Category: Philippians

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Philippians

When we give

PhilippiansHope

I mentioned in my last blog that the problem with many Christians is that they are still self-centered. That they’re always focused on their wants and needs.

But that is not God’s will for us, and that’s not how the Philippians were. Paul said of them,

When I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only, for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. (Philippians 4:15-16)

For a lot of the churches, they apparently received a lot from Paul, but at that point, that’s all they were doing: receiving. They were not really giving of themselves to others and the Lord at that point.

Now as baby Christians, that’s okay. We need to be fed. But as we mature, we need to learn to not only receive, but to give. And from very early on, that’s what the Philippians apparently did.

Paul himself wasn’t so interested in receiving from the Philippians or anyone else. For the most part, he was self-supporting. But he was thankful to see the seeds of maturity in the Philippians in their giving hearts.

And he assured them that God would not forget what they had done, but that they would be rewarded.

It’s very interesting the phrase he uses in verse 17,

I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.

Is he saying that God will reward them because of the fruit of generosity growing in their lives? Or is he saying that their generosity in supporting his ministry will result in the fruit of saved lives, and that God would reward them because of that fruit?

I kind of think he means the latter, but both are probably true.

More, he tells them, that their gifts were a fragrant offering and acceptable sacrifice to God. And then he closes by saying,

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (19)

Sometimes when we give, we wonder if it’s worth it. We wonder if perhaps we’ve given too much. But Paul assures us here that if we are generous, God has more than enough resources to provide for our needs.

To be honest, I’m still learning that. So many times, it’s hard for me to let go of money in my life. But when we give, not only will we please God, but God will be glorified through that gift as people are blessed. And so Paul says,

To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (20)

How about you? Are you a giver? Or just a receiver?

May the gifts we receive from God not simply stop with us, but flow through us to touch those around us.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. (23)

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Philippians

The secret of being content

It has been pointed out that we live in a microwave society. We want what we want and we want it now. And when we don’t get what we want when we want it, we grumble and complain.

But is that the way we are supposed to be? Paul certainly wasn’t. In thanking the Philippians for their generosity, he told them,

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:11-13)

“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”

How many of us can say that?

Paul says that he had been in times of need, and yet he was content. And when he was in times of plenty, he was content then too.

It’s easy to understand the need to be content in times of need. But how many of us think of the need to be content in times of plenty? Yet too many of us aren’t.

We have all we need and more, and yet we complain that we don’t have enough. Why is that? Why do we have so much difficulty being content, even when we have plenty?

Probably because of where our life is centered. For many Christians, their lives are still focused on themselves. They’re always thinking about their wants and their needs.

And in thinking about their wants and needs, they fail to realize what is the one thing that truly brings contentment: a relationship with Christ.

Knowing him.

Experiencing his resurrection power in their lives.

Waking up each day, looking in the mirror, and realizing that through your sufferings and trials, you are becoming more like him.

And seeing each day that you are grasping more and more just what it is God took hold of you for.

Paul said he hadn’t completely done that, but he probably came closer than most. And because of that, his circumstances couldn’t take away from his joy.

When he had little, he rejoiced in Christ. When he had much, he rejoiced in Christ.

In Japan, we have a word, “gaman.” It means to “endure.” And Japanese people pride themselves in being able to “gaman,” through difficult circumstances.

The problem is, they tend to rely on their own strength, and as a result, they eventually find themselves stretched beyond their limits.

But Paul didn’t just “gaman.” He rejoiced in his relationship with Christ. And because he did so, he found the strength to endure whatever he went through.

How about you? Are you content? Is Christ the center of your life? Or are you constantly seeking other things, hoping they will make your life complete? Those things will never fulfill you. Only a relationship with Christ will.

What’s the center of your life today?

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Philippians

Peace in our hearts, peace with each other

PhilippiansHope

As I said yesterday, it’s a little hard to tell the flow of Paul’s thought in these verses, whether he was changing topics, or whether it was all one topic to him.

One particular place where it’s a little tricky is verses 5-6. When he says, “The Lord is near,” is he connecting it more with “Let your gentleness be evident to all” or “Be anxious for nothing.”

