Honor Jesus always

Big Idea:

Honoring Jesus in every circumstance leads to joy.

Intro:

Hey everyone. Welcome to Church Online!

I want to take a moment to say Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there - and to all the women who have stepped into those motherly roles because of various circumstances. We HONOR you today!

We put HONOR on your name!… which is the title of the sermon series we just started.

If you were with us last week, you know we’re discussing the theme of HONOR as we studying the book of Philippians (which says a lot about HONOR).

And just a reminder, HONOR is:

To have a good name or reputation worthy of respect.

It also means to give, regard, or treat another person with respect or special recognition.

Finally, it can refer to our living up to, or fulfilling, terms or responsibilities we agreed to.

And in this series, we’ll be looking at...

How to put HONOR on God’s name.

How to put HONOR on one another’s names.

How to put HONOR on our own name based on how we live out the gospel.

And the reason we’re discussing HONOR is because HONOR can help change our lives, culture, and community for the better. So, let’s jump into today’s passage and learn more about HONOR...

Btw, I tried my best to connect this to Mother’s Day, but it didn’t work. I apologize. But, I didn’t want to force it, especially since the Bible instructs me on what to preach, not the the other way around. Amen?

Last week, we finished Paul’s introductory greeting in his letter to the Philippians. Now Paul will give them a quick update on how he’s personally doing (something friends do - check in on each other. Remember, this is a letter of friendship, not just instructions from religious leader)...

Philippians 1:12–18 ESV

I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 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,

Exegesis:

Something I introduced last week is the concept of biblical “koinonia” - or what’s translated in English as “partnership” or “fellowship.” It’s a word that includes friendship, but also involves a joint-participation. Meaning both parties in the relationship value and invest in one another. And it’s a concept that is woven throughout this entire letter.

The Philippians investing in Paul.

Paul investing in the Philippians.

Jesus investing in both, which impacts how they invest in one another.

And here, Paul is updating the Philippians on how he is doing because the Philippians have invested in him by sending a gift of support (something we’ll read more about in a few weeks).

You see, Paul is writing from prison. He’s been arrested because he was preaching Jesus as King! That’s something neither the Jews or the Romans wanted to hear. So, they had him arrested. And because the Philippians loved their friend Paul, they were very concerned about him and sent support! And now, Paul is letting them know he has received their gift and what has happened to him.

And what he tells them - what we just read - is extremely surprising. We can summarize his update this way...

In Christ, every circumstance has a purpose (vv. 12-18).

Paul’s mission in life was to bring the gospel to the whole world. That’s ACTUALLY the mission of every Christian. Jesus said...

Matthew 28:19 ESV

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

...You’d think throwing him in prison would be an effective way to stop that mission! But Paul says, “What has happened to me has actually ADVANCED THE GOSPEL!” And then he shares a shocking example… he says the whole imperial guard (and a bunch of other people) have been hearing about Jesus!

I mentioned last week that Philippi (being a Roman Colony) would’ve been a bad place to start a church because of their passionate allegiance to the Empire. You’d think, “There’s no way such loyal citizens would accept a message about receiving another Kingdom!” And if Philippi was like that... think of how impossible bringing the gospel into Rome itself, let alone to the Emperor’s Elite Praetorian guards, would’ve seemed! But thru these seemingly bad circumstances, Paul gained access to places no other Christian had ever been!

How? Part of Paul’s imprisonment required being chained to a Roman soldier. And they had shift rotations every four hours. And Paul simply talked about Jesus with whoever was chained to him. Pretty soon, the entire imperial guard had heard the gospel because they had all taken turns guarding him!

Additionally, as Roman Christians saw how God was using Paul to do the impossible (invading Caesar’s household with the gospel!) it gave them Spirit-empowered courage. And they began to preach boldly!

Yes, Paul was in prison and could no longer take the gospel to other places. But God’s like, “Watch this! Not only will I bring the gospel to impossible places, I’ll also use it to raise up more preachers!” God purposefully used Paul’s imprisonment to multiply preachers!

But even in this multiplication of preachers, the circumstances weren’t ideal. Yes, some of them preached with God’s love. And this brought Paul joy! But strangely, Paul says… “Some preach Christ from envy and rivalry… out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.” (v. 15, 17).

This is a strange statement. Who would do this? Is Paul referring to false teachers? It’s probable, but not likely. What is more likely is some Roman Christians didn’t appreciate the letter Paul wrote to them a few years earlier.

