Preached at Grand Avenue Baptist Church
March, 2014
Do you live a life that is worthy of the gospel? Have you ever asked yourself this question?
In the passage we’re looking at this morning, Paul addresses
the Philippians and gives them the exhortation to let their life reflect gospel
realities, and to live in a manner that’s appropriate to the good news (the
gospel) they have received. My plan this
morning is to walk through Paul’s exhortation to the Philippians verse by verse,
and give us vision for what it looks like to live in a manner worthy of the
gospel.
You’re going to need a Bible in your lap this morning. There is a good chance I will lose you if
you’re not following along in the text.
Before we get too far, I want us to look at a couple things that
sit in the background of the passage.
The first one is a theme that is often missed by English speakers
that would not have been missed by a first century Greek speaker. To find it, you need to understand something
about grammar, specifically Greek pronouns.
Now hang on, I don’t want to lose you…
In English our pronouns have basically six types:
1st person singular – I. 2nd person singular – you. 3rd person singular - he/she/it.
1st person plural – us. 2nd person
plural – you, 3rd person plural – them.
In the 2nd person, singular and plural use the
same pronoun. This means that when I
write, or when I speak, it is difficult for me to say the 2nd person
plural. I just say “you,” and that is
proper English. Now if we were in the
South, they correct this problem by saying “you all”, or “ya’ll” for short.
In Greek, they have a word for the second person
plural, but we miss it because it doesn’t get translated. They, like many other languages have the word
“ya’ll” ((and its good grammer!)).
Usually, this word just gets translated as “you,” which is unfortunately
not clear. It is just a consequence of
reading something in English.
The New Testament uses the “plural you” a lot. It was a natural part of the language of the
day. And in this first chapter of Philippians,
we find the plural “you”, but it’s a little different. It has
the word “all” attached to it. At first glance
it may appear that the translators were just trying to communicate the 2nd
person plural “ya’ll.” However, that is
not what’s happening here, because the word for “all” also exists in the greek
text. When Paul here say “you all,” it is as if he is saying “ya’ll all”. Lets
look at it. Chapter 1 vs. 4
7 It is right for me to feel this
way about you all, because I hold
you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in
my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. [2]
25 Convinced of this, I know that I
will remain and continue with you all,
[4]
What is the purpose of
Paul saying it like this? He is laying a
lot of emphasis on the corporate nature of what he is saying. Whatever it is he wants to say, he wants the
Philippians to understand that he is addressing them as a coporate body, not
individuals, not even the group generally, but specifically them as they
function together.
This concept of
everyone being involved, continues the use of words related to group
relationships.
Vs.
5 because of your Partnership in the
gospel
Vs 27 that you are standing firm in one spirit
with one mind, side by side
Vs
30 engaged in the “same” conflict that you saw I had
2:2
“same” mind, “same” love, full “accord”, “one” mind
From the beginning of
the letter Paul is hammering hard the importance of the community: a unified
body of believers. In the midst of
everything he talks about from here on is an undercurrent call to be unified.
The second piece of
background I would like to draw your attention to is the story that Paul tells
leading up to our passage. It functions
as the introduction to the book and an important part of Paul’s exhortation. Noah talked about this a little last week, but
in case you couldn’t make it, the jist of the story is this.
Paul is writing the
letter from prison. He had been put
there because of his pursuit to preach the gospel. As most of you know he ended up in prison a
lot. Yet, he it doesn’t matter much to
him, as long as the gospel is being preached. He writes in verse 14 “most of
the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much
more bold to speak the word without fear” [5] He “rejoices” because his imprisonment has
served to advance the gospel.
He also talks about certain
people who seem to be preaching Christ out of selfish ambition, and an aim to cause
trouble for Paul in his imprisonment.
Again, he doesn’t care, he says, (1:18)“Only that in every way, whether in
pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.”[6]
This passion for the
gospel was so encompassing for him, that living and dying were of no
consequence. For him to live, meant that
the gospel would be advanced through him, he would have fruitful ministry, but
if he dies he would be present with Christ, which is the source of all his joy. He says in verse 20 “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.”[7]
So approaching our
passage, we see an emphasis on the coproate body of believerse. And we see the example of Paul unflinching pursuing
to know Christ and make him known to the world at any cost.
Now we come to our
passage starting in 1:27.
