REVIEW
Given the extended use of the terms “joy” and “rejoice” in four short chapters (12), joy appears to be a central focus of Paul’s letter to the Jesus followers living in the Greek city of Philippi. That is interesting given considerable space also dedicated to the subject of suffering.
My suggested theme:
Maintaining the Lord’s genuine joy of the while managing the worlds’ grating junk.
Shorter Version: Maintaining God’s joy while managing the world’s junk.
I also like a title I found on a title slide from the internet. “Joy No Matter What”
In order to maintain this joy, we must align our life around four critical focal points which unfold in each of the four chapters of Philippians.
I. ADOPT THE RIGHT AXIS -- SUPRERIOR LIFE PERSEPECTIVE
The Exaltation of Jesus
II. MAINTAIN THE RIGHT ATTITUDE -- SUPERIOR PATTERN OF LIVING
Serve Like Jesus
III. PURSUE THE RIGHT AIM -- SUPERIOR LIFE PURSUIT
The Passionate Pursuit of Jesus
IV. ACQUIRE THE RIGHT ABILITY -- SUPERIOR POWER SOURCE
The strength of Jesus
1. GREETING 1-2
2. JOYOUS THANKSGIVING & PRAYER 3-11
The Passion behind the prayer. 3-8
The content of the prayer. 9-11
Paul regularly asked God that the love of the members of the Philippian church would excel more and more to demonstrate the difference Jesus makes in a life living in a fallen, broken world and bring glory and praise to God.
You are in my regular Thanksgiving 1-6
You are in my heart 1:7-8
You are in my regular prayers 1:9-11
INTRODUCTION
Life hurls any number of troubling circumstances our way. These all have some things in common:
Unexpected, unpredictable - Unpleasant – Unavoidable - Unalterable
We generally have a common response to these uninvited circumstantial intruders that continually crash into the side of our joy mobile. That is: WE COMPLAIN AND GRUMBLE. O how Americans love to grumble. Circumstances however must be viewed like the weather. Weather is unquestionably unexpected, unavoidable, unalterable and sometimes unpleasant and so we have learned to adapt, accommodate, and adjust to IT. Oh we may complain about it but there is not even the slightest belief that any amount of fussing will alter the weather in any way. We simply learn to adapt. Most circumstances of life fall into the same category. No amount of complaining will change them or remedy the situation in the slightest. Complaining only complicates the matter. We must learn then to adapt to those circumstances. To maintain joy in this broken world, we need a perspective that enables us to keep positive in the negative. The axis around which our life revolves determines the actions of our life.
Most know that the earth rotates around what is called an axis. The earth rotates around an axis tilted between 22.1 and 24.5 9currently 23.5l). It is this perfect divinely designed axis that enables life to best exist. If it were tilted any more, the temperature would swing too much between super-hot summers and super-cold winters.
If it were tilted any less, too much sunshine all year long would super-heat the equator and too little heat would reach the north and south regions. Paul’s life rotated around a particular axis that enabled him to find joy in junk. Many times because we view events from a different axis, we respond in ways that short-circuit our joy unnecessarily.
Our world may revolve around pleasing self
Our world may revolve around pleasing others
Our world may revolve around things dictated by the world system.
Everyone organizes their life around an axis. Married people underwent a colossal shift in axis when they got married. Parents experience a shift in axis when children enter the picture.
This message explores the spiritual axis necessary for a joyful life. We will observe the effect when Paul’s world revolved around the axis of the exaltation of Christ in everything. The only axis that best enables meaningful life is a Christ-centered axis. How does it work?
I. Adopt the right Axis – the superior perspective
The exaltation of Christ in everything.
Paul viewed life through the grid of how it affected Christ and His cause.
He communicated it plainly in verse 20.
according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. Philippians 1:20
Paul looked for how Christ could be exalted through negative circumstances. He prayed that the Philippians would live to the glory and praise of God. That is another way to express the exaltation of Christ.
