I am still working through the thoughts and emotions that have dwelt inside of me after a week in Haiti. While my wife administered medical care, I was able to minister to hundreds of Haitians with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, most of them think they’ve heard it, think they know it, and think they believe it. The content of our conversations revealed something quite different. I will unpack what I mean by this in future posts – last Sunday I preached a sermon entitled “Haiti, The Church, and the Sovereignty of God”, so I will share some of my notes. For now, please take some time to watch the video I created to show our congregation a bit of what we experienced.
“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others”Philippians 2:3-4
In Chapter 2 of Philippians Paul follows his command of humble service by presenting us with several examples of true Christian service:
Christ though He is God did not consider equality with God something to be held on to, but “made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (2:6-9). The incarnation was costly and even more so was the passion and death of Christ, yet Christ humbly obeyed and served the Father.
Paul sees himself as a sacrifice on behalf of the church as rejoices in it; “Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all” (2:17).
Timothy uniquely and unselfishly cares for the church and Paul: “For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel” (2:20-22).
Epaphroditus, whom Paul calls “my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need,” appears to be a member of the church at Philippi who served Paul even though it almost cost him his life (2:25, 27, 30). Verse 30 says “he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.” What his service is to Paul is clearly called the work of Christ. It is also described as completing what was lacking in the Philippians’ service to Paul. This begs the question of what was lacking in their service? Clearly they cared for Paul and even gave to support his needs (see 1:3-5 and 4:16). The answer to this question is likely best discerned in light of the parallel passage in 1 Corinthians 16:17, “I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence.” While it was not feasible for the entire church at Philippi to pack up and move to Rome to serve Paul, they nonetheless desired to also serve him in this way. Epaphroditus did what the church as a whole could not and Paul says, “So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men” (2:29)
I bring this up for a couple of reasons. First, I constantly need to be reminded to flee my selfish desires, to humbly think of others as more important than myself, and to do the work of Christ by serving them. Secondly, having recently studied through this passage I could not help but see a parallel to this passage in my own life. As many of you may be aware ARBCA churches are working together to help those in Haiti. An email was sent out asking for people to go to Haiti and serve. In so many ways I longed to go as many in our churches have, but was prevented for various reasons. In the email was the line, “Right now there is no guarantee of safety for the volunteers” which honestly caused fear in my heart. On top of this the call was primarily for medical staff. I have been encouraged by fellow Ardent Cries contributor Nick Kennicott who in many ways is a modern day Epaphroditus for me and many in ARBCA. Nick and his wife Felicia are currently in Haiti. She is a physician’s assistant and he is a pastor which makes them uniquely qualified to serve and do the work of Christ. The scripture says honor such men.
May we humbly do the work of Christ by serving those in need and thinking of others more highly than ourselves. I encourage you to help the Kennicotts and others as they make up for what is lacking in our service.
