Sacrificial Love Displaying the Gospel We Preach
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Announcements:
If you have a Bible with you, open it to . If you don’t have one, there should be one in the pew in front of you… that is our gift to you.
If you don’t have one, there should be one in the pew in front of you… that is our gift to you.
So Paul writes a letter to a church in the city of Philippi. Paul writes several important letters. We see many of them in the New Testament. Many of them are addressing problems, challenging the church… offering correction.
Philippians is very much a letter of encouragement — to a church that is doing fairly well.
So Paul reminds them and encourages them in the Gospel (good news) of Jesus!
So if you’re able, please stand with me for the reading of God’s Word.
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Do all things without grumbling or disputing,
that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.
Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.
I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you.
For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.
For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.
But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.
I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me,
and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.
I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need,
for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill.
Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious.
So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men,
for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.
The first word in this section is “THEREFORE” which is important.
Because essentially, Paul is saying, “as a result of everything I just said…THEREFORE.”
And last week, the main message was, “THE WAY UP IS THE WAY DOWN.” The way of Jesus is the way of humility. People who are in Jesus will be a humble people.
So it makes sense that Paul begins this section the way as he does… “THEREFORE, as a result of living in humility… as a result of considering others interests…”
And he goes into this portion of the letter. And what does he tell the church? A church that is doing well, but is having some internal disagreements and grumblings… what does Paul write to this church?
Do all things without grumbling or disputing,
phil
Do all things without grumbling or disputing,
Humility results in a posture that is contrary to that is GRUMBLING and DISPUTING
So this portion of the letter is part exhortation, part reminder, and part of it simply reads as a a transfer of information amongst friends.
He tells them how Epaphroditus and Timothy are doing in their ministry...
So the big takeaway today that Paul is communicating to the Philippian church is this: BE A LIGHT IN DARKNESS.
Because you’re in Christ, you are humble.
And because you’re humble you will look different than other people… You will be a light in darkness…
You’ll live sacrificially…
Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.
phil 2:
Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.
Language of sacrifice… Paul really cares about the church and that is what is looks like to resemble Jesus.
Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,
Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,
ephesians 5:
Jesus was a light in darkness… As Christians, a people who resemble Christ… we will do the same.
We must remember that we are to be in the world but not of it… We are to be a light in darkness and cultivate an identity that is built on Christ!
Organizational Sentence: We see this light in darkness happen through (1) Paul’s exhortation and (2) Through his MINISTRY REFLECTIONS
Paul’s Exhortation: “You shine as lights in the world.” (vs. 12-18)
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Do all things without grumbling or disputing,
that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.
Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.
philippians
Our work and God’s work
Which is it Paul?
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
phil 2:
for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
What is Paul saying?
On one hand it appears that Paul is telling them to fix themselves? Is that what’s he’s saying? “WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING...” Well, no… but he’s telling them to take their faith seriously.
ESV SB says,:
The ESV Study Bible Chapter 2
They cannot be content with past glories but need to demonstrate their faith day by day as they nurture their relationship with God.
This isn’t the kind of fear that questions God’s goodness… “will God actually do what he said he would do???” No.
It’s a reverent fear that says, “I must take this seriously, this is of utmost importance.”
Part of being a light in the word = taking our relationship with God as being the most significant reality of our existence…and that may sound dramatic, but it’s true!
That’s what Paul wants us to have in mind.
And we know it’s an encouragement… because look at how he says it:
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
“MY BELOVED”
He addresses his friends in love… this is encouragement… this is a friendly reminder… this is the way we should do it!
He’s not being angry or mean.
Paul isn’t freaking out on them… he’s urging them to remember the beauty of Jesus! He’s speaking to them as their friend.
What is telling them to do?
phil
Do all things without grumbling or disputing,
Faithlife SB says:
Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 2
Expressions of discontentment and arguing lead to a spirit of division within a community of believers. Paul commands the Philippians to abandon such things so as to promote unity.
Unity is so important to Paul. And this comes as a result of humility!
Yes, Paul is challenging them, but he’s doing so in the context of friendship, humility, and encouragement.
He says, “this will lead to you being blameless… this will lead to life...”
that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer.
to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
1 cor
Paul is essentially saying, “you want to be a light in darkness??? STOP GRUMBLING… QUIT DISPUTING...”
holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.
Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.
phil 2:16-18
This is where you really see Paul’s heart and it leads well into the next portion of scripture...
We see Paul’s humility and desire to serve and bless the Philippian church!
And he encourages the church to do the same!
In the midst of trouble, in the midst of interpersonal turmoil… Paul says, “be glad and rejoice with me...”
Paul’s Ministry Reflections (vs. 19-30)
I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you.
For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.
For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.
But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.
I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me,
and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.
I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need,
for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill.
Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious.
So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men,
for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.
phil 2”19-30
I love what this reflection does.
Paul challenges the church and teaches them, but it’s done within the context of relationship and love… he calls them “beloved...”
And then here we see how he talks about two ministry partners, Timothy and Epaphroditus.
I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you.
For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.
phil 2:19=20
“I have no one like Timothy!!!”
Meaning: “Paul cares for and is grateful for Timothy!” It’s relational language.
But another thing I think is so significant is the reason why Timothy is significant… is it because he’s smart? Is Timothy significant because he’s powerful? Is Timothy significant because he’s better than others?
Look at what Paul says
For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.
Phil 2:
Timothy is significant because he is concerned about you! Timothy is significant because he considers your interests and isn’t selfish!
In this, Timothy is significant because he has Jesus and is like Jesus!
See here’s the deal:::
Ministry has to do with people.
Ministry is aimed at God’s glory, but it’s directly related to helping and serving and loving people!
We get in trouble when we forget that ministry is aimed at people, at image bearers of God!
We get in trouble when we forget that ministry is about people, ministry is about God’s image bearers!
Human beings mattered so much to God that he took their penalties and sins upon himself!
So Paul is reminding the church through all of this… THE WAY UP IS THE WAY DOWN… The way of Christ is the way of humility. He’s also reminding them to BE A LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS! And one of the primary ways we can do that is to consider others… to keep other’s in mind… to hold other’s as significant...
Regarding Epaphroditus, Paul says
So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men,
for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.
Epaphroditus is so concerned with the Church’s welfare that he is willing to risk his life!
This is the way of Jesus. This is the way of true life.
We hear it at the Refuge all the time… “What your favorite part of being here?” Answer: the brotherhood, the relationships, the camaraderie.
The sin of pride is so isolating and lonely… as an effort to destroy us and to thwart God’s ministry, the enemy often works to isolate and to dis-unify us… We must fight against that and strive towards UNITY… which is accomplished through humility… which is accomplished by keeping our eyes on Jesus… and in that, we will BE A LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS and it will make a difference!
Application:
If you want to be effective,
If you want to be efficient,
If you want to help others,
If you want to last for the long-term,
If you want to be filled with joy,
If you want to glorify God and model Christ...
Paul says to the church, “Be humble. Promote unity. Be of one mind. Don’t be divisive. Stop grumbling.”
The way up is the way down… And when we live the humble way WE WILL BE A LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS!
And that is the way of Jesus.
So this week:
when you’re faced with the opportunity to gossip,
when you’re faced with the opportunity to get offended,
when you’re faced with the opportunity to talk down to someone,
when you’re faced with the opportunity to gloat in yourself…
remember these words from Paul!
THE WAY UP IS THE WAY DOWN.
By doing that, WE ARE A LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS.
And when we live that way, we live out the way of Jesus.
And when we live that way, we live out the way of Jesus.
Let’s pray.
Community Group Reflection:
Read .
Communion:
L: In the night in which he was betrayed, Our lord Jesus took bread,He gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.Do this for the remembrance of me.
L: Again, after supper,He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying; this cup is The new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.Do this for the remembrance of me.
Silent Reflection – to prepare our hearts toCome to the Lords table
L: Jesus' death brings us life and this meal reminds us that we are fed by Jesus and forgiven because of Jesus.
C: We rejoice that You have died, have risen, and are now with the Father advocating for us. Amen.
L: With our money, time, and talent we give generously, knowing that through Your Son, Jesus, You have generously given to us.
C: We rejoice that You have given everything and we joyfully give everything back to Your care. Amen.
L: If you believe Jesus died to forgive you your sins you are welcome to come,
L: Come for all is ready
Benediction:
As you go, trust not in your own wisdom or abilities, but heed the call of scripture to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, having faith that all things needed will be provided for you as you live for the glory of God. Peace be with you.
