Below are some of the resources I used while preparing my sermons in Philippians. I commend them to you for personal study as well as teaching and preaching. Obviously, this is not an exhaustive list of resources. I have placed them in order of helpfulness.
ESV Study Bible
ESV Expository Commentary
Exalting Jesus in Philippians (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary)
Basics for Believers: An Exposition of Philippians
This blog is based on a sermon from Philippians. You can listen to it here.
So far in Philippians, we’ve seen that Paul is concerned about two main things:
External opposition (Phil 1:27-30; 3:1-2)
Internal division (Phil 2:1-4)
Paul has told the Philippians that because of the gospel, they can overcome these challenges. Despite these challenges, they can have unity, humility, and joy because of Christ and the gospel.
In my last post, we saw that we can have contentment in any circumstance through the power of Christ within us.
Today, we finish the book of Philippians by looking at the importance of giving sacrificially to gospel work.
I told my church that I had no axe to grind and was not after their money. This is one reason why I preach through books of the Bible. You can preach on difficult topics and church members don’t have to wonder who I’m preaching to.
Sermon Text: Phil 4:10, 14-23
BIG IDEA: We should give sacrificially to gospel work as we trust God to meet our needs.
When I use the term gospel work, I’m referring to any work that advances the gospel of Jesus Christ. The first thing I want us to see is that we should provide for the needs of gospel workers.
We should provide for the needs of gospel workers (14-16, 18a)
14-16 – Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.
The Philippians had partnered with Paul to advance the gospel (Phil 1:5). Gospel workers should get their living from the gospel. Sometimes we think that pastors and missionaries should get “real jobs.” There were times when Paul made tents to support his work. However, the clear teaching of Scripture is that we are to provide for the needs of those who help meet our spiritual needs.
1 Cor 9:9-14
9 For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? 10 Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. 11 If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? 12 If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. 13 Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? 14 In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.
This is why our church partners with Southern Baptist mission work. Just as Paul was advancing the gospel in his time, we have NAMB and IMB missionaries doing the same thing today.[1]I’m aware of the problems within the SBC and am definitely concerned about a lack of transparency and accountability. The focus of this post is more about giving to gospel work than debating … Continue reading
I am thankful that our church gives to missions and we should continue to do so. If the church ever gets to a point where we can’t give to missions, then we should just close our doors, because at that point we will have forgotten what it means to be a church.
But I know there are some of you that come to church and never give or perhaps you give a token gift to ease your conscience. This passage implies that if someone isn’t giving then they aren’t partners. They are customers or consumers. I implore you, don’t be a consumer. Instead, be a faithful giver to God’s kingdom work through our church and beyond.
Tony Merida writes, “When a person is receiving sound instruction, which leads to life and godliness, and when a person is receiving pastoral care, they have the privilege and the responsibility of giving to support the mission of the church.” [2]Tony Merida, Christ-Centered Exposition: Philippians, 193
Gospel workers rejoice when they are cared for (10, 14)
10 – I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.
Paul doesn’t say why the Philippians had not given. Perhaps it was due to their poverty or because they simply didn’t know where Paul was. Paul says that though they lacked opportunity, they never lacked concern.
Missionaries need to know that they are not alone. Today, we can communicate instantly via technology. We should be faithful to pray for, communicate with, and support missionaries and other gospel workers.
14 – “Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.”
We are called to bear one another’s burdens and the burdens of gospel workers are often great. Let us lift them up in prayer. Let us care for them well.
Sacrificial giving reaps eternal rewards (17)
17 – Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.
I love this verse because Paul wants the Philippians to know that he’s not trying to get rich. Rather, he is happy because he is seeing the fruits of the Philippians’ faith. The same is true for me. I would love for everyone in my local church to give generously but I don’t want them to do that just so the church has a lot of money in the bank. Rather, I get more excited about a generous heart, because this is the fruit of a person who is growing in spiritual maturity. That is the main goal!
A generous heart is the fruit of a person who is growing in spiritual maturity.
Are you bearing fruit in this area? Are you giving sacrificially?
An additional benefit to generous giving is that those who give to gospel work are storing up heavenly treasures (“the fruit that increases to your credit”).
How awesome is that? Not only do we get to give to gospel work and see it bear fruit, but we are storing up heavenly treasures when we do! When we give sacrificially, we are laying up treasures in heaven.
Look at Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:19-21:
19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
While it’s surely a good idea to have an IRA (individual retirement account), it’s even better to have an IEA (individual eternal account). If you have an IRA, you may have it set up for automatic contributions. You probably know around how much is in it.
What if I were to ask you about your individual eternal account? How much have you given? Do you prioritize kingdom giving? When was your last contribution?
In December, our church will be collecting money for the International Mission Board’s Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Every dollar that we give goes straight to funding international missions. What does it say about our priorities if we buy hundreds or even thousands of dollars of Christmas presents and give little to nothing to international missions? It says that we treasure material goods over human souls.
Material things will pass away, but can you imagine the joy you will experience in heaven when you meet someone that came to Christ because you gave to missions?
Sacrificial giving is an act of worship (18b)
18 – “I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.”
When we give sacrificially, with the right motive, it is a fragrant offering and an acceptable sacrifice that is pleasing to the Lord (Rom 12:1).
We give sacrificially because Jesus sacrificially gave His life for us!
We give sacrificially because Jesus sacrificially gave His life for us!
Do you want to please the Lord? One way to do that is to give sacrificially.
As we give, God will continue to provide for us (19)
19 – And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Many of the Philippians were not rich people like us. And yes, we are rich. We live in the most prosperous nation in the history of the world. If you make $25,000 per year, you are in the top 23% of income earners in the world. If you make 50,000 per year, you are in the top 10%. If you make $75,000 per year, you are in the top 6% of income earners in the world.[3]You can see those numbers at https://howrichami.givingwhatwecan.org/. They were current as of August 11, 2022.
Look at this passage where Paul describes the Philippians’ giving:
2 Corinthians 8:1-5
We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia [the churches of Macedonia were in cities such as Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea], 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— 5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.
When we give, Paul says, “God will supply every need of yours, according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus”.
You’ll never give sacrificially if you don’t trust that God will provide for your needs.
The aim of sacrificial giving and gospel work is God’s glory (20)
20 – To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Through Paul’s ministry, God had done a work in the heart of the Philippian church (Phil 1:6; 2 Cor 8:5). When you become a Christian, the Bible says you are a new creation. Only then will you live for God’s glory and have a desire to make a difference through sacrificial giving.
We share a common bond with other Christians (21-23)
21-23 – Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
In verse 22, Paul mentions the saints “from Caesar’s household.” This probably refers to those who served in various ways in Caesar’s home. This reference reminds us of the power of the gospel. Even those in the most powerful household in the world were coming to faith through the powerful gospel (Rom 1:16). This must have been encouraging for the Philippians as they were encountering opposition from local authorities and the Judaizers.
Friends, God is at work in our church, our community, our state, our nation, and our world. Let’s thank Him for the good gospel work that is being done in our community and around the world.
I’m aware of the problems within the SBC and am definitely concerned about a lack of transparency and accountability. The focus of this post is more about giving to gospel work than debating the validity of the SBC. Maybe that will be the subject of a future post.