If you read the book of Romans, you discover a lot of correction. He tells them, “Some of you are doing this, but you need to be doing this! And others are doing this, but you’re wrong too. You need to be doing this instead!” And I think it’s possible some Roman Christians read the letter and thought, “Who does this guy think he is?!?”

Because unlike many other churches in the New Testament, Paul didn’t start the Roman church. Actually, his imprisonment was his first trip to Rome!

And so, I think it’s possible these “selfish preachers” were those who didn’t like Paul, and continued preaching Christ (who they genuinely believed in), but also knew by doing so, they were causing affliction to this Paul-guy who rubbed them the wrong way.

You may be thinking, “Why does Paul even include this bit of information?” It’s strategic! I mentioned it last week that there are problems in the Philippian church, including... internal conflict. And when Paul mentions his own “internal conflict” (other Christians trying to hurt him), he’s intentionally connecting “his situation” to the “Philippians situation” (which he will address in the next few chapters). Because... Paul’s RESPONSE to these “selfish preachers” will serve as an example for how the Philippians can RESPOND to their internal CIRCUMSTANCES that are creating conflict in the churn.

And how does Paul respond?

Philippians 1:18 ESV

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,

He says, “I rejoice even though I don’t like the circumstances.” Why? Because he knows God has a purpose for it. The gospel is ADVANCING even if some have wrong motives.

And by responding this way, not only is Paul showing he personally believes that “In Christ, every circumstance has purpose,” but also, he’s modeling how the Philippians can respond to internal conflict with HONOR.

… So, let me ask, “What circumstances are you facing today? How do they impact your life? Do negative circumstances cause you to respond without HONOR?”

If so, remember, “In Christ, EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE has God-given purpose.”

…or as Paul phrased it to the Romans...

Romans 8:28 ESV

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Now, I realize this is probably one of those things that is “easier said than done.” So, how can we learn to respond to every circumstance with HONOR?”

Well, look at what Paul says next...

Philippians 1:19–26 ESV

for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 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. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 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.

Oh man… there’s a lot here:

There’s the koinonia-thing going on again. Philippians partnership in prayer helping Paul. And the Spirit of Jesus partnered with Paul and the Philippians’ prayers.

There’s Paul’s future expectation and hope based on the victory He has in Jesus. And how that changes his perspective and builds his faith.

… And a lot more...

But some of you have Mother’s Day brunch reservations and you gotta be outta here by 11:00am, not 2:00 pm. Plus, I’m preaching, not writing a commentary. So, I’m just going to get to the main point! Feel free to go deeper into this passage on your own or in your DGroups this week!

But Paul’s primary focus was to...

Honor Jesus with our whole life.

If we want to respond to life differently, we gotta be all about Jesus. Paul said, “with a [concentrated focus] now as always Christ WILL be HONORED in my body, whether by life or by death. For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

Jesus was everything to Paul. If he was alive, he was living for Jesus. If he died, even better - he got to be WITH Jesus! Paul highest priority in life was to “Put HONOR on Jesus’s name!”

… but how did he develop this kind of commitment? Was it an instantaneous thing? Like He got saved and ZAP! The Holy Spirit made him ready to HONOR Jesus with His life? Maybe... I mean, if you read Paul’s story in the book of Acts, it might seem that way...

But sometimes we forget that in-between the great stories of Paul’s faith were YEARS of process. Paul taking years in Arabia to sit at the feet of Jesus. And by the time he wrote this letter, he’s been following Jesus for almost 30 years.

So, how can we get to the point where we HONOR Jesus in the same way as Paul? We got to be committed to the long-term process and then HONOR that commitment.

When I was a kid, I remember thinking my mom was dumb. Like she didn’t know anything. She wasn’t worth listening to. I didn’t want to HONOR her. It wasn’t until I matured, went thru some things, and became a parent myself - had some time to go thru the process of life- that I realized how AMAZING my mom was and is. And now, I look back at all she did as a single mother, and I HONOR her.

HONOR takes time. If we want to HONOR Jesus the way Paul did, we got to stick with Jesus thru the process. We got to live with Him. We must experience His presence. And when we do, it’ll change us. And eventually, He’ll be the only King we’ll HONOR!

Isn’t that what David experienced and wrote about in Psalm 27?

Psalm 27:4 ESV

One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.

Isn’t that what Mary did? Getting lost in the presence of Jesus as she sat at his feet?

I was talking to my friend Vin at DGroup. He said, “I’ve lived thru a lot of stuff. And I’ve seen the glory of God. That’s all that matters to me now.” And if you sit by Vin during worship or listen to him pray on our Zoom prayer meetings, you know he’s for real. Jesus is everything to him. You know he HONORS Jesus with his whole life? Why? Because he’s spent time with Jesus.

