Looking ahead to 2017
Philippians 1:1-30
Introduction
The New Year is always an opportunity to reflect, and to look ahead
Today, we will forego looking back (can’t change that) and look forward for Christ
We know the current condition of the church, of our lives (some good, some bad)
Let’s examine a testimony about looking forward (preaching – less teaching)
Read Phil 1:1-30 / Pray (SERMON: SUMMARIZE CH 1)
Point 1 - Paul often dealt with disappointment (12)
Paul is always thankful for what God is doing (or has done)
With a full heart, he can give thanks to God b/c of faithfulness
Our testimony: We too, should desire to be thankful in what God is doing
Even in prayer: “that our love may grow more and more for one another” (9)
Yes, there are always disappointments and challenges in life (12)
But (13, 14) he is still able to preach because of Christ …
Even his jailers know his heart (and continued to hear about it)
Some preach Christ from envy and rivalry (15,17) – no fruit here
APP: (16) Those from love know it’s that reason he is in prison
APP: (18) He is in prison, fully grasping his circumstances, and rejoicing in them
IMP: Difficult surroundings STILL helped him to advance the Gospel
This should be no different for us either: struggle should motivate us
Out of that should bring us to a place of wanting to do more because of Him
Romans 5:3-4, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
APP: Challenge should not lead us to despair and to want to give up
TRANS: Disappointment can still lead to an expectation of hope!
Point 2 - He has an expectation of hope (20)
Paul’s expectation of hope is that he can honor Christ in everything (20)
We too, can be patient and expect our lives to glorify Christ
Every day, we will have chances to honor Him, with everything we do
So how do you overcome disappointments? (motto) “Christ will be honored.”
(20) Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death”
APP: Even when bad things happen, we exalt Christ because of who He is
Reminds me of Exodus after the Egyptians were drowned in Red Sea:
Exodus 15:20, “Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron's sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women followed her, with timbrels and dancing.”
They praised because of God’s work, which before escape looked hopeless
APP: When we live a life of expectancy, we rejoice at everything
Ever see those who just rejoice in what God is doing? Wonder why? (20)
TRANS: Why should we live a life of encouragement?
Point 3 – God’s desire is we’d be encouraged (27)
Paul wanted others to be encouraged; relationships to be strengthened
This brought him joy; even in the face of expecting (immediate) execution
Consider: the ax that would kill him is the gateway to a face-to-face mtg. w/ Jesus
His heart is that we too would be strengthened, courageous, willing to GO
(28) “without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you”
What has God’s word has taught us most often? We need a vision in front of us
Wisdom is vital when it comes to God’s word, and our application is critical
Application requires a vision, and a vision I believe is what we have today
If Paul has given us these words of encouragement, how shall we live?
Proverbs 29:18 (KJV) says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”
I want to give you 3 pieces of wisdom (application) for the New Year
And then … I’m going to give us 3 opportunities (goals) to be involved
Wisdoms (also known as a Life Mission):
We must not live a life filled with disappointment and filled with criticality
We are experts at pointing out the negative, we must choose to cut that out
Christ is not honored when we wallow in our own self-pity; nor our own grief
Christ is not please when we stand in one another’s way and distract from mission
We must do the things that God has commanded us
He has called us to live purposeful, to look ahead, to focus on what’s next
Paul knew this in prison, and yet he was not deterred from the mission of God
Here’s a beautiful picture of his focus: 2 Tim 4:7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
We are called to suffer, even when we don’t want it (29)
Paul calls us to live a life that honors God, in everything we do
To proclaim His glory and preach His message to everyone we would meet
What does this look like? (dipstick check)
How much do we spend time with Him vs. our hobbies? Worship?
How much money do we give to His work vs. things we want? Tithe?
How much of ourselves do we give to the kingdom’s work vs. our own? Service?
How can we be involved in 2017 (goals)? What has God challenged us with?
Relocation
Why? We are not in a location which promotes growth -- or even visitation
We also have no room for growth (new ministries, new people, etc.)
We don’t even have signage on the road hundreds of people pass by daily
Needs: 2-3 willing to look for a new location and bring recommendations
Leader goes the way: I’m willing to lead this, but need assistance
APP: We must relocate (grateful we’ve been here) to spread our tent stakes
Ministries for young families/children
Why? Young families are lifeblood of a church, need to avoid “got all we want”
APP: Paul taught even from the end of his life in prison, who are we teaching?
Who are we ministering too, or teaching about living for Christ? (Discipleship)
Needs: 2-3 willing to stand up a ministry for children and be faithful to it
Leader goes the way: When I am not preaching, I will teach kids ministry
APP: Goes with #1, if they don’t know we exist we cannot disciple them
Outreach Planning Team
Our church needs someone willing to plan, who has a vision for reaching
Not all disciples did the same thing, and we need all our gifts to work
The church is a hospital to the sick, and we must open the doors wider
Needs: Someone to step up and lead in this endeavor (gifting)
- What’s this look like: events like food pantry, community, etc.
Leader goes the way: I know my own limitations and need others to lead
For me … 2017 will be about a simple return to the basics:
I will concentrate on these three as pastor: Pray, Study, and Preach. (repeat)
This is my calling and where my gifts are, it’s what God called me to do
I’m willing to do my part in any way of these, but I cannot lead everything
Final Thoughts
The church is a body; it is what Paul gave glory and praise for
The body, just like ours, needs looking after – it needs fuel and care
Paul praised what the entire community was doing – not just 1 or 2 people
Even in discouragements, we must be faithful AND want more of God
HUGE: We want more not only for ourselves, but for those who need Christ
I want you to get a heart for a need this year; a desire to see people reached
If we won’t reach, if we won’t work together to do reach others
We become an exclusive, limiting club filled with Pharisees … dangerous ground
(20) “Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death”
How will you honor Christ and be a part of your church in the New Year?
Pray
