All your need

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4.19

It’s a shame that so many people have such a wrong concept of giving. People see it as a burden to be borne or a drudgery or as something we have to do. When we do that we are missing so much. We are missing one of the greatest of God’s graces.

We also miss the blessing of giving and watching God meet our needs. We see here that God will provide all that we need as we let Him use us as channels of giving to others.

We may think we need a lot more than we do. Meeting my needs doesn’t mean that I will have the least car or the latest phone. It may mean that I do not need to own my own home. It doesn’t mean that I needed the most fashionable clothes.

I need food and shelter and clothes. And with that I should be content.

The main point here is that I don’t need to worry about doing without when I give to do the work of God. All I do is channel His resources. If I give to the poor God says He will repay.

I am full

For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. – Philippians 4.16-18

Too often we Christians look at giving in all the wrong ways. He see it as an added burden or a load we must bear. Paul was telling the believers here how much he appreciated their giving as they had met all of his needs.

It was not because he desired a gift, but because he knew the blessing the people would receive because of their obedience. He was full because he saw God at work in this lives of people he knew and had worked with.

It reminds me of where John wrote ‘I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in truth.’

Our fullness ought not to depend on our circumstances. Our fullness ought to see God’s work being done in our lives and in the lives of others. Our fullness should see the blessings of God and in the lives of others. Paul knew that every gift the Philippians sent him would give them blessing and would bear fruit in their lives.

Our fullness is not material, but spiritual.

Contentment and strength

 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. – Philippians 4.10-13

Paul rejoiced even in the midst of his troubles. He had learned the key lesson of not looking at his circumstances – but instead to be content no matter what he was facing.

Paul says here that when he had or didn’t have, when he was under pressure and not under pressure, when he had all he needed and when he didn’t, when he was full and when he was hunger he would choose to be content because God doesn’t and change and that he could do all he needed because God would strengthen him.

Contentment is hard, but being discontent is constantly condemned in the word of God. Like Paul our ability to be content is based on our ability to rely on the strength of God.

We can accomplish all things for God is His strength. We can be content when we realise that we have all the strength we need to bear up though even the worse circumstances. I don’t have to want more than I have. I don’t have to desire a change of circumstances. I can be content because God will see me through this.

The God of Peace

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. – Philippians 4.8-9

Crisis times are the times we most need to sense the presence of the God of peace. Today is one of those times.

After the list of things Paul says that we can sense the presence of the God of peace if we focus on the things we are told to focus on and to do what God’s word says.

A couple of verses ago we say that the peace of God will be with us – now we read that the God of peace will be with us. I love that God puts that both ways. It kind of gives an extra measure of comfort.

We certainly are not going to find peace in this world. We are most certainly not going to find it in these most uncertain of days. We cast our cares on God, we do what God tells us to do, we think on the right things and then we will find.

Walk in the comfort of the peace of God empowered only by the God of peace.

The arena of the mind

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. – Philippians 4.8-9

Our mind is where the battle really takes place. One writer calls this the arena of the mind. We all know that our minds are like a great sports stadium where two sides square off against each other. We can choose which thoughts to win the battle.

Our thought life will determine the rest of our lives. Our minds are a busy place and if we don’t keep it under control our actions are going to follow. God wants us to direct our thoughts to things that are

True
Honest
Just
Pure
Lovely
Of good report
Virtuous
Praiseworthy

My problem is that too often my thoughts are

Oh no, I’m having car trouble and it might be really bad
We’ve never been able to buy a house, why am I going to do when we get old
I have a car test nest week
I hope this pain is normal
How is our church going to get through the virus thingy
That person really made me angry
What’s going to happen to the economy after this virus thing

I look at those two lists and I don’t have to wonder very long to find out why I don’t have peace at times.

Every moment of every day brings a battle for control of our thoughts. We can allow them to be controlled by the world, the flesh, and the devil – or we can allow them to be controlled by the Holy Spirit. It’s up to you and me.

