“Philippians” Unity. Humility. Joy.

“Two Believers Are Arguing; What Do We Do?” Philippians 4:2-9

A Study of the Book of

“Philippians” Unity. Humility. Joy.

“Two Believers Are Arguing; What Do We Do?”

Philippians 4:2-9

Introduction

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaDEoDAmznM

Deer’s antlers locked from combat. If they stay locked together they both die, no matter who “won” the argument. In church, disagreements will arise, because we are people, but sometimes when those disagreements turn into arguments that need to be addressed, someone needs to step in and help free the congregation from this entanglement. If they don’t, it will splinter and damage will be done.

There is however, no irreparable damage to a church – because we have the gospel. No church has gone so far that the love of Jesus and faith in Him can’t turn things around.

Prayer 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

Agree in the Lord (vv. 2-3)

I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

Paul up to this point has strongly encouraged the Philippian church to be united, to stand firm, and he has been thankful for their partnership in the gospel – but he is also writing them because there was division within the church. Now, he specifically mentions two women’s name (Euodia and Syntyche). By entreating, pleading both of their names, he is not choosing sides.

However, “his reference to them by name in a letter to be read to the whole church appropriately and understandably identifies a major cause of the problem of disunity addressed in numerous ways throughout the entire letter.”[1]

All of the issues of disunity within the church swirled around these two women. The only way for the church to have unity is for these two women to be united and (as he has said earlier) be of the same mind in the Lord. We don’t know what they were arguing over, or what caused this sharp division – Paul has already mentioned earlier that “such division is caused by pride, selfish ambition, and spirit of rivalry. These church leaders were engaged in a power struggle to expand their spheres of influence and control over the church.”[2]

These two women don’t seem to be able to work this out on their own, so “I ask you also, true companion,2 help these women” – The division was so heated, and was spreading like a cancer to the entire church, there needed to be a moderator – a third party to step in and help these two women work this out.

The women were famous for serving with Paul, he says the women “who have labored side by side with me in the gospel,” – They are believers, “whose names are in the book of life.” But whatever this issue may be, they are greatly divided over the issue.

So how do you get from division to “agreeing in the Lord?”

Let us assume that we are the “true companion” that Paul is asking to step in and help these women, what could we do? Paul is continuing his teaching of how the church is to “conduct” themselves “in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” (1:27). Our agreeing “in the Lord” is paramount to the mission being completed.

This is why doctrine is so important on the front end of church membership – if anyone can believe anything at any time, then there will always be division. So, we say, this is what we believe, and how we live this out (basic values) – once that is established, then division should go away. Because beyond this, we are not arguing over essential beliefs, we have moved into opinions and preferences.

These two ladies are not arguing over a doctrinal issue. Paul has already addressed the doctrinal issues of the dogs, the evildoers, and the mutilators (3:2). Paul is not addressing the message of the church, but how two believers are disagreeing over the method of the church.

7 Principles of Moving From Arguing to Agreeing

Remember that this (the church) is not an “us” and “them” – it is always just “us.” If you find yourself using language like “those people,” or any way of diving the church into different groups, then you are on the road to division.

Think about what is at stake if the two groups don’t come to an agreement: division will continue, and it will escalate. The church will slip in two; it will splinter. Is one side’s viewpoint so right, that it should cause a church split? Is this issue or opinion a hill to die on?
Remember Believers serve and love the same Lord. Paul uses the phrase “in the Lord,” several times throughout the book. They can be joyful “in the Lord,” even in times of persecution; they were to welcome Epaphroditus back home “in the Lord,” even when his plans had to change, and these two ladies should seek unity because they are “in the Lord.” We all serve the same Lord and Christianity serves the same mission – sharing the gospel.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

Rejoice. To rejoice is to “show great joy or excitement.” It is an expression of joy. If we are to settle a dispute between believers (whose names are in the book of life), Paul says to rejoice. It’s the only one of the list, that Paul repeats, “again, I say rejoice.” We are to rejoice, specifically “in the Lord,”

We serve a risen Lord, who has called us to salvation, we get to be apart of the gospel expanding, and seeing lives eternally changed. Rejoice in the Lord that you are apart of the most noble life purposes. Rejoicing will keep your focus upward, and you are less likely to complain.

