"Standing Together!" Philippians 2:25-30

"Standing Together!"

Captivated by Christ: An expository sermon series on Paul's Letter to the Church in Philippi (message #19)

Pastor Jerry Ingalls

August 29, 2010

Our Scripture lesson for today is found in Philippians 2:25-30 (NIV). The Word of God, “But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. ²⁶ For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. ²⁷ Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. ²⁸ Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. ²⁹ Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, ³⁰ because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.” [prayer]

As we learned last week, verses 19-30 provide a historical narrative into the time and setting of Paul’s letter to the Church in Philippi. Paul is writing personal comments as well as providing two examples for the Christ-followers in Philippi to follow.

After teaching what it looks like to be a person who lives there life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ, he then gives the examples of Timothy and Epaphroditus. Paul has expressed the importance of emulating Jesus Christ, of following his own example, and now highlights these two disciples. The first was Timothy who was with Paul when he founded the church in Philippi in 49 AD. The second was Epaphroditus, a man from their own community, whom they had sent out to Rome to care for Paul’s needs while he was in chains for the gospel awaiting Caesar’s verdict.

Last week we learned from Paul’s writing aboutTimothy, so let’s see what we can learn from the example of Epaphroditus in this section of Paul’s letter. First, FOLLOWERS OF JESUS CHRIST STAND TOGETHER WITH RESPECT FOR EACH OTHER!

Paul described in Philippians 2:25, "But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger [apostolos], whom you sent to take care of [leitourgos] my needs."

What is Paul talking about when he says, “But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus”?

To understand this we need to examine the historical context regarding Epaphroditus. Paul states in Philippians 4:18, "I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.”

Epaphroditus was sent by the Church in Philippi to do two things. First, as we read in 4:18, to hand carry financial gifts that would provide for Paul’s needs while he was under arrest in Rome awaiting trial. Second, as we read in 2:25, he was to minister to Paul (the Greek word is leitourgos which literally means, ‘to provide religious services’) on behalf of the Church in Philippi. He was to be their ambassador of love and service.

One of the main purposes of Paul’s letter to the Church in Philippi was to personally thank his friends for their generous gift and provision in his time of great need. Paul believed that their sacrifice of both the gifts and Epaphroditus’ service set them apart as truly following Jesus Christ. As he stated in 4:18, there gifts were a “fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.” Epaphroditus’ offering was his very life to serve Paul as long as Paul needed him while he was in jail!

The Church in Philippi showed great respect to Paul, the great apostolic leader and missionary. And we would expect that due to Paul’s position as an apostle, but what is more illuminating is how Paul wrote back to them with such great respect for Epaphroditus, their messenger to him. Paul used the Greek word apostolos, which means “messenger”. This term, in Christian circles, was set aside for the eye witnesses of Jesus Christ who were called by God to teach what Jesus taught and to build the church. Paul, who describes himself elsewhere as the least of the apostles, shares this prestigious title with Epaphroditus.

With the use of both Greek words leitourgos and apostolos, Paul is emphasizing the critical importance of Epaphroditus’ love of God demonstrated by his obedience to utilize his spiritual gifts where they were needed the most, even though that put him in a dangerous and life threatening situation. Paul’s use of apostolos is more focused on the function of the gifts than on the title of the position.

Paul demonstrates his collegial mindset toward the other Christ-followers in 2 Corinthians 8:23. He says, "As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives [apostolos] of the churches and an honor to Christ."

We see similarities in this passage to our Scripture lesson. Paul calls them brothers showing kinship and brotherly love as fellow Christ-followers. They have been adopted by faith in Jesus Christ into the same church family! They are fellow workers, demonstrating that they are bound together by their common labors for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul also calls Epaphroditus a fellow soldier which I believe demonstrates Paul’s respect for Epaphroditus to leave Philippi and travel to Rome and selflessly care for Paul to the point of facing death.

In Paul’s correspondences he does not stop by only giving praise to a few select men. Paul makes it a point to show respect for both men and women who exhibit leadership in the body of Christ. In a very important section of Scripture, Romans 16, Paul states, "Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them” (Romans 16:3-4).

The respect we show to one another should be modeled after that of the Apostle Paul, who did not hold back respect because of gender, nationality, age, or any other man-made distinction. Paul stood together with his fellow Christ-followers because of their common love and service to the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Do you have respect for your fellow workers of the gospel? Even when they look different or dress different or worship different or go to a different church?

The second teaching point we learn from Paul’s words regarding Epaphroditus is, FOLLOWERS OF JESUS CHRIST STAND TOGETHER WITH COMPASSION FOR EACH OTHER!

Paul described more of the historical situation in Philippians 2:26-28, "For he [Epaphroditus] longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety."

Here we learn about the historical context, Epaphroditus got very sick to the point of death. This news got back to the Church in Philippi and then back again to Rome. This shows the duration of time that Paul was in jail as well as the frequency of travelers who must have carried news of the growing church to Paul. Epaphroditus did not die, but upon getting well, he felt overwhelmed by the news that his sending church was worried about him.