Careful for nothing

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4.6-7

Sometimes there are older words I like a lot better than newer words. The old word ‘careful’ is one of those words. The old sense of the word is ‘full of cares.’ We use worried or anxious or something like that. None of them seem to have the sense of careful.

Because of difference in word meanings it is possible for us to say ‘don’t be careless but don’t be care-ful.’ The point is that God’s people should not be full of cares. That sounds great, but it preaches A LOT easier than it lives in days like this. The world is in a pure panic – and it is really hard to avoid it. This virus is hard to deal with. While we should not be careless about it – we should also not be burdened down with care.

We are the offer to cast all our cares (which means it is normal to have them) because He cares for us. Carrying those cares around does us no good. The only way to cast off those fears is by ‘prayer and supplication with thanksgiving’ letting our requests be made known unto God.

Then, once we have given Him our cares with a spirit of thanksgiving we can trust that the peace of God can rule in our hearts and minds.

To many of us try to overthink things, especially problems. That only compounds the problems. It is as simple as praying and asking and thanking and then casting those cares on Him.

Your moderation

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. – Philippians 4.4-5

I still have not found a single good word to translate this word that is ‘moderation’ in the KJV, but is is a beautiful word that is a much needed character trait for God’s people. I’ve seen it translated moderation as above. I’ve also seen graciousness and generosity and balance and a few others.

I have to say though that the more I look at it the moreI like moderation. I wish I had a deeper understanding of the Greek word, but I can only go on the little I do know.

I think the notion of being a moderating influence is a good description of our desired impact. In the times we are living with this virus people need to see someone who has a calm, quiet, encouraging, comforting, moderating spirit. While I am not always feel it inside I need to show it on the outside.

We have the rare opportunity to be a calming influence in times of trouble. Moderation is the last thing we often see in social media circles. People take strong stands on one side or the other. What the world needs to see examples of balance and calm from God’s people.

How do we do that? We remember that the Lord is at hand. With that knowledge we can be the moderation and calming that the world needs. We know that our God is at hand – and the world needs to know that as well.

One mind

I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life. – Philippians 4.2-3

Apparently Euodias and Syntyche were two women in the Philippian church who had a row that they could not settle. These things happen all the time. Two Christians have a little difference that neither is willing to back down on and before you not you have the seed of bitterness planted and beginning to take root.

It's obvious that we need to be united in heart and spirit. A house divided against itself cannot stand. That goes for nations and families and churches and everything else. We don’t have any idea what this squabble was about. Chances are it was something small and petty that could not get settled and it festered and grew.

The same thing happens today. It is easy for people to get divided in times of crisis.
This is a great time for division to drive us apart. The hashtag #shouldertoshoulder is being used to describe Irish people coming together to deal with this crisis.

It’s time to lay aside those petty squabbles in the body. Here we have a chance, perhaps the greatest chance we will have in out lifetimes, to show the world how God’s people respond to the tough times.

We must stand in one mind – not a mind controlled by a spirit of fear – but a mind united by power and love and a sound mind.

Transformed

[Jesus]who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. - Philippians 3:21

I get weary of this lowly body. I’m not even that old – but I feel the beginnings of the weakness of the flesh. I can’t do the things I used to do. This robe of flesh is starting starting to get a little threadbare. I am beginning to long for the day when I can drop this body and be clothed in the glory of Jesus.

The wonderful truth is that we are not trapped in our current situation forever. Better days are coming. The Covid thing has the whole world reminded of our weakness and our frailty. Everyone is anxious about this illness and what might happen. Everyone is watching out for the slightest cough or fever or any other sign of weakness in these frail vessels of clay.

Not only that, but these bodies are inclined to moral frailty as well as physical frailty. Our flesh demands attention and tragically that is never going to change as long as we live here in theses bodies.

But one day it is going to change. We don’t know when. It may not even be in our lifetime, but one day we will drop this flesh and be conformed to Christ.

