In Christ Alone, Our Hope Is Found (Phil. 3:2-11)

Prepared and preached by Pastor Steve Rhodes for and at Bethel Friends Church in Poland, OH on September 17, 2023

A man one day was writing the love of his life … her name was Betty. He wrote:

My dearest Betty,

I love you beyond words. Webster does not have in his dictionary the necessary vocabulary to explain the depth of my love for you. Thoughts of you dance across the portals of my mind. You are my all-consuming passion. So enraptured am I regarding my love for you that the Pacific Ocean would be like a pond if I had to swim it. I could do it as long as I knew you were awaiting me on the other shore. The heat of the Sahara Desert would never impede my progress to you, knowing that you would be the oasis that would refresh me when I arrive. There would be no inconvenience I wouldn’t endure for you. Climbing Mount Everest would only seem like getting over an ant’s hill if I knew you were at the precipice. All I’m simply saying to you, my darling … is that my love for you transcends time and space.

Signed, Sam.

P.S. I’ll see you Saturday night if it doesn’t rain.

Now I’m sure you would agree with me, Sam was only full of a bunch of noise. Sam could talk a good game but he didn’t go very deep. While he could verbalize overcoming the elements to get to his love, a little bit of rain would keep him away. It’s easy to verbalize being an overcomer. It’s easy to say the words, “I am victorious. I’ve been made victorious in Christ.” But it’s a whole different thing to not let the rain slow you down. It’s a whole different thing to take your position as an overcomer and turn it into your practice of overcoming.^[1]

We are preaching through Philippians. As we begin today, are we committed to Christ? Are we trusting in faith in Him for salvation or our good works? Are we ready to suffer to know Him more? Paul addresses those subjects in today’s passage.

My theme today is:

In Christ alone, our hope is found.

1. To start, Paul warns them to beware! (Phil. 3:2-3).
   1. We will begin this section, but first, let’s put this in context. A text without a context is a pretext for whatever you want it to mean.
   2. Last week, we looked at Phil. 3:1. That was a very encouraging passage. Paul encouraged them to rejoice in the Lord.
   3. This whole letter has been about joy and unity. I believe that is important for the section we are getting into.
   4. In Phil. 1:12-18 Paul reflected on his imprisonment, yet he had joy. The Gospel was advancing.
   5. We have that well-known passage “To live is Christ” in Phil. 1:19-26.
   6. In Phil. 1:27-30 Paul wrote about living worthy of the Gospel.
   7. Phil. 2 was about humbly serving the Lord.
   8. Then, we come to Phil. 3:1 and rejoicing.
   9. Now, why does the context matter?
   10. The context of the whole Bible is important. I have been giving you the context within this letter, but really this letter fits within the Pauline epistles, the Pauline epistles fit within the New Testament. The New Testament follows the Old Testament. All of that is important. We have to keep all of that in mind. The Old Testament points to Jesus in every book. The New Testament Gospels write about Jesus. The book of Acts gives early church history. The epistles exhort us, but they also do teach theology.
   11. We are in the epistles. Paul is writing a letter to the church at Philippi and to us. He exhorts them and us in unity, joy, and Christian living. This letter is inspired by God.
   12. He has been writing about unity and joy. So, what would threaten that?
   13. He is about to tell us what threatens their unity and their joy.
   14. Philippians 3:2–3 (ESV)
   15. ² Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. ³ For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—
   16. Paul says, “Look out,” or some translations say, “Beware…”
   17. He is concerned. If you are at a baseball game and say, “Look out,” there might be concern about a baseball coming your way. This is a concern.
   18. “Look out for the dogs,” why?
   19. As you likely know, he is not concerned about actual dogs.
   20. “Dogs” was a pejorative term for a group.
   21. I believe he is referring to a group called the “Judaizers.” This group taught that they still needed to keep the Jewish law.
   22. That is why Paul says, “Look out for those who mutilate the flesh.” He is referring to circumcision, and he calls them evildoers. This was settled in Acts 15. Gentiles did not need to keep the Jewish Law except abstain from sexual immorality, meat sacrificed to idols, things strangled, and blood.
   23. In verse 3, Paul says that they are the true circumcision.
   24. Why does he say that?
   25. He explains it. They worship by the Spirit of God. They glory in Christ Jesus. They do not put confidence in the flesh. In other words, they do not put confidence in externals like circumcision.
   26. They worship in Spirit (John 4:23-24).
   27. Paul is talking about a circumcision of the heart.
   28. This verse mentions all three members of the Trinity: “God” (the Father), “Christ Jesus” (the Son), and “the Spirit of God” (the Holy Spirit).^[2]
2. Paul’s confidence in the flesh (Phil. 3:4-6).
   1. Philippians 3:4–6 (ESV)
   2. 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.
   3. When Paul says that they should not have confidence in the flesh, he was the right person to address it.
   4. In Paul’s past, he had some achievements.
   5. He says he has more reasons to have more confidence in the flesh than others.
   6. “Flesh” in this context means human achievements.
   7. Verse 5: circumcised the eighth day… that is how it was supposed to be (Lev. 12:3).
   8. He had not received circumcision in his thirteenth year, as Ishmaelites did, nor later in life, as many Gentiles did who converted to Judaism (e.g., Acts 16:3).^[3]
   9. He is of the people of Israel.
   10. However, Paul will be getting into the idea of circumcision of the heart, which the Old Testament writes about (Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 36:26ff).
   11. He is of the tribe of Benjamin. Benjamin was the second son of Rachel (Ge 35:18), and one of the elite tribes of Israel, who along with Judah, remained loyal to the Davidic dynasty and formed the southern kingdom (1Ki 12:21).^[4]
   12. “A Hebrew of Hebrews…” I believe this means that he has ancestry that is Hebrew. He was not a proselyte. Further, this could mean he can read the Scriptures in Hebrew and/or that he spoke Aramaic, the national language of Israel in his day.
   13. As far as the law goes, he was a Pharisee, which means he cared about the law.
   14. Verse 6: as for zeal, he persecuted the church.
   15. He was blameless in righteousness under the law.
   16. He knows what he is talking about.
3. Paul counts his gains as loss for the sake of Christ (Phil. 3:7-11).
   1. Philippians 3:7–11 (ESV)
   2. 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.
   3. In verses 7-11, Christ is mentioned by name or pronoun 10 times.
   4. Verse 7 is saying that for all those gains that he had mentioned, Paul counts them as loss for the sake of Christ. Jesus is better.
   5. In verse 8, Paul builds on this idea.
   6. He counts everything as loss for the “surpassing” worth of knowing Christ Jesus His Lord.
   7. Knowing Christ is more valuable than anything else.
   8. A little girl came to her father and asked him for a nickel. The father reached in his pocket, but he didn’t have any change. All he had was a twenty-dollar bill. He knew that was a lot of money, but he figured that his daughter had been a good girl. He decided to give her the twenty.
   9. The little girl said, “Oh no, Daddy. You don’t understand. I want a nickel.”
   10. “No, honey, you don’t understand. This is a bunch of nickels. This is a twenty-dollar bill.”
   11. But the little girl didn’t understand. She said, “Daddy, why won’t you give me a nickel?”
   12. He tried to explain. He tried to tell her how many nickels were in a dollar, and how many dollars were in a twenty-dollar bill. She wasn’t getting it.
   13. So she started crying and having a temper tantrum. “Daddy, you said you were going to give me a nickel. Why won’t you give me a nickel?”
   14. That’s exactly what we do. We settle for a nickel when God offers us twenties.^[8]
   15. Notice he says that Jesus is His lord.
   16. Is Jesus your Lord?
   17. He continues saying that he will count them as rubbish in order to gain Christ. Gaining Christ is far better.
   18. Paul continues in verse 9.
   19. He wants to be found in Christ. He wants to be found not having a righteousness of his own from the law, no, a righteousness that comes from faith in Christ.
   20. This righteousness in God depends on faith.
   21. In verse 10, Paul expands on this. He wants to know Him. He wants to know Christ.
   22. How much does he want to know Christ?
   23. It is all loss with the purpose of knowing Him. The direct object of “know” is 3 things:
       1. power of His resurrection,
       2. sharing in His sufferings,
       3. becoming like Him in death…
   24. Power first and then sharing in sufferings. He does not want power to avoid sufferings. We would think the resurrection power could make us avoid suffering, but it is not that kind of power.
   25. What power? Eph 1:16-2:6: The power that raised Jesus from the dead…
   26. Does he think sharing in Christ’s sufferings adds merit to his salvation? No, he likely thinks it is only fair since Christ suffered so much.
   27. He wants to know the power of His resurrection.
   28. He wants to share in His sufferings.
   29. He wants to become like Him in His death.
   30. In verse 11, he closes this part up, based on what he has written, he wants to attain the resurrection by any means possible.
   31. Is this about him trying to earn his salvation?
   32. He probably meant that he wanted the power that resurrected his Savior and was within himself because of the indwelling Christ to manifest itself in his life for God’s glory (cf. Rom 6:4; Col. 3:1; Eph. 2:5–6).^[9]
   33. I believe he is talking about persevering to the end.
   34. Sharing in Christ suffering means more than suffering for Christ but allowing Christ death to shape all of life.
   35. Christ took on the form of a servant, and we take on the form of Christ in His death.
4.  Applications:
   1. Can we only trust in Jesus for salvation and not in works (Phil. 3:2-8)?
   2. Or, are we thinking that we live a good life?
   3. Are we trusting in the externals, such as: baptism, church attendance, Sunday school, etc for merit with God (Phil. 3:2-8)?
   4. Can we count all of those externals as excrement compared to knowing Christ (Phil. 3:8)?
   5. Is knowing Christ the best (Phil. 3:7-11)?
   6. Are we prepared to suffer for Christ (Phil. 3:10-11)?
   7. Are we trusting that our righteousness does not come from works but faith in Christ (Phil. 3:9)?
   8. Are we prepared to persevere to the end (Phil. 3:10-11)?
   9. Are we prepared to stay close to Christ when our family excludes us?
   10. Are we prepared to stay close to Christ if the Bible is illegal?
   11. Are we prepared to stay close to Christ if it is illegal to go to church?
   12. Can we stay true to Christ if our workplace calls us to deny part of the faith? Suppose our workplace will make us condone or endorse abortion? Suppose we are a pharmacist and must sell the morning-after bill or other abortifacients. Can we stay true to Christ?
   13. Suppose we are a pediatrician, nurse, hospital employee, or counselor, and we are required to aid a teenager (or younger child) transition to another sex. Can we stay true to Christ?

In 1856, Henry Brown, a slave in Richmond, Virginia, decided he didn’t want to be a slave anymore. Henry Brown found himself a box, a small wooden crate, and postmarked it to an abolitionist in Philadelphia, which was free territory. Henry Brown got inside the box, sealed the box from the inside, and mailed himself to Philadelphia.

Henry Brown was banking on the U.S. Postal Service to deliver him. He was in slavery and needed to be delivered. The abolitionist got the crate. When he opened the box, Henry Brown stood up, after being in that box for three weeks, and said, “How do you do, sir. My name is Henry Brown and I was a slave. I heard about you being an abolitionist, so I’m entrusting my future to you.” That was a big risk. It was an oxygen risk, a risk of being discovered, and a risk of going hungry. But when Henry Brown stood up in Philadelphia, he was a free man. Henry Brown rejoiced because the risk was well worth the inconvenience. Living a committed Christian life involves taking a risk. It involves having faith that Jesus is going to come through for you. But living a committed Christian life is a risk that is well worth the inconvenience.^[12]

Prayer

^[1] Tony Evans, Tony Evans’ Book of Illustrations: Stories, Quotes, and Anecdotes from More than 30 Years of Preaching and Public Speaking (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2009), 42–43.

^[2] Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2285.

^[3] Tom Constable, Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible (Galaxie Software, 2003), Php 3:5.

^[4] John F. MacArthur Jr., The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006), Php 3:5.

^[5] Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2285.

^[6] Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible First Edition Notes (Biblical Studies Press, 2006), Php 3:5.

^[7] Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible First Edition Notes (Biblical Studies Press, 2006), Php 3:6–8.

^[8] Tony Evans, Tony Evans’ Book of Illustrations: Stories, Quotes, and Anecdotes from More than 30 Years of Preaching and Public Speaking (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2009), 43.

^[9] Tom Constable, Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible (Galaxie Software, 2003), Php 3:10.

^[10] R. C. Sproul, ed., The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (2015 Edition) (Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust, 2015), 2113–2114.

^[11] Tom Constable, Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible (Galaxie Software, 2003), Php 3:11.

^[12] Tony Evans, Tony Evans’ Book of Illustrations: Stories, Quotes, and Anecdotes from More than 30 Years of Preaching and Public Speaking (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2009), 42.

Rejoice in the Lord! (Phil. 3:1)

Prepared and preached by Pastor Steve Rhodes for and at Bethel Friends Church in Poland, OH on September 10, 2023

Swindoll shares:

It had been a long time since Horace Walpole smiled. Too long. Life for him had become as drab as the weather in dreary old England. Then, on a grim winter day in 1754, while reading a Persian fairy tale, his smile returned. He wrote his longtime friend, Horace Mann, telling him of the “thrilling approach to life” he had discovered from the folk tale.

The ancient tale told of three princes from the island of Ceylon who set out on a pursuit of great treasures. They never found that for which they searched, but en route they were continually surprised by delights they had never anticipated. While looking for one thing, they found another.