It’s an amazing character who was more worried about his home church’s concern for his health, than his own situation. This is the attitude of Jesus Christ who put the needs of others before his own! And we do not just see that modeled by Epaphroditus here, we also see it in Paul’s desire to send him home. Paul, thankful to God’s mercy for Epaphroditus’ recovery, was then ready to send him back to Philippi so that he would not risk getting sick again.

For Paul, if Epaphroditus were to die it would be “sorrow upon sorrow.” That is an amazing line in this letter because it shows how much suffering Paul is going through, yet throughout this letter one of the major themes is Joy and the Christian mandate to rejoice in all circumstances! Paul’s own perseverance through suffering gave him great compassion for other people’s pain and suffering. He chooses to comfort others through the comfort he received from God!

Paul declares this heart of God in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."

These are not idle words for Paul, some distant theological treatise. Rather, this is how Paul lives and how he teaches us to live. As you experience the mercy and compassion of our loving Heavenly Father, then you are to return that comfort to people who are going through trouble. You are to stand with them in difficult time by being compassionate!

Paul is not alone in teaching this virtue. Listen to these words by the Apostle Peter from 1 Peter 3:8, "Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble."

Paul greatly values his brother in Christ, this fellow worker, fellow soldier, and messenger sent with a gift to care for his needs while in chains for Christ. But, even though he greatly values him he realizes that the right thing to do is return him to Philippi to show compassion on both the church and their messenger. He could keep Epaphroditus with him, but instead he gives them comfort. This is an example to us of an act of Christ-centered love from a man in chains awaiting a trial that could lead to his own death.

How has God comforted you during times of challenge and crisis? Are you compassionate toward people going through hard times? How are you actively giving comfort to a family in need right now?

The third and final teaching point we learn from Paul’s words regarding Epaphroditus is, FOLLOWERS OF JESUS CHRIST STAND TOGETHER AT ANY COST FOR THE WORK OF JESUS CHRIST!

Paul finishes his discussion of Epaphroditus in Philippians 2:29-30 stating, ^"Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking [paraboleuomai] his life to make up for the help you could not give me."

Paul knows that Epaphroditus is being sent home before his mission was completed. He knows that many of the more critical people (not compassionate!) in the Church in Philippi might judge him as a failure or second guess his story of why he was home from the mission field. So, Paul concludes with words of respect and compassion that emphasize that he is a hero of the faith because he was willing to leave his hometown and risk his life for the work of Jesus Christ. Paul is instructing the church to not give him a hard time or question his character, but to throw him a party and honor him as they would honor Paul himself. Paul explains, he is your apostle, a fellow worker and soldier, my brother!

Paul states that we must honor people like him and stand together with them, because he was willing to risk his life for the work of Jesus Christ. Honor this man because he loved Jesus Christ so much that he was willing to model his life, his attitude and actions, after the life of Jesus Christ.

What was the example of Jesus Christ that we emulate? Paul stated in Philippians 2:8, "And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!"

Honor this man because he loved Jesus Christ so much that he was obedient to his teachings and lived a selfless life. In the Gospel of Luke 14:27, Jesus declared without disclaimer, "And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple."

Are you willing to stand together and carry your cross? Do you love Jesus Christ so much that you are willing to model your life after his? Are you willing to take Jesus Christ at His word and follow His teachings?

At what cost do you follow Jesus Christ? At what cost do you NOT follow Him?

The Greek word paraboleumai translated “risking” is a gambling term. It means ‘to take a calculated risk’ as you do when you gamble. Epaphroditus laid it all on the line and risked everything, not so that he could win a financial reward, but because he was willing to risk everything for the promises of God made true in Jesus Christ! Not promises that He could see with His eyes, but ones that he risked everything for by faith! As Christ-followers, the prize we stand together for at any cost is the inheritance of the Kingdom of God; this Kingdom is the word of Jesus Christ!

We have one purpose in life and we must be willing to risk all that we have on the God who loves us so much that He gave His one and only son to die for our sins so that if we believe in His Name, then we will be saved and never perish…we inherit the Kingdom of God when we put all our chips on Jesus Christ! Nothing held back; only one way forward!

There are a lot of things you can live for in this life, but if I were a betting man, I would say there is only One we should bet everything on.

Are you hoping in someone or something else in this life to complete you, or are you ready this morning to put all your chips on Jesus Christ?

"Sending our Best!" Philippians 2:19-24

"Sending our Best!”

Captivated by Christ: An expository sermon series on Paul's Letter to the Church in Philippi (message #18)

Pastor Jerry Ingalls

August 22, 2010

Our Scripture lesson for today is found in Philippians 2:19-24 (NIV), “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. ²⁰I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. ²¹For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. ²²But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. ²³I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. ²⁴And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.” [Prayer]

We need to remind ourselves of the overall context of Paul’s letter to understand this week and next week’s Scripture lessons. Paul is under house arrest, in Rome, for defending the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He is literally in chains for Jesus Christ awaiting a court appearance with Caesar to determine whether or not he will be set free or convicted, with a punishment that could possibly be his own death. During this time, around 61 AD, Paul is writing to the churches he had formed during his three missionary journeys, one of which being the church in Philippi.

