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“Let Your Manner of Life be Worthy of the Gospel of Christ” Philippians 1:27-2:18

A Study of the Book of

“Philippians” Unity. Humility. Joy.

“Let Your Manner of Life be Worthy of the Gospel of Christ”

Philippians 1:27-2:18

Introduction

“During World War II, Hitler commanded all religious groups to unite so that he could control them. Among the Brethren assemblies, half complied and half refused. Those who went along with the order had a much easier time. Those who did not, faced harsh persecution. In almost every family of those who resisted, someone died in a concentration camp.

When the war was over, feelings of bitterness ran deep between the groups and there was much tension. Finally, they decided that the situation had to be healed. Leaders from each group met at a quiet retreat. For several days, each person spent time in prayer, examining his own heart in the light of Christ’s commands. Then they came together. Francis Schaeffer, who told of the incident, asked a friend who was there, “What did you do then?” “We were just one,” he replied. As they confessed their hostility and bitterness to God and yielded to His control, the Holy Spirit created a spirit of unity among them. Love filled their hearts and dissolved their hatred. When love prevails among believers, especially in times of strong disagreement, it presents to the world an indisputable mark of a true follower of Jesus Christ.”[1]

Most churches given enough time go through times of strong disagreement, but when that happens the gospel stops moving forward, and it is not until the church reunites, and heals that it begins to move forward again. This morning we are going to look at how a church experiencing division and how it moves forward.

Prayer

A Worthy Life Defined (vv. 27-30)

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

(v. 27) “let your manner of life be” – “Behind our English versions of this phrase is a single Greek verb that has citizen at its core; to maintain a standard of conduct befitting a citizen, to behave in a way that enhances the reputation of one’s city.”[2] Or “as citizens of heaven, behave in such a way . . .” This entire city was established by retired Roman soldiers and the colony of Phillipi was given to them as a reward for their winning a very strategic battle. These citizens considered their citizenship in the Roman empire to be very important – so Paul is playing off of this common understanding of the people regarding the importance of citizenship.

Paul writes to the church in Phillipi, to live a life that is “worthy of the gospel of Christ.” John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” God in his love for us, sent Jesus to endure all that went along with the crucifixion, so that we can live with Him in eternity. Now, in light of that level of sacrifice live a life worthy of that level of sacrifice. How does a person even begin to live that kind of life? Not that we have earned it or deserved it or were worthy of it, but the free gift was given – live your life as though you understand the gospel’s value and the expectations of Jesus for you.[3]

Jesus in Luke 14:25-33 is talking with the crowds about what it means to be a follow of Jesus, what is expected of them, “Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.” Discipleship requires repentance (of sin) and obedience (following Christ’s commands).

So in order to be a follower of Jesus you have walked away from everything, you are now a follower of Jesus and there clearly is the expectation that you are apart of a/the church; so what does this worthy life look like? “Paul defines three specific aspects of their life as citizens: 1) that you are standing firm in one spirit, 2) striving side by side for the faith of the gospel 3) not frightened in anything by your opponents. These three phrases unpack the obligations of good citizenship (or church membership)”[4] and what it means to live life in a way that is worthy.

“Standing firm in one spirit” – Standing firm is a military term, where soldiers have to hold a line, they cannot fall back, or lose ground to the enemy. As the enemy advances, the gospel doesn’t lose ground. The church was facing persecution and potential imprisonment – because of their advancing the gospel. It would be very easy just to stop, stay at home, focus on each individual’s concern. If this happened the church would splinter.

“striving side by side for the faith of the gospel” – “striving side by side” is a translation of “one psyche, one soul” When the soldiers would fight side-by-side they are fighting as one person, one unified unit. – as though they are the same man. Christians are not striving as individuals, but as a unit together. When Christians fight with eachother, unity is lost, ground is lost, and the gospel loses. Striving also indicates effort, working hard, putting in the work. Christians working/serving, with the same mind, for the faith of the gospel. Working toward a common goal.

Bellevue Baptist Church Exists to Make Disciples of Jesus Christ.

Our working, striving, and serving in our church is so that the gospel can move forward – we hold the ground, so that no ground is lost, and when the enemy advances against us, we are not afraid.

