Uncategorized

Christ Follower (Philippians 1)

Posted by growinggodlygenerations on

MOTIVATE

  • Christmas Cards: family tradition was to hang on a string across room of house – filled two strings, probably 100+ cards.
  • For some, it used to be the only way you knew a person was still alive : )
  • We started… People started adding full EOY review letters.
  • But now Xmas Cards are a dying tradition.
    • Impersonal w/o signature
    • Hand cramps of addressing, signing & writing notes… labels still are a chore
    • Mailing $.78 adds up not to mention purchase of a nice card = 1-gal of gas
    • Destination… ? Card Heaven – – – >
    • 1 tree produces 3K cards / estimates of 33 million trees each year & many cards can’t be recycled if they’re glittered etc.
    • Digital communication has replaced hand form communication 
  • Whether card, letter, text, call, or visit, personal communication expresses sincere care in a world that is lonelier and darker than ever.
  • Today, we start a brief overview of Philippians; a personal letter with tender affection.
  • Theme: We Are
    • SPBC is compared to a Philippian church – no major conflict or controversy; but needing exhorted toward unity for gospel advance; toward enduring suffering; to evangelizing and shining as lights in a dark culture; and being generous for God’s kingdom.
    • Refresh as Christ Followers, Church Members, Kingdom Mobilizers.

EXAMINE           Philippians 1  We Are Christ Followers

Philippians 1:1-3

Philippi: modern day Greece. It became a Roman colony established with veteran soldiers, whom were likely enmeshed with Brutus & Cassius who assassinated Julius Caesar.[1] But citizens of Philippi were granted the same rights as Romans for ownership and transfer of property, along with civil rights.

Saints: “holy ones;” = you’re no embarrassment or bottom sag in church – you’re a saint saved by grace!

            Saints are not heroes or sources to pray, instead they point to Jesus as the hero

Paul & Timothy: Preached gospel in region, and obviously churches were started (Ac 16-18). They’re “servants to the saints at Philippi” – and the letter is also directed to “overseers (ἐπισκόποις) & deacons (διακόνοις).” The church and its leadership are to listen and learn from Paul’s apostolic teaching and practice their faith in such a way that glorifies God and honors each other.
*Interestingly there are two persons named in this letter: Euodia & Syntyche, both females, and perhaps serving as deacons to whom this letter was addressed.

Philippians 1:12-14

Paul likely wrote this letter while in a Roman prison for the faith. Paul mentions his testimony to the whole palace guard; which consisted of several thousand soldiers in 12 cohorts of as many as 1k each; and they were the emperor’s elite bodyguard.[2] They likely rotate 4 guards every 6 hours (cf Ac 12:4).

So, while Paul was imprisoned, the gospel wasn’t. Paul viewed his circumstances as an opportunity to advance the gospel. I’m certain Paul had disappointments and discouragement. In fact, Paul told the Corinthians that he felt so burdened that he despaired of life (2Cor 1:8); and even here to the Philippians he appears ready to face death (Php 1:21-23). So, the Christian life isn’t w/o problems but it does have peace and strength to persevere with every breath God provides.

Christ followers always have hope (Php 1:19-24).

  • Paul was confident his deliverance (σωτηρίαν); he just didn’t know the timing.
    • His reading Scripture to know God’s faithful deliverance of Moses from enslaving gov / David from enraged king / Daniel & friends from evil nation with lions and fiery furnace. 
    • His understanding of Jesus being raised from the dead
    • His own salvation, which was undeserved.
    • His experiences of God’s faithfulness in past pressures, problems, pain (2Cor 11:24, ff)
    • “To live is Christ and to die is gain.”  Php 1:21 Paul knew his life reflected Christ’s hope and his death reflected hope fulfilled in the resurrection.
      “No guilt in life, no fear in death, this is the power of Christ in me. From life’s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny. No power of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from His hand. Till He returns or calls me home, Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.”
  • Paul’s hope was contagious & reciprocal; mutually inspiring with fruitful labor (Lydia, demon possessed girl, jailer)
    • Paul’s prior time in Philippi was in jail yet singing – leading to conversion of jailer & family
    • Paul’s witness and conversion with the unlikely, the unwelcome, the downtrodden, the outcast, and the oppressed.

> 2013 with 1 y/o Avee; 1John 1:9 God is light w/o dark
> 2009 SPBC uncertainty of pastor and a group took a step of faith on me
> 2020 Sep – 2021 Feb SPBC with worship pastor
> Many of your answered prayers with healing / job provisions & changes / direction / care

  • Hope is not wishful thinking or a mysterious riddle. Christian hope is confident assurance bc it’s based upon God who is faithful from generation to generation. This is why it is important for Christians to consistently gather & frequently testify of what God is doing, so that we do not grow weary or lose hope. 

Jer 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Ro 5:5 “hope does not disappoint, bc God’s love has been poured into our hearts”
1Pet 1:3 “we are born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus”

> Where have you grown hopeless? Why remain passive? – – – it’s time to pray fervently & collectively.