Rejoicing in our salvation reminds us how much we have been forgiven. “Philippians 4:4 is a Paul’s hyperlink to Matthew 18:23-35. There in response to Peter’s question about how to respond to his brother who sins against him, Jesus tells the gospel story. That is, Jesus takes Peter vertical. Over and against the one-hundred-denarii offense of our brother, Jesus points out our ten-thousand-talent offense against God. And yet, he reminds us, God our Master forgives us.”[3]

“Rejoice in the Lord,” is a call to realign our attitude and agenda with God’s. The Lord’s agenda, must be our agenda.

5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.

How Believers Deal With Conflict is a Witness to the Power of the Gospel. “Reasonableness” “a yielding up of certain real rights.”[4] In order for there to be a possibility of a partnership in the gospel, all parties must yield certain real rights, in order for others to hear and understand the gospel – we show the power of the gospel by displaying to the community our reasonableness to work together for important things; in other words, the gospel is more important than my feelings.

https://churchanswers.com/blog/twenty-five-silly-things-church-members-fight-over/

Our reasonableness is rooted in a desire to make peace. James 3:16-18 “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”

The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Remember the “Lord is at hand.” – we don’t have to settle this issue alone, we don’t need to be anxious about this conflict or division, instead God is here to help us work through it. “prayer and supplication with thanksgiving,” – We go to the Lord in prayer, to seek wisdom, and the Lord will hear and answer our prayers. Paul adds that we should pray in times of conflict, “with thanksgiving.”

Paul even opens this book by saying how thankful he is for the church, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,” (1:3). The church had issues, that’s why he wrote the letter, but thankfulness allows him to see the big picture.

When there is a lack of thanksgiving, our hearts tend toward idolatry, Romans 1:21-25 “For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. . . 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator . . .” Instead of God, the gospel, the lost, the kingdom, the mission, etc. being the center of our thoughts, we substitute what we think about this issue in it’s place, and our feelings on that topic becomes the idol.

We think on that issue all the time. Also, without thanksgiving for all that God has done, this one point of disagreement becomes our whole world. Thankfulness keeps our minds aware that there are things going on in the world (in the church) other than what we think about a given issue. Our view become myopic.

Without thanksgiving, prayer becomes merely a way of complaining to God about all the bad things in our lives. Knowing that God is near, that he hears our prayers, and we have a thankful spirit, that leads to . . .

(v. 7) “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” – Give the issue to the Lord. “Lord, this is your church, these are your people, I am here to serve, and will do whatever you want me to do.” – and mean it. Don’t add, Lord this is your church, now do what I want or I’m going to leave,”

In our hearts, when God moves to the center, and we give everything to Him. God’s peace stands guard over our hearts and minds. Earlier in the passage, where it has been “in the Lord,” (agree in the Lord, rejoice in the Lord, etc. ) now as we apply these things to our lives, it moves to “in Christ Jesus.”

Galatians 3:26 echoes this same idea, “for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” There is no “us” and “them” – just those in Christ Jesus. Just those who love Jesus and have put their faith in Him. We are all seeking to serve the same Jesus.

And in our relationship with Jesus we have experienced forgiveness. “Our blindness to sin and unwillingness to forgive reveal more than a failure to think of God. They reveal our failure to remember our own offenses against God and his amazing grace and acquittal of our sin.”[5]

“do not be anxious about anything” – This is in the context of church life. There are things in church life that may lead us to be anxious. Matthew 6:31-34 “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.” Anxiety is doubt that God will come through with an answer, the solution, that He somehow doesn’t know what we need. We strive toward Jesus, we serve with all our hearts, and we trust that God will take care of us.