This blog is based on a sermon from Philippians. Unfortunately, the sermon did not get recorded.
“I can’t get no…satisfaction.” The famous song by The Rolling Stones reflects the mindset of most people. No matter how hard they try, there is no such thing as lasting satisfaction.
Instead of “I can’t get no satisfaction,” we might say, “I cannot find contentment.”
If someone says that they are content, it really means that they are satisfied. If we’re honest, contentment is hard to come by.
Consider this:
Most kids want to get older. Most older people wish they were young again.
Many single people wish they were married. Many married people wish they were single.
Many without children desire to have them. Some with children wish they didn’t.
Most poor people stressed because they don’t have much. Many rich people are stressed because they have too much stuff.
If we’re not careful, even as Christians, the difficulties of life can keep us from contentment. When we are not content, the word for that is discontentment.
Jerry Bridges says, “Discontentment arises from ongoing and unchanging circumstances that we can do nothing about.”[1]Jerry Bridges, Respectable Sins, 71
There are sources of legitimate discontentment. For example, we should be discontent with our spiritual growth.
Discontentment is something that affects my relationship with God. Lacking contentment results in resentment or bitterness toward God or other people. [2]Bridges, Respectable Sins, 73
In our text this morning in Philippians 4, Paul shows us how to put off discontentment and instead how to be content in all circumstances.
Sermon Text: Philippians 4:10-13
BIG IDEA: True contentment is only found when Jesus is your highest treasure.[3]See Philippians 1:20-23,29; 3:3,7-14, 4:4,11-13.
Background/Setting
As we read Paul’s words, we need to remember his circumstances are anything but good. He is (likely) imprisoned in Rome, chained to the elite Roman soldiers. He is awaiting trial before Caesar, and he could be put to death. He is under house arrest and unable to go anywhere.
He has been in this situation for two years. To make matters worse, there were preachers in Rome who were envious of Paul and smearing his name (Phil 1:15). Paul’s reputation was taking a beating as he awaited potential execution for simply preaching Christ.
Paul was experiencing hard times.
Are you having a hard time right now?
Do you have an unhappy marriage?
Are you struggling with infertility?
Are you having financial trouble?
Do you have some broken relationships, perhaps with children?
Have you received a bad diagnosis?
Do you wish you had a better job?
Are you single and wish you were married?
Do you have a physical disability or chronic health problems?
As I said, Paul was in a tough spot. However, as we read Paul’s words, we don’t hear grumbling from a man who was falsely accused and imprisoned. He was not defeated but instead was a joyful man who was writing to encourage others. While in prison, Paul wrote to the Philippians to express his gratitude for their generosity (Phil 4:14-20).
Amazingly, Paul was not being crushed by his circumstances. Rather, he was a man who was truly content. Friends, Paul had suffered greatly for the cause of Christ, but he wasn’t shaken. And in these verses, we will see Paul’s secret to being satisfied; to having true contentment.
I’m going to point out three main things from this text. Then I’ll give some practical applications for finding contentment.
(1) To be content, you must trust in God’s sovereignty (10)
10 – I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.
When Paul states, “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly,” he is saying that the Lord is His source of joy. He knows that God is causing all things to work together for good— even this imprisonment (Romans 8: 28). Paul knew that though life’s circumstances are always changing, the eternal purposes of God never change. [4]Steven J Lawson. Philippians For You (Kindle Locations 2851-2856). The Good Book Company.
Paul was glad that the Philippian church had revived their concern for him. If you remember, about ten years had passed since Paul had planted the Philippian church in Acts 16. After planting the church, the Philippians church initially supported Paul’s missionary endeavors. However, verse 10 makes it clear that it had been a while since they had given. Paul notes that it wasn’t because of a lack of concern, but a lack of opportunity.
Paul could’ve been angry that the Philippians hadn’t given to his ministry in a while. Instead, Paul was confident in God’s timing. He was not in a state of panic, and he was not trying to manipulate anyone. Rather, Paul rested in God’s perfect timing. Paul knew that God would provide for his needs as they came.[5]MacArthur Jr., John. Anxious for Nothing: God’s Cure for the Cares of Your Soul (John Macarthur Study) (p. 134). David C. Cook. Kindle Edition.
What about you? Are you confident that God will provide for you as you have a need?
Until we learn that God is in control (or sovereign) and that He cares for those who love Him, we will never be content. The fact is that you can’t control everything. When you start trying to get your life in perfect order, you’ll soon realize that you can’t do it. The sooner you figure that out, the better. I’m not advocating fatalism or an attitude that says, “It doesn’t matter what I do.” We should, like Paul, work hard and trust God for the results (1 Cor 3:6-7).
If we’re to be content, we must be confident in God’s providence (10).
(2) To be content, you must shift your focus away from your circumstances (11-12)
11-12 – Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
Typically, we think of contentment like this: if things (marriage, kids, job, house, health, etc.) are going well, we can be content. We’re happy.
We see in verse 12 that Paul had had some good times. Look at the phrases he uses in v. 12 (“how to abound”, “facing plenty”, “abundance”).
Paul had been on the mountaintop. He had seen many people come to faith in Christ and had planted many churches. However, he had also experienced many trials while advancing the gospel. He had seen people abandon the faith and suffered greatly for Christ.
Look at 2 Corinthians 11:24-28.
2 Cor 11:24-28
24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.
I would say that most of you reading this are better off materially than Paul was when He wrote Philippians. He had limited resources, physical pain, restricted movement, and limited food.
It’s no secret that difficult circumstances make it hard to be content. When something bad happens, we tend to throw up our hands and wonder what God is doing. However, it is possible for us to be content in any situation in life. Look at what Paul says again:
Through it all, Paul says…“I have learned” (2x)
11 – “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.”
12 – “In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.”
What was it that Paul had learned? What was his secret? Paul’s secret was this:
Don’t focus on your situation. Focus on your Savior!
Paul knew that true contentment is not by fixing your circumstances. Rather, true contentment is found in knowing Jesus.
(3) To be content, you must have a deep relationship with Jesus (13)
13 – I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Paul had learned that no matter how hard life gets, that every Christian has a source of spiritual strength – the power of Christ that sustains us.
We need to be careful here. All things is not whatever we want to insert. Context still matters. This verse is not about winning a sporting event or performing miracles. We are abusing the author’s intent when we say we can win this game or make a lot of money or overcome this illness or whatever it is we try to make this verse means.
All things refers to what Paul has mentioned in vv. 11-12. All things is about being content despite difficult circumstances, especially material poverty. Paul was saying that when he had come to the end of himself, there was the power of Christ to sustain Him.
Do you know how a pacemaker works? The pacemaker is put into someone whose heart isn’t working like it should. If the heart skips a beat, the pacemaker kicks in.
When you’re at the end of yourself, like a pacemaker, the power of Christ can sustain you. When you are weak, then you are strong.
The unbearable weight of our circumstances forces us to find strength and contentment in Christ alone. The hard truth is that the only way to learn to be content in suffering is to go through suffering.
The hard truth is that the only way to learn to be content in suffering is to go through suffering.
When life seems unbearable, there are two options:
(1) You can grumble and complain and sink into a pit of despair and depression or (2) You can run to God.[6]Stephen Altrogge, The Greener Grace Conspiracy, p. 82.
