READY:  

“But I considered it necessary to send you Epaphroditus- my brother, coworker, and fellow soldier, as well as your messenger and minister to my need” – Philippians 2:25

SET:  

Paul is writing a letter to the church at Philippi. He’s unable to travel to share the Gospel with them because he is imprisoned but he has a dependable friend named Epaphroditus that he knows he can send in his place. He describes Epaphroditus as his “brother, coworker, fellow soldier, messenger, and minister to his need.” If we look at this list of labels that describe him, we can glean much for ourselves.  

Epaph (for short) was a brother to Paul. He was in the family of God, born again into the family of Christ, bought and redeemed by the blood of Jesus. Are you?  

He was a coworker of Paul’s. He worked to share the same Gospel Paul did. How are you working for Christ where you are right now? In your school, sport team, friend group, your family? How are you using your platform for the glory of God?  

Epaph was a fellow soldier of Paul. They were on the same unit, fighting the same fight. Every morning, they woke up, there was a battle to be fought. The Christian life is not an easy one. Many blows and beatings come along with it; are you wearing your armor? (Ephesians 6:10-18). Are you using the tools God has graciously given you to fight the good fight?  

He was a messenger, sharing the message of Christ everywhere he went, with great intention and care. What kind of message is your life sharing with those around you? Is Christ Lord or is He a suggestion? Is Christ some good teacher and example or is He the master of your life?  

Lastly, Epaph was a minister to Paul’s need. Who are you ministering to? There are plenty of hurting and broken people next to you even now as you read this. Do your actions and words towards them bring healing or do they act as sword thrusts? (Proverbs 12:18).  

Epaphroditus was a dependable brother, coworker, soldier, messenger and minister and we can be too. What would it look like for you to take these roles seriously in your own life and the life of others? Our lives are not boring. Praise God, He gives us a purpose to live out during our time on earth. Paul could have easily been absorbed by his feelings about being imprisoned but instead he chooses to look out and see Epaphroditus. And there Epaph is, not doing anything special but simply living a dependable life, intentionally following Christ in the mundane.  

GO: 

1. In your life, which of the five labels do you feel needs improvement and intentionality?  

2. Take time to reflect on each role and set of questions mentioned above. See where you can grow and improve. 

WORKOUT:

OVERTIME: