October 11, 2015 Philippians: Moving Toward Togetherness Sacrificing Together Lesson Scripture: Philippians 2:12-18 18 Step by Step through the Week Monday: Read Philippians 2:12-18; 18; focus on 2:12 12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 2:12 Paul connects his next idea to the previous one with the phrase so then. In 2:1-11, he challenged the Philippians to live in humility with one another, just as Christ had humbled himself for them on the cross. As God the Father had exalted Christ for His humble sacrifice, so too would God exalt those who lived a life of humility. This also affirms what Jesus taught in Matthew 23:12: Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted. In Philippians 2:12, Paul makes it personal between him and the church by expressing his affection for them ( my beloved ) and appealing to their duty ( just as you have always obeyed ). Out of a heart of love for them, Paul calls the church to demonstrate their love for him by obeying Christ s command to love one another (John 15:12) with a humble and sacrificial spirit. Interestingly, Paul ties their salvation to their willingness to live together humbly; he proposes that humility and sacrifice are a part of taking Christ s commands seriously. Those who fear the Lord demonstrate evidence of their salvation by obeying His will. Paul s admonition in v 12 to work out your salvation with fear and trembling is not only a challenge to the Philippians to be watchful of disobeying a holy God, but also a reminder of the ongoing nature of salvation: you have been saved, you are being saved, you will be saved. For those of us who believe in the eternal security of the believer, this verse stands as a warning against spiritual pride. We should never take God s mercy for granted but always be mindful that we are accountable to Him, as well as our brothers and sisters in Christ, as we work out our salvation together throughout our lives. What do you sacrifice when you obey the Lord (or another person)? Why is it so much easier to obey someone when you love them? Pray for the willingness to sacrifice your time and agenda to help others grow in Christ.
Tuesday: Read Philippians 2:12-18; 18; focus on 2:13 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. 2:13 Gratitude and humility are natural responses for those who realize they are dependent on God every moment to deliver them from their present state to glory. Paul makes it clear in verse 13 that God is the source of humility, self-giving sacrifice, and every other characteristic associated with the sanctified life. Salvation is the work of God from beginning to end; therefore, even the working out of one s salvation is not a based on our self-control or power. We live in such an individualistic society, it is tempting to believe popular mantras like if it s to be, it s up to me or idolize those who pull themselves up by their own bootstraps. Yet in truth, the Christian life is not, and never will be, a matter of personal effort. Even though God calls each one to make an individual response of faith in Jesus Christ, we are saved into a dependent relationship. Discipleship is not a solitary experience but a journey we take with Jesus and those He loves the church. Notice also the purpose of God s work in our lives: for His good pleasure. In the context of Paul s discussion on personal humility and sacrifice, God is pleased when His children offer themselves as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to Him (Rom 12:1). The idea of sacrifice as God s calling in our lives runs counter to popular teaching. In some corners of today s church, teachers offer a skewed version of this verse, which would read something like God is at work in you, both to will and to work for YOUR good pleasure. Proponents of the health-and-wealth gospel believe God s greatest pleasure is our comfort and wealth, with no mixture of suffering or sacrifice. God s good pleasure, however, was demonstrated most vividly in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ who emptied Himself, took on the form of a bondservant, and died a humiliating death on the cross (Phil 2:7-8). This is the life to which every believer is called; God is most pleased when we become most like Christ. Being completely honest, what would you NOT be willing to sacrifice to be more like Christ? Pray that God would give you the opportunity for a humility-building experience. Wednesday: Read Philippians 2:12-18; 18; focus on 2:14 14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing; 2:14 An absence of unnecessary disagreements or trivial disputes characterizes the church where members sacrifice their personal agendas and pride. Paul challenged the Philippians to a higher level of unity by commanding them to do all things with
an attitude of mutual submission. Unfortunately, some church members think grumbling and complaining are spiritual gifts! God s people have always struggled with this sinful habit. Cain s dispute with Abel led to the first murder. The children of Israel grumbled their way into 40 years of wandering in the wilderness (Numbers 11:4, Ps 106:25). Rivalry among the sons of Jacob continued as territorial fights within the tribes of Israel and the eventual division of this powerful nation into two weaker kingdoms. In the early church, grumbling was pervasive enough to produce warnings from Paul (1 Cor 10:10), James (Jas 5:9), and Peter (1 Pet 4:9). How can we avoid this besetting sin? Take seriously Paul s challenge to be of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose (Phil 2:2). Being of the same mind does not mean agreeing on every issue; differences of opinion are natural in any group. Nevertheless, those who are of the same mind will think first of their common relationship in Jesus Christ and not allow differences to divide their primary focus on Him. Maintaining the same love indicates the work involved in nurturing love within the body of Christ. Commitment, not feelings, is the basis of love. If we commit our lives to Christ and to one another in the church, temporary offenses and hurt feelings will not as easily lead to backbiting, arguments, and larger conflicts. Being united in spirit and intent on one purpose are similar characteristics. Grumbling and disputes are less common in a church where members share a common passion to join together (united in spirit) and advance God s glory in the world (intent on one purpose). What typically causes you to grumble or complain the most? Pray for God to convict you the next time you are tempted to grumble or complain and give you to opportunity to sacrifice your pride for Him. Thursday: Read Philippians 2:12-18; 18; focus on 2:15-16 16 15 so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world 16 holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. 2:15 Paul uses a rainbow of colorful and descriptive words to contrast the lives of those who live like Christ and those who do not. He calls God s children blameless, innocent, above reproach, and lights in the world. Conversely, he uses a short but powerful phrase a crooked, and perverse generation to describe those who have rejected God s peace and live to stir up conflict and hatred. Jesus used a similar phrase in Matthew 12:39 ( wicked and perverse generation ) to describe the Pharisees, who were professional grumblers and disputers. There should be a stark contrast between the followers of Christ and those who follow the ways of the prince of this world (John 14:30). The life of a Christian should be a light exposing the dark ways of the world.