When you’ve stood on the brink of death. When you can’t fix your marriage or your kids or can’t get a better job or fight off the disease in your body, then you can learn contentment. You’ll learn contentment when you turn to God for strength to get through the situation. When you are weak, then you are strong.
Before I finish, I want to give you a few practical steps for finding contentment.
Practical Steps
(1) Acknowledge the differences between needs and wants.
Our needs are simple: food, clothing, shelter, and God’s forgiveness.
John MacArthur says that typically the most unhappy people you’ll ever meet are very wealthy people. The reason for this is because they assume that their wants are actually needs.[7]MacArthur, Anxious for Nothing: God’s Cure for the Cares of Your Soul, p. 136.
(2) Be thankful for the grace of God.
Paul had learned that he deserved nothing from God. Once we realize this, we will no longer be so focused on the things we don’t have. Rather, we’ll be thankful for the gospel of grace.
If you’re here today and you don’t know Christ, then your greatest need is salvation.
We can find joy and contentment in the midst of sorrow and grief by taking joy in the God of our salvation, the God who loves us and purchased us with the blood of Jesus. The cross reminds us that God is on our side (Rom 8:31-32).[8]Altrogge, The Greener Grace Conspiracy, p. 89.
(3) Live for the mission of God.
The more you focus on the mission of God, the less desire you will have for material things.
As you follow Jesus, you learn what really matters in life. If your focus in life is fulfilling Jesus’ Great Commission (Matt 28:18-20), then you won’t need much to be content. But, if your focus in life is your own pleasure and happiness, then there is no end to what you will want and you will never be content.
(4) Focus on eternal things.
In America, we are thankful on Thanksgiving, but that night or the next day we run to the stores to buy more, more, more!
Every commercial’s message is that you need this product or service to be happy (If you buy this product, your life will be better). But Scripture says that if you have Christ, you have everything (Phil 3:7-11).
Are you discontent because you don’t have something you want? What do you think you need? Is it a new phone? A new vehicle? A new TV? A bigger house?
Listen to Jesus in Luke 12:15: “one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
“Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
Jesus, Luke 12:15
If you always think you need more ask God to remove that desire and to teach you contentment.
Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
Every circumstance you face is temporary. One day, Jesus will wipe away every tear.
(5) Meditate on the Word of God
Find strength in God’s promises. Here are three:
God doesn’t waste our suffering (Rom 8:28-29).
God supplies everything we need (Phil 4:19).
God will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb 13:5-6).
We live in a fallen world. We all go through difficult circumstances. You’re either going through one or about to head into one.
Through it all, we can have joy and contentment if Jesus is our highest treasure.
BIG IDEA: True contentment is only found when Jesus is your highest treasure.
In Christ, you have all you can ever need, and through Him, you can find the strength you need.
This blog is based on a sermon from Philippians. You can listen to the sermon here (though not all of it got recorded).
So far in Philippians, there have been two main concerns:
External opposition (Phil 1:27-30; 3:1-2)
Internal division (Phil 2:1-4)
In the first three chapters (81 verses) there are 15 imperatives. In today’s text (Phil 4:1-9), there are nine imperatives in nine verses. In the last section of Philippians (Phil 4:10-23) there are no imperatives. Thus, the meat of the actionable commands Paul gives in Philippians are found in today’s text.
Sermon Text: Philippians 4:1-9
We are to stand firm in the Lord (1)
1 –Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
Verse one is a transitional verse. It says to “Stand firm” (also see Phil 1:27). Roman soldiers were commanded to “stand firm” and never retreat even when their life was in danger.
Likewise, Paul says to the Philippian church: stand firm! Whatever happens in this life, we are to stand firm in the Lord and pursue Him with all we have as we look for His return! I’m reminded of Jesus’ words in Matthew 10.
Matthew 10:28
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
We are to seek unity in Christ (2-3)
2-3 – entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Paul wants the Philippian church to be unified. In Phil 1:27, he writes that the church is to “stand firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.”
Unity isn’t just essential for keeping the peace. It’s essential for the sake of the mission. We will never be a faithful Great Commission church to the extent that we are fighting amongst ourselves. The same thing holds true in the SBC, the convention of churches to which we belong. To be clear, I’m not advocating in any way the compromise of truth.
Keep in mind that Philippians was a letter delivered to the church (probably by Epaphroditus) that would be read in church. Paul names two ladies by name – Euodia and Syntyche.
As I read verses two and three, I’m reminded that our source of unity is Christ. In verses 2, Paul says, “agree in the Lord.” The glue that holds the church is our love for Christ. First John 4:19 says, “We love because he first loved us.”
We also see that even those who love Christ will have disagreements. Notice what he says about these ladies: They have “labored side by side with me in the gospel.” Their names “are in the book of life.”
Churches die everyday because they forget that the mission of the church is not to draw a crowd, or to make themselves happy but to make disciples (Matt 28:18-20).
Paul is reminding the church who these two ladies are and reminding these women that the spread of the gospel is more important than their disagreement.
The same is true for us. The spread of the gospel and the making of disciples is more important than you getting your way or me getting my way.
The question we as a church need to answer when making decisions in the church is, “Will this help us make mature disciples of Jesus?”
The question every church needs to answer when making decisions is this: “Will this help us make mature disciples of Jesus?”
Third, we are to help one another resolve conflicts. Paul writes, “help these women [to agree in the Lord].” True companion or true partner refers to someone in the church. This could be a pastor or someone else. We simply don’t know.
We need to be people that tell our church members to “agree in the Lord.” Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matt 5:9).
Will you seek unity with one another in the church?
Will you ask for help when you have a conflict in the church?
Are you willing to provide help to people in conflict?
We are to find our joy in Christ (4)
4 –“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”
Paul tells the Philippians where to find their joy – “in the Lord”. He even repeats the command just in case they missed it (“again I will say, rejoice”). Paul writing from prison, wants these believers to know that their inner attitude does not have to reflect their outward circumstances.
Your inner attitude does not have to reflect your outward circumstances.
If Paul would’ve dwelled on his circumstances, he would have been bitter towards God and useless for the advance of the gospel. Instead, Paul was in prison writing a letter to the Philippian church.
Where do you find joy in your life? If I looked at your bank statement and your planner I could take a few guesses. Here are some possiblities:
Health
Money and possessions
Freedoms
Marriage
Children
Being liked by others
Sports
There is nothing wrong with any of these things per se, but if you are finding your joy in these things then your joy can be taken away.
Health – a car wreck, an accident on the job, a bad diagnosis
Money and possessions – fire, tornado, flood, stock market crashes
Freedoms – can be taken away
Marriage or children – your spouse isn’t perfect and your children are not worthy of your worship
Being liked by others– people are fickle and will disappoint you
Sports – your favorite team will lose and there will be dry spells
Most people think you will have joy when you get what you want, but real joy comes when you realize what you deserve. This is the truth of the gospel.
As sinners, as people who fall short of God’s glory, we deserve God’s wrath to be poured out on us. Instead, we are offered salvation through faith in Christ and his work on the cross. When you realize that you deserve judgement, but you’ve received salvation, this leads to great joy. True joy is not found in getting what you want, but being grateful for what you have in Christ.
