The way to true greatness is through selfless sacrifice (30-32)
The way to true greatness is through humble service (33-37)
The way to true greatness is through unwavering allegiance (38-42)
Summary
What is true greatness? In our culture, we hear about greatness all the time. Sports pundits debate about who is the greatest player in each sport. Political pundits talk about the greatest (and worst) presidents. Those debates are fine to have but what really matters is God’s definition of greatness. We find this in today’s text (Mark 9:30-42).
First, the way to true greatness is through selfless sacrifice (vv. 30-32). For the second time (see Mark 8:31), Jesus tells his disciples that he will be handed over, killed, and after three days, rise again. The disciples still do not understand that Jesus, the Messiah, has to die (v. 32). Jesus went to the cross knowing the agonizing fate that awaited him. Jesus’ selfless sacrifice is the pattern for all his disciples (not that we need to die on the cross but we must be willing to die to ourselves).
Second, the way to true greatness is through humble service (vv. 33-37). On their way back to Capernaum, the disciples argued about who was the greatest among them. Jesus overheard their conversation and taught them a lesson on true greatness – “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all” (v. 35). Of course, this was totally countercultural then and still is today. Jesus took a child in his arms and explained to his disciples that they should be willing to receive those whom society rejects in his name (vv. 36-37).
Consider the paradox of greatness in God’s kingdom: If you desire to be first by gaining position, power, and prestige, then you will get nowhere in the kingdom of God. However, if you seek to serve, you will be exalted; for in serving, you serve Jesus, and in serving Jesus, you are serving God the Father.
Third, the way to true greatness is through unwavering allegiance to Christ (vv. 38-42). Jesus rebuked the disciples for trying to stop a man who was casting out demons in Jesus’ name (v. 38). Ironically, this man had succeeded where the disciples had failed (Mark 9:18). Perhaps they were jealous of his success. John reasoned that because this new disciple was not in their circle he was not to be trusted with such responsibilities. This is a lesson most of us need to learn as well.
We can easily fall into the trap of thinking that our church, our denomination, our worship style, or our Bible translation is the only right one. Jesus is saying don’t be so critical of others. Sure, time will tell whether or not a ministry is truly honoring to Christ but our default should be to give someone the benefit of the doubt until they prove themselves unfaithful.
God’s kingdom is bigger than our experience of it (Mark 4:26-32). We tend to think in terms of our community, our church, our association, our denomination, but God’s kingdom is for every tribe, every tongue, and every nation (Rev 7:9).
In closing, here are a few questions to consider:
What is your standard greatness – the world’s or Jesus’?
Do you seek to promote yourself or serve others?
Do you expect others to serve you or are you seeking to serve others?
Are you willing to follow Jesus’ example? Are you willing to suffer for the sake of the gospel and doing good to others?
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.
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.
This blog is based on a sermon from Philippians. You can listen to the sermon here.
Sermon Text: Philippians 1:27-30
So far in Philippians 1, Paul has reminded the Philippians that he is grateful for them and that they are a source of joy to him even in prison. He has informed them that the gospel continues to go forth even in his imprisonment. He has told them about his situation and that he hopes to visit them again.
In Phil 1:27-30, he begins to give some instructions to the Philippian church.
BIG IDEA: Our manner of life should be worthy of the gospel of Christ.
27
“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ.” (ESV)
Some translations say, “as citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ.”
We should probably start with an explanation of the gospel. The gospel starts with God. God is holy, perfect, and righteous. He created us in His image, but we have all fallen short of His perfect standard. Therefore, we deserve His just wrath. But in His love and mercy, God sent His perfect Son, Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins in our place. Because of Jesus, we can be reconciled with God and spend eternity enjoying His presence rather than separated from Him in hell.
Paul is not saying that we could ever be worthy of Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins. He is saying that because Jesus has died for our sins, that we should live in a way that reflects our gratitude. As the hymn says, “Jesus paid it all, all to him I owe.”
