Seeking Fruit for Your Credit

Philippians 4:10-19

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Yet, it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.[1]

I

magine that our congregation had managed to scrape together a considerable amount of cash in order to help one of our former members do humanitarian missionary work in Africa. After some time, we received word back—a long letter, in fact—which goes on and on about how we as a church might better serve the Lord here in Dawson Creek. However, there is nary a word concerning the gift.

Surprisingly, at the end of the letter, with a kind of “by the way,” the gift is mentioned. Even so, more time is spent on how little the gift was really needed than on expressing gratitude itself. I suppose that we would be a bit miffed. Both our secular and spiritual cultures expect something better of friends, and no one likes an ingrate. Some people, reading the Book of Philippians feel this way about Paul.

Carrying our own feelings about our pretend “missionary friend” back into Paul’s letter to the Philippians is a form of cultural gaffe. It is a clear reflection that we cannot really imagine a culture in which such things might be done differently. It is true, however, that this particular letter which Paul wrote to the First Baptist Church in Philippi is written according to the expected custom of Greco-Roman friendship.[2]

First, the writer addresses his major concerns about the people to whom gratitude is owed, though throughout the letter friendship is presupposed. At last, the point of the letter, thanks for the generous gift, is offered. What is especially important to notice is that the Apostle sees this gift as evidence of friendship renewed and seeks reciprocity for those who reveal themselves to be his friends. In fact, it is his statement in the seventeenth verse which is of particular interest for this study.

The Apostle avers to the Philippians that he seeks fruit that increases to the credit of this generous church. He says that he sees their gift as an investment which will result in a return. This is a truth which we must explore, for as a people, we are encouraged to participate in the advance of the Faith through our giving. Is there a profit?

Philippi was the entry point for the message of Christ to enter Europe. Here, in Philippi of Macedonia, there were no Christians when Paul came as the first missionary. He had persevered, in spite of severe persecution, and in a very short ministry, the missionary band had established a small congregation. Though small in numbers, the First Baptist Church of Philippi was great in the sight of God.

As Paul continued his expansion ministry, the Philippian congregation had sent him support repeatedly. From the tone of his letter, it would appear that the Apostle had the joyful experience of receiving “just in time” the gifts which the Philippians sent. As an aside of no small consequence, God does not often provide us a surplus in anticipation of crises. Instead, it would appear that the more common situation is that God supplies what is required to further His work, as it is needed.

Because the Philippians had proved generous toward the ministry in which Paul was engaged, he responded with this letter of gratitude. As already mentioned, the issue I ask us to focus on is not the gift, but the response of the Apostle to the gift. In particular, I want us to take careful note of the concept of blessing in return for the gift. It is a concept which is distorted among many evangelicals. That does not change the basic truth, however, that God does bless those who are generous toward His Kingdom work.

The Investment God Seeks — I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. With these words, the Apostle makes it clear that the investment God seeks is the person, and not the person’s money.

In a passage which instructs us in similar truth, Paul writes of the churches of Macedonia. Listen to the commendation of the churches of Macedonia which he wrote to the Achian church in Corinth. We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own free will, begging us earnestly for the favour of taking part in the relief of the saints—and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us [2 Corinthians 8:1-5].

What a commendation! The churches of Macedonia first gave themselves. Who were these Macedonian Christians? They were the saints comprising the churches of Philippi, Thessalonica and Berea. However, it is this Philippian church which is foremost in the Apostle’s mind as he writes these words to the Corinthians. Consequently, the receptions which the missionaries received in Thessalonica and Berea were not so very different from that which they received in Philippi. They were beaten and jailed in Philippi. In Thessalonica, they were run out of town and placed under a peace bond. Likewise, agitators stirred up a mob in Berea to run the missionaries out of town.

The Macedonian churches were born in an atmosphere of hatred and bitter persecution. Thus, when the Apostle thought of the Philippian Christians, he did not think of wealthy people, but rather of saints compelled to exhibit courage and grace in the midst of hostility and vituperation. These Philippians revealed the grace of God in the most unlikely and most unimaginable of all situations.

We are careful as a congregation not to stress the need for moneys during our services of worship. I take great pains to ensure that those sharing our service realise that giving is an act of worship. We do not say to those visiting our service, “Welcome, give us your money.” Neither do we compel those who are members to contribute a set amount. This is not to say that it requires no moneys to operate the church. We choose not to make a great deal of the need, but the need is present.

