The Future In the Present

Peter Voorhees

Philippians • Sermon • Submitted 8 months ago • Presented 9 months ago

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As we are located in a Navy town, it is common for families to come and go as they are at the mercy of the US Navy in terms of where they live and serve. Despite their departure, it has been a joy to establish deep connections with these families. The Apostle Paul demonstrates this same type of familial love toward the church in Philippi. Paul's relationship with this church was based on mutual admiration and genuine love. Paul must prepare to exhort his church family to continue moving forward in their faith, living a life worthy of their calling despite the pressure, persecution, and occasional problems that come with such a commitment in a pagan society.

Notes

Transcript

Pre-Message:

Pray for Peter being brought on as elder

Introduction

A year ago I was able to travel to the East Coast where my family and I were able to reconnect with the Medina family. The Medinas were apart of our church many years ago. When I say that they were a part, I mean when they found their home at this church, they jumped in feet first and never looked back. Marcos played on the worship team, designed and animated graphics for us, and was willing to serve in whatever capacity he could. Sarai jumped in with worship and led every week or helped accompany whoever was leading. They were at most if not all events and grew tremendously spiritually while they were here. After a few years, there was a job that she had been wanting for some time and they had to take it. It took them back to Philly. We were able to meet up with them in Philly for a short time, but it was as if no time had gone by. We picked up right where we left off. In our short time together we shared in our ups and downs, our victories, and how God has been faithful in the difficult times. They found a great church and were growing in their faith and love for others.

I’m in a special position where I hear those stories and am warmed by them. Not just the Medina’s but I still get messages from others that say… God’s let us here but it’s no City Chapel… we love you, we miss you.

There have also that have come to City Chapel from other churches in the state/nation, having relocated to Kitsap… and there is a process that we’re not the church they came from.

It’s this love, affection, mutual commitment, and relationship that our text speaks to us about this morning.

Hear me… I know we have flaws. No church is perfect. I love the metaphor of the gym and the church: When you go to the gym, it is not a requirement for everyone in there to be fit and healthy… no it’s the place that helps you become that. The church in similar matter is not full of perfected people, but it’s a place where we collectively look for God in His kindness to change us, grow us, make us more like Jesus.

I know we are not God’s gift to churches… but God in his grace, for some, make this a place … a point in time that is meaningful and helpful.

I feel this way about you. This is family, this is home for my family and I. We’re imperfect but I’m overwhelmed by the work of God in you and through you. We are recipients of your kindness, of your love, of your generosity, of your thoughtfulness, I learn from your steadfastness, your commitment through difficult times, your willingness to walk and be Jesus with skin on to others… it’s inspiring, heart warming, convicting, and exciting.

This body doesn’t recklessly go out and do things, but we don’t let perceived obstacles stop us… we say, “if God is in it, LETS GO!”

We also look at things that maybe others are doing and we say, “If God’s not it… let’s stay away from that. We’ll pray for God to lead them, but we’ll go in a different direction.”

I see this same bond and heart that Paul has for this church in Philippi. He’s writing to them because of this mutual admiration and genuine love. In our text this morning, Paul is preparing to exhort his church family to continue moving forward in their faith, living a life worthy of their calling despite the pressure, persecution, and occasional problems that come with such a commitment in a pagan society.

If you have your Bibles, or on your devices, would you turn to Philippians 1:3-11. If you are able and/or willing, would you stand with me as I read God’s word this morning.

This is the word of the Lord. Let us pray. Amen. You may be seated.

Cultivating the heart of Jesus

vss 3-6 is a beautiful relationship that we get to look on.

In every remembrance Paul has of this church, this group of people who responded to the preaching of the gospel, Paul gives thanks.

There are those beautiful relationships that we have where on every remembrance (when and wherever that is) it brings thanksgiving.

Illus: Two weeks ago I called up friend from school that I haven’t spoken to in a year. I had a situation of which I knew he could speak into. We had a time arranged to chat on the phone but something came up where I had to reschedule. So I called up him up to make our appointment but try and see if he had flexibility to reschedule, and though we couldn’t talk long, I can’t tell you what good it did my soul in just hearing his voice. We did connect a little later and it was a wonderful time.

**If you have those people in your life, nurture those relationships… a text, a call, if anything to let them know how much they mean to you. It will bless you and it will bless them.

Paul makes mention that when he comes to prayer and lifting up the church in Philippi, he does it with joy (vs 4). Let me say, not everyone we pray for can we honestly say we do it out of joy. Some out of obligation, conviction, and need. But here Paul is building up the church saying… YOU… YOU, when I pray it is with joy..

He says this is because of their partnership in the gospel (vs5). What is the gospel:

Jesus pre-existed as God the Son (The triune-God created humans in his image male/female… but sin entered into the world separating us from God.

The Father was going to send the Son in order to crush the works, effects, and lies of the devil.

