Appreciate - Philippians 2 and 4 - May 4, 2008

Sunday School Lesson – Appreciate – May 4, 2008

This begins another series of study entitled “Unlocking Your Best Relationships.”

May 4 – Appreciate – Philippians 2 and 4 – Show Appreciation toward others.

May 11- Communications – Deuteronomy 6, 2 Samuel 14 and Proverbs 4 – Communications are necessary for healthy relationships.

May 18 – Be Trustworthy – 1 Samuel 18, 19 and 20 – Building trust.

May 27 – Be ready to forgive – Ephesians 4 and Philemon 8 – Why forgive?

Last week’s lesson was on humility but it also dealt with mending the broken relationship between twin brothers, Esau and Jacob. The four (4) subjects we will study this month play important roles in building and maintaining relationships.

A relationship is a two (2) way street. A relationship involves two (2) people being involved in building and maintaining the relationship. A relationship can be broken by one person NOT showing appreciation, NOT communicating, NOT being trustworthy and NOT forgiving. Broken relationships are hard to rebuild but communications and forgiveness are important ingredients toward rebuilding trust and appreciation. Marriage is a relationship and once we say “I DO” is the beginning of the building process toward a true, genuine relationship. It often takes some of us much of our married lives before we fully appreciate the mates GOD has given us.

Many marriages today do not try to work through difficult issues. But it is the difficult issues and getting through them that builds stronger relationships. However, abusive and addictive situations must be dealt with great care and professionally.
The flip side of being appreciated, often, is being ignored, abused or taken for granted. Either situation will damage a relationship.

As believers build, grow and mature in their relationship with CHRIST, they can build, maintain and rebuild relationships with others.

Philippians was written by the Apostle Paul to the church that he and his companions began during his second mission trip to Philippi. Philippi was the first church established on the European continent. Paul was likely under house arrest in Rome when he wrote this letter. The church had sent a gift of money to him by one of its members, Epaphroditus (ih PAF roh DIGH thus). Philippians was a letter thanking the church for the gift, encouraging them in their faith and letting them know how faithful Timothy and Epaphroditus had been. Epaphroditus was an elder in the church.

This week’s scripture gives insight into the heart of Paul. Paul appreciates those who minister with him in Rome, Timothy and Epaphroditus.

Let’s read Philippians 2:19-22:

19 Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon so that I also may be encouraged when I hear news about you. 20 For I have no one else like-minded who will genuinely care about your interests; 21 all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know his proven character, because he has served with me in the gospel ministry like a son with a father. 23 Therefore, I hope to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24 And I am convinced in the Lord that I myself will also come quickly.

Timothy was with Paul in Rome. Paul valued their relationship and expressed appreciation for Timothy: like-minded – genuinely care about your interests – proven character – like a son. The Apostle Paul was under house arrest awaiting a court decision either for a trial date or a verdict. Paul’s hope was in the LORD and he was willing to accept whatever verdict was handed down to him. Either way he planned for Timothy to return to the church in Philippi with the news of his situation.
Being appreciated by our friends, loved ones, peers and especially those who we hold in high esteem is a huge confidence builder and ego booster. So just imagine when the Apostle Paul expressed his appreciation both verbally as he shared the letter with Timothy and in the letter. This had to be an encouragement to both Timothy and Epaphroditus when they heard the nice things Paul had to say about them.
Paul looked upon Timothy as his son and he had taught him in the faith. Paul was pleased with Timothy and stated that they were like-minded. Timothy had a heart for the ministry in general and in Philippi. Timothy genuinely cared about spreading the gospel and fellow Christians. Paul expressed the complete confidence he had in Timothy when he wrote the letter to the church in Philippi.

This should encourage us to express our appreciation to our children, grandchildren, loved ones, friends, former teachers, bosses, mentors, pastors and the list goes on and on, when they do things that are pleasing to us. Most of us are quick to criticize often but slow to commend.

Let’s read Philippians 2:25-30:

25 But I considered it necessary to send you Epaphroditus—my brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier, as well as your messenger and minister to my need— 26 since he has been longing for all of you and was distressed because you heard that he was sick. 27 Indeed, he was so sick that he nearly died. However, God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have one grief on top of another. 28 For this reason, I am very eager to send him so that you may rejoice when you see him again and I may be less anxious. 29 Therefore, welcome him in the Lord with all joy and hold men like him in honor, 30 because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up what was lacking in your ministry to me.