The wonderful truth is that this will not last forever. One day

This robe of flesh I’ll drop, and rise
To seize the everlasting prize,

I am glad that this is not all there is.

Citizenship

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: - Philippians 3.20

This world is a mess – truly. The last couple of weeks have shown us how quickly fear and panic can take over the world. While we are wise to use common sense when things like the Covid19 virus happen, we are not wise to go into panic mode. I preached last Sunday from 2 Timothy 1.7 where God tells us that He has not given us a spirit of fear, but instead of power and love and a sound mind.

We can only live that way if we have the right state of mind. We have to remember that this world is not our home. Our true home is heaven. As scary as things might be here this is not all there is.

It is our responsibility to live in this world like citizens of another world. While we are here we represent heaven. Sure, we have to live here and we are bound to respect and obey human laws and certain rules of behaviour, but we also have a much higher calling.

I constantly have to ask myself if I am living in a way that shows people my heavenly citizenship. When visitors come to Ireland it is pretty easy to tell where most of them are from because they can act very stereotypically. You can usually pick out an American or a German or an Englishman tourist by their actions and attitudes even without an accent.

People ought to be able to say about us ‘there is something different about him’ by our actions and our attitudes. As citizens of heaven we ought to reflect our King and our kingdom. We are ambassadors for Christ. Let’s act like it.

Examples

Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) - Philippians 3.17-18

It is only natural that people seek examples to follow. Ideally we should just ‘follow God’ and that’s all we would have to do. The thing is thought that we are human and God knows that we need visible examples to follow.

There are two kinds of examples here, good and bad. Paul says ‘be followers of me’ and ‘mark them who are also examples’ of ungodly living.

We can follow Paul’s example, as he says in another, as he follows Christ. God gives us godly people in our lives so we can see an earthly example of the kind of life that we too can follow.

Here though Paul says that the Philippians are following another kind of example. Paul speaks of them with tears in his eyes for they are enemies of the cross. Their fate is destruction. Their bellies are their god. Their glory is their shame.

When you look at that way, the choice is clear. Following God’s way will ultimately result in an eternity of joy. Following man’s way will eventually result in an eternity of misery and suffering.

The world’s end is destruction. Why would we choose to follow them?

Press on

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 3.13-14

Paul knew he was not yet done. He knew he was not yet the man that wanted him to be. He knew he had not achieved any kind of ‘sinless perfection.’ He knew there was a lot left to accomplish. . He knew all about trials and setbacks and disappointments.

But one thing he strove to do – forget the things were behind and press on toward to mark of the high calling of God.

All of us can be consumed with the past and its victories and failures and it good and bad decisions. We can look back and get discouraged by our past, or we can look back and rest on our laurels.

It is easy to look back on a terrible past and claim that we can’t go on because of the baggage of a terrible past. Terrible, unspeakable things have happened to people in their past. Those memories entrap and enslave too many people and then they can’t even move on to serve God.

Others always talk about the ‘good old days’ where everything was wonderful  and of which all the memories are good.

But neither of those does any good. All the matters is that we just keep on keeping on. The one thing that God requires of His servants is that we stay faithful. We can’t get bogged with troubles and we can’t rest on past victories.

We press on, always striving to be like Christ. The Christian life is not a 100 metre dash, it is a life long triathlon.

Press on folks.

Rubbish

But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. - Philippians 3:7-11

Paul was the Jew of Jews. Nobody made a better Jew than him. Nobody kept the Law like him. He made himself as righteous as a righteous man could be. If anyone could earn their way to heaven it was him.

How though did Paul see all that now?

His Jews of the Jews, his role as a Pharisee, his devotion to the Law, his fervent zeal to protect Judaism against the Galilean heresy, and everything else he counted as rubbish.

Rubbish is not a strong enough word. Paul counted all of these things but dung. The word refers to a stinking rotten rubbish here where the most foul rubbish was heaped, including human and animal waste.

