A time of transition!

 After ten and a half years, the Lord has called us to move on from our ministry at the Boothbay Baptist Church. I'll leave this blog up as long as blogger allows, and hopefully the studies posted will still have value to someone seeking to study the Word of God. If you have subscribed to this blog, or even if you have simply come by for the occasional visit, I do plan to continue posting the studies that are the basis of my weekly preaching, now at the Lawndale Baptist Church in Philadelphia. My first sermon should be posted there this Saturday, I would welcome your visit and comments!

https://lawndalebaptistchurch.blogspot.com/2020/10/welcome-to-philadelphia.html

The Joy of True Contentment in Christ - Philippians 4:10-23

 

The Joy of True Contentment in Christ

Philippians 4:10-23

Introduction: We arrive at the end of this series in Philippians, and at a point of transition after 10 and a half years of serving God together. As I read and reflect on these final words of Paul to this church which he knew and loved, I hope I can share from my heart with you as well. The dominant theme of this letter has been joy in serving Jesus, and that is my prayer for you and I hope your prayer for Mary Ann and me, that we will continue to rejoice in Christ, and serve Him faithfully.

       Here Paul emphasizes that no matter what the circumstances, if we have Jesus we have enough, He is sufficient to fill our every need. Paul talks about contentment in Christ in these verses. Remember the context, contentment is not complacency. Paul has talked about pressing on, striving for more depth and intimacy in his relationship with Christ. Yet even as a prisoner, with an uncertain future, Paul is filled with joyful contentment in Christ. We are facing some uncertainty as a nation at this moment in history. The upcoming election, the deep divisions in our country… We are also facing a time of transition as a church. In God we trust. He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion in the Day of Christ Jesus. Paul closes this letter by sharing a lesson God had taught him, that is finding contentment through trust in God, no matter what the circumstance might be that we are facing.  

The Maine* Idea: God is pleased when we are good stewards in every aspect of life, both content and generous with the things he has entrusted to us. True contentment is found in trusting God’s providence and so being independent from circumstances, which allows us to seek to meet the needs of others and so, to bring glory to God.

I. A Contented Person is Confident in God’s Providence (4:10).

¹⁰ I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.   

       First, we see one aspect of the occasion of Paul writing this letter – to affirm the generosity of the Philippians in sending along with Epaphroditus an offering to meet Paul’s needs in his imprisonment: “But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again…” (NKJV). He expressed thanks for their partnership in the Gospel from the first day until now back in 1:5, and he now returns to that subject. God’s provision through the church brought joy to Paul’s heart. We have tried to care for the church, and have experienced your care for us as well. That is cause for rejoicing!

       Secondly we see Paul’s recognition of the sovereign hand of God in his circumstance: “…though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity.”  Paul knew the truth of Proverbs 16:9 where it says “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” Or, as it sometimes it seems, “Man plans, and God laughs.”  We have our ideas, our goals, our plans for the future, but God knows what’s best for our good and for His glory. Providentially, He works through the circumstances of our lives to accomplish His purpose in us. Paul learned to be content through the different circumstances of life. It might be helpful to reflect on what God might want to teach us, not only when things are going well, but maybe especially when they aren’t, when it seems are prayers are unanswered or we hit bumps on the road, struggles in life. He is in it, working for our good and His glory. For a time at least, circumstances did not allow the Philippians to minister to Paul in the way they wished. They lacked opportunity. Those circumstances did not surprise God by the way!

       The story of Joseph in Genesis is a great example of this truth (see 45:5,8; 50:20). Think about the things Joseph endured.  Jealousy, hatred, betrayal, (and all that at the hands of his own brothers!). And then being falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife and imprisoned. And there forgotten by one who he had helped! But God didn’t forget Joseph. He was paving the way for Joseph to be exactly where he intended in order to preserve life and fulfill His promise to the Fathers. I am not sure how I would have reacted in Joseph’s situation—What about you? Do you understand that God is present and working in every situation of life?  Do you trust that whatever we go through God is there, and He will work it out for our good and for His glory?  God enable Joseph to see the big picture, Joseph understood that God was present and working even in the most difficult times of his life. God is good ALL the time, not just when things go the way we want!