True joy is not found in getting what you want, but being grateful for what you have in Christ.
Remember, Paul is writing from prison. In next week’s sermon, Paul tells the Philippians that he has learned how to be content in any situation. Would you like to have contentment in any situation?
If you want to have true contentment, then you have to get your joy from Christ! This is what Christ meant when He said that He came that we might have abundant life (John 10:10)! Abundant life comes from knowing Christ and treasuring Him above anything else.
Christian, rejoice in the Lord!
We are to be gracious people (5a)
“Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.”
The ESV says reasonableness, other translations: graciousness, considerate, gentle spirit, gentleness.
We need this kind of spirit to get along with others and to be reconciled when there is division. We need to respect one another, even when we have disagreement. It’s also important for our witness to a watching world. John 1:14 says that Jesus dwelt among us, and He was full of grace and truth.
If someone observed your life, would they describe you as gentle, gracious, and reasonable? What if we looked at your social media feed?
We are to be gracious and gentle people.
We are put off anxiety as we pray to God (5b-7)
Paul wants the church to know “The Lord is at hand” (5b)
This phrase could mean that the return of Jesus is near or it could mean that His presence is near.
Both statements were and are theologically true. I’m going to focus more on the latter meaning. For Christians, God is always near. We see this in verses like 1 Peter 3:12.
1 Pet 3:12a
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer.
Have you ever been in a scary situation? In a museum one time, I stepped onto an elevator with my kids. They weren’t scared at first, but then the lights went out. At first they got really scared, but then they weren’t afraid. Why? Because I (their dad) was with them and they could hold my hand.
The same is true with God. Whatever we’re going through, we can reach out to our Father. This is a church that is suffering (Phil 1:29). We know that there is disunity, and that they are experiencing opposition from the Roman government and the Judaizers. They are concerned about Paul and Epaphroditus. In some sense, the church is in a “dark” place.
When you experience darkness in your life, how do you respond?
Do you have a panic attack?
Do you hit the bottle?
Do you call a friend?
Do you take some anxiety pills?
Paul is telling us, “The Lord is hand.” He goes further:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (6)
It’s no surprise that these verses are so close to v. 4. In v. 4 we are told to rejoice in the Lord. Here, Paul tells us to not be anxious. Anxiety (or worry) is the greatest thief of joy.
Prov 12:25 – Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down.
How is it possible to not be anxious about anything? Really, Paul?
Remember, Paul is in prison and is unsure whether or not he will be put to death for treason for declaring that Jesus, and not Caesar, is Lord.
Paul says not to be anxious about anything, but in everything we are to go to God in prayer with a heart of thanksgiving.
When we are anxious, we are acting like unbelievers.
We are doubting God’s goodness. We wonder, how could God be good if this is happening to me?
We are doubting God’s sovereignty. We wonder, how could God possibly use this for good?
We are doubting God’s power. We wonder, can God really deliver me from this trial?
But when we go to God in prayer, we are proclaiming to ourselves:
That God is a good and perfect Father and is worthy of our trust.
We are totally dependent on God and only He has the power to deliver us.
We sometimes pray that we could be closer to God but often we don’t like the methods He uses to answer our prayer.
Remember, if Jesus is your ultimate treasure and your source of joy, no matter what happens, He can never be taken away!
Philippians 1:21 – For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain!
Am I or Paul saying that we never experience great pain in this life? Absolutely not. What Paul is saying, is that through the pain, don’t be anxious but go to God in prayer.
Proverbs 3:5a – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.
When we do this, look at the result:
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (7)
Paul was chained to a Roman guard. There was no escaping. Paul is telling the Philippians: just as certain as I am being guarded by Roman guards, God will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.
True peace is not found in positive thinking or good vibes, but in knowing that God is in control.
True peace is not found in positive thinking or good vibes, but in knowing that God is in control.
What are you anxious about this morning?
The state of our country
Inflation, gas prices, and the stock market
How you’re raising your kids
Your marriage isn’t where you want it to be
Job security
Your health
Your finances
Getting older and closer to death
Do you find yourself anxious? Take time to prayerfully memorize and meditate on Philippians 4:4–7.
Defeat all of your anxiety by trusting in God’s goodness and in His sovereignty. The same God that Paul wrote about is the same God we serve today. He is just as worthy of our trust today as He was when Paul wrote these words.
I’ve never met someone who is faithful in prayer who is also anxious. Isaiah 26:3 says that God keeps him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Him.
We could summarize verses 5-7 like this:
If you’re every anxious about anything, go to God in prayer and then you will have the peace that surpasses all understanding.
We are to think about excellent, praiseworthy things (8)
“if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Paul defines what things are excellent and praiseworthy: things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable.
Don’t fill your mind with anxious thoughts, but instead fill it with things that are excellent and praiseworthy.
Our thoughts should be focused on God, His Word, and the hope that we have in the gospel.
We are to be obedient to Christ (9)
9 – “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things”
Paul says the things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me – do them! The truths of Scripture only take root when we practice (obey) them.
As a pastor, I can teach my flock the Bible, but they have to choose to obey it. The end result of preaching and teaching is not Bible knowledge, but obedience to Christ!
Are you a follower of Christ that can say this: “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things?”
We can’t live the Christian life alone. Thankfully, God is with us (9b, 2:13).
In conclusion, there is a lot in this passage. Let’s obey it together for God’s glory!
We are to stand firm in the Lord (1)
We are to seek unity in Christ (2-3)
We are to find our joy in Christ (4)
We are to be gracious people (5a)
We are to put off anxiety as we pray to God (5b-7)
We are to think about excellent, praiseworthy things (8)
This blog is based on a sermon from Philippians. You can listen to the sermon here.
I hope you have realized by now that life is not easy. The Christian life is not easy. Contrary to prosperity theology, life is not always a bed of roses. Jesus said, “In this world, you will have trouble” (John 16:33).
As Christians, we look forward to the coming of Christ. I’ve mentioned that salvation is a process. We are justified by faith. One day we will get our new bodies and be glorified. But what does the Christian life look like between justification and glorification?
The answer is sanctification – the process of growing more like Jesus. The reality is that none of us have “arrived spiritually.” We see this in our text today in Philippians 3.
Paul uses the metaphor of a race to emphasize the need for us to continue to press on toward knowing and experiencing Christ more fully.
Sermon Text: Phil 3:12-4:1
There are three main things in this text I want us to see as we think about pursuing Christ until He comes.
(1) As disciples, we are to passionately pursue Christ (12-16)
In verses 12-14, Paul compares the Christian life to a race. The Christian life is not a sprint, but a marathon. Look at Paul’s words:
12 – “press on”
13 – “forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead”
14 – “press on toward the goal for the prize”
12 – Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.
Paul says that he has not obtained a perfect knowledge of Christ. In other words, he doesn’t know Christ as fully as he should.
This verse shatters any idea of perfectionism theology. If the apostle Paul, whom Jesus called out audibly on the Damascus Road (Acts 9) couldn’t become perfect in this life, then none of us can.
We all need to realize that none of us are perfect. We all still need to grow in our relationship with Christ. When you realize that you’re not perfect, it affects how you live:
You will grow less self-righteous.