Jesus took on flesh (incarnation) according to God’s word to King David, being born of a virgin according to the scriptures.

Jesus died according to the scriptures.

Jesus was buried in a tomb.

Jesus raised to life on the third day overcoming sin, death, and the grave.

Jesus appeared to over 500 people in that day, to whom many were alive and could testify to the writings of most of the NT

Jesus ascended into heaven, as King, sits at the right hand of God.

Jesus sent to us God the Spirit who empowers, equips, and seals the believer, and draws the unbeliever into faith in Jesus

Jesus will come back to judge unrighteousness establish justice. Ruling as the good and final judge.

What does this mean? When we realize this is true, it transforms us. We understand that

God loves us, he made us, he wants a relationship with us (not an impersonal force… but one that fearfully and wonderfully cares for us)

That we have an enemy in the devil that will do what he can (subtle and not so subtle ways) to make us miserable and blame God for it lying, scheming, and overall creating a selfishness that drives us from God and others.

Jesus knows us intimately… taking on flesh he became one of us… intimately aware of our weaknesses but redeeming all of us, all that it means to be human.

Jesus died and took the wrath and penalty of God against sin… Jesus took his own wrath against sin upon himself.

Jesus died the death all people will face.

Jesus overcame sin and death. Therefore we too can overcome sin and death if we are allegiant to him, following him being formed into his likeness

That our transformation in being children of God is evident to all and an invitation for anyone who will believe and commit their life to Jesus

Jesus ascended into heaven that he might prepare a place to receive us as we leave this life into eternity.

Not left as orphans, he gives us the third person of the Trinity to comfort, guide, empower, and guide us into all truth. He indwells each believer, is our seal of redemption (our guarantee), and is in every space convicting those in the world of sin, righteousness that is in Christ, and that we are accountable for every action, word, and deed… that we need an advocate, that advocate is Jesus.

Jesus has made us righteous, God will set all things right, Jesus will make every sad thing untrue, that he will bring his kingdom here on Earth as it is in heaven, and we are invited to bring as much of that Kingdom here on Earth as we can… where love, truth, mercy, hope, justice, peace, joy, kindness, gentleness, long-suffering, patience are all demonstrated and acted upon.

The Philippian church was engaged in this activity with Paul… they were partners. The Greek word here is (κοινωνίᾳ)… this is the relationship that the Bible likes to use when speaking of the most intimate of relationships between people. It is also how the Bible speaks of an attitude of good will that creates an interest in close relationship, generosity, fellowship, and altruism… it is the glue and it is the attraction.

What we also see is that this partnership in the proclamation of the gospel had the transforming power to create a community (koinōnia) of believers in Christ. This interpretation of koinōnia as a mutual sharing in the salvation proclaimed by the gospel is confirmed by Paul’s reference to the koinōnia of the Spirit (2:1) and the koinōnia in the sufferings of Christ (3:10). Those who share in the benefits of the gospel participate in a friendship so deep that it may also be viewed as a family relationship. Hence, Paul refers to his friends nine times as brothers and sisters.

Hansen, G. W. (2009). The Letter to the Philippians (p. 48). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

It is because of this, Paul says… I know that God is doing a great thing… and he’s going to see it through.

We can be our own worst critic. We can be more brutal than most of the other voices in our lives… what gift to have this verse spoken over you. Paul loves them, knows that God is working, sees God working, and says… “Hey, that good work that God started… you haven’t disappointed him, he’s not giving up on you… yes it’s hard, yes living sometimes itself seems impossible… but I see this in you… God will finish what he’s started.”

One of the gifts of having little people in your life (your own children or others children) is you see the growth and the change. They encounter things that are new, difficult, challenging, and sometimes seemingly impossible… but you are there to speak life into them… “It’ll get better… you got this… maybe try this…” or even, “ooh, I bet that hurts… it hurt when this happened to me… guess what, we’ll get through this together and you’ll grow from it.”

Cultivating the mind of Jesus

Vss 7-8 Paul explains this to us a bit further, Philippians 1:7-8 “It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.”

Even in the darkest of circumstances (imprisonment), Paul has this deep affection for them. It’s two ways. This type of affection is not one way.

Paul let’s us know how this relationship develops… it’s through Jesus. It’s actually the love that Jesus has for the church in Philippi that is spilling out of Paul’s heart. And it’s the love that Jesus has for Paul that is spilling out of the collective heart of the church.

Paul also clues us into a relational piece that is super helpful thinking about this word .