I should point out that the mark of a mature Christian is generosity, and we respect those who choose to live sacrificially, but such sacrifice must always be voluntary. It is my responsibility to teach the great truths of the Word of God, including that which calls each Christian to be a servant, but we are also convinced that ever and always God will provide through the prompting of His Holy Spirit at work in His people.

Of course, it cost money to maintain the facilities, to provide for light and heat, to care for the costs of daily ministries. We provide benevolence as required to our own members and to the community in which we live. In order to set the pastor free to focus on the ministry of the Word, we provide an adequate stipend so that he will not be distracted from that work to which God has appointed him. We share in the world-wide outreach of our Canadian Baptist Ministries and the work of the Baptist Union of Western Canada through forwarding a portion of our funds to those entities. It does cost money to run a church, and as we continue to grow, we may anticipate that the costs of operating the church will increase as well.

As Baptists, we are convinced that the greatest need is for each Christian to be committed to Christ Jesus the Lord. Those who are committed to Jesus our Master are also called to be committed to one another and to be committed to the vision of the church. If our people have a commitment to Christ as Lord of life, He will direct them in the act of worship through giving. It is the work of the ministry to provide a vision for the people and to articulate that vision so that all can be united and so that all can clearly recognise where God is leading the congregation.

Moreover, if we understand that Jesus is Master of life and if we are committed to one another and committed to the vision of the church, we will invest our lives in one another. We will be convinced that we are administrators of the grace of God, responsible not only to contribute of our finances for the work of the ministry, but we will be convinced that we have a responsibility to invest our very lives in one another.

The summation of all that I have said to this point is that those who are committed to Christ the Lord and committed to the congregation which He is building will find ways in which to invest themselves in one another. You will recall that the purpose you received God’s Spirit and the gift(s) with which He endowed you at salvation was precisely so that you could participate in the great work of the Body of Christ. That great work is to build one another up the Faith, to encourage one another, and to console each other. This is the Apostle’s emphasis in 1 Corinthians 14:3.

As Christians, each of us should ask how our participation in the worship of the church builds up our fellow worshippers. Each of us should ask how our participation encourages another. Each of us should be concerned to know how our participation in the life of the Body consoles those who share the service with us. Certainly, this will involve giving from our finances as we determine under God’s leadership, but even more vital is the investment of our particular gifts as we serve one another in love and as we constantly find how to build up, to encourage and to console.

I know that some among us are on fixed income and they wonder what they can give. I have throughout the years had individuals come to me, concerned that they had little to share. I recall one dear lady in San Francisco who had been greatly used to counsel younger women in years past, and now she struggle to come to church and found it hard to hear what was said. Moreover, this dear woman had little of this world’s goods.

On one occasion, Mrs. Dollin, at the conclusion of a visit to her home, placed a twenty dollar bill in my hand, asking that I place in the offering for a collection we would receive in a service during the coming week. I demurred, stating that she had so little and we would have a generous offering from the people.

I realised that my youthful demurral had wounded her. With tears welling in her eyes, she looked at me and said, “Brother Mike, you wouldn’t deprive an old woman of the joy of sharing in the work of Christ’s Kingdom?”

I could wish that I had been more spiritual in those days, I would not have made that mistake. As it is, I had to acknowledge that though I was acting out of what I thought was best, I hadn’t considered the love the elderly saint had for the Saviour. Perhaps we need to see with the eyes of the Saviour.

You may recall in this context the woman who had been used by so many men, who now brought the most expensive gift she had to anoint the Saviour. The story is told in Luke 7:36-50. That woman gave lavishly. The word generous does not begin to fit her. When we think of her actions, we think of words like extravagance or even of the word profligacy. What becomes apparent is that she loved deeply because she had been forgiven much. Sometimes, what appears to be extravagance on the part of a worshipper is the result of a deep love which we have yet to experience.

In light of John’s commentary on John 12:1-7, I tend to be suspicious of those who condemn the generous among us. Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at the table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial.”

I am not far from the subject when I turn my attention to those living on a fixed income. They struggle valiantly against the constantly rising cost of living. The elderly among us have so much to offer. Someone young at heart wrote of growing old.

