Philippians - Character and Resilience
This past week, I traveled to McKee, Kentucky, to visit my mom and deliver a wheelchair to her to help her get around and make caring for her a little easier for my two sisters. My Mom’s health is failing; she is unable to stand on her own, and she has dementia. This was the first time I looked into her eyes, and she had no idea who I was. Each time I walked into a room, I had to reintroduce myself and her grandkids to her.
When people we love are hurting or in need, we want to do all we can to help bring relief. When we care for people who are going through the hard times that life brings, we want them to know that we love them, that they are not alone, and that we want to help in any way we can. When the church in Phillipi heard that Paul was under house arrest in Rome, they cared for him and wanted to help him.
Two thousand years ago, if you were placed under house arrest, you were responsible for paying for your housing, clothing, and food. You couldn’t work outside the house to earn money, so you had to be financially secure enough to cover your expenses during your confinement. Without financial support, Paul could have been transferred to a harsher form of imprisonment.
To help, the Philippian church took up an offering and sent Epaphroditus to bring it to Paul and support him while he was there. Then, the messenger Epaphroditus became sick and almost died, but he eventually recovered. After his recovery, Paul sent him back to Philippi with a letter, thanking the church for their support and praising Epaphroditus for his dedication.
Let’s read from our text:
Philippians 2:19-29 (NLT2)
19 If the Lord Jesus is willing, I hope to send Timothy to you soon for a visit. Then, he can cheer me up by telling me how you are getting along. 20 I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. 21 All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ. 22 But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News. 23 I hope to send him to you just as soon as I find out what is going to happen to me here. 24 And I have confidence from the Lord that I myself will come to see you soon. 25 Meanwhile, I thought I should send Epaphroditus back to you. He is a true brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier. And he was your messenger to help me in my need. 26 I am sending him because he has been longing to see you, and he was very distressed that you heard he was ill. 27 And he certainly was ill; in fact, he almost died. But God had mercy on him—and also on me, so that I would not have one sorrow after another. 28 So I am all the more anxious to send him back to you, for I know you will be glad to see him, and then I will not be so worried about you. 29 Welcome him with Christian love and with great joy, and give him the honor that people like him deserve.
The first thing we can understand from this passage of scripture is this:
YOUR CHARACTER IS YOUR STORY OF LIFE CHANGE
In this section of his letter, Paul brags about the character of two men – Timothy and Epaphroditus. Timothy's character was described as a man who could cheer others up. He genuinely cared about other people. He cared about what matters most to Jesus. He had proven himself and served alongside Paul in telling others about Jesus. The character of Epaphroditus was described as a true brother. Co-Worker. Fellow Soldier. He was trusted enough to be a messenger carrying a great deal of money to Paul. He cared for the Philippian church – and longed to return to them. When he returned, Paul asked that they give him a hero’s welcome because of his courage and character – he said, “Give him the honor that people like Him deserve.”
Paul knew these two men inside and out. He knew their character.
And the people around you know your character, too. This month, we are receiving nominees for Elders from our church family. If you have a person you would like to nominate to serve as an elder, pick up a nomination form from Guest Central. They can’t be family, and they can’t be aware you are nominating them. The Elders will be servants who support the mission and ministries of Beach Church and will have people assigned to their care. More instructions can be found inside the Elder Nominee forms.
Your character is a significant part of your testimony.
The way you live, the decisions you make, and how you treat others, reflect the impact that Jesus has had on your life.
When people see consistent integrity, kindness, humility, and selflessness in your actions, they see evidence of your faith in Christ. Your character speaks loudly about what you believe and who you follow. Your character is how others will see Christ in you.
Are you honest in difficult situations?
Are you patient with your family in times of stress?
Do you have compassion for a family member or neighbor when they are overwhelmed?
Your character shows the world what it means to be transformed by Jesus. Your character is your story of life change…
So,
LOVE OTHERS, ALWAYS!
Timothy and Eppy's character was rooted in their love for God and people. They genuinely cared for others, demonstrating this through their selfless service and sacrifice for those around them. They did not love others merely with words. They showed it by their actions.
1 John 3:18 (NLT2)
18 Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.
Your character is your story of the life-changing power of Jesus, so failing or falling into sin can be deeply discouraging. Let’s face it—even people with impeccable character fail. So how does a person respond when they realize they have sinned and have not been living up to their calling as a child of God?
Here’s how you can respond.
WHEN YOU FALL, KEEP GETTING BACK UP
Proverbs 24:16 (NLT2)
16 The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.
If falling into sin and failing others is enough to keep you down, it may be that the power of the Living God is not living inside you. A godly person may trip, stumble, and fall – but they will continue to rise again because they have the living God inside them. So today, if you are a follower of Jesus and you realize that your life has not been in accordance with what you say you believe and that you have let other people down…
Get. Back. Up.
The godly may trip seven times – but they will get up again. So.
Get. Back. Up.
Do not let your failure define your walk with God.
5 STEPS TO GET UP
Get Honest
Extend Apologies
Think Through the Lesson
Use this as Fuel
Press On!
First Step: Get Honest. Admit your mistake and own it. Be honest with yourself, God, and others about your failure. Acknowledging your failure shows humility and a willingness to take responsibility for your actions.
1 John 1:9 (NLT2)
9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
Second Step: Extend Apologies
Seek forgiveness and reconcile. Once you’ve acknowledged your sin, the next step is to seek forgiveness—from God first and then from anyone you’ve wronged. Approach God, trusting in His grace and the forgiveness available through Jesus Christ.
If you’ve let others down, it’s also important to ask for their forgiveness. This might involve a difficult conversation, but it’s a necessary step in restoring relationships.
Third Step: Think through the Lesson
Reflect on what you’ve learned. Godly character learns from mistakes. Reflect on what led to the failure. Set new boundaries, seek accountability, or deepen your spiritual disciplines like prayer and Bible study.
Fourth Step: Use this as Fuel
Shift your focus toward what’s next.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT2)
9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses so that the power of Christ can work through me.
Remember that God’s grace is sufficient, and His power is made perfect in our weakness. Don’t let guilt or shame keep you from moving forward. Handle failure with integrity and reliance on God; you will continue to grow and strengthen your character.
Fifth Step: Press On!
If you have fallen, cling to the promises found in Romans 8
Romans 8:32-35, 37-39 (NLT2)
If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. 34 Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. 35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. 38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Press on in your calling as a follower of Jesus.
Press on in your calling as a child of God.
Press on in your belief that not one thing can ever separate you for the Love of God.
Get Honest!
Extend Apologies.
Think through the Lesson
Use this as Fuel
And Press On!