For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ

Philippian 2:19-30

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 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.

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. 

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. So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, 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.

Epaphroditus, The Philippians had sent him to help Paul. In sending him home. Paul is anxious to make it clear he has not fallen down on his job. Far from it.

Why?

Timothy is followed Paul like his son, he show genuine concern for their welfare. Paul send him to Philippoan as if Paul came to them.

Epaphroditus is a co-worker and fellow soldier who take care of Paul's need and almost died for the work of Christ, they are good servants of the Lord. 

Everyone looks for their own interests, so am I. May the Holy Spirit help me know that we are living for Jesus Christ.

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意念相同，愛心相同，有一樣的心思，有一樣的意念：只要存心謙卑，各人看別人比自己強，

常說我不是為自己，其實就是以自己為強。因此看別人比自己強是重點。如耶穌寧可卑微、順服天父的旨意。教會常常為小事紛爭，批評別人，不會社會爭，反而在教會爭。

教會合一是保羅，也是上帝所喜悅的。提摩太與以巴弗提是榜樣！來勉勵腓利比教會。

提摩太與保羅有同樣心思、意念，對腓利比教會的認識，關懷的心是一樣。

以巴弗提順服以至於死，盡心盡力，至死忠心，他願意走這一趟就是極危險的旅程，而且服事的對象是囚犯、或是被軟禁的人。所做的已經超過一個僕人該做的。

願我們像提摩太與以巴弗提一樣服事神與耶穌基督。

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How?

Gospel is teamwork with the Lord, for we are rescued by Jesus, so we work together and be a messenger of Jesus.