Paul expressed great appreciation for Epaphroditus – My brother – co-worker –fellow soldier – messenger – minister – welcome him as a man of honor – a warrior.

Paul looked upon Epaphroditus as a “Gambler.” This was a term used, in that period, to identify people willing to expose themselves to life threatening illnesses to minister to those who were too ill to care for themselves. Epaphroditus earned that distinction and worthy of being recognized for that attribute in his life.

Epaphroditus may have gotten home sick and needed to return to Philippi. But he nearly died while he was visiting Paul. Wanting to go home after we have been sick is very normal after we have experienced a life threatening situation. Epaphroditus was distressed that the church had heard about how sick he was.

Paul was relieved that GOD spared him because Paul did not need to deal with another problem. Paul made it clear to the Philippians that they are to welcome Epaphroditus home as a victorious warrior because he laid his life on the line to serve the LORD.

Let’s read Philippians 4:15-18:

15 And you, Philippians, know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent [gifts]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. for my need several times. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that is increasing to your account. 18 But I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you provided—a fragrant offering, a welcome sacrifice, pleasing to God.

Paul praised them for their gift of support money. This money could be used to meet his needs for his care or legal expenses. Paul saw their hearts through their generosity and concern for him. He saw their action as a response to the prompting of GOD. This was a huge encouragement to Paul because the members of the church in Philippi had not lost faith in CHRIST because Paul was facing an uncertain future. Paul saw that GOD was working in the hearts of the Philippians to care for him.

When Epaphroditus arrived with the gift it was like a breath of fresh air. Their gift supplied his needs in abundance and it not only pleased him, it also pleased GOD.
Paul was grateful that someone cared about him and his circumstances. Here we have a caring body of believers and an appreciative recipient. Paul sent the church a letter of appreciation. This was to let them know how much he appreciated the fact they had not forgotten him and encouraged them to continue to share with others. Sharing and caring benefits both them and those in need. Most of all it shows that their hearts are right before GOD as they serve HIM as HE leads them.

People who have experienced various circumstances life has to offer, such as incarceration, loss of a loved one, financial problems, certain temptations, addictions, wealth, success, fame, popularity and the list goes on and on, are better able to understand and empathize with those who are going through the same or similar circumstances. Paul was under house arrest in Rome. Earlier Paul and Silas had an experience in jail at Philippi. The jailer and his entire family became Christians as a result of Paul and Silas being faithful witnesses. This is recorded in Acts 16:25-34:

A Midnight Deliverance (Paul and Silas are in jail in Philippi.)

25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the jail were shaken, and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s chains came loose. 27 When the jailer woke up and saw the doors of the prison open, he drew his sword and was going to kill himself, since he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul called out in a loud voice, “Don’t harm yourself, because all of us are here!” 29 Then the jailer[6] Lit Then he called for lights, rushed in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he escorted them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the message of the Lord to him along with everyone in his house. 33 He took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds. Right away he and all his family were baptized. 34 He brought them up into his house, set a meal before them, and rejoiced because he had believed God with his entire household.

The Philippian jailer and his family were members of the church in Philippi. Was the jailer instrumental in urging his fellow church members to send a gift of money to Paul in the Prison/house arrest in Rome because he knew what being under house arrest/prison life was all about? Paul mentions other times when the church had responded to meet his needs. Again was the jailer instrumental in leading the church to support Paul because he was so appreciative for Paul and Silas sharing the Good News with him and his family? We do not know but it gives us something to consider.
The body of believers gathers together in the meeting house, we call church, to worship and serve GOD as HE directs. The LORD has a plan for the true church made up of living stones. When new members join a body of believers, the first thing leadership, which is headed by CHRIST and then the pastor, staff, deacons, etc., should ask, “Why is GOD sending this new member or these new members to us?” GOD has a plan for them in the body. This is what body life is all about. Leadership must pray and ask GOD to reveal to them where and how these folks should be used. They may need to be nurtured first. Then make sure they are placed with someone who is a nurturer. But don’t leave them to be nurtured for the rest of their lives. But as they grow and mature spiritually, ask GOD to reveal how they are to serve in the living body. What is GOD revealing or confirming to the body through those becoming a part of the body?

Ask the LORD to reveal to you someone you need to express a word of appreciation.