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biblestudy: Philippians (Part Six)

Philippians 2:12 - 3:3
John W. Ritenbaugh
Given 05-Sep-89; Sermon #BS-PH06; 82 minutes

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OK, let's get back into the book of Philippians. When we left off the last time we were in verses 12 and 13 of chapter 2. So I'm not going to go back. Uh, very much there, just a, a small amount of of review. He says, therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good his good pleasure. We spent quite a, quite a bit of time. In fact, the last two Bible studies pretty much on, on these two verses. So I'm not going to go into them a great deal, but the important thing to remember, I feel is this. That the working out your own salvation is not a working for salvation, but rather a working to make what you believe. Uh, well, let's say operational. To put it into practice, to live it by experience. So that it's not just a matter of of something that is that is held in the mind an intellectual belief, but actually something that is being lived in this. Really in a way cannot be emphasized too much because of the connection that it has with what eternal life is eternal life is not just length of days, eternal life is also a way of life. It is a quality of life. It is the way that God lives. And so in his kingdom are going to be those who are putting into practice his way of life. And so our beliefs then have to be made operational. It just can't merely be something that we are carrying around in our mind with and say, well, this, this is my belief, but actually it is something that is lived. Now, verse 13 ought to give us a great deal of, of confidence. And that is that it is God who works in you both to will and to do. We would not have The direction of mind that we have unless God had called us, unless he had already been working with us by His Spirit. You remember how Jesus told the apostles there in John 14 that the Spirit was with them and would be in them. Now the spirit was with them and the person of Jesus Christ, and they were seeing practical examples of the way that God would live. But when They became converted, which occurred when they received the spirit of God, and the spirit of God was in them. They were begotten by it. And then they had within them the life of God. But again, it has to be put into practice. Now, what the Spirit does, I have shown you many, many times and we, we might even go back to it again a little bit later today. Uh, among those things that it does is it convicts us of sin. It convicts us of righteousness, that is, it brings to our mind. Uh, not just knowledge. About God and about his way, but I'll put it this way, a strong feeling about it. So that we are motivated. To move in a certain direction. Uh, to quit fighting against God. The carnal mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. The Spirit of God begins to help remove that from us. By giving us the necessary knowledge and the necessary motivation to begin to conduct our lives in a in a certain way. Well, it's God who's working in you to produce the will. To do that. And then it says, both to will and to do. So Paul was saying that he not only gives us the knowledge that we need to operate on, he also gives us the power to carry out what it is he wants us to do. Here I went into I Corinthians 12 just to give a number of specific examples of how God empowers those within the body of Christ to serve the church. To some He gives wisdom, to some He gives knowledge, to some says he gives the gifts of healing of miracles. Now what are you saying there is that The power to carry those things out for the benefit of the body are coming by the Spirit of God. Now these are not powers. That are physically generated. They are part or come with the grace of God. They are things that come from God to us to carry out His will for us in our lives within the church, out in the community. Now, obviously an apostle is going to need more powers than we would, we would need. And so God gave the apostles power to carry out their responsibilities. Uh, with that would be maybe greater faith. With that would be maybe more zeal to face up to the fears that might come. Uh, as a result of having to face hostile crowds. But whatever the responsibility that that God has given within the body, the powers are given. Now all you have to do is begin to extend this out into specific areas of life, let's say in regard to overcoming. God wants us all to grow. He wants us to overcome human nature. He wants us to overcome bad habits that have been ingrained in us for as long maybe as we can remember. He wants us to overcome the things that were passed on by the way of, of human tradition that just do not fit into his way of life. Now, those things come by the grace of God as well. The love that might be necessary to do that. See the faith that may be necessary to do that. The will to do it, the understanding of why it should be overcome. Anything that is necessary to produce the motivation to set the will to go in the right direction, and then even the power to carry out that will. Now, in a way, this can almost be a little bit discouraging. In that we can look at ourselves and say wow, there is an awful lot that I haven't yet overcome, and I know I have these problems, and this problem has been dragging on and on. And I haven't overcome it yet. Well, what God does is he just knocks the props right out from under us. And lets us understand. That though he is patient, In waiting for us to grow and overcome. We always have I Corinthians 10:13 to fall back on that he never gives us anything that is too great for us to do. Therefore, the power and the will is there to overcome those things that are a part. Of our bad human character. We'll probably get the more of that just to A little bit later as we go through this letter. But do not be discouraged. Because I, I said, God is is patient. You know, just like if you can think of them in terms of of being a teacher or being a coach maybe of something that is athletic, not everybody has the same skill. Not everybody has the same gifts. And so, not everyone has the same problems. Or not everyone has the same problems to the same degree or intensity. And so some are going to overcome some problems very