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Sunday 11/16/25
Title: An eye for seeing what is truly valuable
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An eye for seeing what is truly valuable
Philippians 1:1-11,
“(1) Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:”
I’ve made mention of this several times in the past, but this letter really makes it clear. I want you to take particular notice to whom this letter was addressed.
ALL THE BELIEVERS in Philippi! Paul made sure to make special mention of the pastors and deacons as well, but it was written to the entire church. It was not written to the pastors so that they might filter what they want to convey to the deacons and saints. It was written to them all.
In the early church age there was of course, no postal system so letters were delivered by trusted curriers or messengers. These people were vetted by the apostles and churches. Once established and known by a particular church this same messenger would be used again if possible for the very purpose of verifying the author of the letter.
This is just a side note, but I want you to consider that in the list of qualifications for being a pastor – literacy is never even mentioned. In the modern world we don’t even consider this because we are fortunate enough to live in a world where the majority can both read and write. But this was not true in the ancient Middle East.
Only about 15% of the greater population in the Roman Empire were literate – the numbers were of course higher for rulers, the wealthy and soldiers but the vast majority – especially in rural areas – were in fact illiterate. This was less true of the Jewish people, but even their literacy was most likely partial and functional being focused primarily on the Torah.
So it is highly likely that these trusted messengers not only had to deliver the letters, but read them to the entire congregation. The spiritual investment of the apostles into these early churches were critical and so the messenger almost certainly was being entrusted not only in the delivery and reading but also helping to answer questions as to the apostle’s meaning so the conveyance of the message could be validated by the messenger upon return the the apostle who sent them.
A few scriptures to illustrate:
1 Thess. 5:27-28, “(27) I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers. (28) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.”
In 2 Corinthians, Paul expresses his great relief and joy after Titus returned from Corinth with positive news of the reception of his first letter which addressed some severe issues of church discipline.
2 Corinthians 2:12-13, “(12) When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord, my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia.” This shows Paul’s concern over hearing back from Titus who was the messenger of his letter to the Corinthians. He was very eager for an update.
2 Corinthians 7:5-9, “(5) For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted in every way—from outside were conflicts, from inside were fears. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted by you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more.”
So we can see that the return of Titus with news of the repentance and positive response of the Corinthians believers brought Paul comfort and joy even in the midst of severe trials in Macedonia.
In similar fashion, Paul sent Timothy to check on the church in Thessalonica after he had to leave them due to persecution.
1 Thessalonians 3:1-6, “(1) Therefore when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left alone in Athens, and we sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God… to establish you and to encourage you concerning your faith… But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you have good remembrance of us always, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you—therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith.”
So again we see an instance of a trusted messenger, in this case Timothy, returning with good news and eye-witness confirmation of the steadfastness of the Thessalonian church.
Finally we see it in this very letter to the Philippians –
Php. 2:19-26, “(19) I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. (20) For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. (21) For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. (22) But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. (23) I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, (24) and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also. (25) I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, (26) for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill.”
The greatest point I am making here is that these letters were LIFE to the early church and, as it turns out, to the rest of the church throughout time. As such, no unnecessary chances were taken in their transmission.
Everyone heard the letter read at the same time and nothing was filtered through the pastors! The early church was nothing if not transparent. They were members of one another and so lived accordingly!
The additional points I’ve just made were more for your education and greater understanding of the letters and their transmission to the early churches. Also, so that you can see how much value there was placed upon approved character above education – even and especially among the pastors. Much of the modern requirements we make of pastors can find no basis in the New Testament scriptures!
“(2) Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
(3) I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, (4) always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, (5) because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.”
This is further explained at the end of this letter. The church in Philippi had been the ONLY church, at the beginning of Paul’s ministry, to invest in his ministry – both toward his support and aid in the transmission of the gospel in other places. Whereas other places like Corinth, though a more wealthy church, never gave to Paul. Furthermore, Paul didn’t press them on this when he was among them nor in his first 2 letters to them since they were so carnal, he was concerned they would read into it and be offended at the gospel.
In 2 Corinthians we see Paul address this stinginess in these believers several times and even offers a bit of a sarcastic apology to them for not pressing them on this matter as if he had somehow wronged them by not mentioning it. Furthermore, he pitted the love of the Corinthians and the sincerity of their faith in Christ upon comparing their giving to that of the poverty stricken Macedonians. So you can imagine with what enhanced opinion Paul held this wonderful church in Philippi whose faith was real enough that it reached their wallets!
And without my intending it to, this is a subpoint of our message today which is entitled, “Eyes to discern what truly has value”. This is of course predominately about Christ. Seeing Him and valuing a growing knowing of Him. But also valuing those who help you grow in your knowledge and conformity to Him.
People place SO much value in temporal things and yet, find themselves stingy regarding things which possess eternal value. Remember the provision God made for the priests and Levites under the Old Covenant. Their income and provisions were greater than any of the other tribes, because their job regarded spiritual matters rather than mere natural matters. So God pressed this awareness of Israel to see value, where it truly lay!
I do not say this just myself as your pastor, but as I have told you many times – this is true regarding ANYONE who has invested in you spiritually. They should be held in the highest of honor for their work and labor in the Lord and this should be evidenced in both prayers and giving to them.
This past week I felt led by the lord to listen to a message from one of my college teachers who is now a pastor in Florida. I ministered to me right where I needed it. I could not agree with all he said since there were some misguided applications of scripture which is often associated with the Word of Faith movement… but he invested in my spiritual health and maturity. He did so 30+ years ago and he did so again this past week. So, I am giving into his ministry this month. As a pastor, I do not tithe to myself, but we DO give the equivalent of tithe and then some to those who minister to us spiritually. So this is a truth that is equally valid for all! We need to place value where it truly exists and treat lightly those things which are fleshly and temporal!
After gratefully acknowledging the giving hearts of this church Paul goes on to encourage them and I want you to pay real attention to why he says it is right for him to feel this way…
“(6) And I am sure of this, that He Who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
(7) It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.”
I don’t want to draw too tight a net around this because I am not entirely certain of its limits, but you NEED to recognize that Paul’s statement regarding his confidence in Jesus being able to complete the work He began in them was DIRECTLY tied to their investments in Paul ministry work. They prayed for him as we see in verse 19 of chapter 1 –
“for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance,”
But they also gave to his support not only while free and ministering to the churches but also now while he is imprisoned!
How do I know this? Well, if we jump to chapter 4:10-20, Paul addresses them regarding this ongoing giving of theirs.
“(10) I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. (11) Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. (12) I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. (13) I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (14) Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. (15) And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. (16) Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. (17) Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. (18) I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. (19) And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (20) To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
I also want you to notice how Paul tethers the much misused and abused promise of God’s strength offered to believers, to the GIVING of these saints! Not to their faith. Not to their simply being ‘in Christ”. Not even to their holy living – but to their sharing in the afflictions and needs of the church and himself by giving to his ongoing support in the preaching of the gospel.
How many, I wonder, claim this verse and not only have no idea where it is found in scripture, but have NOT CLUE in what context Paul stated these words! It is this sort of scriptural illiteracy that causes such damage in the church. They believe what they do not understand and they do not understand what they SHOULD believe!
Continuing on to verse 8…
“(8) For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. (9) And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, (10) SO THAT YOU MAY APPROVE WHAT IS EXCELLENT, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, (11) filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”
Blessings!
Tri
