BIG IDEA:
FOCUS ON EXALTING CHRIST AND YOU CAN COUNT ON SUPERNATURAL BOLDNESS IN FRUITFUL MINISTRY —
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ONE THAT WILL GLORIFY CHRIST
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AND EFFECTIVELY IMPACT OTHERS
I. SUPERNATURAL BOLDNESS IN FRUITFUL MINISTRY COMES FROM FOCUSING ON EXALTING CHRIST (:19-21)
A. The Power of Intercessory Prayer and the Help of the Holy Spirit Give Confidence that We Will Persevere in the Faith (:19)
Our own perseverance in the faith must be the foundation for any ministry that will impact others
“This” — must refer to the same antecedent as the “this” in v.18;
the fact that Christ is being proclaimed and exalted and the gospel is making great progress as a result of Paul’s difficult personal circumstances
the proclamation of Christ whether from good motives or from bad motives (to try to cause Paul distress) which in either case causes Paul to rejoice
(cf. Pentecost and Kent — reference to the general circumstances of his imprisonment in Rome — “this imprisonment experience”)
“Salvation” — 3 different views:
1) most translations read “deliverance” as a reference to some type of physical deliverance from prison for Paul.
cf. Lenski — saved from the possibility that during the rest of his trial before the imperial court he might disgrace Christ and the gospel
cf. Ryrie — “Paul’s trial had probably begun. He was confident that either release or death would advance the cause of Christ.
Dearborn argues that this cannot refer to his physical release because he did not know what the outcome of his trial would be (but he certainly expects to be released);
2) cf. J. H. Michael who argues persuasively for reference to his ultimate vindication in court based on the same Greek wording in the LXX of Job 13:16 — he is confident that whether acquitted or convicted, his stand for Christ will be vindicated (signifies victory in a contest for what is right)
“The progress of the gospel on account of my imprisonment will lead to my ultimate vindication thru the power of intercessory prayer and the help of the Holy Spirit”
3) Paul consistently uses this word to refer to ultimate salvation, whether in its present or future (consummated) aspect. cf. 2:13 and similar emphasis on perseverance in 1:6. Difficulty lies in seeing connection between progress of the gospel and Paul’s final salvation. Perhaps Paul was confident that the Philippians would recognize the evil motives of those preachers who were trying to exalt themselves at the expense of Paul and would respond b increased intercessory prayer that would help him persevere in hi faith and in his testimony on the path to his ultimate salvation
B. Supernatural Boldness is the Key to a Ministry that Glorifies Christ (:20b)
C. Focusing on Exalting Christ is the Key to Being Able to Count on Such Supernatural Boldness in Ministry (:20a – 21)
MacArthur: “The extent of Paul’s confidence may be seen by his use of the Greek word apokaradokia, translated ‘earnest expectation.’ It’s ‘a picturesque word, denoting a state of keen anticipation of the future, the craning of the neck to catch a glimpse of what lies ahead’ (Ralph P. Martin, New Century Bible: Philippians [Greenwood, S.C.: Attic Press, 1976], pp. 75-76). Paul rejoiced that he would never be put to shame before the world, the court of Caesar, or God Himself because he knew God would be glorified in his life..
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Separate message on 1:21 — “For to me to live is Christ”
BIG IDEA:
MY FOCUS IN LIFE MUST BE ON CHRIST – NOT SELF –
IT IS ALL ABOUT SERVANTHOOD
What truly makes you tick? What do you chase after when you get out of bed in the morning? We all have desires and priorities that drive our actions and vie for our emotional attachment and loyalty. The Apostle Paul made it clear that for him, “to live is Christ.”
CONTRAST 7 WORLDLY PURSUITS:
I. PURSUIT OF POSITION – THE WAY UP IS DOWN
A. Message from Solomon
Proverbs 15:5 “Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; assuredly, he will not be unpunished.”
Proverbs 16:19 “It is better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.”
B. Message from Christ
Mark 10:44-45 “and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. 45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
John 12:24-26 “unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life loses it; and he who hates his life in this world shall keep it to life eternal. If any one serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall My servant also be; if any one serves Me, the Father will honor him.”
C. Message from the Apostles
3 John 10:9 “I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say.”
II. PURSUIT OF PRESTIGE – HE MUST INCREASE; I MUST DECREASE
John 3:30 “He must increase, but I must decrease.” – John the Baptist
A. Message from Solomon
Proverbs 25:6-7 “Do not claim honor in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men; for it is better that it be said to you, ‘Come up here,’ than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom your eyes have seen.”
B. Message from Christ
Matthew 23:10-12 “And do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. 11 “But the greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 “And whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.”
C. Message from the Apostles
Philippians 3:7 ‘But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.’
2 Corinthians 4:5 “For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.”
James 4:10 “Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.”
III. PURSUIT OF POWER — CHOOSE TO BE A SERVANT
A. Message from Solomon
Proverbs 8:14 “Counsel is mine and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power is mine.”
Proverbs 24:5 “A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge increases power.”
B. Message from Christ
Matt. 20:25-28 “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. 26 “It is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, 27 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
C. Message from the Apostles
2 Corinthians 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”
Philippians 2:6 “who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.”
