Faithful Missionaries

A Walk through the Book of Philippians

July 3, 2024

Faithful Missionaries

Philippians 2:19-30; Matthew 28:18:20

I know a couple of missionaries who are serving around the world. My friend Jerry is serving as a missionary with his family in Riga, Latvia. The other person I know and still keep in touch with is Allen. Allen was a member of my youth group in the 1990s. He and his family now reside in Europe. Allen recently received his Doctor of Philosophy from Trinity College Bristol, University of Aberdeen.

Jerry and Allen are just two of thousands of missionaries serving worldwide. They share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with many others and love the Lord with all of their hearts, souls, and minds.

*************************The Point************************

In today’s devotion, the Apostle Paul talks about two missionaries who have worked with him and whom he trusts and loves. Their names are Timothy and Epaphroditus.

“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 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. 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.

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. 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. 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.”

Philippians 2:19-30

Let’s begin with Timothy. Paul considers him to be his right-hand man. He trusts Timothy above all others. He states as much in the reading above.

“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.”

Philippians 2:20-21

Obviously, there are other believers that Paul knows, and he may have even trained in the Word. However, Paul finds these others unqualified, and some, as he states, are even self-serving instead of serving the interests of Jesus.

Timothy is a committed servant of the Lord and the Word. Paul has no reservations about sending Timothy to Philippi because he trusts him, and the Philippians know Timothy, too.

Let’s move on to Epaphroditus. The Philippians had sent Epaphroditus to Paul. Perhaps he was sent with offerings to help Paul’s ministry but also as a helper and reinforcement for Paul.

Unfortunately, Epaphroditus fell ill soon after arriving. He came close to death, but fortunately, he recovered. We are never told what happened to Epaphroditus. It may have been an illness or exhaustion from his long, arduous journey.

Epaphroditus was anxious to return to Philippi because he knew that his fellow Christians were concerned for him. Paul unselfishly wanted to send him back to them.

One can only imagine the hardships Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus suffered as missionaries 2000 years ago.

Many of our missionaries around the world today endure many hardships, both financial and persecution.

Make a point today and every day to pray for our missionaries worldwide. And if the Spirit leads you to do so, encourage them through your words and financial help when you can.

Missionaries follow a calling that takes them abroad to spread the Good News of
Jesus Christ. You and I are also missionaries right where we are now, and we
should share the Gospel with others by following the words of the Apostle
Matthew.

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 28:18-20