       Paul was convinced that life was not a series of accidents, but rather a series of “divine appointments.” God told the psalmist “…I will guide you with my eye…” (Ps 32:8.   Abraham called God “Jehovah Jireh,” “The Lord will provide” at Mount Moriah when God himself provided the lamb (Gen 22: 14).  Jesus said in the Good Shepherd discourse, “And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them” (Jn 10:4).  We have a good Shepherd, a loving Father, who is present and working in the good times and even through the difficult times. Are we confident in His providence, that His overarching sovereignty guides to the details of our lives for our good, for our spiritual formation? True contentment is found in trusting God’s providence and so being independent from circumstances, which allows us to seek to meet the needs of others and so, to bring glory to God. Because we are confident in God’s providence, godly contentment…

II. True Contentment is Independent from Circumstances (4:11-13).

¹¹ Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.  ¹² I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  ¹³ I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

       “And not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstance I am…” (4:11). Even chained to a Roman soldier, Paul? Apparently so! Was it one of the Rockefellers who, when asked, “how much is enough?” replied, “Just a little bit more…” Bigger house, boat, car, then I’ll be happy, content… no you won’t! We need to learn the truth that a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of things that he possesses. Moving helps you take a look at your possessions, and in many cases we’ve had to ask, “Why were we saving this?” Stuff!

       Paul says, “I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.” (4:12). I’ve seen people with almost nothing, filled with joy and contentment. And I’ve seen wealthy people who were the opposite. Here, Think of Paul’s biography to this point: He had been cast in prison, shipwrecked in a terrible storm,  beaten and stoned and left for dead,  and yet God also gave him opportunity to stand before kings and testify for Christ.  His contentment was not in things, not in possessions or wealth, it was in Jesus. He had Jesus, so he had enough. It is easy to trust God, and rejoice in his goodness when things are going well. I have heard many people say, after an answer to prayer or an unexpected blessing, “God is good!” And He is!  But let me ask again, is he less good when the news is bad or when times are difficult?  Do you remember the prayer of Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20:12.  ¹² "O our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You."  When crisis comes, when the threat is imminent, when our comfort and our security is in question, God is still good.

       I’ve told you the story of Al Groves, one of my seminary professors, just a couple of years older than me, who was diagnosed with a terminal, incurable cancer in 2006. He continued to preach and teach, and while he was able, still continued to giving some classes. He kept a blog, journaling his experience of walking with his family, and with God, through his final months… There were tears and sadness… death is an enemy, but several times over those months he confirmed that though this was not the course he would have chosen, because of what he learned about God’s love and grace he would not change any of it (Let me recommend the book his wife Libby wrote, Grief Undone). When crisis comes, when the threat is imminent, when our comfort and our security is in question, God is still good.

       It is then, strengthened by God’s power and indwelt by His presence we can still find contentment in Christ (4:13).  Our ultimate sufficiency is in Christ. No matter what our situation, if we have Jesus, we have enough, it’s going to be ok.  This is actually a tricky verse to translate – “everything” “I am strong” “in the one who empowers me”.  What things?  What is he talking about in the context? In plenty or in want, in poverty or in prosperity, we can live victoriously, in Christ. He is our life, our strength. To live is Christ! True contentment, Christian contentment, is not complacency. It is a quiet confidence found in trusting God’s providence and so being independent from circumstances. It is a contentment that allows us to seek to meet the needs of others and so, to bring glory to God.

III. A Contented Person is Preoccupied with the Well-Being of Others (4:14-19).

¹⁴ Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.  ¹⁵ And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only.  ¹⁶ Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.  ¹⁷ Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.  ¹⁸ I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.  ¹⁹ And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 

      There is support in Christian Fellowship. If we know true contentment in Christ we are free to get the focus off of ourselves and onto others. Paul was grateful for the Philippians. He clearly affirms that he had been blessed by their generosity. He recognized how they had sacrificed and sought to support him as he served God. Paul was thankful, and God was pleased with their generosity. 

       They “did well” in ministering to his current need (v.14). Their generosity and care for Paul was a good work that resulted from their genuine faith. In 15,16 he affirms that they had done well in the past, from his earliest time in Macedonia they sent offerings to help with his support. This is the shocking affirmation Paul makes here: his motive in lauding their generosity toward him was not “gain” for himself, but that they might experience the blessing of giving. It’s an old saying “it’s more blessed to give than to receive.” That was clearly Paul’s perspective. Is that your perspective? As a missionary on support we depended on God supplying through the gifts of his people. I was sharing with the guys Tuesday morning that we were grateful that God consistently met our needs, but I think my focus was exactly that—our needs were met. How much did I really think about the blessing God would give the givers? Paul really did that. That was his focus, his joy.

       In v.19 notice that Paul affirms his confidence regarding God’s provision of every need of the Philippian church: “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Is that not the testimony of BBC? As I read the story of our 200-year history I can see that there were times of struggle and times of growth, but in all of it, God proved faithful. He supplied. Over the last 10 ½ years that we’ve been with you, even as we faced some capital projects: converting the youth house into offices and a parsonage before we came, the renovation of the sanctuary, putting in an elevator, replacing the boilers, etc. God is faithful, He has supplied for this church for over 200 years, that’s quite a testimony to God’s faithfulness! True contentment is found in trusting God’s providence and so being independent from circumstances, which allows us to seek to meet the needs of others and so, to bring glory to God.