That’s a harsh word to talk about actions intended to please God. They are fine, but if they do that we miss what God has done. When we depend on what we do instead of what Christ has done it is indeed a load of rubbish.

I can’t impress God with my work and I can’t impress God with my own righteousness because that is filthy rags.

A dung heap. Filthy rags. That is how God describes the best I can do.

Fortunately though that is not what I depend on. I instead can rely on the work of Christ and His righteousness alone. His way it perfect and He offers is all as a free gift to those who put their faith in Him.

Beware of dogs

Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so:  circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. - Philippians 3:2-6

Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of those who require keeping the Law.

As we read the New Testament we find, nearly exclusively, that the harshest words and the severest judgement is reserved, not for the lost trapped in their sin, but for the false teacher and legalisers who would deny the grace of God by adding rules and regulations. Religious leaders are the ones who received the greatest condemnation.

Paul goes so far as to call the legalistic Jews dogs. Dogs was a very harsh word. Dogs were not seen in those day like they are today. For the most part they were garbage feeding mongrels seen as a filthy brutes.

What made these folks so bad? Why such harsh language?

They were what some have called ‘grace robbers’ who denied the power of the cross.
These people tried to replace the grace of God with requirements of the Law. They said that part of the faith was to keep the Law.

There is not a whole lot of that around anymore, but there are still those who would add works to the grace of God. Some do it to acquire salvation, some do it to stay saved, but for the most part it is those who try to tell us that there are certain things that we do or we don’t do to be ‘spiritual.’ I’ve been in churches that said good Christians will do this or that or not do this or that or go to or not go to certain place or wear certain things or listen to certain types of music or whatever without even a slightest application of scripture. Sometimes well intentioned way to apply scripture to daily living became man-made standards that made the requirements of man more important that the word of God. These rules are elevated to the point where obeying them replacing the grace of God in daily living.

I’ve been there. Don’t let man’s expectation rob you of the grace life. The grace life is never an excuse or a licence to sin. It is the liberty to live for Jesus without trying to satisfy the standards of men.

St Patrick's Day rejoicing

Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe. - Philippians 3:1

Today’s devotion falls on a good day for us. It is St Patrick’s Day, or Paddy’s Day, if you will – but NEVER Patty’s day. Of course most of the world considers itself Irish today so it is a very special day here in Ireland. Though the day is mostly cancelled here today it is still the national day of our adopted country.

I can use this day to look back and rejoice in what God has done and what He is doing and He rejoice that He has counted us worthy by allowing us to spend and give our lives to serving the Lord in Ireland.

It’s not that it has always been easy or smooth sailing, far from it. It has at times been a long and tedious road. We have had plenty of trials and tests and disappointments.

As I look around though see God’s work here I can only rejoice. Folks are going to heaven now because God sent us here with the gospel. We have lovely little church full of love and compassion and sweet fellowship.

I rejoice in what God has allowed us to do. I love my adopted country. I rejoice in Him for carrying us through for over 25 years.

Happy St Patrick’s Day.

Epaphroditus

Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation: Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me. – Philippians 2.25-30

Sometimes I just like to stop and reflect on Paul’s heart for others. His affection toward Timothy is pretty well know, but there are places where we can see his affection and concern. Epaphroditus is one of those people.

Paul called Epaphroditus ‘my brother, my co-worker, my fellow soldier, your messenger, and my helper.’ He ‘didn’t regard his own life, but only thought of service.’

It is exciting to meet people like Epaphroditus. I am preaching through 2 Timothy and just recently we met Onisiphorus. In Romans 16 we read of Phoebe, who helped Paul and many others. These kind of people may never be known to general history or even most Christians.

Though these folks are not ‘famous’ I have to wonder how the church would be if not for people like these both then and now. God uses His Pauls and Timothys and Peters, James, and Johns.

