doubt you love.

Conclusion

I was reading a commentary on these verses.  They gave the illustration of Detrick Bonhoeffer.  Bonhoeffer was a German leader who opposed the Nazis.  He went on a study trip to Germany, just before the war broke out.  He was given an option of staying on in America and avoiding going back to Germany.  But he felt that he needed to go back and support those Christians who were standing against the Nazis.  So he returned.  He ended up in a concentration camp.  And he was executed weeks before the war ended.  He is an example of someone, like Timothy, who put the interests of Christ above his own.

How do we do it?  Be inspired the love of Jesus.  We love because he first loved us.  Realise that loving Jesus and others next is the key to joy.  There is a freedom in self-forgetfulness and peace in following one who loves you with an infinite love.