Adopted by the Nazi Party in the 1930s, Hitler’s infamous “sieg heil” (meaning “hail victory”) salute was mandatory for all German citizens as a demonstration of loyalty to the Führer, his party, and his nation. August Landmesser joined the Nazi Party in 1931 and began to work his way up the ranks of what would become the only legal political affiliation in the country. Two years later, Landmesser fell madly in love with Irma Eckler, a Jewish woman, and proposed marriage to her in 1935. After his engagement to a Jewish woman was discovered, Landmesser was expelled from the Nazi Party. Landmesser and Eckler decided to file a marriage application in Hamburg, but the union was denied under the newly enacted Nuremberg Laws. The couple welcomed their first daughter, Ingrid, in October 1935. And then on June 13, 1936, Landmesser gave a crossed-arm stance during Hitler’s christening of a new German navy vessel. The act of defiance stands out amid the throng of Nazi salutes.[5] August Landmesserstood alone amongst evil.

“not frightened in anything by your opponents.” – The word used here for frightened is same used for horses startled or frightened on the battlefield. Christians as we stand side-by-side, striving for the gospel, we are “not to run from any battle, back down from any attack, compromise anything, or concede in any way.”[6]

(v. 30) The church is also engaged in the same “suffer for his (Jesus’) sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict” as Paul. The church were suffering from and engaged in the same conflict as Paul. Their partnership with Paul in advancing the gospel, has now brought them the same struggle Paul had.

A Worthy Life Explained

A Reminder of the Blessings of Unity (vv. 1-4)

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Paul now continues his urging the church to be unified, by reminding them of what they experience when they are unified; 1) encouragement in Christ, 2) comfort from love, 3) participation in the Spirit 4) affection and sympathy. As a church, when you see storms of arguments and disagreements growing on the horizon, remind each other that if this (whatever the things of the day is) causes disunity, then the whole church loses these four things. If you value the joy, love, and encouragement that you have at church then;

(v. 3) “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” – Jesus helps us understand this when he says in Luke 14:8-11 “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, 9 and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

We maintain unity through humility and compassion for others.

(v. 4) “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” We are not wired to put other’s interests above our own, to consider others of more value than ourselves. Our natural tendency is to put yourself first, and to look after your own self-interests. So, where does a person find this kind of mindset? The answer is the gospel – Jesus gave himself for the salvation of others. We are His disciple – therefore, we give ourselves for the salvation of others.

Jesus’ Example (vv. 5-11)

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Paul uses Jesus’ incarnation (Jesus as God taking on human flesh, being born into this world) as a way of showing us what he means by humility and relating to others.

The one who “God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father – Jesus has the right to do what he wants, to follow his own self-interest (far more right than we have to say, “I’m going to do this, or I believe that this should happen).

But what does this highly exalted one, this one whose name is above every other name do? What is the example that Paul is pointing to? “though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

Instead of holding on to “grasping” his rights, authority, privileges as God the Son, he followed the leadership of God the Father and humbled himself by taking on human flesh and becoming a human being. The Exalted One, stepped down from His throne and did what he was told, and endured horrific torture and disrespect to purchase the salvation for humanity. If Jesus was willing to humble himself, so should we.

A Reminder of the Seriousness of What the Church Does (vv. 12-17)

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

(v. 12) “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,” – Paul is very clear that we don’t earn our salvation, we don’t work for it, or achieve it by works. The context helps us to understand what Paul means, this whole passage has been focused on unity within the church and how that advances the gospel. In the verses following (not grumbling or disputing), again follow this idea. The working out salvation is given in the corporate sense. Just like earlier the church is striving (working hard) to advance the gospel, here the church works (extended effort).

“The entire church, which had grown spiritually ill (2:3-4), is now charged with taking whatever steps are necessary to restore itself to health, integrity, and wholeness.” It is a call for the whole church to rebuild social harmony – and if everyone is focused on themselves and their personal desires, conflict will only continue. That restoration comes when the church serves one another. Stop having attitudes and using words that tear at the fabric of the community.

Everyone has work for unity within the church.

Paul also adds the words, “with fear and trembling.” This phrase indicates the weight and gravitas, the importance of what the church does. We are partners in the gospel – what we do is eternally important. So we approach that seriousness and responsibility with “fear and trembling.”

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

Grumbling and Disputing wrecks the unity and joy of the church. Don’t you want to finish the race blameless and innocent, without blemish? We are to “shine as lights in the world” The light we shine is the hope of Jesus Christ and power of the cross. We must work hard so that nothing gets in the way of that happening.

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[1] http://www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/u/unity.htm

[2] Dennis E. Johnson, Reformed Expository Commentary, Philippians (Phillipsburg, New Jersey; P&R Publishing, 2013) 89.

[3] For more on this topic see https://www.gotquestions.org/cheap-grace.html, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship, published in 1937. In that book, Bonhoeffer defined “cheap grace” as “the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline.”