IV. A Contented Person seeks God’s glory and lives in His grace (4:20-23).

²⁰ To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.  ²¹ Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you.  ²² All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household.  ²³ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. 

       Our goal in stewardship is to be faithful, and so to bring glory to God (v.20). He get’s the glory because every good and perfect gift is from above (James 1:17). Paul asked the Corinthians, “…What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?” (I Cor 4:7). We trust God, we recognize His provision and are grateful for His grace. And so, He gets the glory.

       We should be generous, faithful stewards because in Christ we’re set apart from the world. We were created for eternity. The suffering of this present age is not worthy to be compared to the glory that shall be revealed in us. Here Paul alludes to what God was doing in his imprisonment. Greet the saints, and, by the way, “All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household” (21-22). Paul had been a prisoner for four years in all, two in Caesarea, then the voyage to Rome after appealing to Caesar, and two more years in chains. But the mission went on. There were saints, that is, genuine believers in Jesus, in Caesar’s household. Paul was still able to write letters, he had a few brothers like Timothy and Epaphroditus visiting him, but he had a guard chained to him, and perhaps contact with others. He seized the opportunity to give a reason the hope that was in him!  He was content, but not complacent. He had joy in what God was doing.

       As he began the letter, Paul again affirms the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ (Phil 1:2,7).  We are saved by Grace, God’s unmerited, undeserved favor. He sent Jesus to die for us – he has made us his children – instead of judgement we are forgiven, we have eternal life through faith in Christ! Of Him we are in Christ Jesus, to God be the glory!

What is God saying to me in this passage? True contentment is found in trusting God’s providence and so being independent from circumstances. That allows us to seek to meet the needs of others and so, to bring glory to God.  Paul found his sufficiency in Christ. As Psalm 73:25 says, “Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you…” Jonathan Edwards in a sermon on that verse said,

“…whatever changes a godly man passes through, he is happy; because God, who is unchangeable, is his chosen portion. Though he meet with temporal losses, and be deprived of many, yea, of all his temporal enjoyments; yet God, whom he prefers before all, still remains, and cannot be lost. While he stays in this changeable, troublesome world, he is happy; because his chosen portion on which he builds as his main foundation for happiness, is above the world, and above all changes. And when he goes into another world, still he is happy, because that portion yet remains. Whatever he be deprived of, he cannot be deprived of his chief portion; his inheritance remains sure to him. How great is the happiness of those who have chosen the Fountain of good, who prefer him before all things in heaven or on earth, and who can never be deprived of him to all eternity!” 

What would God have me to do in response to this passage?

     1. Do you believe that God is with you, that life is not a series of accidents, but rather a series of divine appointments? God is working through the circumstances of life to accomplish His good purpose in you. Have you seen the statement, “No Jesus, no peace. Know Jesus, Know Peace.” If you have Jesus, you have enough! This letter talks about a peace that passes understanding – a godly contentment that is not bound by circumstances.

     2. If that is true, you are freed to seriously think about others, and so being a steward of all that God has entrusted to you. Paul said in I Cor 4:2 “It is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy…” Your material possessions, your finances, your time, your spiritual gifts… If we are content in Christ, we are freed to use wisely what God has entrusted to us.

     3. Stay in the Word. Insist on biblical teaching. Pray without ceasing. Walk in the Spirit. Love God. Love one another. Know Jesus, know peace, that is godly contentment.      AMEN.

Keep Your Eye on the Prize! Living as a Kingdom Citizen - Philippians 3:12-4:1

 

Keep Your Eye on the Prize! Living as a Kingdom Citizen

Philippians 3:12-4:1

Introduction: As we are getting to the end of Philippians, we see an emphasis, in these final admonitions, on Paul’s concern for practical Christian living. Perilous times will come! In the light of the Gospel, how then should we live? The Bible repeatedly uses metaphors, parallels between eternal truth and our day to day experience to teach us. Jesus frequently did that in the parables. We like some of them, a sower going out to sow, a shepherd leading his flock… Paul uses several “athletic metaphors,” like “fighting the good fight” or “running a race with endurance.” I find that language a little convicting since I have hardly exercised lately (other than bringing loads of paper to the dump!).  The paragraph today uses the imagery of a runner, pushing toward the finish line, striving with every fiber to win the race set before him. I picture Eric Liddell, in the 1924 Olympics in Paris, as pictured in the movie Chariots of Fire, running to the gold in the 400 meters.

Context: Paul has just urged the Philippians to guard the truth of the Gospel and to not fall into the trap of thinking we need to somehow earn our salvation.  But we shouldn’t be content in just thinking, “I’m saved.” We need to honestly look within, and then, because of his grace, look ahead toward the prize, seeking to live out God’s plan for us.