So, do a little self-check right now. Ask yourself, “Who gets the MOST HONOR in my life?” As easy way to tell is by examining your time. What you give the most time to is the thing you most HONOR.

For Paul, it was Jesus. And it changed the way He lived. The way he responded to circumstances. And it’s this concept that is the groundwork for how the Philippians can respond to their circumstances with HONOR (because again, Paul’s heard their present circumstances are causing DISHONOR).

And Paul begins to address these problems in the next 4 four verses...

Philippians 1:27–30 ESV

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

In this section, the progression of Paul’s thought goes like this:

We are true friends. We have koinonia, so we can speak into each other’s lives because we are fully-invested in one another.

I’ve told you how I’ve honored Christ regardless of my circumstances and the God-glorifying, God-HONORING results they’ve produced...

Now, you need to do the same in your circumstances… so you can live with HONOR

And I love the phrase that Paul uses in verse 27, “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ...” The word “manner” can refer to one’s citizenship. Remember, Philippi was a Roman Colony. They knew all about how to represent Rome well thru outstanding citizenship. Paul is now calling on them to represent the Kingdom of God well by...

HONOR Christ in every circumstance:

Doesn’t matter if you’re facing opposition.

Doesn’t matter if you’re suffering.

Doesn’t matter if there is internal conflict.

What does MATTER is HONORING Jesus! If that’s your main FOCUS, all other things will fall into place. And, you will begin to see God’s purpose in the opposition, suffering, and internal conflict.

I also appreciate how Paul appeals to something they were already good at. As a Roman Colony, the Philippians were excellent at fulfilling their DUTY! They were the type of people who lived by the motto, “If it is my responsibility, it is my duty to fulfill it.”

And here’s an application for us:

Just as Paul was the example for the Philippians.

The Philippians are the example for us.

Even if we aren’t naturally duty-oriented people, sometimes God put people in our lives who are different from us, so that we can learn from them.

Duty is a beautiful quality. Its’s HONORABLE. Think about it:

No one ever says, “I hate that that person always does what they say they were going to do!”

But what about the opposite? Do people say, “Oh I love it when you flake or don’t follow thru. I get so much joy being stressed out because I’m picking up your slack.” No, that drives us crazy.

Jesus said...

Matthew 5:37 NKJV

But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.

In other words, do your DUTY!

As Christians, when we surrender to Christ as our Lord and Savior, we should fulfill our DUTY to HONOR Him as King, regardless of circumstance (but especially when we also know that: In Christ, every circumstance has purpose!). That is what Paul did. That’s what he was calling the Philippians to do. And that’s what God’s word is calling us to do.

HONOR Christ in every circumstance.

Response:

As we close, you may be asking, “Okay, I get why HONORING Jesus in every circumstance is good, but what’s in it for me?”

...Geez, Jesus dies for you on the cross and offers you forgiveness and eternal life - and that’s not enough! You’re so selfish! I’m just kidding - kinda...

… but actually, there IS something in it for you. God’s so good. Honestly, He IS worthy of HONOR even if we received nothing in return. But God is part of this “koinonia” (this partnership) too. And He loves to bless those He’s in relationship with.

So, here are two things that happen to use as a result of HONOR:

We live with PURPOSE.

We live with JOY.

Who doesn’t want to live with purpose? We all do (Christian or not)! In fact, one study showed that 9 out of 10 people will take a pay cut to work somewhere if it gave them a sense of PURPOSE. And we just spent 25 minutes talking about how HONOR helps us see EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE as PURPOSEFUL!

And who doesn’t want JOY? Well, guess what happens when you spend time in God’s presence because you’re committed to HONORING Him?

Psalm 16:11 ESV

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

What’s in it for you to live a life that HONOR’S Christ in every circumstance? PURPOSE AND JOY! Sounds like a good deal to me!

Let’s pray...

Father, we pray that on a day when many of us will HONOR the moms in our lives, that we’d also begin to live with HONOR in every other area of our lives. And we know that starts with a commitment to HONOR Your Son, Jesus. So, help us to do that by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Helps us to HONOR Jesus in EVERY season and circumstance, so that we can live with HONOR, PURPOSE, and JOY.

And if there’s any person who doesn’t know Jesus today, I pray that you would speak to their heart right now. That they’d turn from their sin and surrender their life to Jesus as Lord and Savior, so that they too could find honor, purpose, and joy in YOU!

And again, God we pray a special blessing to all the mothers. We HONOR them today and thank You for them.

In Jesus name, amen.

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