Love & War

Philippians 2:25-30 - 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, 26for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill.

27Indeed 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. 28I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious.

29So receive him in the Lord with all joy and honor such men, 30for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me. ESV

I. Who Was Epaphroditus To Paul?

Protégé

My Brother

Fellow Worker

Fellow Soldier

James 4:7-8 - So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8Come close to God, and God will come close to you. ... NLT

II. Who Was Epaphroditus

To The Philippians?

Philippians 4:18 - At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. NLT

II. Who Was Epaphroditus

To The Philippians?

Messenger

Minister

Romans 15:16-17 - But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God 16to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. NLT

Hebrews 1:7 – Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.” ESV

Hebrews 8:1-2 - Here is the main point: We have a High Priest who sat down in the place of honor beside the throne of the majestic God in heaven. 2There he ministers in the heavenly Tabernacle, the true place of worship that was built by the Lord and not by human hands. NLT

Romans 13:4-7- The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. 5So you must

submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. 6Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. 7Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and

government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.

NLT

Cheating the government or not paying your taxes, for any reason,

is not an option for a Priest and Warrior of God.

Your Spiritual Commander in Chief is the one you follow and give

account to and He says in

Matt 22:17-21 - Now tell us what you think about this: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” 18But Jesus knew their evil motives. “You hypocrites!” he said. “Why are you trying to trap me? 19Here, show me the coin used for the tax."

When they handed him a Roman coin, 20he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?” 21“Caesar’s,” they replied. “Well, then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” NLT

III. Why Send Epaphroditus Back

To The Philippians?

Epaphroditus longed to be with the Philippians

Titus 3:5 - Now he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. NLT

Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. NLT

III. Why Send Epaphroditus Back

To The Philippians?

Epaphroditus loved the Philippians

Mark 14:33-34 - He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he became deeply troubled and distressed. He told them, My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. NLT

III. Why Send Epaphroditus Back

To The Philippians?

Philippians’ Benefit

Paul’s love for Epaphroditus and the Philippians

IV. Meditation & Application

Live a Life Worth Imitating

Consider imparting your life to some of the younger people of BFC

Younger Saints - Are you willing to humble yourself by allowing a

more mature Saint to help you in your journey with the Lord?

If there is sufficient interest, I hope to start a

Discipleship Training Group in the Fall

Christians are to Live as Warriors of God

The War is Real

God’s Love is Sufficient

Christians are to Love and Care for Each Other in the Midst of

Spiritual War