The Maine* Idea: Stand firm in the Lord, as you strive to grow by following godly examples while looking forward to our sure hope.

I. Strive to grow in Christ (3:12-16)! If Paul needed to, don’t we?

^3:12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.  ¹³ Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,  ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  ¹⁵ Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.  ¹⁶ Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

       The language of striving, running hard to complete the race, is interesting language when we think of the Christian life. We’ve spoken a lot about grace over the last ten years, is this a contradiction? Here he says, “…but I press on…”  It is not just, “let go and let God.”  This implies effort and commitment.  Remember the language of 2:12-13…

¹² Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,  ¹³ for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Warren Wiersbe said that “a sanctified dissatisfaction is the first essential to progress in the Christian race.” This is not talking about a lack of contentment in Christ, that question will come up in chapter 4. Rather it is warning us against complacency. We need to regularly take a hard look in the mirror, which will expose our need to grow in obedience. The language here is of a runner in a race, a marathon, someone who pushes on and looks toward the goal. Justin looked at Hebrews 12:1-2 a couple of weeks ago, where the writer uses similar imagery:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  ² Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

One summer during seminary I worked with a rail gang, which was going up the coast, working on the railroad tracks. We were replacing the segmented rails with solid, welded rails which would allow the trains to run faster more safely. My job as a loader operator was essentially to run back and forth from the back of the rail gang, which stretched out about a quarter mile I think, to the front. I would pick up the cradles that the rails were sliding on in the back, and run them up to the front. Wherever the railroad tracks went, we obviously had to go. Occasionally that meant driving over railroad bridges that were made for trains, not wheel loaders. Some of you know that I really don’t like heights. And when I would drive over those bridges, if I looked down, all I would see is space. NOT GOOD! I would stop right there! As long as I looked ahead, and fixed my attention on the rails in front me, and looked ahead to the other side of the bridge, I could move on and get to the other side. There are things we encounter as we live as pilgrims in a fallen world that can paralyze us. Like Peter when he saw the wind and waves got his eyes off Jesus, and started to sink! We need to look ahead, we need to remember where we are going, fixing our eyes on the goal, looking to Jesus, the Author and Perfector of our faith! And so we press on…

       “forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead…” Don’t look down, and don’t look back, look ahead! Don’t stay hung up on the past! (3:13). Now wait a minute, doesn’t the Bible have a lot to say about remembering? It is a key theme in the Hebrew Scriptures where the people are repeatedly urged to remember God’s mighty works, how He brought them out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Today we’ll celebrate the Lord’s Table, didn’t Jesus say, “Do this in remembrance of me”? Of course, we have to remember what God has done for us, and even where we have stumbled or struggled so that we can learn from our mistakes. So in one sense, we “move on” from the past, instead of being hung up on things we cannot change, we accept God’s forgiveness, we lean on his grace, and we move ahead, stronger, and closer to him. But it may be that something else is more central to Paul’s point here. All of history had been pointing forward to the coming of the Messiah, and Jesus came and fulfilled that hope. He is the promised one. As the writer to the Hebrews said, “In different ways and at different times God  spoke in times past to the fathers through the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken in the Son…” (Heb 1:1,2). And we don’t return to the Law which could only expose our sin and condemn, but we turn to Christ, who bore our sin so that we could have life.

       Fix your heart on God (14). “I press toward the goal for the prize…” The word “press toward,” also in verse 12 is often translated in a negative sense as “pursue or persecute.”  Jesus asked Paul on the Damascus road, “Why do you persecute me?” It can also be used as here with a more positive sense, indicating “intense effort.” Is hunting season coming? Some Greek texts used the word to describe a hunter “pursuing” his prey.  We are to “pursue” intimacy with God with the same passion, with the same zeal. 

       But what is the prize Paul has in view? “…the upward call of God in Christ Jesus…” God has a plan for us, a goal, a direction both now and for eternity.  We are already citizens of heaven – but he has us here in this world because there is work for us to do.

       Maturity leads to stability (15-16). Pursuing the prize requires a recognizing the truth: “Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you…”  Paul here is not implying that anyone can be practically perfect.  We certainly are positionally perfect in that since we are “in Christ,” His righteousness is imputed to our account.  The word can also be translated “mature” and that might fit better in this context.  True maturity will propel us to greater commitment, and a desire to walk more closely with Christ.  Paul is saying if you are really mature in Christ, whether or not you want to listen to me, the Holy Spirit will convict you, and reveal to you the need to grow closer to Him.

       Pursing the Prize Requires a Proper Conformity: “…however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained…” (3:16).  Remember Jesus is our model, Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. As we learn to think more like Jesus we grow in our faith, standing firm in the Lord, not “settling,” but striving to grow by following godly examples while looking forward to our sure hope.