Timothy was with him while in Philippi (Acts 16) and Timothy is with him now taking care of his needs and the needs of the ministry. The focus of this passage is Paul’s desire to send his very best disciple and closest companion, Timothy, back to the Philippians.

Paul states in verse 19 and then in verses 23-24 his purposes in sending Timothy. "I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. [Verse 19 points to the first purpose; it is for Paul’s sake, to discover how this letter he is sending has affected them.] I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. [Verse 23 points to the second purpose; it is for their sakes, to be encouraged and brought up to speed about the outcome of his imprisonment.] And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon." Verse 24 shows Paul’s apostolic and pastoral heart that ultimately he desires greatly to go and see the churches again personally, but until he can go, he wants to send his very best to them.

There is a famous expression from Hallmark Greetings Cards, “When you care enough to send your very best.” I want to utilize this concept today…

As the Church of Jesus Christ, our very best is not only those other people we send oversees as missionaries or across the nation as pastors. As an application point for each of us, sending our very best is each of us displaying our characters and attitudes on a daily basis in the mission field of where we live: our homes, schools, parks, workplaces, marriages, locally in our towns and counties.

As I researched what makes Hallmark Cards the very best to send when you care enough to send the very best, I learned that Hallmark Cards are beautiful on the outside and that’s important, but it is what’s inside of them that makes them stand out as the best. If the card was catchy and beautiful and said the right things only on the outside then it may get my attention, but it is what’s on the inside that determines if it has the right stuff to qualify as “the best!” The inside has to be of the highest quality—the right heart, the right message, the right character of card for the occasion!

Imagine with me that you are a greeting card; think of your heart, your message, and your character. What do people read when they open you up? If we sent you into the mission field, a card given to someone, and they opened you up, would they find the attitude of Jesus Christ, the actions and words of love?

What needs to be surrendered to Jesus Christ before we can send you as our very best? Do you look like God’s best on the outside, but are not on the inside? Maybe some of us need heart surgery (or an extreme makeover from the inside-out) so when we are opened up people find the things of God in us like love, unity, compassion, grace, caring, forgiveness, mercy, generosity or justice.

This message is about how we, as the church of Jesus Christ, are to send our very best into the mission field. Let’s look at what it takes to send our best!

First, WE SEND OUR BEST WHEN WE TEACH PEOPLE THROUGH OUR ATTITUDES!

Paul writes about Timothy in Philippians 2:20-21, "I have no one else like him [isopsychos], who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ."

This is a revealing assessment of Timothy’s true character, but it is also a sobering review of the rest of the Christ-followers in Rome. Paul is not comparing Timothy to all Christ-followers, but to those he had access to from his circumstances in house arrest in Rome.

Paul uses the Greek word isopsychos translated “no one else like him” which literally means “no one else of equal soul”. Paul is saying that Timothy’s attitude and character is so much like his own that he is made of the same stuff. And that is why Paul wants to send Timothy; because he knows what Timothy teaches (through word and deed!) will be worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ. To make a connection with the previous section we spent 2 months studying, Timothy is the person to watch if you want to learn how to live your life in manner worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ (1:27).

You see, Paul is concerned not just that a report is returned to him about the Christ-followers in Philippi, but that these brothers and sisters in Christ are encouraged and taught by the one he sends, so that they can stay true to living a life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Here is a key point: The people the church sends have to be our very best because they multiply who they are, more so than teach what they know! It’s about character demonstrated by attitude and action!

Paul is highlighting ever so clearly is that Timothy has the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, exactly what we just studied in the Christ Hymn as the exemplar of attitude for all Christ-followers and the crescendo of this entire letter!

In Philippians 2:4-8, Paul taught of a disciple, "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!"

Timothy is so very special because he is not selfishly looking after his own interest like everyone else. He is genuinely interested in the welfare of the other Christ-followers!

We send our best when we send people whose lives teach because they have the attitude of Jesus Christ, meaning they genuinely care about the welfare of other people.

When the rest of the world (even when so much of the American church) tells you to look after #1, who are you going to look after? Who is #1 in your heart and mind? You or God? Or are you going to be like the rest of the culture, here in the USA, just like in Rome, and look after your own interests?

Timothy was a man in his own class because he displayed a devotion to Jesus Christ by seeking the true welfare of others. This is the way it must be for each of us as long as we call ourselves followers of Jesus Christ, because this was the way our Lord Jesus Christ displayed his total obedience to the Father by giving Himself as the final atoning sacrifice on the Cross of Calvary. This is the love of God for all humanity to personally experience!

Church of Jesus Christ, let us send our very best to our community by genuinely caring about them and their needs. Here are some ways we can do that: 1) August 28 is a day of prayer and fasting for our school systems and youth; 2) praying at the front door of the High School next Sunday at 2 pm; 3) participating in upcoming community revival services at Baker Park the week of October 4; and 4) pray for our community and personally find ways to serve our community that reflect the love of Jesus Christ…we will be putting some opportunities in front of you for this fall very soon.

