“Words of Encouragement” - Philippians, Part 8
Philippians Sermon Series, Part 8
Philippians 3:15 – 4:9
Introduction
- Reminder about our level-set from series opener:
1. Christians must reflect the joy of Christ in everything we do
2. This means you and I are to make the Gospel personal, because it is!
3. Not telling shows them that we have nothing different/special to offer others
- This is a great book of discipleship; prayerfully help us draw closer to Christ
-- Living worthy of the Gospel means that we are to be found doing the work
-- RE: As Christians, we are in this together – but not for our ego, desires, or needs
- Quick summary of last week:
- What Paul is saying is that today (right now) is not the end we strive for
-- Consider: Even from prison for preaching the Gospel, life with Jesus is better!
- RE: If your favorite thing was taken away for the sake of the Gospel, are you ok?
-- Why is this ok? Our desire is to live for Him – it should be a rally cry
-- (v14) “Press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize …”
- Read (NLT Version) Philippians 3:15 – 4:9 / Pray
Point 1 – Paul’s guidance on maturing is emphatic!
- Paul’s direction is to keep his (our) mind on growing & maturing in Christ (v15)
-- FACT: All believers are ordained by God to be perfect in Jesus
-- Therefore, our calling is to be refined through Him, and not our own works
- To dwell together in perfection is a sign of spiritual maturity
-- Even if we disagree, we can go to the Spirit for discernment / confirmation
-- This is how we grow – by not giving up – by pressing on (see v14)
- Look at the contrast Paul outlines for us of the world he experienced
-- Pay attention to the parallel the Bible draws to today (re: bible is “living word”)
- Some in that time lived as examples of Christ (v16)
• Paul walked as an example – but in no way was he claiming perfection
• Others around him walked as examples – and they too are not perfect
-- APP: But we can follow their example – strive for forward progress; godliness
- Face it: Where you are today is different than yesterday, last month, year …
-- As you draw closer to God, your maturity grows, and so does your faithfulness
-- If you’re not growing or maturing, it’s a red flag that something is off …
- But still, many in the society Paul speaks of walked as enemies of Christ (v17)
-- Notice his plea: with tears in his eyes, he emphasizes an important truth
• Their god: appetite (selfish desires, needs driven, “me” focus)
• Their glory: shameful (there is no glory in shame, glory is in forgiveness)
• The mind: earthly (they desire mankind’s recognition, self-serving)
• Their end: destruction (eternal death – separation from God)
-- Jesus taught in Matthew 6:2, “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.”
- Lesson: When we do things for human recognition, we don’t get God’s reward
-- When we do things for ourselves, all we get is the applause of mankind
- So, let’s look at the contrast (v20-21) … the believer is a citizen of Heaven
1. His life: Heaven-centered
- Colossians 3:1-4, “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.”
2. His focus: the return of Christ
- Hebrews 9:28, “so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.”
3. His end: a changed body
- see v21 and 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, “It is the same way with the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever. Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength. They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, there are also spiritual bodies.”
- TR: Paul makes a very clear, and unambiguous declaration here: stay focused
-- It is how we need to be encouraged today, but even more than that …
Point 2 – The Church has a specific charge to stay unified
- Christians will always have a common bond … guess what it is?
-- JESUS! How can we ID this? We share in a common hope of eternal life
- This should motivate us to walk together in unity, telling others about Him
-- HUGE: This should drive us to live right in our walk with God (encouragers)
-- Get this: We do not have to compete for God’s affection or rewards
- It is obvious there is a disagreement going on between two believers (v2)
-- And Paul uses this as an example of how to make things right
-- For the church, his true partner, asks help in settling this & focus on good news
- Consider: are we not renewed by the same Spirit? Do we not have Jesus?
- If we are, then are of like mind; we have a common bond; we have unity
-- Gritty: We must resist the urge to turn on one another and stand firm in faith
- This is easier said than done (especially in today’s self-gratifying society)
-- It is TOO easy to give up, to turn away, to justify our sins … isn’t it?
-- It’s too easy to compare ourselves to one another and refuse to repent
-- It’s too easy to argue and give up on one another (as these two women did)
-- And Paul notes that one time they worked together (with Clement)
- What Paul is writing is really challenging us to be different today … WHY?
- IMP: If we are to stay unified, we should hold to grace by depending on Jesus!
- Discipleship: Let believers be of one mind, and be ready to help each other
-- Paul knew how helpful we could be to one another (v3b)
-- GR: sunathleó (ref co-workers, fellow laborers); cooperate vigorously
-- Others stood by his side to be of service; to aid in the ministry work
- He knew how comfortable it is to have the help of others (ex: Tim and Luke)
-- APP: We should be looking for ways to do that; to rejoice that we are together
-- More IMP: We take comfort that our names are found in the book of Life (v3c)
- FACT: The joy found in God is one of the greatest rewards in the Christian life
-- Christians need to be again and again called to it; be reminded of God’s calling
- The world is looking at how we handle challenges; at how we respond
-- They are looking at how we handle difficulties of life; do we handle life well?
- TR: Here is how Paul challenges us to consider our actions …
Point 3 – Do we show godly joy in everything we attempt?
- So to us, here is THE challenge: “always be full of JOY in the Lord” (v4)
-- And “REJOICE!” That means even in the bad times we proclaim “He is good”
- FACT: We need to be consistent; to live upright before God … but watch this
-- APP: v5, “Let everyone see that you are considerate. The Lord is coming soon”
-- GR: eggus; near (in place or time) … soon is in His timing
- FACT: God’s Day of Judgment will arrive for everyone on this Earth (“soon”)
- FACT: But it is NOT our job to ensure people are “pre-judged” before it
- Our place in living joyfully is this: Love God, Love People
-- To live completely for Him, taking everything to God in prayer (life-long)
- Our joy in Him ought to outweigh our frustration in the circumstance
-- We must let the world see how we deal with good times AND bad times
-- This is our witness, this is how we must live, and this is v6-7 – RE-READ
- We must also join in thanksgiving with prayers and supplications … HOW?
-- We must seek God’s supplies and celebrate the mercies He has given us
-- Need a recipe for how to pray? Look at verse 6 … don’t overcomplicate it!
- God doesn’t need our prayer lists read to Him; he already knows them
-- APP: However, He does call us to come to Him in & for everything
-- Get this: we need to see (and act on) our DEPENDANCE on Him … why?
- Having the peace of God far outweighs anything else we could need (v7)!!
-- God’s peace ought to keep our minds focused on Jesus
-- APP: Focusing on Him will keep us out of sin; keep us calm; keep us JOYFUL
- What can we learn from Jesus? Critical point: His life and doctrine were unified
-- He is the example that taught us how God expected us to be: live upright & Holy
Big Idea
- This is where we can see where we need to change: compare us to the Standard
-- Consider: If Jesus is everything, are we living faithfully & reflecting Him?
- The promise of God is very clear and echoes throughout scripture: Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
- CHALL: If we are unified; we will walk with and reflect Jesus Christ
-- We will allow Him to mold us into what He has for us; means: give up control
- If God already has the plans for your life, what are you holding onto?
-- If we are called to fix our thoughts on what is true, isn’t Jesus the truth? (v8)
-- Isn’t Jesus all that we need in order to draw others to His grace?
-- Shouldn’t we continue putting into practice what God has called us to do? (v9)
-- The instruction to succeed is clear – and for us, it is unchangeable
- Today, will we live as we are commanded, or will we do our own thing?
- Come back next week and we will conclude this incredible book together!
- Pray
