Philippians 2:19

But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. For I have no one like-minded who will sincerely care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father, he served with me in the gospel... Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, but your messenger, the one who ministered to my need... Receive him, therefore, in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem, because for the work of Christ, he came close to death, not regarding his life to supply what was lacking in your service toward me. (Philippians 2:19–30)

In a world that says "all seek their own," Paul points us to two men whose selfless service reveals the surprising path to joy.

All Seek Their Own

All seek their own. That is the world we live in, and it has been that way for a very long time. It was that way 2,000 years ago. Sometimes we look back to the first-century world where the church was born and imagine perfect conditions, but the reality was the same as today—people were self-seeking.

In our modern day, marketing is geared toward the me-centric carnality of our fallen human nature. The slogans tell us, "Obey your thirst," "Have it your way," and one cosmetics company even says, "Because I'm worth it." We live in a nation that highly values the individualistic pursuit of personal, gratifying happiness, and most people think that happiness will be found through some pleasurable experience—sought at whatever cost, even if it means others suffering, so that I can experience personal pleasure.

This is not a new slogan or a new truth. Three thousand years ago, Solomon, one of the wisest men who ever lived, wrote in Ecclesiastes that there is nothing new under the sun. Twenty-eight hundred years ago, Isaiah observed the same thing about his nation: "They all look to their own way, everyone for his own gain." Could that not be written over our own nation in the 21st century? In Judges we read, "Everyone did what was right in his own eyes."

A Nation Pursuing Happiness—and Failing

How are we doing as a nation? It is striking that the nation which highly values the pursuit of joy is also known for the highest use of prescription antidepressants. The New York Times reported that more than one in ten Americans have been prescribed antidepressants. That doesn't account for the multitudes who self-medicate with alcohol—the average American fifteen and older consumes two and a half gallons of pure alcohol a year. And the fastest-growing industry in America today is legalized marijuana. People are trying every way they can to temporarily increase their sense of well-being or deaden depressed and anxious feelings.

The Letter of Joy

Over the last six weeks we have been in Philippians, a letter written by the Apostle Paul 2,000 years ago to the church in the city of Philippi. For many years the church has called this short letter the biblical book of joy. Although Paul was not experiencing the greatest circumstances when he wrote it—he was in prison—he writes quite a bit about joy, peace, rejoicing, and contentment. So it makes you wonder: how does one come into peace, joy, and contentment when difficult things are going on in life?

As we've gone through this letter, we've seen important truths. Joy is not dependent upon circumstances. Joy can be exercised and developed; there are steps we can take to increase it. Lasting joy comes through grace by Jesus Christ. Happiness begins with gratitude, is found in service to God, and increases through prayer. Joy and happiness are destroyed by pride, but humility increases the likelihood of experiencing them. And joy increases as we work for the joy of others.

Jesus said in the Gospels, "I have spoken these things to you... that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." In Galatians 5, the second fruit of the Spirit listed is joy. One of the evidences that God dwells in us is that we experience joy.

Three Examples to Follow

Here in Philippians 2, Paul lists three examples—three patterns—of individuals walking in such a way that increases joy. The first, in verses 1 through 11, is Jesus: "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." Paul walks us through the process of humility and self-sacrifice that ultimately led to exaltation. Even many non-Christians think Jesus was a good example, and they're right.

Today we focus on two more people Paul highlights: Timothy and Epaphroditus. In the next chapter Paul says, "Note those who walk like this, as you have us as an example." What Paul says about these men is striking. In verse 19, Timothy is going to cheer Paul up. In verse 28, Epaphroditus will make the church happy and reduce Paul's anxiety. How many would sign up for that—happiness for Paul, happiness for the church, and reduced anxiety? Sometimes when reading the Bible you come to a section and wonder why it's there. These verses can seem like they don't fit, but let's consider them together.