Choose What You Will Think About

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Now Paul gives us six things to consider for the Christian life – but without these no ideals can exist. Think about these things, what is: Honorable, Pure, Lovely, Commendable, Excellence, Praise Worthy

Think on these things – you can choose to focus on the strongness of the coffee at the fellowship meal, or how something was changed on the stage in the sanctuary, or how a decision was made and your input was not considered – or you can think on things that will bring you peace, and peace within your church. “We are responsible for our thoughts and can hold them to high and holy ideals.”[6] Or you can choose to dwell and think on things that cause division and at the end of the day will keep you (like those deer) locked up in combat.

____________

There’s a Spanish story of a father and son who had become estranged. The son ran away, and the father set off to find him. He searched for months to no avail. Finally, in a last desperate effort to find him, the father put an ad in a Madrid newspaper. The ad read: Dear Paco, meet me in front of this newspaper office at noon on Saturday. All is forgiven. I love you. Your Father. On Saturday 800 Pacos showed up, looking for forgiveness and love from their fathers.[7] We live in a world that cries out for forgiveness – let it be found in the church.

__________________________

[1] G. Walter Hansen, The Pillar New Testament Commentary, The Letter to the Philippians (Grand Rapids, Michigan; William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2009) 282.

[2] Hansen, 284.

[3] Alfred Poirier, The Peacemaking Pastor, A Biblical Guide to Resolving Church Conflict (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Baker Books, 2006) 121.

[4] W. Robertson Nicoll, The Expositor’s Greek Testament, Volume 3 (Grand Rapids, Michigan; WM B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1967) 466.

[5] Poirier,121.

[6] Archibald Thomas Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament, Volume IV (Nashville, Tennessee; Broadman Press, 1931) 460.

[7] http://www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/f/forgiveness.htm

“The Two Circles” Philippians 3:1-4:1

https://youtu.be/jel6iYd_tSA?si=l86vuZx7G0dkiG-x

A Study of the Book of

“Philippians” Unity. Humility. Joy.

“Two Circles”

Philippians 3:1-4:1

Introduction

At the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz above the entryway were the words, Arbeit macht frei. The same thing stood above the camp at Dachau. It means, “work makes free“—work will liberate you and give you freedom. It was a lie—a false hope. The Nazis made the people believe hard work would equal liberation, but the promised “liberation” was horrifying suffering and even death.

Arbeit macht frei is because it is the spiritual lie of this age. It is a false hope—an impossible dream for many people in the world. They believe their good works will be good enough to outweigh their bad works, allowing them to stand before God in eternity and say, “You owe me the right to enter into your heaven.”

But it’s the love of God that liberates. It’s the blood of Jesus Christ that liberates. He died in my place, and I am free.

Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Prayer

The Inside Circle and the Outside Circle (vv. 1-11)

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. 2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh

Paul has given three examples that should encourage the Philippian church to be selfless, united, and to have no quarreling (Jesus, Timothy, and Epaphroditus). Now he tells the church to be on the lookout for three bad examples, (the dogs, the evildoers, and the mutilators).

These groups that the church is to watch out for, “were posing as Christian teachers, they placed their emphasis on belonging to the Jewish people. They heaped scorn upon those outside the Jewish family by calling them dogs and evildoers.”[1] These are prejudiced words, that Paul is using toward these groups, it is satire, using their own words that they used to refer to outsiders. “Paul is warning against false teachers who, though not yet in the church in Philippi, are nevertheless a clear and present danger.”[2]

Dogs at this time were not thought of as being man’s best friend, or have special places within the family. In ancient culture dogs were despised, because they would eat anything, including dead animals, human corpses, and their own vomit.[3] So there were some Jewish believers who thought of non-Jewish believers (Gentile Christians) as dogs, because of what they ate, and did not follow the ceremonial law – so they thought of them as unclean. They were outside the circle of the holy people of God. So Paul is wanting to show who is on the true inside, and who is truly on the outside – both of these ways of thinking can’t be correct.

