1. Servants of Christ

Introduction

Philippians 1:1–2 ESV

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

How would someone else describe you if they were talking about you? Are you the athlete or the gamer? Are you based or woke? A climate activist or a petrol head? Brexitteer or remainer? Who do you follow?

As humanity often does, we tend to divide ourselves into tribes, and if we aren’t careful they can become a large part of our identity - who we follow.

NOW Social media, through the algorithms, focus our attention down similar streams - you like him? Well, we suggest you watch more of him, or someone very much like him. Reinforces our tribalism.

For Paul there was a clear choice between belonging to the Emperor and Rome, or Jesus and the Kingdom of Heaven - this is a healthy question that gets to the core of who we are and who we worship- who do we serve? Who do we follow?

For us as Christians, would people know us for serving Jesus? Following him? The clue is in the name.

We will look at Paul’s introduction to his letter to the church in Philippi and ask ourselves whether we too can count ourselves as being ‘in Christ.’

1. Freed to Serve

Background:

Paul writing to his friends that he met during his redirection to Macedonia - Philippi consisted of Lydia, the slave girl (probably), and the jailor. Paul had to leave after only a few days.

Reason for the letter:

1. The gift from the church in Philippi through Epaphroditus (Phil 2:25-30; 4:10-19).

Ephaphroditus came with a gift from the church but nearly died from an illness (Phil 2:25-30). Paul writes to thank Philippi and assure them Ephaphroditus was OK.

2. To continue to advance the Gospel whilst in chains.

Paul imprisoned in Ephesus (so 50AD writing), not Rome (tradition - 61-62AD).

No record of imprisonment of Ephesus, however: it is probably not Rome because of the four trips between Paul and Philippi and the various projects (up to 8 proposed in total) would be nearly inconceivable given the distance - Ephesus under 100mi.

But also Paul was unlikely to turn back on himself and visit Philippi from Rome if it was his desire to get to Spain. A HUGE detour.

Also, Caesar’s guard and household were present in Ephesus. So Ephesus is an excellent candidate for where these groups heard the gospel (Phil 1:12-13).

Strong literary parallels are present: both Corinth, Galatia and Philippi seem to be struggling with both Judaizers and Libertines. So written around the same time in the mid 50s AD.

MAIN POINT: Paul is in Chains for the Gospel and is writing to encourage his readers that this is not proof that the Gospel is powerless, rather God is continuing to work even through Paul’s chains.

FOCUS: Paul is a servant, not apostle here, of Christ Jesus. Mostly designated an Apostle; Rom; 1 Cor; 2 Cor; Gal; Eph; Col; 1 Tim; 2 Tim; Titus. Here he chooses the word servant, as he does in Rom and Tit.

Probably because he doesn’t need to establish his authority - they know Him and trust Him, He knows them and loves them. There is already an established friendship and partnership - Philippians has this as a theme - koinonia.

But the word also is far stronger - doulos means slave. Not to be confused with the 16th century transatlantic slave trade - we translate the word as servant to help avoid the confusion.

Some 85-90% of the people of Rome and Italy, were either slaves or used to be slaves - more like employment, though not always, sometimes brutal.

MAIN POINT: You sold yourself, or were sold, into someone’s service. So what is Paul saying? Both he and Timothy serve God, more than this, they belong to him.

1 Corinthians 7:22–23 (ESV)

For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men.

Paradox - freedom yet a slave

The Preacher’s Notebook: The Collected Quotes, Illustrations, and Prayers of John Stott (Luther on the Freedom of a Christian)

“A Christian man is a free lord over all things, and subject to none. A Christian man is a bounden servant of all things, and servant of all.”

Jesus said ‘you cannot serve two masters.’ This becomes a problem for early Christians, especially in Philippi.

Philippi - little Rome. Philippians - little Romans. What then are Christians? Can Christians, servants of Jesus and not of Caesar, live in an empire that requires them to worship the Emperor?

Do we want to be known as servants of Jesus? Real struggle? Can we be Christians and truly belong to our broken world? Can we at one time belong to the Lord and flirt with the world?

The answer is not really, we belong to communities, we seek their good. But we worship Jesus and we are citizens of heaven - important distinction.

Hagios - holy ones, set apart for God - His treasured possession borrowing language from Israel.

We belong to Jesus and we must be prepared for the world to know that about us. Lights in the darkness, shining not hiding - serving and not silent.

2. In Jesus

What really stands out in Paul’s introduction is how in just two verses Jesus, Christ Jesus, is mentioned three times.

Everything is centred around Jesus - and Jesus as Messiah: Christ. Jesus as the promised saviour. Paul builds his world upon Jesus as Lord and saviour.

Jesus is the rock, the foundation of his life. He is sturdy and secure, trustworthy and unfailing - which is why he can call himself a servant with such ease.

To Paul, serving Jesus is a joy, far from being without difficultly. But Jesus as Lord, leads to a secure existence - what a master!

Easy to follow someone who puts their money where their mouth is. Steve and the Cardboard compression at Halfords. Much harder to follow someone when someone when they don’t want to get their hands dirty!

Philippians 2:5–8 ESV

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

We follow a leader we respect and trust, voluntarily - a big difference.

BUT how and where do we follow Him?

“saints (holy ones) in Christ Jesus”

Different uses of In Christ that are held in this shorthand form:

Personal, subjective experience of Christ - experiencing his love and call to be a child of God

Position because of His redemptive work - understanding who we are now, because of the work of Jesus. In Christ - His righteousness, His name is ours our relationship with the Father is changed because of the sacrifice of the son - Gospel call,

An ethical activity of the indwelling power of Christ - His mission is our mission - we want to be like Him in all we say and do.

Dog cannot have the run of the house - he will spoil it!

Can we let Jesus have the run of our house, or do we secretly think he will spoil it?

The Lordship of Christ in All of Life - Francis Schaeffer

Schaeffer against bourgoi consumer Christianity - are we servants or consumers? If we’re consumers we’re missing out big time! Cannot take the grace without also committing to the service.

In Christ, ‘TOGETHER’: “To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons”

Leadership are counted with the saints ‘in Jesus’ - not hierarchical, but together.

Koinonia - partnership for the Gospel - working together to see the Gospel of Jesus proclaimed.

As a Church of Canterbury Baptist:

Together for the Gospel - not consuming, but becoming a part of God’s Kingdom building activity here and now.

Warning: Missing out on mission in life - you remember the tough times, the adventure and the sacrifice - not the light delight.

Trekking through the woods and bear attack vs roller coaster ride - Serving God together shouldn’t be like being attacked by a bear, it should crush you, it should be sustainable - but it should be challenging and cause us to grow - we should remember seasons where we fought for God.

Jesus Church - not mine, not ours, HIS.

3. Grace and Peace

Grace leads to peace:

Grace is common Greek greeting. Summary: grace, the unmerited, undeserved saving work of God in Christ Jesus

Peace echoes Shalom, Hebrew. Grace brings believers into peace, harmonious relationships with God and with each other. Again in last line of letter.

His blessing presents Father and Jesus as the common source of grace and peace. Anticipates the end of the hymn (Phil 2:11 - Jesus is Lord, to the glory of the Father.)

Human Trafficking - horror and unrest - slavery. 27 million in this place.

Slave of God - Grace and Peace - new master, only one worthy or worship

Who are you serving today, who are you held captive by? Jesus offers you both freedom and His rule. Trust Him, know His love and let His offer of grace lead you into peace - Gospel call.

Not a promise of an easy life, but certainly a meaningful one.

Conclusion

Who do we serve? What does that mean for you and for me? How do we serve together? And what a great master we have.