Or maybe he’s connecting it equally to both. Because the truth that the Lord is near certainly does impact our own peace of mind as well as the peace we have with each other.

At any rate, Paul says,

The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:5b-7)

So often, anxiety gets the best of us. One of the anxieties we face is our relationships with others, particularly when they aren’t going well as was the case with Euodia and Syntyche.

But we also have anxieties about work, about our children, and about our future. And it’s easy to get overwhelmed by it all. What’s the solution?

Remember the Lord is near. Remember he is with you in the midst of your problems and in the midst of your anxieties. And remember that he cares for you.

Remember that he is near in that he will come back again to this earth.

On that day, every tear will be wiped away. All our sorrows and troubles will be a thing of the past and unable to touch us anymore. In short, all the troubles we face now are temporary.

With that in mind, then, be anxious for nothing. But as you face your problems and anxieties, take them up in prayer to the God who cares for you. And as you do, his peace will guard your hearts and minds.

Paul uses a military word here for “guard.” And it’s a reminder that our mind is a battleground. But our God is far greater than any enemy.

I think of Elisha when he was surrounded by enemy troops and his servant was panicking. But Elisha prayed, “God open my servant’s eyes so that he might see.”

And when the servant looked again, he saw the armies of the Lord all around Elisha. (2 Kings 6)

Because Elisha could see all that, he was filled with peace.

But we can’t be filled with peace when we are twisted up with our anxieties. Nor can we be filled with peace when we are twisted up in bitterness and resentment. So Paul tells us,

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. (8)

Not only will doing this bring us peace in our hearts, it helps bring peace with each other.

Too often in our troubles with others, our focus hones in on everything that is negative about them and the circumstances surrounding your relationship with them.

But Paul says, don’t focus on those things. Rather, focus on the things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy.

More importantly, focus on Jesus who is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy.

Follow His example and the example of people like Paul as they went through suffering. And Paul says as we do,

The God of peace will be with you. (9)

How about you?

Do you have the peace of God in your heart?

Or are you twisted up in your anxieties? Are you twisted up in your resentment and bitterness toward others?

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Philippians

Maintaining unity in the church (Part 2)

PhilippiansHope

It’s hard to tell, sometimes, the flow of what Paul is saying.

Did he mean to divide his thoughts between verses 3-4.

Or did he mean to to keep verses 3-5 as a set?

Or perhaps the whole line of thought flows together all the way through verse 9?

I’m not sure, but as I was reading this passage, it struck me that Paul had Euodia and Syntyche in mind even as he was writing verses 4-5.

He says,

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. (Philippians 4:4-5)

In other words, “Put your focus on God. You all have put your focus on yourselves, and that’s why you can’t get past your own personal pride and settle this dispute.

“So refocus your life on God. Remember what he has done for you. Rejoice in the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross on you. And let it affect your attitude toward each other.

“Let your gentleness (ESV — “reasonableness”) be evident to all in the church as you deal with each other.”

Then he says, “The Lord is near.”

And that’s something to remember when we are in disharmony with a brother or sister in the church: the Lord is near.

For one thing, he is there present within the church. He sees your dispute with your brother or sister, and he is heartbroken by it.

How then can we continue to fight in his presence, knowing how much he has sacrificed, not only to bring us peace with God, but with each other?

For another thing, he is coming soon. He will return to this earth physically and take us to be where he is.

But if he were to come back today, and you were to stand before his throne for judgment, what would he say to you? Would he say, “Well done, good and faithful servant?”

Or would he say to you, “Why did you waste so much time fighting with your brother? Why did you waste so much time bickering with your sister?

“There was so much to do, and instead of working together to touch this world for me, you let anger and bitterness stand between you.”

What will happen to all our arguments, to all our pride when we stand before Jesus on that day? How much shame will we feel?

The Lord is near. So let us be at peace with one another and fight for unity within the church.

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Philippians

Maintaining unity in the church

PhilippiansHope

I wonder how much, as Paul was writing this letter, he was thinking about Euodia and Syntyche.

These were two women who he had worked with closely in ministry and cared about deeply. And yet there was a divide between them.