II. Be careful to follow good examples (17-19).

¹⁷ Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.  ¹⁸ For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.  ¹⁹ Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

       Have you seen the bumper sticker, “Don’t follow me, I’m lost too!” We need to be careful who we follow! Discern those who are walking with God (17). Paul was an apostle, he met the resurrected Jesus and was called and commissioned by Him.  When he had wrote this letter, he had probably been following the Lord for nearly 30 years. Even so, he wasn’t perfect. Yet he was confident in his faith, he had a clean conscience, he knew that Jesus was the center of his life. So, he could say, “…follow my example…” I think we can say that, as one sinner saved by grace, telling another sinner, one beggar telling another beggar, where to find bread. We can be an example – not prideful or arrogant, simply and humbly following Jesus, learning, and growing closer to him.

       Paul goes on, “…take note of those who walk according to the pattern we gave you…” Others who live in a way that exposes the authenticity of their faith.  Paul is not saying that we should put people on a pedestal – we are sinners saved by grace, and beyond question, we are all a work in progress. Jesus is ultimately our example, he is the one we follow who will never fail us.  But we can be encouraged by the example of sincere believers that God brings into our path. But beware of those who are walking in the flesh. Look again at verses 3:18-19…

¹⁸ For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.  ¹⁹ Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

God’s enemies, bound for destruction, living for their pleasures, focused on the world. Be careful who you follow! If you have read Pilgrim’s Progress you remember how Christian gets in trouble when he aligns himself with the wrong companions!

       3:18 begins, “For…” There was a reason that it was important to seek out good examples, godly mentors who reflected Jesus and helped guide us into a closer relationship with him…  The reason was simply this: there were many examples of false teachers and wrong theology and outright sinful examples that would pull us away from Jesus and the cross. We are in the world, but we should not be of the world.

       “…many live as enemies of the cross of Christ…” Some were living in such a way, that either overtly or practically, they were opposing the message of the cross. Paul is “weeping” as he relates this painful truth. Notice the descriptors Paul uses…

       1) “…their end is destruction…” For those who reject the truth of the Gospel, the substitutionary death and resurrection of Jesus, salvation by grace through faith, their end, their eventual destiny, is destruction, eternal death, torment in hell separated from God. We can understand Paul’s weeping at their rejection of the Truth!

       2) “…whose god is their stomach…”  Paul uses “stomach” here to refer to the appetites of the flesh – unrestrained fleshly, bodily desires. Jude made reference to people like this when he said they were “ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only master and lord, Jesus Christ” (v. 4).

       3) “….whose glory is in their shame…” In some way, these false teachers were boasting in the very things that they ought to have been ashamed of.  We see a similar situation in the church in Corinth, “It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles -- that a man has his father's wife!  ² And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you.” (I Cor 5:1,2).

      4) “…their mind is on earthly things…” One issue is that these people were focused merely and exclusively on the here and now, they didn’t consider the eternal, the big picture of God’s plan for us and his universe. John warned in his first letter that “if anyone loves the world, the love of the father is not in him” (I Jn 2:15).  James said

“You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.  ⁴ Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (James 4:3,4).

Remember the Maine* Idea in these verses: Stand firm in the Lord, as you strive to grow by following godly examples while looking forward to our sure hope.

III. Stand firm in our sure hope (3:20-4:1).

 ²⁰ But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,  ²¹ who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.  ^4:1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

       In contrast to the worldly, carnal false teachers, Paul says, “But our citizenship is in heaven…”  We lived in Brazil as missionaries for a number of years, but we were always Americans. We had a passport to prove it! A baby born to American parents would normally have American citizenship, no matter where he was born.  We’ve not been to heaven, but we are citizens of heaven.  It is our birthright; it is our home!  Paul was a Roman citizen, and he was not afraid to avail himself of his rights when it was needed. We are thankful for the privileges of our American citizenship, but we also have another citizenship that has eternal value. That should impact how we live!

       “…and from it we await a Savior…”  This reminds us of a fundamental truth of our faith – Jesus is returning. This world is part of a story that God is writing, and the problem of sin and suffering, which was dealt with at the cross, will be resolved when Jesus returns in glory. He will judge the world in righteousness. The day is coming when every knee will bow, every tongue confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord!

       Paul speaks of that day here: “…who by the power that enable him to bring everything under his control….” That sounds like the language of Psalm 2. The Father and His anointed reigning over all Creation!  Our transformation is a part of that plan: God “…will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body….” I hope to do a series next year around Easter in I Cor 15, the resurrection chapter.  Just as surely as Jesus was raised from the dead and his body transformed, so will we!  Because our hope goes beyond this life, because we know that there is more to this story than this “veil of tears” in which we live, we live as citizens, confidently, waiting for the blessed hope of the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior.

       “Therefore my brothers [and sisters]….” In light of the promise of his coming and the positive examples He has given us, this is how you should live, beloved. He exhorts them as his family, as his brothers and sister in Christ.  We are a family!

