Slices
Prepare
Identify where you are in tune with Christ’s mindset (Philippians 2:5) and give thanks for what God has done to make you like that.
Bible passage
Timothy and Epaphroditus
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 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. 23 I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24 And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.
25 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. 26 For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27 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. 28 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. 29 So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honour people like him, 30 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.
Explore
Re-read verses 6–11. In what ways do Timothy’s and Epaphroditus’ lives show ‘the same mindset as Christ Jesus’ (2:5)?
Timothy (vs 19–24) is a regular co- worker of Paul. He is son and grandson of godly Jewish women (2 Timothy 1:5), and his father was Greek (Acts 16:1). Paul had Timothy circumcised so that he would be acceptable in evangelism in Jewish circles (Acts 16:3). Paul often sends him to prepare for a visit or to see how a church is doing in Paul’s absence (v 19; eg 1 Corinthians 4:17; 16:10; 1 Thessalonians 3:1– 2,6). Timothy’s readiness to focus on Christ’s interests, rather than his own, is central to his work (v 21).
Epaphroditus is sent by the Philippians to support Paul (v 25), but has become very ill (vs 26,27,30). Probably Epaphroditus was the bearer of money to support Paul during his Roman imprisonment. Paul appreciates him, describing him very positively (v 25). However, illness has prevented Epaphroditus from serving Paul as the Philippians had hoped. Nevertheless, Paul does not want his hearers to see him as a failure, and so speaks warmly of him and calls the believers to honour him (v 29). Paul recognises Epaphroditus’ readiness to serve even at great cost to himself.
Respond
Give thanks to God for those in your church who serve in the background, like these two, putting Christ’s interests first at cost to themselves.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Isaiah 61,62; Hebrews 12
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray that Mission Enabler Sarah Davison will have creativity and wisdom as she explores how we can connect online with some of the hardest-to-reach of the 95, providing them with opportunities to discover the difference that Jesus can make in their daily lives.