This teaching is not just about our individual attitudes, it is about how we come together to serve in unity! Our last teaching point, WE SEND OUR BEST WHEN WE TEACH PEOPLE BY SERVING TOGETHER IN UNITY!

We are the Body of Christ and we teach by our witness, more than our words. We can say a lot, but we are only teaching about Jesus Christ when we are unified. Paul explained about Timothy in Philippians 2:22, "But you know that Timothy has proved [dokimen] himself, because as a son with his father he has served [douleuo] with me in the work of the gospel."

The Greek verb douleuo translated “has served” literally means “has performed the duties of a slave.” This word is rooted in the Greek word doulos which is often translated ‘servant’, but literally means “slave”. This verse, 22, is echoing Paul’s first verse (Philippians 1:1a) when he introduces himself and Timothy as the "servants [doulos] of Christ Jesus".

We saw in verses 20-21, that Paul said Timothy is of equal soul because of his attitude and he is now expanding that by the way Timothy has conducted himself! Paul is setting Timothy apart by his attitude and his actions; by how he lives out his faith in word and deed!

Paul wrote of Timothy in 1 Corinthians 4:15-17, "Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Therefore I urge you to imitate me. For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.”

In this passage, Paul states, “my son whom I love…He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus”, and in verse 22 of our Scripture lesson, Paul states of Timothy, “as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.” Paul is saying that they are Co-slaves, with Timothy learning the way of Jesus Christ by walking with and serving alongside of Paul, like a son who learns a trade by watching his father.

This image is a powerful teaching image for discipleship because in ancient times, leading up to the Industrial Revolution, most fathers did not leave their land to work and the sons would learn the trade of their father by watching him and working with him. Paul is modeling for us that discipleship works through intentional investment of relationship; through mentorship. We are to pass on what we are to a person who is being formed in their person character. This image makes me think about my own son and how he is like a sponge hanging on to how I behave and speak. He didn’t learn to walk because I preached to him or set up a class on taking steps, rather he watched us walk and did everything he could to imitate. He needed lots of help though so he watched and we supported, guided, and encouraged. It’s not just in learning how to walk with his feet and legs that my son will continue to watch me, his attitude and character will be formed as he watches, one step at a time. And he’ll continue to watch me, especially in the challenging, confusing, and hard times.

Paul knows he can send Timothy to Philippi because Timothy “has proved himself”. The Greek word is dokimen and it literally points to a test or ordeal to find someone approved or rejected. Timothy has been found to have a proven or approved character because of his actions through the tough circumstances of multiple mission trips and many trials and tribulations. Because of this proven character, he knows that in sending Timothy he is sending his best.

Paul speaks of the importance of proven character through serving together in unity to the Christ-followers in Corinth in 2 Corinthians 9:13, “Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.”

Paul speaks of obedience that comes from faith demonstrated through service and generous giving! Is the giving of your time, treasures, and talents to God’s Church dependent on your feelings and emotions or on your relationship with the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who is the Head?

Timothy was a man that could be sent into the mission field because he had proven character in the midst of difficult circumstances. Let us not be quick to look at tough situations in our lives as from the Devil. Yes, the Devil is on the prowl tempting and deceiving, but we also pass through times of testing, so that God can measure the depths of our faith and character. Pain and hardship are used for our ultimate good as God refines us in His amazing grace and abundant love!

Is your obedience dependent on your emotions? Is your faith dependent on your feelings? Let us make a choice today to send our very best by aligning our attitudes and actions with Jesus Christ, but know that as soon as you make this decision times of testing will come. God will test the sacrifice to ensure it is sincere and can be multiplied in the mission field.

Paul states in Romans 5:1-4, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

We live in a world that is desperately in need of a Hallmark Card with the right heart, the right message, and the right character. I believe God is calling you today to leave this place and enter the mission field in order to proclaim the message of Jesus Christ that has not changed and will never changed.

The world experienced the love of God when they saw Jesus Christ spread His arms and give His very best! This love changed everything! His love fills the emptiness of the human heart that has led people to be hopeless and incapable of trusting and loving one another.

The world needs to hear the good news again and again! How quickly they (we) forget! God is calling you to remind people of the extravagant love of Jesus Christ!

Will the world see that God sent His very best when they open you up?

"The Work of a Disciple!" Philippians 2:16b-18

“The Work of a Disciple!"

Captivated by Christ: An expository sermon series on Paul's Letter to the Church in Philippi (message #17)

Pastor Jerry Ingalls

August 15, 2010

This morning, we are concluding the section of Paul's letter to the Philippians that started with verse 27 of chapter 1. This is a closing section for what we have been discussing for nearly 2 months of messages: What does it mean to live your life in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? This is an intriguing couple verses because we are now seeing Paul's response to choice of the Christ-followers of Philippi to live lives that shine like stars in the universe as they hold out the word of truth, the gospel of Jesus Christ. That is why I have entitled this message, "The Work of a Disciple!" because Paul is showing us what is most important to Him as a follower of Jesus Christ engaged in the mission of God!

God's word to us this morning is from Philippians 2:16b-18 (NIV), "In order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. ¹⁷But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. ¹⁸So you too should be glad and rejoice with me." [prayer]

What can we learn about the work of a disciple of Jesus Christ from Paul's response to the obedience and faithfulness of the Christ-followers of Philippi?

