REVIEW
We recently began a new series of messages drawn out of Paul’s letter to the Philippians. He wrote to this church that he established some 10 years prior to this writing. Paul wrote the letter from a prison in Rome along with Ephesians and Colossians known as the “Prison Epistles (letters). 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 in Everything
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
I. Adopt the right Axis – the superior perspective
The exaltation of Christ in everything.
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
A. Paul Encouraged a right axis by personal example 1:12-26
• Unjust Imprisonment 12-14
for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned. 2 Timothy 2:9
1. The Gospel advanced because of his imprisonment
2. The reason for Paul’s unjust imprisonment became clear to all.
3. Believers were emboldened to speak out because of his imprisonment.
• Improper motivations for preaching
• Impending Death
• Continued intense ministry
Paul include not one single instruction in the first 26 verses. He communicated through personal testimony about his own convictions and conduct. He referenced his regular intercession for them. He recounted his struggles with the circumstances of life. He restated his commitment to see Christ exalted in everything he did.
Numerous principles and applications cold be extracted from this section of the letter. The overall intent however was to encourage the Philippian followers of Jesus by his example; his personal testimony. My admonition was for us to adopt that same axis in our own life. It is a life grounding that enables us to find joy no matter what. If Christ is exalted, then I rejoice. Verse 27 begins his encourage through pastoral exhortation.
B. Paul encouraged unity by pastoral exhortation 1:27-30
• The Mandate #1 – unity against the opposition 27-28
Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. Philippians 1:27-28
Paul issued a general call to Christ exalting conduct. He used a word to indicate the conduct of a good citizen; one who behaves properly or appropriately. In this case Paul calls for a “worthy” citizen behavior. The weight of the sentence falls on behavior that adorns the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are to behave in a manner that corresponds with the privilege of citizenship. We have witnessed some pretty inspiring behavior of our Olympians that communicates to the world a positive American culture. Unfortunately, some pretty insidious behavior has reflected badly on America. Recognition of our heavenly citizenship ought to inspire a conduct worthy of the King we claim to serve.
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit. Ephesians 2:19-22
Peter elevated our sense of worth in his first letter.
But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY. 1 Peter 2:9-10
He later refers to the privilege of a heavenly citizenship as a motivation to continued proper behavior. Paul regularly wrote about “living worthy” of our high calling as Kingdom kids.The specific behavior to which he refers has to do with unity against the opposition.
“whether I come to see you or remain absent”
Obviously this refers to the unknown outcome of the impending trial. His strongest desire was to pull up earthly stakes and be “WITH Jesus” but he was willing to remain on earth for their benefit but it was not a sure thing.
Paul equated worthy citizen behavior as…
“Standing firm in one spirit”
“struggling together with one soul”
Continuous action -- “Standing” to persevere, stand fast, hold firm. The call is to a unified front against the adversaries for the sake of Christ. This connects to Paul’s axis around which he arranged his life; to see Christ exalted in everything. In the midst of the struggle for the gospel, Paul called them to conduct themselves with admirable behavior and a unified front. The emphasis point in both the standing firm and struggling together is oneness. This oneness is on the level of the spirit and the soul.
Paul employed a Hebrew literary practice called parallelism. A second line communicates the thought of the first in different words.
Standing firm in ONE spirit.
Struggling together with ONE soul
This call to stand in the face of opposition regularly appears in the New Testament. Paul recognizes unity as what constitutes worthy conduct for citizens of the Kingdom. Can you imagine what difference it would make if Christians spent less time fussing with each other and more time fighting the real enemies of the faith. The united front enables boldness in the face of opposition. Such unity and boldness is a signal that they are up against a formidable united foe. Face opposition as one unit without fear. The term fear used here referred to the shying away of a spooked horse. The occurrence in the passive voice urges them to “not letting yourselves be intimidated.”
Such unity only serves to validate the saving power of Jesus Christ for Christians and judgment on the world.
Take note! They will be destroyed. You will be saved. Paul expanded on this thought in his first letter to the Thessalonians.
We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater; therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure. This is a plain indication of God's righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering. For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed—for our testimony to you was believed. To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:3-12
God knows all about this struggle. He planned for it.
and that too, from God
It turned out that the boldness of Christians under persecution stood as a powerful sign for the early church.
Martyrdom only increased the spread of Christianity. It wouldn’t be the las time the blood of martyrs would pave the way for a significant surge of growth. It seems clear that Paul intended this exhortation to include an admonition to those preaching out of envy, strife and selfish ambition rather than unify against the enemy.