Thank God though that He also uses His Phoebes and Epaphrodituses and Onisiphorouses to do His work.

And He uses people like you and me who are just willing to serve.

All seek their own

For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. – Philippians 2.21

Everyone seeks their own. That sounds like a pretty depressing statement, hard to take at face value, and pretty harsh by Paul. It sounds like it might be a general judgement as a whole.

But I don’t think Paul means it that way. It seems to me that that is man’s natural inclination and a battle that everyone must fight. We all do seem to want what we want. That’s the natural thing. All you have to do is to look at a baby or a child and see the inborn self-centredness that is a part of our natural make-up.

We have to be made aware. Since I tend in my flesh to think of me I have to choose to think of the things of Christ. I have to choose to think of others.

All men seek their own, but God’s people are to seek the things that are Christ’s. My daily goal ought to be to seek Christ and His way. Instead of me I ought to seek Christ in me.

How are you?

But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. – Philippians 2.19-20

“How are you?’ That’s a common question which, to be honest, most of us never expect and answer to or really want to hear it when it comes. Most of the time we have already turned our attention elsewhere by the the time the words come out. It has just became a way of greeting without a real expected response.

When Paul said ‘how are you’ though it meant so much more. Paul was so concerned about the Philippians that he sent Timothy to find out how they were doing. He would only rest at ease when he knew.

As a pastor I understand that kind of feeling. When our folks are ill or out of sorts or away from church or out of contact for a while I am concerned and I truly want to now how they are. I feel sometimes like I am being invasive, but I truly care for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of people in our church. As the under shepherd of this little flock I hate it when they are sick or hurt or are wondering.

Not obviously that is part of pastoral care, but I think there is a principle that we all ought to have that kind of care for each other.  

When we think of each other ‘how are you’ or ‘howya keeping’ or whatever it should be more than just a casual greeting. It should be a sincere expression of concern for the well being of others. We need to take the time to stop and find out our each other are. 

Holiding forth the word

Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. – Philippians 2.16

If you watch and army going forth into battle or an army of sports fans going to a match you are always going to see flags and banners and scarves and all sorts of symbols and signs of support for their country or their team.

I’ve been to a few Ireland and Leinster rugby matches. As you get close to the stadium vendors have those scarves and hats and all kinds of silly things for sale. When you get to the stadium Leinster have flags under the seats for you to wave. The fans are more than happy to hold forth their teams for everyone to see.

We as Christians in this world have our own team logo though. It is not a costume or a banner or a flash or a silly hat. As we go out into the world we hold forth the word of God as our rallying point. It is what should identify us.

We don’t hold forth our nationality or our race or our political affiliation or our so called rights. One thing shines forth – we hold forth and we hold to the word of God. God’s word is our guide. It is our beacon to guide our way. We are marked – or we should be marked – as we follow His word.

Complaining

Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;- Philippians 2.14-15

I have been blessed with many good co-workers. Some of them have been Christians. There is great joy and fellowship in working with another believer. Many years ago I had a Christian co-worker named Tim. We worked together designing and building and installing heating and air conditioning ductwork. Sometimes it could be very difficult and dirty work and it can be easy to get frustrated and let that frustration be expressed in complaining and whinging. One day, as I was particularly frustration, Tim popped out with the words ‘let everything be done without murmurings and disputing.’ At first I wanted to slap him, but the I saw the humour of the situation and we had a great laugh.

While that is kind of a silly story it always come to mind when I see this passage. It does remind me of the very serious way that God hates complaining. Complaining may not seem like a very big deal, but it really is because it is the outward expression of discontent. It means we are happy with where God has us or what He has called us to do. In the Old Testament God poured out His wrath on the complaining Jews.

It can be really hard not to complain at times because sometimes the reality is that out life can be like being in a dirty, smelly, tight crawl space under a house and battling with a piece of ductwork that just barely fits. Life can just seem worthy of murmuring and complaining and whinging and ‘disputing’ at times.

