But While We Remain...

Introduction

My wife likes puzzles. For her birthday, which is today, I thought about getting her the world’s hardest puzzle. Because I’m a terrible husband.

The world’s hardest puzzle is a 600 piece puzzle with no picture. It’s blank. And every piece is cut different. Very few people finish it because there is no reference for what it is supposed to look like.

A good example can make all the difference. Thankfully this morning you and I have a good example set before us in our text.

If you haven’t been with us lately we are studying God’s Word in Paul’s letter to the Philippians. The passage is Philippians 1:18-26.

And in our passage this morning we are given a very clear example for what a faithful, courageous follower of Jesus looks like.

Our goal this morning is to look at Paul’s example and examine ourselves in light of it.

So we’ll look at Pauls Help, Paul’s Hope, Paul’s Courage, and Paul’s Labor.

First...

I. Paul’s Help (18b-19)

Philippians 1:18-19 “What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance,”

First, I want us to notice what Paul does when he’s in trouble.

Look at what Paul says he takes hope in when he is in trouble. If you weren’t with us last week let me tell you that Paul is writing to the Philippians under house arrest. Hes’ chained to guards 24/7. He’s living in Rome paying rent while he awaits to hear about what’s going to happen to him. And the possibility—the real possibility is that he will die, that he will be executed.

And in this very real circumstance Paul says that “I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ [the Holy Spirit]” that I will be delivered.

These are the things that Paul goes to when he’s in trouble.

In the face of of life we must seek prayer and the help of God.

Often our “go to” is to first respond to the problems of life with what we can do. We think the best option is to see what we can provide, what we can finagle, with our own power and resources.

And if that falls apart then we go to the spiritual things like prayer and the Holy Spirit as a “last ditch effort”.

That phrase, “last ditch effort” refers to trench warfare in World War I. It meant the last line of defense when facing the enemy.

And we need to notice the discrepency here. Paul’s first line of defense is often our last line of defense. Friends, I think we’ve got it backwards.

Let me encourage you that when the trials of life come your way train your heart to pray, seek prayer, and go to God for your help.

Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Does God lie church?

God is what? (our refuge and strength, a very present help) When? (when we’re in trouble)

Let’s take the example that Paul sets for us and when trouble comes around let’s go to our best defense and offense and pray. One of our goals this year at Covenant Life is that we’d be a praying church not just a church that prays.

Friends if you pray every time trouble comes your way our curch is going to be filled with praying people that believe in the power of their God.

Is there work trouble? School trouble? Marriage trouble, child trouble, car trouble, body trouble, sin trouble, double trouble?

In all and every circumstance trust not your own power and your own abilities above God. But instead go to God first knowing that He is our best help in any kind of trouble. We don’t waste our time when prayer is our first response: we honor our God and are taking the wisest course of action.

Transition: So we are seeing what Paul does when he is in trouble and we want to do that too. Now let’s notice in these first two verses where Paul’s confidence lies.

II. Paul’s Hope (18-21)

Let’s look again at the text. Philippians 1:18-19 “ Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance,”

Let’s keep reading in verses 20-21. Philippians 1:20-21 “as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Paul is confident that he will be delivered whether he lives or dies. And this is so important because we are talking about confidence in the gospel.

How can the prospect of death be comfort to Paul?

Confidence in the truth of the gospel frames Paul’s life—no matter what happens—whether he lives or dies—he wins.

Paul has confidence in the sure hope of deliverance in Christ Jesus. Paul believes the gospel. He believes that nothing in life can take away his gospel hope. He runs his race in life knowing that whenever it is finished by whatever circumstance that eternity with Christ is waiting for him. And this gives him courage.

There is no better hope for us to trust in than gospel hope. It’s better than your 401k or your best laid plans.

The gospel lets us know that God is for us. Because he loves us despite us. The gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ tells us...

We were dead in our sin. And we were rebels in our sin. The gospel starts with a true and horrific reality.

Our sin is not cute and light. It is very serious. Romans 6:23 says that our sin pays out death. Look around at this world and know that it is our sin—human sin—my sin and yours—that has destroyed this world.