Take Appropriate Steps to Be Happy

Just as there is an IQ, researchers tell us there is also an HQ—a happiness quotient—that can be tested and increased through certain steps. In this section Paul is laying out steps that, if we take them, will increase our happiness quotient. And as we've seen, many of these steps are not what the world tells us. We live in a world constantly telling us that if you do this and this you'll be happy, yet the same people tell us they're stressed, anxious, and downcast.

Paul says in verse 19, "that I also may be encouraged"—another translation reads, "that I may be cheered up." This is point one: we need to take appropriate steps to be happy. Yes, we should work for the joy of others, but here Paul also takes a practical step to increase his own joy. He sends Timothy to find out how the Philippians are doing, knowing that when he hears about them, his joy will increase.

Timothy Had the Right Mindset and Focus

What made Timothy so special? Paul writes, "I have no one like-minded who will sincerely care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus." First, Timothy had the right mindset. Earlier Paul urged the Philippians to be like-minded with one another, and in verse 5, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." Timothy was like-minded with Paul and with the Lord. The New Living Translation says, "I have no one else like Timothy." Among all the people Paul served with, Timothy was unique—because he was not self-seeking. He was seeking the things of Christ.

This brings us to point two: true joy requires a shift of focus. We saw this with Jesus, who stepped down from heaven, humbled Himself to the position of a servant, washed His disciples' feet, and laid down His life on the cross. If we are going to walk the path of Christ and follow the example of Timothy, we need to shift our focus from our own cares to the needs of others.

Look back at Philippians 2:4: "Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." That word interests—used twice in verse 4—is the very same Greek word Paul uses when he says "all seek their own." We are to seek not our own interests, but the interests of others. As we discussed in verses 12 and 13, God is the one who works in us to enable this. If left to ourselves, we simply don't do it. But with the power of Christ in us, we can follow Timothy's example.

Timothy Had Proven Character

Paul also says, "You know his proven character." Timothy had been tried, tested, and approved. We first meet him in Acts 16. He came to faith through the witness of his mother and grandmother, who grew in faith through Paul's ministry in Galatia. Timothy grew up in Lystra, and during Paul's second missionary journey Paul took him along as an apprentice and servant in the work.

What kind of proven character? "As a son, with his father, he served with me in the gospel." Two things stand out: he was a son in the faith and a servant of the gospel. Paul later wrote Timothy two personal letters. In 1 Timothy he calls him "a true son in the faith," and in 2 Timothy "a beloved son." Timothy walked with Paul like his own family. And he was a servant—of the thirteen letters Paul wrote, six include Timothy's name in their opening, including this one: "Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:1).

This is point three: there is no lasting joy apart from proven character. At this point in Paul's life, going through a severe trial, imprisoned in Rome and facing potential execution, who was with him? The faithful son and servant, Timothy. Because of his proven character, Paul says in verse 23, "Therefore I hope to send him at once." The therefore is there because of who Timothy was.

Epaphroditus the Active Participant

Now Paul turns to the third example. In verse 25 he describes Epaphroditus with five qualities: "my brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, but your messenger, the one who ministered to my need." He was a brother in the Lord, a worker in the faith, a soldier in the fight, a messenger (literally apostle, one sent with a message), and a minister.

This brings us to point four: joy flows to and from active participants and not passive spectators. The Christian life is not a spectator sport. Yet millions come to church as spectators week in and week out. Leaders have long said the church runs on an 80-20 concept—20% of the people do 80% of the work—and over time it becomes 10% doing 90%. Many Christians, by their own admission, say, "I just don't know that I'm experiencing this abundant life. Where's the joy I was told is in Christ?" True joy flows to and from those who are active participants.

So let me, as your pastor, challenge you to get in the game. Epaphroditus was a brother—a believer—but it didn't stop there. He was a worker (the Greek root ergon involves energy and labor), a soldier fighting the good fight, a messenger, and a minister who served Paul's needs. You will not experience the fullness of joy available in Christ if you are not engaged in His work, serving Him and serving His people.