Your view of others will change. You will be less critical because you know you still need to grow as well.
You will be quicker to see God at work in others.
Your love for the Savior will grow because you know how much you need his grace.
In the Christian life, the more you grow in maturity, the more you realize how much further you have to go to become like Christ.
We see this in Paul’s life[1]I saw this in a Twitter Post by Matt Smethurst.:
“I am the least . . .”
AD 55: “of all the apostles” (1 Cor. 15:9)
AD 60: “of all the saints” (Eph. 3:8)
AD 62: “of all sinners” (1 Tim. 1:15)
Christian maturity is growing more aware of your unworthiness and your need for God’s grace. That’s why if you are truly saved, hymns are more precious to you now than they were years or decades ago.
Notice what Paul says at the end of v. 12: “I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.” In that statement, there is a balance of faith and works, of God’s call and the believer’s response.
Paul is not trying to earn his salvation. Instead, he is acknowledging that because he belongs to Christ, he is pressing on toward the end result of salvation – experiencing the power of Jesus’ resurrection and knowing him more fully.
The goal of the Christian life is not to get to heaven or escape hell. The goal of the Christian life is to know Christ (John 17:3; Phil 3:7).
Salvation is not simply fire insurance. Many churches in the southern United States have reduced salvation to walking an aisle, making a profession of faith, and being baptized.
Salvation is not simply fire insurance.
The reality is that once we are truly saved, we will begin to experience the same resurrection power that raised Jesus from the dead. When we come to know Christ, we become new creations (2 Cor 5:17). We are raised to walk in newness of life (Rom 6:4).
Salvation is not praying a prayer and going back to living how you always have. True salvation leads to spiritual growth – growing in grace and knowledge of Christ.
Paul says in v. 12 that he presses on. How does he do that? Two ways we see in v. 13:
“forgetting what lies behind”
“straining towards what lies ahead”
13 – Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
When you’re running a race, you cannot keep looking behind you. If you do, you will go slower, you will get distracted, or at worst, you might fall.
We are to forget what is behind us. In the Bible, forget doesn’t mean to not remember, but instead it means that we are “no longer influenced by or affected by.” In order to break the power of your past, you must live for the future.
Forget your failures and run forward.
Maybe you’ve had broken relationships or been addicted to drugs. Maybe your kids are not walking with the Lord. Maybe you’ve had wasted years or missed some opportunities for evangelism. Peter denied Jesus three times. Paul persecuted and murdered Christians before he came one.
Forget past achievements
Don’t use past victories as an opportunity to get complacent. Since I’ve been here, I’ve heard a lot about how our church used to be bigger. While that is true, we can’t continue to think about the glory days. Instead, we must, like Paul, press on! If we are stuck looking to the past, we will never move forward in the present.
Many Christians are satisfied with the spiritual race they are running because they compare their running with other people, many of whom are not making much progress.
In verse 13, Paul says, “One thing I do.” Paul is a man focused on one thing – knowing Christ. If I asked someone close to you, what would they say is your “one thing?”
Work
Family
House and stuff
Sports
Academics
Social media
Video games
Our “one thing” must be forgetting what lies behind and straining forward in Christ. If we want others to know Jesus, then knowing Jesus has to be our one thing.
If we want others to know Jesus, then knowing Jesus has to be our one thing.
14 – I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
The prize is “the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” One day, Jesus will come again for His bride – the church. Will you be found in Him?
To be found in Jesus, you must believe the gospel.
One indicator that you are truly saved is that you long for Jesus’ return. If you’re here and you’re fearful about Christ’s return, you probably don’t know Him.
15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
In vv. 15-16, Paul says that if you think you’re perfect and don’t need to keep pressing on in your relationship with Christ, then you are not mature.
If this is how you think and you do have the Holy Spirit, then God will reveal that to you (v. 15b).
These verses are challenging. I want to ask you. How are you living?
Have you come to know God through faith in Christ?
Are you experiencing the power of the resurrection? By that, I mean are you growing in Christlikeness?
Are you looking forward to the return of Christ?
Are you content with baptism and church membership or are you continually growing in your faith?
In verses 12-16, we see that we are to passionately pursue Christ. How do we do that? By following the right examples.
As disciples, we are to follow the right examples (17-19)
17 – Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.
So far in Philippians, Paul has pointed to Timothy and Epaphroditus as examples (2:19-30). He has pointed to Jesus as our supreme example (2:5-11). Now, Paul encourages the Philippians to imitate him and others like him (17).
What kinds of people are we to look to as examples?
Those who promote unity (Phil 2:1-2).
Those who are humble and put the needs of others ahead of their own (Phil 2:3-4).
Those who are not grumblers and complainers (Phil 2:14-15).
Those who are trusting in Christ, not religious works (Phil 3:1-11).
Those who are pouring out their lives for the sake of the gospel (Phil 1:29; 2:19-30).
Those who are passionately pursuing Jesus (Phil 3:7-11).
These are the kinds of people that we should follow in the Christian life. Paul tells us who to follow, but he also warns the Philippians about ungodly ones. Paul calls these people “enemies of the cross.” Look at vv. 18-19.
18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.
It’s likely Paul is here referring to people who were led astray by the Judaizers that he mentioned in Phil 3:2. Paul said in Phil 3:3 that we are to have no confidence in the flesh.
In contrast to Paul, who is pursuing Christ, the Judaizers were pursing earthly things. These “enemies of the cross” were trusting in their own spiritual deeds rather than in Christ.
Look at how Paul describes them:
First, “their end is destruction.” They will be condemned to hell.
Second, “their god is their stomach.” They were perhaps given to gluttony. More likely, they were preoccupied with Jewish dietary laws.
Third, “their glory is in their shame.” They were focused inappropriately on their circumcision.
Fourth, their “minds are set on earthly things.” They were living for earthly things instead of looking to eternal things.
In the Christian life, there are two kinds of people you can look to as an example:
The first are people like the Judaizers who profess to be Christians but are really trusting in their works.
The people in vv. 18-19 were confident that circumcision and some moral living (dietary laws) were sufficient. Their hearts had not been changed and they were not focused on Christ.
There are many today who live like this. They think that walking an aisle, being baptized, living a moral life, and voting Republican will get them to heaven. All the while, their minds are set on earthly things–perhaps work, hunting, or football. They are not straining towards the goal of knowing Christ. They are not seeking to build the kingdom of God.
Let’s get real there are many people on our church roll that don’t bother to come to church. Their minds are set on earthly things, and they don’t have any desire to worship Christ or hear the Word preached or to fellowship with other believers.
You can follow the first group of people or you can follow those who are in Christ and humbly admit they don’t have it all together but are seeking to know Christ and the power of his resurrection.
As disciples, we are to stand firm as we look for the return of Jesus (3:20-4:1)
20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. 4:1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
As opposed to the Judaizers, whose minds are on earthly things, we as Christians are rejoice in our heavenly citizenship.
Philippi was a Roman colony with many Roman military veterans. These veterans were proud of their Roman citizenship.
This is something we need to remember. We are proud to be Americans. We celebrate America on Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veteran’s Day.
We are grateful for our American citizenship, and we are thankful for our military veterans. But brothers and sisters, Christianity is not an American religion. There are many Americans who are not Christians and there are many Christians who are not Americans.