Also, this group that Paul is warning the church about, think of themselves as being “servants of righteousness” because they follow the law, and according to them, those that don’t follow the law are evildoers.[4] But Paul uses their own terms against them – they are evil doers because they put their confidence in what they do.

If they are confident in their keeping of the law, as the means of being made right with God, then there is no need for Jesus. They are self-reliant, self-righteous, they have no need to be saved, no need for a Savior – just keep the law. The irony is they in thinking they are righteous in their own efforts, they become evildoers. They are also evil doers because they are working to pull away Christians who place their faith in Jesus alone.

Romans 2:28-29 “For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter.”

For the Jewish people, they were so confident that they called themselves, “the circumcised.” This outward act, was what made them God’s people. Paul says to Jesus’ followers, “we are the circumcision.” “Their identity in Christ gives them the right to be called by the names for the people of God. Followers of Jesus (all followers, Jew and Gentile) are now included as God’s people.

It’s a question of confidence; where does our confidence for our right standing before God come from? Paul says that true Christians are, “put no confidence in the flesh.”

Instead, they “worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus,” – Worship is an inward display of faith, that expresses itself outwardly. If you only consider what happens on the outside, then you are an evildoer. By only focusing on the outside, they were just like the pagans around them who wanted to gain their god’s favor by mutilating themselves.

1 Kings 18:27-29 “And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, “Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.” 28 And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until the blood gushed out upon them. 29 And as midday passed, they raved on until the time of the offering of the oblation, but there was no voice. No one answered; no one paid attention.”

If your confidence to stand before God is you saying, “I am a good person, I have grown up in the church, I am not as bad some other people, etc.” then you are in the same category as the worst rapist, murderer, and child molester. There is a line of salvation – you don’t get across it by being good, or doing good things.

Paul then says, if it’s about doing good things, and following the law, then look at what I have done. . .

— 4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

If anyone should have confidence in how they have followed the law, even to the point of hunting down Christians – he surpassed all those who would hold this argument. Paul’s entire life, before his conversion on the road to Damascus, was centered around his pursuit of the law and trying to be a good person. But look at how he views that time of his life. . .

7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

All of it before Jesus was garbage. Paul jumped from the religious circle into the Jesus circle – look at how many times he points to Jesus just in these few verses (11 times).

He uses financial terms of gain and loss – before Jesus his investment was in going to church, following the festivals and ceremonies (be there for mother’s day), memorizing Scripture, serving on various councils and committees (he was a Pharisee). That was a stockpile of gain, adding all those good works up, he was very confident in those things – until he met Jesus. You can’t have both – your righteousness and Jesus’ righteousness. You have to choose. You can have your righteousness from trying to be a good person, or you can put your faith in Jesus – but you can’t have confidence in both to be made righteous.

You need to get home from the airport, so you ask a friend to pick you up. But you are not really confident that the friend will show up, so you ask another friend to pick you up too. As you are standing at the pick-up point at the airport, they both pull up at the designated time. Can you get in both cars? No, you have to pick a friend to go home with.

Like a scale all of our actions are piled up on one side, and on the other is to know Jesus; when you compare the two, our righteousness is not enough to make us right with God, Isaiah 64:6 “We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.” Paul calls his good works garbage – he does not have a high view of all his accomplishments – we have to have the same view as Paul. We can’t be our own savior, our attempts to be our own savior need to be thought of as garbage.

By placing our faith (Paul says it twice here), having right standing before God comes through faith in Jesus Christ, when we do this we, “know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.” We are able to have power over sin and death, and join Christ in his second advent appearance, by our faith in Jesus – what we gain by faith in ourselves is garbage.

Living Inside the Right Circle (12-21)

12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained. 17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.