But lets think about it. Who put me where I am? Ministry in Ireland has been hard. Finances can be tough in the this ministry. We have not been able to have things and do things others have done, and we are getting to an age when it’s not going to happen now unless God works a miracle. I try not to complain out loud, but inside I still battle with my flesh and wonder why.

And then I think of all that God has done and realise that even materially we are better off than the vast majority of the world around us. God loves me and He meets my needs and I have decent health and clothes to wear and I have a comfortable place to lay my head at night. It may not be mine, but I have a roof over my head. I have food to eat. I have an amazing wife and wonderful family and a lovely church. I have money to pay my bills and I am totally debt free – I ‘owe no man anything.’ I have a car to drive and can afford to even do a few extra things.

When I complain I am telling God that all that is not enough. I want more. He has not given me what I want. I am telling God that He has let me down. It means I am not content with what God has given me or where He has placed me. If I want to be really hard on myself it means that I think I know better than Him.

No wonder God hates complaining so much.

Work out your salvation

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. – Philippians 2.12-13

At first look this looks like a verse that supports works salvation, doesn’t it? ‘Work out your salvation with fear and trembling?’ Well, we know works don’t save us so we need to look at this a little more.

It’s really not too complicated. It is not about working to get salvation, but working the salvation we have outwardly so that everyone can see it. I like the way I heard this explained one time – outwork your salvation with fear and trembling.

It is awesome thing to be called on to show our works to the world. Jesus said that we are let our works be seen by men so that they will glorify our Father in heave, Paul wrote to the Ephesians that it was ordained before the foundation of the world that we should walk in good works.

It's really pretty clear. If we are truly saved it doesn’t do much good if we keep it hidden and keep it to ourselves. We let our works be seen so that others can be drawn to the Christ through our example.

We can’t keep it hidden under a bush, oh no.

Our works must be seen by others so that our works always back up our words, but we must share our words so that our works mean something to the world.

Exalted

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. – Philippians 2.9-11

Jesus is not real popular today. He is more well known as and invective or an object of scorn. People have no time for Him today. If people think about him at all it is usually in a very negative light.

We hear such blasphemy and mockery and see things are demeaning to Him. He is called all kind of names and all sorts of insults are hurled at Him. It is shocking and disturbing, and it ought to break our hearts. It can get pretty discouraging when that is going on all around us.

But, let’s not lose heart. The day is coming when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord to the glory of God the Father. One day His Lordship will be seen and acknowledged by all.

As the songwriter write ‘what a day that will be.’ Evil cannot win out. Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. What a wonderful day when the whole world sees the truth and acknowledges Him.

Obedience

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. – Philippians 2.5-8

Jesus humbled Himself and became obedient.

That’s a pretty profound statement isn’t it. Jesus, the Maker of heaven and earth became obedient. That alone is and amazing challenge to us. Obedience is rarely easy. If there is any doubt about that think about how long it takes a child to learn how to disobey. It goes no easier as we get older. And yet, Jesus chose obedience to the eternal plan of salvation.

How long did His obedience last? It lasted even to the point of death on the cross. At the last He prayed for deliverance from His fate – but even then, He yielded to will of the Father. Jesus, the Creator became obedient to the death His people had caused by disobedience. 

So how far are we to obey God? Obedience is, and the children’s goes, the very best way to show that we believe, so we must ask ourselves if we are obeyers. Are far are we willing to obey? What does it take to stop us from obeying?

Jesus came to earth to bring us eternal life. He gave it all for us – even going to that cruel cross. If that is our example oughtn’t we be able to obey Him in the little that he asks of us? Can’t we live lives that honour Him? Can’t we take the message of salvation to the world around us? Can’t we love God and love others?

With Jesus’ example of obedience how can we not obey.

Robbery

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. – Philippians 2.5-8

How many times do we hear things like ‘that’s not fair,' or 'I was robbed!!" It often refers to a sense that we were deprived of something we thought we received or had to do something we didn’t want to do.