As Christians, our true citizenship is in heaven.
As Christians, our true citizenship is in heaven.
You may not know this, but Roman citizens called the emperor “savior.” Roman citizens were looking to an earthly savior. Friends, we live on earth, but our Savior is not an earthly king. He is the Alpha and the Omega – the Beginning and the End.
We have a Savior that has “the power…to subject all things to himself” (Phil 4:1).
When we see Christ coming in the clouds and get our new bodies, at that moment, all the things of this world will be worthless to us! If they will be worthless then, they should be worthless today. When Jesus comes, he will “subject all things to himself.”
If you don’t know Christ, turn from your sin and trust in Him.
4:1 says to “Stand firm.” Roman soldiers were commanded to “stand firm” and never retreat even when their life was in danger.
Whatever happens in this life, we are to stand firm in the Lord and pursue Him with all we have as we look for His return!
This blog is based on a sermon from Philippians. You can listen to the sermon here.
If I were to ask you, “How do you know you’re a Christian?,” what would you say? Or, perhaps I could ask it this way: “How can we be righteous before God?”
The Bible teaches that God is perfectly righteous (2 Cor 5:21); that He is perfectly upright and moral. The Bible also teaches that we are unrighteous (Rom 3:10-11).
So, the question remains, how can we be righteous before God? In our text today, we find the answer to this question.
Sermon Text: Philippians 3:1-11
BIG IDEA: Our righteousness before God is found in Christ alone.
In vv. 1-2, we see Paul’s warning to look out for false teachers.
Look out for false teachers (1-2)
Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. (1-2)
1
When Paul refers to the “same things,” he probably meant what he had taught them in person, which of course is the gospel.
By reminding them of the gospel, Paul was protecting them from the danger of legalism, or works righteousness.
As Christians, we are to continually remind one another that our righteousness doesn’t come by our good works. There is nothing we can do to earn our salvation (Eph 2:8-9). Rather, salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
Paul’s teaching would keep the Philippians same from false teaching (“is safe for you”). We see here a clear reminder of the importance of doctrinal preaching and teaching (Acts 20:27).
Like Paul’s day, there is still so much false teaching today, even within churches. Look at Paul’s warning in the very next verse.
2
In verse 2, we see a repeated command: Paul says to “Look out!”
Who does Paul tell the Philippian church to look out for? Paul refers to them as “the dogs, the evildoers, and those who mutilate the flesh.” They are the false teachers known as the Judaizers.
As we saw in our Scripture reading in Acts 15, these men wanted to force new Gentile believers to adhere to Jewish law (especially circumcision) as a part of salvation.
Acts 15:1
But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
You probably know that under the Old Covenant (the Old Testament), anyone that wanted to become a Jew had to be physically circumcised.
Well even after this special council in Acts 15, these Judaizers believed that early Christians must first be circumcised. The Judaizers were essentially trying to force new Gentile converts had to be circumcised in order become Jews before becoming Christians. D. A. Carson said that the Judaizers “thought of Christianity as Judaism plus a little extra, almost a sect of Judaism.” [1]D.A. Carson, Basics for Believers: An Exposition of Philippians, 81
And so, Paul warns the Philippians: look out for those who would have you to be circumcised.
Look at the descriptors Paul uses:
First, he calls these false teachers “dogs.” We think of dogs as pets, but in biblical times they were nasty, unclean, and dangerous. The Pharisees commonly used the word “dog” to insult Gentiles. With great irony, Paul says that the Judaizers, not the Gentiles deserve to be called dogs.
“Like dogs, these Judaizers snapped at Paul’s heels and followed him from place to place “barking” their false doctrines.” [2]Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2, 84.
Paul also calls them “evildoers” – these men had an evil mission – to distort the gospel of grace.
Finally, Paul said to look out for “those who mutilate the flesh.”
Paul is warning the Philippians: look out for those who emphasize physical circumcision. As we’ll see in verse 3 that physical circumcision is not what’s important. Rather, what’s important is that your heart has been circumcised.
Thus, Paul says those who teach circumcision to become Christians are mutilating themselves.
I thought of a modern day example. When a woman cuts off their breasts, that doesn’t make her a man. Likewise, then a man cuts off his penis, that doesn’t make him a woman.
Here, Paul is saying that just because you circumcise yourself, that doesn’t make you a Jew or a Christian. The truth is that even as Gentiles, we don’t have to be circumcised because Jesus came and died for our sins. We’ll talk see this more in vv. 3-4.
Today, I don’t know of anyone that is forcing people to be circumcised to be saved. However, sinful people are always trying to manufacture our own righteousness.
I want to quickly give you three modern day examples:
First, I thought of wokeness. Many people in our culture think that white people are inherently racist and must divest themselves of whiteness. However, the Bible doesn’t say that we need to change our skin color. The Bible says we need a new heart. Once we are saved, the Bible says there is no condemnation for those who are in Jesus.
Second, I thought of Catholicism. The Catholic church teaches salvation by works. Straight off the Catholic News Agency website, I found a section on the seven sacraments. Again, this is straight from their website:
“The [seven] sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us.”
In other words, if you do these seven things, then you’ll have eternal life.
Third, I thought of the Church of Christ’s view on baptism. In vv. 1-2, we clearly see the warning to look out for false teachers who add to the gospel of grace. The Church of Christ does this by teaching baptismal regeneration.
If someone says that you need more than repentance of sin and faith in Christ to be saved, then flee from those false teachers.
So, we’re to look out for false teachers. But we’re also to put no confidence in our own flesh.
Put no confidence in your own flesh (3-6)
3 | Paul’s clarification
For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— (3)
Paul says that “we are the circumcision.” Not those who are forcing physical circumcision but those who have experienced the circumcision of the heart.
Romans 2:28-29
For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.
Galatians 6:15
For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
Notice, the rest of verse three fleshes out what a true Christian looks like. Someone that has had been made new and experienced circumcision of the heart.
When your heart has been circumcised, you:
Worship by the Spirit of God (Gal 5:16; John 4:23-24).
Glory in Christ Jesus (Phil 1:21)
Put no confidence in the flesh.
4-6 | Paul’s credentials
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.
In vv. 4-6, Paul is saying that if anyone should have confidence in the flesh, it would be him. He gives a list of his credentials:
He was circumcised on the 8th day in accordance with Levitical law (Lev 12:3).
He was of the people of Israel.
He was of the tribe of Benjamin. Saul, Israel’s first king, came from this tribe. Paul was perhaps named after Saul.
He was a Hebrew of Hebrews. Both Paul’s parents were Hebrews. He was not from a mixed bloodline.
As to the law, he was a Pharisee.
As to zeal, he was a persecutor of the church. He oversaw the stoning of Stephen in Acts 7.
As to righteousness under the law, Paul was blameless.
Our tendency is to read this text, wonder how people could’ve been confused by these false teachers and move on.
While we don’t have people that are encouraging physical circumcision, we are always in danger of trying to manufacture our own righteousness.
Below, I’m going to lay out what Paul’s list of spiritual credentials would look like today:
“circumcised on the eighth day”
In Paul’s day, the Judaizers put their confidence in the ritual of circumcision. In our day, people put their confidence in the ritual of baptism, church attendance, or speaking in tongues.