       “…in who I love and long for, my joy and my crown….” Paul had a heart for the people, he loved them, they were his family, he longed to see them.  They brought him joy, now, and they were his “crown”, the trophy, the goal and reason for his life and ministry.  The church is about people – as we love one another we show Jesus to the world! (Jn 13:33-35).

       “…that is how you should stand firm in the Lord my dear friends…”  Among evangelical believers in Brazil, a common greeting was simply a question, “Firme?” It was an abbreviated way of asking, “Are you standing firm in the Lord?” The text here makes a connection, it is in community, as God’s family, that we can stand firm.

What is God saying to me in this passage? The Maine* Idea ties these verses together: Stand firm in the Lord, as you strive to grow by following godly examples while looking forward to our sure hope.

What would God have me to do in response to this passage? You remember the famous story, retold in “Chariots of Fire,” of the Olympic runner, Eric Liddel.  He was famous for passing up a chance for a metal in the 100 meters because he refused to run on the Sabbath.  He loved running, and said that when he ran, he felt “the pleasure of God.” He ran the 400, set a record, and won the gold. God is pleased with us as we run the race, as we seek Him diligently and whole-heartedly. Do you feel His pleasure today? Let’s run with endurance the race set before us. Or, as Paul says here, “Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.”  AMEN.

What really Matters: The Surpassing Value of Knowing Jesus - Philippians 3:1-11

 

What really Matters: The Surpassing Value of Knowing Jesus

Philippians 3:1-11

Introduction: We closed this week on the condo in NJ, for us we are first time home owners. Kind of. We have a mortgage, and a monthly condo fee, and taxes… Wherever we live, it is for a season, right? We can be so addicted to our comfort and sense of security as 21^st century Americans, that it is easy to forget that we are pilgrims in this fallen world, and that we were created for eternity. It is not a sin to own property in the world, but we want to remember that ultimately we will live in the New Heaven and the New Earth! We can easily get focused on the superficial and so neglect what really matters.  Even in church we can start thinking about Christianity in terms of what we do (or don’t do!) and forget that at its core, our Christian faith is not based on our good works, rather is a living relationship with Jesus. In this letter to the Philippians, Paul shows us how central Christ is to our lives and the life of this church. He speaks of rejoicing in Christ, and glorying in Christ, and knowing Christ, and gaining Christ, and being found in Christ, and making Christ his own, and finally obtaining the prize Christ has for us in the last day. Just as we are thankful for the parsonage we live in, we are glad to have a place to live while we live and minister in the future. But our greatest source of JOY must be knowing Jesus, and being found in Him. That is what Paul is talking about here, in these verses. Jim Eliot, 0ne of the five missionary martyrs who died as they attempted to reach out to the Auca tribe in Ecuador, famously wrote in his journal, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”  

       I counted in one English translation the verb “rejoice” appearing ten times in this letter, and the noun “joy” four times (1:4; 1:18; 3:1; 4:4). That joy can be experienced only through a personal relationship with Christ. Paul was joyful, and he urged the Philippians to rejoice, because he held fast the Word of Life, the Gospel. He knew his salvation was not earned, it was received, by grace through faith. He also remembered where he came from. Warren Wiersbe wrote,

“Like most religious people today, Paul [before knowing Jesus] had enough morality to keep him out of trouble, but not enough righteousness to get him into Heaven!  It was not bad things that kept Paul from Jesus—it was good things!  He had to lose his religion to find salvation.”

That is stated in a deliberately startling way to make the point that salvation cannot be earned, we’re saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. That points to…

The Maine* Idea: Authentic Christianity is based on faith in Christ. Knowing Him is the only way to True Life, the abundant life for which we were created.

Context: In Prison and Poverty, Rejoicing in Jesus Together (1). Later Paul will say,

“…I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.  ¹² I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  ¹³ I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:11-13).

The passage today begins, “Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you....” (Philippians 3:1). Paul is writing from prison. And we know from 2 Corinthians 8 that the Philippian church was not wealthy and that there had been affliction. So, we know this joy is not based on good circumstances. It is, as Paul says, “In the Lord.” In Jesus Christ, the Lord. In other words, he is telling us: Consider Christ so precious, so valuable, such a great treasure, that whether in prison or in affliction or in poverty, or under persecution, knowing Him and belonging to Him and being with Him forever gives you joy. Some of you who have traveled to nations that are very poor, and have seen joyful people living in abject poverty and needy situations… Paul’s theme in this letter is “joy in the Lord.” Everyone wants to be happy, but even more important is to have real joy. In this passage he is reminding us that religious rigor isn’t the way to find joy and experience true life. Like the song says, “It is not because of what I’ve done, but because of who you are; its not because who I am, but because of what you’ve done…” It seems to me that the key to joy is developing a Gospel-centered mindset. We can rejoice that our relationship with God is not based on our goodness, but rather on His grace.”