Salvation is not a one-time decision. Salvation affects our whole lives. Someone that is truly saved will be truly changed.
Look at Romans 6:1-4:
1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
Romans 6:1-4
Elsewhere, in Ephesians 4:1, Paul writes, “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.”
What Paul is saying in verse 27 is that “our manner of life” (the way we live) should be worthy of the gospel. We should live in a way that is consistent with the truth of the gospel.
When we live in a way that is inconsistent or contrary to the gospel we claim to believe, the world rightly sees us as hypocrites. Listen to these words from John MacArthur:
“When the unsaved look at the church and do not see holiness, purity, and virtue, there appears to be no reason to believe the gospel it proclaims. When pastors commit gross sins and are later restored to positions of leadership in the church; when church members lie, steal, cheat, gossip, and quarrel; and when congregations seem to care little about such sin and hypocrisy in their midst, the world is understandably repulsed by their claims to love and serve God. And the name of Christ is sullied and dishonored.”
John Macarthur
My hope is that all of us desire to live in a way that is worthy of the gospel. In our text, we see at least three ways we can live worthy of the gospel:
First, we should be unified around the gospel (27).
“Standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.”
Many churches spend more time fighting one another than they do the real enemy. When Paul speaks of “standing firm,” he is using military language. Remember, many of the citizens of Philippi are retired Roman soldiers. Paul is saying to stand firm in the face of intimidation and external opposition.
Paul also says that he wants to find the Philippians “striving side by side.” This is sports language. Just as a team must be unified to win the game, as Christians and as church members, we must be unified around the gospel.
“When you get the gospel, you get joy. When you focus on the gospel, you get unity.”
Tony merida
In the church, our unity should not come from our financial status, our geographical location, our family ties, our skin color, or our worship style. Our unity comes from a shared understanding of the gospel and God’s Word.
When our unity comes from a right understanding of the gospel, our church can be a place where we have rich and poor people, people of all ethnicities, people of all ages, broken families, cowboys, and bikers.
We don’t have to have a church for only certain kinds of people because it’s the gospel that unites, not these other cheaper things.
We are to be unified around the gospel, but please don’t misunderstand me – we must never seek unity at the expense of truth. This is why I preach through books of the Bible and explain the gospel in every sermon.
Second, we should not be afraid of those who oppose the gospel (28).
“And not frightened in anything by your opponents”
Paul tells the Philippians that they are not to be frightened by their opponents.
Who are these opponents? Perhaps Paul is speaking of the Judaizers mentioned in chapter three, but more likely he is referring to pagans living in Philippi, maybe even civil authorities. Remember, Paul was arrested in Acts 16 because he was “advocating customs” that were not Roman in nature.
The fact is that we are not living worthy of the gospel when we fear men and refuse to stand up for the truth.
Listen to Jesus in Matt 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.“
Jesus, Matthew 10:28
“this is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.”
Paul says that the church’s unity and boldness is a sure sign that these saints have indeed experienced salvation. When people are willing to endure great hardship for the sake of the gospel, it indicates that they truly believe and have been changed by it.
We live worthy of the gospel when we’re unified around the gospel and when we stand up to those who oppose the gospel. A third way we can live worthy of the gospel is to be willing to endure suffering for the sake of the gospel.
We should be willing to endure suffering for the sake of Christ and the gospel (29-30).
“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” (29)
We should not just believe in Christ, but be willing to live for Christ, even when it costs us. We saw this clearly in our Scripture reading from Luke 14.
“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.“
jesus, luke 14:26-27
Paul writes, “It has been granted to you.” Suffering is a gift in the sense that it helps us to see if we really belong to Christ. Many young adults make a profession of faith early in their childhood, but go to college and “abandon” the faith. In most cases, they were never Christians to begin with (1 John 2:19). Most never had their faith tested before leaving home. This is why it can be dangerous to baptize young children.[1]See here and here.