[4] G. Walter Hansen, 95.

[5] https://www.businessinsider.com/the-lone-german-man-who-refused-to-give-hitler-the-nazi-salute-2015-6

[6] Hansen, 98.

10 Commandments For Makers (inspired by Adam Savage)

10 Commandments for Makers

(by Drew Boswell)

Recently I came across a speech given by Adam Savage (of the tv show Myth Busters fame) at the Bay Area Maker Faire in 2014.[1] In the speech he gives his 10 Commandments for Makers. Using his list as an inspiration, I present to you my own such list.

1. Make something that is different than what you do for a living. I have found that what makes creating and making so appealing to me is that it is a source of relaxation, comfort, resetting my mind, and a way to step out of the stress of my day-to-day work. So if you make cabinets for a living, don’t make cabinets to relax. Make something totally different. Make a garden, sew a shirt, tan some leather. Whatever.

2. Make different stuff to make better stuff – try something different. I know you have to invest in tools (sewing machine for sewing, anvil for blacksmithing, chisels for woodworking, etc.) but learning new skills in different areas will help you make even better stuff in your preferred area of “stuff making.”

3. Give something you have made to someone else (even your early stuff, your just starting out stuff, your just giving this a shot stuff). There is something special to giving your creations away, even if the other person doesn’t get it.

Another form of this commandment is helping someone with a skill that you have learned. Sew on button for someone, replace someone’s windshield wiper, glue the sole back onto their shoe, etc. Take something you have learned by making something, and help another person with this knowledge.

4. Let done be good enough. Do your best, but it doesn’t have to be absolutely perfect. Give yourself a reasonable deadline, and when you are done, you are done. Walk way, let the paint dry. You are done. Resist the urge to go back and make it better – push publish. It is time for it to live in the world.

5. Get the good stuff. It is ok to invest in yourself. Don’t be greedy, you have mouths to feed but when you can, it is ok to buy the best (at the least buy the better).

6. If you totally mess something up (and you will), or can’t figure out how to make something work, just step back for a while. Take a walk, watch a movie, sleep on it. Then go back to it and many times the answer to how to fix it will come to you. Give your brain some time to think about it.

7. Invest in relationships with other people who make what you make. People who do what you do may come in all shapes and sizes, color, age, etc. but it will bring you so much joy to share your journey with them. Find another maker to encourage – the world is full of sand castle stompers, and too few sand castle builders. Probably because it takes heart and imagination to build and brainless aphantasia to destroy.

8. Keep your work area clean, your tools oiled and sharpened, and put away. There is a common adage, “a place for everything and everything in its’ place.” You take valuable time away from building and creating when you have to look for a tool that is out of place, or your tools need to be replaced (which adds expense) because a tool has been left out to weather and fall into disrepair.

9. Get rid of “widow maker” tools ASAP – my widow maker was a Ryobe table saw. These are the cheap beginner tools that are dangerous. Not only are they dangerous to your health, but they are also dangerous to you learning bad habits, or getting frustrated with it breaking, and your making comes to a standstill. I get it, when you are starting you don’t know how fully involved you want to be in any area (sewing, baking, leather working, blacksmithing, etc) so you go cheap to try it out.

Once you know you want to make some more stuff in a given area, get rid of the poorly made tools ASAP. But most crafting things can be done inexpensively, with fairly low-cost tools. Just make sure they are not cheaply made. Also, the really expensive well-made tools tend to hold their value. If you want to get out of a given area, sell your tools on E-Bay, if you invested in good stuff, there is a good chance you can get most of your money back (check out Lie-Nielsen tools for example). This also keeps your work area clear of the clutter from tools you don’t use or want any more.

*see https://drewboswell.com/knowledge-allows-you-to-live-a-simpler-life/ for more about Widow Maker in my shop.

10. Words to my younger self – the things you have made brought you joy. Keep making stuff.

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ER7rhQ7N69k

“Facing the Eternal” Philippians 1:12-26

A Study of the Book of

“Philippians”

“Facing the Eternal”

Philippians 1:12-26

Introduction

In 1799, Conrad Reed discovered a seventeen-pound rock while fishing in Little Meadow Creek. Not knowing what it was made of, his family used it as a doorstop for three years. In 1802, his father, John Reed, took it to a jeweler who identified it as a lump of gold worth about $3,600. That lump of gold, which was used as a doorstop for three years in North Carolina, is one of the biggest gold nuggets ever found east of the Rockies.

One man sees a doorstep, another man sees opportunity – today we will discover that our relationship with Jesus changes how we see the world and enables us to face the eternal with boldness and excitement.