What it was that caused that divide we don’t know.

Paul certainly doesn’t take sides. Instead, he simply says,

I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. (Philippians 4:2)

Throughout this letter, he had been saying things like he wanted to see the Philippians standing firm in one spirit, fighting side by side for the gospel. (Philippians 1:27)

That they should be, “like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose,” and following the example of Christ in His spirit of humility. (Philippians 2:2)

More, he encouraged them to stop complaining and arguing with each other that they might be bright lights to those around them. (Philippians 2:14-15)

He then reminds them to put aside their personal pride on who they are and what they’ve accomplished and to focus their eyes on Christ.

They were to make knowing him their chief goal. To remember that they are all citizens of heaven now and that they should live that way. (Chapter 3)

And now, having said all this, he pleads with Euodia and Syntyche to put aside their personal pride. To put aside their personal differences, whatever they may be. And to accept one another. To start working with one another once again.

If Paul were alive today, I wonder how often he would repeat those words if he saw the people in the church today. People who love the Lord and are trying to serve him, and yet because of their pride are at odds with others in the church.

I look at these words, and I feel the pain Paul is feeling. Because too many times, I see this kind of division within the church.

But even as people seeing this happen in the church, we cannot just stand still and let the problem fester. Paul said,

Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. (Philippians 4:3)

Who this “yokefellow” was, we don’t know. But Paul said, “Please help these women reconcile. Step in and do what you can to bring peace between them.”

Too often, instead of bringing peace, we take sides. Or we start to spread gossip. But if we are to have unity in the church, neither is acceptable. As Paul told the Ephesians,

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:3)

Are you doing that?

Or are you letting your pride get in the way of making peace with those who have hurt you or those you yourself have hurt?

When you see your brother or sister fighting with another in the church, are you letting your personal loyalty to them get in the way of trying to bring peace between them and the other party?

Too often, people don’t settle their differences. Instead, they let things simmer until things eventually blow up or one of them leaves the church. But does that bring glory to Christ?

The church is to supposed to glorify Christ and show the world who he is. But we can’t do that when there are fissures within the church.

Are you one of those fissures?

Or are you one that brings healing to those fissures?

Which one are you?

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Philippians

Living as citizens of heaven

Citizenship in heaven

The Philippians were very proud of their status as Romans citizens. And many people today are proud of their status as citizens of their country, whether it be America, Japan, or wherever it may be.

But Paul reminds us here where our true citizenship here. He says,

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ… (Philippians 3:20)

More, he reminds us of our ultimately destiny in Christ.

….who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. (3:21)

In short, this world is not our home. And our final destiny is not this corrupt, decaying body. Rather, we have a much higher destiny in store for us. It is because of this, that Paul says earlier,

Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. (3:17)

Paul had mentioned earlier not only himself, but people like Timothy and Epaphroditus, and he said, “Follow our example. Our lives are completely centered on Christ, and not ourselves. And that’s how you should be.”

This was in stark contrast to the people the Philippians lived among and the people who we live among today. People who,

live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. (3:18-19)

In other words, people who live solely for themselves and the things of this world. But who in doing so are headed for destruction.

But that’s not what Christ saved us for. He saved us that we could know him, and to ultimately become more like him. To find true life in him as he not only transforms us, but dwells in us, leading us and guiding us each day.

And as we his church walk as citizens of heaven, we shine his glory to the world.

So Paul concludes,

Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends! (4:1)

The question is then, is this how you’re living? Focused not on yourself nor the things of this world, but on Christ? Is it your greatest desire to know him and that he be glorified in you?

That is where true joy is found. That is where true life is found. Not in “self-realization” or self-gratification.

If you are a Christian, you are a citizen of heaven. Are you living like one?

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Philippians

Pressing on

Pressing on

Very few days go by when I don’t realize just how far I have to go to be like Christ. I think marriage does that to a man.

I look at the example of the husband Christ is to the church and the kind of husband I am to my wife, and I quickly realize that I fall far short far too many times.

And so as I look at Paul’s words when he talks about how he has yet to become all Christ has taken hold of him to be, I can totally relate to him. Honestly, it can be discouraging. But I cling to what Paul says in verse 12.

