Hold Such Men In Esteem

Text: Philippians 2:25-30
4 October 2014

“HOLD SUCH MEN IN ESTEEM”

THE EXEMPLARY LIFE OF EPAPHRODITUS

1. Five wonderful aspects highlighted!

a) Brother          Philippians 2:25

b) Fellow-worker          Philippians 2:25

c) Fellow-soldier          Philippians 2:25

d) Your messenger          Philippians 2:25 (“specially sent”- root word “apostle”)

e) The one who ministered to my needs          Philippians 2:25

2. Illness of Epaphroditus

a) He was seriously ill          Philippians 2:27

b) He did not want the Philippians to worry about him          Philippians 2:26

c) His heart is clearly displayed

3. Sparing of Epaphroditus

a) The mercy of God on Epaphroditus

b) The mercy of God on Paul

c) Epaphroditus was spared from death

4. Receiving of Epaphroditus

a) To be received with gladness          Philippians 2:29

b) To be esteemed highly          Philippians 2:29

5. Reasons given

a) For the sake of Christ’s work he came close to death          Philippians 2:30

b) He risked his life for the sake of ministry

c) He was sent by the Philippians to serve the apostle Paul


BIBLE MEMORY VERSE

Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem.
Philippians 2:29