Phil. 1:7-9
Living By Grace
By Grace We Share in Christ’s _Sufferings_.
7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.
The Greek in this verse is complex–Paul’s point seems to be that he has a good reason to feel so positively about the Philippians (see verse 6) because they are joining him in the grace of his mission work by helping him in both his imprisonment and defense. They are helping through prayer, through their friendship, and through their gift Epaphroditus delivered.
Paul rejoices in the fellowship (same greek word) of the Philippians in helping him spread the Gospel. This is a fellowship that is intentional and purpose driven–not just sitting and talking.
Phil. 1:29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.” The Greek word for “granted” is the same family as “grace,” it could be translated as “graciously granted.” Sometimes, part of grace in a believer’s life is the joy of sharing in Christ’s sufferings.
Obeying God’s Word
Do not fear a little pain.
Do not hesitate to aid those on the front lines serving Jesus, share in their trials.
Join the fight.
By God’s Grace We Can Enjoy _Fellowship_.
8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.
Don’t like _pelople_? No problem! Christ gives believer’s _love_ for others.
One commentator says “It was the indwelling Christ who was producing the fruit of love in Paul by the Holy Spirit and who thus enabled him to yearn for their welfare with the compassion of his Lord.”
People discuss being an _introverty_ or an _extrovert_ pretty frequently; for those of you who consider yourselves introverts, have you ever thought about who discovered/invented the term?
Introverts
Tend to be quiet, reserved, and prefer solitary activities. They may feel drained after social interaction and need alone time to recharge. Introverts often think before speaking, dislike small talk, and have a small group of close friends.
Extroverts
Tend to be outgoing, talkative, action-oriented, spontaneous, energetic, and optimistic. They often thrive in a crowd and are more interested in the outer world than in reflecting on their inner experiences.
Carl Jung, a German psychiatrist and psychologist, first introduced the terms "introvert" and "extrovert" in the early 1900s. Jung used these terms to describe personality types that focus a person's energy on either the inner or outer world.
Jung's original concept of introversion and extroversion differs from the current psychological usage and popular understanding. For example, Jung believed that everyone has both an introverted and extraverted side, with one being more dominant than the other. However, most people are actually ambiverts, meaning they have a balance of introverted and extraverted tendencies that manifest in different situations.
C. We build our _lives_ around terms that we do not fully understand, or perhaps poorly understand.
D. Let’s glean things from _Jung_, but lets build our lives around Christ and His _Word_.
Applying God’s Word
Grow in _loving_ other people–regardless HOW, allow the Lord to help you and teach you to grow in it. It’s hard for everyone.
Be _encouraged_ in knowing that Christ’s love motivates and helps us.
2 Cor. 5:14-15 “For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.”
Sometimes we may need to rest from fellowship, but sometimes we may need to push ourselves to engage and _help_ others with our skills, gifts, comfort, or abilities.
By God’s Grace We can Enjoy Living Lives of _Discernment_.
9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Discernment and Wisdom are _closely_ related. One commentator wrote “Love must be intelligent and morally discerning…What is encouraged here is not a heedless sentiment, but love based on knowledge…”
The world goes crazy over the word _love_, and seeks to define and redefine it however it chooses to at the time. To the world, love can mean literally _anything_.
Biblical love is a “desire for the other’s good or well-being.” “Outside of the New Testament, the word agape is used in a variety of contexts, but in the vast majority of instances in the New Testament it carries distinct meaning. Agape is almost always used to describe the love that is of and from God, whose very nature is love itself: “God is love” (1 John 4:8). God does not merely love; He is love. Everything God does flows from His love. Agape is also used to describe our love for God (Luke 10:27), a servant’s faithful respect to his master (Matthew 6:24), and a man’s attachment to things (John 3:19).”
This being said, most scholars are unaware that agape is also used in a sinful, evil context in the Bible as well. Specifically, Demas deserted Paul because he “loved” this present evil world, the verb the apostle chose to use was “agapaw.” Interestingly as well, early in John’s Gospel, we are told two times that the Father “loves” the son; one time th is is “agapaw,” (3:35), and the second time this is “philew” (5:20), with no discernible difference.
1 Corinthians 13:1-13 is probably the clearest passage defining love. Love according to this passage has to do with our heart _attitude_, our _words_, and our _actions_.
Obeying God’s Word
We want to love others _well_.
Loving others means acknowledging areas where we are not doing a good _job_.
Praise God that Jesus Christ helps us _love_ others and showed us what true love is.
Even Jesus had to _push_ himself to love others at times–see Matthew 26:26-56.
Jesus processed his emotions and then decided to _obey_ the father.
Conclusion:
Praise God that we can live by grace!