I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. (Philippians 3:12)

I like how the ESV puts it,

I press on to make it (Christ’s righteousness, a relationship with him, his sufferings, his death, his resurrection) my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

“Because Christ Jesus has made me his own.”

That’s a comfort to me. I don’t have to earn my standing with Christ. He has already made me his own. I belong to him now. I am his child.  And so even when I fail, I don’t need to fear that he will reject me. I am already his.

And so now I press on, not to earn my standing with God, but to fully experience all that I have in Christ.

His righteousness. His sufferings. His death. His resurrection. And most importantly, a relationship with Jesus Christ himself. To come to know him as well as he knows me.

So in my failures, and even in my successes, I say as Paul did,

One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (13-14)

I don’t want to dwell on my failures. That will only drag me down. And I don’t want to dwell on my victories. Because that will just make me complacent.

But each day, I want to keep my eyes on the prize. I want to see each day what God has for me, and to become the man that he created me to be.

And Paul says that should be all of our attitudes. He says,

All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 

Only let us live up to what we have already attained. (15-16)

Do you think you’re mature? You’re still not where you need to be. Press on.

Do you think that you’re a failure. God has already made you his own. Press on. And wherever you are, don’t start going backwards.

But live up what to you have already attained. And then push further. Not in your own strength. But in the power of the Spirit who lives in you.

How do you live your life each day?

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Philippians

Following the example of Christ (part 2)

PhilippiansHope

I wrote a few days ago about how we are to follow the example of Christ.

In looking at Paul’s words here in this chapter talking of himself, it struck me that a lot of what he said could be seen in a different perspective, particularly in light of chapter 2.

Paul said that whatever he had once considered profitable to him, whether it was his status as a Jew and a Pharisee, or all he had accomplished in following the law, he considered loss for the sake of Christ.

In fact he considered everything a loss compared to having a personal relationship with Christ. He considered them all garbage in order that he might gain Christ and be clothed in His righteousness.

And now his chief desire was to know Christ, to know the power of his resurrection, to share in his sufferings and his death, and ultimately, to rise with Christ someday.

In the same way, whatever had been to Christ’s profit, he considered loss for our sake.

He considered all that he had in heaven a loss compared to having a relationship with us.

He considered it garbage that he may gain us and that he might clothe us with his righteousness as we put our faith in him.

He wants us to know him, to share in the power of his resurrection, to share in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and to be raised in glory just as he was.

That’s why he went to the cross. That’s why he suffered for us.

And if he did that for us, how can we not do the same for him?

If he gave up everything for us, how can we not give up everything for him?

May we all follow his example each day.

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Philippians

Where our focus lies

PhilippiansHope

As we live the Christian life, it’s so easy to get off-focus.

Of course, some people can get off-focus in terms of focusing on their jobs, their love life, their possessions, and their money. All these things can get Christians’ minds off of what is really important.

But we can also get off-focus by focusing on rules and how to be the “good” Christian. And by doing that, we forget what our Christian lives are to be all about.

That’s what Paul warns against here. He tells the Philippians,

Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. (Philippians 3:2)

What is he talking about? He’s probably talking about the Judaizers that were so prevalent during that time. These were the people that said you need to be circumcised and follow all the Mosaic law in order to truly be saved.

He ironically calls them dogs. Dogs were not looked upon fondly in Jewish culture, and many times, non-Jews like the Philippians were referred to as dogs. But Paul says, “You are not the dogs. They are.”

He says,

For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh. (3)

God had told the Jews in the Old Testament, that more importantly than being physically circumcised, he wanted their hearts to be circumcised for him (Deuteronomy 10:16, Deuteronomy 30:6, Jeremiah 4:4).

And when we become Christians, that’s exactly what happens. Our hearts become truly his through the work of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 2:28-29)

As Ezekiel put it,

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.  (Ezekiel 36:26)

But the Judaizers were convinced that all Christians had to be circumcised and keep all the laws of Moses. Because of this, all their focus was on who they were as Jews and what they did to achieve righteousness before God.

