They will look on Him whom they have pierced... (Zech 12:10)

The Lord Has Come – He Shines Through His Church

(Philippians 2:1-30, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, December 22, 2019)

[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.

How should we think about Christmas? (The Sufferer's Holiday. Why? Part of a great mission – Is 12 and 53, Suffering Servant, and John 20:21-22.) What is our relationship to Jesus? How are we to shine as lights in the world? And what is our connection with exemplary servants of God like Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus? What if no one knows our name or values our gifts? What is our life about as a sending church?

Remembering Epaphroditus

Epaphroditus: The story behind the name

In the Bible: Phil. 2:25-30, 4:18 Paul “received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent.”

They sent Epaphroditus to Paul (2 month mission trip involving funds and danger)

Paul was sending him back home to the church.

Paul was eager to send him back home to Philippi, but how would he be received upon his return?

I am the more eager to send him

that you may rejoice at seeing him again

that I may be less anxious

Receive him in the Lord with all joy

Honor such men

How are we to honor exemplary servants of God and why would we do such a thing?

Honor such men

He nearly died for the work of Christ

Risking his life

To complete what was lacking in your service to me – Zec. 9:9, 11:12-13, 13:7, 12:10

THE POINT: Jesus was sent by the Father, and He willingly came and did what no one else could do. We do not all “go” in the same way, but what a joy it is to honor and support all who serve, especially Jesus, the premier missionary!

Applying these verses:

1. Everyone IS a missionary. Romans 12:1, 6, 21

2. Everyone IS NOT a missionary. Jesus, Paul, Timothy, Epaphroditus, all Philippians

3. Jesus is in a class all by himself, but he shines through us. Phil. 2:5 Have this mind...

Old Testament Reading—Psalm 119:169-176 – A Lost Sheep and a Good Shepherd

New Testament Reading—Romans 12 – A Living Sacrifice