A Word from a Faithful Servant

I had a great conversation yesterday with an Escondido police officer—no, I didn't get pulled over. It's been an interesting week here. A few days ago some of our guys found a basket in the parking lot with a white cloth, blood, a dead chicken with its head cut off, two dead fish, and pieces of coconut, like someone putting a hex on us. The police came and we're thankful that greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. Then yesterday someone on social media made serious accusations against me, so I called the police department to make an incident report.

The officer who came was my good friend Dave Bishop, a former career Marine, a SWAT sniper, a Christian, and an author on apologetics. For the last 20 years he has gone to Camp Pendleton every Sunday afternoon to teach the core values class to the School of Infantry—about 70% of the United States Marine Corps. He sums it up with three principles—God, country, corps—and tells the recruits, "If you want to know about God, stick around; I have a Bible study for you." For 20 years he's been preaching the gospel to these recruits. Pray for him, because a new commander just closed that door two weeks ago.

As we talked, Dave told me about a conversation he'd recently had with someone about joy. He said, "I told him: I have a great wife, a wonderful family, an awesome job—I love what I do—but I never knew the fullness of joy in Christ until I stepped out and started serving the Lord." Unsolicited, the same day. You will not experience the maximal, expanding joy available in Christ until you engage as an active participant in the work of the Lord. What that looks like is different for every person, because God has gifted, called, and given unique talents to each of you—but He has a place for you in the ministry.

Joy Flows to and from Selfless Servants

Why was Epaphroditus sent? Verse 26: "Since he was longing for you all and was distressed." The word can be translated depressed—yes, Christians sometimes get depressed. He was depressed not because he was sick, but because the Philippians had heard he was sick and were worried for him. He was sick almost unto death, but God had mercy on him. Paul too was sorrowful, and was eager to send him so that the church would rejoice and Paul would have less sorrow. "Hold such men in esteem, because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life."

This is point five: joy flows to and from selfless servants. Epaphroditus brought joy and gladness to those around him because he was self-sacrificing. For the last 25 years we've been told that the way to increase well-being is to build better self-esteem. I don't think we need to belittle ourselves, but I'm not sure we need to work at building self-esteem either. This man looked like he had "low self-esteem"—yet Paul says, this is the kind of guy you should esteem, the one who deserves honor.

The greatest thing in the world is to one day hear Jesus say, "Well done, my good and faithful servant." For the last six months of His life, Jesus' disciples argued about who would be the greatest, failing to recognize that the greatest in the kingdom was right there with them. Strikingly, Jesus didn't rebuke their desire to be great—He told them how: "He who desires to be great in the kingdom of God should become your servant, the servant of all." That is the path to greatness.

There is a place for honor within the body of Christ—Paul told Timothy that those who labor in the word are worthy of double honor. So we are to esteem not the person focused entirely on themselves, but the one who works for the joy of others and counts their interests above their own. This is contrary to nearly everything our culture says about happiness—that the path is to increase self-esteem, position, wealth, and power. Jesus says: give it all away.

Next week, in Philippians 3, we'll see the same pattern in Paul himself. He moves from Jesus to Timothy to Epaphroditus, and then to his own example: "If anyone could boast in the flesh, it was me—yet I counted it all as rubbish that I may gain something so much better."

So, brothers and sisters, take the appropriate steps to be happy. But those steps involve shifting your focus from yourself to others, being part of the body of Christ as a servant and soldier and minister, being an active participant and not a passive spectator. It involves walking contrary to what this world calls the path. And the One who is the incarnation of joy, Jesus, has a little more authority on this topic than your average 21st-century psychologist.

Closing Prayer

Father God, thank You for Your word. It is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, and by it You instruct us. Sometimes You correct and reprove us, but Lord, You show us the right way that we ought to walk, and I pray that we would take these things to heart and apply them this week. Help us to do that, because by our own strength—well, we don't have any strength. So enable us, Lord, we pray. In Jesus' name, all God's people said, Amen.