Let Us Love The Saints

As we read Philippians 2:19-30, we see Paul and Epaphroditus, leaders who are both humble, caring, obedient, seeking the interests of Christ, and having a genuine concern for the church. Both demonstrate what a good leader is and does, as they see the good in others, and encourage the saints. It wasn’t their looks, their status, or even their gifts or abilities that made them good leaders, it was their love for the church.

If you want to make a real difference in the kingdom of Christ you don’t need to be eloquent, or skilled, or high-status, or even have lots of energy. If you want to make a real difference in the kingdom of Christ, love the church that he loves. Love the church means loving the people who compromise it, and having a genuine concern for their welfare, just as Epaphroditus, “longed for” the people. Like Timothy & Epaphroditus, let us love the saints.

In writing this letter, Paul was opening the Philippian’s eyes to the encouragement that could be had from seeing how wonderfully the Lord was shaping these men. Let us likewise look around us to the saints who love us, and let’s be encouraged!

Like Paul, let us seek to encourage one another. It's not just “the great man” in the church. Even when one of the apostles walked the Earth, it wasn't all up to him. His ministry involved raising up new leaders to do the work of ministry. 

This means your ministry matters. Timothy and Epaphroditus both had ministries of their own. They were in harmony with Paul's ministry but they were their own ministries indeed. We see here that they had their own unique role to play in the life and ministry of the church. Even more, this shows us an overlooked ministry in the church. When you think of serving the church, when you think about serving in the kingdom of God, what is it that you think of doing? Paul is encouraging the church. He’s pointing all this out so they’ll take courage. Is our ministry (each individually and together as a congregation) marked by encouragement? 

The wonderful thing about the Christian life is it leads to a life of encouragement because it springs from an eternal well of encouragement.

So we become encouragers.