Honor the leaders who love you

Big Idea:

Honor those who lead and love you.

Intro:

Late at night, I often wake up to the words, “They’re gonna know. How are they gonna know? They’re gonna know.” Who knows what I’m talking about? Yes, my wife Janelle is watching TikTok.

… But it got me thinking, in this world, there’s a lot we don’t know. And what we don’t know can dramatically impacts how we respond to life. For example… in the movie Pride and Prejudice...

Many of you just got confused. Did he just mention both TikTok and Pride and Prejudice? And isn’t this a sermon? What kind of church is this?

If that’s your response, don’t worry. It’s a pretty normal response to my sermons...

But in Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth (the main character) does not like Mr. Darcy. She thinks he’s super prideful…

…and if you’re wondering how I know so much about this movie:

I’m married to a lit-major.

I like this movie. Yes, I’m a man. I like basketball, football, fast cars, and MMA. But I also like nice smelling candles, the color pink, and Jane Austen stories.

…anyways, at the end of the movie, Elizabeth changes her thoughts towards Mr. Darcy. She falls in love with him and marries him.

So, what changed? Well, she “didn’t know.” She didn’t know how much he had done for her out of his love for her. But when she found out, it changed the way she view him. It changed the way she HONORED him.

HONOR is the theme we’ve been talking about the last few weeks. The title of this sermon series is “Put some HONOR on my name.” And we’ve been discussing how Christians can (and should) live with HONOR, so that we can radically change the culture around us (which doesn’t think much about honor).

And sometimes... the church doesn’t live with HONOR because... “we don’t know.” … which impacts how or if we HONOR God or people.

Therefore, it’s helpful to be challenged to see, understanding, or remember DIFFERENTLY, so that we can KNOW and respond with proper HONOR. That’s what the Philippians needed. And I think we need that today too.

Let’s begin to break down our passage together. If you have your Bible/app, you can turn to Phil. 2 or you can follow along with the slides...

If you remember from last week, the Philippian church is facing challenges, one being internal conflict - or they weren’t HONORING one another. So, Paul writes to them saying...

HONOR one another by being unified in love.

By this, you HONOR the koinonia (the Holy Spirit partnership) you have with God, one another, and me.

In order to do this, you’l need HUMILITY. And Jesus is the perfect example of what that looks like.

When you’re HUMBLE like Jesus, you’ll live with HONOR.

Exegesis:

Verse 12, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed...”

Remember, though the Philippians were had present problems, overall, they were an awesome church. A church that was obedient and committed to the mission of God...

“… so now, not only as in my presence, but MUCH MORE in my absence...”

Isn’t that a sign of integrity? A sign there’s been a heart change? A true commitment? When someone does the right thing, even when no one is looking?

Paul had started the Philippian church. He was their first pastor! But now, he was in jail for preaching the gospel. And even though he couldn’t be with them, he appealed to their historical pattern of obedience. “You’ve always been obedient; now, continue in that by obeying the instructions I just gave!”

Let me mention this too… Paul is not a dictator demanding submission. This letter is a letter of friendship. Paul is speaking to those he loves.

But, he’s also instructing them to obey - not his words - but ultimately the Word of God. Paul is giving instructions being led by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, he’s speaking the truth of God, which demands obedience.

Which gives us a moment to examine ourselves. What’s our reputation? Could Paul make the same appeal to us? Could he write to us and say, “As you have always obeyed...” When we read the God’s word (or if we read it, which could be another problem), do we obey what we read?

James 1:22–25 NLT

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

Whenever I read this passage, I always think of it this way: In the morning, I look in the mirror to see how my hair is. I don’t know why, but hair is important to me! And if my hair is jacked up, I fix it. I don’t just walk away.

That’s kinda like what James is saying here (and what Paul is appealing to). God’s word is like a mirror to our lives. When we read God’s word, we see the truth about how we’re doing in life.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 ESV

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

And when you look into the truth of God’s word and see your jacked up, don’t just walk away. Fix your hair! Obey what your read. And let that become how people know you...

Growing up in San Diego, there was a baseball player named Steve Garvey. I know - my illustrations are all over the place today (TikTok, Jane Austen, SD Padres). But, I remember him because he always had great hair. I doubt he ever looked in mirror and walked away with jacked up hair.

May our obedience to God be like that! And the reason this is important is - Paul goes onto say...

“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.”

