Wednesday after the Eleventh Sunday after Trinity Sunday
Posted on August 26, 2020 by under
Scripture: Philippians 2:19-30 (NKJV)
2:19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. 20 For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. 22 But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel. 23 Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me. 24 But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly.
25 Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need; 26 since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 27 For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. 29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; 30 because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me.
Devotion
The doctrine of the call is important to the Church. As noted in the Augsburg Confession, Article XIV: “Of Ecclesiastical Order they teach that no one should publicly teach in the Church or administer the Sacraments unless he be regularly called.” A man ought not preach of his own volition, but rather await God’s call through His Church, because God is a God of order and concord.
Yet, there is another aspect to the role of the pastor. We see this in Paul’s role with Timothy and Epaphroditus. Timothy and Epaphroditus were not only called by the Church to be Ministers, they were also sent by Paul. Paul’s concern is that people be served. Paul sends Timothy to “care” for them. Such care is bringing the best God has to offer, the forgiveness of sins for Jesus’s sake.
This “sending” is also a function of the ELDoNA’s seminary. Three years are spent training a man to be a pastor. Upon completion of his studies, a man is now prepared to be sent to the congregation that has called him. This is the people of God’s Church working together for the sake of good order, so that God’s people may be served by pastors. Sending also takes place with regard to mission congregations served by the ELDoNA. In communication with our bishop, a pastor or pastors are sent on a regular basis to serve those missions by bringing God’s gifts to them. We can all give thanks to God for our fellowship and the men God has called and sent to serve His people.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we beseech Thee to send faithful pastors to diligently preach Thy Word and administer Thy Sacraments. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