The original name of Ceylon was Serendip, which explains the title of this story—“The Three Princes of Serendip.” From that, Walpole coined the wonderful word “serendipity.” And from then on, his most significant and valued experiences were those that happened to him while he was least expecting them.

Serendipity occurs when something beautiful breaks into the monotonous and the mundane. A serendipitous life is marked by “surprisability” and spontaneity.  When we lose our capacity for either, we settle into life’s ruts. We expect little and we’re seldom disappointed.

Though I have walked with God for several decades, I must confess I still find much about Him incomprehensible and mysterious. But this much I know: He delights in surprising us. He dots our pilgrimage from earth to heaven with amazing serendipities.[1]

My theme today is:

Rejoice in the Lord!

1. Let’s start with the context.
   1. Let’s begin by putting Phil. 3:1 in the context of the letter of Philippians. In Philippians 1:1-11, Paul greets them and prays for the Philippians.
   2. In Philippians 1:12-18, Paul writes that his imprisonment has meant progress for the gospel.
   3. In Philippians 1:19-26, Paul writes about how he will live for Christ.
   4. In Philippians 1:27-30, Paul encourages them to walk worthy of the gospel.
   5. In Philippians 2:1-4, Paul wrote about unity and self-sacrificial behavior.
   6. In Philippians 2:5-11, Paul gave the example of Christ.
   7. In Philippians 2:12-18, Paul wrote about Christian behavior.
   8. In Philippians 2:19-24, Paul gave the example of Timothy.
   9. In Philippians 2:25-30, Paul gives the example of Epaphroditus.
   10. So, after writing about unity and sacrifice, he now takes one verse to remind them to rejoice.
2. Rejoice in the Lord.
   1. Philippians 3:1 (ESV): Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.
   2. Notice how Philippians 3:1 begins with “finally”?
   3. This is more of an attention word, it means “as far as the rest is concerned…”
   4. Paul is not writing out of a burden but out of joy.
   5. He is about to give a warning in Philippians 3:2ff, but first he exhorts them to rejoice.
   6. He will pick up this theme of joy again in Philippians 4.
   7. In Philippians 2:18 Paul wrote about rejoicing.
   8. This is a theme of Philippians.
   9. Notice how he continues to use the language of family.
   10. He calls them, “brothers” or “brothers and sisters.”
   11. He says to “rejoice, ‘in the Lord.”’
   12. MacArthur shares: This, however, is the first time he adds “in the Lord,” which signifies the sphere in which the believers’ joy exists—a sphere unrelated to the circumstances of life, but related to an unassailable, unchanging relationship to the sovereign Lord.^[2]
   13. Rejoice in the Lord.
   14. This is important for him to write.
   15. The verb “rejoice” has to do with being glad, or joyful.
   16. He is saying to “be glad in God.”
   17. He writes that it is okay to write the same thing again.
   18. It would be easy to think he would write to rejoice again, but more likely, he is referring to the following verses. In Philippians 1:27-30 he had already written about their opponents, and now he is about to write about them again.
   19. He writes that it is safe for them that he writes the same thing again.
   20. This is because he is able to keep the church of Philippi from succumbing to false teachers.
3.  Apply
   1. 1. Paul is in a Roman prison, and his living conditions are not that good, but he exhorts them to rejoice. How are we doing with rejoicing?
      2. How are we doing with being happy?
      3. Paul is in a negative situation from the world’s standards but says to rejoice.
      4. In the book, “Rewire Your Brain” the author shares:
      5. You can start to rewire your brain by priming a positive mood through acting as though you are in a good mood when you’re not. Let’s say that you’ve been sad recently and have been pulling back from your friends. Maybe you’ve said to yourself, “I don’t want to put on a happy face.” You should force yourself to call a friend and go out to lunch when you don’t feel like it. Once you are at lunch, even just smiling can activate parts of your brain associated with positive emotions.
      6. Further: Behavioral activation (the left PFC) is one of the principal therapies for depression. Thus, making an effort to put yourself out there helps you lift depression. In fact, “putting on a happy face ” is actually helpful. Here’s how it works: There are neural pathways that link the facial muscles, the cranial nerves, the subcortical areas, and the cortex. Information flows down from the brain to the face and also back up again. For example, if you contract the muscles on the right side of your face, that activates your left hemisphere, which creates the likelihood of a positive emotional bias. In contrast, if you contract the muscles on the left side of your face, that activates your right hemisphere, which creates the likelihood of a negative bias.
      7. Thus, when you force a smile or a frown, you’re triggering the feelings associated with happiness or sadness. By smiling or frowning you send messages to your subcortical and cortical areas that resonate with happy or sad feelings. So put on a happy face—it helps you to feel better![3]
      8. Humor is a boost to your biochemistry. It helps to lower the levels of the stress hormone cortisol while it increases immunoglobulin, natural killer (NK) cells, and plasma cytokine gamma interferon levels. Immunoglobulin consists of the antibodies that help the immune system to fight infections; it serves as one of the body’s primary defense mechanisms. NK cells seek out and destroy abnormal cells; they are a key mechanism for what is called immunosurveillance. Plasma cytokine gamma interferon orchestrates or regulates anticellular activities and turns on specific parts of the immune system. If you are able to develop a sense of humor about yourself, you’ll find that incredibly liberating. It ensures that you don’t take your current situation and yourself too seriously. Laughing at yourself allows you to see yourself as part of a greater whole.[4]
      9. So, regardless of our situation, if we try to find an optimistic attitude, if we try to smile, if we try to find humor, it will make us happy.
      10. In this way, we need to be happy in God.
      11. Paul says to rejoice.
      12. We must rejoice even in hard times.
      13. We must rejoice “in the Lord.” We can only rejoice “in the Lord.”
      14. Are we glad in God? That is what “rejoice” means.
      15. Are we happy in God?
      16. No matter what happens politically, can we be happy in God?
      17. Can we be happy in God when we do not have much (Phil. 4:11-13)?
      18. Can we be happy in God when we have plenty (Phil. 4:11-13)?
      19. Can we rejoice in God, being happy in God, when the day does not go as planned?
      20. When we have that unexpected phone call, or text message, or flat tire, can we still praise Him? Can we still rejoice? Can we still be thankful? Can we still be happy in God? Maybe without that flat tire you would have hit a deer.
      21. Can we find ways to see ways to give God praise?
      22. Can we find ways to rejoice?
      23. Can we look for the good, look for God moments?

Piper:

No one had ever taught me that God is glorified by our joy in him — that joy in God is the very thing that makes our praise an honor to God, and not hypocrisy.

But Jonathan Edwards said it so clearly and powerfully:

God glorifies himself towards the creatures also [in] two ways: (1) by appearing to . . . their understanding; (2) in communicating himself to their hearts, and in their rejoicing and delighting in, and enjoying the manifestations which he makes of himself. . . . God is glorified not only by his glory’s being seen, but by its being rejoiced in. . . .

[W]hen those that see it delight in it: God is more glorified than if they only see it. . . . He that testifies his idea of God’s glory [doesn’t] glorify God so much as he that testifies also his approbation of it and his delight in it.

This was a stunning discovery for me. I must pursue joy in God if I am to glorify him as the surpassingly valuable Reality in the universe. Joy is not a mere option alongside worship. It is an essential component of worship. Indeed the very essence of worship — being glad in the glories of God.[5]

Prayer

[1] Taken from Day by Day with Charles Swindoll by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 2000 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson. www.thomasnelson.com. https://insight.org/resources/daily-devotional/individual/expecting-the-unexpected1

^[2] John F. MacArthur Jr., The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006), Php 3:1.

[3] Arden, John B.. Rewire Your Brain (pp. 50-52). Wiley. Kindle Edition.

[4] Ibid., 53.

[5] Devotional excerpted from Desiring God, pages 22–23 https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-most-liberating-discovery?utm_campaign=Daily%20Email&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=77388006&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-80hlIdQ7oOE_HGobjYMoEmBtPHH06nmtlSOuEUD3Bt_4rTpGw_Su-AraQzfeZIhZ-tU0l2sdTiWnDMf-VMUH6mX9l24g&_hsmi=77388006

Epaphroditus, Another Example of Self-Sacrifice (Phil. 2:25-30)

Prepared and preached by Pastor Steve Rhodes for and at Bethel Friends Church in Poland, OH on September 3, 2023

What a friend we have in Jesus,

All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer!

Chuck Swindoll shares:

The words of that old hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” remind us that Jesus is not just our God, Savior, and King, but also our close, personal friend. He’s available to anyone at any time. He exemplifies selfless humility, sacrificial love, and patience toward people who could never repay His affection.

In the body of Christ we’ve also been given others who reflect in real, tangible ways the immeasurable friendship of Christ. For Paul, Timothy and Epaphroditus were such friends who exhibited Christlike character. Let’s consider the two kinds of friendship encountered in Philippians.^[1]

Today, we look at Phil. 2:25-30.

My theme today is:

Epaphroditus, Another Example of Self-Sacrifice (Phil. 2:25-30)

1. First, let’s talk about the context.
   1. In Phil. 2:1-4, Paul wrote about unity and self-sacrificial behavior.
   2. In Phil. 2:5-11, Paul gave the example of Christ.
   3. In Phil. 2:12-18, Paul wrote about Christian behavior.
   4. In Phil. 2:19-24, Paul gave the example of Timothy.
   5. Now, Paul gives the example of Epaphroditus.
2. Epaphroditus, the soldier (Phil. 2:25).
   1. 2:25: I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need…
   2. Paul says that he thought it necessary to send Epaphroditus. It is as if he is thinking out loud.
   3. He calls him a “brother” as well as a fellow worker.
   4. He also calls him a “fellow soldier.”
   5. He is not a literal “soldier” but a “soldier” in his work. He works for the faith like a “soldier.”
   6. He ministers to Paul’s need.
   7. These modifiers describe Epaphroditus: brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, messenger, and minister.
   8. One shares: Paul is playing chess, not checkers. With Chess, you must be a few moves ahead; with checkers, you just must be one move ahead. He thinks about sending Epaphroditus, but he knows how they will receive him (Phil 2:29).[2]
   9. It is possible, maybe probable, that Epaphroditus would be carrying the letter with him.
   10. Swindoll shares: Epaphroditus had been sent to Rome to minister to Paul, but shortly after arriving the man became terribly ill. Ultimately he recovered, but not before a long struggle where he lingered at death’s door. News of his illness might have traveled back to Philippi, and the man was concerned that his friends back home would be worried about him. Furthermore, when he returned earlier than expected, some might think he returned as a quitter, so Paul was careful to write strong words in his defense.[3]
   11. In Phil. 4:18 Paul references him again.
   12. Phil. 4:18: 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.
   13. One source shares: The name Epaphroditus, meaning “charming” or “handsome,” was common in the Graeco-Roman world. Epaphroditus is mentioned twice in the New Testament—both times in the Letter to the Philippians (Phil 2:25; 4:18). Epaphroditus seems to have functioned as a leader in the church in Philippi. Paul calls him the church’s messenger (ἀπόστολος, apostolos, “one who is sent”), brother (i.e., he was a Christian), fellow worker, and fellow soldier (Phil 2:25).^[4]
   14. When Epaphroditus first arrived, he brought a gift of money from the Philippians. This tells us the people back home trusted him completely. When he gave the gift to Paul, he brought enormous encouragement to the apostle . . . but shortly thereafter, Epaphroditus fell ill. So the apostle writes with deep affection, referring to him as, “brother . . . fellow worker . . . fellow soldier . . . messenger . . . minister to my need.” I’d call those admirable qualities in a friend.[5]
   15. Bishop Lightfoot says that Epaphroditus was one in “common sympathy, common work, and common danger and toil and suffering”[6]
   16. It does seem that Epaphroditus is a good friend to the Apostle Paul.
   17. The great Roman statesman Cicero said, “He, indeed, who looks into the face of a friend beholds, as it were, a copy of himself.”^[7]
   18. Epaphroditus is a good friend.
   19. It was risky even to visit a prisoner. The visitor would be prejudged for visiting the prisoner.
   20. In the early church there were societies of men and women who called themselves the parabolani, that is, the riskers or gamblers. They ministered to the sick and imprisoned, and they saw to it that, if at all possible, martyrs and sometimes even enemies would receive an honorable burial. Thus in the city of Carthage during the great pestilence of A.D. 252 Cyprian, the bishop, showed remarkable courage. In self-sacrificing fidelity to his flock, and love even for his enemies, he took upon himself the care of the sick, and bade his congregation nurse them and bury the dead. What a contrast with the practice of the heathen who were throwing the corpses out of the plague-stricken city and were running away in terror![8]
   21. Are we self-sacrificing friends to others? Can we be counted on? Paul is in prison; it was risky to visit him, but still, Epaphroditus was willing. What are we willing to do and sacrifice for those in need? Can we sacrifice our status?
3. Epaphroditus’s sickness (Phil. 2:26-30):
   1. Philippians 2:26–30 (ESV) ²⁶ for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. ²⁷ Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. ²⁸ I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. ²⁹ So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, ³⁰ for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.
   2. About verse 28, one writes: But Paul’s anxiety reflected his love for them. As C.S. Lewis said, “To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken” (The Four Loves, 121).[9]
   3. In verse 26, we see that Paul continues to write about Epaphroditus.
   4. He has been longing for them.
   5. We learn that he is ill. We learn that he is distressed because he heard that they knew he was ill. They knew he was sick, and that caused him distress.
   6. Fee: How the Philippians had learned of Epaphroditus’s illness cannot now be known. It is usually assumed that he took ill in Rome and that a courier, going by way of Philippi, carried the news to them. But another scenario seems more promising. Given that Epaphroditus was probably carrying a considerable sum of money, it is altogether unlikely that he was traveling alone (cf. 2 Cor 11:9, where the same Philippian service to Paul is brought by “brothers,” plural). Very likely Epaphroditus took ill on the way to Rome, and one of his traveling companions returned to Philippi with that news (which is how Epaphroditus knew they knew) while another (or others) stayed with him as he continued on his way to Rome, even though doing so put his life at great risk (Phil 2:30). This view is favored in particular by the way Paul phrases verse 30: risking his life in order that he might fulfill his mission on behalf of Philippi.^[10]
   7. Maybe he was one who did not like to draw attention to himself. He wanted to serve them, not the other way around.
   8. Verse 27 gives more detail about his illness. His sickness was near death, but God spared him.
   9. Swindoll: This was the man who risked it all for the sake of his call to the service of Christ. Are you willing to join the ranks of Epaphroditus? Truth is, every time you minister to someone in need, you risk something. Every time. You risk being taken advantage of. You risk being misunderstood. You risk being ostracized. In fact, there is no ministry without some kind of risk, great or small. It seems to me that we’ve become a complacent people, seeking comfort and control over our lives rather than taking even minimal risks for the gospel. Are you willing to start risking for Christ? Have you felt the Spirit nudging you toward certain ministry decisions that might rock your world? Let me tell you, the risk is worth it.
   10. How do you respond to an Epaphroditus in your life? You hold that person in high regard. You don’t scold him. You don’t despise her. You don’t say, “Why are you wasting your time and risking everything for this? Think about your future!” Instead, you lend your prayers, your support, and your encouragement. Of course, when you do that, you step into the Order of Epaphroditus yourself, because inevitably somebody will say to you, “You’re a fool to waste your time on somebody as reckless as that!”^[11]
   11. Do we realize that when we are spared, we are spared because of God?
   12. Paul says that God spared him. Paul would have been sorrowful if God had called Epaphroditus home. This speaks to Paul’s love for his co-worker in ministry.
   13. Notice also that God did not heal Epaphroditus dramatically. It seems that this verse speaks to God giving the body the ability to gradually fight off the illness.
   14. Look at 2 Tim. 4:20: Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus.
   15. Sometimes we act like everyone must be Divinely healed or their faith is weak. The Apostle Paul had healed the sick and raised the dead (Acts 14:8; 20:7-12), but sometimes people were not healed or not healed dramatically. In 2 Cor. 12, Paul was not healed.
   16. We must pray for God’s will and trust Him (James 4:15).
   17. In verse 28, Paul is “more eager” to send him. This is because they will rejoice at seeing him again.
   18. This is a great example of close companionship.
   19. Of course, this makes more sense if he was one of the leaders in their church.
   20. Do we rejoice to see each other?
   21. Paul says that he will be less anxious when they see him. This has caused some thinking and writing because in Phil. 4:6-7, we are exhorted NOT to be anxious. However, “anxious” can be translated as “concerned.” Paul is concerned for them. It is good to be concerned, but worry is unhealthy.
   22. Although Timothy’s departure for Philippi will await the resolution of Paul’s legal appeal, Paul is dispatching Epaphroditus immediately, probably bearing this epistle, to reassure the Philippians’ concerns over Epaphroditus’s health and Paul’s situation, to express thanks for the gift Epaphroditus had brought, and to address other pastoral concerns.^[12]
   23. In verse 29, they are exhorted to receive him, how? Receive him “in the Lord.” It is the Lord Who binds us together.
   24. They are to receive him with joy.
   25. They are to honor men like him. Why? It is because of his service for the gospel (1 Tim. 3:1; Hebrews 13:7, 17; James 3:1).
   26. In verse 30, Paul gives more reasons to honor him. This clues us into his sacrifice. He almost died for the gospel. He risked his life to complete what was was lacking in their service to him.
   27. Epaphroditus had faced this peril on behalf of the Philippians, who had desired to send gifts to support Paul but had not been able to do so (what was lacking in your service to me) until Epaphroditus made it possible (see 4:10, 18).^[13]