Why is it important to for the Philippians (and us) to obey and HONOR God? Because God has invested in us - He has partnered with us!

If one of our earthly heroes came to us and offered to invest in us, mentor us, coach us, and help us accomplish our goals… we would take that seriously! We would HONOR that investment by listening to, and obeying, their expertise!

There’s two ways to look at this passage:

When we put our faith in Jesus, God has “worked into us” new life. As the apostle Peter says, “[God’s] divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness...” [2 Pet. 1:3]. And now, it’s our responsibility to “work out” or “live out” the giftings and callings that God has put in us.

But, the sense of verse 13 is also “let God bring to completion the work He has started in you.” Very similar to Philippians 1:6. God has started a work in us. Our job is to simply respond to that work in obedience. When God gives us the desire and ability to do something, we obey, because He’s [God Himself] invested in us! That’s what Paul is teaching the Philippians...

Which is why he says… “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”

Notice - he doesn’t say, “work FOR your salvation.” We don’t work to earn or keep our salvation. We are saved by grace thru faith in Jesus. We work “out” our salvation.

Additionally, the word “fear” is not being scared of God, but having an awareness of your ability to “self-destruct.” Which means, a healthy and mature Christian will practice self-examination. They will constantly ask, “Am I obeying God?” knowing it’s easy to disobey God, when we’re not careful.

Furthermore, the word “trembling” refers to having a desire to “do the right thing.”

Paul is telling them, “Remember to intentionally obey God, the One who has invested so much into you. Be aware of your natural desire to choose sin and be diligent to do what is right. So that, God can powerfully use your life for His Kingdom!”

That’s the life he goes onto explain in the next few verses...

Philippians 2:14–15 ESV

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,

As we have been discussing, when we live with HONOR, it’s DIFFERENT. It’ll shine like a light in the darkness. In a world where every one is going crazy and running all over the place, we have the opportunity to walk in a straight line, “blameless and innocent.” And, people will notice. They’ll look at us and say, “There’s someone who lives with PURPOSE. They know where they are going.” And hopefully they’ll ask, “What do you KNOW that I don’t KNOW?”

That’s sorta the thought of the beginning of verse 16… “holding fast to the word of life.” We could also translate this, “holding OUT the word of life to the world around us.”

When we live obedient to God - live with HONOR - it’ll be like holding out the bread to a world that’s starving. It’ll be like 6 months ago, when you went to Costco or Walmart, and you see a shopping cart go by with toilet paper in it, and you ask, “Hey, where’d you get that!” And we get to reply, “Oh come and see!” And we lead them to Jesus.

And there are many more things to discuss in this passage, but here’s something I want to focus on for the remainder of our time...

Philippians 2:16–18 ESV

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.

When I was discussing this series with our leadership team, Jon (our worship leader) suggested I hit on...

Honor your pastor/leaders (vv. 16-18):

Obviously, since that’s me, it’s a super awkward topic, but I think this passage opens the door for this conversation.

And I wanted to look at this topic thru two main filters:

You are loved.

You are sacrificed for.

I believe, when “we KNOW” we are loved. And when “we KNOW” what has been sacrificed for us, it changes the way we respond. It impacts how we HONOR people.

I also want to ask permission to speak from my heart… So, I hope you’ll hear the following words as me being REAL, and not being prideful or critical.

Okay, I’ll start here… Back in verse 12, before Paul begins to give further instructions, he LEADS with “my beloved.” I think this is important. I think this would’ve impacted those who read or heard this letter. They would’ve been reminded of how much Paul loved them. And in turn, it would impact how they would receive and obey Paul’s instructions. How they would HONOR him.

Furthermore, Paul talks about being “poured out as a drink offering.” He tells them, “Make me proud by living with HONOR. Do this for me, because you know how much I have sacrificed (and will continue to sacrifice) for you.” And again, their KNOWLEDGE of this would impact how they lived with HONOR.

Church, I’d like to let you KNOW (or remind) you know how I feel about you. Again, this is super awkward for me. But… even if the time comes where the Lord moves you on from this church… my hope is you’ll remember this conversation and it’ll help you HONOR your future pastor.

Anyways… I want you to know how deeply you’re loved. I think about all of you constantly. And when I remember you, like Paul with the Philippians, I pray for you.

And when I think about my role as pastor of The River Church, I don’t see it as my job to be the boss of this non-profit religious organization. I see it as my calling to do my best to love you, your family, and this community - caring for you on behalf of Jesus. I don’t always do a great job, but I promise you I’m trying my best.

