It is a joy to serve the Lord. Let me say that again, IT IS A JOY TO SERVE THE LORD! If you are accustomed to just sitting on a pew and doing nothing, I encourage you to get into the game. Discover your spiritual gifts and use those gifts in the life and ministry of the church. In Philippians 2:19-30 we see five things concerning the joy of faithful service.
Those who serve faithfully are few. Verse 19-21 says, “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.”[1] Remember, it is believed Epaphroditus was the pastor of the church at Philippi. He went to Rome to attend to the needs of Paul, but while there, he apparently got sick and could not return to Philippi. Paul then sought for someone to go and pastor the church at Philippi and the list was very short. Ultimately, he sends Timothy to minister to the church. It is in this context that Paul mentions how he could not find anyone who was likeminded and that he could trust anyone other than Timothy. Those who serve faithfully are few. Sadly, this stands true today. As Jesus said, “The harvest is plenteous but the laborers are few.” Too many Christians have a consumer mentality. They think in terms of what the church can do for them rather than what they can do for the church and for the furtherance of God’s Kingdom. The Holy Spirit places believers in local churches as He wills for a purpose. There is something for everyone to do. There are ways that you can serve within the scope of your giftedness. There is a place for you. Don’t think for one second that God cannot use you. He can use you. He wants to use you. He created you for His glory. He has given you a purpose and a mission. Don’t be idle. Get in the game and faithfully serve the Lord.
Those who serve faithfully are known. Verse 22 says, “But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel.”[2] Paul mentions how Timothy had proven himself and was known for his faithful service. God has a way of elevating the reputation of those who faithfully serve Him. Not for the praise of the servant but for the Glory of the Father. What are you known for? Are you known as a laborer in God’s Kingdom? Are you known as a minister of the Gospel? Are you known as one who serves faithfully?
Those who serve faithfully have desire. Paul says in verses 23-24, “Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me. But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly.”[3] Even though Paul had to send someone else to minister to the church at Philippi, he had a great desire to come himself. The Bible Knowledge Commentary gives a little insight into what took place with Paul. “In view of verse 24, Paul must have expected release from his chains. Significantly Paul’s confidence was now in the Lord (cf. “in the Lord Jesus,” v. 19). This phrase may be rendered “if the Lord wills.” Though the Scriptures include no specific statement about Paul’s release, it must have occurred since he was imprisoned again in Rome during which time he wrote his last letter, 2 Timothy. Though there is no record of Paul’s revisiting Philippi, he may have returned there after his release.”[4] Whether Paul returned to Philippi or not, it cannot be denied that he had an overwhelming desire to be there. Those who faithfully serve the Lord are known for their desire to serve. For them, it is not just a job. It is not something you do out of obligation. Those who are faithful will serve because they want to. Because they enjoy it. Because they have a desire to do so. Do you have a desire to serve the Lord? This desire cannot come from yourself. The desire is placed in you by the Holy Spirit. The desire grows the more you grow spiritually. The closer you are to Jesus, the greater your desire will be to serve Him. I don’t know about you, but I often feel that I cannot do enough. After all that Jesus has done for Him. I owe Him my life. But I do not serve because I owe Him. I serve Him because I love Him and He has put that love in me and He has put that desire in me. Such a desire that comes from the Lord fills me with a joy that is beyond compare.
Those who serve faithfully are flexible. Verse 25 says, “Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need.”[5] Paul at first wanted to send Epaphroditus back to Philippi, however, circumstances would not allow it. Therefore, he had to come up with another solution. Great flexibility is needed in serving the Lord. When you are ministering to people you never know what may come up. Very rarely do I have a day when my schedule proceeds exactly as planned. There is always alterations and changes due to various circumstances. We must learn that changes in our schedule are not interruptions, they are opportunities. They are divine appointments orchestrated by God. Don’t look at people that interrupt your schedule as distractions, look at them as opportunities. Be flexible. Be willing to change. Make adjustments. Nothing in this life is set in stone. God is sovereign and He can change your schedule and plans at a moment’s notice as He wills. Those who serve the Lord must be flexible.
Those who serve faithfully are loyal. Verse 26-30 says, “Since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. 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.”[6] It appears that Epaphroditus while on his visit with Paul in Rome he became very sick to the point that he almost died. God healed him as an act of mercy. Paul stated that he would not be able to bear losing his friend in the ministry and so God has mercy and healed Epaphroditus. With his being healed, Paul sends Epaphroditus back to Philippi where there would be great rejoicing and encouragement. Paul commends Epaphroditus for his faithful service even while being sick and close to death. He did not regard his life. He was more concern for the care of Paul and for the work of the ministry. This is an example of the loyalty of those who faithfully serve the Lord. They work tirelessly for the cause of Christ with no regard for their personal well-being. They put the cause of Christ before their personal comfort. Are you a loyal servant of the Lord?
It is a great joy to faithfully serve the Lord. Are you counted among those who are faithful?
[1] The New King James Version (Php 2:19–21). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[2] The New King James Version (Php 2:22). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[3] The New King James Version (Php 2:23–24). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[4] Lightner, R. P. (1985). Philippians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 657). Victor Books.
[5] The New King James Version (Php 2:25). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[6] The New King James Version (Php 2:26–30). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
Pastor Chris Noland 