Paul was writing to the church in Philippi. He was letting them know that he was sending Epaphroditus back to them. He describes in in three very unique ways:
25 But I considered it necessary to send you Epaphroditus—my brother, coworker, and fellow soldier, as well as your messenger and minister to my need— Philippians 2:25
It is interesting to cross reference these words with the letters he wrote to Timothy.
brother. Sister.
Paul first describes Epaphroditus as a brother. The familial terms Paul uses most when describing fellow believers was brother or sister.
1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother: To Philemon our dear friend and coworker, 2 to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets in your home. Philemon 1:1-2
In his letter to Philemon, he described Timothy and Apphia as his brother and sister in Christ. In the book of Acts, it was a common practice from Christians to call each other brother or sister. What did this mean, and what does it mean to us today?
Jesus Defines and designates
Jesus gives us this new definition and designation of family membership.
32 A crowd was sitting around him and told him, “Look, your mother, your brothers, and your sisters are outside asking for you.” 33 He replied to them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” 34 Looking at those sitting in a circle around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” Mark 3:33-35 (CSB)
Jesus does not define us by a natural relationship, but by spiritual connection. This is not Jesus saying that our natural connections are not important, but he is saying, through me, we are the body, and we are all spiritually related as brothers and sisters. Brothers and sisters in Christ are to share a strong spiritual bond.
Children of God
14 For all those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!” 16 The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, Romans 8:14-16
The very instant we receive Christ as our Savior, we are adopted into the family of God. Christ is our big brother, and through him we are called brothers and sisters to each other and the children of God.
28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. Romans 8:28-29
Christ is our Heavenly Father’s only son, but through Christ, God adopts us into his family!
Brotherly and Sisterly Love
Being brothers and sisters brings a certain amount of responsibility for each other. We are called to love others as we love ourselves, but our spiritual family has a special importance in our life.
10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith. Galatians 6:10
The book of Philippians teaches us to be like minded as Christ. To live in unity. All throughout the New Testament, especially Paul’s letters to the churches, he speaks specifically to divisions and disunity in the body of Christ. He speaks specifically and encourages us to live together as one mind, one body, one purpose.
34 “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. John 13:34
10 Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another Romans 12:10
13 Let brotherly love continue. Hebrews 13:1
Our new family might not have been raised under the same roof or come from the same house, but our new family we are adopted into is built on the solid rock foundation of God’s Word and truth. Jesus calls us to join arms to encourage each other, support each other, and to comfort each other in love. We all share something special from our Heavenly Father that he works through us to give to each other: love, hope, and the peace of Christ in our hearts.
20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there among them.” Matthew 18:20 CSB
We need to gather around each other when one or more of us have fallen or are suffering. To lift, to support, to fight in prayer for each other. To encourage and comfort each other. Where we gather together, Christ is in the midst of us.
The Love Worked Through Us
OUr new family is a melting pot of all sorts of people, from all sorts of backgrounds, but we share a common love. A love for our Heavenly Father and Christ. How can we support and encourage each other?
Meet Together
25 not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:25 CSB
Meet in worship. Meet in small groups to study together. Meet for coffee and just speak and listen to one another. Jesus says forsake not the gathering, and I believe this to mean more than just worship service and preaching. I believe he encourages us to gather together outside of this.
Truth
15 “If your brother sins against you, go tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won your brother. Matthew 18:15 CSB
Accountability and responsibility comes from listening to our brothers and sisters. I believe the reason we forsake gathering together is because we are afraid we will be found out. Gathering requires us to be true to who we are. You can fake your relationship with Jesus and God among a church service, but it gets harder when you gather in smaller groups. It requires you to be open and honest. There is a level of responsibility between us to to help each other walk the path of righteousness. Not in judgement, but through love and encouragement.
This verse is in reference of tithes and offerings. Jesus says, do not give until you have made amends to your brother or sister. Do not give until you have forgiven your brother or sister. We need to help each other with a spirit of love.
Compassion
26 So if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 1 Corinthians 12:26
We need to really wrap our minds and allow Christ to transform our hearts to understand compassion. When CHrist looks upon us, he looks upon us with compassion. He understands our sufferings. We need to have the same sort of compassion for each other. Rather than adopt the use of labels, gossip and slander each other, we need to allow the compassion of Christ to see and hear.
Suffering can come through death of love ones, the loss of relationships, walking off the path of righteousness, but it is not a token to browbeat and shame each other. It is the opportunity to truly care about each other. To just sit and listen. To speak truth of God’s promises. A heart that lacks empathy or compassion is not a heart of Christ.
Forgiveness
18 Do not take revenge or bear a grudge against members of your community, but love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:18
The body of Christ fractures everytime we are unwilling and refuse to forgive one another. Unforgiveness is what divides us. True forgiveness seeks to make amends and reconcile a relationship. Forgiveness is not lip service or to be used to get what you want. Real forgiveness is a spiritual experience of paying the debt for someone else that they owe you.
Seeking Good for Others
15 See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all. 1 Thessalonians 5:15 CSB
A good test of your heart is your motive for helping others. Do you seek to help your fellow brothers and sister to get their adoration or praise? Or do you seek to help to push them further along. Do you sacrifice your own desire to help them get ahead of you? Jesus calls us to set apart our own desires so that we can help others get ahead of us.
Do you find it a blessing when someone shares their blessing with you? DO you praise and sing hallelujah when God blesses others? or do you grumble and complain?
Prayer
16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect. James 5:15
There is great encouragement in being able to humbly come to a brother or sister and confess yourself before them and tell them your struggles, hurt, pain, hangups and know they are trustworthy and pray for you. There is no greater knowledge than to know when others pray for you. What a great privilege when others come to us for prayer. Jesus says, pray for each other! Lift each other up in prayer.
OUr lives are most often a rat race. We need each other to balance it all out. A challenge Jesus has given me is to find a community and open my heart and life up to them. This is NOT easy. I have made it a practice to keep my world shrunk down to almost noone. If I keep my world very small, then I do not have to worry about being hurt by others. I do not have to worry about being a disappointment to others. I do not have to worry about someone know my past and shaming me.
This way of life led to feelings of loneliness, disconnection, and exhaustion. Jesus said your solitude is over, it is time to reach out to your brothers and sisters in Christ.
Let them in your world so that they will let you in theirs.
It Starts Small 
Leave a comment