ACELC Conference: A Noble Task: Pastoral Formation in the LCMS - Matins Sermon

 ACELC Conference: A Noble Task: Pastoral Formation in the LCMS

Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Carlisle, IA

Matins – July 16, 2025

Philippians 2:25-30

This sermon may also be viewed on the Flaneur Record YouTube channel by following this link.

In the Name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The ministry of Epaphroditus appears to be a failure. He was sent by the Philippians to deliver their monetary support to St. Paul and then to stay and minister to the Apostle, assisting him personally and in carrying out the work of Christ among the Romans. Almost immediately after arriving in Rome, Epaphroditus fell ill; so ill that he nearly died. But by God’s gracious mercy, Epaphroditus recovered. When he was strong enough to travel, though much earlier than originally intended, St. Paul sent Epaphroditus back to Philippi, bearing the letter we’ve read from this morning.

Now St. Paul highly praises Epaphroditus. He calls him his brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, and the apostle of the Philippians who ministered to his own needs.[1] These epithets are sincere and extremely high praise for a man whose illness probably made him more of a burden to St. Paul than a helper. How could St. Paul praise him when the weakness of his flesh caused him to fail in his ministry to Paul?

We are told that Epaphroditus had no concern for his own life when it came to the work of Christ.[2] In the midst of his grave illness, he could confess with St. Paul, “To live is Christ, and to die is gain.”[3] And much like St. Paul, his primary concern was for the Philippians. They had heard that he was sick, likely from those who had helped him on his journey to Rome, and they were worried about him. The Philippians were worried about their beloved Epaphroditus and perhaps they were worried what would happen to their congregation should their apostle and minister die in a foreign land.

We can also derive from the text that Epaphroditus was concerned about St. Paul during his illness. He probably thought of himself as a burden to St. Paul during his trial. Yet from St. Paul’s praises of the man, we can see that even while sick, Epaphroditus did what he could to encourage, serve, and minister to Paul.

Rejoicing in Epaphroditus’s recovery, St. Paul says that he is sending him home sooner than he would have liked and that although the ministry of Epaphroditus was a failure by human standards, the Philippians should receive him in the Lord with all gladness and hold him in high esteem because of his faithfulness.[4]

What does all this mean for us today, especially as we are considering pastoral formation in our beloved Synod? First it means that, like St. Paul, we need men more than money, and we need men like Epaphroditus, who place the work of Christ above their own wants, needs, desires, and even lives. I’m sure he was sorrowful to leave his home in Philippi, but his duty was to be the hand of the Philippians in a foreign land, ministering to St. Paul in Rome. There are always dangers associated with such a journey and yet Epaphroditus was willing to face death with no concern for his life, only the work of Christ.

Second, we need to train men to follow Epaphroditus. Not everyone desiring the position of overseer is aware of the sacrifices such a noble task requires. I dare say no one is fully aware. We need to be willing not only to make men aware of the dangers and sacrifices, but to equip them, form them, with the knowledge, doctrine, diligence, and devotion to Christ that are necessary for such a noble task. There is no room to pepper the training of pastors with the leaven of false doctrine or questionable resources. There is no room to keep one foot in and one foot out.

Finally, we have to be willing to recognize that not every man is capable of this sacrifice. The harvest is plentiful and the laborers are few but that does not mean that any man with a heartbeat and the name of Jesus on his lips is fit for the ministry. And this is in fact a good thing. The example of Epaphroditus is not just for clergy. Every Christian must confess with St. Paul, “To live is Christ, to die is gain.” Every Christian must be willing to sincerely sing, “Take they our life, goods, fame, child, and wife, though these all be done, our victory has been won.” We need men in our congregations who are willing to serve at home and support the ministry, receiving pastors in the Lord and holding them in high esteem. We need fathers raising their children to be Christians and teaching their wives in the home, for you are the overseers of your household.

By God’s great mercy, may none of us be faced with a situation like that of Epaphroditus. At the same time, by God’s grace may you all be prepared to follow his faith and example.

In + Jesus’ name. Amen.

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[1] Philippians 2:25.

[2] Philippians 2:30.

[3] Philippians 1:21.

[4] Philippians 2:29.