Prayer

Honoring Christ in How We Live (vv. 12-18a)

My Reaction to Circumstances (vv. 12-14)

I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

(v. 12) Paul has talked about the church’s and his own partnership in advancing the gospel, and it may appear as though the advancement had been hindered since he is imprisoned; but here he explains that his imprisonment, “has really served to advance the gospel.”

(1) “His chains could easily be viewed as a tragic end to a brilliant career, a restriction of a gifted apostle, and an outrageous injustice against a Roman citizen. Instead of being led by his chains to a negative outlook, Paul used them to lead his guards to the knowledge of Christ.”[1] Paul said, “it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard.”

It may seem, “like a setback to Paul’s agenda to carry the gospel to places where Jesus’ name has not been heard. In fact, however, this restriction of Paul’s mobility has opened doors for the gospel into the halls of power to which he could never have gained access as a free agent!”[2]

(2) Another reason as to why his imprisonment was not stopping the spread of the gospel, was how it was affecting other believers. The chains that held Paul were inspiring others to share the gospel, they “are much more bold to speak the word without fear.” Paul didn’t stop speaking about Jesus no matter where he was.

Paul was not bound to the guards, they were bound to him – he never ceased telling them about Jesus. His example led “most of the brothers” – not some, or a few, but most of the church were emboldened to share about Jesus. There was a remarkable increase in the bold proclamation of these believers. They are doing the very thing that caused Paul to be arrested.

For this church, it took the imprisonment of Paul to embolden them – what would it take for the church in America to become emboldened to share about Jesus? What would it take to shake us from our apathy and comfort? Courage is contagious.

There once was a man who bragged that he had cut off the tail of a man-eating lion with his pocket knife. Asked why he hadn’t cut off the lion’s head, the man replied: “Someone had already done that.”[3]

When we find ourselves “chained” to what appears to the world to be a disadvantage, this may actually be God’s plan, and may actually be an advantage to do what God has called us to do. We may not be chained to the world, the world may find itself chained to us.

My Motive For Ministering (vv. 15-18)

15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.

Then among those who are emboldened to speak about Jesus, to share His word, Paul mentions two groups; but they are both Christians, brothers and sisters in Christ. “They are not wolves in sheep’s clothing; they are not pseudo-Christians.”[4] Both of the groups preach about Jesus – they both have the same message. What divides them is how each group thinks about Paul.

There were preachers who were motivated by love (especially toward Paul) and the preachers motivated by selfish ambition. The second group wanted Paul to suffer, or for him to be troubled. Their preaching, though true in content, was actually a façade, a pretense, for their envious, self-seeking desire to hurt Paul. With Paul being in prison, and their competition removed, now these preachers could attract a crowd larger than Paul – and they believed that this would cause Paul anguish.

There are some people who believe that everything is a zero-sum game. “a situation that involves two sides, where the result is an advantage for one side and an equivalent loss for the other. In other words, player one’s gain is equivalent to player two’s loss, with the result that the net improvement in benefit of the game is zero.”[5] This group of envy-driven preachers believed that in order for them to win in ministry, they have to do better than Paul. Paul is imprisoned, they are able to have more converts, they win.

These two groups cause us to ask the question – why are we engaged in ministry? Is it to bring glory to God and partner with other Christians to expand the kingdom? Or is about building our own little kingdom, our name, our reputation? Does it matter who gets the credit?

Honor Christ in Life or by Death (vv. 18b-26)

Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

(18b) Paul says that he “will rejoice” (this is pointing to the future) regardless of whether it leads to life or death. Whether he is executed or released, Paul is determined to rejoice. His circumstances “drove him to prayer, but it did not drive him to despair.”[6] Paul’s desire is to honor Christ, above anything else (life, reputation, being slandered, freedom, etc.)

We see this same idea in Job 13:15-16 “Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face. 16 This will be my salvation, that the godless shall not come before him.”

Paul is convinced that two things will lead to his deliverance from prison, “through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance.” – Because of their prayers, Paul is filled with joy rather than anxiety. A better way of thinking of “the help of the Spirit,” would be God’s “provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.” In that time this same word is used in marriage contracts, where a husband provides for material needs of his wife. In this text the provision of the Spirit from God is not something the Spirit gives, but the provision is the Spirit.

Luke 11:13 “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Paul is not going to be in prison alone, he is not going to stand trial alone, If he is sentenced to die, then he will not die alone – Paul has the provision of the Spirit with him (because of the prayers of the saints).

