Philippians Pt4- A Very Expensive Free Gift!
Continue our study in Philippians- v2:12-30.
Paul’s call to go to Philippi was supernatural-
Act 16:9-12
God is calls us supernaturally, we are to led by-HS.
Paul wrote this letter while a prisoner in Rome.
Ten years earlier he had been imprisoned in Philippi-
Act 16:22-26
Paul suffered w/Philippians-his heart was bound to them
As we serve Christ together our hearts- bound together-
There is great danger in idleness/isolation.
Review
Last week looked at v2:1-11 and found that-
Joy is found in serving God and others.
Self-centered mind-no joy, God-centered mind-finds joy.
V2.12-13
Christianity is a process- on our part it involves- repentance, faith, obedience, service, perseverance.
On God’s part it involves His incredible mercy/grace.
Work out- to have done everything, not stop half-way.
Salvation- safety, being rescued/therefore to be safe.
We talk about being saved- saved from what?
Col 1:13–14 (NASB) 13For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Prior to Christ we were slaves of sin/death/devil.
It is God’s grace that awakens us to Him and His life.
Our on-going walk is one of total dependence on God.
That does not say we do not have a part in the process.
We need to revaluate our understanding of salvation.
Eph 2:8–9 (NASB) 8For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
In our culture we have a consumers mindset.
We we hear “free gift” we think of a transaction that cost me nothing- free ticket to heaven, no obligation.
There could be nothing further from the truth.
It is free in the sense that you cannot afford it, but there was a heavy price paid for that free gift, and
there is an expected obligation on our part.
Faith alone saves, but the faith that saves is not alone. John Calvin
Look what James says-
Ja 2:17–18 (NASB) 17Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. 18But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”
Only God can see your heart and know if you are truly saved, but your neighbor can see your works.
True inward faith always has an outward reflection.
Eph 2:10 (NASB) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
Salvation is all of God and totally free, but it requires an active, costly, repentant, continuing faith response.
Mat 13:44-46
This is- paradox, there are divine tensions in the Bible-
Salvation is a free gift and a cost-everything commitment!
v2:14-15
Do not grumble against God or dispute w/men so you can be blameless before God/innocent before men.
There was a Greek God that did nothing himself but found fault with everybody and everything.
Paul is saying, walk in such a way that not even this god has an occasion to complain about you.
When we grumble/complain we are telling others that-
God is doing a very poor job, and
we could do a much better job given the chance.
Be very careful- grumbling can become a way of life.
Mat 5:16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Mathew Henry-
When God raises up a good man in any place, he sets up a light in that place. (Matthew Henry)
v2:16
Not only are we to hold on fast to the Word of life, we are also to hold it forth for the benefit of others.
Jn 4:7, 9-10, 13-14
v2.17-18 (Paul)
One of Paul’s themes- have the mind of Christ- Phil 2:5
Three examples of men with the mind of Christ- Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus.
Gentiles- when they ate a meal would pour our a cup of water before/after dinner- to honor their god.
2 Sam 23:16-17
David would not drink water- represented the life of the men who got it- he poured it out as a sacrifice.
Paul willingly poured out his life for God and in the service to others- he had the mind of Christ.
God is calling us to pour out our lives as well.
v2.19-24 (Timothy)
Timothy had the interests of Christ foremost in his mind.
A lot of Christianity is less about Christ and more about how I feel/what I am experiencing.
We can live in Phil 1:21 or Phil 2:21.
v2:25-30 (Epaphroditus)
Epaphroditus risked his life in serving Paul/the church.
He had an eternal perspective and the mind of Christ.
Conclusion
God is calling His church into a deeper commitment.
Pastor- pastored years ago- started new church- asked what the differences were- lack of commitment among the people.
Read Philippians, let God speak to you, turn it into life actions- post what God shows you to our blog.