Paul, however, tells the Philippians that these Judaizer’s focus was all wrong. He himself could boast of all the things that these Judaizers tried to boast in and more (4-6).

But instead, Paul says,

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 

What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.

I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ–the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. (7-11)

In short, Paul said, “My focus isn’t on myself. It isn’t on all my efforts to become righteous in God’s sight. It isn’t on the rules and regulations of religion. These are all rubbish to me now. Worthless.

My focus is on one thing and one thing alone: Jesus Christ.

I want to know Him.

I want to be united with Him.

I want His true righteousness, not my “righteousness” that falls far short of God’s standard.

I want to know His power, not my own.

I want to know Him so much that I want to share in His suffering.

I want to die with Him, putting to death my sinful nature by the power of the Spirit.

I want to be resurrected with Him, raised in new life, again by the power of the Spirit.

Him, him, him, him, him, him.

The problem with so many Christians today is that they are not focused on Him, but themselves.

And because of that they get tired. Christianity become a drag, filled with their own futile self-efforts. And their love for Christ wanes.

For how can you have a love relationship with Jesus when you are focused on everything else but him?

How about you? Where is your focus?

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Philippians

Following the example of Christ

PhilippiansHope

After sharing with the Philippians how they should follow the example of Christ, Paul talks of two men who did just that.

Paul says of a man named Timothy (the same one found in I and II Timothy),

I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests,not those of Jesus Christ. 

But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.  (Philippians 2:20-22)

Paul had exhorted the Philippians earlier,

Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. (4)

And now here, he tells the Philippians, “Timothy is such a man. So many others live only for themselves.

“But Timothy is different. He has followed Christ’s example and he is genuinely concerned for you and is interested in your welfare. More, he has been faithful in serving with me for the sake of the gospel.”

Paul then commended another man named Epaphroditus.  Epaphroditus apparently had been sent by the Philippians to help Paul in his ministry. But while he was with Paul, he got sick and nearly died. And so Paul was sending him back.

Lest the Philippians think that Epaphroditus was somehow a failure, however, Paul told them, “He is my brother, my fellow worker, and fellow soldier.” More, he told them,

Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me. (29-30)

Just as Christ had been willing to lay down his life to do the Father’s will, Epaphroditus had done the same. And so Paul said, “Welcome him with honor. You would do well to follow his example.”

And so would we. How are you living? Are you looking toward the interests of others above your own? Or are you still looking out for number one?

Are you still living for yourself? Or are you willing to do anything the Father tells you, even if it costs you your very life?

Oh it may not cost you your literal life. But God may call you to leave your job. He may call you to leave your country. He may call you to leave your comfortable life in order to serve him. Will you do it?

Will you follow these men’s example? More importantly, will you follow Christ’s?

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Philippians

Shining as the stars

PhilippiansHope

Chapters and verses in the Bible are great in one sense. They certainly make it easier to find passages.

But often times, they interrupt the flow of the authors’ thinking, and make us think that they are starting entirely new thoughts when that is not the case.

This is certainly the case with this passage.

I was going to just cite verses 12-18, and realized it was simply impossible. Because all of this comes down to one thought: living lives worthy of the gospel.

The whole point Paul is trying to make is that we live lives worthy of the gospel by living in unity with one another.

In order to do that, we need to follow the example of Christ who laid down everything for us, putting our needs above his own in order to save us.

It is at the end of this thought that Paul goes on to say,

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed–not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence–continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. (Philippians 2:12-13)

So often we take these verses and apply them individually to ourselves.

But once again, Paul is talking to the church as a whole, and is saying, “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling because it is God who is working in all of you to will and to act according to his good purpose.”

In other words, Paul is saying, “God has given you all this salvation by the sacrifice of his Son. Now make the most of this salvation you have received.

“Know that God is working in you, the church, to desire the things he desires and to act according to the purpose that he has for you as his body.”

But we can’t live out that purpose if we are constantly fighting one another, bickering, and as Paul says in another passage, biting and devouring one another (Galatians 5:15).

And so Paul tells us,

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life–in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. (14-16)

When the church is fighting itself, the world looks at it and says, “What makes them different from us?”

