Rev. Rebecca M Heilman-Campbell
Philippians 2:19 – 3:1
Have you all been keeping up with the World Cup these last few weeks? Our household loves it. We donned our Brazil jerseys and cheered on Vinius Jr and even Neymar when he came back into the game. When Brazil didn’t work out, we switched to America. And when America didn’t work out, we switched to Espana, Spain. My aunt is from Spain. And now we just can’t help but route for Argentina, something Douglas never thought he would do as a Brazilian fan. Well, let me clarify, maybe not Argentina, but Lionel Messi, one the greatest soccer players in world history. With Messi at 39 years old and playing in his sixth world cup, we can’t help but root for this goat. Last week, Argentina played against England and England thought they had the win in the bag until following the hydration break. Messi realized that every time he got the ball, three English players would surround him as defense. They would not let him score. It was intentional. And so he switched gears. As the captain of the Argentine team, playing with 20-year-olds who looked up to him as a child, he took a step back as the star player and lead the team in a different way. “Trailing 1-0 in the 85th minute, Messi bypassed the English defense and found Fernández at the top of the box for the equalizer. He then delivered a pinpoint cross with his weaker right foot in stoppage time for Martínez to secure the win.”[1] Goal! Argentina leads the games with Messi providing two crucial assists to get the win. He was not the star of the game. He was not the center of attention like usual, but the assistant who led those following him to a great victory over England. That’s a true leader, someone who knows it takes a team, a group, a community to make things happen. A captain who models leadership by lifting other people up.
And in our Philippians passage today, Paul, the leader of this new Christian movement, is sending his trusted colleagues, his closest friends in his stead. He is sending models of leadership in ministry for the Philippians to welcome and reflect in their own leadership of faith. First Paul mentions Timothy. Cousar writes, “The Philippians know Timothy’s character, how he has labored in the cause of the gospel. He is of “like mind/soul” with Paul. [Timothy] has been like a son to Paul and is the obvious choice to visit Philippi since they also know and trust him. His role is depicted here much as a faithful [ambassador]. Paul’s heartfelt [approval] of Timothy indicates, however, that he is more than a trusted colleague. [Timothy] models the type of life the apostle wants to see embodied in Philippi. [Timothy] cares about others and exhibits in his own life the [wisdom of action] Paul has encouraged the Philippians to demonstrate.”[2] Paul often describes Timothy as someone who “looks not to his own interests but to the interests of others.”[3] And so, Timothy’s visit makes sense. Timothy will bring Paul’s warmth and genuine care, reminding the Philippians of who they are and whose they are. Another leader in God’s ministry.
Paul also sends back his friend, Epaphroditus. We do not know much about him. We know that he grew up in Philippi and his name indicates that he was probably born of Gentile descent (meaning not Jewish). We know he had become critically ill, to near death, while on his travels to see Paul in prison. The Greek speaks to both Paul’s deep concern for his friend and the cultural understanding of one’s faith and loyalty to a friend. Cousar writes, “Paul is concerned that Epaphroditus might not be received home with the proper respect he deserves. After all, he came near to death in order to bring the Philippians’ gift to Paul.”[4] The Greek participle of the phrase “risking his life,” implies “gambling his life” or “daringly exposing himself to danger,” making it clear that Epaphroditus was no coward, but a courageous person, willing to take enormous risks, to aid a friend in need and carry out a ministry.
In our short passage today, Paul has mentioned two friends, two models for Christians to follow, Timothy and Epaphroditus. And they are worthy models for that community. They are imitators of Christ, humble in their actions, courageous and bold, and willing to take a lead when someone else is unable to.
This is a simple message for us. I’m sure in our mind’s eye, we can picture people who modeled faith for us in their own lives. I’m sure we’re thinking of a teacher or friend, a loved one or stranger who modeled their own faith for us. And I’m not saying we need to risk our lives in the name of Christ or expose ourselves to illnesses in the name of Christ, but there is something here to learn. I want to focus more on Epaphroditus. When Paul writes to the Philippians, Paul is also deeply concerned for Epaphroditus because of him risking his life in this way. And Paul wants to reassure the Philippian church that his friend is on his way back home to them. Paul writes that due to Epaphroditus’s illness, his friend has become extremely homesick, saying, “he has been longing for you all. Therefore, I am sending him back as quickly as possible.” Instead of thinking about models of faith, can we think about home? Where is home for you? Maybe the house you grew up with? Maybe a group of people who understand and accept you? Maybe a place of peace and calm and hope? Think about that for a minute.