• The Motivation #1 - God’s gifts of belief and suffering 29--30
For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me. Philippians 1:29-30
“For” usually introduces a purpose or motivation statement. In this passage, Paul cites two motivating perspectives. God “has granted”. This term comes from the same root usually translated “grace” meaning, favor, grant, forgiveness. This is a passive verb indicating an action done to us.
a) God gifts belief in Him
God has blessed us with the privilege of persevering belief in Him. Without some action of God on the rebellious heart, no one would believe in Him. Paul quoted and Old Testament passage to the Romans…
as it is written, "THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE; THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD; ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE." Romans 3:10-12
Paul motivates this perseverance and unified struggle by reminding them of the action of God enabling them to even believe in Him in the first place. The qualifying phrase indicates that even our belief is for HIS sake.
b) God gifts suffering for Him
The gift of belief has great motivation power. However, the second gift Paul references feel like not so much. God’s equally motivating gift is God the privilege of persevering suffering for HIS sake. What a strange gift!
The word for suffering used here is the word regularly used for the experience of pain and suffering emotionally, spiritually and physically.
We dealt with this term and thoroughly explored the concept in our study of 1 Peter. Because Paul associates suffering with blessing, I am going to only summarize the possible positive results of suffering in the life of the believer. For a fuller treatment of suffering, refer to your 1 Peter notes messages 35-38 or read them on our church web page www.chicocma.com
• Trials and suffering bring about Purity and Maturity
• Suffering Cultivates Compassion for others
• Suffering Teaches us To Trust In God's power Alone
• Suffering is the Path to Personal Glory and Blessing
• Persecution and suffering enables the spread of the Word of God
• Suffering Brings glory to God
• Suffering is used by God to Discipline us – Training to avoid sin
These results are possible only as we respond correctly. Since the desirable signs of maturity mentioned above come from suffering, it follows that suffering really is a gift from God. Just as the privilege to believe for Christ’s sake is a gift of God, so the privilege of suffering for Christ’s sake is a gift of God. Paul considered suffering for the sake of Christ an extreme privilege. It motivated much of his behavior. In fact, later in his letter (chapter 3) he mentions suffering the loss of all things for the sake of Christ and the surpassing value of “knowing Christ, the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings.”
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions. Colossians 1:24
The nonsense being preached today flies in the face of sound Biblical teaching. Suffering for Christ’s sake is a given for citizens of God’s Kingdom.
"These things I (Jesus) have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." John 16:33
Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (suffer). 2 Timothy 3:12
Peter acknowledged the inevitability of suffering. He just wanted us to be sure to suffering for the right thing.
If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. 1 Peter 4:14-16
Peter insisted that suffering for the sake of Christ is a source of joy.
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. 1 Peter 4:12-13
Paul basically exhorts these followers of Jesus to demonstrate their citizenship in God’s kingdom by standing firm together and struggling together for the sake of the Gospel (and each other) BECAUSE God gifted them with the privilege to both believe and suffer for the sake of Christ. This suffering was no different than Paul himself had endured and currently suffering in his imprisonment for the sake of Christ.
Here is a summary of Biblical responses to suffering.
• Rejoice don’t grumble
• Trust don’t doubt
• Praise and give thanks don’t complain
• Connect with and Comfort Others
• Pray
• Don't Lose Heart but persevere/endure
First, Paul exhorted them to unity against the enemy,
Next he urged them to unity among one another.
In this case he began with the motivating factors.
• Motivation #2 – God’s encouragement & consolation 2:1
Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, Philippians 2:1
Here Paul begins with the motivation before he issues several relational practices to consider.
• Mandate #2 – unity among one another 2:2-4
make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:2-4
This call to relational health flowed out of his regular prayer…
…that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment… Philippians 1:9
We will take up the second motivation and mandates next week.
What about me?
What is God saying to us today? We can certainly identify with the persecutions of Christians around the world.
History records amazing comradery when American citizens and our way of life threatened by an outside force.
For the most part the whole country becomes a unified force. People sacrificed for the cause. Men enlisted in the military to bravely defend our country. Today we are certainly fragmented and anything but unified. My concern however is the church. Anytime the church loses it focus on the REAL enemy it begins to focus on the trivial and strive with each other. Jesus declared a house divided against itself cannot stand. Paul calls the church to stand together and struggle TOGETHER in a unified front against those who would seek to destroy her. The mandate is to form a unified front to protect the citizens. The motivation is the amazing grace and blessing of God who not only made it possible for us to become citizens through belief but to suffer on behalf of Christ and our fellow citizens to the glory of God which was also what Paul constantly prayed.
having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:11
Paul exhorted the Ephesians.
Therefore, I the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Eph 4:1-3
Another consideration that jumps out of this passage has to do with my attitude toward suffering. Can I honestly say I consider suffering a gift from? Is really a privilege to suffer for the sake of Christ? Is the gift of suffering valued as highly as the gift of suffering? I know it has caused me to reflect honestly.
Finally, some reflection on how my behavior as a citizen of God’s kingdom affects the world’s view of that kingdom is in order. With the whole exposure on social media we need to consider how my “posts” and “shares” communicate or contradict Kingdom values.
Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ… Philippians 1:27