Saving faith is faith that is willing to suffer for Christ. Again, hear the words of Jesus from Matthew 10:
“So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.“
Jesus, matthew 10:32-33
When we suffer for the sake of the gospel, we identify with Christ, who suffered on the cross for us.
Paul’s words are a much-needed corrective for us in the American church. So few of us have really had to count the cost of following Jesus and even fewer are prepared to suffer for Christ.
Most people want the benefits of the gospel without the cost of discipleship:
We are glad to have Jesus as our Savior. We don’t want him as Lord.
We want to go to heaven, but we don’t want to deny ourselves and forsake our sins.
Paul says that we should be willing to suffer for Christ, but many people can’t even make it to church more than once or twice a month.
Many give little or no money to the kingdom of God.
We would rather scroll through social media than the pages of God’s Word.
We think suffering is attending church instead of being on the lake or in the duck blind.
We think we’re suffering if we the worship service lasts more than an hour.
It’s no wonder that many church buildings are more than half empty most of the time. If we’re honest, most of the time, we don’t live lives that are worthy of the gospel.
I’m not trying to beat you up this morning, but rather I’m trying to challenge us to action.
30 – “engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have”
Paul was on the frontlines of gospel advancement and the Philippians were engaged in the same conflict that Paul was – spiritual war.
In Ephesians 6:11-13, Paul told the Ephesians to put on the armor of God. You only put on armor if you’re going to war. Friends, the devil is scheming against us! There are cosmic powers and spiritual forces of evil that want to destroy us. We are in a spiritual war!
We are crazy if we think that reaching people with the gospel will be easy. Paul was trying to spread the gospel message and he was imprisoned, awaiting trial. Satan wants to steal, kill and destroy people! Peter wrote that the devil is like a prowling lion, seeking who he may devour (1 Pet 5:8).
We cannot expect to win the spiritual war if we’re not ready to be engaged in battle and to be willing to suffer losses for the kingdom of God.
For us to win people to Christ:
It’s going to take more than letting the pastor do it.
It’s going to take prayer.
It’s going to require us to commit to Christ and the church and to not treat Sundays as an optional event in our schedules.
It’s going to take boldness.
It’s going to take us being willing to suffer for the sake of the gospel.
It’s going to take committing ourselves to the truth of the Word when it conflicts with our church’s traditions.
Church, we should live our lives in a way that is worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ! Jesus died for us. Let us live for him!
Let’s be unified around the gospel.
Let’s not fear those who oppose the gospel.
Let’s be willing to endure true suffering for Christ and the gospel.
If we are willing to do those things, then we will indeed be living in a way that is worthy of the gospel!
This blog is based on a sermon from Philippians. You can listen to the sermon here.
We are living in interesting times. Our culture is becoming increasingly secular and antagonistic to the Christian faith. Many people in our culture consider us to be narrow-minded because of our beliefs on sexuality, abortion, and other issues.
You may not have heard about it, but in January, the Canadian government passed Bill C-4, which effectively made it illegal to give biblical counsel with regard to sexual immorality and gender.
This bill could be used to make it illegal to evangelize the lost in Canada or to encourage someone to repent of homosexuality, transgenderism, and other sexual immorality.
Brothers and sisters, there may come a time when pastors may be imprisoned for simply preaching the Word of God. There may come a time when you lose your job because of something you posted on Facebook.
How should we respond if we have been wronged because of our commitment to Christ? What if we are persecuted, hated, or even imprisoned because of our Christian faith?
Today, in our text in Philippians 1, we see how Paul responded to being imprisoned and maligned for his commitment to Christ.
Paul was writing to the church in Philippi, a church he had founded 10 years earlier. This church had partnered with Paul through prayer and financial support in order to spread the gospel.
Paul loved this church and they were a great source of joy to him as he was imprisoned for his faith. In verses 12-18, Paul wants to update the church about how the gospel continues to spread.
Phil 1:12-18 (click for text)
BIG IDEA: We should care more about proclaiming Christ and the gospel than our own reputation.
