Serving And RecoveringPhilippians 2:19-30

How do we welcome some one new into our church?

Someone different?An outsider?

How do we deal with a tired worked?The burnt out?

Those needing rest?

Paul wants us to welcome the newcomer

In this case a Christian A leader

An outsiderA younger man

Philippians 219 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you.

Before Timothy arrivesThe Philippians' receive this letter

A letter of reference

20 I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for his 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.

Be prepared, Timothy is coming I hope to come soon

So you better treat him well

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.

TimothyI am sending him to serve

He is devotedI personally recommend him

Tested and proven

EpaphroditusPaul wants them to welcome the

tired servantAlso a Christian

A leaderAn insider

An older man

25 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.

Epaphroditus is from PhilippiHe had been sent to help Paul

Now Paul needs to send him backPaul gives the reasons he is

sending him home

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.

After explaining the reasons for sending him back

Paul ads thisOn my behalf accept him back

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.

He gives him a recommendation Pleads with the church to

welcome him back To honor him

To acknowledge him as a representative of the church

29 Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, 30 because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.

EpaphroditusI am returning him to his family

He has done his workHe is ill and he needs to recover

He needs your helpWelcome him and honor him

TimothyBeing welcoming

New peopleNew opportunities

New hope

In the churchWhen someone new arrives

Without referencesWe often assume the worstGuilty until proven innocent

FearBe welcoming

EpaphroditusAcknowledging our servants

Celebrate years of servicePreventing burnoutHonoring our own

We often work people dryMake them feel guilty when

they need a breakWhen they stop doing…

Many times they stop coming to church

We need to keep our eyes open1. Keep our eyes on Jesus2. Keep our eyes on the newcomer3. Keep our eyes on each other

That is what makes us a healthy church family

A church that represents Christ