First, THE WORK OF A DISCIPLE OF JESUS CHRIST IS TO PERSEVERE UNTIL THE END!

Paul's response begins with the second half of verse 16, "In order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor [kopiao] for nothing" (Philippians 2:16b).

If there is one thing we need to hear from Paul is that Christian leaders should be eager, if not zealous, to see the maturing faith of younger Christ-followers! In fact, the entire next section of this letter (Philippians 2:19-3:21) focuses on the importance of emulating the right kind of Christian leaders. Paul cares deeply about the discipleship of new Christians…it is not enough for someone to accept Christ, they must grow in Christ!

Brothers and sisters in Christ, it is the work of disciple of Jesus Christ to persevere until the end of the race. Paul is utilizing a sports metaphor that he does not want his apostolic ministry--his missions efforts, evangelistic outreach, discipleship ministries--to have been for nothing because his spiritual children stopped shining as lights to a darkening world before the day of Christ Jesus! For Paul, the greatest prize in life was to know that through the grace of God's calling in His life others had come to know and to love and to serve Jesus Christ!

The purpose for which Paul perseveres to the end is not maintaining status quo by focusing on his own gift of salvation. No! Paul’s ambition is to work the harvest fields for the Lord and raise up harvesters; His ambition is to please his Master by multiplying the gift.

For this Paul trains and disciplines his body as an athlete. We read in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."

The Holy Spirit is illuminating the heart of a disciple. We must persevere until the end! And if today, you feel overwhelmed by your life and by all that threatens to stop you before you've given it your very best, let me encourage you with this reality: you can keep going, you can go farther than you imagine, stay the course...put everything you have into being a disciple of Jesus Christ!

Watch this clip from Facing the Giants-"Death Crawl"

Who's next? Are you feeling defeated before you even get to the Friday night game? Does your opposition look too big?

Persevere to the end! Give your very best! The Greek word kopiao translated "labor" is an intense word that means to labor to the point of sweat and utter exhaustion; it describes the kind of labor into which a person puts their last ounce of strength and energy.

Don't let all the training that an athlete puts into winning the prize at the games; don't let that last ounce of sweat count for nothing!

What do we labor for? Why must we persevere until the very end? Because we are the crown that Paul boasts about. Paul, the slave of Jesus Christ, told the saints of Philippi that they are his "joy and crown" in Philippians 4:1 and then to the Christ-followers of Thessalonica in 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 he said, "For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy."

We labor for this younger generation to know Jesus Christ and to live their lives for Jesus Christ. Remember the person who shared Christ with you and invested in your life? Persevere to the end for you are their crown! Remember the ones who have come to Christ through your ministry, your friendship, your witness. Pray for them, encourage them, disciple them for they are your glory and joy! The work of a disciple is to persevere in the ministry of reconciliation until the day of Christ Jesus. This is the vision of God--to build His Kingdom through the cross of Jesus Christ and through your witness resulting from perseverance!

Second, THE WORK OF A DISCIPLE OF JESUS CHRIST IS TO GIVE YOUR ALL FOR GOD'S KINGDOM!

Paul now moves from imagery of athletics and hard labor, to imagery of the priestly duties of the Old Testament.

Philippians 2:17 states, "But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering [spendomai] on the sacrifice and service [leitourgia] coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you."

The entire phrase, "being poured out like a drink offering" is found in one Greek word spendomai which literally means, "to be poured out as a libation". A libation is a drink offering and we learn what this is by going to be the sacrificial system of the Israelites. There are numerous references for this, but one that captures the primary nature of the drink offering is found in Numbers 28:7, Moses recorded, "The accompanying drink offering is to be a quarter of a hin of fermented drink with each lamb. Pour out the drink offering to the LORD at the sanctuary."

Here is the essential reality of the drink offering you must grasp to understand what Paul is stating. When a sacrifice, such as a burnt offering, was presented at the temple, a drink offering of wine or olive oil might be poured out over it or beside it. This drink offering was added last and it completed the sacrifice! Paul is stating, that he is willing and ready for his personal suffering, his sacrifices, even his own life, to be the completion of the primary sacrifice of the “sacrifice and service coming from [the faith of the Christ-followers of Philippi]”, and we know by extension the faith of all the churches he planted throughout Asia and Europe!

This is a subtle point, but I need to point this out to you because it is the very attitude of Jesus Christ modeled by the Apostle Paul for each of us to replicate.

Paul's personal sacrifice, selflessness, suffering, and even his own death are not the primary sacrifice, but the libation that is added on to the sacrifice, the supplemental drink offering that is meaningless unless it is poured out on a more substantial sacrifice!

Paul knows that his life is to be poured out for other people; Paul is willing to give all he has, including his life, for the Kingdom of God! This is the same as the sacrifice of Jesus Christ! There is intentionality in the sacrifice; they both model for us the giving of all they had for the ushering in (Jesus) and then the advancement (Paul) of the Kingdom of God! Jesus' blood was shed not for His own gain. No, He emptied Himself so that we can have life. Paul's sacrifice to the extent of his life were given so that the missionary churches may receive eternal life, not so that he can receive a greater reward. Paul knew his glory and crown was the people who persevered to the end. His reward was found in his obedience, not in something he gained by his obedience!