I. Keep the Faith and hold fast to the truth! (3:2-3).

 …Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.  ³ For we are the real circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh- 

       A Call for Discernment: Back up to verses 1b-2, “…it is a safeguard to you…”  He urges them to exercise discernment. He warns them about those who make circumcision the basis of their acceptance with God. I contrast to these false teachers who are prideful of their ethnic heritage, Paul said true worshippers of God “…put no confidence in the flesh” (3). This is strong language – we see Paul’s passion for truth!

       Circumcision was an outward ritual of Judaism, it served as a symbol of the Old Covenant. It became a point of controversy as Jews began to believe in Jesus, and then, Gentiles also confessed Him as Savior and Messiah. Believing Jews had always been circumcised, what about these non-Jewish converts? We know from Paul’s other writings (and the book of Acts) that the early church struggled with the question of observance of the OT Law – especially as to whether or not it was necessary for Gentiles to essentially convert to Judaism  in order to follow Jesus. Acts 10 (and 15!) should have settled it. Galatians had been written some time earlier, that should have resolved any doubts. True Believers worship in the Spirit (3:3a) – Jesus anticipated this idea in talking with the Samaritan Woman in John 4:21-24. It is not a religious rite that is at the heart of worship, or even a specific physical place, but responding to the true God, the God who is: Father, Son, and Spirit. We are to worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.

Read verse 3 again, “For we are the real circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh…” Paul says we are to glory in Christ Jesus. Literally, “exult” or “boast” in Christ. In other words, some people take great joy in their moral achievements. They exult in them like the Pharisee who thanks God that he was not like other men because he fasts twice a week and gives tithes of all he has (Luke 18:12). That was his boast. But Paul says none of that matters, “Christ is our boast.” If you have  accomplished something that you are tempted to boast in, think of Jesus, and boast in Christ. We glory in Christ Jesus. We treasure him, not our achievements. In the church, we treasure Christ together. We help each other do this. We “…glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh…” And we can rejoice that our relationship with God is not based on our goodness, but rather on His grace. That points to the Maine* Idea: Authentic Christianity is based on faith in Christ. Knowing Him is the only way to True Life.

II. The futility of the flesh and the sufficiency of Jesus (3:4-6).

⁴ …though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more:  ⁵ circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee;  ⁶ as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness, under the law blameless. 

     The pulpit committee will be getting a lot of résumés. Paul’s résumé was impressive, but it was not enough! (3:3b-5), Paul lists the religious and ethnic distinctives that he could boast in if he wanted to... Paul is not saying “I have no achievements, and so I don’t care about them, I care about Christ.” He had plenty of moral and legal achievements. He went to the right school, had the right teachers, he lived an exemplary life, but he is saying that it is not what matters – its not the way to God – Jesus paid the price – He alone is the Way, the Truth and the Life…

       In verses 5 and 6 Paul lists the distinctives he enjoyed before he became a Christian. He gives his ethnic pedigree as a thoroughbred child of Abraham, a Hebrew of Hebrews. Do you remember the dispute in Acts 6 between the Hellenists and the Hebrews? They were all Jews, but the Hellenists spoke primarily Greek and had adopted a fair amount of Greek culture. The “Hebrews” spoke Aramaic (or Hebrew), and were more closely connected to the Temple in Jerusalem. Paul’s family was from Tarsus, but he was trained in Jerusalem, having studied with one of the most prominent rabbis of his time. He considered himself a Hebrew of Hebrews. This brought him great respect from the religious leaders, and a great sense of significance and assurance. He was an Israelite. Then he mentions three things that go right to the heart of Paul's life before he was a Christian (at the end of verse 5): "as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless."  

       This had been Paul's life. This was what gave him meaning and significance. This was his gain, his fortune, his joy. He was proud of his heritage and the traditions of the fathers—and Paul's was that he belonged to the upper-echelon of law-keepers, the Pharisees, and that among them he was so zealous that he led the way in persecuting the enemies of God, the church of Jesus, and that he kept the law meticulously (blameless!). He thought he was doing well, earning points with God  by his religious zeal. We are not saved by “reformation” or by rule keeping, we are not justified by religion or by good works.  Jesus did it all – we believe and receive.