But when the world sees a church where people love and serve each other, when they see a church where there is no bickering or complaining, all of a sudden, we become bright lights that make them wonder, “What makes them so different?  I want what they have.”

And so Paul tells the Philippians, “My desire is that you will be those lights so that when I stand before Christ, I can point to you with pride at what you have become.”

He then concludes by talking about his own attitude toward them, saying,

But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on a sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me. (17)

In other words, “It’s no burden for me to do the things I have done for you. I myself am merely working out my salvation just as you are. And I rejoice with you at all that God is doing in you.

So don’t grieve or worry that I’m in prison for the gospel, but rejoice with me. And as we work and rejoice together, this world will see our light.”

How about you? Is that your attitude? Are you seeing God work not only through you, but through you and the brothers and sisters God has put around you?

Are you seeing God work out his purposes as you walk together in cooperation and unity?  Are all of you together shining the light of God that those around may see your good works as a church and glorify your Father in heaven?

Or do those around you see a people like themselves, always bickering and fighting?

May we all as a church work out our salvation with fear and trembling that the world may know the Lord who loves them and gave himself up for them.

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Philippians

What the gospel is all about

Jesus

We saw last time that Paul tells us to live a life worthy of the gospel. But what is that gospel?  He makes it crystal clear in chapter 2.

The gospel is all about Christ,

who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death– even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:6-8)

Think about that a moment. Jesus was by his very nature God. But he did not say, “I am equal to the Father and the Spirit. Why should I be the one that goes down to save a wretched, rebellious people?”

Instead, he made himself nothing. He let go of the glory that rightfully belonged to him as God and he became a mere man. And not a king among mere men. But a mere carpenter born of a poor family.

More, he didn’t come doing his own will as he had every right to do. Instead, he came as a servant, humbling himself, doing only what his Father in heaven told him to do.

And when the Father told him, “It is time to die for the sins of the world,” Jesus replied, “Not my will, but yours be done.”

Why? Because he loved the Father. And because he loved us. And because of that love, he was willing to lay down everything that was rightfully his to die a shameful death on the cross.

But the gospel doesn’t end there. For Paul says,

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (9-11)

God not only raised Jesus from the dead, but has now placed him above all things as head and ruler over all.

And the day will come when all who are saved will fall at his feet in worship, proclaiming him as Lord, unified as one under him, a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, holy and blameless, to the glory of the Father.

It is this gospel that Paul says we are to live lives worthy of. Since Christ did all this for us, how can we not follow his example? As Paul said,

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.  (5)

We are now united with Christ. How can we not live as he did? How can we not show tenderness and compassion as Christ did, even to those who reject us?

Since we will one day all together worship him as Lord, how can we not now love one another, and work with one another for his kingdom?

And how can we not throw aside selfishness, putting our brothers and sisters’ interests above our own, and laying down our lives for them as Christ did for us?

How about you? Do you believe the gospel? And if you do, are you living this gospel every day?

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Philippians

Living lives worthy of the gospel

PhilippiansHope

When you look at today’s title, “Living lives worthy of the gospel,” what do you think it means? To be a good Christian witness? To be sharing your faith? To live holy lives?

Certainly all these things are true. But I think that Paul has something else in mind as he wrote to the Philippians,

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.  (Philippians 1:27a)

More than anything, he’s talking about something we’ve talked about a lot recently: unity in the church.

That phrase “conduct yourselves in a manner worthy” actually has the idea of behaving in a manner worthy of one’s status as citizens.

The Philippians had great status as citizens in the Roman empire. They had some special privileges of land ownership and were even free from having to pay certain taxes. As a result of all this, they were quite proud of their status as Roman citizens.

But Paul says, “As proud as you are of being citizens of Rome, be even prouder of the fact that you are citizens of heaven. And live that way. Live in unity as fellow citizens so that,

…whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you.  (Philippians 1:27b-28)

And Paul warned, “You will be opposed,” telling them,

For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.  (Philippians 1:29-30)

That’s a strange phrase, “It has been granted you, that is, you’ve been given this privilege of not only believing in Jesus, but also suffering for him.”