We should trust God as we proclaim the gospel without fear (12-14)
The church at Philippi is concerned:
They have a personal concern about Pauls’ well-being, because they love him.
They have a kingdom concern about the advance of the gospel. Paul is in prison—how will the gospel go forth?
Paul wants to let the Philippians know that despite his imprisonment, the gospel is advancing (12-14).
Paul spent quite a bit of time in jail. Remember, in Acts 16, one of the founding members of the church was the Philippian jailer and his family.
Now, Paul says that his imprisonment for Christ “has become known throughout the whole imperial guard” (13). The imperial guard were elite Roman soldiers (around 10,000 of them) under the direct command of Caesar. Probably the best modern-day equivalent would be the secret service. In God’s sovereignty, Paul is in prison so that the gospel would be able to infiltrate a group of people who would presumably be hostile to the gospel.
Paul is essentially under house arrest. He was allowed to write letters and to speak with visitors, but he was chained to a Roman guard at all times. Every 4-6 hours, a shift change would occur and another guard would come in to guard Paul. So, Paul was sharing the gospel with every guard he came into contact with.
As Paul shared the gospel, others became emboldened to preach the gospel because of Paul’s faithfulness (v. 14).
In verses 12-14, we see that Paul is much more concerned with the advancement of the gospel than he is with his personal circumstances. In fact, rather than telling the Philippians how he was doing, Paul talks about how the gospel is doing.
The glory of God and the spread of the gospel was Paul’s passion.
The glory of God and the spread of the gospel was Paul’s passion.
What are some things we can learn from Paul in these verses? Three things:
(1) Trust in God’s sovereignty during your trials (12-13).
Paul was imprisoned for the sake of Christ (13). This should not be surprising. If we follow Christ, we will be hated. Remember Jesus’ words:
John 15:20a – Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.
The Romans thought that by imprisoning Paul, they would keep him quiet and Christianity would eventually dissipate. Instead, they gave him a captive audience that he wouldn’t have otherwise had.
How do you respond when you have a trial? You have two options:
The first is that you can throw a pity party and feel sorry for yourself.
The second is that you can trust God and be a steward of the situation for His glory.
When we throw a pity party, we are really proclaiming that life is about us. We think that life isn’t fair and God doesn’t care about us.
However, when we see tough situations as something that God uses to make us more like Christ, then our whole perspective changes. We are to be more concerned about God’s glory than our own comfort!
Rather than being sad about what God has not done for you, rejoice at what God will do in you and through you as you submit to his sovereign plan!
There are people that God has placed in your life to help you grow in your faith or for you to share your faith with (family, neighbors, co-workers, and others). What if your chronic health condition is God’s way for the doctors and nursing staff to hear the gospel? God can use you for His glory if you will be faithful!
If you are focused on Christ and the gospel, then your problems and your pain can become your pulpit.
If you are focused on Christ and the gospel, then your problems and your pain can become your pulpit.
See your circumstances as opportunities to speak the gospel. God doesn’t just work in spite of your circumstances, but God works through your circumstances.
Consider the fact that the church at Rome had no doubt prayed that the Lord would open a way to witness to the elite and influential imperial guard. In God’s wisdom, He answered that prayer by making members of that guard captive to Paul for two years.
(2) Trust in the power of the gospel. (12-13; Rom 1:16)
Rom 1:16 – For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
The gospel penetrated the toughest of the tough. These Roman soldiers were probably the manliest men and the toughest men on the planet at that time. And yet, the gospel was the power of God for salvation.
It is likely that Paul was a special prisoner of the emperor (Phil 4:22). The fact that he closes the letter with a greeting from “Caesar’s household” testifies to the power of the gospel over the most powerful family in the world.
Maybe you’re not in prison for the gospel, but do you ever feel chained to circumstances? Maybe you’re a woman who stays at home with her children. You can reach them with the gospel. Maybe you have a spouse who is an unbeliever or children or grandchildren who are living in sin. Never quit praying for them. Never quit sharing the gospel with them. The gospel is powerful!