Jesus Is With Me Now

(v. 20) When Paul says, “ . . . I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored” his shame is not in his own reputation, but in this circumstance, this trial, he does not want to misstep or say or do something that will corrupt the gospel – he is a defender of the gospel. His shame would be if he failed to do this. He wants above all things that Christ would be honored.

In order for this to happen, he needs “full courage”— Paul believes (v. 19), “for I know” that there is coming a day, when he will stand before the powers that be, and he will give an apologetic, a defense, an explanation of the gospel of Jesus – there will be an opportunity when he will have a forum to share the gospel – and when that day comes, he wants Christ to be honored. He will need full courage. Paul’s witness may cause his execution.

(v. 21) “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” – In the previous verse Paul is talking about not being ashamed of how he has brought Christ honor in his defense of the gospel. In the verse after this verse Paul is talking about what he does with his body, the flesh, and he’s talking about fruitful labor.

If Paul remains, then he will be able to experience Christ being present with him “in the flesh,” if he dies then he will experience being with Christ in eternity. Both are experiences of being with Jesus, both are glorious.

“to live is Christ” – Your life as a Christian is not something that you will ever complete on this side of eternity. Every season of our lives is an opportunity to learn and grow as a person – each day is an opportunity to know and serve Jesus.

Jesus Is With Me In Death

One way of looking at Paul saying, “to die is gain,” could mean that this life has many painful experiences, suffering, and burden that have to be carried, so that death would be a release of these things. But this does not line up with the context of that Paul has said, he finds joy in life, as he is centered on Christ.

If Paul is executed because of his witness for Christ, his defense of the gospel, then it is gain because he would have died defending the faith. It is a gain for the gospel. Paul does not list all the painful experiences, instead he says that if he is able to continue to live, then it means “fruitful labor for me,.”

I Will Be With Jesus in Heaven

Paul also tells us that for believers, those that have put their faith in Jesus, “to depart and be with Christ” – or when we die we go to be with Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:8-10 “Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” So Jesus is with Paul as he does ministry now, Jesus is with Paul in his moment of death, and Jesus is with Paul in eternity.

The way that we are with Jesus in heaven is different than how we are with him now. Paul says “to die is gain” his whole focus is our relationship with Jesus, so how are things different in heaven and how we relate to Jesus, then here. In heaven our sin is stripped away, our for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is to still have our sin nature and bent toward sin and rebellion.

Paul says in Romans 7:15 “For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” In heaven that tug of war between our sinful nature and our glorified nature will be gone. Our relationship with Jesus will be as Paul says, “gain.”

Throughout this passage there are constant opposites of what we would expect; Paul is joyful and excited even though he is imprisoned. The church people are emboldened to share Christ, even though it could mean they would go to prison just like Paul. The persecution didn’t oppress the people, it emboldened them. Paul is not frustrated by people preaching the gospel with wrong motives, he is excited that it is being preached. While we would more than likely be terrified, facing death, Paul can’t make up his mind which is better to live or to die. How do we have this mindset?

Jeremiah 17:7-8 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. 8 He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

When we trust the Lord, He becomes our source of courage and contentment when life is hard. For Paul, his entire life was focused on Jesus and the calling upon his life (he was a church planter and preacher). The world blows its destructive winds arounds us, but we are not basing our joy on circumstances – instead there is a deep connection to Jesus, that gives us joy no matter the circumstances.

Where is Joy Found?

Not in unbelief, Voltaire was an infidel of the most pronounced type. He wrote: “I wish I had never been born.” Not in pleasure, Lord Byron lived a life of pleasure if anyone did. He wrote: “The worm, the canker, and grief are mine alone.” Not in money, Jay Gould, the American millionaire, had plenty of that. When dying, he said: “I suppose I am the most miserable man on earth.” Not in position and fame, Lord Beaconsfield enjoyed more than his share of both. He wrote: “Youth is a mistake; manhood a struggle; old age a regret.” Not in military glory, Alexander the Great conquered the known world in his day. Having done so, he wept in his tent because, he said, “There are no more worlds to conquer.” Where then is real joy found? The answer is simple, in Christ alone.[7]

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

_______________________

[1] G. Walter Hansen, The Letter to the Philippians (Grand Rapids, Michigan; William B. Eerdsman Publishing Company, 2009) 69.

[2] Dennis E. Johnson, Reformed Expository Commentary, Philippians (Pittsburg, New Jersey; P & R Publishing, 1013) 58.

[3] Originally attributed to Adrian Rogers

[4] Hansen, 71.

[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zero-sum_game

[6] Hansen, 77.