The dogs, the evil doers, and the mutilators are teaching that you can be spiritually perfect by following the moral law, and adding Jesus to your life. Jesus, plus being a good person, equals perfection. Paul says that in Christ, he has come to realize that as a sinful man, he has a long way to go – but he strains forward. To strain means to “exert oneself to the uttermost.”

“Paul knows that his passionate intention to know Christ does not in itself make him perfect. His decision to consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ was only the beginning of a daily discipline to press on toward the goal. The authenticity of faith in Christ cannot be measured only in the intensity of one’s initial decision to receive Christ. Receiving Christ is a lifetime adventure.”[5]

There are two things that Paul mentions here that cause Christians to stop in their journey with Jesus. One is to look back, “forgetting what lies behind,” — your right standing with God has nothing to do with what you did in your past – it doesn’t matter, your focus is Jesus, not your past. Paul stood and held the coats of those that stoned Christians, Acts 7:6 “Then they cast him (Stephen) out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.” Even more recent in Paul’s life he says, “as to zeal, a persecutor of the church” (v. 3:6)

The other reason people stop striving is because they feel they have already arrived; there is no need to try, you are already perfect. When asked if they love Jesus, they would say, yes, look at all the things I am doing for Him. But it has been a long time since you have been broken over your sin. When we enter into a true time of worship, a true time of wrestling with God’s Word, and spend time with Jesus, we realize how far we have to go. Paul says, “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect.”

Strive. Stretch. Strain.

Don’t Quit Because of Your Past. Don’t Be Self-Righteous.

18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

“The temptation to drop out of the race and simply “enjoy life” seduced many to “set their “minds set on earthly things” – faith is not simply a decision in the past or a static state of existence; faith is running a race, straining toward what is ahead.”[6]

(v. 18) Paul, through tears, now mentions those that “walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.” There was a path they were following, then came a fork in the road, and they went the wrong way. They went from being focused on Jesus, to being focused on themselves.

(v. 19) “their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame” – we tend to associate our belly with food and it may seem like Paul is saying that these enemies of the cross are over-eating, etc. but in Paul’s culture, the belly was the seat of desire. Their bodily appetites dictate their actions.

They are so focused on their bodily cravings because their “minds set on earthly things.” They have even received glory in something that should bring them shame. Paul’s focus for the Philippian church was that they would be united, or like-minded, partners in the gospel – but these people are like-minded in their desire for the things of this world. The fork in the road they chose was that Jesus was not enough, so they turn back to the world.

(v. 20) “But our citizenship is in heaven,” – earthly minded and heavenly minded. If your mind is set on the things of this world, and satisfying the desires of your belly then, “Their end is destruction,” – Seek after Christ, strive to hold on to him with all that you have.

Conclusion

“In the story of The Wizard of Oz the characters have some famous lines, “If I only had a brain!” The Scarecrow doesn’t believe he is smart because he doesn’t have a piece of paper that tells him he is smart. Yet he masterminds the journey to Oz and rescues Dorothy, proving he already had a brain. “If I only had the courage!” The Cowardly Lion is afraid even though his species is supposed to be fearless. He learns that he can overcome his fear when he cares more about Dorothy than himself. Finding meaning and purpose helped him gain courage. “If I only had a heart!” The Tin Man is sad because he is hollow and doesn’t have a heart. But his compassion and care for his companions along the journey showed that he could love and be loved. It didn’t matter that he was made differently. “There is no place like home.” Dorothy learns she had the power inside her all along and so had all the others.

“The Wizard will know what to do!” Dorothy, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, and Scarecrow believe that there is some powerful being that will be able to solve their problems. But, as they are unmoored from familiar environments, they learn to be responsible for themselves and band together to help and support each other. When the curtain is pulled back, they realize that the Wizard was not the all-powerful savior they expected. They had saved themselves.”[7]

This is the story that the dogs, the evildoers, and the mutilators tell – this is their favorite story; you can do it, the power to save yourself is within you. But, from what Paul has shown us today, do you think this is true?