(3) Trust that God will use your example to help others (14).
Paul’s example has helped other brothers be bold for Christ. When we take a stand for Christ, it helps others do the same.
We should love the glory of Christ more than our own (15-18)
There are two groups present in vv. 15-18.
There were the envious evangelists who preached because of envy and rivalry. They saw Paul’s imprisonment as an opportunity to tear him down and stir up trouble. They sought to elevate their ministries and to “afflict Paul in his imprisonment” (17).
Second, there were the empathetic evangelists who preached out of goodwill. They cared about Paul and continued his mission care about Paul’s mission to advance the gospel. They served with goodwill and love towards Paul.
What motives do we have as a church?
Is it possible that at times we are like these envious evangelists?
Do we tear down other churches that are preaching the gospel?
Their preacher is a Calvinist (or a non-Calvinist).
Their music is too loud and too repetitive.
They sit in chairs instead of pews.
They use a different Bible version.
Do we elevate our ministries and think we’re a better church because we do this or that?
When another church is held in high esteem, how do we react?
When another person is honored, are you jealous, or can you thank God for their ministry?
Remember, the envious evangelists were guilty of rivalry (17). But…sServing Jesus out of envy or rivalry is a warped motivation.
Notice Paul’s response in v. 18:
What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
Paul is so focused on the glory of Christ, that his only concern is that “Christ is proclaimed.”
Do you care more about Christ’s glory or getting recognition for yourself?
The gospel is so glorious. We deserve nothing but God’s wrath, but God adopts us as His own children. There is no room for envy and rivalry in the kingdom of God.
The glory of God and the spread of the gospel was Paul’s passion.
I hope the glory of God and the spread of the gospel is the passion of our church. For that to happen, we need to focus on Jesus, proclaim the gospel and love the glory of Christ more than our own.
As we live an attractive and joyful lives before people and share the gospel with them, then we will see people come to faith in Jesus Christ.
And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish, saying,
“I called out to the Lord, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice. For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; all your waves and your billows passed over me. Then I said, ‘I am driven away from your sight; yet I shall again look upon your holy temple.’ The waters closed in over me to take my life; the deep surrounded me; weeds were wrapped about my head at the roots of the mountains. I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever; yet you brought up my life from the pit, O Lord my God. When my life was fainting away, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple. Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love. But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the Lord!”
And the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land.
In part one, we saw that our disobedience leads to despair and death.
In today’s post, which covers verses 6b-10, we will see that God’s deliverance leads to thanksgiving.
Jonah’s disobedience had led him to despair and it was leading to his death. But when Jonah was drowning and the waters were closing in, God’s mercy finds him.
Look at v. 6b:
yet you brought up my life from the pit, O Lord my God.
Just as Jonah recognized that God was responsible for him being thrown overboard, he now recognizes that God brought him up from the pit. When God disciplines and afflicts His children, it is always for our ultimate good – to conform us to the image of Christ (Rom 8:28-29). God does not waste any of our suffering.
Just as Jonah had sunken down to a pit and hit rock bottom, we were destined for the pit of hell until God intervened (Rom 5:6-8).
Jonah said, “You brought up my life from the pit, O Lord my God” (v. 6b).
That is something we need to remember every day. There was nothing we did to earn our salvation (Eph 2:8-9). God brought us out of the pit of hell through His Son Jesus Christ.
Even as believers, we go through dark times – we could call it a metaphorical pit. Even in those times when God’s people are in their deepest anguish, He is there.
Jonah’s rebellion has brought him low, but God’s mercy will raise him up. In vv. 7-8, Jonah humbles himself before the Lord.
7-8
When Jonah’s life was fainting away, he remembered the Lord. In chapter one, we saw the word of the Lord came to Jonah, but Jonah ran away. Instead of going up to Nineveh, he went down to Joppa. He went down into the ship. He laid down and went to sleep. Now, Jonah has gone down into the sea.