[7] https://ministry127.com/resources/illustration/where-is-joy-found

“Partakers of Grace & Partners in the Gospel” Philippians 1:1-11

A Study of the Book of

“Philippians”

“Partakers of Grace & Partners in the Gospel”

Philippians 1:1-11

Introduction

Prayer

Unity In Purpose (vv. 1-2)

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

In that day it was very typical of letters sent to include who was sending the letter, “Paul and Timothy,” and to include their title. “Paul usually introduced himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ. But in this letter he makes no reference to his apostolic position . . . (and) he uses the same title for both himself and Timothy. Their work together was that of “slaves,” the literal meaning of the term servants.”[1]

Paul and Timothy are not free to do what they wanted, they were servants of Jesus and they were subject to the claims of the one who owned them. Jesus’ claim was that He was God, Lord – and if that claim is true, then we are servants of God.

The poet William Ernest Henley wrote the words, “I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.” “No matter how much you would like to think otherwise, your every plan and action is driven by a desire to avoid pain or achieve gain by pleasing or placating some ‘lord’ or other. The master you serve may be success or money, or what money can buy. Your lord may be affection or romance, or reputation and respect. You may be enslaved by other people’s opinions, terrified at the prospect of rejection or ridicule, or perhaps you are haunted by the specter of life alone.”[2] But the truth is that we all are a servant of a lord in our lives.

Moses, Joshua, David – all the great men and women of the Bible are servants, slaves, of the Most High God. You have to submit yourself to something in this life – The rulers of this world use you, disregard you, and when they are done with you cast you away. But King Jesus gives his servants authority, considers them brothers and sisters, Mark 10:45 says, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” The Lord honors the slave’s role by assuming it himself in his incarnation.

When believers receive the claim of Jesus, that He is Lord, then we are all on the same level as His servants – Paul and Timothy are servants, side by side, each doing what God has called them to do. Any other Christians who say they believe the claim that Jesus is Lord, then there is no hierarchy, only fellow servants serving as each has been gifted and called.

Four hundred years before Paul and Timothy shared the gospel in Philippi “the city was taken over by King Philip II of Macedonia, the father of Alexander the Great—hence the name Philippi.”[3] The city of Philippi “was established in 42 BC as a colony for Roman veterans after the defeat of Brutus and Cassius by Mark Antony and Octavian (later Caesar Augustus).”[4] And later in 31 BC there was a repopulation wave made up of Roman soldiers and Italian farmers. So, it is a retirement city for soldiers.

In the church in Philippi there had been arguing and fighting – some believers were struggling with pride, arrogance, and it had caused strong division within the church. “Paul directs his opening greetings to leaders (overseers and deacons), in the church because they were the potential solution to the problem of disunity.”[5]

Paul refers to himself and Timothy as “servants of Jesus Christ,” then he references the saints, the church at Philippi, and then their leadership (overseers and deacons) but these leaders are not over the church, they are “with the overseers and deacons – the leaders serve the Lord, in a leadership capacity and oversee the church, but they are together, side-by-side seeking to fulfill the mission.

We will see that pride, arrogance and division was tearing the church apart – Paul, in these opening remarks, is saying, we are all (apostles, church members, pastors, deacons, etc.) everyone are all servants to the Lord. Jesus comes first in all of our lives.

“To all the saints in Christ Jesus” – There is this common bond between Christians; “the believer gives up himself, his own life, to Christ, and possesses the life of Christ in himself; he is in Christ, and Christ in him; he is dead with Christ, and Christ becomes his life.”[6]

“the saints,” – The term saint describes a person of purity, and a person that has the privilege of standing before God. But how do sinners become pure able to stand before God? In Exodus 3:3-5 Moses sees the burning bush while he is out tending sheep, “And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” 4 When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” It was God’s presence that made the ground holy. It is God’s presence in the believer that makes the pure, holy, a saint – not their actions or works.

When there is submission the Jesus as Lord, and we humble ourselves before Him, then we experience grace (unmerited favor) and peace that comes from our being forgiven of our sin and being make right with our Creator – “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul uses this phrase in all his letters, because it is the mission of the church – God grace and peace that comes from Jesus alone. This is what gives unity and purpose to the church at Philippi and to all the churches that claim to be servants of Jesus.

Partnership In the Gospel (vv. 3-8)

3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy[7], 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.

(v. 3) Paul is in prison and is writing the church at Philippi who (as we will see) have sent someone to help him, and supplies – so the whole letter should be read as a thank you note from Paul to this church. Paul is expressing his thankfulness and gratitude for their support. This letter was written twelve years after Acts 16.