Sacrifice, Swindoll writes:

This reminds me of the six-year-old girl who became deathly ill with a dread disease. To survive, she needed a blood transfusion from someone who had previously conquered the same illness. The situation was complicated by her rare blood type. Her nine-year-old brother qualified as a donor, but everyone was hesitant to ask him since he was just a lad. Finally they agreed to have the doctor pose the question.

The attending physician tactfully asked the boy if he was willing to be brave and donate blood for his sister. Though he didn’t understand much about such things, the boy agreed without hesitation: “Sure, I’ll give my blood for my sister.”

He lay down beside his sister and smiled at her as they pricked his arm with the needle. Then he closed his eyes and lay silently on the bed as the pint of blood was taken.

Soon thereafter the physician came in to thank the little fellow. The boy, with quivering lips and tears running down his cheeks, asked, “Doctor, when do I die?” At that moment the doctor realized that the naive little boy thought that by giving his blood, he was giving up his life. Quickly he reassured the lad that he was not going to die, but amazed at his courage, the doctor asked, “Why were you willing to risk your life for her?”

“Because she is my sister . . . and I love her,” was the boy’s simple but significant reply. So it was between Epaphroditus and his brother in Rome . . .[14]

Prayer

^[1] Charles R. Swindoll, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, vol. 9, Swindoll’s Living Insights New Testament Commentary (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2017), 59.

[2] Dr. White, Cedarville University Chapel, 01.25.2021

[3] Swindoll, Charles R.. Laugh Again (pp. 118-119). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

^[4] Jeffrey E. Miller, “Epaphroditus,” ed. John D. Barry et al., The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016).

[5] Swindoll, Charles R.. Laugh Again (p. 119). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

[6] Ibid.

^[7] Charles R. Swindoll, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, vol. 9, Swindoll’s Living Insights New Testament Commentary (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2017), 60.

[8] Swindoll, Charles R.. Laugh Again (p. 120). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

[9] https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/safe-to-feel-deeply?utm_campaign=Daily%20Email&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=73918595&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_ClWbI80SKZvKf5rALtivl-pb4rUjn1BxpnEERoeggSQQT3Fh-DLaUCP9iK7juTTt6s79yZIYR_9CPOy0moEtmLRp5dQ&_hsmi=73918595

^[10] Gordon D. Fee, Philippians, vol. 11, The IVP New Testament Commentary Series (Westmont, IL: IVP Academic, 1999), 123.

^[11] Charles R. Swindoll, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, vol. 9, Swindoll’s Living Insights New Testament Commentary (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2017), 60.

^[12] R. C. Sproul, ed., The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (2015 Edition) (Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust, 2015), 2112.

^[13] Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2284.

[14] Swindoll, Charles R.. Laugh Again (pp. 120- 121). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

Timothy, An Example of Self-Sacrifice (Phil. 2:19-24)

Prepared and preached by Pastor Steve Rhodes for and at Bethel Friends Church in Poland, OH, on August 27, 2023

Like most physicians of great experience, Dr. Evan O’Neil Kane had become preoccupied with a particular facet of medicine. His strong feelings concerned the use of general anesthesia in major surgery. He believed that most major operations could and should be performed under local anesthetic, for, in his opinion, the hazards of a general anesthesia outweighed the risks of the surgery itself.

For example, Kane cited a surgical candidate who had a history of heart trouble. In some cases a surgeon may be reticent to operate, fearing the effects of the anesthesia on the heart of the patient. And some patients with specific anesthesia allergies never awakened. Kane’s medical mission was to prove to his colleagues once for all the viability of local anesthesia. It would take a great deal of convincing.

Many patients were understandably squeamish at the thought of “being awake while it happens.” Others feared the possibility of anesthesia wearing off in the middle of the surgery. To break down these psychological barriers, Kane would have to find a volunteer who was very brave, a candidate for major surgery who would be willing to accept local anesthesia.

In his distinguished thirty-seven years in the medical field, Kane had performed nearly four thousand appendectomies. So this next appendectomy would be routine in every way except one. Dr. Kane’s patient would remain awake throughout the surgical procedure under local anesthesia.

The operation was scheduled for a Tuesday morning. The patient was prepped, wheeled into the operating room, and the local anesthesia was administered. Kane began as he had thousands of times before, carefully dissecting superficial tissues and clamping blood vessels on his way in. Locating the appendix, the sixty-year-old surgeon deftly pulled it up, excised it, and bent the stump under. Through it all, the patient experienced only minor discomfort. The operation concluded successfully.

The patient rested well that night. In fact, the following day his recovery was said to have progressed better than most postoperative patients. Two days later, the patient was released from the hospital to recuperate at home. Kane had proved his point. The risks of general anesthesia could be avoided in major operations. The potential of local anesthesia had been fully realized, thanks to the example of an innovative doctor and a very brave volunteer.

This took place in 1921. Dr. Kane and the patient who volunteered had a great deal in common. They were the same man. Dr. Kane, to prove the viability of local anesthesia, had operated on himself.^[1]

In that illustration, we have an example of one willing to sacrifice for the good of the cause. That is what Jesus did for us. He put Himself in our place on the cross. We have been preaching through Philippians, and a few weeks ago we talked about a passage regarding Jesus making that sacrifice. In today’s passage, we see Timothy as another servant who would set aside his concerns for the concerns of others.

My theme today is:

Timothy, An Example of Self-Sacrifice (Phil. 2:19-24)

1. Timothy may be coming to you soon (Phil. 2:19).
   1. In the last few weeks, we discussed passages in which Paul exhorted them to good Christian moral living.
   2. Now, we see an example of this sacrificial living.
   3. Timothy is the example.
   4. 2:19: I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you.
   5. Paul hopes in the Lord…
   6. Notice the phrase “in the Lord” (see verses 24, 29; also, Phil. 3:1; 4:4; 4:10).
   7. In Phil 4:10: “Rejoice in the Lord,” and that means that He is the object of our joy.
   8. See Phil 4:1-2: “in the Lord” is repeated twice.
   9. In this verse: I hope, “in expectation of the Lord.”
   10. I hope “In response of the Lord.”
   11. Paul wants to send Timothy.
   12. Timothy is multi-ethnic. We can see this in Acts 16:1; 2 Tim. 1:5 (Grandmother Lois and Mother Eunice).
   13. His Dad was not a spiritual mentor.
   14. From 1 Tim. 5:23, we see that Timothy dealt with sickness.
   15. In 1 Tim. 4:12, we see that he was young.
   16. Paul wants to send Timothy to them soon so that he may hear of news from them.
   17. The primary purpose of Timothy’s visit was to learn the condition of the Philippian believers and to report that to Paul. This would enable Paul to pray for, minister to, and lay plans to help this church better.^[2]
   18. “In ancient times letters were written to correspondents at a distance when a favourable opportunity presented itself of forwarding them to their destination …”^[3]
2. Timothy is a self-sacrificing servant of God (Phil. 2:20-23).
   1. Philippians 2:20–23 (ESV): ²⁰ For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. ²¹ For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. ²² But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. ²³ I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me…
   2. In verse 20, Paul contrasts Timothy and others who work with Paul.
   3. In the next few verses, Paul gives a major contrast between Timothy and the others.
   4. There is no one like Timothy.
   5. Timothy will be genuinely concerned for their welfare.
   6. The others all seek after their own interests, but Timothy seeks the interests of the others.
   7. Remember Phil. 2:3-4: consider others more important than yourselves, and look out for the interests of others. Then, remember the example of Christ in Phil. 2:5-11? Timothy is another example. Timothy is an embodiment of Phil. 2:3-4.
   8. Timothy seeks Christ’s interests.
   9. Joni Eareckson Tada shares: I am a competitor, even though I can’t move much. But I’m not the only one. There’s Thad Mandsager. When his parents invited me to their home, I watched Thad and his brother, Nathan, play Nerf basketball in the hallway.
   10. Thad was twelve years old at the time, and because he is paralyzed from the neck down, he operates his power wheelchair with a chin control. This kid balanced the Nerf basketball on his mouth stick and flicked the ball up against the backboard to make his basket. He asked, “Hey, Joni, want to give it a try?” I replied, “Okay, but fair warning: I just might beat you.” Wishful thinking! Me, the famous mouth artist, could barely balance the Nerf ball on the mouth stick. As far as flicking it for a layup, forget it. I couldn’t even hit the backboard.
   11. Another time the Mandsager family came over for a barbecue. Thad brought his Nerf baseball bat. Clenching the bat between his teeth, he sent the ball sailing over the backyard fence. “Hey, Joni,” said he, spitting out the bat, “want to give it a try?” Three strikes later I was out.
   12. Needless to say, Thad is doing okay. He is such an inspiration!
   13. You don’t have to overcome the kinds of obstacles Thad has to inspire other people. The Scripture today reminds us that taking a genuine interest in the welfare of others—taking part in their activities, contributing to their efforts, cheering them on from the sidelines—will place you in a league like “no one else,” as the apostle Paul puts it.
   14. In what ways do you encourage others? How do you strive to use all the gifts God has given you? How are you working to quit complaining? Thad reminds me of all these sterling qualities whenever the paths of our wheels happen to cross.[4]
   15. It seems that the Philippians already knew Timothy.
   16. Paul says that he has no one like him [Timothy]. That means that he has no one else of kindred spirit. This means “one souled.”
   17. Probably Paul meant by “I have no one else of kindred spirit,” that he had no fellow worker with him, at that time, who would do a better job in this assignment than Timothy. Timothy consistently shared Paul’s general outlook and his specific concern for the welfare of the Philippians. Another view is that none of Paul’s other assistants in Rome were willing to travel to Philippi at that time in order to minister to the Philippians.^[5]
   18. Both Greek philosophers and Old Testament prophets complained about the scarcity of those fully devoted to the cause. Paul offers many “letters [or passages] of recommendation,” a common ancient form of writing, but he places Timothy, his special emissary, in a category by himself, offering the highest commendation.^[6]
   19. So, Timothy is likeminded with Paul.
   20. Timothy seeks Christ’s interest.
   21. What are Christ’s interests?
   22. We saw that in Phil. 2:3-4.
   23. I also think of Matthew 28:19-20.
   24. I think of 1 Tim. 2:4 and 2 Peter 3:8-9 which share that God desires all to be saved.
   25. Christ wants people to be saved.
   26. Christ wants people to be served (Matthew 25:35).
   27. In this case, Christ’s interests are the Philippians.
   28. In verse 22, Paul alludes that they know Timothy. Timothy has proven himself. Timothy has served alongside Paul. We see a paternal image here. Timothy served with Paul like a son.
   29. How did Timothy serve? Paul says that he served like a son with Paul “in the gospel.
   30. They were serving for Christ’s Kingdom.
   31. In verse 23, Paul concludes this section. He hopes to send him just as soon as he sees how it will go with him.
   32. It seems that Paul is waiting to see how things go for him before he can send Timothy.
   33. Constable: Paul hoped, the Lord willing, to send Timothy to Philippi with a report of the apostle’s situation and plans immediately, that is, as soon as he knew the result of his trial. Evidently Paul expected that a decision in his case would be forthcoming soon. Both for the love of the Philippian church and for the effectiveness of his ministry Paul wanted his friends to know about his situation. In this he set us a good example.^[7]
   34. What is our attitude like? Is our attitude like the poet who wrote:

I’ll go where you want me to go, dear Lord,

Real service is what I desire.

