Title: Epaphroditus / Philippians 2:25-30
Contents If you look at the letters of the Apostle Paul, the names of the saints who send personal greetings while sending letters to the church are recorded here and there. Paul was a man who had beautiful relationships with many people in his mission. In fact, Paul had too many adversaries. On the other hand, there were many beautiful good friends. I had a deep love with them. Therefore, even though Paul's letters are public letters, they always ask for personal well-being.
In his letter to the Philippian church, Paul introduces Epaphroditus as his co-worker. He is a faithful and devoted man, and the text shows how great Paul's love for him is.
Epaphroditus was the man whom Paul loved. We would like to share the grace through him.
1. my brother
Epaphroditus was a convert by Luke or Paul.
Epabrodido is called "my brother".
Siblings are people who are born to the same parents. But where is the basis for Paul's ability to call Epaphroditus "brother", who was not born to the same parents? It's just being born again. Although their physical parents were different, they were born again in God. We are born again in the blood of Jesus. By being born again in Jesus Christ, they could become 'brothers'.
All saints are people who have experienced the grace and love of redemption given by Jesus, and have been bought by the blood of Jesus on the cross. Therefore, in Jesus, we are all brothers and sisters. So Paul called his associates brothers in the common Christian faith. Paul was chosen by the Holy Spirit and could call God Father and Epaphroditus his brother. Therefore, it can be seen that in the title 'brother' there are 'the redemptive grace of Christ' and 'the work of the Holy Spirit'. In other words, when calling the saints 'brother', there is a deeper meaning than the calling itself.
Example) David and Jonathan's friendship
In the eyes of people, they can only be enemies.
But they formed a brotherly relationship out of love.
It was established as a brotherhood in the grace and love of God.
The meaning of the name Epabrodido is "one who is lovable".
He truly received Paul's special love just like his name, and was called 'my brother'. I hope this history overflows within you.
I hope that you will be loved in the sight of God.
I hope that you will be loved in the eyes of Jesus. - Maria
I hope that you will become someone worthy of love in the eyes of the pastor. -
I meet many saints, but only a few are memorable.
I hope that you will become someone worthy of love in the eyes of the saints.
I hope that you will be lovable in the eyes of your neighbors.
Example) The saints suffered tribulation
I knew the pastor didn't obey
The saints were proud and I knew it
No wonder unbelievers live like that
Who are the saints who deserve God's love?
He gave a lot, went to church, held a high position - no.
Praying saints, obedient saints, devoted saints
I hope that you will become a person worthy of love by anyone who sees it and become a saint recognized by God and recognized by people.
2. Those who worked together
Epaphroditus gained a reputation as a co-worker of Paul in doing the Lord's work, and was a great force in his missionary work.
The word "brother" refers to Epabrodido's boundless friendship and love.
"He who labored together" speaks of how faithfully he cooperated for his brother and for the Lord, and became strength and courage.
Epaphroditus was one of Paul's finest helpers.
It is not a gift to break through, to hinder. This is Satan's work.
There are always people who think negatively when working with the goals of the church.
I hope that you will become saints who build up the body of God according to the gifts God has given you.
Working diligently for the mission entrusted to you is to work hard together.
Pyeonggang Church is a church that God has given you and I to work together to build.
I hope that there will be a history of filling and revitalizing the Pyeonggang Altar by working together.
3. Those who served together
The phrase 'my comrade' is not a word for soldiers.
As a soldier on the cross, Paul called Epaphroditus 'my comrade'.
Here Paul commends his colleague Epaphroditus for his perseverance and fighting spirit. ?쏦e who was a soldier with me became sick to the point of death??(2:27), emphasizing his indomitable attitude.
?쏻hen he came to die for the service of Christ, he did not look to his own life, so that the lack of your work in serving me might be met??(2:30).
Epaphroditus is a soldier of the Lord who fought bravely for Tuyi even though he knew that the fight on the cross meant suffering and death. There was no soldier more courageous than the Apostle Paul, and there was no more staunch defender of the faith.
In Acts 19, Paul's ministry in Ephesus is recorded.
He healed the demon-possessed, rebuked idolatry, and preached the gospel.
Then, in the city of idols called Ephesus, people who depended on it, fearing that their profits would be cut off, tried to kill Paul. Acts 19:29 says, ?쏷he whole city was in a commotion, and they took Gaius and Aristarchus from Macedonia, who were traveling with Paul, and ran to the theater all at once.??Gaius is referring to Epaphroditus. Ebab Brodido was a brave soldier on the cross who preached the gospel at the cost of death.
Soldiers use the word "comrades."
Comrades are the ones who share life and death no matter how hard and difficult it is. "Comrades who lived and died together!"
Fellow Cross Soldiers!
Jesus is the captain and goes ahead. I hope that you will become a brave soldier, a saint who fights to the death, and a soldier who defeats the enemy.
4. One who helps me
"He is the one who helps me with my needs"
Epaphroditus was the messenger of the Philippian church, and he was the apostle who gave the same amount of money the Philippian church had prepared for Paul to the apostle Paul. It is a person who devoted himself to the task of filling his weaknesses and shortcomings for the apostle in the midst of difficulties.
'Help' means sacrifice. "servant". Epaphrodido was a sacrifice.
?쏥od hath established some in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then power, then gifts of healing, helping one another, governing, and speaking in various tongues??(1 Corinthians 12:28). . One of the many gifts the Lord has established in his church is 'helping one another'.
We are making the mistake of valuing only those who appear frequently.
This is because helpers do not appear often, and only those who receive help appear more easily. But one must know how many hidden collaborators are there for one to be revealed.
Ex) How many people help you behind the scenes to represent one star? There are a lot of people, such as a band supporting the music from behind, a dancing dancer, a director directing from behind, a makeup artist preparing for this, and a stage set.
Ex) When you go to college, only that person is greatly revealed. But how many people have helped not appear from behind? Parents, teachers, ....
Therefore, the Lord calls ?쐆elpers??as one of the most important gifts.
Example) Relationship between Moses and Aaron
Aaron was a speaker. Moses could not speak. Aaron was the speaker for Moses. Moses appears as an outstanding character, but Aaron is not. Although Moses and Aaron worked together in the Exodus, it is recorded that Moses did all the work. But behind Moses was his collaborator Aaron.
Epaphroditus was likewise a collaborator who helped Paul.
We have a lot to say about Paul's evangelistic ministry, devotion, power, and sacrifice.
But he did it because there were so many people who helped him.
Epabrodido is a name that is hardly known. In fact, he is a little-known disciple, but he was an ardent helper for Paul.
?쏻ith the help of the saints, he became such a pastor??He spends tens of thousands of dollars on his own. - for missionary
Buying annotations and helping with books.
Prayer Help - Pray for the pastor's health
Pray for Pastor's Spirituality
Pray for the pastor's family
Pastoral Help - Attending diligently also helps
A saint who can say 'Amen' well. - Great help for preaching
If possible, if you listen to the Word and obey it, it will be of greater help
Although your hard work may not show up, please believe that God will pay you back because He knows everything.
Eba Brody - Maybe he will remain as someone we don't know at all.
But he was faithful to the best of his ability.
Therefore, Paul praises him as my brother, fellow laborer, soldier, and helper. Even if we don't know him, please believe that God knows and values him.
The members of Pyeonggang Church became beautiful saints like Epaphrodido.