But that is exactly how the apostles saw suffering. They saw it as an occasion to rejoice.

You see this in Acts 5 when they were beaten for preaching the gospel. And you see it in Paul throughout the book of Philippians as well. They rejoiced because,

…they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name [of Jesus].  (Acts 5:41)

So part of living lives worthy of the gospel is also suffering for Christ’s sake.

But the thing is, while we may at times have to face adversity alone for the sake of Christ, Paul is primarily talking of suffering adversity together with the other believers in the church.

And he tells them that as they stand together, showing no fear, but unity in their love for God and their love for each other, that it is a sign to their opponents of their coming judgment and the Philippians’ salvation.

In other words, as their opponents saw the life that was in the Philippians through their love for Christ and each other, they would see the death that reigned in their own hearts.

But what exactly should their opponents have seen in them?

People encouraged by their union with Christ. People comforted by the love of Christ in the midst of trial. People walking in the leading and power of the Spirit.

People who are tender and compassionate even to their enemies, but especially to each other. People like-minded, loving each other, and one in spirit and purpose.

People who do nothing out of selfishness or conceit, but humble, not looking out for their own interests but for the interests of others. (Philippians 2:1-4)

That’s what it means to live lives worthy of the gospel. The question is, are we living that way? Not just as individual Christians, but as a church?

We, the church, will never make an impact on this world as long as we live as mere individuals, serving only ourselves.

It’s time to stop thinking of ourselves as mere individuals, and start living as citizens of heaven.

Remember the prayer of Jesus the night before he died.

I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.

May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me…

May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. (John 17:20-21, 23)

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Philippians

That Christ may be exalted

PhilippiansHope

For me, death seems kind of far away. I still see myself as young, although I guess I’m technically classified as middle-aged.

But for Paul as he wrote this letter, he really had no idea how much longer he would live. He was reasonably confident that his trial before Nero would go well and he would be released, but he wasn’t sure.

And so he said,

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. (Philippians 1:20)

To Paul, ultimately, he didn’t care one way or another whether he was set free or condemned to death by Nero.

What was important to Paul was that in life or death that Christ would be exalted in him.

So every moment he lived, with every breath he took, he desired to glorify Christ. And should he die, he wanted Christ to be glorified in that too.

That should be our attitude as well. To live each day for the glory of Christ. But how many days go by when that thought never crosses our minds?

We get so wrapped up in our jobs, our lives, our troubles. In short, we get so focused on the things of this world that Christ gets forgotten entirely.

That’s not how our Christian lives should be. Rather, our attitude should be the same as Paul’s.

For to me, to live is Christ.  (21a)

Can you say that? Or are you living for other things?

There may be some of you, though, for whom death is nearer.

Right now my wife’s grandmother is near that time. She’s 102 years old now, and as of two weeks ago is no longer eating, but is only on IVs, although she is still conscious.

How do you face death? Can you say as Paul did,

To die is gain.  (Philippians 1:21b)

Do you have confidence as Paul did that while life on this earth is a gift, and each day is a chance to glorify God with our lives, that heaven is so much better?

Are you torn between serving Christ here on earth and touching the lives of others, and being with Christ at last?

Or are you clinging to life here, living for yourself, and in utter fear of what lies on the other side of death?

You don’t have to fear. Stop living for yourself, and put your faith in Christ. He died on a cross that your sins may be forgiven.

More than that, he showed that he had power over the grave by rising from the dead. And now he promises, “Because I live, you also will live.”  (John 14:19)

All you need to do is give your life to him. And in doing so, you will find life.

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Philippians

When we choose to rejoice

PhilippiansHope

Considering all that Paul went through in his life, you would have understood if he had grumbled and complained about all that he went through for the sake of the gospel.

Maybe in times of weakness he did. But according to his letters and every story you ever read of him, he never did that.  Instead, he rejoiced.

Joy is funny that way. It is totally unrelated to the circumstances you are in. Rather, it is dependent on your relationship with God and is something wells up within you despite your circumstances.

You see that in Acts 16 when Paul and Silas were tossed into prison in Philippi. What was their response as they were fastened in stocks, backs sore from being beaten by whips? They sang hymns. They prayed.