The term “exalt” means to make or declare great, magnify, increase, enlarge. Paul evaluated everything in his life by how it might show the greatness of Jesus. He determined to use every opportunity to glorify God in word, action and attitude. It is similar to the term “glorify”. He exhorted the Corinthians…
Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
I observed four circumstances, that on the service, appear negative but actually became opportunities to exalt Christ. The flow of his letter first encouraged them through personal example. Then He exhorted them by pastoral directive.
A. Paul Encouraged by personal example 1:12-26
1. Unjust Imprisonment 12-14
a) The life-challenging Problem
This passage feels like Paul answered an inquiry from the Philippians concerning his current situation. “Now I want you to know…” Paul spent little time focusing on the negative or down side of his circumstances. He didn’t write to complain or incite sympathy for how bad things were for him. He focused on encouraging them to “know” the positive results of a negative circumstance. What were Paul’s circumstances? “My circumstances” = the things down on me, the things weighing me down. “My imprisonment” = bonds, chains, shackles. He had been unjustly imprisoned two years simply for his preaching the Gospel in Caesarea, at this writing he had been incarcerated two more years in Rome. His imprisonment blocked his passion of preaching the Gospel and establishing local churches everywhere. His circumstance currently limited his larger impact.
He expressed none of that however.
b) The joy-producing perspective
Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. Philippians 1:12-14
Paul pointed out three positive results stemming from his negative circumstance.
1. The Gospel advanced because of his imprisonment
Even though Paul felt restricted the Gospel was not.
“turned out” = has come, has happened, has resulted. Perfect tense indicates that Paul’s imprisonment triggered a progress to the gospel and that progress continued to the present
“progress” = a military metaphor describing a scout who identifies and, if possible, removes obstacles before an advancing army. This word signifies advancement in spite of the dangers and obstacles which block the way of the traveler.
2. The reason for Paul’s unjust imprisonment became clear to all.
It wasn’t just the FACT of Paul’s imprisonment that became well known, but the WHY. He suffered in prison for the “cause of Christ”. He wasn’t there for some nefarious criminal activity. They locked him up for preaching Christ. Beyond the why he was incarcerated, was the WHO clearly understood the why. The cause of his incarceration became well known all the way to the emperor’s elite guard. The Praetorian guard was the special military unit directly connected to the emperor. The effects on the rotation of soldiers chained to Paul day in and day out as he sang, taught, dictated letters, prayed was strongly significant. They continually observed firsthand the unswerving testimony of Paul's life and lip. There was no question as to the cause of his imprisonment. He suffered solely because of his conviction concerning the resurrected Christ. Paul became the talk of the people as well as the palace.
3. Believers were emboldened to speak out because of his imprisonment.
Most of the “brothers” around Paul gained a new confidence in Christ. “became confident” Perfect tense. Became confident and were still confident. That confidence translated into an increased willingness to fearlessly speak the word of God. Paul communicated his response to this later. I will rejoice in the fact that Christ is being preached. Because of Paul’s passion to see Christ exalted, the positive outweighed the negatives in his imprisonment. He felt and expressed joy.
2. Improper motivations for preaching
a) The life-challenging problem
Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. Philippians 1:15-17
Paul observed two kinds of preaching motives going on around him. Good-willed preaching motivated by pure motives and love for Paul. Ill-willed preaching motivated by selfish ambition, strife and envy of Paul hoping to add to his distress. The ill-willed group, whoever they were, sought to cause Paul greater distress. The word was used of the painful rubbing of a prisoner’s chains.
b) Joy-producing perspective
What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Philippians 1:18
Rejoicing is to externally express inward joy. Because Paul’s passion to see Christ exalted far outweighed his own personal feelings, ambitions and even comfort, he was able to rejoice at the fact that at least Christ was being preached. Apparently these preachers were not preaching heresy. They apparently, for some reason, just didn’t like Paul. I get incensed by those who preach Christ for personal gain; whether notoriety or monetary gain. Preachers, because they are usually in front, struggle with pride.