I’ll sing You a solo any time, dear Lord,

Just don’t ask me to sing in the choir.

I’ll do what you want me to do, dear Lord,

I like to see things come to pass.

But don’t ask me to teach boys and girls, O Lord.

I’d rather just stay in my class.

I’ll do what you want me to do, dear Lord,

I yearn for Thy kingdom to thrive.

I’ll give you my nickels and dimes, dear Lord.

But please don’t ask me to tithe.

I’ll go where you want me to go, dear Lord,

I’ll say what you want me to say;

I’m busy just now with myself, dear Lord,

I’ll help you some other day.^[8]

• Paul also hopes to visit soon (Phil. 2:24).
  1. 2:24: …and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.
  2. Paul is also hoping to come and visit them.
  3. Paul was eventually released from prison (cf. Ac 28:30), after which he may have visited the church at Philippi.^[9]
  4. Constable shares: Paul believed that he would receive his freedom and would be able to return to Philippi fairly soon (cf. 1:25). However he qualified his hope with the realization that justice does not always prevail in legal courts (cf. Luke 23:13–25). As mentioned previously there is evidence that Nero did release Paul about that time and that the apostle resumed his missionary work.^[10]
  5. “The submissive mind is not the product of an hour’s sermon, or a week’s seminar, or even a year’s service. The submissive mind grows in us as, like Timothy, we yield to the Lord and seek to serve others.”^[11]
•  Applications:
  1. 1. Do we hope “in the Lord” (Phil. 2:19, 24)? So many times we see Paul qualify his statements with “in the Lord.” James said the same thing about planning “if it is the Lord’s will” (James 4:15).
     2. Do we think about our vacation plans if it is the Lord’s will?
     3. Do we think about our financial decisions if it is the Lord’s will?
     4. Regardless of whether we can afford something, all of our money is the Lord’s. Do we pray about how much we give to the church? Do we pray about what we purchase?
     5. Are we seeking the Lord’s interests like Timothy (Phil. 2:21)?
     6. Do we share the Gospel (Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Peter 3:8-9)?
     7. Do we love others (Matthew 22:36-40)?
     8. Do we serve others?
     9. Are we dependable? Paul knew that he could count on Timothy (Phil. 2:19-20).
     10. Are we prompt? Are we on time? If we say we will do something, will we?
     11. Do people have to question whether we will forget what we said we would do, or where we said we would be?
     12. Are we humble (Phil. 2:22)?
     13. Are we teachable (Phil. 2:22)?

Bruce Thielemann, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, told of a conversation with a member of his flock who said, “You preachers talk a lot about ‘do unto others,’ but when you get right down to it, it comes down to basin theology.”

Thielemann asked, “Basin theology? What’s that?”

The layman said, “Remember what Pilate did when he had the chance to acquit Jesus? He called for a basin and washed his hands of the whole thing. But Jesus, the night before His death, called for a basin and proceeded to wash the feet of the disciples. It all comes down to basin theology: Which one will you use?”^[12]

Prayer

^[1] Charles R. Swindoll, The Tale of the Tardy Oxcart and 1501 Other Stories (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2016), 515–516.

^[2] Tom Constable, Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible (Galaxie Software, 2003), Php 2:19.

^[3] Tom Constable, Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible (Galaxie Software, 2003), Php 2:19.

[4] Taken from More Precious than Silver; By Joni Eareckson Tada; Copyright © 1998; Published in Print by Zondervan, Grand Rapids

^[5] Tom Constable, Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible (Galaxie Software, 2003), Php 2:20.

^[6] Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), Php 2:19–21.

^[7] Tom Constable, Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible (Galaxie Software, 2003), Php 2:23.

^[8] Charles R. Swindoll, The Tale of the Tardy Oxcart and 1501 Other Stories (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2016), 516–517.

^[9] John F. MacArthur Jr., The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006), Php 2:23.

^[10] Tom Constable, Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible (Galaxie Software, 2003), Php 2:24.

^[11] Ibid.

^[12] Charles R. Swindoll, The Tale of the Tardy Oxcart and 1501 Other Stories (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2016), 516.

Shine! (Phil. 2:14-18)

Prepared and preached by Pastor Steve Rhodes for and at Bethel Friends Church in Poland, OH on August 20, 2023

Sir Leonard Wood once visited the King of France and the King was so pleased with him he was invited for dinner the next day.

Sir Leonard went to the palace and the King meeting him in one of the halls, said, “Why, Sir Leonard, I did not expect to see you. How is it that you are here?”

“Did not your majesty invite me to dine with you?” said the astonished guest.

“Yes,” replied the King, “but you did not answer my invitation.”

Then it was that Sir Leonard Wood uttered one of the choicest sentences of his life. He replied, “A king’s invitation is never to be answered, but to be obeyed.”^[1]

How are we doing with obeying the Lord?

We have been walking through Philippians. Today, we talk about obeying the Lord, letting our lives shine for Jesus.

My theme today is:

Paul exhorts the Philippians to let their lives shine.

1. Remember the context.
   1. In Phil. 2:12-13 Paul exhorted the Philippians to let God’s work in them flow out of them.
   2. Philippians 2:12–13 (ESV)
   3. 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.
   4. God is working in them; let God’s work flow out of them.
   5. Remember, this all follows the Christ hymn. This all follows the beautiful writing about Christ’s example for us in Phil. 2:6-11.
2. Don’t complain (Phil. 2:14)
   1. 2:14: Do all things without grumbling or disputing…^[2]
   2. Verse 14 is a command: Do some things? No, do all things without complaining. That is difficult. First, you need to know that Paul likely has in mind Deut. 32:5, in which the Israelite people were described as a crooked and twisted generation. They grumbled and complained against God.
   3. So, this likely means don’t complain against God. But this also has to do with the negative attitude that we can have so much. When this noun is used in the New Testament, it concerns complaining.
   4. I agree there is a legitimate time to state your opinion. That is okay.
   5. But we must stop having a constant negative attitude.
   6. Next, do all things without disputing.
   7. This is unnecessary arguing. It is okay to have legitimate, friendly disagreements. It is not okay for Christians to be taking other Christians to court. This happened in 1 Cor. 6.
   8. This can be better understood when we understand that the Philippian Christians were going through persecution.
   9. In Phil. 1:27-30 Paul writes about their persecution.
   10. This passage may be an encouragement to the Philippians.
   11. So, they are going through trials and tribulations. Paul is in jail for his faith. Others are too. Paul is saying even with this going on, don’t argue unnecessarily. Don’t complain about God.
   12. Also, in Phil 2:3-4, Paul tells them to do nothing out of selfishness but to consider others more important than they are.
   13. Then guess what? You will be a witness. Look at verse 15.
3.  Shine!
   1. Philippians 2:15 (ESV)
   2. ¹⁵ that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…
   3. You will be blameless. This doesn’t mean perfect. It means there are no continual outward lifestyle sins.
   4. “Blameless” describes a life that cannot be criticized because of sin or evil. “Innocent” describes a life that is pure, unmixed, and unadulterated with sin, much like high quality metal without any alloy (cf. Mt 10:16; Ro 16:19; 2Co 11:3; Eph 5:27). ^[3]
   5. You will be children of God or basically followers of God.
   6. Even though you are in a messed-up world.
   7. You will be lights in the world.
   8. When you work out your salvation and allow God to work in you to make you more holy, you will be light in the world. You will be light to the world.
   9. People used to use the stars to know where they were.
   10. People should be able to look to Christians as examples of integrity.
4. Hold to the Word of life.
   1. Philippians 2:16 (ESV)
   2. ¹⁶ holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
   3. Paul can be proud that he worked with them. He can rejoice as he is prepared to die a martyr’s death. That is what it means in the next verse.
5. Rejoice with Paul in his sacrifice.
   1. Philippians 2:17–18 (ESV)
   2. ¹⁷ Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. ¹⁸ Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.
   3. Paul is ready to die for the faith.
   4. This means being completely “spent.”
   5. Drink offerings would be taking something valuable and pouring it out for God. Paul is willing to be completely spent for God’s Kingdom.
   6. Paul did pour out his life, eventually being martyred.

Tony Evans shares:

A while back, Jackie Chan starred in a movie called The Tuxedo. He played a taxi cab driver. His job was to serve his customers. He wound up becoming the driver for Clark Devlin, a top secret agent.

During one scene in the movie, the car comes under attack and Clark Devlin becomes critically wounded in the attack. Mr. Devlin tells Jackie Chan to put on a tuxedo located in the car that will give him extraordinary power. The injured passenger told Chan, “When you put my coat on, then you will share in my glory.” Jackie Chan put on Clark Devlin’s tuxedo and he found powers to walk on walls, do all kinds of flips, and overcome the enemies who would seek to bring destruction—all because he wore the clothing of another.

When you and I put on Jesus Christ and when we wear His character and His glory, we share in His greatness. Don’t think you are going to be great if you are not willing to put on His jacket, which is always the jacket of servanthood. If you really want to be somebody in time and in eternity, ask yourself if you are serving others more than they are serving you.^826[4]

 Prayer

^[1]Tan, P. L. (1996, c1979). Encyclopedia of 7700 illustrations : A treasury of illustrations, anecdotes, facts and quotations for pastors, teachers and Christian workers. Garland TX: Bible Communications.

^[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Php 2:14.

^[3] John F. MacArthur Jr., The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006), Php 2:15.

^[4] Tony Evans, Tony Evans’ Book of Illustrations: Stories, Quotes, and Anecdotes from More than 30 Years of Preaching and Public Speaking (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2009), 277.

You Can DO This, God Is Working in You— Work out your salvation because God is working in you (Phil 2:12-13)

Prepared and preached by Pastor Steve Rhodes for and at Bethel Friends on August 13, 2023

Dr. Bill Brown was the president of Cedarville University. A while back, I heard him tell a story about when he was working on his Ph.D. During this time, his wife was working somewhere, and the boss wanted her to do something unethical which lacked integrity. The boss wanted her to alter numbers so the company received more money. During this time, he was doing Ph.D. work, not earning much money. His wife’s income was their income. So, she went to her boss and said, “I cannot do this.” He said, “You have to.” She thought about it at her desk and returned and said, “I cannot do this.” He said, “You have to.” Again, she goes to her desk, calls her husband, and he says, “We must obey God and not man.” She tells the boss, “I cannot do this; I must obey God.” He said, “When you are here, I am your God!” So, she said she could not do it, and she was fired. Later that day, she went with her husband to deliver some manuscripts he was working on for a professor. He was editing a Greek text to make some extra money. The professor saw his wife and asked if she was off work. They explained the situation. He needed an assistant and hired her. She got a job typing what is now the NKJV Bible.

Why do I tell this story? I see in this story two themes that are important to today’s passage. One is the continual theme of Christians being different from the world. Incarnational. Christians must be light. Dr. Brown’s wife may not have made the boss happy; however, she had to be light in a dark world. The world may say, “Do what you have to do to get more money!” That is what her boss wanted her to do, altering the numbers, but Christ calls us to integrity. The world must see Christians with integrity; when they do, they will see us as light in a dark world. This is because we will be trustworthy.

The second theme from that story is reverence for God. The boss said, “When you are here, I am your god.” The passage we will look at will talk about reverence for God. So, let’s look at the passage.

