07 - How To Have A Christ Exalting Testimony 2012 By Pastor Jeff Wickwire Notes

Last time in Philippians 2:9-14 we explored Jesus’ journey from the cross to the crown. Now this time we will look at Paul’s instructions for us to live lives that glorify the Lord.

2:15 “…that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,”

All around us is a very dark world. People everywhere are bent and warped by sin. The Bible says that we, too, were just as selfish, crooked, and lost as other people, but by God’s grace we were rekindled with light from on high.

Having been lit by God’s light, we have been placed in this world as lamps. Jesus said, “14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.”

“Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:14-16).

How can we let our light shine? Philippians says one way is to “do all things without murmurings and disputings.” Another way, says Paul, is we are to be “blameless and harmless.”

The word “blameless” means “without reproach.” Luke 1:6 uses the word to describe Zacharias and Elisabeth, who were chosen by God in their older years to be the parents of John the Baptist.

The word “harmless” means “simple concerning evil.” Paul uses the same word in Romans when encouraging the church to avoid being “worldly wise.” Be wise in the ways of God, he said, but not in the ways of the world.

To be blameless and harmless in today’s wicked and perverse world is impossible without a radical change in our hearts. This kind of change can only come from becoming sons of God. Since the Son of God lived such a life, we can live such a life.

Jesus’ life was beyond rebuke. The word translated “without rebuke” comes from a Greek word meaning “without blemish.” No doubt about it, it is a tall order to live an unblemished life in a world of sin and shame.

It can only be achieved by living in the power of the Holy Spirit, well-taught in the teachings of Christ, along with our own share of trial and error, successes and failures, like a child learning to walk repeatedly falls, finally to stand successfully on his own two feet.

While living out this Christian life, Paul continues:

2:16 “…holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.”

The word of life is the gospel, the truth that is found in Jesus Christ. We must as believers hold forth this liberating word everywhere in this dark world where death lays its blighting hand on all. Notice, the walk comes before the talk. When people see us living the life, they will listen to what we have to say.

2:17 “Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.”

Paul saw the Philippian converts as consecrated believers who had presented themselves to God as a living sacrifice (Ro.12:1-2). As an offering to God, they were being consumed on the altar of sacrifice and service. Upon that altar Paul himself was pouring out his own life blood, which he anticipated rightly would flow in martyrdom.

This was perfectly fine with the great Apostle. He would gladly have given his life for their spiritual progress. Such did the Spirit of Christ rest on his heart.

2:18 “For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.”

Paul had a stake in the Philippians and they had a stake in him. They were supporting him, helping to supply his financial needs, and ministering to him in prison. They were to rejoice in him just as he rejoiced in them.

Let’s sum up Phil.2:1-18 before moving forward. Paul has pointed to Christ as the supreme example of triumph in sacrifice. What Paul was getting at is clear. In effect he was saying, “Your petty squabbles will soon tear the heart out of your testimony.”

“There needs to be a transformation in your conduct, in your character, and in your concepts. You need a whole new view of the Christian life. You need to keep Calvary in mind. You need to think about Jesus, who is the living secret of holiness.”

“Think about how Jesus pursued us from Heaven’s heights, to the cross of shame, and back to the throne of power at God’s right hand. Think of His unfathomable example of sacrifice and service.”

“Look at your lives, Paul said, in the light of the cross. You too should be burning up for God. I myself am likely to be martyred—in any case I am a living martyr already, dying daily (1 Cor. 15:31). In the light of Calvary, how can there be any room for murmurings and disputing?”

Next, Paul gives to us another example of True Service in the person of Timothy (2:19-20). He begins with Timothy’s commission:

2:19 “But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state.”

Paul is expressing the hope that he would send Timothy to them soon. Timothy was one of the better known of Paul’s companions. His mother and grandmother, both Jewish women, are named in 2 Timothy 1:5.

His father was Greek (Acts 16:1) but since he apparently died when Timothy was very young, the boy was raised by his godly mother and grandmother, who gave him a good working knowledge of the O.T. Scriptures.

Second Timothy 3:15 states, “from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” Timothy was Paul’s child in the faith and was likely converted during Paul’s first missionary journey.

We find Timothy was with Paul at Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. On the third missionary journey he was with Paul during his long stay at Ephesus. He was with Paul during the time of his first imprisonment in Rome. And it was to Timothy Paul made his request to “come before winter” and bring the apostle’s cloak and books (2 Timothy 4:13; 21) just prior to his martyrdom.

According to the historian Eusebius, Timothy was the first bishop of Ephesus. Tradition has it that Timothy was clubbed to death at a feast of Diana for denouncing the sinful spectacle.

Paul next provides his reason for sending Timothy to check on the Philippian church:

2:20 “For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state.”

Men who think like Paul are rare in any age. So are men who share his genuine, painstaking, self-sacrificing care for the spiritual needs of others. Amazingly, in all of Rome Paul could not find a single believer possessing these traits like Timothy.

Oh, you could find talented men; but not those of the same temperament as Paul. Timothy had both. His natural way of caring for people, his availability, and his talent enabled him to triumph in service, true service. A true servant is ready, able, and willing.

Paul next lays out the main obstacle to true service:

2:21-22 “For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.”

The curse of the local church today is lack of commitment. Why? Because most seek only their own. The same faithful few do nearly all the work. At Turning Point we are working hard to change that. Our conviction is that every member is gifted for a task. Every member is a “ten” at something. Every member is called to service.

It is important to know that when Paul wrote Philippians 2:21, he was indicting Laodiceanism—that is, the spirit that wants the best of both worlds, the spirit that says, “Me first.”

One time a man who was called to be a disciple said, “Allow ME FIRST to go and bury my father.” Another would-be disciple said, “Let ME FIRST go bid them farewell which are at home.” The Lord rebuked them both. No one with a “Me first” attitude is equipped to be a true servant of God.

Next, Paul talks of the necessity of proven character:

2:22 “But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel.”

The word “proven” means “tested in trials.” In other words, Timothy had remained true in the heat of trying times. He was as true to Paul in tough times as a genuine son would have been.

No one is truly ready for ministry until they have been proved. This is why in another place Paul wrote that an elder, “must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall.” (1 Tim. 3:6).

2:23-24 “I hope to send him to you just as soon as I find out what is going to happen to me here. 24 And I have confidence from the Lord that I myself will come to see you soon.”

Notice how Paul waited on God to make things clear. “I hope to send him to you…but I must wait to see what God does with me here in prison.” The Apostle had hopes, desires, dreams and wishes, yet all of them were laid at the cross in submission to the timing of God. So must we wait on God and trust His timing in all things.