You have to pick the car that will take you home, your eternal home – you can drive your own car, or you can get in Jesus’ car. Which one will you choose?

___________________________

[1] G. Walter Hansen, The Pillar New Testament Commentary, The Letter to the Philippians (Grand Rapids, Michigan; WM. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2009) 217.

[2] Hansen, 219.

[3] Ps. 22:16, 20; 59:6, 14

[4] Psalms 14:4-6

[5] Hansen, 249.

[6] Hansen, 257.

[7] https://pamroyblog.com/the-scarecrow-already-had-a-brain/

“The Lord Willing and the Creek Don’t Rise” Philippians 2:19-30

A Study of the Book of

“Philippians” Unity. Humility. Joy.

“The Lord Willing and the Creek Don’t Rise”

Philippians 2:19-30

Introduction

For many years Monterey, a California coast town, was a pelican’s paradise. As the fishermen cleaned their fish, they flung the offal to the pelicans. The birds grew fat, lazy, and contented. Eventually, however the offal was utilized, and there were no longer snacks for the pelicans. When the change came the pelicans made no effort to fish for themselves. They waited around and grew gaunt and thin. Many starved to death. They had forgotten how to fish for themselves. The problem was solved by importing new pelicans from the south, birds accustomed to foraging for themselves. They were placed among their starving cousins, and the newcomers immediately started catching fish. Before long, the hungry pelicans followed suit, and the famine was ended.[1]

An example in a person’s life can be a very powerful thing. This morning we will look at two examples that help us to understand how we can be a life changing example for others, and can look to others who are faithful to encourage us in our walk with the Lord.

Prayer

The Example of Timothy (vv. 19-24)

19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.

(v. 19) “I hope in the Lord Jesus to”[2] – Paul hopes to do something but everything he does, is “in the Lord” or under God’s direction and control. We have seen several times, in Acts 16 and in the opening verses of Philippians, that Paul has a plan, but then has to change his plan as the Lord leads. In today’s passage he plans to send Timothy back to them. He plans to be released from prison, but he doesn’t know for sure.

He planned to plant churches in one area, but God in a vision, told him to go to Macedonia, completely ignoring the areas he planned to go to. Paul had a strategy of going to Jewish synagogues and showing how Jesus fulfilled prophecy, but when he got to Philippi there were not even 10 Jewish men, much less a synagogue; so his plans had to change.

James 4:13-16 “Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— 14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. 15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogance.” With Paul we see a principle that we can apply to our lives;

Plan and be active in the Lord’s work,

but as the Spirit leads, be willing to change your plans.

Paul has people with him that are helping him in the ministry of defending the gospel, and serving together while he is in prison, and he first highlights Timothy. Paul describes Timothy as “no one else is like him,” Timothy is truly concerned about the Philippian church, he was a person who seeks the interest of Jesus Christ, and he has proven himself to be a co-worker in the kingdom.

Earlier in this chapter, Paul is saying that there are people in the Philippian church that are looking after their own self-interests, that they are selfishly causing division in the church, “Timothy will be an antidote to this spiritual toxemia infecting the Philippians. In his concern for them, they will see a man who seeks not his own interests but those of Jesus Christ. In effect, Paul writes, ‘When I send Timothy to you, you will see in his selfless concern for you the very attitude that you should all extend to each other.”[3]

So Paul is going to send Timothy to the Philippian church, but the language allows us to see that he is not going many miles “on a multi-week journey simply to ask, ‘so, how are you?’ Rather Timothy will ascertain the spiritual state of the church vis-à-vis a hostile culture and in terms of their internal unity (1:27-30).”[4] Paul is concerned about the issues the church is facing, and Timothy is just as interested (or concerned). Paul’s love is expressed for the church in that these issues (disunity, splintering, selfish ambition, conceit, etc.) need to be addressed.