Ephesians 6:10 “Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might.”
IV. PURSUIT OF POPULARITY – PLEASE GOD RATHER THAN MAN – CONVICTION NOT POLITICIAN
A. Message from Solomon
Proverbs 13;20 “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”
Proverbs 29:25 “The fear of man brings a snare, but he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted.”
B. Message from Christ
Luke 6:26 “Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for in the same way their fathers used to treat the false prophets.”
John 12:43 “for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God”
John 15:18 “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.”
C. Message from the Apostles
Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world”
Galatians 1:10 “For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.”
Ephesians 6:6 “not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.”
Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men”
1 Thess. 2:4 “so we speak, not as pleasing men but God, who examines our hearts.”
V. PURSUIT OF POSSESSIONS – LIVE FOR ETERNITY
A. Message from Solomon
Eccles 5:10-11 “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its income. This too is vanity. 11 When good things increase, those who consume them increase. So what is the advantage to their owners except to look on?”
Proverbs 8:18-19 “Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold, and my yield than choicest silver.”
Proverbs 11:4 “Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.”
Proverbs 23:4-5 “Do not weary yourself to gain riches, cease from your consideration of it. When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings, like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.”
B. Message from Christ
Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”
Matthew 6:33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.”
C. Message from the Apostles
1 Timothy 6:9 “But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith, and pierced themselves with many a pang.”
VI. PURSUIT OF PLEASURES – WHAT SHALL IT PROFIT A MAN
A. Message from Solomon
Eccles. 2:1 “I said to myself, ‘Come now, I will test you with pleasure. So enjoy yourself.’ And behold, it too was futility.”
– Laughter
– Consumption of alcoholic beverages
– Building and Achievement
– Sensual gratification
Proverbs 5:3-4 “For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and smoother than oil is her speech; but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death, her steps lay hold of Sheol. She does not ponder the path of life; her ways are unstable, she does not know it.”
B. Message from Christ
Luke 8:14 “And the seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity.”
C. Message from the Apostles
Romans 6:16 “Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?”
1 Timothy 5:6 “But she who gives herself to wanton pleasure is dead even while she lives.”
James 5:5 “You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.”
Hebrews 11:24-25 “By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin”
1 John 2:15-17 “Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If any one loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. And the world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God abides forever.”
VII. PURSUIT OF PRODUCTIVITY – WHAT CAN I ACCOMPLISH?
A. Message from Solomon
Eccles. 2:22-23 “For what does a man get in all his labor and in his striving with which he labors under the sun? Because all his days his task is painful and grievous; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is vanity.”
B. Message from Christ
John 4:34 “Jesus said to them, ‘My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.’”
C. Message from the Apostles
Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”
Philippians 3:7 “But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”
CONCLUSION:
As the deer panteth for the water so my soul longs after you.
You alone are my heart’s desire and I long to worship you.
You alone are my strength my shield.
To you alone may my spirit yield.
You alone are my heart’s desire and I long to worship you.
You’re my friend and you are my brother even though you are a king.
I love you more than any other so much more than anything.
You alone are my strength my shield.
To you alone may my spirit yield.
You alone are my heart’s desire and I long to worship you.
We can only find satisfaction and rest in Christ.
Matt. 11:28-30 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My load is light.”
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II. THE PURPOSE OF THIS LIFE IS FRUITFUL MINISTRY — ONE THAT GLORIFIES CHRIST AND BENEFITS OTHERS (:22-26)
A. The Opportunity for Continued Fruitful Ministry Counterbalances Our Desire to Escape the Difficulties of This Life and Enter Glory (:22-24)
cf. being caught between a rock and a hard place —
Christian is caught between 2 great alternatives: eternal glory and fruitful ministry in this life
(Hendriksen)
REMAINING VS. DEPARTING
temporary residence; tent vs. permanent abode in heaven
suffering mixed with joy vs. joy unmixed with suffering
suffering for a little while vs. joy forever
absent from the Lord physically vs. at home with the Lord (no purgatory or soul-sleep)
the fight vs the feast
realm of sin vs realm of complete sinlessness
oppty to live by faith and sight vs have fruitful ministry rewards for fruitful ministry
Pentecost: “The apostle who has such a vision of glory before him is perfectly content to forego his entrance into glory, not because he is afraid of death, but because he has a proper perspective of his ministry growing out of a proper perspective of the place the Lord Jesus Christ has in his life. You wouldn’t have to urge the Apostle Paul to pursue the ministry given to him. Why not? Because Christ is life to him. You wouldn’t have to exhort the apostle to be faithful to the privilege entrusted to him. Why not? Because Christ is the center of his life. You wouldn’t have to warn Paul about the danger of defection. Why not? Because Christ is the center of his life. You wouldn’t have to warn Paul about the danger of temptation. Why not? Because Christ is the center of his life. When Christ becomes the center of a man’s life here and now, all areas of his life fall into proper place; he assumes the privileges and opportunities God affords him–willingly and gladly and sacrificially, because living is Christ. … Christian living is finding the proper center and then letting life revolve around that center.”
B. Fruitful Ministry Involves Fellowship in the Gospel that Furthers the Gospel (effectively impacts others) and Focuses on Exalting Christ (:25-26)