Submitted by Pastor Jonathan Lee, Gracepoint Davis

What kind of man would risk his life for the work of Christ?  Why is it appropriate to honor such a person? Who are the people in my life I ought to honor for their labor for the Lord?

The kind of person who would risk his/her life for the work of Christ is someone who:  1) Is not afraid of death itself (Rom. 14:8 “If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”); 2) Has already died to his/her own individual life (Col. 3:3 “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”); 3) Is now living that life for Christ (Gal. 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”).

As this passage tells us, Epaphroditus was sent to take care of Paul’s needs as he was engaged in the gospel work.  Epaphroditus’ journey and ministry was certainly not for his own benefit.  His plans and schedules were surrendered and radically changed because of the needs of Kingdom work.  His life was all about how to further the work and ministry of Christ.  Indeed, his life is an example of Ephesians 5:1-2 that we recently went over, as he was a clear imitator of God, living a life of love, just as Christ loved us.

It is entirely appropriate to honor such a person since it is not that necessarily that individual who is honored, but rather, Christ is ultimately honored as people take notice of Jesus Christ who is reigning as Lord over that person.  That kind of life honors the life of Christ by giving faithful testimony to Him.  Other passages calling for such honor include: 1 Cor. 16:18 “For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition” and 1 Tim. 5:17 “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.”

There are many people in my life I ought to honor for their labor for the Lord.  There is Pastor Ed and Kelly Kang who spoke God’s truth to my wayward life from back in 1988 all the way to this present moment.  They endured through the many difficulties for the work of Christ, and is daily “in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed” in me (and hundreds of others who are directly impacted through Gracepoint Ministries).  There are many others who are co-laboring for the Lord such as my friends Tony and Michelle who have been pouring their lives to touch many children with the love of Christ, planting seeds of the Gospel; and I’m still so grateful for their personal financial sacrifice for our family when we first moved to Davis.  There are the church plant leads (and team members) who packed up, moved, and are now on a very different campus sharing the same vision to see an Acts 2 church in that college town.  And I can’t forget my wife Susanna who continues to challenge me with her selfless and diligent labor in the Lord.  Further beyond, there are many “cloud of witnesses” like Chuck Colson who even though is nearly double my age, is still going strong in transforming this world with a Biblical worldview.  And there are dear missionaries half way around the world who are risking their lives so that they might bring a smile to a face that had only known sorrow.