In chapters 1-2, the trajectory of Jonah’s life is down, down, down. The sailors urged Jonah to cry out to his God, but He would not. Jonah finally cried out to the Lord when he began to feel the life going out of him.
God heard Jonah’s prayer, and He sent the fish that He had already appointed (1:17).
When your life feels out of control or when you feel your life fainting away, cry out the Lord. He will hear your prayers.
When your life feels out of control or when you feel your life fainting away, cry out the Lord. He will hear your prayers.
In contrast, Jonah says in v. 8, “Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love.” We saw this with the sailors. When the storm was raging, they each cried out to their gods, but of course nothing happened. There was no salvation with the false gods/idols they were praying to. Anyone that worships idols will not be delivered.
This message was also for the Israelites who would later read Jonah’s story. As you know, the Israelites had a bad habit of forsaking their love for God and intermarrying with pagans and worshiping false gods. Jonah knows that if his people do that, they forsake their hope of God’s steadfast love. The word translated “steadfast” is a word that is often used when describing God’s covenantal love with Israel. The message for Jonah’s first readers was this – do not trust in idols, or you will forfeit God’s steadfast love.
Do not trust in idols, or you will forfeit God’s steadfast love.
Likewise, we cannot live for ourselves and put our hope in idols such as money, sex, power, or status and expect to experience God’s steadfast love. When you come to Christ, you are to die to yourself and live for Him. Any other way of living will prove worthless and vain in eternity (Luke 9:23-25).
When you’ve hit rock bottom, put your hope and trust in God. The false gods that you are living for for will not save you. Only God can save you from the pit.
9
And that’s why we see tone of thanksgiving in v. 9:
But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the Lord!”
Jonah offers thanks to the Lord for His great salvation. He vows (or commits) to make a sacrifice to the Lord. If you recall from Leviticus, animal sacrifices were to be made with animals without blemish. Jonah is very thankful to God for His deliverance and will offer a costly sacrifice.
Today, we no longer offer animal sacrifices because Jesus fulfilled the sacrificial laws. He died as the once and for all sacrifice (Heb 9-10). In response to our salvation, we read in Rom 12:1-2 that we are to offer ourselves as living sacrifices. We are to live our lives as holy and pleasing to God. That is how we best thank Him today – by living completely for Him.
In the last part of v. 9, Jonah says, “Salvation belongs to the Lord.” This is the message of the book of Jonah. In his prayer, Jonah acknowledges that there was nothing he could do to save himself. His deliverance was not a result of his efforts, but the result of God’s mercy and grace.
This is the message of the book of Jonah – “Salvation belongs to the Lord.”
The clear teaching of Scripture is that no one is good enough to be justified before God (Rom 3:10-11, 23). In our natural state, we are dead in our sins and destined for hell. We can only be justified, or made right with God because of the work of Jesus Christ (Rom 5:1). Salvation is not of man. Salvation belongs to the Lord.
This is the message that we should proclaim: Sinners drown in their sin and devotion to idols and false gods, but God saves through His Son. Salvation belongs to the Lord. There is salvation in no other name except Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12).
10
Finally, “the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land.”
Again, the fish was not sent to punish Jonah, but to deliver him.
Conclusion
Jonah 2 offers us hope. While our disobedience leads to despair and death, God’s deliverance leads to thanksgiving.
We see this in three ways[1]https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/mercy-at-the-bottom:
God still listens. Despite Jonah’s rebellion, he cried out to God. God heard Jonah’s prayers, and he is always ready to receive our most desperate cries. No matter what you are going through, God still listens.
God still reigns. Jonah knew that God was in complete control. We saw that in verses 3-4. When you are going through a difficult time, know that God is not asleep. Jonah’s situation reminds us that we can trust God even in the most dire of circumstances. God is sovereign even when we feel like we are drowning.
