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Text: Philippians 2:25-30

Brian continues in Philippians, vv. 2:25-30

Prepare

Questions to Consider:

1. In verse 25, Paul offers his commendation of Epaphroditus by five titles. What are those titles? Is there any rhyme or reason to how Paul presents them? What do they tell us about this man? Is there any of him that we see in us? What parts? What parts not so much?
2. In verses 26-28, Paul explains why he's returning Epaphroditus to them (he's apparently the one who carried their 'stock report' and financial gifts to Paul in the first place). Why might Paul feel as if he has to first commend Epaphroditus? Didn't they send him because they believed he was already commendable? Has that changed? If so, why so?
3. In the same verses, what are the four reasons Paul gives for thinking it necessary to return Epaphroditus to them? In each of those reasons, what do we learn for our own benefit? Do we learn anything about how we should think and feel about the church?
4. In verse 27, what do we learn about our lives in relationship to the mercy of God? Is it surprising that Paul says 'mercy' instead of, say, faithfulness or uprightness? Why would that be surprising? What should we take from it?
5. In verses 29-30, Paul tells them how they ought to receive Epaphroditus. What are his instructions? Why are those his instructions? As we look back over Philippians 2, what's the main lesson for us? Have we grown in practicing Gospel humility this past month plus? Ask our Heavenly Father to grant as much.