Two men worth knowing
March 16th, 2009 by Todd JohnsonTimothy and Epaphroditus are given to us by Paul as examples of the sort of selfless & sacrificial life that Paul is encouraging all Christians toward.
Timothy is best known as the man that Paul brought under his wing to be a learner, apprentice & replacement. He was a young man that had genuine concern for others & proven worth. Unlike many in Rome that called themselves Christians or even ministers, Timothy forsook his own interests in order to serve the interests of others. The mind of Christ became the mind of Timothy.
Epaphroditus is much like Timothy in that he was a servant, but unlike Timothy he was not a pastor but a layman. Paul called him brother, but he added to that fellow worker and soldier. In other words he was everything you’d want in a brother in Christ.
- Brother speaks of a bond to be enjoyed
- worker speaks of a job to be done
- soldier speaks of a battle to be fought
As a fellow worker he rolled up his sleeves and jumped into the field
As a fellow soldier he put on the armor and jumped into the battle
I find in these two men an example to follow and a challenge to the integrity to my own life and service.
I discover myself at the same time filling up with gratitude that I know and serve with so many that match the description of brother, worker & soldier!!
A big thank you to all that serve and give so sacrificially at Crossroads Church!! You’re a blessing to me and the many that call this church home.
To God be the glory!!!
To do the “menial” work in the church takes great faith. To faithfully teach children, clean carpet, serve food and believe you’re doing the work of God requires remembering who God is and that He sees. This was a good reminder. Thanks.
“For us let it be enough to know ourselves to be in the place where God wants us, and carry on our work, even though it be no more than the work of an ant, infinitesimally small, and with unforeseeable results. Now is the hour of the garden and the night, the hour of the silent offering: therefore the hour of hope: God alone, faceless, unknown, unfelt, yet undeniably God.”
-Thomas Merton
Great job blessing the babes. I was so grateful, so full of wonder, looking at those families and knowing all the marvelous things He’s done on their behalf.
Todd, On Epaphroditus, not only is he a great example of a brother, a fellow worker and soldier, but in the rest of the sentence, he is refered to a messanger and one who ministered to Paul’s needs. This is a great picture of the “short term” missionary who was and is sent out by the church to not only bring the good news to the all the nations, but who also ministers to those who have been called into full time missions. As Epaphroditus ministered to Paul’s needs, the short term missionary ministers to the needs of those in the field. As we know. missionaries are just ordinary people with the same temptations, stuggles and concerns that we have. And like us, and Paul, we all need encouragement. I have always appreciated the example of Epaphroditus for being that messanger and encourager. It is a blessing to be part of our body and seeing many become an Epaphroditus to those we have sent out and support.
Mike – Seeing in Epaphroditus a “short term missionary” is a really great observation. You are right, in that is exactly what he was from Philippi to Paul.
Maybe we should form a society – The Epaphroditus society (or The Ditty Group).
We can work on the name.
Thanks for sharing Mike!
As I listened to this sermon, I thought about how my Mom is very much like Timothy and my Dad is very much like Epaphroditus…and I am very much blessed to have them as parents!
Not to call him out or anything, but since he gets railed on more than most… Ol’ JF Dude is the ‘living example’ of the Ditty type for young Chavez Action. Mrs. Action actually pointed out the parallel to me at dinner. I doubt he reads these posts since he’s so computer illiterate, so I don’t feel so bad pointing it out in this forum.