easily. But I'll tell you this, there is always going to be something, maybe many things, that everybody is going to have difficulty. overcome. I'm not talking about everybody having the same problem that's difficult to overcome. Because we are all somewhat different. We have different backgrounds, we have different makeups, but everybody has problems that are for them, very deeply ingrained and very difficult to overcome. And so God is patient And he understands that you're having a great deal of difficulty with that and He will wait and he will continue to encourage, he will continue to supply a deeper, broader understanding anything that will motivate us to set our will to overcome that thing, whatever it might be. OK, let's go on to verse 14. I'll do all things without murmuring and disputing. That you may become blameless and harmless children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation among whom you shine as lights in the world. Oh Try not to ever lose track of the fact that Paul is writing a letter here. And that there is a context in which these things fit. And the context has to do with this problem that is erupting within this congregation. Uh, it is becoming divided over an issue that is not stated. And so there is a general disunity problem. Now that indicates when I put it with this verse or these verses. If there is disunity, there is going to be grumbling. There is going to be griping. Either against the person that somebody feels injured by. And is dividing them away from the congregation. Or just about a problem, a policy a doctrine, the minister or whatever it might be, something in general. Right Now Paul is undoubtedly thinking about the Israelites. I mean, I'm talking about the Israelites in the wilderness. They certainly set an example of grumbling and griping. They grumbled about the food, they grumbled about the heat, they grumbled about the water, they grumbled about the way they went. They grumbled about Moses, they grumbled about God. I mean there seems to have been uh. Uh, just a few times when they did not grumble about something. Now, the key here. I feel Is the words all things. Everybody can do some things without grumbling. Because there are things that come easy to us. Or there are things that we have experience with. And usually things that we do well, we enjoy doing. And so we can do those things without grumbling or griping. But it's usually when Our attitude is set on edge by something that we do not feel either skilled about doing. Or we feel uncomfortable about doing. Or we feel it is too difficult for us to do because it's too demanding. That The bad attitude begins to show in terms of complaining. Now Paul's instruction or his request or his command. is that these people were to do all things. Without murmuring and griping, and the reason is that they or you may become blameless and harmless. Now we seem to take grumbling and griping. In such a way We hardly even notice it. Unless somebody grumbles against us. Then it becomes very apparent. But I know that every one of you who have to go somewhere to work and you are working with fellow employees, you know very well that a large part of the conversation that they hold at work with you and with other people is complaining about something that the company is doing. The supervisor is doing. Or a policy that has been made, or a responsibility given. I dare say from from my experience in the steel mill. That if we stop griping, we would hardly talk. I mean, it is that prevalent. And all, all this griping. is interspersed with swear words. Curse words constantly. Maybe about every 3rd or 4th word. It is a swear word. Now when somebody doesn't gripe. That person really stands up. You know, God says back in Proverbs that in a multitude of words they are once not sin, once meaning blacks. Anybody who talks a lot. is really setting themselves up to sin. I mean they are falling right into it. Now they may sin. Maybe directly. In lying, And exaggerating. Bragging. A show of conceit. They may also lie, I mean sin, in that they fall short, you know, sin means to miss the mark as well as to break a commandment. So they fall short of the ideal. Simply by dominating The time and energy of everybody that's around them. OK, now, The purpose of what he is saying here. Is it that these people might become blameless and harmless. children of God, without fault, in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation among whom you shine as lights in the world. Now the object Or Paul's object here to get these people to quit complaining was that they would be a good example. Now it seems as though Complaining and human nature go together. That it is a sure sign. That human nature is dominating this person. I think I can say that. Dogmatically and with authority based upon what I see in the Old Testament regarding Israel coming out of, out of Egypt. Where there is no complaining. There is not only a good example, but human nature is being held in check. It's being suppressed. Now notice in verse 15. That these people were already shining. See, among whom you shine, present tense. And so the emphasis of what Paul is saying here. I do not complain so that your light becomes pure and uncontaminated. In other words, It is almost as if he is saying that there is nothing that will disfigure your witness for God like being a complaining person. Nothing to disfigure the witness, the example that he wants. Now what he's saying is that he wants us to stand out like stars at midnight. You know, in a moonless sky. So that there is Guidance given by the example. Guidance that is given. That shows a person the way they ought to be. OK, verse let's see. 16 again. The word of life Of course, is the gospel. What he is talking about is, of course, faithful living. Uh, That is following the gospel. So that Paul will understand. The last part of the verse that he has not run in vain or labored in vain. In other words, Paul wants to feel confident that his work as an apostle, on behalf of those people, you see representing God. We have borne good fruit. And that the good fruit will be seen in the pure and uncontaminated example that these people set because they aren't complaining. They are overcoming and growing. OK, now, why shouldn't we complain? Now I'm not talking