“of the people of Israel”
In Paul’s day, the Judaizers put their confidence in their ethnicity and citizenship. In our day, American Christians put their confidence in their American citizenship, claiming, “America is a ‘Christian’ nation.”
“of the tribe of Benjamin”
In Paul’s day, the Judaizers put their confidence in their rank. In our day, some Christians put their confidence in their denomination of church. I’ve heard some Church of Christ folks claim that they’re the only ones going to heaven.
“a Hebrew of Hebrews”
In Paul’s day, the Judaizers put their confidence in their family traditions and upbringing. In our day, many people put their confidence in the fact that they came from a family of churchgoers.
“As to the law, a Pharisee”
In Paul’s day, the Judaizers put their confidence in their rule keeping. In our day, some Christians put their confidence in their Bible knowledge.
“As to zeal, a persecutor of the church”
In Paul’s day, the Judaizers put their confidence in their zeal. In our day, many believe that it doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you’re sincere. Many are very sincere, but they are sincerely wrong.
“As to righteousness under the law, blameless”
In Paul’s day, the Judaizers put their confidence in their obedience. In our day, many people do the same things. Here are some examples:
I attend church every time I can.
I don’t drink alcohol or do drugs.
I don’t have any tattoos
My Bible translation is the only true one.
We don’t have certain instruments in the church, so our church is more pleasing to God.
I’ve never had a divorce.
All of my children go to church.
To these things, Paul says “Put no confidence in the flesh” (Phil 3:3)!
Like most “religious” people today, Paul had enough morality to keep him out of trouble, but not enough righteousness to get him into heaven.
Paraphrase of Warren Wiersbe
Friends, when it comes to your eternal salvation:
It doesn’t matter how spiritual you are.
It doesn’t matter how much good you’ve done in your life.
It doesn’t matter how much you’ve attended church.
It doesn’t matter how good of a Christian home you came from.
It doesn’t matter what party you vote for.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a better person that most people you know.
When we look at ourselves or compare ourselves with others, we may consider ourselves to be righteous.
However, what happens when you compare yourself to Christ? How do you measure up to God’s perfect Son?
Once we compare ourselves to Christ, we clearly see that we need the righteousness that only Christ can give.
Look at verses 7-8.
Place your faith in Christ alone (7-11)
But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 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. (7-8)
If you keep holding on to your spiritual credentials and your good works, then you cannot gain Christ. That’s what Paul is saying here.
The ESV uses the word “rubbish,” but the word can also be translated “garbage” or “dung.” In other words, it’s all worthless compared to knowing Christ.
You can have the Bread of Life or a pile of poop. Do you want to try to make it to heaven with your own efforts or will you trust in Jesus?
Paul continues in verse nine.
9
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—
In v. 9, Paul explicitly states what he meant in vv. 7-8: “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.”
To be “found” in Christ means to trust in and take refuge in something to save.
The point is clear: our righteousness before God doesn’t come from obedience to the law, but through faith in Christ. When we add extra requirements to what God has freely given, we have distorted the gospel. That is why Paul was astonished at the churches in Galatia (Gal 1:6-9).
This verse summarizes the difference between Christianity and other religions. Every other religion promotes works-based righteousness, but the gospel is about receiving Christ’s righteousness as our own (2 Cor 5:21).
Every other religion promotes works-based righteousness, but the gospel is about receiving Christ’s righteousness as our own (2 Cor 5:21).
Our justification comes through faith in Christ: He is our righteousness.
10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
Paul says that we will never know Christ and the power of His resurrection if we are still depending on our good works.
Once we know Christ, we should be willing to suffer for his sake (“share his sufferings”) and to die for Him if necessary (“becoming like him in his death”).
If you truly know Jesus, then you will become more like him. The process of become more like Jesus is called sanctification.
As we experience deeper intimacy with Christ, we begin to experience the spiritual power that comes from union with Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Is there any spiritual power in your life?
11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
The only way that we can “attain the resurrection of the dead” (v. 11) is to “be found in Him” (v. 9).
Conclusion
Paul met Jesus and was changed. He used to be an extremely religious person, but he didn’t know Christ. When he traded religion for the righteousness of Christ, he found life.
Everything that Paul used to value paled in comparison to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ.
Do you value Christ more than anyone else or anything else?
Are you trusting in the righteousness of Christ, or are you trusting in Christ and your good works?
This wonderful text of Scripture reminds us that:
We are to look out for false teachers.
We are to put no confidence in the flesh.
We are to not trust in our own good works.
We cannot justify ourselves before God.
Rather, our salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone!
This blog is based on a sermon from Philippians. You can listen to the sermon here.
Many people today are looking for an extraordinary worship experience. They attend their church’s worship gathering or watch a service online hoping to get an emotional high and feel a certain way. Vaughan Roberts calls them the “liver shivers.” [1]See True Worship by Vaughan Roberts.
Instead of constantly seeking an emotional worship experience or a particular feeling, we should seek to be faithful day-to-day. Most of the Christian life is not extraordinary. In many ways, the Christian life is ordinary. We are to pour our lives out, little by little, as we serve Christ and others throughout our lives.
As we live the Christian life, we need faithful examples of Christ to follow that will encourage us to live for Jesus.
That is what we see in our text today in Philippians 2:19-30. This passage is an excellent example of why preaching through books of the Bible is so valuable. Rarely would this text be used for a topical sermon, but its truths are so needed in our day.
My sermon title is, “Recognizing Gospel Workers.”
What do you think of when you hear the words gospel worker?
Perhaps you think of Billy Graham, Adrian Rogers, or John MacArthur. I would bet that in America most Christians think of a gospel worker as someone that is in public ministry.
We might think of those with a large church or a large following on social media. Perhaps they’ve written numerous books and are eloquent speakers. Adherents to the prosperity gospel (which I despise, by the way) would argue that a faithful gospel worker should be materially rich. In fact, this wealth is “evidence” that God is blessing this person’s ministry.
While certainly pastors and missionaries should be gospel workers, I am not limiting the term gospel worker to someone in full-time ministry. I use the term to mean anyone who is seeking to serve the kingdom of God – whether in a vocational or volunteer sense. We see this in our text – Timothy was Paul’s assistant and Epaphroditus was a layperson in the Philippian church.
Biblical Text: Phil 2:19-30 (click to read)
As we get started, remember Paul’s Situation. He is writing from a Roman prison. Today, we might say that he is under house arrest, perhaps even in Caesar’s house (Phil 4:22). He is chained to a guard at all times but does have some freedoms. He is allowed visitors and to write letters such as Philippians to local churches.
In our text, Paul outlines his plans to the Philippian church. He is sending Timothy to the church later than he originally expected and Epaphroditus sooner than he originally expected.
Epaphroditus was sent by the Philippian church with a gift to Paul (Phil 4:18). The Philippian church expected Epaphroditus to stay and minister to Paul while he was in prison.
You’re probably aware that Paul normally puts his travel itineraries at the end of his letters. So, why does Paul put this one in the middle of his letter to the Philippians?
We can’t know for sure, but it’s probably because Timothy and Epaphroditus provide examples (or illustrations) of what Paul’s been talking about so far in chapters 1-2.
