“ON THE BEHALF OF CHRIST”
TEXT PHILIPPIANS 1:29-30 & 2:1-8
This Epistle is a letter that was written to the Philippli Church, which was located in Macedonia in S.E. Europe. This was Paul’s first Church in Europe. They were a Church that was not of great money and a Church that was being persecuted. This letter to the Church of Phillipi iswritten in less rebuke then the other letters Paul wrote to the churches. The Phillippi Church consisted of members of not great wealth and consider poor. But they were the one that we read about sending offerings to Paul ministry and he accepted. But as we see with the verse of scriptures we read there must have been somewhat of a problem with love, unity and humility in the Church. Paul must have heard of some feeling that they were above or better than others in the church, for this reason he writes unto them, reminding them that they are called Christians on the Behalf of Christ.
If I was scheduled to speak or had appointment that I could not attend. I could send someone to speak or make the appointment on my behalf. But this person would be representing the ideals or agenda as if I was there. The President of the United States sends out different individuals to represent him and his commitments, or values on his and The United States behalf. The President sends out Ambassadors to different countries to represent the policies of the Untied States and to offer service and, or protect American Citizens in that country. Those of us who are born again believers and confess Jesus Christ our Lord and Master are Ambassadors for him here on earth. We are here on behalf of Christ.
II CORINTHIANS 5: 20 “NOW THEN WE ARE AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST, AS THOUGH GOD DID BESEECH YOU BY US: WE PRAY YOU IN CHRIST’S STEAD, BE YE RECONCILED TO GOD.”
For on Christ’s behalf we are not only to believe on him but also to suffer for his name’s sake. Bearing the reproach of this world and entering in to a war against satan and all his devices. But not only do we battle against satan but against our own fleshly desires. With any conflict or battle you will suffer losses or casualties. There has not been a war that did not encounter some sort of sufferings. But this war we are fighting is on behalf of Christ, therefore the suffering we encounters is on his behalf. Suffering, is a word that no one what’s to be associated with and Paul is telling them that believing only is not enough but you must and will encounter sufferings for him. To become as Christ is not just saying that I believe in Jesus Christ, but is confessing him Lord of your life. Thus then beginning to become as Christ was upon this world. For he walk and live in this world but was not a part of this world. For this reason he was persecuted, not for the things or acts that he committed but because he represented something different then what they were not willing to accept and become. He was at war with darkness and became the light of this world through his sufferings. For this, we are also to become on behalf of Jesus Christ.
In verse 30 Paul’s reminds then of the persecution he went through when he first began the Church of Phillipi. Acts 16:9 Paul has a vision of a man in Macedonia saying come over and help us. Acts 16:19 you will find that they had Paul and Silas stripped of their clothing (humiliated), beaten and thrown into jail. Then about the midnight hour in the jail a great revival began to happen and the Church of Phillippi was founded. Conflict in the Greek for this passage literally meant struggle or battle. Because of The Spirit of GOD directed him to Macedonia he came against Satan and his powers. The damsel in whom he cast out the devils, and then the stripes lay upon his back and then jailed. But through this conflict, battle and the suffering he endured, he was consoled through Christ Jesus and the Glory that was revealed unto them was greater than the suffering he had went through. For through that suffering was this Church founded in Macedonia. Today that I am writing this letter, nothing has not changed, I am still in this conflict (battle) and as you have heard I am still suffering for the name of Jesus Christ.