2:16 Once again, Paul uses his relationship with the Philippians to appeal for their obedience. His command for them to hold fast the word of life refers to their example and witness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Their verbal witness and holy example was an attractive testimony to the lost in Philippi, resulting in many coming to a saving faith in Christ. At the end of time, when Christ returned, Paul wanted to present their obedient works to the Lord with great satisfaction, knowing that his time among them had not been wasted. In the same way, the unifying purpose of our church should focus every ministry moment on bearing witness through our words and our lives to God s plan of salvation found only in Jesus Christ. Then, when Jesus returns, we can take great satisfaction in knowing that our work was not in vain. How does our society discourage you from making sacrifice a virtue in your life? Pray on the spiritual armor today, which will give you the ability to shine in a dark world. Friday: Read Philippians 2:12-18; 18; focus on 2:17-18 18 17 But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. 18 You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me. 2:17 Here Paul refers to his current situation as a prisoner for Christ. At the time of this letter, he was experiencing persecution for his faith from a jail cell. Nevertheless, Paul considered it an honor to be a sacrifice for Jesus Christ. Notice that he includes the Philippians in the image of a temple sacrifice upon which a drink offering was being poured (read Lev 23 for more information on the drink offering). The Philippian church was a model of selfless sacrifice for the honor of Christ. Paul s part in the process which he now accomplished from prison was an offering that made their sacrifice all the more appealing to God. The irony of Paul s situation was that he rejoiced in the opportunity to sacrifice his pride and freedom for the sake of Jesus Christ, and he urged his friends to rejoice with him in his suffering. In today s materialistic and individualistic society, it is difficult to imagine finding delight in suffering, calling others to suffer along with us, or voluntarily sharing the suffering of a brother or sister. The key, however, is to remember that joy is not based on circumstances, but on contentment found only in Christ. 2:18 Although the Philippians were not experiencing the full measure of persecution, they were beginning to feel the initial stages of oppression, rejection, and discrimination. Paul alludes to their struggles in Philippians 1:29, indicating that one of his reasons for writing was to encourage them in their time of trial. In an emphatic manner ( you too, I urge you ), the apostle encourages his beloved spiritual children to look past their circumstances and embrace the joy he has discovered in Jesus
Christ ( in the same way ). Their joy in Christ would then spill over into Paul s life as they demonstrated their strength in sacrifice. Recent circumstances in this country are pointing to a time when, like the Philippian church, we will be experiencing a greater degree of oppression, rejection, and discrimination based on our faith in Jesus Christ. Our brothers and sisters in Christ in countries on the other side of the world are already facing tremendous persecution, even to the point of death. When the time comes you will be called to declare your faith and risk losing your freedom, your job, your friends, or your family, how will you respond? Will you astound the world by facing persecution with joy? Will you grumble and complain? Will you encourage other believers to join you in celebrating the opportunity to sacrifice for the Savior? Will you cower in the corner and deny your faith in silence? The Lord has given us the church to support and uphold one another in times of trial. Your response will be based on the depth of your relationship with Christ (discipleship) and your relationships in the body of Christ (fellowship). If both are strong and fruitful, pressure from the world will only increase your joy and intensify the bonds you share with other believers. Who do you know who is experiencing a time of suffering for their faith? How can you encourage them and share your joy with them? Pray daily for the joy that comes from contentment in Christ.