Even creation was corrupted by our sin. Romans 8:19 “For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.” Creation itself is like, “Jesus come back!” What does that mean?

In a very real sense the earthquake that recently happened in Turkey that has claimed 20,000 lives is a result of human sin.

And I don’t mean that those people were sinners and that’s why the earthquake happened—like they deserved it—I mean that earthquakes were not part of God’s original design—everything that brings death in this world is a result of humanity fracturing this world with sin.

Sin is a serious problem that ruins everything.

The worst thing it does is that it condemns us before God.

And God would be completely righteous friends, completely righteous in his judgment to condemn every person ever born as a law breaker becasue that is who we are. We all have gone astray, we all have transgressed the law.

Now here’s the good part!

But instead his desire to love us and share his glory with us has never waned from the moment Adam and Eve fell. The very first thing that God did was share the gospel. In Genesis 3:15 he says I’ll send a seed of the woman that will crush the head of the serpent. He will destroy the work of the devil that was done here today.

And as God set out to make good on that promise he called a people to himself who would be his light in the nations and through them he would announce over and over again in many types and shadows this coming messiah who would save God’s people from their sins. This seed of the woman!

And then He came! Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled every prophecy about the messiah and revealed himself to be the spotless lamb of God.

He kept the law for you and for me. He lived perfectly before the Father. He lived perfectly before his neighbors. He fulfilled the 10 commandments and is the better Adam.

So on earth, in Jesus you have perfect man surrounded by imperfect law breakers. What did he do?

“Look at me! This is how you should have been!” —No. Instead he saved us!

In Christ the perfect plan of the Triune God unfolded. Jesus was our substitute in living a perfect life and he was our substitute in receiving the penalty of sin.

He took on the wrath of God for our imperfection. Despite his obedience he took on the wrath of God for our disobedience. He took on the wrath of God for all this death.

For all of my contribution to the brokenness of this world Christ died and he offered me, not the wrath that was due me, but the reward of his perfect righteousness.

He offered me restoration. A restored relationship with my God. A restored hope and a sure promisse. He offered it to me as a gift. And I took it!

Let me ask you the most important question anyone will ask you.

Have you? Have you taken this gift?!

In Christ God offers to cleanse you of your sin that you may have nothing separating you from the God who created you. That you may be forgiven of all your sins and be a child of God.

This is the gospel that Paul is trusting in—this is why Paul says no matter what happens to me nothing can take this away! I have all confidence that I will be delivered one way or another. And this confidence allows Paul to look at his present circumstances and say I will live in this life with courage. Next in our text we see...

III. Paul’s Courage (20-21)

Philippians 1:20 “as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.”

I am eager in my hope and my expectation is great that I will not be ashamed of my own conduct in Christ. But that I will honor Christ with courage! Because the worst thing you can do to me is kill me and if you do that I get to go be with the one who loves me and died for me. So I will live courageously.

What we are seeing here is Paul living a life of courage.

Church I want to exhort you this morning—and this is for me too—that we are to live ours lives in Christ full of courage.

We make a mistake if we think courage means un afraid. Courage does not mean to be unafraid—it’s not the absence of fear.

Courage is the ability to do what you must while being afraid. Paul was human and he had fear, no doubt, but he was courageous in Christ to share the gospel to the Roman guards, to see people in Caesar’s own household converted and to strengthen the churches with letters. He continued to do the very thing that landed him in his current predicament—courageously he made much of Jesus!

Do we want to be a people of fear or a people of courage?

Courage! If we are to be courageous we must grow comfortable with the idea of being uncomfortable.

The thing about courage—is it’s only possible when fear is present. No one every courageously ate an ice cream cone or pet a bunny.

Courage is a right response when fear is telling you to do the wrong thing.

So let me ask you, Is there anything scary about your walk with Christ?

I don’t mean that you do some really weird things with snakes. Not that kind of scary. I mean does your walk with Christ put you in uncomfortable spots?

I want to tell you that if your walk with Christ doesn’t lead you through some scary something is wrong.

Your probably not turning down some streets that Jesus is walking down.

The truth of the Bible is that Christ leads his people into scary things.

“Not my Jesus—my Jesus is like a big comfy blanket in an oversized chair!”