ROMANS 8:17 “ AND IF CHILDREN, THEN HEIRS; HEIRS OF GOD, AND JOINT- HEIRS WITH CHRIST; IF SO BE THAT WE SUFFER WITH HIM, THAT WE MAY BE ALSO GLORIFIED TOGETHER.” 18 “ FOR I RECKON THE SUFFERINGS OF THIS PRESENT TIME ARE NOT WORHTY TO BE COMPARED WITH THE GLORY WHICH SHALL BE REVEALED IN US
Now if there be any consolation in Christ, if there be any comfort in the love of Christ, if their be any fellowship of the Spirit of Christ, if any bowels of compassion of Christ and any mercies of Jesus Christ with in you. Then fulfill my joy (Paul labored for them, prayed for them, and suffered for them) that you as a church become like minded, having the same love for one another, being in one accord in Christ and of one mind to suffer for his name sake. To lift the Holy name of Jesus Christ, to worship him as our lord and master and through our unity in him, glorifying GOD. For you have seen the conflict for which I am in and know that I suffer for the name of Jesus Christ. So I may become as one with him and all of you becoming as one as I am In Christ, bearing the sufferings with one another and exhorting one another with love and having fellowship with the same spirit, and having bowels of compassion and mercy for one another. For this is all on the behalf of Jesus Christ. We can not feel the true suffering of one another unless we become as one with one another. That place of oneness or unity can only come in Christ. For there we shall feel consolation for one another and the true undying love for another. Feeling the true fellowship in the pain and grief with one another, the necessary compassion we need for one another, and to have real genuine mercy for another, no matter the situation, that can only come on the behalf of Christ. Paul, fulfill my joy by being one with me in this prison.
Paul was exhorting them to suffer with him in Christ. Do we today as a Church feel the sufferings of Christ, for when Christ was around one that was in need of healing his spirit groan with compassion and through that he felt their pain and healed them. I believe the reason we do not see the healing powers of Jesus Christ today. Is not solely because we do not have enough faith. But we do not feel the pain or agony of each other sufferings. When we hear of one with cancer, we have them dead and buried a lot of time instead of feeling the pain of them struggling to live. We need to cry out and help one another fight for life and bare one another sufferings. Do we feel as Paul, that all sufferings are worth the glory that shall be reveal in us? Is not life, the glory for which all shall obtain on the behalf of Christ. If so, why are we not able to fast and have all night prayer meetings for the ones who are not saved, dying and going to hell into eternal damnation. For was not this the reason Jesus died upon the Cross bearing more suffering then any man could ever endure. But through so great of love that he had for us he was able to endure. For he knew that through his sacrifice we would be reconciled back unto GOD. Are we willing to spend a Saturday out on the streets asking people if they are saved and born again? Are we willing to invite every one we meet to Church or do we worry about the laughing or poking fun at us that some will do. Whatever happened to the street corner preachers and singers calling out are you saved and on your way to heaven, are we willing to suffer our time for ones who are lost? Are we willing to suffer mocking on the streets to try and reach them that are not saved? Are we willing to bear the hot or cold weather and be alight to a lost and dying world? Are we as a Church united in one with Christ that we feel the pain of the one lost soul that dies and goes to hell? Through Christ’s suffering, and obedient unto GOD’S plan unto death, he was Glorified, resurrected and became the first born of all brethren unto GOD. Are we willing to suffer as Christ and the apostles so that we may have the glory of GOD revealed in our lives as they when they walked upon this earth? Are we willing to suffer on the behalf of Christ?
Let nothing be done in strife but on the behalf of Christ. Strife has split Christianity apart at the very fibers that Christ joined together. The strife has not been from the world or persecution from the world. Throughout all the Christian persecution, the Church was more united then ever today. Then what strife has brought the Church to so many denominations or divisions? It was strife among the very members of the church. Many became jealous, or envious of others that Christ had called. Many became exalted in themselves causing them to think they were greater or holier than others, Many wanted to do things their way and not the way that have been traveled and laid down before them. Paul must have heard or had reasons to believe that the Phillipi Church was headed in this direction. Oh how I wonder what Paul would think about the church world today here? We have allowed our own emotions, thoughts and ambitions to cause strife in the church. For what is your reason for serving GOD, is it for worship and to partake of his benefits only? To receive Glory down here on earth and receive praises from men here upon earth. To lay up earthy treasure so that we may have our glory upon things in this life, for this has been the strife in the Church, men seeking prestige, exaltation and even earthly gain here is this life. Forgetting that we as the church have been called and chosen to be a peculiar people on the behalf of Christ. Everything up on this earth will eventually pass away. Our lives on this earth will someday come to an end. All the praises, all the treasures and possessions, all the glory of the things in this life you obtain will be in vain. For you can not take them with you. Are these things worth strife in the church or debating upon. Is this not what Paul was telling the Church of Philippi in verse 2 let nothing be in strife (conflict with one another) or in vain glory (something that will pass away.)