(v. 3) Even in chains and in prison, Paul is thankful; there is joy[8] in his times of prayer – why? “because of your partnership in the gospel” The church at Philippi, are working together with Paul, to expand the gospel. Let me ask you, “Do you have joy in your walk with the Lord?” Paul has joy – when he thinks of the church, he knows all the problems, so he prays for them. Then he is moved to thank God for them and this process fills his heart with joy. Praying for others who you are a partner with you in ministry, thanking God for them leads to joy in our spirit.

Do You Have Joy In Your Christian Walk?

Are you praying for others Christians, and thanking God for them?

Our joy, when you think about church, should be linked to other believers and their struggles as we all are seeking to expand the gospel – but many time this is not the case in churches. We too often link our joy with experiences (music performances, excitement in preaching, etc.) Paul links his joy with people and a common mission.

It can’t just be to a group of people; if it is, then the church is no different than Kiwanis, Chamber of Commerce, or a bowling league. Also, It is not just to the mission, because we are not designed to live the Christian life in isolation. Individually, we don’t have all that is needed to accomplish the mission – this is why the church exists. It is people and a common understanding that the church “exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ.”

The word for partnership (koinonia) was used in that culture in various ways; family relationships, friendships, business partnerships, common ownership of property, citizenship, and religious organizations; these “were all considered examples of koinonia in Paul’s day.”[9] Paul uses this word partnership six times in this gospel – and begins to help us understand that those that partner in the expansion of the gospel is different than any other partnership.

Do You Have Joy In Your Christian Walk?

Are you engaged in the mission of reaching others for Christ?

The church does not exist to serve you, we exist to serve the Lord and reach others for Christ.

Our relationship with Christ over flows into relationship with others who have also placed their faith in Christ, and as we seek to all be obedient the calling upon our lives. The gospel transforms our lives, and that transformation draws us in a unique, beautiful, and powerful community. (unlike any previous partnership) Even to the point of considering each other family. Paul refers to this body of believers nine times as, “brothers and sisters.”

(v. 6) Paul sees and knows all about the issues the church is facing, but he says, “this I know for sure,” that “he who began a good work in you (the Philippian Church) will bring it to completion,” – “Paul wrote this letter to the Philippians, this koinonia was threatened by opposition from without (1:28) and conflict within (4:2). Intense suffering in a world hostile to the gospel and a bitter dispute between leaders in the church may have called into question the survival of their partnership in the gospel.”[10] Paul is saying, “God started the Philippian church, and God would see it to its completion.”

Picture of eggs in a nest — “draw a picture of what you see”

(v. 7) “for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel,” – it is not until verse 7 that we get a hint of trouble. Paul is writing from prison (and remember that Timothy is with him). The Greek work “imprisoned” is closer to “chained.” Paul was chained as he waited for an appeal to the emperor. By this point he had previously spent two years in custody in Judea, waiting for his “case” to be resolved by officials there in Rome.

“If we are partners in the gospel, it is because we are partners in grace – because of the invincible Spirit of Christ has pulled us, in spite of our ourselves, out of the pit of our self-centered self-reliance, made us face the ugly reality of our guilt and helplessness, and drawn us to trust in Jesus.” We both know of God’s grace, and that draws us closer, and leads us to love one another.

A Church Known For Its’ Love (vv. 9-11)

9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Paul prays out loud so that we can hear him ask God for the Philippian church so that their “love may abound more and more,” – “may keep on overflowing, a perpetual flood of love, “yet more and more,” but with necessary limitations (river banks), “in full knowledge,” “and all discernment.”[11]

The Christian life is one of growth. Paul, because of his love for his brothers and sisters in Christ, is not content for them to stay the same – He prays that their love would grow, and the “more and more,” is ongoing, ever growing dynamic for better and purer expressions of love.

The theologian and writer K. Chesterton once said, “Love is not blind. Love is bound. And the more it is bound, the less it is blind.”[12] Love needs to see clearly and speak truthfully. Love knows how to see and speak.

Do You Have Joy In Your Christian Walk?

How Committed Are You to Other Christians?

“with knowledge and all discernment” – the knowledge and discernment mentioned here is in reference to other believers. There is a “recognition of the will of God that is effective and in the conduct of one who knows God.” Christ knows us, in spite of our flaws, and draws us to a deeper relationship with Him. Our love for each other should cause us to push one another toward Christ, to gain knowledge and discernment of Jesus.