Remember, old folks are worth a fortune—silver in their hair, gold in their teeth, stones in their kidneys, lead in their feet, and gas in their stomachs.

I have become a little older since I saw you last, and a few changes have come into my life since then. Frankly, I have become quite a frivolous old gal. I am seeing five gentlemen every day.

As soon as I wake up, Will Power helps me get out of bed. Then I go to see John. Then Charlie Horse comes along, and when he is here, he takes a lot of my time and attention. When he leaves Arthur Ritis shows up and stays the rest of the day. He doesn’t like to stay in one place very long, so he takes me from joint to joint. After such a busy day I’m really tired and glad to go to bed with Ben Gay. What a life!

P.S. The preacher came to call the other day. He said at my age I should be thinking about the hereafter. I told him, “Oh, I do all the time. No matter where I am—in the parlour, upstairs, in the kitchen, or down in the basement—I ask myself what am I here after.”[3]

We have so much to learn from those who have lived a long and fruitful life as saints of the Most High God. However, I must caution that it is of no consequence how long we have been on the journey; what matters is how far we have come since we began our journey. I pray that we each recognise that we are responsible to invest our lives, our gifts and our love in one another. As we do so, we reveal that we love the Lord Christ and we will find that His Spirit will lead us to be generous on every occasion.

The Impact of Our Investment — Yet, it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.

Paul was the first Christian to enter Philippi. He preached the Gospel of Christ and established the church with a small band of believers. For a brief period after he left Philippi, the Apostle laboured in Thessalonica. Since this was near Philippi, the Philippians sent messengers to find out how he was doing. Word came back that he was in financial need. They took a collection and sent it to him. Later, when they heard that the need continued, they did the same thing again. Paul refers to these gifts in this letter. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again [Philippians 4:16].

A riot drove Paul from Thessalonica, and he moved south to Berea and finally to Athens. From Athens, Paul’s companions from the north went back to Macedonia and sent Silas and Timothy, whom he had left there. These two men caught up to him in Corinth. For a time, this church lost track of their missionary, and they must have asked themselves questions concerning his work and where he might be.

“Where is he now? The last I heard he was in Berea, but they say he left there and went south. I wonder where he stopped? Is he in Athens? Did he go to Corinth? Perhaps he left Greece altogether.” The questions continued until a traveller brought word that Paul was in Corinth, teaching the Word of God. Now the questions changed. “Is Paul all right? Does he have a place to stay? How are his finances? Is he forced to work as a tentmaker? Are the Christians there taking care of him as they ought?”

When the answer came that Paul was in need, the Philippians once again sent money. This happened at least once after Paul had left Thessalonica, for the letter says that the Philippians had cared for him in the beginning of the Gospel after he had left Macedonia [Philippians 4:15]. In the second letter to the Corinthian church, the Apostle states that when he was in Corinth, the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied [his] need [2 Corinthians 11:9]. I should think that these would have been Philippian Christians.

Eventually, due to the fact that Paul was constantly on the move and communications were slow, the believers at Philippi lost touch with the Apostle. There was a third missionary journey, which resulted in contact with the church in Philippi. At last, Paul was imprisoned in Caesarea and then, after two years he was sent to Rome.

Years had passed since Paul had founded the church in Philippi. However, the love the Philippians held for the Apostle had not waned. At long last, news of Paul’s imprisonment reached them in Philippi, and they learned that he lacked everything. The man of God had been deserted by many who had previously followed him during the good times. He was unable to work to provide for himself. He was not even warm enough, due to the long months in the dank Mamertine Prison and the long Roman winter. The response of the Philippians was to take an offering for the Apostle. When they had enough to relieve his misery, they entrusted the funds to Epaphroditus and sent it to the aged man of God. Paul was overjoyed!

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Yet, it was kind of you to share my trouble… Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus [Philippians 4:10-14, 17, 18].

In the Apostle’s mind, the gift from the Philippians was a shrub that had flowered, as it were, in spring after a long winter.[4] It was a sacrifice to God for which Paul was thankful. His pleasure was not merely for his own sake, however. He was pleased for their sake, as well. The Apostle knew, as should each of us, that a gift actually benefits the giver more than it benefits the one who receives it.

The Return on Our Investment — And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Paul spoke volumes when he said to the Ephesian elders, You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” [Acts 20:33-35].