I JOHN 2:15 “LOVE NOT THE WORLD, NEITHER THE THINGS THAT ARE IN THE WORLD. IF ANY MAN LOVE THE WORLD, THE LOVE OF THE FATHER IS NOT IN HIM”
I JOHN 2:16 “FOR ALL THAT IS IN THE WORLD, THE LUST OF THE FLESH, AND THE LUST OF THE EYES, AND THE PRIDE OF LIFE, IS NOT OF THE FATHER, BUT IS OF THE WORLD.”
I JOHN2:17 “ AND THE WORLD PASSETH AWAY, AND THE LUST THEREOF: BUT HE THAT DOETH THE WILL OF GOD ABIDETH FOR EVER.”
What is the glory of the Church? Is it not to walk separated from this world and the things of this world so that we might be light in darkness of the night of this world, that we may walk and talk on the behalf of CHRIST. How do we become as the behalf of Christ? By seeking to give GOD the glory, by becoming one in Christ. So the world may see that GOD the father sent his only begotten son to die so whosoever will come can have eternal life in him.
We are to walk as lowliness and humble, not esteeming ourselves better than others. Paul wrote.
I CORINTHIANS 15:15:9 “ FOR I AM THE LEAST OF THE APOSTLE, THAT AM NOT MEET TO BE CALLED AN APOSTLE….”
Through Paul lowliness and the grace of GOD in his life he started more churches then any of the other apostles. Paul realized his purpose was to glorify GOD here on earth on the behalf of Jesus Christ our lord and savior by becoming one in him and each brother and sister in the lord.
EPHESIANS 3:21 “ UNTO TO HIM BE THE GLORY (GOD) OF THE CHURCH BY CHRIST (IN BEHALF OF JESUS CHRIST) THROUGHOUT ALL AGES, WORLD WITHOUT END. AMEN.”
EPHESIANS 4:1 “I THEREFORE, THE PRISONER OF THE LORD, BESEECH YOU THAT YE WALK WORTHY OF THE VOCATION YE ARE CALLED.”
EPHESIANS 4:2 “WITH ALL LOWLINESS AND MEEKNESS, WITH LONGSUFFERING, FORBEARING ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE;
EPHESIANS 4:3 “ENDEAVORING TO KEEP THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT IN THE BOND OF PEACE.”
Why? Unto to GOD be the glory of the church.
EPHESIANS 4:4 “THERE IS ONE BODY, AND ONE SPIRIT, EVEN AS YE ARE CALLED IN HOPE OF YOUR CALLING.”
EPHESIANS 4:5 “ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM”
EPHESIANS 4:6 “ONE GOD AND FATHER OF ALL WHO IS ABOVE ALL AND THROUGH ALL, AND IN YOU ALL.”
We are not to esteem ourselves higher than any one else, nor are our sufferings greater. For we are to be as one in all lowliness (not high esteem), meekness (being gentle and not wanting to cause strife), longsuffering (having patience with) forbearing one another in love (forgiving and forgetting through the love of Christ with in us), endeavoring(with all eagerness, zeal, and full effort) to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. Looking not on man own things but on the things of others. In other words do not be so vain in your own self, in your own trials, in your own sufferings, or even in your own achievements but look upon others as your own. For GOD is no respect of persons and all brethren are equal in his eyes.