Only let your (2nd person plural)
manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ
This statement is
central to the passage. Paul’s story led
up to this statement. AND what follows
continues to support and explain it.
Paul desires that their manner of life reflect the reality of the
gospel. I don’t want you to stumble on
the word, “worthy.” It is not a
statement of paying back God for the gospel in any way, nor is it a statement
that you must earn the gospel in some way.
Paul’s exhortation is to live life appropriately in response to the
gospel.
The phrase “let your
manner of life,” – πολιτεύεσθε is a very unusual term, in fact. Normally for this conept Paul uses the word
that gets translated as “walk,”
like in Ephesians 4:1 where he says, “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord,
urge you to walk in a manner worthy
of the calling to which you have been called,”[8]
In fact Paul uses
this term only one other time in Scripture.
It is built off the Greek word for city, and has a very strong connotation of citizenship.
So it would have stood out to the original readers. In Roman life being a citizen was very important. It entitled you to certain rights that no one
else had. It would have been a little
like being an American citizen now. When
Paul uses this word, he is intending to invoke the reality that we are citizens
of heaven, like in 3:20, “But our
citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
“[9] We
are citizens of a new kingdom. God’s
kingdom which has come to earth. An
alternate reign and rule in the midst of the world. This is “new kingdom” language.
You see, becoming a
follower of Christ is more than simply embracing a doctrinal statement, or a
new set of to do and not to do. When you
become a Christian, you are “transferred into Christ’s kingdom.” You are defecting into a whole different life,
realm, and kingdom. Everything changes. Your loyalty changes. The motivation for your life should be
different; your value system is different.
Your enemies are different. The new kingdom is a different reality. It is not a little change on the old one that
exists. It is completely different.
So, when he calls us
to live in a manner worthy of the gospel, he is in essence saying that the life
of a new kingdom citizen should look a certain way, and its defined by the
gospel.
Next he describes exactly
what he is hoping to see. Look back at
verse 27. He says, 27 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, 28 and
not frightened in anything by your opponents.
There are two parts to what Paul longs for. First, he longs for them to be firmly united
together for the faith of the gospel.
Second, he wants to see them un-frightened by those who stand in
opposition. Paul’s vision for the
Philippians is that they stand together as they live and proclaim the gospel. The two longings are two aspects of one idea:
stand united and don’t be frightened. The
idea he is describing here is a picture.
I can’t help but think of a story from the movie Gladiator …..
In case you haven’t seen the movie, its set in ancient Rome and is oriented
around the gladiator competitions. At
one point in the story Maximus, the protagonist, arrives at the Colosseum, as part of Proximo's fighting team. They are put in a match against very unfair
odds, in what is meant to be a reenactment of some famous battle. Maximus and his teammates are on foot, armed
with spears and shields, against a very well-equipped force of fighters on
horses and archers on chariots. Maximus
had been a leader in the Roman military and so new what it would take to win
this battle. Maximus instructed
his team that they had to act as one organism and they could not be afraid. Anyone who broke out from the group because
of fear or ambition would not survive. In
the end, the team was able to win the
battle, dramatically overcoming their opponents despite how uneven it was.
This is the type of unity and fearlessness
Paul is calling for: one mind, one organism fighting together side by side for
the gospel.
Next, verse 28, This is a clear sign to them of their
destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.
This fearless unity predicts both salvation and destruction:
salvation for the Philippians, and destruction for their opponents. A team unified and fearless is nearly
impossible to beat, and the opponents knows this. Paul says it clearly signifies their imminent
destruction. Yet, it is not a sign only to
them. It also speaks to the believers.
Paul
grounds the sign of their salvation in something in verse 29. Generally speaking, the word “for” in the
Bible designates a “ground”, or the “reason why” for something in the
text. In this case, Paul grounds the testimony
of their salvation. He gives them the
reason why their united fearless stand is a sign of salvation for them and
destruction for their opponents. He says
in verse 29 “ 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, 30 engaged
in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.”
As they stand together fearlessly for Christ, their
suffering and persecution demonstrate their salvation, because suffering for
the sake of Christ is a gracious gift.
There is some really provocative theological stuff here about suffering,
but suffice it to say the suffering experienced on behalf of Christ -- the
suffering that God sovereignly and graciously grants has a way of bolstering faith. It gives confidence and confirms their
salvation as they persevere. There is
joy in the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings.