The Greek word leitourgia is the word we derive our word ‘liturgy’ from. It is a direct reference to the duties of the Levites, including the actual service of sacrificing animals on the altar. This word speaks of our service to God that we have been called to do as priests. We are the priesthood of believers. Paul knew his priestly duty. He states in Romans 15:15c-16, "Because of the grace God gave me to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit."

Paul knew, as an Apostle of Jesus Christ, that his priestly duty was to bring the Gentiles to Christ. It was for this call that he persevered to the end and gave everything he had for the Kingdom. Like a good slave of Jesus Christ, he did his duty and for this he greatly rejoiced. It was his good pleasure to do what he must, even if it meant suffering, pain, discomfort, unpopularity, conflict, and even death. Perseverance and obedience to the call were Paul’s driving force!

Paul speaks to the Roman believers of their service to the King in Romans 12:1, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship."

Because of the final atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary, we no longer need to appease the wrath of God with animal sacrifices. The blood of Jesus Christ has paid the debt of our sin and rebellion. What then is our sacrifice to God? In response to this wonderful gift of life and forgiveness, we are to daily present ourselves as living sacrifices; to live a crucified life; to carry our cross!

But Paul does not stop here with obedience. We can be obedient with really bad attitudes! Remember, we are to shine like the stars…so even our obedience must reflect the attitude of Jesus Christ modeled by Paul. He finishes by reminding us that we are to be cheerful givers, yes, even of our very lives! He is “glad and rejoices” that his life will have meaning if it is poured out on the sacrifice and service of the Church in Philippi.

Our last teaching point, THE WORK OF A DISCIPLE OF JESUS CHRIST IS TO MODEL JOY!

Paul concludes this section with Philippians 2:18 by exhorting us, "So you too should be glad and rejoice with me."

Interestingly enough, this is similar to the way Paul ended the last section of this letter. He wrote in Philippians 1:25-26, "Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me."

Paul is modeling for us a life of joy that transcends his circumstances (he is in chains for Christ!). Paul's joy is in his relationship with Jesus Christ and in fulfilling his priestly duties as a missionary to the Gentiles.

Paul's life has been far from easy, but he rejoices. Paul has suffered greatly, but he rejoices. Paul has lost so much of what the world had to offer him, but he rejoices in what he has gained in Jesus Christ.

Throughout this short letter, Paul emphasizes the importance of joy in the Christian life. Paul models it, but he repeats the imperative to rejoice over and over again. Brothers and sisters in Christ, to miss the call to joy in the Christian life, is to miss the point of Paul’s letter to the Philippians.

He writes in Philippians 4:4-7, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Are you heading into the Friday night football game and you've already given up because the other team looks bigger and faster?

What is your Friday night football game? Is it your marriage? Your job? Your finances and debt? Your children? Your parents? Maybe it’s an addiction that you can’t seem to beat?

Has God called you to do something great for Him, but you have turned away from the call because you think it’s too big? Do you see too many obstacles?

Are you blinded by what you see? I think, like in Facing the Giants, we need to put on blind folds so we can learn what it is to accomplish great things for God by walking by faith and not by sight. Listen for the Coach, the Holy Spirit, He is there rooting for you every step of the way!

God is calling you this morning to be a follower of Jesus Christ and to be about the Father’s business as a disciple of the Son. Walk by faith…keep going until you have given your very last ounce of energy!

"A Light that Shines!" Philippians 2:12-16a

“A Life that Shines!"

Captivated by Christ: An expository sermon series on Paul's Letter to the Church in Philippi (message #16)

Pastor Jerry Ingalls

August 8, 2010

The Word of God from Philippians 2:12-16a (NIV), "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. ¹⁴Do everything without complaining or arguing, ¹⁵so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe ¹⁶as you hold out the word of life"

To review, this entire section (Philippians 1:27-2:18) is based on Paul's exhortation to the Christ-followers of Philippi to live a life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This worthy life is a life of Christ-centered unity! And ultimately that unity is only possible when we have attitudes like Jesus Christ. We must have the humility of Jesus Christ who being fully God and fully human demonstrated the love of God for His children by willingly giving His life as a ransom for you and me on the Cross of Calvary. The first half of the Christ Hymn (Philippians 2:6-8) proclaims this reality and then verse 9 begins with "therefore".

Let me read you the entire Christ Hymn (Philippians 2:6-11) so you can get the context of our passage of study today. Starting in verse 5, "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a [slave], being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee [will] bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Verses 9-11 capture God's 'therefore.' God the Father has watched His Son's life of obedience and He responds to it! He exalts His Son to the highest place and gives Him the only name by which anyone or anything that can be saved. The obedience of the Son of God had cosmic implications that have forever changed the world order; the entire created realm was shaken by the obedience of Jesus Christ and we learned about that last week in a very personal way listening to Pastor Chris' teaching!