Love is being willing to deal with the unpleasant hard stuff. When I say, “deal” I mean talking with a person who is sinning, and in love point them to Scripture – it is not love to accept sin in a person’s life.

(v. 22) “how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel,” – “It is not that Timothy serves Paul, as ancient fathers would expect to be served by respectful sons; rather, Timothy serves with Paul in the gospel.”[5] The word for served here, refers to the service of slaves (1:1 “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus”).

In recruiting people to do the work that needs to be done in the church, I have heard it said many times, “Can you come and do this for me?” Or “I’m going to help out so-and-so do this task of that task.” The danger of this way of saying something is that the person is going to do this to serve the person. We all serve the Lord with each other – side-by-side. If a leader asks you to do something, they are asking you to come along side them to serve the Lord. We have leadership, like Paul was Timothy’s leader, but Timothy and Paul served together, with each other (just on different roles).

By Paul describing Timothy as a son, serving with him, “assures the Philippians that Timothy would have the same concern as Paul for their welfare: he will show genuine concern for their welfare.”[6] They share the same heart and concern for the gospel and for the church’s health. Why does Paul emphasize this?

He has already mentioned earlier, that 1:15 “Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry,” that they “proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me (Paul) in my imprisonment.” Timothy is not like these leaders, he has the same heart as Paul in wanting them to be unified in advancing the gospel (and to solve this, is to root out sin).

The Example of Epaphroditus (vv. 25-30)

25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, 26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.

Paul wanted to wait until he heard the decision from the emperor (either his death or his release from his “chains”) until he sent Timothy back to Philippi. However, he wanted to send Epaphroditus back immediately. As soon as the ink dried on the letter – he would be sending him back.

Paul refers to Epaphroditus as “my brother and fellow worker (yokefellow) and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need.” In discussing him with the church the emphasis is on their relationship, Paul says that Epaphroditus is my brother, etc. There is a closeness that comes from being a fellow brother, worker, soldier, messenger, and minister in Paul’s ministry of expanding the gospel. As Christians serve together, each seeking to do their best for Jesus, there are relationships that grow and develop.

He had delivered the church’s contribution toward Paul’s expenses while he was in prison, and stayed to help Paul in other ways. In that service he became deathly ill, and the church had heard about it and were concerned. Paul doesn’t want the church to think that Epaphroditus was working against Paul, no he was like a brother he didn’t slack in the work, no he was a fellow worker; he did not cower in sickness, no he was a fellow soldier – he was faithul in delivering what was sent, he was their messenger and ministered to Paul on their behalf.

Epaphroditus was sent by the church to help Paul (he was representing those who could not go and help), however he was returning sooner than expected. Paul wanted the church to know that he was returning in good standing, he did what he was supposed to do – he almost died twice.

There are different ways to interpret Paul explaining what happened while he was with Paul, but I believe that best explanation is that Epaphroditus was sent by the Philippian church to take the money of support to him, to stay and help with the gospel – but instead of helping, he was deathly ill (twice), and Epaphroditus was concerned that the church would be disappointed in his service to Paul. So, Paul is explaining the seriousness of Epaphroditus’ condition.

Why would God allow Epaphroditus to be sent to help Paul, only to have battle two life-threatening rounds of sickness, and then to be sent back sooner than expected?

https://trotters41.com/2013/09/28/sometimes-missionaries-get-sick/

https://www.alifeoverseas.com/how-does-physical-health-impact-a-missionarys-decision-to-leave-the-field/

(v. 27) “But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.” The theme of joy runs throughout the story of the Philippian church. Remember how Paul and Silas were singing hymns and praying after they had been beaten and thrown into prison. Paul expresses the joy that the church has brought to him – but here there is mention of the reality of ministry – Those that allow themselves to feel deeply for others, fellow brothers and sisters in Christ do experience sorrow in the work. So Paul is saying that for him to lose Epaphroditus to death/illness would have been “sorrow upon sorrow.”