My theme today is:

You Can DO This, God Is Working In You— Work out your salvation because God is working in you (Phil 2:12-13)

1. First, Paul exhorts us to work out our salvation.
   1. Philippians 2:12 (ESV) 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…
   2. Paul calls them brethren; isn’t that nice? He is continuing to write in family language.
   3. They have always obeyed. He says that. He says, “as you have always obeyed…” He is reminding them of their obedience to Him and to Christ. He is saying that he is absent but still exhorting them to keep obeying.
   4. Work out your own salvation…
   5. How can we work out salvation?
   6. Does this mean we are earning our salvation? Absolutely not! The very next verse, Phil. 2:13, makes it clear. God is working in us, and we allow that to work out of us.
   7. John MacArthur shares: Strabo was an ancient Roman scholar who lived about sixty years before Christ. He recorded an account concerning some Roman-owned mines in Spain. He uses the very same verb that Paul does in Philippians 2:12, katergazomai, when referring to the Romans as working out the mines. Strabo’s point was that the Romans were extracting from within the mines all their richness and value.
   8. That’s a fitting expression of what katergazomai (work out) means in Philippians 2:12. I am to mine out of my life what God has richly deposited there in salvation. I am to produce such precious nuggets of godly character from what He planted when He saved me.[1]
   9. Just because we have something doesn’t mean we don’t work to make it better. We can buy an old car, and we still need to keep it up. More so, we can buy an old car and fix it up. Maybe the car was junked by someone. However, in this case, God has bought the old car, and the old car is me. God will be making it new again, spiritually. But we have a part to do as well. We must allow Him to work in us.
   10. This is not about losing salvation but about completing salvation. This is not about losing salvation but making it look like we are saved. Just as with an old car, we want it to look new. We want it to look as if we own it. We want the way we live to show that God owns it.
   11. As a child, my dad always told me that my work will represent me. In the same way, as a Christian, what we do represents Christ, Who owns us and bought us with His life. It is important that we work out how we represent Him.
   12. Swindoll shares: We need to keep in mind that Paul is writing to Christians (“my beloved”), so obviously these words have nothing to do with his readers’ becoming Christians—they already are. Therefore, the idea of working out one’s salvation must be referring to living out one’s faith— carrying it out correctly. In other words, we, as God’s people, are charged with the importance of obedience. Just as Christ, our example, was “obedient to the point of death” (2:8), so we are to carry out our purpose with equal diligence. When a musician has a fine composition placed before her, that music is not the musician’s masterpiece; it is the composer’s gift to the musician. But it then becomes the task of the musician to work it out, to give it sound and expression and beauty as she applies her skills to the composition. When she does, the composition reaches its completed purpose and thrills the hearts of her listeners.[2]
2. This is about sanctification.
   1. Philippians 2:13 (ESV) ¹³ for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
   2. What does sanctification mean? This is not a verb that we use often. How many of you got up this morning and said, “Good morning, honey, are you being sanctified?” Sanctification is a verb to describe holiness. It really means to set apart for a purpose. This begins when you become a Christian and ends when you die. When you become a Christian, you are baptized with the Holy Spirit, and God begins a work in you.
   3. In this passage, this means God works in them to make them more holy; that is what verse 13 is about.
   4. For example: If I make brownies, and I love brownies, I am going to put white icing on them. This is because brownies are not good without white icing. Then over a few days, we will eat the brownies. But then I realize there are only two brownies left, and so I might tell Meagan, “Hey, please save one of the brownies for me!” So, she might put one of the brownies with the sanctified white icing in a place set apart for me.
   5. Likewise, as Christians, God is continually setting our lives apart for Him. He is making us different for a purpose. The brownie might be in a different location for a purpose. A Christian will be set apart in that they live a different life for a purpose.
   6. That is sanctification. God works in our life to make us different, holy, and set apart from the rest of the world. That is verse 13. God does the work.
   7. God does the work. Look at verse 13.
   8. It says it is God who works in you. Think back to Matthew 16:16-17. There is an amazing passage where Jesus asks the disciples who they think He is. Peter says, you are the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Then Jesus says blessed are you, you didn’t get this from yourself but from God.
   9. 2:13 shows God works in us in two ways:
   10. He guides our will, which is our desire.
   11. When we are baptized with the Holy Spirit, we get new desires.
   12. He guides our actions. He guides how we operate.
   13. According to His good purposes.
   14. If you look at verses 12 and 13 there is a nice contrast. Verse 12 says “work-out” and verse 13 says “work-in.” Or really “works-in.”
   15. This sanctification process, this holiness process is two parts. We work and God works. Both must happen. God is great that He is sovereign while we participate and work. We are not robots.
   16. Do you know how sometimes there are things in the Bible that may just confuse you? A pastor of worship once said there are some passages in the Bible where he gets up in the morning, gets his coffee, gets the Word of God out, and then starts reading. But he reads a very difficult passage to interpret. So, he thinks, “well, I am glad I am not the teaching pastor or the senior pastor. I will leave this difficult passage to him.” On the other hand, a teaching pastor or senior pastor gets up in the morning, gets his coffee, and gets the Word of God. He also reads a passage that is difficult to understand. So, his response is, “I am glad I am not the seminary professor of the New Testament, I will leave this passage to them.” Then the seminary professor gets up…
   17. You get the point. There are some difficult passages in the Bible. That was a joke, but the point is we can easily move something up to someone else’s pay grade. This is above my pay-grade.
   18. This can be one of them. It used to be for me. How do we understand how God works in us and we still have freewill? It is beyond our limited understanding. But the more I think about it this passage is not that difficult.
   19. We read a passage like Ephesians 2:8, which says we are saved by grace.
   20. Then we read the text at hand, Phil 2:12: “Work out your salvation.” We must think, “Paul, make this easier to understand.”
   21. Here is how we understand this. There is no contradiction.
   22. Salvation is not simply saying a prayer and believing in Christ. That is future salvation. That is eternal salvation. But now that you have been saved, you need to show that with your life. You need to let God work in you, as verse 13 says. You work to become more like Christ.
   23. But why does it say with fear and trembling? Fear means intense reverence for God. Trembling carries the idea of extreme loyalty.
   24. Work to be made more devoted to God with reverence and loyalty.
   25. Why: because it is God that is trying to do this in you. Let Him!

• Applications:
  1. One more thought about this before we talk about the rest of the text: apply it!
  2. Are we allowing God to work in us?
  3. Do we have loyalty to God?
  4. Are we reverent to God?
  5. We are losing this fast in America. Worship is not entertainment, and if we think it is, we are not loyal to God. We are loyal to entertainment. If we cannot be at worship or Bible study, or devotion time because everything else gets in the way, then we must question our loyalty. Question your reverence.
  6. We must understand that we must be humble and recognize it is God that works in us. It is God that keeps us out of some things and gives us spiritual growth. It was God… it was God… It is God.
  7. We must always work on holiness. It is never over. Charles Swindoll asked an older missionary how he handles lust. He said, “I am still working on it.”
  8. We must hold fast to the Gospel and the Scriptures.
  9. We must work out our salvation with reverence (fear and trembling). This is a serious matter. Christianity and Christian growth is serious. We must take it seriously.
  10. God is working in us according to His pleasure. It is always about Him (Phil. 2:13).
  11. Our spiritual growth is always about His will (Phil. 2:13). It is not about our will, but His will. We must be seeking His will in our spiritual growth. This follows the Christ hymn from Phil. 2:6-11 and Jesus was submissive to the Father’s will. Jesus sacrificed and so must we.
  12. Our spiritual growth is always about His pleasure. If we make it about us, if we make it about boasting if we make it about being better than others, then we are in the same problem the Pharisees were stuck in. It is about Him (Gal. 6:14: boasting only in Christ).

We are never too old to grow in Christ:

Swindoll shares in “Laugh Again” pages 92 and the following:

I came across an article way back in 1967 that I still return to on occasion. Entitled “Advice to a (Bored) Young Man,” it communicates how much one person can contribute, if only—

Many people reading this page are doing so with the aid of bifocals. Inventor? B. Franklin, age 79.

The presses that printed this page were powered by electricity. One of the first harnessers? B. Franklin, age 40.

Some are reading this on the campus of one of the Ivy League universities. Founder? B. Franklin, age 45.

Some got their copy through the U.S. Mail. Its father? B. Franklin, age 31.

Now, think fire. Who started the first fire department, invented the lightning rod, designed a heating stove still in use today? B. Franklin, ages 31, 43, 36.

Wit. Conversationalist. Economist. Philosopher. Diplomat. Printer. Publisher. Linguist (spoke and wrote five languages). Advocate of paratroopers (from balloons) a century before the airplane was invented. All this until age 84.

And he had exactly two years of formal schooling. It’s a good bet that you already have more sheer knowledge than Franklin had when he was your age.

Perhaps you think there’s no use trying to think of anything new, that everything’s been done. Wrong. The simple, agrarian America of Franklin’s day didn’t begin to need the answers we need today.

We must always reflect Christ. We are ambassadors for Christ. Let Him work in you.[3]

Swindoll gives an example of Tom Landry. Landry was on the board of the Dallas Theological Seminary, and Swindoll got to know him there. Swindoll writes:

As head coach of the Dallas Cowboys for twenty-nine years and a member of the National Football League Hall of Fame, his record speaks for itself. But what I find even more admirable are his character, his integrity, and his humility. Now that I have gotten to know the man “up close and personal,” my appreciation for him has only increased.

Most of us were surprised and disappointed at the way a new owner of the Cowboys released Coach Landry from his position. I had the privilege of watching and listening to him during that time . . . even having a few personal conversations without microphones or television cameras or news reporters nearby. He had ample opportunities to blast the new management by criticizing their methods and defending himself. Not once—not a single time—following his forced resignation did I hear an ugly remark or a blaming comment cross Tom Landry’s lips. The only response was something like, “You know, Chuck, a fellow in my position has to realize it’s going to be taken from him whether or not he is ready for it to happen. It’s just a matter of being willing to accept that.” Those are the unselfish words of a man who was told rather hurriedly to clean out his desk and be on his way . . . after giving almost three decades of his life to something he loved. Most others in his place would have held a news conference within hours and blasted the new management unmercifully.

I have been with Coach Landry on numerous occasions since then. We have had him at our church to speak to a gymnasium full of men with their sons and friends. It has been delightful to observe a total absence of bitterness in the man and, at the same time, the continued presence of a sense of humor and the joy of Christ. Personally, I am convinced his current attitude is a greater message to those to whom he speaks than all those years of success and championship seasons. It is reassuring to know that joy can endure hardship as long as that Christlike attitude of unselfishness is in place.[4]

[1]https://www.gty.org/library/blog/B140707?utm_source=feedblitz&utm_medium=FeedBlitzRss&utm_campaign=gtyblog

[2] Swindoll, Charles R.. Laugh Again (p. 97). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

[3] Swindoll, Charles R.. Laugh Again (pp. 93-94). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

[4] Ibid, pp. 88-89.

Christ’s Example of Humility (Phil. 2:5-11) NOTE: the contextual connection with Phil 2:1-4 must be explained.

Prepared and preached by Pastor Steve Rhodes for and at Bethel Friends Church in Poland, OH on August 6, 2023

Joni

Last week my pastor used an illustration that opened a small window on how “beyond us” God is. Let’s suppose you were a completely flat little water bug who lived only on the water’s surface. As such, you are aware of length and width, but up and down does not exist for you.

Now, suppose a human being stepped into the water. You, as a buoyant creature skimming the water’s surface, would come to know this awesome being by the qualities of, well, the human’s leg where it intersected the water. Poor little you couldn’t begin to understand the portion of the leg beneath the water or the part above, let alone the arms, torso, and head that tower above the water.

In your little bug mind, you know that one day you will live in the world of this awesome being and be transformed into a three-dimensional figure like him, with height and width. But for now you don’t understand what it means. You have to take it on faith.

When the Father revealed himself through Jesus, he was only showing us a slice of himself, a part of all that he is. But there’s so much about him we don’t comprehend, so much beneath and above our universe of understanding. When we go to be with him, we will live in his heavenly world. We will be transformed and lifted out of our limitations. I can’t take that in, so I’ll just have to take it on faith. When I do, it stirs reverence and awe in me. How about you?

Think about ways in which you’ve limited God based on your small slice of knowledge. Then expand your vision as you try to imagine what’s above and beneath your comprehension.

Lord, when I sense how big you are and how small I am, remind me to feel not diminished but rather released to expect great and mighty things from one so capable of so much.[1]

Do we realize how amazing God is? Do we realize how amazing it is that He became fully human? Do we realize that He became part of His creation in order to be brought low? He did this to die for us.

We have been preaching through Philippians. We now come to Philippians 2:5-11.

My theme today:

Paul gives Christ as the example of humility.

