Sermon Notes
Case Studies In Humble Service
PHILIPPIANS – Part 8
May 31, 2026
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for their 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. 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.
25 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 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. 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. 29 So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, 30 because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.
Philippians 2:19-30
A Humble Person:
- Is a key supporter that stays faithful
Though
one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:12
- Is willing carry your burdens
- Has consistent and proven character
Who was Epaphroditus? What can we learn from him?
4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
Romans 12:4-5
12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body... 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”
22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
1 Corinthians 12:12-27
Small Group Discussion Questions for the Week of May 31, 2026.
Opening
1. What is the kindest thing someone has done for you that they probably didn't even realize had such a
big impact?
Digging Deeper into the Scriptures
Read Philippians 2:19-30.
1. Paul writes that he has "no one else like" Timothy, who takes a genuine interest in the church's welfare
(v. 20). What does it look like to prioritize others' interests over your own in today's culture?
2. Why do you think it is so easy for even sincere believers to slip into the trap of seeking their own
interests above the things of Christ?
3. Paul describes Epaphroditus as a "fellow soldier" (v. 25). How does viewing the Christian life as a battle
or war change your perspective of being a Christian?
Applying the Scriptures
1. Who are the "behind-the-scenes" people at NOVA whose work often goes unnoticed? How can you
purposefully encourage them this week?
2. After observing the humble and servant-like characteristics of Timothy and Epaphroditus, which of
their traits would be a growth area for you right now?