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Philippians 2:19-24
The Apostle Paul has been giving instructions to the Christians at the church in Philippi. He now encourages them by informing them that he is planning to send Timothy, his fellow worker in Christ, to them for fellowship and further guidance. The Apostle Paul has faith in Timothy to carry out this mission as he declares in 2 Timothy 4:1-5 (NKJV), “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” Paul has a desire to go with Timothy to Philippi but is unsure of his fate as a prisoner.
This is an example of Christians working together to accomplish the mission of sharing the gospel and caring for one another – In Christ.
The humility shown in the Apostle Paul is evident in this passage as he is Timothy’s mentor in Christ, yet he is dependent on Timothy to share the gospel where he cannot as Paul has found himself in prison for his dedication to Christ Jesus. This passage can be seen as a passing of the torch from Paul to Timothy and is an encouragement for us all to continue leading others to Christ Jesus as we all will pass from this earthly world one day and leave behind the mission of sharing the gospel to others. Before the crucifixion of Jesus, He prayed for all believers, “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us. That the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me” (John 17:20-23).
Dear LORD,
You pass the sharing of the gospel message from generation to generation. We have all learned from our predecessors and are charged by our faith and obedience to You to share what we have learned to those who will follow, that they too can continue the mission of the evangelist, preacher, and priest. Please utilize each of us as is Your desire that we may be obedient to Your will for our lives – In Christ. In Jesus name I pray, amen.