SERMON NOTES FROM SEPTEMBER 26, 2010...

Many today and throughout history have been on the same mission to find joy and most then as well as today have looked in the same obvious places. One place in particular people try and find joy is away from others in solitude.

I think if people were honest, many would agree that that they have felt like Eddy Arnold at one time or another when he sang, “Make the World Go Away.” There are times when we think the best solution for life's difficulties is to "shut the door on the world." Paul, however, teaches us in Philippians 1:1-11 that true joy comes from others.

EXPERIENCING JOY THROUGH OTHERS

1. BE A TEAM PLAYER (vv. 1-2)

1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul begins this letter by saying “Grace and peace to you.” This is a standard greeting given by Paul that basically means, “May God’s Grace be with you” or “May all things be well with you.” What is so ironic about this statement is that Paul is writing to encourage others while he sits in jail uncertain about whether he will live or die.This was Paul’s mentality throughout his ministry. In fact, the reason he was in prison was for the cause of Christ and the sake of others.

The reason Paul was able to have this kind of mentality was because he saw himself for what he truly was—just a piece of the bigger picture. Paul understood that what God was doing was much bigger than himself. His only concern was for God’s people to continue to be faithful and avoid falsehood so that the Gospel would continue to advance.

2. SEE YOUR NEED OF OTHERS (vv. 3-6)

3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.

Paul’s joy comes as a result of the Philippians faithfulness and continued partnership. The church at Philippi had been a big help to Paul in ministry and he did not take this support for granite.

For example…

1. During Paul’s second missionary journey, He receives money from the Philippians at least twice, once in Thessalonica and once in Corinth.
2. On Paul’s third missionary journey, he raised money for the Jerusalem church. He went to visit Philippi and told them not to give since they had already given so much and since they did not have very much. The Philippian church insisted on giving money once again.
3. Paul then took the money to Jerusalem. Shortly after, he was arrested and sent to Rome. While in Rome, the church sent one of their members, Epaphroditus, to visit Paul and take another love offering to him. Paul sent Epaphroditus back to them with this letter.

Although these are the only times mentioned, I think it's safe to assume that the Philippians partnered with Paul more times than this. In fact Paul said that they had partnered with him "...from the first day until now." In other words, day after day they had supported Paul in one of a number of ways.

So Paul needed them and they also needed Paul. Paul's faithfulness to the call was one of the reasons the gospel went to the Philippians in the first place. We also learn from this letter that Paul continued to pour his life into the Christians at Philippi from that day until the time of this letter. He encouraged them, challenged them to grow in godliness and also instructed them on the importance of unity and how to obtain it and warned against falsehood.

Notice the great word of encouragement Paul gives to the Philippians in v.6. He says,"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."

Paul is basically saying, no matter what you go through, no matter the inward struggles, the spiritual defeats--God finishes what he starts. He assures them that their fabulous beginning and faithful continuance will end with God's finishing touches.

So Paul needed them and they needed him and we as believers need one another. We must avoid having a "lone ranger" view of the Christian faith and see our need of God's appointed people for our spiritual benefit.

3. DEVELOP MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS (vv. 7-8)

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. 8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.

Paul’s love for the Philippians is obvious in this passage. Although he had a love for all the people he ministered to, his relationship with the Philippians was special and brought him great joy.

How many deep, meaningful and god-honoring relationships do you currently have--relationships like Paul had with the Christians at Philippi? We as believers should be seeking out these types of relationships because they will bring us great joy and do nothing but benefit us spiritually.

4. ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER IN GODLINESS (vv. 9-11)

9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Because Paul enjoyed such a deep, meaningful and god-honoring relationship with the Christians at Philippi, he was not ok with “status quo Christianity." This is why in vv. 9-11 he prays for them to be growing in godliness.

Notice Paul doesn't simply pray for them to love and do the right thing, but prays that the Philippians would have an ever increasing love for God and an unconditional love for others that stems from an accurate knowledge of God's Word. He also prayed that their knowledge and discernment would result in them living as fully and as faithfully for God as possible.

May we adopt this mentality from Paul. You want to be a true friend? Refuse to be ok with “status quo Christianity," but instead encourage one another in godliness. The more loving we become and the more fully and faithfully we follow God, the more healthy we will be as Christians and as a church.

CONCLUSION

Although we think that joy is often found away from the crowds by our self, Paul shows that the opposite is true. Joy is found in a loving, caring and supportive Christian community.

"Quote" of the Week

"Congregational life (is) the very means whereby believers are shaped into Christlikeness and Christian maturity through the ministry of the Word, the fellowship of the saints, and the normative patterns of church life…Only the briefest of glances at the New Testament, looking particularly at the book of Acts and at the various letters to the churches, would reveal the centrality of preaching, discipline, congregational fellowship, and the central practices of baptism and the Lord’s Supper."-Al Mohler

READING THE BIBLE FOR UNDERSTANDING AND IMPACT

Last Sunday we had our first Equipping Class entitled, "Reading the Bible for Understanding and Impact." If believers were honest, I think a large majority would say that at least parts if not a large percentage of Scripture are intimidating to read and understand. The reason for this class is to make the Word of God less intimidating and more beneficial to read.