God still delivers. Jonah experiences God’s salvation and concludes that God saved him for a purpose. Jonah has been spared to once again worship God in his holy temple and to go warn the Ninevites of God’s coming wrath. God saves us for a purpose – namely so that we worship him and minister to others.
God’s deliverance of Jonah reminds us of how He has delivered us through Christ
Jonah was entombed in the belly of a fish for 3 days. Jesus was entombed in the heart of the earth for 3 days.
Jonah felt grief when He was in the water. Jesus felt grief when He was forsaken by God on the cross.
Jonah experienced God’s wrath because of his sin. Jesus, in contrast, took God’s wrath upon himself for the sins of others and to atone for them
Jonah entered a watery grave, but he didn’t stay there. Jesus was laid in a tomb, but he didn’t stay there.
Jesus was raised from the dead, and appeared to many witnesses, ascended into heaven 40 days later and sat down at the Father’s hand where he now reigns in glory.
Have you been running from God?
Are you on your way to hitting rock bottom? Is your marriage on the rocks? Are your kids destroying their lives? Are you living in unrepentant sin?
There is hope in God. The same God that saved Jonah from death is the same God that offers us spiritual life through the life, death, burial and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. If you are not a Christian, trust in Jesus today. If you are a Christian, hold fast to the promises of God. He will never leave you nor forsake you.
And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish, saying,
“I called out to the Lord, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice. For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; all your waves and your billows passed over me. Then I said, ‘I am driven away from your sight; yet I shall again look upon your holy temple.’ The waters closed in over me to take my life; the deep surrounded me; weeds were wrapped about my head at the roots of the mountains. I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever; yet you brought up my life from the pit, O Lord my God. When my life was fainting away, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple. Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love. But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the Lord!”
And the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land.
What would your last thoughts be if you knew you were about to die and pass into eternity?
In Jonah 2, the curtains are pulled back and we are invited to see the emotions and cries of Jonah, who is a drowning, dying man.
From a human perspective, there is no hope for Jonah. As a result of his disobedience to God, he seems destined to die in the sea. As Jonah is on the brink of death, he has an encounter with the living God.
BIG IDEA: Our disobedience leads to despair and death, but God’s deliverance leads to thanksgiving.
Our disobedience leads to despair and death, but God’s deliverance leads to thanksgiving.
The last verse in chapter one really belongs with chapter two. Keep in mind that while the chapter and verse divisions are helpful tools, they were added later and are not inspired by the Holy Spirit.
1:17 and 2:10 frame this section, which details Jonah’s experience in the belly of the fish.
1:17 – The fish swallowed up Jonah.
2:10 – The fish vomited Jonah out.
Verse 17 says that “the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah.” The Lord sent the fish to save Jonah.
Jonah did not pray for God to save him from the fish, but he expresses thanks for being saved by the fish.
Jonah’s rebellion brought God’s discipline, but God showed Jonah mercy. In the same way, our rebellion brings God’s discipline, but God is merciful to us.
The Lord is merciful and saves Jonah’s life through the great fish. In chapter 2, we see Jonah’s prayer of thanksgiving for his deliverance from death. Jonah is inside the fish and he recounts his near death experience and God’s mercy towards him.
Our disobedience leads to despair and death (2:1-6a)
Verse 1 gives the setting of the prayer. Jonah prayed this prayer from the belly of the fish.
Verse 2 gives the summary of the prayer that is fleshed out in vv. 3-9. It is a summary statement.
Jonah never prayed for God to save the pagan sailors, but he does thank God for saving him. This says something about his heart, and we’ll see in chapter four.
Well what does v. 2 say about Jonah’s prayer? Essentially, that Jonah cried out to the Lord and that the Lord heard him.
2a: Jonah called out to the Lord in his distress and the Lord answered him.
2b: He cried from the belly of Sheol and the Lord heard Jonah’s voice.
Jonah realizes that once he is drowning that he isn’t ready to die. And so he called out to the Lord.
