Offering God Our Ministry | Pastor Bill Meiter

Living Sacrifice #5 | Pastor Bill Meiter | November 17, 2024 | Arizona Community Church | az.church | Online giving: az.church/give
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LIVING SACRIFICES ARE MINISTERING SACRIFICES
TODAY’S PASSAGE
Philippians 2:25-29 ESV… 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.
27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me
also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that
you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29 So receive him in the
Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life
to complete what was lacking in your service to me.
WHEN PEOPLE IN THE BIBLE SEEM OUT OF REACH
1. Sometimes the heroes of the Bible seem “larger than life”.
2. Epaphroditus was an “everyday man” who exemplified what it means to be a living sacrifice…
Philippians 2:25-29
A MAN WITH A SPECTACULAR SPIRITUAL RESUME
1. Epaphroditus is called a “brother”... Philippians 2:25
2. Epaphroditus is called a “fellow worker” and “fellow solider”… Philippians 2:25; 2 Timothy 1:7; 4:16-17
WHO MINISTERS TO THE MINISTER
1. Epaphroditus is called a “messenger” and “minister”… Philippians 2:25
2. Yes, even Paul needed people to minister to him… 2 Corinthians 11:28
3. Epaphroditus was distressed for those that were worried about him… Philippians 2:26-27; Mark 10:45
4. Paul calls the church to honor men like Epaphroditus… Philippians 2:28-30
LIVING SACRIFICES ARE MINISTERING SACRIFICES
1. Jesus said the greatest among you will be the servant of all… Luke 2:24-25
2. Barnabas was a living sacrifice who was a ministering sacrifice… Acts 11:22-26
3. Priscilla and Aqulia were a living sacrifice who was a ministering sacrifices… Romans 16:3-5
4. Tabitha was a living sacrifice who was a ministering sacrifice… Acts 9:36
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
1. What can we learn from 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 about being a living sacrifice who is a ministering
sacrifice?
2. What impresses you most about Epaphroditus?
3. Who do you know that is most like Epaphroditus?
4. How is your personal ministry going?
TN: Little Things Make A Big Difference