1. Let’s put this passage in context.
   1. This passage picks up from verses 3-4:
   2. Philippians 2:3–4 (ESV) ³ Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. ⁴ Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
   3. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit. In other words, don’t do anything from selfishness or with empty pride. This is not the idea of some things, but no things, nothing. Don’t do anything from selfishness!
   4. Paul continues; with humility of mind consider others more important than yourselves.
   5. This is a mindset; it starts in the mind.
   6. The test is in the rest of the verse: consider others more important than yourself.
   7. How are we doing with this?
   8. Remember that Paul is writing this from a prison. Paul is a Roman citizen; Paul is highly educated, yet he is writing about humility. He is also living humility. You know, not once do I see Paul writing, “This is below me; people of Philippi, get me out of this prison!” No, instead, he talks about how much of a witness he can have with the prison guard. Paul is living in humility.
   9. In verse 4, Paul says to look out for the interests of others. Again, this is the idea of humility.
   10. You know, humility is a good thing in our culture. If we say someone is humble, that is a compliment. But did you know that in the first century, it was not a compliment to be humble?
   11. So that is the context and some review from last week.
2. Now, we are exhorted to have the mind of Christ (Phil. 2:5).
   1. 2:5: Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus…
   2. So, Paul told them to consider others more important than themselves.
   3. Paul told them to consider the needs of others first.
   4. Now, Paul says have the mind of Christ.
   5. What was Paul’s mindset?
3. In verses 6-8, we see the humility of Jesus.
   1. Philippians 2:6–8 (ESV): ⁶ who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷ but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
   2. Verse 6 talks about how Jesus existed in the form of God.
   3. Jesus is God; Jesus was God, yet what does this passage go on to say? He did not consider being God a thing to be grasped. That is a hard thing to understand, but it basically means that Jesus was willing to become a human being, submitting to the creation that He created. He willingly set aside Divine abilities.
   4. It was not something to be grasped, to be kept and exploited for his own benefit or advantage. Instead, he had a mind-set of service. “Christ did not please himself” (Rom. 15:3). In humility, he counted the interests of others as more significant than his own (Phil. 2:3–4).^[2]
   5. D. A. Carson: The expression is not what he emptied himself of; it’s an idiomatic way of saying he became a nobody, he humbled himself completely, not only to become a human being, but to go all the way to the ignominy and shame and torture of the cross. . . . It’s talking about the astonishing, unequal, unimaginable, indescribable, self-humiliation in becoming human and then going so far not only to be a slave, but a slave who dies on the cross.
   6. This helps me to put this into the whole picture: Paul is getting ready to talk about the crucifixion, and going into the crucifixion if Christ wanted to, He could have called down ten armies of angels to conquer and rescue Him back to being with God. He could have called down ten legions of angels; each legion is between 4000 and 6000 angels. So, Jesus could have called down at least 40,000 angels to rescue Him from the cross (Matthew 26:53). That would have been using “being God” to His advantage. Instead, He died as a Human servant. Instead, Paul is just about to talk about what Christ did.
   7. Christ had everything; He had everything and gave it up. He gave up His royal robes for our salvation.
   8. Christ has always been God.
   9. Jesus created everything (John 1:1-14). Jesus holds all creation together (Col. 1:15-20). Jesus is the very imprint of God (Heb 1:3). Jesus has always existed as God. Bethlehem was not His beginning, but when He became a human being (Rev. 1:8 and Jesus saying that He is the alpha and the omega…).
   10. The American Dream is to start at the bottom and work your way to the top. Christ started at the top and worked His way down to His death on the cross. His life was the opposite of the American Dream. Ask yourself:
   11. Am I willing to sacrifice the American way for Christ?
   12. Am I willing to be humiliated for Christ? Are you? How? Witnessing? Stepping outside of your comfort zone. We live in a comfort zone country. The Christian life is not about comfort zones. We are not called to live in comfort zones. How about working at a homeless shelter? Missions? Inner city ministry? Being a friend to the one no one else will be a friend to? Jesus talked to the outcast. The woman at the well (John 4).
   13. Mother Teresa, founder of the Roman Catholic Missionaries of Charity, working saint of the streets in Calcutta, and the recipient of the Nobel peace prize in 1979, says she finds the same thing missing in the lands of plenty as in the lands of poverty—compassion. “Maybe they are starved for bread in Africa. You are starved for love in the United States.”^[3]
   14. Now, verses 7-8:
   15. Christ emptied Himself, He became a nobody.
   16. Christ being equal with God, still patiently waited to return to His place on the throne. While He waited, He continued in the position of a servant.
   17. Let’s start with a rhetorical question, “How was Christ born? Think about it…..
   18. Alright, Christ was born in a manger or a barn in a feeding trough on what was probably a cold night to a virgin woman.
   19. You and I always think of Mary as the virgin woman that was blessed by God to give birth to Jesus.
   20. That is correct; she was a very good and honorable woman. However, do you think all the other people thought of her that way? They thought of Mary as a woman committing adultery; they thought of her as a prostitute. I had one New Testament professor put it this way, “People would see Jesus and say, “Look! There is Jesus, the son of that prostitute Mary.”
   21. We would think of a King coming down to earth and being born in a castle into royal Robes, but no, that wasn’t Christ. Christ was born in a barn, into a trough where you would usually put food or water. This is how the Creator became part of His creation.
   22. Jesus was raised and suffered just like anyone else. He probably mourned the death of his earthly father. He went through pain and sickness, I am sure. He had emotions; in fact, the Bible says that Jesus wept at the death of His friend Lazarus (John 11:35). He had to work and learn a trade.
   23. If I was Jesus talking to God the Father in eternity past and God the Father said, “I am going to create people, and they are going to break my law, will you become one of them and die for them?” I would think I would say, “All right, I’ll do it but I have to be born into a castle with running water, air conditioning, breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day on time at the same time. I don’t want to have to work. I’ll teach the people, but you can make them come to me and sit in front of my throne while I talk to them. Then, I guess I have to die; just make someone assassinate me while I am asleep so I don’t feel it!!!!” No, this wasn’t Jesus. Think about Him. He is God; he created the universe. He was with God in the creation, He knew that He would return to the form of God again, but He decided to become part of His Creation. He created man, and He created the laws we live by, and now He is subject to them. He was all-knowing; now, the Bible says that He grew in wisdom and stature (Luke 2:52), which means He doesn’t know everything anymore. I am sure he was subject to body odor and bad breath, just like you and I are. At least, I am. He was once all-powerful and will be again, but for His lifetime, He submitted to corrupt powers and authorities. That is what Christ did!
   24. The text in verse 8 says that He was obedient to death, even the death on the cross.
4. Let’s read the last three verses of our text: 9-11

1. 1. Philippians 2:9–11 (ESV) ⁹ Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰ so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
   2. Jesus isn’t dead anymore. We serve a risen Savior. Everyone will acknowledge someday that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Conclusion:

We must be Christ-like. We must follow Christ’s example in this way. The church has everything to offer the community, not vice versa. However, to help people, you have to be a servant. To be a servant, you must be humbled.

• How are we treating others?
• Christians?
• Non-Christians?
• Are we looking upon others as better than ourselves?
• Are we being humble?
• Are we willing to die a humiliating death to help someone else? I know this is a strong statement, but verse 5 said to have the attitude of Christ; what did He do? He died for the gospel.
• Once again, are we willing to be humiliated to help others?

This all has to do with your perspective; are you storing up treasures in Heaven or on Earth? Martin Luther said, “I have held many things in my hands and I have lost them all, but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess.” Jim Elliot said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

Are you being humble as Jesus is humble?

Pray

[1] Taken from More Precious than Silver By Joni Eareckson Tada; Copyright © 1998; Published in Print by Zondervan, Grand Rapids; All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible: New International Version.

^[2] Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2283.

^[3] Jones, G. C. (1986). 1000 illustrations for preaching and teaching (257). Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.

Encouragement to Unity and Faithful Service to One Another (Phil 2:1-4) NOTE: Phil 2:5-11 flows from this and that should be explained.

Prepared and preached by Pastor Steve Rhodes for and at Bethel Friends Church in Poland, OH on July 30, 2023

We have been walking through Philippians.

Swindoll writes:

“What’s the secret to a great life?” People have pondered this question for millennia—since long before there was a self-help section at a bookstore … or twinkle-eyed preachers trading in shallow “believe in yourself” platitudes … or cabinets full of supplements and drugs to increase our energy or enhance our effectiveness.

The Bible’s answer to that question isn’t long, convoluted, or complex. As already indicated, we can sum it up in two words: selfless humility. Not the kind we conjure through mantras or summon through meditation or instill through methods of behavior modification. This is a supernatural kind of selfless humility that has its source in our identification with and imitation of Christ. It results in love, fellowship, affection, compassion, unity, service, and joy. Of all the virtues Christ embodied, selfless humility seems to sum up well His overall character.^[1]

This is what we will get into today.

A flight attendant one day wanted to go on a trip and she received a seat that was available in first class. At no cost to her, she was able to fly to Europe. An emergency occurred on the airplane that made it so that they were in need of another flight attendant. She raised her hand and let them know she was a fight attendant, and even though she was on vacation taking a trip to Europe, she would be glad to serve as the additional help that was needed. She was not serving to get to Europe; that had already been taken care of. It was part of the package of being a flight attendant for the airline. But she had no problem serving on the airplane either, because she was just so grateful for the benefit to be able to ride to Europe at no cost to her. That service was a joy and not a complaint.

It is unfortunate today that many people are serving Christ in order to earn brownie points to make sure they’re saved, rather than serving Christ out of the overwhelming joy of the free ride. God wants your service not as validation for your salvation. He wants your service out of your joy for the assurance of your salvation.^829[2]

Now Paul continues the theme of unity.

My theme today is:

Paul urges the Philippians to be united, thinking of others as more important than ourselves, and serving one another.

1. The experiences that lead to unity (Phil. 2:1).
   1. 2:1: So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy…
   2. Paul begins with “so” or “therefore.” He is continuing from what he had written about. The “so” or “therefore” points back to what he has already written.
   3. In the previous verses, Paul was writing about suffering. Paul wrote about how it was granted to them to suffer for Christ. In Phil. 1:27 Paul wrote about their life being worthy of the Gospel. In that same verse, Paul wrote exhorting them to be of the same mind. Paul was encouraging unity.
   4. This could begin with “since” or “because of.”
   5. Jesus changes us. Jesus changes the way we act toward one another.
   6. Jesus changes our responses.
   7. That is what Paul is getting into now.
   8. “Because of the encouragement in Christ…”
   9. “Since” or “because” there is encouragement in Christ…
   10. “Since” or “because” there is comfort from love…
   11. “Since” or “because” there is participation in the Spirit…
   12. “Since” or “because” there is affection…
   13. “Since” or “because” there is sympathy…
   14. Jesus changes us.
   15. In Christ we can have encouragement. This means that we are emboldened. “Encourage” means an act of emboldening another in belief or course of action, encouragement, exhortation.^[3]
   16. “Encouragement” is from the Gr. word that means “to come alongside and help, counsel, exhort.”^[4]
   17. Jesus does that for us through the Holy Spirit.
   18. Are we leaning on Jesus through the Holy Spirit?
   19. Remember that in the previous verses Paul was writing about suffering for Jesus. Paul is in prison.
   20. Listen, we cannot live the Christian life on our own. Sure, we can if we stay complacent, but if we are to grow up in Him it only happens through Jesus.
   21. We must spend time with the Lord. We must stay connected to the Vine. Jesus is the true Vine (John 15:1-5).
   22. We also have comfort in Christ. “comfort” means to be “consoled” or “encouraged.” Actually, it is translated as “consolation” in the NASB. MacArthur shares: The Gr. word translated “consolation” portrays the Lord coming close and whispering words of gentle cheer or tender counsel in a believer’s ear.^[5]
   23. We have participation in the Spirit. This is translated “fellowship” with the Spirit in the NASB. I like that. This means that as Christians we all have a partnership because we have the same eternal life provided by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
   24. That is powerful. We are all connected with one another as Christians. The Holy Spirit networks the church together (Eph 4:25).
   25. Affection is a word that means “bowels” or “intestines.” It is like we say, “I love you with my whole heart.”
   26. God has given us all deep affection. Because of Jesus, we can love like that.
   27. We also have sympathy, or the NASB says “compassion.” The word means to have concern for one another, pity, or sympathy.
   28. In Christ, we have compassion, sympathy, and pity for one another. This compels us to be united.
2. Be of the same mind (Phil. 2:2)
   1. 2:2: …complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
   2. So, Paul has written about the conditionals, and now he picks up on that.
   3. Hopefully, they have encouragement from Christ. Hopefully, they have comfort from His love, fellowship in the Spirit, affection, and sympathy. Now, complete Paul’s joy by being of the same mind. Paul goes through great detail to show what this means.
   4. Have the same mind and the same love.
   5. Notice then he says to be in full accord and of one mind. The NASB says “united in Spirit” instead of “full accord.” So, he repeats the idea of having the same mind.
   6. Paul says this will complete his joy. In other words, this will make him smile. This is not uniformity but is unity.
   7. In the book, The Divine Conspiracy Dallas Willard asks, “Why are Christians so mean?” He answers because they always have to be right. Listen, we do not always need to be right. Sure, there are critical issues of doctrine that we must separate over, but other times, actually most of the time, we must let things go.
   8. The content of his exhortation is that they be “like-minded.” The verb used here occurs ten times in Philippians (of twenty-three times in the Pauline corpus). It speaks to the intellect (i.e., a way of thinking), but it goes beyond that. It incorporates the will and emotions into a comprehensive outlook which affects the attitude.^[6]
3. Be of self-sacrificial mind and actions (Phil. 2:3-4).