We’ve all grown up mesmerized and memorizing the first verse of the song, Amazing Grace. Do you know the third verse? It hits differently for me. It goes like this: “Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come: ‘tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.” This verse often sinks me to tears. There are many interpretations of this text and I would interpret differently today. But when I was young, it led me ministry. During my college years and post college years, I traveled and spent weeks and months either alone, with my sister, my mom, or with a group in the African nations of Malawi and Zambia. I first felt a call to ministry among the faithful people of those nations. I knew that’s where I was supposed to be. Somedays I still feel that way. They formed me and shaped my faith as a young person. I love working cross-culturally and partnering with people of faith. During that time, I wanted to spend as much time there as I could. And so I went to seminary, thinking I would be a mission co-worker in those lands, embracing the call of partnership and ministry of relationships. This hymn, Amazing Grace, was sung at almost every weekly chapel service and Sunday worship service in their native language of Chichewa. And while I tried to sing in their language, I would often switch to English, because it brought me my own comfort during that time. I was a young 18 – 23-year-old, far from home, experiencing really good days and really hard days, carrying big faith questions and big cultural questions, wondering what my future might bring and where God might bring me home. Home in the sense of a call to ministry, a call that I felt such a strong tug towards. A call that didn’t feel like my own, but God’s call. A call that none of my friends felt and was outside of the box, contrary to my other 20-year-old friends. I resisted it, often pulling away, but those questions lingered. What 20-year-old wants to go to seminary and work halfway around the world for a living? Not a normal 20-year-old. And so the lyric, “‘tis grace has brought me safe thus far and grace will lead me home” rang in my ear each day, reminding me that my life is not always my own and that I am held close in the arms of God, walking and willing to do God’s work in the unknown. I may not know where home might be. Either way, I knew God would carry me there eventually. I imagine, Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus hold this same sentiment in our passage today.
As we’ve heard over the weeks, Paul is writing this letter from a prison cell, certainly far from home. And as we learned last week, Paul’s ministry is the Philippians is anything but his own. He’s surrounded by helpers, leaders, imitators of Christ and faithful followers of God, walking and willing to carry the faith forward. And so yes, let’s think of those who modeled a faith for you and let’s also think about how you model your own faith in this church, for the people around you, for the children who watch you. Even more so, let’s think about home. A home as the ministry you are called to, the place you are comfortable and know you are providing comfort to others and leading a faith forward in this world who needs hope and light and God’s love. We all called to ministry in some way. It’s not just pastors. Think of Trinity as a home, a place where you have received so much and can give so much in return. A place that maybe somedays you are homesick for. A place where you can walk away for a while and a place that will be here when you are ready to return. A place where you are heard and seen, loved and care for. A place where you are called to be leaders of faith when others may need a break. From home visits to communion visits. From stewardship campaigns to the Way Forward team. From session to teaching children about God. There is a place of leadership here, big or small, both significant and a need for the church, but more so for this community to strive. Think about where God is calling you in this place we call home to make it home for others in this community.
I resisted Philippians when Nick first suggested it. Paul can be such a drag sometimes, BUT when you read the emotion behind this letter, wow! It’s absolutely beautiful. Paul is calling the faithful to leadership, to community, to lean on each other and know that it can’t take one person. It takes us all. We must, Trinity, lean into our faith, our gifts, our calling to this place we call home. Listen to the nudge. Let us get to work. You are called to do so as much as anyone.
[1]https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/lionel-messi-enters-stunning-pele-230847044.html
[2] Cousar, Charles B.. Philippians and Philemon (2009): A Commentary (New Testament Library) (p. 65). (Function). Kindle Edition.
[3] Cousar, Charles B.. Philippians and Philemon (2009): A Commentary (New Testament Library) (p. 65). (Function). Kindle Edition.
[4] Cousar, Charles B.. Philippians and Philemon (2009): A Commentary (New Testament Library) (pp. 65-66). (Function). Kindle Edition.