Friends if that is your Jesus then I want to argue that your Jesus is not the Jesus of the Bible.

If your Jesus is most concerned about your comfort—you aren’t worshipping the Christ in our scriptures—you are worshipping a construction of your own mind ruled by your desire to be comfortable and to never experience anything unpleasant.

Try to read about the followers of Jesus in the Bible and tell me that Jesus would never call you to obedience that causes you to fear?

Look at the disciples—look at Paul—look at missionaries today.

Here’s the truth: People who follow Jesus need courage because they are following a savior; and this savior saves people from danger.

If you are going to go with him it will often mean you are going into uncomfortable places.

Illustration: But a little bit of courage can be used mightily by God. Story of Laura’s courage to talk with Chad and invite him to church.

Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.””

Friends we aren’t going to take the promise land, but this is just as true for us in our lives now. God has commanded us to follow him and this requires courage.

We trade fear and dismay for courage because the Lord is our God and he is with us wherever we go.

God spoke this to Israel before they embarked in obedience to what God has commanded them. I’m your God and I’m with you wherever you go.

Jesus repeats this to us before he ascends into heaven.

What does Jesus say in Matthew 28:18-20 “I am God, I have all authority, go and make disciples of all nations and don’t be afraid I’m with you always.

So friends let me encourage you this morning. Be courageous!

Surrender your life to Christ’ leading and leave nothing off the table. Be willing to plant a church, be a sidewalk counselor to women considering abortion. Be willing to walk across the street to your neighbors. Be willing to leave home and go to the nations as a missionary. Be willing to stick unashamedly to all that the Bible teaches. Be willing to lovingly point out sin to your brothers and sisters in Christ. Be willing to address your own sin and lovingly repent and change.

I could list 1000 ways for you to be courageous in big and small things.

I don’t know what God is calling you to do, but I know that he is calling you to be courageous in your walk with Him.

Transition: Courage is required to follow Jesus and if we follow Jesus he will lead us into fruitful labor. Let’s now look at...

IV. Paul’s Labor (22-26)

Let’s keep reading.

Philippians 1:22 “If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.”

Our lives are to be filled with fruitful labor. Fruitful labor is the result of being alive in Christ. In Ephesians 2 we are told that we are created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand for us to do.

In Matthew 25:14-30 Jesus tells the parable of the talents.

In Matthew 25:15 Jesus says,“To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.”

The Master comes back and sees his servants to find what they had done with what He had given them according to their ability.

He finds the servants with five and two talents have multiplied what was given to them and they hear from Jesus those coveted words, “Well done good and faithful servant.”

But the servant with the one talent hears that he has done a poor job and is a “worthless servant”. Why?

Did he lose the talent? No. He keeps it safe and returns the monety to the Master. The Master has suffered no loss here.

So why does Jesus cast this servant into the outer darkness with the lost?

We miss the point of this parable if we think Jesus is commenting on poor money management here. Dave Ramsey may cast you into the outer darkness for that but Jesus won’t.

This parable gets right to the heart of what God has been saying to us in this text.

The Master gave the servant work to do according to the servants ability. The servant was able to do something with the talent.

The Master wasn’t goin to say, “You didn’t do as much as this servant of mine over here.”

Jesus isn’t going to come to me and say, “Jacob look at what Spurgeon did! Look at R.C. Sproul and John Piper! Your work is inadequate.”

The servant is deemed worthless because he did nothing with what the Master entrusted to him.

We must not be servants that do nothing with what Christ entrusted to us!

Church, Jesus has given you work to do that you are able to do. It is according to your ability!

It’s not important that you do the work that other servants are doing but that you are faithful with what Christ has given you to do.

And maybe this morning you are thinking I don’t think I have been given much to do, I’m not really able to do anything.

You are able to do far more than you think you are.

When Paul got saved on the road to Damascus he didn’t have all that Christ would use him for fixed in his mind. He didn’t think I’m going to go and be an apostle, plant churches and God is going to us me to write Holy Scripture.

All Paul wanted to do was blindly grope his way to Ananias house on the street called Straight. All he could do was take that next step.