Paul’s joyful response was due to the fact that Christ was being proclaimed. Since the exaltation of Christ was the axis of his life, he focused on that. Paul would never tolerate erroneous teaching or false teachers. In Galatians he called down a curse on anyone teaching a different gospel.
Just to bring balance; Paul also did not always respond to ill treatment with joy.
Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Be on guard against him yourself, for he vigorously opposed our teaching. 2 Timothy 4:14-15
What triggered Paul’s response in this case was the fact Christ was being exalted and that, being his life focus, triggered joy. He lobbies for unity through the letter, but for now chooses to rejoice at the exaltation of Jesus.
3. Impending Death
a) Life-challenging problem
Paul faced the possibility of death every time they threw him in prison. Paul fully expected God to minister to him whether he lived or died. Paul’s eager expectation was to exalt Christ and not shame Him through this ordeal. Paul longed to face the detractors and the upcoming trial with boldness and courage. He expressed confidence that because of the church’s prayers and super natural assistance of the Holy Spirit, God would vindicate him and bring him through this trial (salvation, well-being) whether by continuing to live or going to be with Jesus. Again we notice the dual source God uses to minister to us – prayers of the saints and provision of the Spirit.
b) Joy-producing perspective
Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:18-21
Paul was OK with either as long as Christ was exalted. He confidently maintained that release or martyrdom would do just that. He later references such sacrifice in 2:17 “poured out as a drink offering”. For Paul to continue in ministry would enable him to continue to exalt Christ. For me to live is to continue to exalt Christ.
Paul also considered death to be gain for both him AND the gospel. When exalting Christ is our axis, even death is gain. When it is not, death separates us from all that we pursued and accumulated. We take nothing we accumulated or achieved into eternity. Paul evaluated all his achievements against the surpassing value of knowing Jesus. For the genuine follower of Jesus, there is no downside to death. The believer’s death transitions him into unimaginable gain.
4. Continued intense ministry
a) Life-challenging problem
But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. Philippians 1:22-24
Paul entered a logical yet emotional deliberation. He provided us with his “pros and cons” list yet only includes the positives for both scenarios. To depart means an even more intimate connection with Jesus. Depart = break camp or release the moorings to set sail. The central motivation for departing was not to experience heaven but be WITH Christ. To remain in his present state would provide continued opportunity for ministry.
He expressed the difficulty between the two possible options. “hard-pressed” perplexing situation. Yet the possibility of being truly WITH Christ won the day hands down. Being with Christ “is far better” than continuing on down here. Paul revealed an overwhelming desire (lust) to depart. He knew what being with Christ looked like. Continuing on earth most likely meant more struggle, tribulation and pain. Yet continuing on earth also meant “fruitful labor”.
b) Joy producing-perspective
Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again. Philippians 1:25-26
The choice was between personal desire and pastoral duty. The choice was between eternal rest and fruitful ministry. The choice was between self-service and others-service. The choice was between experiencing Christ and exalting Christ. Paul became convinced and was still convinced that God would spare him and looked forward to the opportunity to facilitate their continued growth. How Paul knew he would be spared and see them again, I don’t know. Perhaps God revealed the plan.
He rejoiced at the “progress of the Gospel” because of his imprisonment.
He anticipated their personal “progress” because of his release.
If adopting a Christ exalting axis is the key to genuine joy in spite of junk, we would do well to explore what it is our life revolves around. Someone suggested we fill in Paul’s phrase…
For me to live is…
What in our mind is “really living”?
If we adopt exalting Christ in EVERYTHING as our life axis, then the question that should occupy our thinking when tough times hit would be, “How can this circumstance become an opportunity to exalt Christ?” I can honestly rejoice at the fact or prospect of Christ’s exaltation whether through the circumstance or my response to it.