The word “feel” in vs 7 is the Greek word (φρονεῖν) which means “to think; or set one’s mind”… but the NIV translates it “feel”. This spectrum of nuances can be seen in the ten occurrences of this word in this letter. The word is used twice in Paul’s appeal for unity and humility (2:2): being like-minded and of one mind. Paul repeats this word in the introduction to his great Christ hymn: have the same attitude of mind Christ Jesus had (2:5). After telling of his own determination to press on toward the goal (3:14), Paul uses the same word in his appeal to all who are mature to take such a view of things and in his recognition that some may think differently (3:15). In his description of the enemies of the cross, Paul uses this word to indicate the focus of their mind: Their mind is set on earthly things (3:19). Paul uses the same word in his appeal to Euodia and Syntyche: be of the same mind (4:2). Finally, Paul uses this word twice in his commendation of the Philippians’ concern for him: … you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have were concerned … (4:10).

These uses of this significant word demonstrate that it refers to interior thoughts, attitudes, and feelings that motivate exterior directions and actions. In this letter Paul shows that one way of thinking and feeling leads to unity in the church, growth in Christ-likeness, and expressions of concern for those in need

Hansen, G. Walter. (2009). The Letter to the Philippians (p. 51). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

Sadly, I’ve seen the reverse is true. How we think and feel towards others can also cause divisions, selfish interest, and hostility towards Christ and the church.

Illus: I had a dear friend that wouldn’t allow anyone to speak into their understanding about a particular relationship. The way they set their mind on something that wasn’t true, that wasn’t real, and wasn’t kind/gracious caused division, hurt, and deep deep sadness.

When we are in Christ we purposefully adopt a mind of Christ that motivates and informs our relationships. As people reveal themselves and who they are, we believe them, but we can allow the mind of Christ to inform our heart and interactions with one another.

In verse 8 This same word “longing” is what is used here in verse 8, is also used in Luke 1:78 and James 5:11 to refer to God’s great love and compassion for his people which prompts his redemptive work on their behalf.

Cultivating the future in the present

Vss. 9-11 Paul brings us into his prayer life for the church… Philippians 1:9-11 “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.”

If you don’t know how to pray for someone… take this prayer and make it your own for someone.

Paul prays (1) for their love to abound yet more and more;

that (2) this be accompanied by full knowledge and depth of (moral) insight,

so that (3) they might approve those things that really matter,

so that (4) they might be pure and blameless when Christ returns,

as (5) they are now full of the fruit of righteousness,

fruit that is (6) effected by Christ Jesus

and (7) for the glory and praise of God.

of his prayer for them; item 4 gives the why, while item 6 offers the means to the (ultimate) end expressed in item 7. The what begins on a familiar note, that their love grow still more and more 1. It ends on a similar note, that they bear the fruit of righteousness 5. The middle items (2-3), though a bit puzzling, is likewise concerned with behavior—that their knowledge (of God) and moral insight (into God’s will) also increase so that they may test and approve what really counts. The whole, therefore, is singularly concerned with their behavior, with the ethical life of the believer in Christ

Fee, G. D. (1995). Paul’s Letter to the Philippians (pp. 96–97). Wm.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

Why is this? It is because Paul wants them to to live the life of the future in the present.

Jesus taught us to pray, Matthew 6:9-13 ““This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’”

“Love” is such a common word to us that it is easy to miss Paul’s concern. As used by Paul, and following the lead of the Old Testament, “love” first of all points to the character of God, and to God’s actions toward his people based on that character. God’s love is demonstrated especially in his “forbearance” and “kindness” (1 Cor 13:4), manifested ultimately in the death of Christ for his enemies (Rom 5:6–8). Thus it is like we saw in vs 8, a setting one’s mind to love and allowing that to lead and foster direction (v. 8), it is “a sober kind of love—love in the sense of placing high value on a person or thing,” which expresses itself in actively seeking the benefit of the one so loved. And this is what Paul now prays will “abound yet more and more” among the Philippian believers. The rest of the prayer, after all, emphasizes “love” not as “affection” but as behavior, behavior that is both “pure” (stemming from right motives) and “blameless” (lacking offense).

Fee, G. D. (1995). Paul’s Letter to the Philippians (pp. 98–99). Wm.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

Conclusion

We’ve seen Paul’s deep affection for the church in Philippi.

Jesus is at the center of Paul’s life and Jesus is at the center of the life of the church.

They experience a new and fullness of life as they are in relationship together.

Jesus desires to be at the center of our lives, flowing out of us spilling on others

Jesus desires to be at the center of the church, that our collective community reflects and spills out on the larger community the things of the Kingdom of God that He will eventually bring and consumate.

The invitation is give our heart, our allegiance, our lives to Jesus. We receive His forgiveness of sin (that which separates us from God), We receive his heart, and we now are called to live into the Kingdom that He is bringing… as He taught us to pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, here on Earth as it is in heaven.”

In this, we are committed to one another, to those around us, to those in our community… that we might in living our lives pursuing this life in Christ might spill over and give others hope, joy, peace, love, and forgiveness, that can be found only in Jesus.

Would you stand with me. *Invite folks to give their lives and allegiance to Jesus*

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