Let us think as Christ on the behalf of him. Who left all of heaven splendor, all the glories of heaven, having all the power and authority as GOD. He was born in a manager in a stable for there was no room for him. We cannot even grasp the treasures of heaven he left to be born in stable with the animals, with all lowliness he came into this world and with all lowliness he left this world. Then as a child he took orders from his parents and obey them, knowing that he was GOD’s son and had all the power of heavens behind him. Labored as a carpenter in work, no doubt not making great money and yet at any time could have called the riches of heaven upon him and not be at want for things down here upon earth. See he owned everything then but yet did not esteem it above his purpose here on earth and that was to be obedient unto the purpose for which GOD sent him here on earth. For he made himself know reputation, in other words he did not seek to be glorified by this earth. His purpose was not to be worship here on earth but to die bearing all the shame and filth of this world. For this reason he took upon him the form of a servant, to be about his father business, seeking the lost sheep that had gone astray. To send good news to the poor that one day they could inherit all the riches of heaven. To heal the brokenhearted, to tell them for there is a reason for everything, that they were created for a purpose and that if they will turned to him that purpose would be full filled and the heart would become new. To set free the captives of their sins and to break the chains of bondage that has then bound to eternal damnation. To open the eyes of the blind so they could see the glory of GOD in his creation. To preach the acceptable year of the lord and to be a servant and proclaim that there is GOD who cares. Our precious lord, the son of the most high GOD, had all power of heaven and hell in the palms of his hands. But yet he humble himself with all lowliness and longsufferings, not wishing any to perish, but to come to repentance and be reconciled back into GOD plan for man, the setting up of the Kingdom of GOD. Even on the last supper, when all the disciples were in strife with one another, who will lead us or who is the greatest among us. They were pleading their case unto Christ stating we have left all to follow you and now you are leaving. Jesus calmly not in an angry voice cries, let not your heart be troubled. Then as they were preparing to leave he took a towel and bowed down on his knees and took his disciples feet and wash them. My church that should bring conviction to every heart in this place, how petty are we in our worldly possessions, when Lord of this world could humble him self down and wash his servants feet. This after hearing them strife and fight among themselves on which one would be the leader after he was gone. Listening to them complain because now he was leaving and they had left all they had to follow him. He knew Peter would deny him three times and that NONE OF THEM would come to his defense in front of Pilate. We will not even speak or really do not want so and so to come our Church because of strife over something they had done of they did not do. Is this in the behalf on Christ? He became flesh and blood with all the feelings and emotions that men feel today. But yet through all the rejections and through all the persecuted, he went are doing goodness unto all that he came in contact. With the very power of heaven to give or take life he never did seek revenge. For he never lost the very purpose of his coming to earth and that was to glorify GOD in his sacrifice in his obedient unto death. So that mankind could be reconciled to the image and likeness they were created, having life eternal, and dominion over all things.
On our behalf Jesus left all the splendors of heavens, leaving the GLORIES of the presence of GOD. He came to earth not looking to build up great treasures here on earth or to build up the reputation of men. But came to earth and was bruised on our behalf, he was mocked on our behalf, he was beaten on our behalf, and died on the cross on on our behalf. He did not suffer or die in vainglory but on our behalf, So that we could be reconciled back into the image of GOD and his likeness. For this reason we are to become one in him on his behalf. This is a sign unto all that God sent his son so that all could come into the righteous of GOD and live a life that full of the riches of his grace
JOHN 17: 21 “THAT THEY ALL MAY BE ONE; AS THOU, FATHER, ART IN ME, AND I IN THEE, THAT THEY ALSO MAY BE ONE IN US: THAT THE WORLD MAY BELIEVE THAT THOU HAST SENT ME.
JOHN 17:22 “AND THE GLORY WHICH THOU GAVEST ME I HAVE GIVEN THEM; THAT THEY MAY BE ONE, EVEN AS WE ARE ONE.”
For this reason we as the church, for there is only one church that is in Christ, need to unite together in all lowliness, meekness, longsuffering, forgiving one another, striving to keep the unity of the spirit of peace. For there is only one spirit that we are abiding in Christ and he is abiding in us. It is time, we remember the ways of old and let all strife and vain glory be removed from our lives. It time we remember on his behalf we have life, Therefore we are to become as one in him letting the world know of the love of GOD on Christ’s behalf. How can this happen when we as a church are divided on our own theories, doctrines and religions, it is time we awake and realize this thing is just about over and he is coming for a glorious Church, one with out spot, wrinkle, or blemish. Let us lay aside every weight ( our own thoughts, ambitions, earthy treasures, and the affairs of this world) and sin (to them that knowest to do good and does it not to them this is sin.) Run this race with patience that is set before us. Looking unto JESUS THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER, THE FIRST AND THE LAST, of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross. On my behalf so that I may become on his behalf.
