Know Your Why

Arty was worried. He had a intuitive sense that this next doctor appointment was going to show something wrong. He had pain in his throat that couldn’t just be chalked up to the flu. Sure enough, the father of 5 kids from the ages of 6 months to 6th grade went to the doctor and from there to an oncologist who told him that he had months to live. Things were about to get really bad. This once strong man who laughed big and loved to brew beer grew tired and gaunt, he couldn’t swallow and he began to question. “Why am I still here? Why would I put the kids through seeing their dad in such bad shape? Why would I rob them of their memories of a strong, healthy and smiling father?” And the worst part? He was right. It would get really bad right before the end. Why?

It doesn’t take a diagnosis of cancer for things to go bad. It takes the loss of a job, the unloving text of a loved one, the bank account that suddenly has too few zeroes in it. And the question hangs out in front of us like it did Arty, “why.” Except, the “why” isn’t “why do bad things happen?” It’s a great question, but one we’ll answer another time. No, the “why” you and I need to face is the question, “Why do we do what we do?” And when things go wrong, when things get ugly, you and I realize what our “why” really is. For some of you, your “why” is your kids. You get out of bed in the morning because your kids need you. You keep peace with your spouse because of the kids. For others of you, it’s your job. You have a sense of meaning and purpose because of your job. You know who you are in the context of your work. For others of you, it’s your studies or your friends or your pride or your family name. There are 1000 “why’s” out there.

Pick a common “why” (ie kids, work, intelligence, beauty, etc). List some of the pros and cons to that “why.”

Your “why” gets you through your day. Because it has such power, the wrong “why” is incredibly dangerous! Look, if your job is your “why” what happens when you get downsized? If your family is your “why” what happens when you can’t have the number of kids you wanted, or the kids move out, or your kids don’t turn out the way that you had hoped? See what happens? The “why” keeps you going when the “why” is going well. But when it doesn’t go well? It has the power to drag you under like the life boat too close to the Titanic as it’s mass sunk below the surface.

You know who had a crystal clear “why?” The Apostle Paul. I mean, this is a guy who traveled the world with the Gospel, he was a guy who was chased out of cities, he was falsely accused, imprisoned, beaten, shipwrecked, taken advantage of, lost friends, gave up family and struggled to make ends meet. And in the midst of life events that could sucked him under, he never lost his joy. In fact, as you know from Pastor Chris’ sermon last week, he writes to the church in Philippi in the midst of one such life event - false imprisonment - and writes with joy that jumps off the page! Because his “why” was always clear and on his mind. He wanted the same to be true for the church that got it right. Listen to what he says in , picking up from where we left off last week.

Philippians 1:12–14 NIV

Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.

Paul’s motivation, his “why” so influenced how he responded to negative circumstances, that others were surprised. The palace guard, the secret service for Caesar Augustus, who every excuse in the book why the prisoners were innocent, come to realize that Paul was no ordinary prisoner. His response to his terrible circumstances, rooted in his “why” had corroborated his witness. They were listening. See how “why” is so critical to a church and therefore Christ-followers that gets it right? While the right “why” doesn’t make the message of the Gospel any more powerful, it does make the skeptic perk up and listen. That’s the first way Paul’s “why” shined through. Here’s the second.

Philippians 1:15–17 NIV

It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.

Can you even imagine? The thing your good at, the thing you are passionate about, that’s the thing others use against you. Somebody else uses that passion to make trouble, to shame you, to humiliate you. And Paul responds with excitement?! His back doesn’t stiffen in pride, he doesn’t shame the shamers, he doesn’t fight back. His answer… “Who cares?” How could he possibly say that? Because his “why” was so crystal clear. That’s the only way.

What freedom. This goes beyond turning the other cheek. That’s what we usually think about among a church family, right? Somebody hurts you, somebody says something you don’t like, you turn the other cheek. Paul shows the Philippian church how to go beyond that, to rejoice at the thing meant for harm if it served the kingdom. That’s really the attitude we saw in Joseph just a couple minutes ago, didn’t we. He said, “You intended it for harm, but God intended it for good.” He didn’t just endure the hurt, he rejoiced in it! Because he had already been delivered and there was no shame in that. Listen to how Paul goes on.

Philippians 1:18–26 NIV

But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.

I pray that you have had the chance to be at the bedside of someone about to die. I hope you got to have a conversation with them about what was coming and what would happen next. I don’t hope for that out of some morbid fascination, but so that you can hear the hope of someone who knows what comes next. A hope shared by Paul. He had stood trial in front of Caesar and now he was waiting for sentencing. Would Caesar sentence him to death? Maybe. Wouldn’t it be great if he did? Paul would be in heaven and be with Christ! Would Caesar release him? Maybe. Wouldn’t it be great if he did? Paul would go on serving the Philippians believers. Either way was good for him.

Philippians 1:27–30 NIV

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

And there it is. A church that gets it right is full of people who know their “why.” They stand firm in the Spirit and strive together come rain or shine, good or bad, pain or pleasure. They are free from fear. They know where they are going and live every moment in that confidence.

Give examples of times when the right “why” has been a blessing to a church/believer.

What exactly is the “why?” We catch it in vs , “Christ will be exalted…” It was all about the glory of God for Paul. What did it matter what happened to him if it meant that Christ was glorified?

Philippians 1:20 NIV

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

That’s easy to say, but how doable is it? How doable is it to put every other consideration aside and focus solely on that powerful “why?” It’s impossible. I don’t do it. My “why?” To avoid pain, to have things easy, pride, a certain financial future, to feel loved, to feel accepted, to feel belonging. You have those “why’s” too. And it’s wrong. More than that, it’s a display of your sinfulness and your separation from God.

But Paul wasn’t any different. So, how could he be so certain of his “why?” Well, the larger book of Philippians might give a clue. If you can see my Bible here, I’ve highlighted all the times that Jesus is named or referenced in this book. Dozens of times. Paul was so certain of his “why” because he keeps his Savior so clearly in his mind. The Savior who took the walk of shame carrying his own cross up to Calvary. The Savior who brought on himself every wrong “why.” He then shed his own blood. The blood of the innocent meant to cover you, to cleanse you, to remake you. That’s what Paul kept his eyes on, it was central to the health of the church that got it right back then, and it’s essential for a church to get it right today.

A church that gets it right is a church full of people who know their “why”. And a person who knows their “why” is someone who lets the empty cross and tomb loom so large that everything is blocked from view. Only when Christ is the only thing you can see will Christ’s glory be the only thing you seek. Paul reminded the Philippians of that truth. He held before them the glory of Christ. Let them see it so they could hold on to it as their driving motivator. Scott needed that reminder. So do you. So do I. Don’t let those other things, those things that pass, that fade, that deteriorate become your why. Don’t let them lead you down a path away from God and from getting it right. Make Christ’s glory your “why”. Let it wake you up in the morning. Let it drive your attitude. You’ll be a better parent, a better child, a better coworker, a better worker, a better boss, a better sufferer, a better witness and a better encourager for it. With that “why” in mind, you’ll be the church that gets it right.

Amen