Today's Passage - Phil 2:25-26

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Philippians 2: 25-26   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. For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill.   Epaphroditus was sent by the Philippian church to serve Paul who was imprisoned, but he got sick as soon as he reached Rome and almost died.  Paul, however, didn't look down on him.  From how Paul addressed Epaphroditus we could tell how much Paul loved him.  First, Paul called him "my brother."  Paul was not proud because he was greatly used by God, and he knew that before God the most important relationship between brothers and sisters is not as coworkers, but brothers and sisters.  Coworkers are distinguished by position and role, brothers and sisters, however, have equal and intimate relationship before God.  As long as we understand this truth, we will not look down on any brother and sister, and we won't allow anything to come between us.   Second, Paul called him a coworker.  From our perspective, the work of Epaphroditus seemed to be quite trivial compared to the mission trips taken by Paul, but Paul didn't look down on him at all.  Paul knew that the work of Epaphroditus was not only for him, but it was done for Jesus Christ.  No matter how trivial a person's work for Jesus is to us, in the eyes of the Lord they are not trivial, and they will be rewarded in heaven.  Lord never look down on any minor work that we do for Him, so how could we look down on them?   Third, Paul called him a fellow soldier, someone Paul fought with.  Anyone who's served in military would know that fellow soldiers are to live and die together; not only do they persevere hardship together, they are also rewarded together.  The biblical principle was rewarding those who fight together it that those who guard the weapons will be rewarded equally as those who fought on the frontline.  In spiritual warfare, every ministry needs to be supplemented and supported by other ministries, and no ministry can claim to be the most important one.  We all belong to the same army with the same commander; we are fighting the same war and we'll receive the same glory from our victory.  How do you regard the brothers and sisters around you?  Are you willing to once again accept them as your brothers, coworkers and fellow soldiers?      Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord Jesus, I ask for your forgiveness if I've ever looked down on other brothers and sisters.  May the Lord once again open my heart, so that we may accept my brothers and sisters as my brothers, coworkers and fellow soldiers.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!