In Hosea 4:1, 6 we see the opposite of this, “There is no faithfulness or steadfast love, and no knowledge of God in the land; . . . My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge;”

We need knowledge (of Christ) and discernment of His Word, “so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless”[13] – When we make a decision, we have to look at multiple options, weigh them, and then choose the best way. The way Paul says this is not choosing between good and bad, but between what is good, and what is best (excellent). Paul is wanting their love to grow for one another, so that they will know the best way to express their love one for another (with excellence).

_______________________

[1] G. Walter Hansen, The Pillar New Testament Commentary, The Letter to the Philippians (Grand Rapids, Michigan; William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2009) 38.

[2] Dennis E. Johnson, Reformed Expository Commentary, Philippians (Phillipsburg, New Jersey; P&R Publishing, 2013) 9.

[3] Johnson, 4.

[4] Hansen, 41.

[5] Hansen, 42.

[6] W. Robertson Nicoll, The Expositor’s Greek Testament, Volume 3 (Grand Rapids; Michigan; WM B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1967) 416.

[7] “as we entrust ourselves to Jesus, he gives two gifts: a love that stretches our hearts to embrace others, and a joy that places our pain into perspective, enabling us to see our suffering in the context of God’s comprehensive plan to make us like his Son.” Johnson, 22.

[8] “This is the first of fourteen times that the joy note sounds in this letter.” Hansen, 47.

[9] Hansen, 48.

[10] Hansen, 50.

[11] Archibald Thomas Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament, Volume IV, The Epistles of Paul (Nashville, Tennessee; Broadman Press, 1931) 437.

[12] Hansen, 59.

[13] “a firm conception of those spiritual principles which would guide them in their relations with one another and the world.” Nicoll, 421.

“The Spray Across the Water” Indicators of Mission Speed

“The Spray Across the Water”

Indicators of Mission Speed

In the sport of high diving there are twists, turns, and flips that take place within seconds of knifing into the water. Once the diver jumps from the platform or board they are relying on years of coaching, training, and knowing when to make a specific move at a certain height from the water. So, the diver must know how high they are at every given moment of the dive.

As they move at speeds of over 35mph it is incredibly dangerous if they hit the surface of the water incorrectly. In order to assist divers with their perception a jet of water is shot across the surface of the water. This helps the diver to judge depth and height. Without that point of reference, the diver may pull out of a twist or any number of mistimed maneuvers that will at a minimum cost them points or worse a serious injury.

Leadership involves directing and guiding people, and once the ‘train has left the station’ (to mix metaphors) to stop or turn at the wrong point could cause disaster. The leader needs a ‘spray across the water’ or some indicator of how fast they are moving and where they are in the process. If the leader moves too fast or too slow it could cause danger to the mission – and they need awareness of where they are – which often times is difficult to determine if you are moving a what feels like mac speed.

How do we know how fast we are going?

How do we know when it is time to deploy or wait?

Indicators of Mission Speed

Grumbling and Complaining; Once you are moving your group from one place to another grumbling and complaining may be a sign you are going too fast. Create channels or avenues so that you can get the information you need – if they only complain behind your back you may never know until it has caused damage. Grumbling and complaining may also be an indicator that the mission is moving forward after years of non-movement.

If you are walking around in the desert in circles for forty years, does it really matter how fast you are going? (see Joshua 5:6)

Rituals and Celebrations; After you have been traveling for some time you may cycle through events that come year after year (Christmas, Easter, etc.) In the church world there may be annual celebrations – these give you a feeling of tradition and stability – but they may also pull you from your mission if can’t explain why these events are important. One of these annual ‘rotations’ for the leader may be vacations, breaks, get-aways, etc. Time away from the mission may help to determine how healthy you are and the health of the mission.

Staff & Leadership Turnover; Another indicator of timing is how fast you have turn over in key positions. Long term volunteers, staff, etc. may be an indicator that they feel appreciated, and understand the importance of the mission. A frequent or high turn-over may indicate that you may be lacking in the above-mentioned areas. If your people are getting burned-out it may be an indicator that you need to slow down. There must be a balance of caring for people and accomplishing the mission. Don’t treat your people as though they are disposable.

Accomplishing Short-Term Goals; Again, we are looking at indicators of speed and the ability to make moves at the right time. So, there should be a series of weekly, monthly, or short term goals that are being accomplished (or not being accomplished) on a regular basis – and are these things getting accomplished with excellence? If they are not, you may be moving too fast. If they are, it may be time to things up. If the short-term goals are not being accomplished, then you may need to further break down the goals into sub-goals — to a point to where things are getting done, and work up from there.

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