To the Philippians, Paul wrote that in God’s sight their gift would appear as fruit that increased to their credit [Philippians 4:17]. When you think of the fruits of Christianity, what do you think of? No doubt your mind turns immediately to the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control [Galatians 5:22, 23]. Were you aware that other things are said to be fruits of the Christian life? Converts are the fruit of our labours for the Lord Jesus Christ. This is evident from passages such as John 15:16, Romans 1:13, and 1 Corinthians 16:15 (nas). Praise to God is a fruit [Hebrews 13:15]. In a similar manner, our gifts may be spoken of as fruits [see also 1 Corinthians 9:7]. Here, in our text, the money given to help another Christian is called fruit. According to this text, we may say that our gifts to others are encouraged by God, noticed by God, and much desired by Him.[5]

It is an unfortunate fact that Christian giving is frequently hindered by the thought in some believers’ minds that security is really dependent upon the wealth we possess. Some girls think that security consists in being able to capture a husband—a husband they are certain they can change if only they can capture him. Far too many men think that security consists in amassing a fortune. Of course, there is never enough.

Perhaps you should review the words of the Wise Man?

Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied,

and never satisfied are the eyes of man.

[Proverbs 27:20]

The Christian who truly trusts in God is secure. The Christian who does not fully trust in God can never be secure, though he is worth millions of dollars.

I must speak carefully at this point, lest I be grossly misunderstood. The reason I need to be cautious in speaking about wealth is because very few things are accomplished in the realm of ministry without generous financial support from God’s choice servants. I am often reminded of the generosity toward God and the work of His Kingdom by individuals such as R. G. LeTourneau, Mary Crowley, and Andy Horner. These were each godly individuals who proved generous with the wealth God had entrusted to them, and the more they gave the greater their capacity to give.

What I would urge you to see is that how one handles money is often an excellent barometer of spiritual and emotional growth. Money and ministry go together. There is nothing unspiritual about admitting the need for money in our lives. To quote the great Sophie Tucker:

From birth to eighteen, a girl needs good parents.

From eighteen to thirty-five, she needs good looks.

From thirty-five to fifty-five, she needs a good personality.

From fifty-five on, she needs cash.[6]

From my own observations, I am convinced that the overwhelming majority of Christians would be benefited by giving away a substantial portion of what they think they have saved. There are two reasons that I say this. First, giving away a large amount of wealth is spiritually invigorating. The one giving the money away is cast on the Lord in a way that likely hasn’t been experienced in years. Thus cast upon the Lord, the Christian will rediscover His ability to care for him. The second reason I advise this in most instances is that many of us, if not most of us, have subtly bought into the lie that our security can be counted and held in our hands.

The fluctuations of the stock markets and the uncertainties generated by the threat of war should have served to awaken our consciences to the fact that the only security we have is that which is found in Christ the Lord. Nevertheless, I doubt not that many among us still rely upon what we can amass. The subtle threat to our security is the lie of the serpent which tells us that the accumulation of things will make us happy and that the accumulation of money will keep us secure. It won’t.

Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs [1 Timothy 6:6-10].

Those verses get your attention, don’t they? One statement really grabs you by the throat. We brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. That thought really puts matters in perspective, doesn’t it? It is not the riches which destroy us, but it is the lure of accumulating those riches which will destroy us. Homes will be broken. Families will be destroyed. Lives will be ruined. Christian witness will be compromised. All for the love of money.

Regardless of conditions surrounding him, the Apostle had learned to be content. I confess that I get sick of hearing people say that they are doing well … under the circumstances. I want to shout, “Get out from under the circumstances!” Contentment comes from having all that one needs.

The Psalms of Asaph are among my favourites. I especially enjoy reading the seventy-third Psalm. I suppose that the Psalm speaks so accurately of my own personal struggles. The Psalmist begins by stating his situation as he focused on the inhabitants of this dying world. They seemed to him to have it all, without any worries!

Truly God is good to Israel,

to those who are pure in heart.

But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled,

my steps had nearly slipped.

For I was envious of the arrogant

when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

He describes in detail how he viewed the wicked, and how unfair he considered the contrast between them and the righteous. Focused on the wealth of the wicked, he feels cheated. He is discontented with his situation in life. What snaps him from his misery is a trip to the sanctuary of God [verse seventeen]. There, he realises that what he sees is not all there is to the story. What I especially want you to notice is the position Asaph adopts in verses twenty-three through twenty-six.

