Philippians 3-4

Introduction

Last week we dove into the proper mindset. The proper mindset is that of Christ Jesus. We have to recognize who we are so that we can then see who he is. A mind that is filled with gratitude will always have the right attitude. It is a gospel centered mind that keeps our eyes on Jesus and on others. We must look not to our own interests but look to the interest of others. We live out what Christ modeled and take part in his fellowship and suffering. It is good news because it is to the Glory of God and for our sanctification and eventual glorification.

Now Paul uses the word joy or rejoice 16 times in only 104 verses. If any of us wrote a letter to someone and continually used he same word over and over again, we would do this on purpose. We are trying to make a point.

Remember where Paul is writing this letter from. Is his in prison. This is not a place where we speak of much joy. Or where we think of joy coming from.

A few weeks back, Doug and Major and I went to the Gator Bowl. If you watched the game then you understand the chaos that ensued. We were happy at the beginning of the game because we were winning. Then we were losing and we were sad. As a matter of fact we were down three scores with just a few minutes left. The in the next few minute my blood pressure and excitement level reached levels unknown to this world. We scored and had trick plays the true bliss and the true joy on our faces was unexplainable. We would go up and we would be hugging complete and total strangers. These could be offenders and murderers but hey, we didnt care. We were winning. Then we would fumble or the other team would make a good play, and we would instantly be filled with sadness. It was like this back and forth for what seemed like eternity. We won the game and were floating on cloud 9 in jacksonville. But you know what I noticed. Even in moments in this life where joy is unexplainable, it is just temporary and it depends on my circumstances.

Even if football isnt your thing, think about your spouse. Ladies you remember the joy of the wedding day and that honeymoon week. Now imaging when he left his plate next to the sink and the trash next to the trashcan this week. Were you still filled with that joy? Of course not. Its because you cant have true joy from temporary things.

We as a society are never content. We just want more and more and more. This years iphone is already old and outdated. This marriage is old and I want something new. This job isnt fun anymore. I just had lunch and I am already looking forward to dinner. Its time we find our joy and contentment elsewhere.

The end of chapter two discusses a few things.

Continue to work out your salvation in fear and trembling. This is not Paul saying that our salvation is something we can work for or to create. The greek word here is like working in the mine. These are believers he is writing to. As believers we are saved by faith. Meaning we have already been placed into the “mine”. But as we work in the “mine” of salvation, the more Gold and diamonds we discover. He tell them to do everything without grumbling or arguing. This would fall in line with mindset of Christ Jesus, that even in the garden he said thy will father not mine. Hold firmly to the word of life.

Then look at what he says in 2:17

Philippians 2:17–18 NIV

17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

What is Paul talking about? The church, both jew and Gentile would have known what the drink offering was. The priest would take wine or sometimes honey and pout it over the burnt sacrifice. This would symbolize the fragrance of the offering being lifted to the nostrils of God. Paul was happy, genuinely happy, not to be even the main sacrifice but to be the drink offering poured out on the offering of the people in Philippi.

He says to them rejoice in this. There is beauty in suffering and it is being lifted up to God

In chapter 3, Paul revisits something he has spoken about before. Remember a few years back Paul writes to the Galatians and tells them about the peversions of the Gospel and the judaizers who were forcing the gentiles to be circumcised.

he says this

(NIV)

1 Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. 2 Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. 3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

The first thing that can bring us true joy is this:

It’s not about what you can do, but about what He has done.

Many years back I was blessed to be contracted to work with sound and crowd experience at neyland stadium. I was on the sideline every game and got to meet a lot of cool people and was up close to the games.....that we lost most of. Before you get jealous, this was during the Dooley years, so I was there just to watch the dumpster fire take place. I could go in any room, or any area of the stadium. Was it because I looked like a football player or had the talent to throw the ball 100 yards? No. Was it because I had the football knowledge to turn the Volunteers around and win a championship? No. It doesnt matter how qualified I thought I was, the only reason I was able to stand where I was and do what I was doing was because I had all access badge. It was my credentials, not me, that qualified me to be there.

Listen folks. We must always remember. If we are looking for joy in our accomplishments. If we are trying to justify ourselves based on our own merit, we will fall short every time. You cant attend enough church, sing the right songs, or pray hard enough to make yourself right before God. it is only based on Jesus blood and righteousness.

Guys, this is a true spark of eternal joy? Why? Because the pressure is off. I just listened to a story this week about a man that left the faith and one of the reasons that he did is that he went his whole life and eventually got tired of feeling like he was always dissapointing God. And what a depressing life that would be. He was focused on what he could bring to the table to be worthy of God’s love and the answer is nothing. We rejoice because it is by Jesus’ merit. We place our faith in this and allow the spirit to work in us as we attempt to follow our lives in obedience.

Paul then continues and says this

Philippians 3:7–11 NIV

7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

Nothing Compares to Jesus

 σκυβαλον = dung or poop

Nothing compares to Jesus. That is a powerful sentence............. no really it is a powerful sentence. Just think about it. And he is so worth it. Everything you give up for Jesus, worth it. Adam and Mary stump gone from the comforts of home here and knoxville and ministering in a secluded and dangerous place, worth it to know Jesus. The nights I spent screaming out to God in the midst of anxiety and depression contemplating ending my own life, worth it to know Jesus. Paul imprisoned and beaten for the sake of the gospel, worth it to know Jesus. The struggle and suffering that you are in is worth it to know Jesus. Nothing can compare to him. Nothing can compare to his love and grace. You can search every square inch of this earth and you will never find anything as good as him.