----
Paul starts his next sentence with the word “so”, which can
also be translated as “therefore”. “…if
there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation
in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete
my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord
and of one mind.”
More unity language… “same” love, “same” mind, full accord
and of “one mind”. The drive here is for
there to be more than simply a half-hearted functional agreement. He calls them to have the same outlook, to
love the same things, think like one being, rather than many.
3 Do
nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more
significant than yourselves. 4 Let
each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of
others.
It feels a little like a turn, but it is intimately
connected. The goal of one who has
selfish ambition and one who is conceited is the same. They value status and position at the expense
of another. The ambitious person is
trying to gain status, while the conceited person has attained some sort of
perceived status over someone. It is
significant that Paul starts introducing pride and ambition into the discussion
of unity.
Paul also calls the Philippians to look to other peoples’
interests.
Often we have this concept of humility that it’s the shy guy
in the corner who doesn’t say anything, or the person who is constantly
self-degrading, or down playing what they do.
In reality humility probably looks a lot more like love than we
realize. If you had a conversation with
a truly humble person, you most likely would walk away not knowing much about
them. The proud person tends to be
obsessed with themselves. Whether they think
or say good things or bad things, their obsession is themselves and their interests. On the other hand the humble person tends to focus
away from themselves. Everything,
everyone else, seems more important to them.
Paul’s call is this, “Do not be obsessed or love your own interests,
rather care about others and their interests.”
--- So far Paul has communicated that his longing for them
is that they live in a manner appropriate to the gospel. He wants them to live in a humble,
self-sacrificial, fearless unity.
Now what follows is a passage that for many years, I found
really confusing. I use to skip over
this passage without really thinking about it. It’s a pretty easy thing to do with the Bible.
We read and read, then hit a spot that we don’t understand, and move on to the
next. What I discovered, is that the
Bible rarely operates like a string of pearls.
A pearl of wisdom for pride, a pearl about confidence, a pearl of wisdom
to help me be patient. In reality a lot
of the Bible more like links in a chain.
It argues, has purpose, plan, order, and builds on itself. AND usually the difficult passages are the
ones we should look at the longest.
This passage is likely a hymn from the early church. Its incredibly rich with theology. There are few passages in Scripture that have
as much written about them as this one.
While I would love to spend more time here, I want to key in on the basic
meaning of it, and the reason Paul used this hymn as opposed to another. Paul’s inclusion of this hymn points
primarily to the example of Jesus’s attitude, his outlook. He was the ultimate example of one without
personal ambition, or conceit. In
submission to the Father, he humbled himself further and further and further to
the point of a terrible and gruesome death.
Lets walk through it together
. 5 Have
this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 Who, though he was in the form of God, did not
count equality with God a thing to be grasped (or held onto), but emptied
himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
The concept of Jesus being in the form of God, and having
equality with God is mainly in reference to the rights and privileges of being
God. When he left the Father, he did not
cease to become less than what he was, BUT he released all his rights. He was God, and the difference in value
between the human and God was nearly infinite.
He deserves worship inherently. However, he chose to release his
inherent rights as God, to become a man.
8 And
being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point
of death, even death on a cross.
Jesus’s status and rights were released again and
again. Jesus humbled himself and
surrendered is life extremely to the Father.
It was a full and utter submission that ended in a gruesome death.
(9)Therefore
God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every
name, 10 so that at
the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the
earth, 11 and every
tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. [10]
After Jesus humbled himself, serving the Father’s will, even
to the point of death, the Father exalted him.
God lifted him up and gave him a name that causes every knee to bow in
submission to him, and every tongue to recognize him as King.
So, do you see the connection? If the exhortation is to surrender pride and
ambition, and look to others’ interests, Jesus is the person to look at. He humbled himself to the point of death to
rescue us. He set aside his rights.
Shouldn’t we also be willing to set our interests and our
rights aside for the sake of the body of Christ? To bind together in unity and humility
without fear for the sake of the gospel.
Jesus released his inherent rights due him as an equal to
God the Father. And together, united,
fearless, driven by a mission, the united God-head pulled off the greatest
rescue mission ever attempted. Our mission is the same as theirs, but the
demands of our service to one another are nowhere near what Jesus had to
do. Paul is calling the Philippians, and
us, to lay aside our interests for the sake of the church and the gospel,
because Jesus did.
Interpretation/application
So, How
does the gospel connect to this exhortation to humble, self-sacrificing unity?