Furthermore...

John 15:13 ESV

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

I want you to know, that me and my family, will lay down our lives for you because we love you and this town. We will willingly sacrifice for you! We will be poured out as a drink offering so that one day we can stand together, in joy, before Jesus and hear the words, “Well done my good and faithful servants.”

That’s my heart. That’s my goal for us. Not for The River Church to become a huge fancy church. Not for me to be famous or even keep my job as pastor.

I started pastoring this church with no money and I’d continue pastoring this church with no money. Why? Because I want to HONOR Christ, because I love you, because I’ll sacrifice for you.

Again, I think it’s important for us to “KNOW” this. I think it impacts how we live with HONOR. It changes how you respond when maybe you hear me say:

Hey, we need people to serve at church!

Hey, be faithful and consistent to show up!

Hey, be a cheerful and sacrificial giver!

Because I’m not saying these things, so that...

I can have free labor.

I can say we have a big growing church.

I can make sure I get a pay check each month.

I’m saying this because I love you...

Because I want to see you use the gifts God gave you, to build up the body of Christ, as you serve.

Because I want to see you grow in your faith as you hear the Word of God

Because I want to see you blessed as your learn how to trust God with your finances.

Because, I promise you...

Even if no one signs up to serve, Janelle and I will be here to set up The River Church because we love you and will lay down our lives for you.

Even if no one shows up, we will be here to faithfully preach the gospel and worship God. We’ve already done it. There were times when only 9 people were at church... and 5 of them were my family!

Even if everyone stops giving, and the church can’t pay me or our rent… I’ll get another job and find someplace else for us to worship together…

Why? Because I love you and will sacrifice for you. Just like Paul loved and sacrificed for the Philippians. And maybe… in letting you “KNOW” this (or remind you of this), it’ll spur you to HONOR.

And I pray the Holy Spirit takes my weak, insufficient, disorganized words, and speaks to your heart about this topic, however is needed.

Response:

So, as we close, let me ask this question:

Does your response to the faith-building opportunities God puts in your life, thru The River Church (Church InPerson, Church Online, Life Groups, DGroups, upcoming retreats, etc.), consider the love and sacrifice of the spiritual leaders who sacrificed to make them happen?

Again, none of this church stuff is so someone can be famous or make money. It’s done because we love you and lay down our lives for you... so you, your family, and your friends can know the love, life, and joy found in Jesus! So your family can be FULLY ALIVE! So...

When our River Kids Leaders spend hours planning - sacrificing their free time - so your kids can have fun developing a foundation of faith (the most important thing they can have) - do you honor that love and sacrifice by prioritizing that event in your schedule and bringing your kids?

When our worship leader works a full-time job, but pours out his heart in prayer developing a worship set, so that you can experience the presence of God, do you HONOR that by participating?

What does it say to our worship leader when he sees you walk in at the third song?

I apologize if this hurts. Remember, I love you. I don’t want to offend you. I want you to KNOW!

Last one… when a leader like my wife spends hours cleaning our home for Life Group, preparing meals, taking meals to other families, praying and preparing for her DGroups, meeting people in our church on her free time so they feel valued, volunteers as the PTO president at Naubuc school because she loves this town, works a part-time job, produces the Church Online video, constantly updates the social media pages, shows up early to setup (and finds time to stop by Dunkin to grab snacks and coffee for people) and stays late to breakdown, in addition to being a wife and mother of 3… and that’s just this past week!!!… all because she loves you and literally lays down her life for you to know Jesus… what does it say about how you HONOR her as a leader when you don’t show up?

And again… I’m not pointing fingers. We (the leaders) of this church don’t have a right to! But like I started with, sometimes we respond certain ways because “we don’t KNOW.” But now… you kind of do “KNOW” So… how will you respond moving forward? I pray it’s with HONOR.

Let’s pray...

Father, this is difficult stuff to speak about. I pray that your Holy Spirit covers it with love. That He takes these words and brings clarity to them. I pray the enemy would have no ability to twist these words. But that you would give us a fresh perspective. A perspective based on your Word. And that by it, you would cause us to turn from our sinful and selfish ways, and become people who live with love and sacrifice. And that we would HONOR those who do the same. God, help us to HONOR our leaders. And in doing so, we HONOR you.

In Jesus name, amen.

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