As we turn our gaze now from the 'therefore' of verses 9-11, we see there are not only great implications of the Cross of Calvary at the cosmic level, but at the heart level of our individual lives. Verses 12-18 capture the Christ-follower's 'therefore'. In fact, I see this 'therefore' (v 12) as a double therefore: to what Christ did (vv 6-8) and to God's exaltation of Christ because of His obedience (vv 9-11)!

Our lives should be deeply impacted by the reality and truth of not only Christ's obedience, but also God's response to the Cross! We are visible pointers to God's response! We are shining stars in a darkening world! We are visible pointers to the Son of God because God gave Him the name by which all are saved. We are to live in a manner that points people to the Name above all names; the Name of Jesus Christ! And when we point to Jesus Christ, we are living a life that shines!

Let's dive in to our Scripture lesson and the two teaching points from it. First, A LIFE THAT SHINES IS A LIFE OF OBEDIENCE!

Paul starts with his implications to the Christ-followers in Philippians 2:12-13, "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out [katergazesthe] your salvation [soteria] with fear and trembling, for it is God who works [energon] in you to will and to act [energon] according to his good purpose [eudokia]." Paul, a master teacher, encourages, exhorts, and teaches in these 2 verses. He starts with a term of endearment, reminding the Philippians of his love for them (a good thing to do when you are about to exhort someone), and then he moves into the meat: obedience!

The Greek word katergazesthe translated "continue to work out" is a continuing action of being brought to completion; to a full, complete, perfect accomplishment and conclusion. Paul is saying, "Don't stop halfway!"

Obedience cannot be half-hearted, nor is it obedience if at the end of the race you don't finish!

Obedience is measured at the end; not in the process! Stay the course! But, here is the good news: Salvation (soteria), throughout this letter and all that the Apostle Paul wrote, is only from God! Some twist this passage to teach works-based religion, rather than a grace-based relationship! But that is a misrepresentation of the Scripture’s teachings and Paul’s emphasis.

Let's look at Paul's letter from its context. We learned from Philippians 1:6, “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Our faith rests in the great reality that it is God who works in us; He began and will complete the good work of salvation! He is the perfecting force of your salvation! Not you!

Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:8-10, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

So, if Paul is not telling us that we are responsible for our salvation then why is he telling us to "continue to work out [our] salvation with fear and trembling"?

I believe it is because we get sidetracked by the score at halftime! We lose sight of obedience because it is uncomfortable, unpopular, demanding and costly! We lose sight of obedience because obedience hurts and it's hard!

What if Jesus Christ did not give it all by going to the Cross of Calvary? What if He started looking at his own situation with the wrong mind frame? …the whippings, the abuse and pain at every level of His humanity, the abandonment, the betrayal...all too much too bear for any one person!

With the Christ Hymn as our context, Paul is telling us not to lose sight of the Cross, not to lose sight of God's exaltation of the One who humbled Himself for love's sake. Why? Because we often lose sight of the truth of our Victory in Christ in the midst of the defeats of our day to day lives. We become blinded and busy! Whether by depression or happiness, success or failure, pleasure or pain…we lose focus!

That brings us to verse 13, "for it is God who works [energon] in you to will and to act [energon] according to his good purpose [eudokia]." We just saw a parallel thought from Ephesians 2:10, ”For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

What is Paul communicating to us? Paul is teaching us that we have a part to play in His epic story! Through salvation, we have been ushered into the greatest story...the story of God's epic journey to save His creation from evil! God’s story is one of reconciliation at the Cross! The story continues as long as there are people who need to hear about Jesus Christ because out of God's great love, he wants all to know Him! And to play our role in this epic story, we must live lives of obedience! And that requires the work of God!

The Apostle Peter in 2 Peter 1:3-4 taught, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”

It is by God's power that we can be obedient! The Holy Spirit is the active indweller; the One who is working within us so that we may obediently fulfill the mandate of our existence and experience the full merits of our salvation! The Greek verb energon is used twice in verse 13 and in both cases it describes the work of God, but the second usage is in the active voice and it is the only time in the New Testament that this word is used to describe a human activity. This usage of energon points to a divine work through our human action that achieves God’s purpose! We become participants in the divine work of God’s triumphant purpose!

The Greek word eudokia illustrates that the referenced God’s purpose is nothing less than His ultimate purpose—the consummation of all things! The purpose that God is working in and through you and me is God's redemptive plan; God's epic journey to save His creation from the grips of evil, the decay of disease, the destruction of sin. God’s desire is to use you to restore the lost! And it starts right here in your own heart! It starts right here with us fulfilling the vision of God to be a house of reconciliation! First, here in my heart and then out to the world one relationship at a time!

If you don’t get this, then it will always be hard to understand why things happen the way they do. It is so common, especially amongst western Christians, to think of God's good purpose not from a biblical worldview, but from a worldly mindset. We see ‘good’ as a nice house, a nice job, comfort and health... Not necessarily! God's good purpose is to take who and what we are in the midst of the evil in our own hearts, the decay of disease in our own lives, the destruction of sin in our own relationships and use us through the transformation of who we are to shine brightly for all to see! To bear light in a dark world!