In sports we might even hear the phrase ‘I was robbed!’ We don’t like it when we feel like we have been robbed.

That notion of robbery is what this verse is talking about. Jesus did not think he had been robbed of anything when He came to earth. This deity was not something He felt like He had to cling on to. He yielded His ‘rights’ for us.

That’s a challenge to me. I don’t like to feel robbed of my rights.

That’s sad too. When I look at what He was ‘robbed’ of how can I even think to compare?

The mind of Christ

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. – Philippians 2.5-8

Let this mind be in you – the mind of Christ. Let the mind of Christ be your mind. Bring every thought into captivity to the mind of Christ.

This is a greatly challenging verse and terribly convicting. It says so much in so few words. We are all challenged here to have the the mind of Christ in our lives today.

I don’t know if we can really comprehend that. How does the mind of Christ differ from the mind of Roger? Is there any comparison?

But that’s what the word of God calls for. In this context the image is the mind of Christ in relation to others. His mind here is a mind of unity and sacrifice for us. Those are concepts that we don’t tend to think about. Most of us like us best.

The mind of Christ led Him to give up what was His, shed any great reputation, took on the form of a slave, laid off His deity and humbled Himself.

I realise that I con’t do all of those things, but their a general idea there that the mind of Christ is an agape mind. It is a mind that puts others and their needs first no matter what the cost.

Let’s examine our minds today and see if they are anything like the mind of Christ.

Others

If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. – Philippians 2.1-4

I like me. I really do. I like being first in the queues. I like being first in traffic (which cost me recently. I like my comfort. I don’t like being disturbed. I don’t really mind helping others but it is not always my priority.

I like to look out foe number one – and mostly number one is sadly, me.

But Paul says that if there us any love, any fellowship, and compassion that we are to be of one mind and that that mind is one what always seeks to put others first. We see it described as the mind of Christ in the next verse.

It means I don’t do anything out of strife or self-glorification. It means I act with a humble and lowly mind always looking out for the other person first.


I used to see a little saying that went to only way to real joy was to see people in this order:
Jesus
Others
Yourself

I think that’s brilliant. If I am always out to satisfy me I am never going to be satisfied. When I focus on others I have the sheer joy of knowing that I have done something that has at least made for a better day for them, and maybe has helped make a better life.

Others are more important than me. I like how the verse finishes – don’t worry about your own stuff alone – think about others as well.

Others Lord, yes others. Let this my motto be. Help me to live for others, that I might live like thee.

Don't be afraid

And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me. –  Philippians 1.28-30

It’s a scary time to be a Christian – well maybe not here in the west, but is sure is in many parts of the world and sure has been in many times in history.

But even for us we can say it is a bit of a scary thing. Our views are becoming less and less popular than and accepted and even tolerated. Even the relatively minor opposition we get can make it scary to tell other about Jesus. No one likes to be laughed at or mocked or even to get slagged for what we believe.

After 43 years of salvation and 35 years of full time ministry and 25 years of church planting and pastoring I still get anxious about telling people about Jesus. I know is because Satan doesn’t want me to do it, because the world won’t like being told they need and Saviour, and my flesh fears rejection – but it is still hard. My message is one that bothers them, but to me it is the message of salvation.

When I think what other Christians have gone through in history and what many are going through today I am ashamed at how little it takes to put me off taking a stand for him. That fear does mot come from God – most of the time it comes because I al too worried about what people might think of me.

O Lord, give me that holy boldness to not be afraid!

As suits the gospel

Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; - Philippians 1.27

That your lifestyle may be worthy of the gospel. What does that mean? How does that apply to you and me today? What does it really mean to live a live that shows the worth of the gospel?

Does my life fit with the gospel? The gospel is the good news that Jesus came to earth, took on the role of a man, became as a servant, was obedient to God’s plan, He went to the cross to pay for our sins because of His great love for us and He was raised in newness of life.