1. 1. 2:3-4: Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. ⁴Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
   2. So, he has exhorted them to be united and have the same mind. He has exhorted them about their encouragement in Christ, the affection, and the unity of the Spirit, and now he gives real concrete actions.
   3. These will lead directly to Phil. 2:5-11. In Phil. 2:5-11 he gives the ultimate example of Jesus and later the example of Timothy and Epaphroditus as well.
   4. Do nothing from “selfish ambition.”
   5. We don’t want our ambition to be selfish.
   6. Do nothing from conceit. “Conceit” means “empty pride” and is only used here in the Greek.
   7. No empty conceit is one word in the Greek that really means to have a highly exaggerated view of oneself. This is hard to translate because Romans and Greeks put nothing on humility. It is possible that Paul coined this word.[7]
   8. This is the opposite of Paul’s opponents in Phil. 1:15-17. They were sharing the gospel for selfish reasons.
   9. Instead of selfishness and conceit we should have humility of mind.
   10. Can we have humility in our thinking?
   11. This begins with our thinking.
   12. Count others more significant than yourselves.
   13. Look at verse 4 (Phil. 2:4): Look not only to your own interests but also the interests of others.
   14. First, we change our mindset (Phil. 2:3), and then we look out for others in deeds. We do have to look out for our own needs. Notice how he says, look “not only” to your own interests… We must look out for our own needs, but he is urging us to look out for the needs of others.
   15. Psychiatrist Dr. Carl Menninger was reportedly asked what he would do if he knew that he was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. His reply: “I’d go out, find somebody in need, and help him.”^[8]

1. Applications:
   1. Jesus comes alongside and helps us through the Holy Spirit (John 14:26). Are we allowing Him to help us (Phil. 2:1)?
      1. Are we leaning on Jesus through the Holy Spirit?
      2. Remember that in the previous verses Paul was writing about suffering for Jesus. Paul is in prison.
      3. Listen, we cannot live the Christian life on our own. Sure, we can if we stay complacent, but if we are to grow up in Him it only happens through Jesus.
      4. We must spend time with the Lord. We must stay connected to the Vine. Jesus is the true Vine (John 15:1-5).
   2. Are we allowing the Lord to comfort/console us (Phil. 2:1)?
   3. Do we have the love, the affection, that comes from our inner being, from our gut (Phil. 2:1)? Do we love with our whole heart (Phil. 2:1)?
   4. Can we be united (Phil. 2:2)?
   5. Can we disagree, agreeably (Phil. 2:2)?
   6. Is our ambition selfish (Phil. 2:3)?
   7. Do we have ambitions that exalt others? Do we have ambitions that make others look better? Or, are all of our ambitions things that make us look better and others look worse (Phil. 2:3)?
   8. How is our mindset (Phil. 2:3)?
   9. Do we have humility of mind (Phil. 2:3)?

• Do we consider others more significant than ourselves (Phil. 2:3)?
• Do we look out for the interests of others?
• Do we allow margin in our day so that we have time to help others?

Close:

It was a cold, blustery January night in 1973. Senator John Stennis, the venerable hawkish Democrat from Mississippi, drove from Capitol Hill to his northwest Washington home. Although older (71), he was still the powerful chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. At precisely 7:40 p.m., Stennis parked his car and started toward his house 50 feet away.

Out of the darkness jumped two young robbers—little more than kids, really. One nervously waved a .22 caliber pistol as the other relieved the senator of his personal possessions. “Now we’re going to shoot you anyway,” one told Stennis. He did, firing twice.

For six-and-a-half hours, surgeons at Walter Reed Medical Center labored feverishly to repair the damage and save his life.

At 9:15 that same night another politician was driving home from the Senate . . . a man on the opposite end of the political spectrum, a Republican “dove” who had clashed often and sharply with Stennis. His name? Senator Mark Hatfield. The tragedy was reported over Hatfield’s car radio that wintry night. Disregarding the strong differences in their convictions and pulled by a deep admiration for the elderly statesman plus a compassion for his plight, Hatfield later admitted:

“I had no skills to offer. But I knew there was something I must do—and that was to go to that hospital and be nearby where I could be helpful, if possible, to the family.”

There was untold confusion at the hospital as fellow senators, colleagues, and curious friends and reporters overwhelmed the hospital’s telephone operators. Understaffed and disorganized, the hospital crew tried their best but were unable to handle the calls and answer the questions.

Hatfield quickly scoped out the situation, spotted an unattended switchboard, sat down, and voluntarily went to work. Much later—after recovering—Stennis related what he heard happened next: “He told the girls, ‘I know how to work one of these; let me help you out.’ He continued taking calls until daylight.” An exceedingly significant detail is that he never gave anyone his name because someone would surely suspect some political connection, some ulterior motive. Hatfield finally stood up around daylight, stretched, put on his overcoat, and quietly introduced himself to the other operators. “My name is Hatfield . . . happy to help out on behalf of a man I deeply respect,” he said as he walked away.

The press couldn’t handle that story when it leaked out. It boggled their minds! No way did it make sense for a Republican to give a Democrat the time of day, not to mention several long hours of personal assistance in some anonymous, menial task. I mean, that kind of character went out with the horse and buggy and silent movies and saying “ma’am” and “sir” to teachers. Or did it?

Politics and personal preferences and opinions on things like military involvement may vary among members of the body of Christ . . . but there is a bond deep within that binds us to one another. It is the glue of authentic love, expressing itself in compassion, fairness, willingness to support, and (when possible) coming to the aid of another. Personally. Without strings attached. Committed to the protection and dignity of human life . . . regardless of how somebody votes.

And what does it take? Bigness. Being free of grudges, pettiness, vengeance, and prejudice. Seeing another in need—regardless of differences of opinion—and reaching out in solid Christian maturity. Just because you care.

That’s bigness. It’s living above labels . . . it’s seeing beyond hurts . . . it’s caring unconditionally, helping unassumingly.

And therefore it’s rare. As rare as a hawk and a dove in the same nest on a cold winter’s night.[10]

Prayer

^[1] Charles R. Swindoll, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, vol. 9, Swindoll’s Living Insights New Testament Commentary (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2017), 39.

^[2] Tony Evans, Tony Evans’ Book of Illustrations: Stories, Quotes, and Anecdotes from More than 30 Years of Preaching and Public Speaking (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2009), 278.

^[3] William Arndt et al., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000), 766.

^[4] John F. MacArthur Jr., The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006), Php 2:1.

^[5] Ibid.

^[6] Richard R. Melick, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, vol. 32, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1991), 93–94.

[7] Dr Steven Lawson; Renewing Your Mind; 09.23.2022

^[8] Tom Constable, Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible (Galaxie Software, 2003), Php 2:4.

^[9] Ibid.

[10] Excerpt taken from Come before Winter and Share My Hope by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 1985, 1988, 1994 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://insight.org/resources/daily-devotional/individual/bigness1

Live in unity striving side-by-side according to the gospel (Phil 1:27-30)

Prepared and preached by Pastor Steve Rhodes for and at Bethel Friends Church in Poland, OH on July 23, 2023

Think with me about suffering. What is your view of suffering? How do you reconcile suffering with life? Christianity does have a view of suffering.

Oysters suffer affliction when they get a grain of sand lodged inside their shells. No matter what they do, they can’t get rid of it. The sand gets lodged there and it’s irritating to the oyster. It’s a thorn. It drives them crazy. To bring comfort to their anguish, they begin to coat the grain of sand over and over and over again. Coating the sand doesn’t get rid of it; it just comforts them.

Over time the coating of the grain of sand over and over again produces something that costs a mint. It’s called a pearl. Do you know what a pearl is? A pearl is the result of an irritated oyster. Out of that came something women place great value on.

The pain resulted in beauty. Their pain resulted in elegance. The pain results in something of high value. When God allows us to suffer, He is producing something precious.^944[1]

We do not know what God is doing in our suffering, but we do know He is working in us. We do know that He is building us up and those around us (Romans 5).

We have been walking through Philippians. This is a letter that Paul wrote to the church at Philippi. During this time he is writing from a Roman prison. He is shackled to a guard. However, in the previous verses Paul wrote about how he is ready to go to heaven, but he wants to live for their sake. He also wrote in the previous verse about him coming to them. This brings us to our passage for today.

My theme today is:

Live in unity striving side-by-side according to the gospel.

1. Strive side by side for the Gospel (verses 27).
   1. Philippians 1:27 (ESV)
   2. ²⁷ Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel…
   3. In the Greek Philippians 1, verses 27-30 are one sentence.
   4. He is urging them to let their behavior be worthy of the Gospel.
   5. Paul gives a purpose, and that is that he can hear this about them.
   6. This is likely not about him hearing about them in heaven but whether he comes or hears from a distance.
   7. So, he has just written about coming to see them again, and now, he begins with “only” which is a Greek word, monos, which means “alone” or “only.” So, he is saying this is very important. It is prefaced with “only” to specify it as special.
   8. What is behavior that is worthy of the gospel?
   9. One would think it is what follows in this verse and in verses 28-30. But I think it is also what the book is about. See Phil. 2:3-4 and 4:1-2 which are about unity and self-sacrifice which he will write about here.
   10. Notice what he writes: Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.
   11. The Philippians lived in a free Roman city, and thus understood from their own experience what it meant to live as citizens. Paul is here picking up on that motif and elevating it to the citizenship of heaven. Cf. 3:20 (our citizenship is in heaven).^[2]
   12. Did you notice how he qualified a life worthy of the gospel?
   13. Standing firm…
   14. Side by side….
   15. Paul wants them to agree as much as possible. I have said that Philippians is about joy, but it is also about unity.
   16. This is about unity.
   17. Part of conduct worthy of the Gospel is unity and self-sacrifice as we will see again in Phil. 2:3-4 and Phil. 4:1-2.
   18. Christianity is about living as a team with other Christians.
   19. Paul says “standing firm in ‘one Spirit.’”
   20. “One Spirit” this could be one Holy Spirit who unites us but it is hard to tell in the Greek if it is the Holy Spirit or not. However, Phil. 2:1 seems to be the Holy Spirit.
   21. Striving is an offensive term. We are striving for the gospel.
   22. Paul wants to hear that they are “striving side by side.” “Striving together” is a compound word in the Greek, similar to where we get our English word athletics. Christianity is a team sport. The Gospel is mentioned for the sixth time in this first chapter.[3]
   23. Wow! There is a lot in that verse!
   24. Are we striving side by side for the Gospel?
   25. Are we standing firm?
   26. Are we making sure that our conduct is worthy of the Gospel?
   27. Are we united in one Spirit and one mind?
2. Don’t be frightened by your opponent (verse 28).
   1. Philippians 1:28 (ESV)
   2. ²⁸ and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.
   3. This is continuing from what he wrote.
   4. So, be striving side by side in unity.
   5. And now don’t be frightened by your opponents.
   6. The word “frightened” or “alarmed” could describe spooking a horse.
   7. This is a clear sign of their destruction and your salvation. What is the sign?
   8. Maybe not being frightened by them. Maybe standing strong in the faith. Maybe staying united. Maybe all three.
   9. So, when they stand strong for the gospel, it is a sign of their opponents destruction and their salvation. I like that.
   10. As John MacArthur writes: When believers willingly suffer without being “alarmed,” it is a sign that God’s enemies will be destroyed and eternally lost.^[5]
   11. Malcolm Muggeridge died in the fall of 1990. He had been a foreign correspondent, newspaper editor, editor of Punch magazine, and a well-known television personality in Great Britain. As an adult, he finally turned to Christ and wrote of his own dilemmas as a journalist-turned-believer. Among his works are Jesus Rediscovered, Christ and the Media, Something Beautiful for God, and his multivolume autobiography, Chronicles of Wasted Time. He frequently spoke and wrote of “feeling like a stranger” in the world. In an interview a few years before his death, Muggeridge was asked if he would be willing to explain that feeling. His answer is worth repeating. “I’d very gladly do so, because I’ve thought about it often. In the war, when I was in North Africa, I heard some lieutenant colonel first use the phrase “displaced person.” That phrase was very poignant to me. But it’s also a very good definition of a person who’s come to see that life is not about carnal things, or success, but is about eternity rather than time. . . . I don’t really belong here, I’m simply staying here.”[6]
   12. That is true for Christians.
3. The reminder (verses 29-30)
   1. Philippians 1:29–30 (ESV)
   2. ²⁹ For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, ³⁰ engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.
   3. This is important. We, as Christians, have a privilege of suffering for Christ. See Acts 5:41.
   4. We have the privilege of believing and suffering.
   5. Belief is a gift from God:
   6. Acts 3:16 (ESV)
   7. ¹⁶ And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.
   8. Acts 11:18 (ESV)
   9. ¹⁸ When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”
   10. John 6:44 (ESV)
   11. ⁴⁴ No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.
   12. We are also granted to suffer for Christ’s sake:
   13. Matthew 5:10–11 (ESV)
   14. ¹⁰ “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
   15. ¹¹ “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
   16. 1 Peter 4:12–14 (ESV)
   17. ¹² Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. ¹⁴ If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
   18. In verse 30 he shares: they are in the same conflict as they observed in the Apostle Paul and know that Paul is still in.
   19. Swindoll shares: In the early days of Christianity, a scoffer once inquired, “What is your Carpenter doing now?” And the answer of the unperturbed Christian was bold: “Making a coffin for your Emperor!”[7]
4.  Applications:
   1. Are we striving side by side for the Gospel (Phil. 1:27)?
   2. Are we standing firm (Phil. 1:27)?
   3. Are we making sure that our conduct is worthy of the Gospel (Phil. 1:27)?
   4. Are we united in one Spirit and one mind (Phil. 1:27)?
   5. We must not be frightened by those who oppose the Gospel (Phil. 1:28). Instead, we must stay united and serve one another. We must stay strong in the faith.
   6. Are we living consistent with our beliefs? If not, do we really believe them?
   7. Do we fear what non-believers think or do we have a confidence in the Gospel (Phil. 1:28)?
   8. Do we allow unnecessary division or do we seek unity (Phil. 1:27)?
   9. Are we contributing members of a local church (Phil. 1:27-30)?
   10. Do we live in community? Do we have friends who will challenge and encourage us? Are we vulnerable with each other (Phil. 1:27-30)?
   11. Do we recognize that we can’t do this on our own? We need grace. We need the Gospel. We need the Spirit’s help. We need each other (Phil. 1:27-30).
   12. Do we have to always be in charge, always be right, do we divide over silly matters, are we a contentious person, always causing arguments? Are we a unifier or a divider?
   13. Are we prepared to suffer for Jesus (Phil. 1:29)?
   14. How do we prepare to suffer for Him? Pray about it. Pray that we can be like those in Acts 5:41 who rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ. Pray that God makes us bold AND loving witnesses. Study the Bible about what the Scripture says about suffering. Read testimonies of those who suffered for Christ from the Voice of the Martyrs. Pray for the persecuted church now.