Timothy and Epaphroditus are real-life examples of the kind of living that Paul has commended in this letter. Both of these men were passionate about Christ. Both were living worthy of the gospel, suffering for the sake of Christ, serving with humility, not grumbling or arguing, and holding fast to the gospel.
There are only two commands in vv. 19-30 and both are found in v. 29 – “receive” and “honor.” These commands form our only main point for this message. Of course, like any good preacher, I’ve cheated by adding subpoints.
We are to receive and honor faithful gospel workers (19-30)
The question becomes, how do we identify faithful gospel workers? Our text helps us to answer this question. Gospel workers are those who are working for the sake of the gospel in some way.
As Paul writes to the Philippians, he wants the church to benefit as much as they can from these two gospel workers.
The Benefits of Gospel Workers (19-20, 28)
Timothy (19-20)
Paul’s benefit – He will be cheered by the good news of Timothy’s report about the Philippians (v. 19).
The Church’s Benefit – Timothy “will be genuinely concerned for [their] welfare” (v. 20).
Like Timothy, I hope that you want what is best for the church and the kingdom of God. We are to be concerned more about the good of the church and the kingdom of God than ourselves.
Epaphroditus (28)
As I said, Epaphroditus had brought the gift to Paul that the Philippian church had sent (Phil 4:18).
Paul’s Benefit – He will be less anxious because Epaphroditus’ will be with the Philippians (v. 28).
The Church’s Benefit – The church will be able to rejoice because they were worried about Epaphroditus and his illness (v. 26). The return of Epaphroditus would bring the Philippians joy.
The church loved Epaphroditus and he loved them. I wonder, do we love and care for one another? Do we care for the sick among us? I pray that we do.
In vv. 19-24, we see the example of Timothy.
The Example of Timothy (19-24)
What made Timothy a faithful gospel worker?
First, we see that Timothy loved the church (v. 20). Paul said that Timothy would be “genuinely concerned for your welfare.” Remember, Timothy was with Paul in Acts 16 when the church was founded. Timothy loved the church as Paul did.
Second, Timothy had proven character (v. 22). Paul wrote, “But you know Timothy’s proven worth.” Paul had plenty of opportunities to observe Timothy’s character.
Often, churches value a resume over proven character and faithfulness. May it never be.
Often, churches value a resume over proven character and faithfulness. May it never be.
Third, Timothy sought the interests of Jesus Christ and the gospel (vv. 21-22). Paul wrote this about Timothy: “they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But…Timothy…has served with me in the gospel.
In chapter one (Phil 1:15), there were those that served out of envy and rivalry. But Paul says that Timothy serves with pure motives.
Like Timothy, we are to serve with compassion and care for others instead of trying to make a name for ourselves.
Timothy was a faithful gospel worker who loved the church and sought the interests of Jesus above his own. Today, there are many people who are in pastoral positions that use them to promote themselves instead of seeking to serve the church. Check out Justin Peters’ website if you need some evidence.
We’ve looked at the example of Timothy. Now let’s look at the example of Epaphroditus.
The Example of Epaphroditus (25-30)
What made Epaphroditus a faithful gospel worker?
First, we see that Epaphroditus labored for the church (v. 25). This is obvious for a number or reasons, but the title “fellow worker” removes any doubt.
In fact, Paul gives him five titles in verse 25:
“brother” – Paul calls him a brother in Christ. When we go through hard times with brothers and sisters in Christ, we form deep relationships with one another. Epaphroditus had come to minister to Paul while he was in prison – both his physical and spiritual needs.
“fellow worker” – A gospel worker is not lazy. We should not be lazy when it comes to the gospel and ministering to others.
“fellow soldier” – Paul had been through spiritual war with Epaphroditus.
“messenger” – Epaphroditus delivered the financial gift to Paul (Phil 4:18) and likely delivered the letter to the Philippians when he returned to them.
“minister” – Epaphroditus offered sacrificial service, ministering to the needs of Paul and the Philippians.
Tony Merida writes, “Wouldn’t these five terms be wonderful on a tombstone?”
Second, we see that Epaphroditus loved the church (v. 26). Paul writes, “he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was will.”
Epaphroditus has been longing for the church since he left.
How about you? Do you long for the church? Do you love the people of Christ? Are you a committed member of a local church? If not, then you are living in disobedience.[2]See Church Membership by Jonathan Leeman.
In our social media age, many Christians we would be “tagging” Paul, “checking in” at Caesar’s house (Phil 4:22) and posting pics on social media. But Epaphroditus was not in Rome for a photo op. He was ministering to Paul and longing for the church back in Philippi.
Third, Epaphroditus loved Christ more than his own life (vv. 27, 30). He was was willing to die for the work of Christ.
He had been changed by Jesus and he wanted others to know Jesus.
Epaphroditus had gotten deathly sick en route to Paul from the Philippians (4:18). Contrary to the prosperity gospel, Christian living involves suffering and sacrifice (Phil 1:29; 2:3-4).
When was the last time you sacrificed for the gospel?
When was the last time you prayed for an unbeliever?
When was the last time you had lunch (or better yet, into your home) with an unbeliever and tried to share the gospel?
In your budget, do you seek to give sacrificially to God’s work?
The bottom line is this – we are to honor and receive men like Timothy and Epaphroditus (v. 29).
Men like Timothy and Epaphroditus are to be and received and honored because they are modeling what it means to follow Christ. Consider how Timothy and Epaphroditus modeled Christ:
In service
Timothy served with Paul in the gospel (Phil 2:22).
Jesus took the form of a servant (Phil 2:7).
As Christians, we should serve others (Phil 2:3-4).
Jesus looked to the interests of others by traveling from heaven to earth (Phil 2:5-8).
We should look to the interest of others and be willing to travel to those who are lost – whether around the world or next door (Matt 28:18-20).
In sacrifice
Epaphroditus risked his life to minister to Paul’s need (Phil 2:30).
Jesus gave his life to meet our greatest need (Phil 2:8).
We should be willing to give our lives for the sake of the gospel (Phil 1:29).
I hope by now, you see that we should value a gospel worker’s faithfulness over his or her fame and following.
We should value a gospel worker’s faithfulness over his or her fame and following.
Is that true of you?
Do you value faithfulness over fame and following?
If I asked you, “Who is someone you look up to in the Christian life?” Your answer will give you insight into what you value.
Do you love the church like Timothy and Epaphroditus?
Are you laboring for the church?
Do you serve your fellow church members?
Are we willing to sacrifice for the cause of Christ?
As soon as Epaphroditus left the comfort of his normal routine in Philippi, he opened himself up to the risk of suffering as he traveled to Rome to minister to Paul.
Who are the people in your life like Timothy and Epaphroditus that can help you live for Christ?
On the day of judgment, Jesus will not ask you about the number of members in your church. He won’t ask about our church’s budget.
He won’t ask how many followers we have on social media. He won’t ask how many Christian conferences we attended or spoke at or how many degrees we have or how much Greek or Hebrew we knew.
Instead, Jesus will look at our faithfulness.
In the end, being faithful to Christ is the true mark of a faithful gospel worker. Not fame. Not fortune. Not following.
There is only one way to hear the words “Well done, good and faithful servant.” It’s by being a good and faithful servant.