How does my life pair up with His?

The gospel required Jesus’ humility and love and sacrifice and obedience and putting others first and kindness and selflessness and compassion. A life that is worthy of the gospel will reflect those same things to the world around us. There is such a thing as ‘cheap grace’ but it is not what is sounds like for grace is never cheap. Cheap grace is when we cheapen grace in our lives by not reflecting its cost by the lives we live.

Grace was free to me – but it is of greater worth than anything else on heaven or earth. I have to ask myself if, when people see me, do they see a life worthy of Jesus’ dying on the cross for me? Do they see a life worthy of His shed blood? Do they see a life worthy of God’s eternal plan for salvation laid out before the foundation of the world?

The way I live is not about me. I am not really free to live any way I want. I want to live a gospel worthy life. I can do it only by the very grace that saved me.

A strait betwixt two

For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; - Philippians 1.23-25

This passage lets us see something about the heart of Paul. He was human like all of us. Sometimes he got tired, he got weary, and apparently he even got ready to go home. He mentions in 2 Corinthians that the missions team had despaired ‘even of life itself.’

You can hardly blame him. His life was tougher than any of us will ever face. Sometimes it was so bad that he wished that God would just take him out of it and cary him to heaven. That’s not really a bad desire is it? Eternity with Christ away from all the evil of the world?

But we know that can’t be right. There is far too much to do in the here and now. God’s desire is that everyone we saved and that we lead others to Him.

So how did Paul resolve his ‘strait betwixt two?’

For me to abide in the flesh in more needful for you. I will continue and abide  with you to help and to see the joy of Christ in you.

As much as we look forward to heaven we need to put that in God’s hands and get busy serving Him. While we wait for His coming we must, as Paul wrote to the Thessalonians ‘Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.’

Looking for His coming and looking forward to heaven does not mean we sit back and do nothing – it means we get busy and do all we can do to advance His kingdom.

For me to live is Christ

According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1.20-21

I remember a long time ago when I first got saved. I attended a Christian student fellowship. I remember we were doing a float for the college homecoming and being introduced to this lovely chorus.

For me to live is Christ to die is gain. The know His world and walk the narrow way. There is no peace, no joy, no will, like walking in His will. For me to live is Christ, to die is gain.

Our lives should be such that our lives are Christlives. Christ ought to be seen in al that we say and do. When people see me, they should see Jesus. The should see Jesus in the way I treat people and how I post on Facebook and how I respond to everyday challenges and how I respond to others. They should see Christ in my when I respond to good news and how I respond to bad news. Do they see me or Christ in me?

I have an atheist friend who told me once that the greatest dilemma for atheists is when Christians act like Jesus. There is no logical explanation for that. Why would people act that way and do it through the centuries making such a mark on the world?

It’s to easy to get distracted by all the nonsense going on. It’s too easy to get dragged into the affairs of this world. It’s too easy to conform to the world’s standard of living.

Do I do that? Or does my life reflect the reality of Christ to this needy world?

Christ is preached

Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. – Philippians 1.15-18

As hard is it is to imagine Paul had a lot of opposition even in the church. We had preachers what attacked him and his ministry. Paul had some preachers who preached just to add to Paul’s ministry out of envy and strife. Others did preach out of love, but one thing mattered to Paul – that Christ was preached.

He did not seem to absorbed at the affairs of this world. He wasn’t bothered by those who opposed him. Good, bad, or indifferent all that mattered was that they preached the gospel. I don’t like to be not liked. I don’t like it when preachers are contentious and seem only out for self-glory. But, if they preach Christ I don’t a have a whole lot to say. If they preach error – I must stand. But if I don’t like them or the way they do things and they preach Jesus I ought to rejoice.

That takes a lot of pride swallowing. My pride though is not what matters. What matters is that Christ is preached and I rejoice, and like Paul, commit that I will continue to rejoice.