Nevertheless, I am continually with you;

you hold my right hand.

You guide me with your counsel,

and afterward you will receive me to glory.

Whom have I in heaven but you?

And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.

My flesh and my heart may fail,

but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

[Psalm 73:1-3, 23-26]

Would that each of us could say with the Psalmist, Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. Unfortunately, you, like me, begin to focus on this dying world and we begin to think that we are here forever. So we begin to live for the world, forgetting that we are citizens of heaven.

The Apostle stated that he knew all about the extremes—he had lived there often enough. Listen to him in verses twelve and thirteen. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. This man knew how to adapt! You talk about flexible! This is enviable! He served Christ and ceased worrying about what he had, because he had learned the secret that many of us still miss. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Christians of this day have attempted to rewrite this affirmation for success. We say, I can do all things through drugs, but our minds fog and we cease to cope. I can do all things through education, and our preachers spout Hebrew and Greek even as they lead us toward Hell. I can do all things through money, and our churches are powerless to change society. I can do all things through success, and we fail. I can do all things through the denomination, and we are dragged down to such a low denominator that we cannot grow. I can do all things through politics, and we discover that we are suckers and saps. Christ alone is able to empower us and supply us the strength we need.

It is the last verse of our text which is most vital. My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Chuck Swindoll writes, When God is in our hearts of compassion, prompting us to get involved in helping others…when He is in our acts of generosity, honouring our support of those engaged in ministry…and when He is in our strong commitment, using our sacrifices to bless other lives, He does not forget us in our need. It is all so beautiful, so simple, so right. It is enough to make every one of us laugh out loud![7]

There is a final issue to which I want to draw attention. Paul enjoyed a long relationship defined by support by the Philippians because he earned their respect. We live in a day in which respect among the churches is sullied with dismaying frequency. The televangelists of the eighties, the adulterous escapades of the nineties, and the sexual predators of more recent years have left many believers jaded. Respect, trust, integrity—these are precious commodities which can be destroyed in a moment.

How the ministries of God distribute moneys is vital to those people who want to share. It is for this that reason I insist that we must have a qualified finance committee ensuring accountability both in the receipt and in the distribution of moneys. There must be ongoing accounting for the moneys contributed to and disbursed by the church to maintain trust and respect. It is to maintain trust and respect for the ministry that I insist that a church budget is more than a means of distributing money—the budget of the church is a spiritual document, detailing the hopes and aspirations of the congregation.

In addition, I insist that we must have stated priorities for the distribution of benevolence funds and that there must be guidelines for the distribution of missionary moneys, so that as a congregation we do not support that which dishonours the Lord and so that we do not find ourselves embarrassed along with the unwary and the unthinking. We want to be wise both in the way in handle God’s money and in those we support.

For you who share our service, though you are outside of Christ, the preaching on giving must seem a caricature of all that you have imagined about preachers. The reason this is so is that so many preachers have disgraced the holy office they occupied. Perhaps that is all you have seen, which is tragic. Multiplied numbers among the ministers of Christ, indeed, the vast majority of preachers, have lived sacrificially, and still live sacrificially, seeking only to serve Christ and honour His Name.

You can never understand the message until you have submitted to the One we speak of as Lord and Saviour. This is the message of God calling you to freedom and peace in Christ the Lord. If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” [Romans 10:9-13].

This Jesus whom we worship is that One of whom God speaks in this Philippian letter. 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 made himself nothing, 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. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father [Philippians 2:5-11].

And that is our call to you—to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Come, confessing Him. Perhaps a family—you. Perhaps one somebody—you. Come, bring our sin and find freedom in Christ the Lord. Bring your guilt and discover freedom in Him. Bring your condemnation and discover His peace. Come, while we stand and while we sing. Amen.

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[2] Gordon D. Fee, Philippians (InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL 1999) 181-2

[3] Anonymous

[4] James Montgomery Boice, Philippians: An Expositional Commentary (Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI 1971) 289

[5] Boice, ibid.

[6] Sophie Tucker, quoted in Charles Swindoll, Laugh Again (Word, Dallas, TX 1992) 222

[7] Swindoll, ibid.