It would have been a wave of sorrow (these other preachers that Paul describes as “Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry,” and how they “proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment) the near death of a dear friend, his imprisonment, what ever that first wave was, to then have it followed by another wave of sorrow would have been overwhelming for Paul.

The challenge of just living life, especially being a Christian and living life is you don’t know where people are in these storms. Have they been hit by a wave of sorrow, that you just didn’t see? Are they recovering from a wave of sorrow that has been life changing for them even from years ago? Are they about to enter a storm where they will be hit wave upon wave? God has called us to stand by eachother, to love one another in these storms.

When I was younger my family went to Mexico Beach, Florida every summer for vacation where we would spends many hours at the beach. My dad would take a folding chair and book and to cool off would wade into the water. But because I was little I couldn’t go as far as he could – so I would swim out into the deeper water, and I would put my arms around his neck and I was completely safe – even though the giant waves would sweep over us, no matter how big the waves that came, one after the next. Sometimes in life we need someone to hold on to when the big waves come.

Sometime we Christians will say to someone experiencing a wave of sorrow, ‘“You need to claim the peace of God to guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. You need to learn to be content even in the time of death.’ But Paul’s admission of sorrow is not a confession of sin. The emotion of sorrow is a God-given, Christ-like emotion, especially in the face of death, ‘the last enemy to be destroyed’” (1 Cor. 15:26).”[7] Often times we need a person just to be there during the storm.

God has given us the church to be there when those waves of life come.

Paul mentions Timothy and Epaphroditus as fellow servants who are there with him, and have faithfully served beside him to advance the gospel. “In the NT, approximately one hundred people are named as associates with the apostle. If we narrow the list to those mentioned in his letters with some form of ministry designation or a particular role, we have a group of about thirty-six, who are referred to with nine different designations; coworker, servant, brothers, etc.”[8] Paul always had people with him in his ministry, and they were sent from a particular church. Living for Christ is a group activity.

When I graduated from high-school I took some money that I was given for graduation and bought scuba lessons. I went through the process of taking the classes, we practiced in the pool and for the final test we went to Panama City, Florida, went out in a boat and went diving off of a jetty. You are told constantly “stay with your dive buddy,” well I was swimming along and turned around and my buddy was gone, and about that time I was swept up in a strong current.

It’s like trying to walk in a hurricane – no matter how hard you swim you are being swept backwards. Head over heals (or flipper) – disoriented and freaking out. Eventually, I just relaxed and let the current carry me, and I made my way to the surface to see if I could see the boat and the other divers. When I got to the surface, I was way away from everyone. But if I had continued to fight the current I would gotten tired, ran out of air, and bad things could have happened.

Paul had to be willing to let go of his strategies, ministry plans, and to be led by the Holy Spirit. Timothy had to be willing to let go of control and go or stay with Paul. Epaphroditus was willing to give his life for the sake of the gospel but Paul wants to send him home (he has to let go of the pride of staying and return) – he was a faithful servant, who probably wanted to stay until the end, but his health would not allow it. All of these men had to be willing to let go of their plans and to be guided by the Holy Spirit. It is our nature to fight the current, but God has put us in a church family so that we can support and be there for each other.

____________________________

[1] http://www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/e/example.htm

[2] Robert Burns, 1785, for the origin of the phrase “the plans of mice and men often go awry” https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43816/to-a-mouse-56d222ab36e33

[3] Dennis E. Johnson, Reformed Expository Commentary, Philippians (Phillipsburg, New Jersey; P&R Publishing, 2013) 175.

[4] George H. Guthrie, Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Philippians (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Zondervan Publishing, 2023) 205.

[5] Johnson, 178.

[6] G. Walter Hansen, The Pillar New Testament Commentary, The Letter to the Philippians (Grand Rapids, Michigan; William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2009) 194.

[7] Hansen, 206.

[8] Guthrie, 208.

“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.

________________________

[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.

“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.”

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[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