Certainly, Jonah had reason to be distressed:
He had rebelled against God – rebellion against God will leave you distressed.
He had been disciplined by God – God’s discipline is not pleasant at the time.
He was drowning and about to die – near death experiences are intense.
The phrase “belly of Sheol” represents death. In most OT references, Sheol is the place of the dead and is sometimes seen as the fate of the ungodly and a place of divine punishment. Simply put, Sheol was believed to be where the soul went after death.
The good news is that the Lord heard Jonah’s voice and He answered him.
Jonah was not dead when he prayed, but he was getting close, as we will see in vv. 3-6a.
3
In v. 3, Jonah recognizes God’s sovereign hand in his situation.
Though the sailors threw him overboard, Jonah knew God stirred their hearts to do so. He says, “you cast me into the deep.”
Jonah was drowning in the sea, and he recognized that it was God’s waves and billows that passed over him (“your waves and your billows”). Jonah knew the Lord controlled the sea (Jon 1:9).
Jonah was in the middle of the sea without a lifeboat, and like the sailors in chapter one, he knew that he could not save himself. He struggles to keep his head above water. Eventually, he will run out of energy and start sinking down into the sea.
4
Verse 4 is the key verse in vv. 1-6. As I previously mentioned, the storm was not Jonah’s main problem. His main problem was that he was living in rebellion against God and needed to have a heart change. When Jonah says that he is driven away from God’s sight, he is saying that he is separated from God.
When people are in rebellion against God, they are separated from Him. For unbelievers, of course this means that they do not have God as their Father, and they are under His just wrath. For believers, they are not separated from God in a salvation sense, but there is a break in intimacy and fellowship.
Jonah, though he was God’s prophet, was driven away from God’s sight. His rebellion against God had led him to get away from the presence of the Lord and to forsake God’s mission.
As Jonah begins to sink into the deep, he decides to look towards God. Jonah says, “yet I shall again look upon your holy temple.” It’s unclear from the text if Jonah literally thought that he would be saved and make it back to Jerusalem to the temple or if he was speaking figuratively – that he was looking to the Lord’s presence and seeking his help. Verse 9a seems to indicate the former. Either way, in some sense, Jonah turned to the Lord.
He finally understood that there was no way out except to turn to the Lord. Jonah refused to cry out to God in the boat, but he does cry out in the waves of the sea. Many people today are living for the world (1 John 2:15-17) without any care of God (Matt 24:36-39), and in disobedience to God (Eph 2:1-3). Often, God must send a storm to get people’s attention before they will seek Him.
Most people don’t seek God when things are going well. A few will seek God during the storms of life. Some people however, have to come face-to-face with death before they wake up and even then, some don’t.
This is Jonah’s plight. He is separated from the Lord, but in His suffering, he turns to God. That is what we must do. In times of suffering and difficulty, we must turn to the Lord.
In times of suffering and difficulty, we must turn to the Lord.
God is gracious to Jonah and He will be gracious to us, but I want to implore you – don’t want until you’re on the brink of death to turn to the Lord. Seek Him while He may be found. Do not love the world but seek first the kingdom of God. Deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and live for Christ.
5-6a
Many people come to the Lord or renew their commitment to the Lord only after hitting rock bottom. Only after a crisis do people realize they are living for themselves rather than living for Christ. God has to show us that we must cry out to God or perish. It’s been said that you never realize Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have.
You never realize Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have.
God is more concerned about your holiness than your happiness. At times, He will knock out your legs from beneath you to make you dependent on His grace. Scripture says that He disciplines those He loves (Pro 3:12; Heb 12:6).
If it wasn’t too late for Jonah, it’s not too late for you. No matter what kind of sin you’re living in or how far away you feel from God, it’s not too late to turn to the Lord until you’ve taken your last breath.
In verses 1-6a, we have seen that our disobedience leads to despair and death.
In verses 6b-10, we will see that God’s deliverance leads to thanksgiving.