Hope is not wishful thinking or a mysterious riddle. Christian hope is confident assurance because it’s based upon God who is faithful from generation to generation.

Christ followers always have joy (Php 1:25-26)

Paul was in prison yet writing an encouraging letter to other believers with a theme of overflowing joy.

  • Courage ≠ not afraid but having fear saying its prayers.
  • Confidence (Latin = con fide = with faith).
  • Jesus neared cross, death brought clarity and he entered garden to pray and gain courage
    • Heb 12:2 Jesus who for the joy set before him, endured the cross
  • Joy is a byproduct of a living faith, whereas happiness is the roller coaster of what happens.
    When we chase joy instead of chase Jesus, then we are climbing the mountain to lasso a cloud, only to result in a hollow pursuit. You reach the EOY empty – once again. It’s time to cease cloud lassos and surrender to Jesus as your Lord.  
  • C.S. Lewis:[3] The New Testament has lots to say about self-denial, but not about self-denial as an end in itself. We are told to deny ourselves and to take up our crosses in order that we may follow Christ; and nearly every description of what we shall ultimately find if we do so contains an appeal to desire… [AND] Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.

> What changes need to be made so that you truly experience joy?

Joy is a byproduct of a living faith. Chasing joy is like attempting to lasso a cloud. Instead, pursue a relationship with Jesus and surrender to Him as your Lord.

The New Testament has lots to say about self-denial, but not about self-denial as an end in itself. We are told to deny ourselves and to take up our crosses in order that we may follow Christ; and nearly every description of what we shall ultimately find if we do so contains an appeal to desire… [AND] Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased. – C.S. Lewis, The Weight Of Glory

Christ followers always have a demanding mission (Php 1:27-30)

  • Living as Christ followers with hope and joy has implications & responsibility.

  • V.27 contains a transition: “Only whatever happens” (ESV) / “Above all” (NLT) / “Just one thing” (CSB)

  • Walk worthy (cf Ro 6:4; Gal 5:16; Eph 4:1; 5:2; Col 1:10; 2:6; 1 Thes 2:12) περιπατέω[4]
    • But in Php, Paul says πολιτεύεσθε = (politics) live as a good citizen & take active part in politics,[5] but in this case, Paul describes the believer as citizen of heaven whose aim is to please King Jesus and not get distracted with earthly affairs (3:20; 2Ti 2:4).
    • If you drive Jumpers Hole Rd you see a yellow house rear door with a MD state flag. That’s me! I’m prideful of our bold and bright colors – – – likewise, Philippi was deeply prideful of its Roman citizenship.  Paul appealed to their patriotism but yielded to a higher kingdom! All earthly kingdoms will be a footnote in the eternal history of the heavenly city.  

  • Stand firm in one spirit, contending as one for the faith of the gospel. Paul is reminding believers they are in a battle, and their best strategy is unity – standing together without being frightened by the opposition. The wording is used to describe horses that are startled and frightened on the battlefield.[6] The wording for contending (συναθλοῦν) is where we get our English word for “athlete” – so, Paul struggle, train, work as a team for the common goal of defending the gospel.  
  • Christians, we have a mission from the one who loved us, bled & died, and saved us; and who is our prized Leader and precious Lord. And just like we are drawn to Jesus because of His suffering, others are drawn to Christ through our sufferings.
    • Don’t camouflage your weaknesses. These show others we’re imperfect humans and need the gifts and support of God’s church, and much more the generous grace of God.
    • Don’t conceal your scars. These show you’re not indestructible and remind others that you’re fragile and vulnerable. Yet, as a believer, your scars tell a story of God’s shepherding care through dark valleys, and God’s healing hand to mend the brokenhearted.
    • Evangelism is not meant to promote your strengths or successes, but your humble spirit telling about the grace of God for weak sinners (cf. 2 Cor 4:7).

> What is an unfavorable flaw or unwanted wound in your life that God wants to use to help someone else?

Don’t camouflage your weaknesses or conceal your scars. God wants to use these to reveal His generous grace, His shepherding care through dark valleys, and His healing hand to mend the brokenhearted.

APPLY/TAKEAWAY

Disturb us, Lord,
When we have lost our thirst for the waters of life
When we have ceased to dream of eternity, and have allowed our vision of the new Heaven to dim

Disturb us, Lord,
To dare more boldly,
 To venture on wider seas, where storms will show Your mastery
Where losing sight of land, we shall find the stars.

Disturb us, Lord
With horizonless hope, uncompromising joy, and demanding mission.
As Christ followers, Church members, and Kingdom mobilizers.[7]

[1] Peter Thomas O’Brien, The Epistle to the Philippians: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1991), 4.

[2] Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, Second Edition (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press, 2014), 558.

[3] The Weight Of Glory.

[4] https://biblehub.com/greek/4043.htm

[5] Gerald F. Hawthorne, Philippians, vol. 43, Word Biblical Commentary (Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 2004), 68.

[6] G. Walter Hansen, The Letter to the Philippians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2009), 98.

[7] Adapted from M.K.W. Heicher, https://growinggodlygenerations.com/2017/09/08/disturb-us-lord/

Leave a comment