Close:

The reason a woman can endure the pain of childbirth is because something good is coming down the pipe. She can endure because the pain will be worth it in the end as she celebrates the new birth of her child. She bears the suffering because of the joy before her. It is in weakness that God does His greatest birthing.^943[9]

We cannot see things from God’s viewpoint, but He is working even in our suffering.

^[1] Tony Evans, Tony Evans’ Book of Illustrations: Stories, Quotes, and Anecdotes from More than 30 Years of Preaching and Public Speaking (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2009), 314–315.

^[2] Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible First Edition Notes (Biblical Studies Press, 2006), Php 1:27.

[3] Dr Steven Lawson; Renewing your mind; 09.21.2022

^[4] Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible First Edition Notes (Biblical Studies Press, 2006), Php 1:28.

^[5] John F. MacArthur Jr., The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006), Php 1:28.

[6] Swindoll “Laugh Again” pages 73-74

[7] Swindoll, Laugh Again, page 72

[8] https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/god-given-foes-and-god-given-faith?utm_campaign=Daily%20Email&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=94074571&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9hbAG0qM3E3WA5nRh1ujD-1qFldL9ScViCie4kW5Z6uRJydWdZHa1iMNaqv3z_lVkN_PVsPo7taY5_4oJT8qPr-Nyp_A&utm_content=94074571&utm_source=hs_email

^[9] Tony Evans, Tony Evans’ Book of Illustrations: Stories, Quotes, and Anecdotes from More than 30 Years of Preaching and Public Speaking (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2009), 314.

Prospects for the Future, to Live Is Christ (Phil 1:19-26)

Prepared and preached by Pastor Steve Rhodes for and at Bethel Friends Church in Poland, OH on July 16, 2023

Many handle death through humor. A bumper sticker read, “Don’t take life so seriously. You won’t get out of it alive.”^[1]

Harry Truman told the story of a man who was hit on the head and fell into a deep coma. He stayed there for a long time. People thought he was dead so they sent him to a funeral home and stuck him in a coffin. At two o’clock in the morning, all alone in this dimly lit room, he sat up and looked around. “Good night!” he said. “What’s going on? If I’m alive, why am I in a casket? And, if I’m dead, why do I have to go to the bathroom?”^[2]

We are in a series on Philippians. As we get to Philippians 1:19-26 we see a passage in which Paul is confronting his own death.

My theme today is:

Paul desires to live for the Philippians, but knows if God calls him to heaven, he is better off.

1. Paul’s dilemma (Phil. 1:19-22)
   1. Whether through life or death Paul wants Christ to be glorified.
   2. 1:19-22: ¹⁹ for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, ²⁰ as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. ²¹ For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ²² If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.
   3. Paul explains the connection with their prayers and the help of the Holy Spirit.
   4. This is powerful. He is making a link with the outcome of his situation and their prayers.
   5. Paul is confident that this will turn out for his deliverance.
   6. What deliverance is he speaking of?
   7. The Greek word is the basic word for salvation but it can also mean “well-being” or “escape.”
   8. Does he think he will be delivered from prison, or from this life?
   9. There are different thoughts on that. Some think Paul is intentional in being ambiguous. It could apply to both. He might first have in mind deliverance from prison, but he wins if he is delivered from this life.
   10. Look at verse 20. Paul has expectations, and they are eager expectations. Paul also hopes that he will not be ashamed.
   11. What would he be ashamed of?
   12. I think he would be ashamed if he denies Christ, or curses God.
   13. In other words, if he curses God while in prison, or denies Christ, he would be ashamed. He explains that more in the rest of the verses.
   14. He writes, “but with full courage…” Another translation says “by my speaking with all boldness…”
   15. He says, “now, as always…” In other words, he can say that he has always tried to honor Christ. He wants this to continue.
   16. He wants Christ to be honored through him, whether in how he lives or how he dies.
   17. Do we think about magnifying Christ as we live and “as we die”?
   18. I recently read about a young mom dying of cancer. Even in her last 30 minutes, she was suffering and vomiting. John Piper answered the question, “How does that glorify God?” He said it glorifies God because even in her suffering, she did not curse God.[4] Like Job in the Old Testament, she did not curse God (Job 1:22; 2:9-11).
   19. Do we ever think about that? Do we ever pray, “Lord no matter what, don’t let me turn my back on you”? Remember the Lord’s prayer says, “Deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13). Remember Jesus taught us to pray “lead us not into temptation” (Matthew 6:13). God will not tempt us, but He will test us (James 1:3, 13). However, God can prevent us from being tempted. God can give us the strength to endure temptation (1 Cor. 10:13). God can deliver us from evil.
   20. It is very Biblical as a Christian to think and pray about standing strong in suffering and the tests. Often, we prepare for everything but not the spiritual. Christians will suffer persecution, and Christians will suffer other trials connected to a world of sickness.
   21. 2 Tim. 3:12 says the Christian pursuing godliness will suffer persecution.
   22. Here is Paul in prison, chained to a guard, saying that he wants to honor Christ whether he lives or dies.
   23. Warren Wiersbe: “The believer’s body is a ‘lens’ that makes a ‘little Christ’ look very big, and a ‘distant Christ’ come very close.”^97[5]
   24. But we can do this because we are never alone.
   25. Verse 20: Piper reminds us that Jesus is always with us. So Jesus says, “Behold, I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). I think “always” is even more important than the phrase “to the end of the age.” It’s one thing to say he’ll be with us to the end of the age; it’s another for him to say, “I’ll be with you every minute of your life.”
   26. John Paton was a missionary to what’s now the New Hebrides. He was driven up into a tree as 1,300 aboriginal natives were trying to kill him. As they were beneath him, he laid hold of the promise of Matthew 28:19–20: “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. . . . I am with you always.”
   27. And here’s what he wrote later, because he survived: Without that abiding consciousness of the presence and power of my dear Lord and Savior, nothing else in all the world could have preserved me from losing my reason and perishing miserably. His words, “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world,” became to me so real that it would not have startled me to behold him, as Stephen did, gazing down upon the scene. I felt his supporting power. . . . It is the sober truth, and it comes back to me sweetly after 20 years, that I had my nearest and dearest glimpses of the face and smiles of my blessed Lord Jesus in those dread moments when musket, club, or spear was being leveled at my life. (John G. Paton, 342)[6]
   28. Look at verse 21: For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
   29. Verse 21: “Is” is not in the original language.
   30. Literally: to live Christ…
   31. Then literally
   32. “To die gain” again there is no “is.”
   33. The greatest gain in heaven is to be with Jesus Christ.
   34. Death is our passageway to be with Jesus.
   35. NONE of this is about suicide. I think he is simply thinking about whether he prays for survival or not. When it seems like God is calling us home to heaven, there is nothing wrong with saying, “Lord, take me when you are ready.” This is when we can tell death is near.
   36. We must remember that our life is in God’s hands. God is the owner. When death seems near, we can ask him to take us, but we cannot ask others to take us. Maybe Paul is having this conversation with the Lord?
   37. Swindoll in Laugh Again, page 56:
   38. Those are the words of a man whose image was secure and whose reputation was not in need of being protected, massaged, or defended. His mind was firmly fixed on essentials, so much so that nothing brought him anxiety. “Whether by life or by death,” his focus was concentrated. He concerned himself only with things that mattered. For all he knew, death might be right around the corner. That thought alone provides an excellent filtering system, enabling us to separate what is essential from what is not. As dear old Samuel Johnson once stated, “When a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully.”[7]
   39. Now, verse 22: If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.
   40. We see Paul is torn. He knows to serve Christ in the flesh is better for the church at Philippi.
   41. He could’ve thought he might die in prison, or maybe he knew he would be released.
   42. One source shares: Paul’s remaining would help them by virtue of his continuance as a teacher, and perhaps also for legal precedent. Nero was not particularly interested in legal questions, and in d. 62 he freed Jewish hostages that the procurator Felix had previously sent him. Paul was likely released at this time.^[8]
   43. We will see that he continues this in the next few verses. We see that Paul wants to remain in this life for them, for those he serves at the church in Philippi.
2. Paul will remain for them (Phil. 1:23-26).
   1. Verse 23 (Phil. 1:23) seems to be the middle theme of this section.
   2. Look at verse 23 (Phil. 1:23): ²³ I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.
   3. So, he strongly desires to let the Lord take him home to heaven.
   4. He has faced a lot of persecution. He has been shipwrecked, beaten, stoned, and left for dead, and now he is in prison (2 Cor 11:16-33; Acts 14:19-20).
   5. He knows how awesome Heaven is. In 2 Cor. 12, Paul talks about going to heaven and seeing things that he was not permitted to speak about. He knows how awesome it will be to be physically with Jesus.
   6. There is a lesson here. There are several of them. How often do we cling to this life like this is all that matters? No, when God calls us home to heaven, we do not miss out on anything. It will be far, far better than anything we are going through. The Christian idea of a bucket list, things we want to do before we die, diminishes the awesomeness of heaven.
   7. Now, look at Phil. 1:24-26: ²⁴ But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. ²⁵ Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, ²⁶ so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
   8. He thinks it is better for them if he remains on Earth. If he keeps trying to live.
   9. I want to repeat: NONE of this is about suicide. I think he is simply thinking about whether he prays for survival or not. When it seems like God is calling us home to heaven, there is nothing wrong with saying, “Lord, take me when you are ready.” This is when we can tell death is near.
   10. Paul is living for them. He wants to live for others.
   11. As we look at this passage, we see his argument.
   12. Verse 25: “Convinced of this…” “Convinced of” what? He is convinced of what he said in verse 24. He is convinced it is better for them if he lives.
   13. He has been convinced. He had an inner turmoil about giving up and the Lord calling him home, or staying, but he was convinced it is better for them if he stays. So, he will stay and continue with them. He will continue for their progress and joy in the faith.
   14. He wants to continue living. However, not for him, but them.
   15. There is no retirement for Paul. There is no complacency in Paul. His life is for them. That applies to us as well.
   16. He is continuing for their progress. He is continuing for their growth in the faith. He is continuing for their joy, but it is joy in the faith.
   17. Statements in the later Pastoral Epistles, as well as in the writings of some of the early church fathers, indicate that Nero released Paul from his first Roman imprisonment in A.D. 62. The apostle then resumed his missionary labors and returned to Macedonia—and probably to Philippi. However the Romans arrested him again, imprisoned him in Rome a second time, and then executed him there. He died as a martyr in A.D. 68. If this historical sequence is accurate, Paul probably did contribute to the spiritual progress and joy of the Philippians in their faith as he said here that he expected he would.^[11]
   18. Let’s wrap this up with verse 26: so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
   19. He wants to come to them again, and he wants them to glory in Christ Jesus. Because of his persistent ministry, he wants that to point to Jesus. He wants all that he does to bring more glory to Christ. It is likely that no one would think he could visit them again, but he wants to visit them. Then he wants them to give God glory for making it happen.
   20. He does not want them to look at him and say great things about him but great things about Christ’s work in him.

Close:

How is death gain for the Christian?

John Piper shares:

How is it “gain” to die?

1) Our spirits will be made perfect (Hebrews 12:22–23).

2) We will be relieved of the pain of this world (Luke 16:24–25).

3) We will be given profound rest in our souls (Revelation 6:9–11).

4) We will experience a deep at-homeness (2 Corinthians 5:8).

5) We will be with Christ (Philippians 1:21–23).

 Christ is a more wonderful person than anyone on earth. He is wiser, stronger, and kinder than anyone you enjoy spending time with. He is endlessly interesting. He knows exactly what to do and what to say at every moment to make his guests as glad as they can possibly be. He overflows in love and with infinite insight into how to use that love to make his loved ones feel loved. Therefore Paul said,

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. [Devotional excerpted from “It Is Great Gain to Die”][12]

Prayer

^[1] Charles R. Swindoll, The Tale of the Tardy Oxcart and 1501 Other Stories (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2016), 136.

^[2] Ibid.

⁹⁴ Lightfoot, p. 91.

^[3] Tom Constable, Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible (Galaxie Software, 2003), Php 1:19.

[4] https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/not-dead-yet

⁹⁷ Wiersbe, 2:69.

^[5] Tom Constable, Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible (Galaxie Software, 2003), Php 1:20.

[6] Ibid.

[7] Swindoll in Laugh Again page 56

^[8] Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), Php 1:24–26.

[9] Dr Lawson; Renewing Your Mind; 09.19.2022

^[10] Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible First Edition Notes (Biblical Studies Press, 2006), Php 1:25.

¹¹⁰ Walvoord, p. 43. Cf. Lightfoot, p. 94.

^[11] Tom Constable, Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible (Galaxie Software, 2003), Php 1:25.

[12] https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/five-reasons-death-is-gain