Friends be encouraged. If you find yourself to be weak and unimpressive. Be encouraged that Christ uses people just like you. So have courage!

Like Paul we must surrender our lives to Christ and take the next step of faith that is in front of us.

Did you like it earlier when I was attacking your comfort and telling you be uncomfortable for Christ? Well let me do it again.

Because there is a danger here and once again and it has to do with our idols of comfort.

If we have grown too comfortable—if we have believed that Jesus won’t require us to be courageously afraid—we may have no idea where that next step is. Because we stopped looking for it long ago.

If that is you this morning, don’t worry because the application for us is clear.

Fix it in your mind that Christ calls you to fruitful, courageous gospel labor and pray for God to reveal to you where Christ is leading in your life.

That’s your next step. Unpack that in your mind. Trust Christ that He will be with you all the way through fruitful gospel labor. And begin looking for where Christ is leading you right here in your every day life. Can we do that?

Transition: As we continue in the text this morning we get a hint as to where fruitful labor is...

Philippians 1:24 “But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.”

Fruitful labor means serving other people.

In verse 23 Paul says, “I am hard pressed.”

I want to be with Christ, Paul says, but I also want to serve you.

Just notice with me here that we should have a love for other people. Our fruitful labor involves loving other people.

John 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”

In John 21 Jesus is talking to Peter after he had denied him and he says, “Peter do you love me?” Yes! Then feed my lambs, tend to my sheep, feed my sheep.

Scripture is clear elsewhere just as it is here in v.24.

We see that the focus of our lives cannot have us at the center if we are to be courageous followers of Jesus.

We move out of the way and we put Christ where He belongs. We abandon serving ourselves as the motivating force of our lives and instead we are motivated by our love for Christ lived out in service to Christ.

And here in v.24 we see that service to Christ means loving others.

Paul has a geniune love for Christ’s people. He has already said that departing and being with Christ is better for him.

But his geniune love for Christ spills over into geniune love for Christ’ sheep in Phillipi.

Friends is your life characterized by love for others?

Fruitful labor in Christ is loving others even when, especially when they are not lovely. This is Christ’ love for us.

Let’s keep reading. Philippians 1:25 “Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all...

What is Paul convinced of?

He’s convinced that the Philippians are in need of being served and loved. He says it’s necessary.

Christ loves people so he send His people to love and serve people because they need it.

Friends, how are you doing at loving people? Is it on your radar?

A natural result of being loved by Christ is loving others and in this we bless them mightily. Christ uses our fruitful labor in serving others to accomplish good things in their lives.

Philippians 1:25-26 “Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.”

When you commit to loving others as a part of your fruitful labor it can do 3 things for them.

1. It helps them progress in the faith.

Do you want your brothers and sisters in Christ to progress in their faith? Then be a godly example to them and show them what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

Live your life for Christ courageously in the body of Christ being a servant like Christ and a result is that other believers will be encouraged and challenged by your faith. God will use you to help them progress.

2. It helps them have joy in the faith

The Philippians wanted Paul to come and see them. It brought them joy to be around him.

Be a follower of Jesus that builds up joy in others.

Again your example of dependence on Christ. Your example of putting into practice what we are talking about this morning will build up joy in their faith.

Your rejoicing in Christ in hard circumstance like Paul is doing will embolden others to cling to the true joy that comes witht he gospel fo Jesus Christ.

3. It gives them ample cause to glorify Christ.

We are all encouraged when we see other Christians living courageously for Christ.

The Philippians looked at the life of their beloved former pastor and they rejoiced in Christ because of what Christ was doing through Paul.

Paul’s love for them and service to them caused them to appropriately give glory and praise to Christ.

Conclusion

Friends Christ is worthy of our worship. He is worthy of our lives lived for him.

And thankfully this morning we did not have a blank puzzle in front of us. Instead God’s word has given us an excellent example in Paul for us to emulate.

Let us be a people that truly believe and rejoice in the gospel. Let us be a people whose lives are filled with courageous, fruitful labor.

Let us rejoice in all things because nothing can take away the love of God for us in Christ Jesus.

While we remain here let us be a people of God on mission with God to the glory of God. Amen?