And here in Rome, Paul was doing the same kind of thing.

Here he is being guarded by the imperial guard, and it had to be totally different experience for these guards as they came in for their shifts. In most cases, they probably heard the silence of despair, or perhaps moaning or complaining.

But when they came in for their shift to guard Paul, he’s greeting them with smiles, singing hymns, and sharing the gospel with them.

As a result, soon every guard knew this was no ordinary prisoner, and some of them may have even become Christians.

In addition, because of Paul’s imprisonment and his boldness in preaching the gospel even from there, it caused the other Christians to become bolder in preaching the gospel.  

For a number of them, perhaps they saw Paul and thought, “One of God’s apostles is down. I need to pick up some of the slack and do what I can.”

Others, unfortunately, had less pure motives according to Paul. Perhaps they thought to “steal” some of Paul’s sheep while he was out of action.

But through it all, Paul rejoiced because the gospel was spreading despite all Satan’s efforts to keep it contained.

Think for a minute, though. How would things have been if Paul had instead chosen to grumble and complain? To throw a pity party?

It probably would have tossed him into a downward spiral that would not only have discouraged him, but those he had ministered to.

But because he rejoiced, it allowed him to rise above his circumstances to the glory of God.

How about you? What circumstances are you going through? Do you like Paul choose to rejoice in spite of the bad circumstances you are in? Or do you throw a pity party?

One choice lifts us above our circumstances to God’s glory. The other leads to slogging in the mud of despair. Which will you choose?

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Philippians

What God is doing in us

Paul in prison

This letter that Paul wrote to the Philippians is one that is filled with joy, despite all the trials Paul was going through.

Paul was writing this in prison, probably from Rome, and yet time and again, you see the words “rejoice” and “joy” in this letter.

And one thing that gave him great joy was what God was doing in the lives of the Philippians. The church in Philippi was the first ever to be started in Europe.

It started when Paul met a wealthy woman named Lydia who feared God, but didn’t really know anything about Jesus. But when Paul preached the gospel to her, she and her family were saved.  (Acts 16:11-15).

Paul did have some problems there, however, getting thrown into prison. But even there, Paul made an impact, as through him, his jailer and the jailer’s family also became Christians.  (Acts 16:16-40)

That was the beginning of the church in Philippi. And that church became one of his main supporters in ministry.

And in their partnership with him in the gospel, he saw the good work God was doing in them. And so he wrote,

In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.  (Philipians 1:4-6)

One of the amazing things of the gospel of Christ is that it starts with grace and it ends with grace.

It is God who reached out to us to save us at a time when we had no thought of him. Through his grace, he pulled us out of filth of our sin and washed us clean by the blood of Jesus shed on the cross.

But God doesn’t stop there. He doesn’t just say to us, “Well, I cleaned you up. Now you’re on your own.”

Rather, Paul says that God continues to work in us even now, and will never stop working in us until we are made complete on the day that Jesus returns for us.

In what way is God working in us? Paul tells us through his prayer for the Philippians, saying,

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ–to the glory and praise of God.  (9-11)

Paul prays here that the fruit of love, love for God and love for others, would abound more and more in our lives.

How does it grow? It grows as we come to know God better. As we understand more deeply how great his love is, it causes our own love to blossom, not only for God, but for those around us.

And as that happens, we start to understand just how God intends us to live. We start to make not only good choices, but the best choices. And as we do that, all of God’s fruit of righteousness starts to blossom in our lives.

But note what Paul says here:  this fruit of righteousness comes not from our own efforts to change. Rather, it comes as we are joined to him. Like Jesus said, he is the vine, we are the branches. Apart from him, we can do nothing.  (John 15:5)

So what do we get from this? Two things.

First, don’t get discouraged by the sin you still see in your life. God started a good work in you. It started at the cross. It continued as he called you and you responded to him. And God will continue working in you until you are complete.

Second, stay plugged in to Jesus. That is the key to change in your life. Not mere self-discipline or effort. But Jesus living his life in you.

And as he does, you will see more and more what God is doing in you to his glory…and to your joy.