Do you want to know why? Because it isnt just knowing someone like you and I know each other, we Get to know the power of his resurrection, and we GET to participate in his sufferings, we Get to become like Him in death and therefore WE GET TO BECOME LIKE HIM IN RESURRECTION HALLELUJAH.

Another story I heard this week of someone leaving Jesus and the faith behind. And guys these are becoming more and more and it is truly heartbreaking. This guy said this and many other stories I have said in my generation have said the same thing. After they leave the faith or Christianity or whatever you want to call it, someone will undoubtedly ask them, “Arent you scared to not know where you go when you die?”. His answer was heartbreaking when he said this, “ I’m not concerned as much with what happens to me when I die as I am concerned with how I live.”.........

The world applauds this answer and salutes it. But How sad is this. He is focused on hisself and the vapor of his life. The willowing flower that is his life. God has promised eternity with him and a life in fellowship and communion with him but you just want to focus on your few years spent on this worthless earth. NOTHING COMPARES TO JESUS. Paul understood that. He was constantly talking about running a race to finish and keeping his eyes on the prize before him. This earth has nothing for us and we are not citizens here. We must keep our eyes on Jesus and remember that true Joy is found in him alone.

He continues to encourage with this point by this.

Philippians 3:12–14 NIV

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

We can take joy in knowing this

as believers in Christ, our best is always ahead of us

we can take joy as Paul did in knowing what is ahead.

No one likes long car rides, especially with a car full of small children ha. But I remember as a kid making that long eternal drive to Orlando ,Fl. Sure parts of the drive were fun and it was good to make memories, but nothing compared to the destination in which we were headed. You could anticipate the feeling of pulling under the Disney World sign and knowing that you have arrived.

Life has great moments and it has its hard moments, but folks, we arent there yet. But we are on our way. You can rejoice in knowing that heaven and the prize awaits you.

Paul then talks about those who are enemies of the cross and they do not share in the same destiny as what we have. Their best is behind them rather then in front of them. Our citizenship is in heaven and we await our savior.

Now we skip ahead to chapter 4. Paul is writing personally to these two ladies that need to be of the same mind like Christ Jesus. Its interesting that we dont really know who these ladies are but context could be of help. These women could have been arguing or in a disagreement about a number of things but paul immediately goes in this next passage right after mentioning these two ladies. I am not a prophet but I a honestly believe that these ladies maybe had troubles with the gifts that they were sending Paul. After all, they probably didnt have much and they had given to Paul before and the elders and leaders decided to send a generous gift to Paul and he was grateful. Possibly the letter Epaphroditus had explains this. Either way he then says this.

Philippians 4:4–9 NIV

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

This passage, like many others in Philippians could be a sermon in and of itself. As a matter of fact one of the best sermons I have heard in this building was by Robert Morgan on this passage.

Why does Paul move from this personal question with these two ladies right into Rejoice Rejoice! Because the two are most likely connected. And believe me their is much to rejoice here. When he says do not be anxious. It isnt as much as a command as it is a decree. If I were to summarize it. Its like he is saying this.

Rejoice, Rejoice, YOU DONT HAVE TO BE ANXIOUS. We have all we need in Christ. Go to him in prayer and petition and thanksgiving. It is a joyful thing to do. Think on ALL the goodness of God and think about who he is and who you are in him and rejoice. And the GOD OF PEACE IS WITH YOU.

Why is that? Because

We have all we need in Christ

(NIV)

10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

In the last few months, this passage has been huge for me. I honestly believe the secret to happiness is in this passage. The secret to true joy. it is in verse 12 and 13. Lets read it again.

(NIV)

12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

This is not a verse about sports or how I can do whatever I set my mind to because I have Jesus. Jesus is not our slave that we command or even a super power that we call down to use how we please.

Paul is sayin I have learned this great mystery and it is to be content in Jesus. All the things I have mentioned before, I know it is difficult. I know it is difficult to suffer and that it is hard to praise God and humble yourself in hard times. But if you will find your joy and contentment in Jesus he will give you the strength and you will have all you need.

We as a society are never content. We just want more and more and more. This years iphone is already old and outdated. This marriage is old and I want something new. This job isnt fun anymore. I just had lunch and I am already looking forward to dinner. Its time we find our joy and contentment elsewhere.

The more content that you are in Jesus, the less you will hunger for the things of this world.

And I will end on this. You truly can trust that you will be content in Jesus. I have been through some diets before and people will say, “look, you can eat these two slivers of carrots, 1 peanut, two tiny grains, a glass of water and you will never be hungry” Yea right. it aint happenin.

But we can trust Jesus will fill us as we fill others.

Philippians 4:17–19 NIV

17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Paul thanks them for the gift and then encourages them to know where there supply comes from. This illustration brought me joy several years ago and I want give you joy now.

Illustration of the corn