As the Apostle John in 1 John 2:4-6 so directly instructs, “The man who says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.”

We are in the process of being made complete, first having grasped our salvation as a gift by the grace of God, and then be living a life of obedience to God having an attitude like Christ Jesus. God sanctifies us, meaning God transforms us through the Holy Spirit to be like His Son Jesus Christ. It is through the Holy Spirit in your life that you will be able to walk in obedience to accomplish God's great purpose for your life: To shine brightly in a darkened world to point to the One who has the Name by which all can be saved; the Son of God whose name is Jesus Christ.

And that moves us into our last teaching point, A LIFE THAT SHINES BEARS WITNESS TO THE SON!

A life that shines reflects the glory of the Father as witnesses (ambassadors) to the Son! We are transformed day by day when we stay the course and work out our salvation with fear and trembling, then we start looking more and more like Jesus Christ. How will we know that we are shining brightly? Let’s listen to these very challenging words from the last part of our Scripture lesson (Philippians 2:14-16a), "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word [logos] of life."

I want to focus your attention on the first half of verse 16, “as you hold out the word of life.” The word (logos) is the gospel of Jesus Christ which brings life to all who hear and receive its truth into their heart. The living word is Jesus Christ, the Name by which all can be saved!

Living a life that shines is dependent on the word. You are transformed into the image of Jesus Christ by the word. Jesus Christ stated this same reality in John 17:17-18 “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.”

God receives the glory for the transformation in your life and mine! It is the truth of God, the word, which sanctifies us. What is evidence of the transformation of our lives as we shine in the midst of darkness?

The evidence is that in the midst of “a crooked and depraved generation” of which we are a part, we stand out as “children of God without fault”. What does it mean that we are to become the “blameless and pure” ones who “shine like starts in the universe”?

It means that in the midst of our corrupted state in this temporary body with evil in our own hearts, the decay of disease, and the destruction of sin in our own relationships that we will not complain or argue, but rather we will be transformed in our very hearts and souls by the grace of God whose good purpose is to use our witness in those difficult circumstances to point to the true light of the Son. The purpose of us having light is to point to the God who is the Light of the Universe!

This whole issue of complaining and arguing is huge! These sins are listed with sins such as murder and debauchery in the lists of vices. When it comes to being mission-focused for God’s Kingdom, all sin separates and disunites. All sin casts us into the depths of shadows and lies. All sin leads to death! Praise God for His Son Jesus Christ who has given us life in the reality of our sin!

The Greek word translated complaining can also be translated grumbling and it is used quite a bit in the Old Testament’s Exodus story. An example is from Exodus 16:2, “In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron.” The Holy Spirit is exhorting us not to have the same actions as the rebellious and faithless generation of Israelites (interestingly also called “a crooked and depraved generation”).

God removed this generation in the desert wanderings before He would allow His chosen children to enter the Promised Land. This was a generation that distrusted their leaders and was constantly on the verge of rebellion when anything would not go the way they wanted it to go or felt it should be like. A timeless issue of rebellion!

Does God need to kill off another grumbling and arguing generation before He will allow a generation to experience His glory and enter the promise land of His Kingdom? Let us repent as the Holy Spirit convicts!

Brothers and sisters in Christ, God does not deliver you from the circumstances that you grumble about, rather God delivers you from the broken heart that leads you to grumble. God transforms us from the inside out and the evidence of this transformation is our attitudes in the midst of uncertainty, pain, struggle, fear and failure, success and glory.

In every situation, do we (do you and I) reflect the light and love of God by having the same attitude of Jesus Christ who faced the Cross without complaining or arguing? Do we live in the reality that God exalts those who obediently pick up their cross daily?

And carrying our cross daily is the required obedience to being found as the children of God without fault. Obedience requires selflessness and personal sacrifice! It is the reality of our personhood as Christ-followers that we are children of God, but it is another issue to be found without fault, to be the blameless and pure ones!

Paul explains the partnership between God and us in becoming a pure and blameless people in 2 Corinthians 6:18—7:1, “‘I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.’ Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”

We have a part to play in the sanctification process, but we must realize that this process starts and finishes with God. From beginning to end, this process is empowered by the Holy Spirit! Ours is to hold on to the living word, the message of life, and to positively live out the light and love of God in our words, deeds, and actions.

Are you ready to shine the light and love of God as the world order darkens around us? This earthly empire may be coming to an end, but the good news is that God’s Kingdom is being ushered in! Don’t be distracted by the birth pains that are necessary for all things to be made new! Stay focused on what God is birthing! Remember that God is calling you to build His Kingdom! Stay the course! Shine!

As Jesus Christ proclaimed in the Gospel of Matthew 5:14-16, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

As we enter our response time this morning, I invite you to bring to God anything that is diminishing the light of God in your life; anything that is preventing you from bearing witness to the Son; anything that is causing you to want to hide under the table rather than boldly shine on the stand.

God is inviting you this morning to respond to His great love! What will your response look like as you leave God’s house today and enter the mission field of your home, your schools and workplaces, your neighborhoods of Henry County and beyond?