       Paul’s Religious Rigor was not enough! (3:6).  Paul was zealous but he wasn’t saved. He was religious, and yet lost. And then he met Christ, the Son of the living God, on the Damascus road. Christ told him how much he would have to suffer (Acts 9:16). Even so, as soon as he could he preached Christ! The way he prepared himself is described in verse 7. "But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ." Paul looks at his standing in the highly respected religious elite, the Pharisees; he looks at the at the respect and praise of being a rising star in that group; he looks at the rigor of his law-keeping and the sense of moral pride he enjoyed; and he prepares to suffer by taking his whole world and turning it upside down, by reversing his values: "Whatever things were gain to me [that's verses 5–6], those things I have counted as loss." Its like Paul’s spiritual accounting system was suddenly turned upside down, his eyes were opened and he realized he had been fighting against God!

Here Paul uses accounting language. Before he was a Christian, he had a ledger with two columns: one that said, “gains,” and another that said, “losses.” On the gain side was the human glory of verses 5–6. On the loss side was the terrible prospect that this Jesus movement might get out of hand and this “heresy” would continue to spread.  When he met the living Christ on the Damascus road, Paul took a big red pencil and wrote "LOSS" in big red letters across his gains column. And he wrote "GAIN" in big letters over the loss column that only had one name in it: Christ. Cf. Acts 9:20,22.

       And not only that, the more Paul thought about the relative values of life in the world and the greatness of Christ, he moved beyond the few things mentioned in verses 5–6 and put everything but Christ in that first column: Verse 8: "More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." He started by counting his most precious accomplishments as loss, and he ended by counting everything as loss, except Christ.

       We can rejoice that our relationship with God is not based on our goodness, but rather on His grace. The Maine* Idea: Authentic Christianity is based on faith in Christ. Knowing Him is the only way to True Life.

III. More Precious Than “Religion” is Personal Relationship with Christ (3:7-11).

⁷ But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.  ⁸ Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ  ⁹ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith-  ¹⁰ that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,  ¹¹ that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

      But they meant nothing to him compared to knowing Christ. Less than nothing. They were garbage—dung—compared to Christ. Notice again 3:7-8:

“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ… I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.”

       Notice that in three ways Paul expresses the supreme importance of treasuring Christ. First, in verse 7: Paul counts everything as loss for the sake of Christ. He is worth more than everything else in Paul’s life. Verse 8a: “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” To know Christ is more to be desired than anything else. Verse 8b: “I count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.” Gaining Christ—knowing Him, and having an authentic living relationship with Him—is better than gaining the world and everything in it. Paul treasured Jesus above everything. We can help each other grow to know Christ like this.

       Secondly, in 3:9, he explains again why Christ is so much more precious than all Paul’s moral achievements. He wants to

“be found in him [Christ], not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith.”

Being found in Christ—united to Christ by faith, in a permanent relationship of identity with him—is ten thousand times more valuable than all of Paul’s righteousness based on law. Paul called himself “blameless” in verse 6 “as to righteousness under the law.” But all that work was worse than useless. It was condemning. Only one thing will count before God: being found in Christ—in Christ—with a righteousness that comes from God not ourselves. Paul treasures Christ above all things because only in Christ does he have a righteousness that counts with God. That is what it means to treasure Christ together. We help each other trust him like this.

       Suffering with Jesus Together – Finally, in verse 10, Paul says again that his passion is to know Christ, this time to know him in his suffering and resurrection. “That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.” Paul knows what resurrection will mean: It will mean everlasting fellowship with Christ in a new body, on a new earth, without sin, and filled with joy. So, he is eager to walk the very path that led Christ to glory—the path of suffering with him. Being with Christ in the end will be worth any price of suffering here. So, we treasure Christ together. We help each other love him like this. In the world you will have tribulation… But He also said, “Lo, I am with you always…” We are in Christ, experience some of the hardships of life in a fallen world. We have an assignment! We are pilgrims in a fallen world, but in Christ we have the promise of True Life, the way life should be!

What is God saying to me in this passage? We can rejoice that our relationship with God does not rest on our goodness, but rather on His grace.  That is Good News, and it points to the Maine* Idea: Authentic Christianity is based on faith in Christ. Knowing Him is the only way to True Life.

What would God have me to do in response to this passage? He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. Jim Elliot lost his life as he sought to bring the message of Christ to the Auca people. Following Christ is not a guarantee for a prosperous, easy life! But He is God – He has a plan – and His way is best. Jesus said, “I have come that you might have life, and that you might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10b). That is the way life should be! There is a reason we are saved by grace – that is the only way it could be!  If you know Him you have reason to rejoice, no matter what the circumstances might be in your life!  And the future is better than we can imagine! The price has been paid on the dwelling place Jesus prepared for us. Rejoice in Him!

       If you are thinking, “there is no way God could love me, I am just not good enough… you don’t know what I’ve done, God could never forgive me.” Think about Paul, he was there approving when Stephen was stoned. Yes, that young pharisee Saul actively persecuted Christians. Yet God saved Him. Did he deserve it? No. Neither did we. It’s not about our goodness! It is all about His grace. Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe…   AMEN.