TWO GOALS

There are two goals when reading the Bible. The first is interpretation. Interpretation means to understand the original author's intended meaning to his original audience. Context is key when you study the word of God. The question to ask is not, “What does this verse mean to you?” but rather "What is the author's intended meaning to his original audience?" It is important to realize that authority does not lie in the hands of the reader, but in the intended meaning to the original audience.

Think of the Word of God like water from a well. When you go to a well, you are not going to put your own water in, but to draw its water out. When you approach the Word of God, make the effort to draw out what is in the text and avoid putting in what does not belong. There is one intended meaning in a verse of Scripture and our job is to discover what that meaning is.

The second goal of Bible reading is LIFE CHANGE. This Goal depends on the first. When you discover the intended meaning of the text--don’t stop there. Don’t read for knowledge only, but read to understand for the purpose of application.

Many believe because the Bible was written long ago and because of its various cultural differences it has little to no relevance for today. Even though the times and culture have changed it is important to remember the two things commonly addressed in Scripture that have not--God and the human condition.

"Quote" of the Week

"The reason one needs to learn how to interpret is that, whether one likes it or not, every reader is at the same time an interpreter. That is, most of us assume as we read that we also understand what we read. We also tend to think that our understanding is the same thing as the Holy Spirit's or human author's intent. However, we invariably bring to the text all that we are, with all of our experiences, culture, and prior understandings of words and ideas. Sometimes what we bring to the text, unintentionally to be sure, leads us astray, or else causes us to read all kinds of foreign ideas into the text." pp. 18

Last night during Men's Bible Study we looked at Hebrews 12:1-3. One thing I took from the discussion is the need for a close self-examination when pursuing godliness. When we think about "the sin that so easily entangles" we often pinpoint the obvious sins we are to avoid in our Christian walk. But what about the less obvious hindrances?

If we were to run a race, I'm sure most of us would agree that proper footwear is a must. We know that the person with a pair of Brooks shoes is going to have an advantage over someone running in work boots. But there are some things the serious runner considers that we might not. One is the importance of removing any article of clothing that is wind resistant. A true runner knows that although this is but a small thing--it could be the difference between winning and losing.

Paul says, "Let us lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us" (Heb. 12:1). If you are serious about your walk with Christ, I encourage you to take some time and closely examine the race you are running to see if there are some less noticeable hindrances that need to be removed so you can truly be all that God has called you to be.

Sermon Notes for September 5, 2010

Scripture not only tells us how we are to think and live, but also gives us the motivation we need to live a god-honoring life. In 1 John 3, John not only informs the reader that followers of Christ are to be obedient, but also explains why one would want to live for God on His terms.

Two Motivators for Obedience

I. BECAUSE OF WHAT GOD HAS DONE (3:1)

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.

John says the love of the father is so great that we, who were once considered enemies of God (Rom. 5:10; Eph. 2:3; Col. 1:21), are now "children of God." In a day that emphasizes status, Christians need to be reminded that they have the greatest status imaginable.

When we talk about salvation, we often talk about the fact that we are forgiven of sin, spared from God’s judgment, declared right with God, but it cuts even deeper than that. We are Children of God. Being a child of God is the highest privilege that the Gospel offers even higher than justification. Now this does not mean that justification-being made right with God- is not important. Justification is the most important blessing, but adoption is the highest privilege because it gives us a richer relationship with God. With adoption, God takes us into His family and fellowship.

I’m afraid that somehow, like the Christians in John’s day, we have lost our understanding of how special it is to be “a child of God.” Don't take this for granted. God could have chosen not to save us. He could have said, "Enemies don't deserve saving, and that's that." Instead he went beyond redeeming, forgiving and rescuing to this extreme—to an adopting love. He has made us a member of his family. Ask yourself today, “Do I understand the great privilege of being a child of God and if so, is my life accurately reflecting that I consider this a great privilege?”

II. BECAUSE OF WHAT GOD IS GOING TO DO (3:2-3)

Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

John says with 100% certainty that we will be made complete in Christ when He appears and we see Him like He is. He also says that the reality of Christ’s return should affect our behavior as Christians. He says, "And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure." Basically John is saying that if you understand that you are presently a child of God and that when Jesus comes, you will be like Him, then your response should be that you live for Him. Do you believe that Christ’s return is certain? If so, what are you doing to prepare? 1 Tim. 4:7 is clear that believers are not to wait on godliness, but pursue it.

CONCLUSION

Examine your life for a moment. Do you understand the great privilege of being a child of God? If you do, let the fact that you are personally loved and cared for by God be your motivation for obedience.

Do you eagerly await the return of Christ? If you do, are you pursuing godliness now with confidence that when He returns you will be made complete in Him? The grace of God is meant to produce a response in us. The writer of Hebrews 12 said, “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith” (Heb. 12:1-2). Even though it is Jesus who is the beginning and the end of our faith, we as Christians are called to run the race that is set before us—fixing our eyes upon Jesus.

"Quote" of the Week

“Adoption is the highest privilege that the Gospel offers: higher even than justification...To be right with God the Judge is a great thing, but to be loved and cared for by God the Father is greater.” J.I. Packer