First,
We’re terrible at this. Humble
self-sacrifice is not in our nature. You
and I have a habit of pursuing our own interests, our own goals, talking about
ourselves, being obsessed with our own things and interests. We are constantly looking for ways to show
everyone that we’re good, smart, pretty, or valuable, OR we are looking for
ways to attain those things. What this
passage says about us is that we are in fact failures by nature.
But guess what, the gospel comes to the needy and inept,
those who are weak and unable. That’s you
and me. In fact if you are not under the
opinion that you are needy and inept before God, than you have missed the
gospel. Specifically, that you have been
born as an enemy of God. The kingdom you
were born into as been at war with God since Adam fell in the garden. You became part of this war when your were
born. So, to be a citizen of the kingdom
of God you must BECOME one.
Citizenship in the kingdom of God is not attained by being a
good person. You can’t buy it with
money. You don’t get in because you look
good in a tie or skinny jeans. Citizenship
is offered for free, talented and talentless, good looking and very ugly, nice
and not nice, we were all enemies. The
call of the gospel is open to anyone willing to turn from their rebellion
against God and trust in Jesus for forgiveness.
In other words, abandon the apparent rights and privileges of the old
kingdom, and accept citizenship in the new kingdom by faith alone.
The second
way the gospel relates to this humble, self-sacrificing, fearless unity is in
what the gospel produces over time. Because
the gospel is not just for those who do not know Christ, it is for us, the
church. Our ongoing embrace of the
Gospel should be a journey of progressive realization that God’s standard is
higher than we ever imagined, and our sin is worse than we could have ever
thought. This means that the work that
Jesus did on the cross should progressively look larger and larger This growing
gap should cause you to look more away from yourself daily, and more towards
Christ and his kingdom. As you look more
towards Christ you realize that your joy is found there!
Third, the picture Paul portrays is one of a people who have
found all their joy in something other than their circumstances. Persecution or no persecution, healthy or
sick, wealthy or poor; It doesn’t matter because Christ has all the joy they
need. At the end of the day what we are
looking for in our pursuits of power, praise, comfort, wealth, sex, and security
is a lasting sense of real joy. Paul
portrays a group of people who understands that. AND since their joy is found in one thing, namely
Jesus, they cling to him at all costs.
This is my exhortation to you this morning,
First, if you have not embraced Jesus, and turned from your
sin, then right now you are an enemy of God.
The Gospel is for all of us, because we were all born in the same
boat. We all need rescuing, and today
you have the opportunity to leave the old kingdom behind and defect to Christ’s
kingdom. You do this, not by earning
anything, or fulfilling a list of to do items, but by receiving the gift that
is being handed to you. AND It is being offered to you, right now, take it this morning. Look at Jesus, and the work that he has done,
and surrender yourself to him and his kingdom.
Second, Grand Avenue, are you finding all your joy in Jesus? Does this church look like the one Paul
exhorts us to be? If not, why not? Have we allowed an ethic of the old world to
creep its way into the new kingdom? Does
fearless, self-sacrificing, humble unity describe us? AND, before you say yes, look at the
motivation behind the action. Because if
the motivation is, “so I can get something,” or “so you’ll do something nice
for me,” or “because I want to be a good person,” you’re missing the
truth. All true lasting joy is found in
Christ, AND to the degree that we look to him for our joy, and align our
mindset with his, we will find true and lasting joy, and our lives will be ones
that live worthy of the gospel.
Third, Grand Avenue. Are
we united around a mission like Paul? Or
is our unity mostly self-serving? Are we laboring for the cause of the
gospel? Do we stand together united like
Maximus and his team, fighting for joy in Christ together, and fighting for the
advancement of the gospel. I pray that
we would be a people like that, who love one another, sacrifice for one
another, stick close, but oriented around the mission put before us. To know Christ and make him known.
[1]
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version.
2001 (Php 1:4). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
[2]
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version.
2001 (Php 1:6–7). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
[3]
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version.
2001 (Php 1:8). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
[4]
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version.
2001 (Php 1:25). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
[5]
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version.
2001 (Php 1:14). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
[6]
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version.
2001 (Php 1:18). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
[7]
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version.
2001 (Php 1:20). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
[8]
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version.
2001 (Eph 4:1). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
[9]
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version.
2001 (Php 3:20). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
[10]
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version.
2001 (Php 1:27–2:11). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
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