about say the kind of talking that a person needs to do because there is a problem. They need to understand the problem, and they seek counsel about the problem. I am talking about the kind of complaining that the Israelites did. A Is Paul so concerned about complaining? Well, because it is something that is, whether we understand it or not, directed straight at God. It is really nothing more than a calling him into account. You have to understand. That we are part of the body of Christ. Now he uses that analogy to show how close, how intimate our association is with him. He is the head, we are the parts of the body. Now he tells us, I'll go back to I Corinthians 1013 again in order to, to help you to get the picture. That he will allow nothing to come into our life that is too great for us. Now, in order for him to do this, he has to have a very intimate concern. With our lives. He tells us, doesn't he, that he has every hair in our head numbered. Which again gives you an idea that he is really watching over us closely. Now, if we complain. About what we are going through in our life. We are directly accusing God of allowing us to get into a situation that we feel is unfair. Well, God is not unfair. There is nobody who loves us more. There is no, nobody who is more concerned about the outcome of our life. And so a complaint. Of the nature of the kind that Paul is talking about is a calling of God into account for what he is allowing to happen in our life. OK, verse 17, Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all for the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me. Now Paul is again calling on them to have the same attitude that he has. So you're saying that that they must not stand there wringing their hands, bewailing their fate. As as to what's occurred to them in in their life. Again, you see, it's a calling of God into account if we do that. OK, now, what was their sacrifice? He says, yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering. Now Paul's sacrifice, at least the one that he was thinking of right at that moment, was the possibility that he was going to be put to death as an enemy of the state. Remember, he was in prison. And if he was put to death, like a sacrifice was put to death, then he was offering his life to God and going to the ultimate extent, you see, and being a martyr for the cause. Now he was ready to do that willingly. It's not what he wanted, but he was ready to do that. When he signed on. When he got baptized, he gave God his all. He did not hold anything back. He did not hold back his life in reserve, say no God, you can't have this. My faith will go as far as I want it to go, not as far as you God wanted to go, and I'll be the one who draws the lines here. No, Paul did not do that. So you can say that That his offering Was one all the way to death. So he says, if I am being poured out. I want to pick up on something else here. You'll notice the verb is progressive. Let's see, is that the one? It's in process. B. It was an act in process. Now Paul here is including Not only the possibility. That he would be put to death. But also the fact that his life was continually an offering. Now what he's referring to, of course, specifically here. is that he came to Philippi. And that he preached to those people and then as they were being converted, then he became their pastor. And he counseled them and he taught them, and he encouraged them, he corrected them. He rebuked them where necessary, but he was. The one that was sacrificing his life daily for them in service of God to them. So here he is showing then. And at the time of his conversion, actually, he has been a living sacrifice, and now he may end up a dead one. OK, now what was their sacrifice? It's right in the verse. Anybody wanna hazard a guess? I guess. What was their sacrifice? Jacoby, their face. They were living by faith. That was their sacrifice. Now you see that's what Paul did. That's why he was doing what he was doing as an apostle. He was living by faith. You see that God had called him. To be an apostle. And so he conducted his life accordingly, and he put himself into all kinds of peril as a result of it. And just a multitude of hours of service to God. Or let's say to the people on behalf of God. So his life was just completely given in sacrifice to that, but here he is acknowledging that these two these people too were living by faith. OK. Now verse 19, But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly. That I also may be encouraged when I know you're safe. For I have no one like-minded who will sincerely care for your state, for all seek their own, not the things which are of Jesus Christ. What's Put this in its setting. Paul was in prison. He was writing to the Philippians because he was concerned about their spiritual well-being. But Paul's case was not yet decided. He still did not know how his case was going to be resolved, whether he would be put to death, or whether he would be set free. He said earlier that he felt that he would be set free. Now even with that, He still did not know when it would occur. I mentioned to you that he really had a feeling for this congregation. He loved it. I'm sure that he loved the other congregations, but you might say that this one was first among equals. Because of these said nobody had ever helped him like they had. There was a special rapport between them. He wanted to go to Philippi to see what he could do personally about solving the problem that was was growing there. But he did not know whether or not he was going to be able to make it. So what are you saying here? And he is paving the way for at least maybe a resolution of the problem that it might be worked out by someone else. Now we are going to find that there are 2 people that he had in mind. Now the second one he mentioned first. And that's Timothy. The first one is Epaphroditus. We'll get back to him in just a few verses. I mentioned Timothy. Because Timothy was going to remain with Paul for as long as he possibly could. In hope that Timothy would be able to go to Philippi with definite news of how Paul's case was going to be resolved. Now we find in the pastoral epistles, those are the ones 1 and II Timothy and Titus. That Paul did not get to Philippi right away. Instead, something came up and instead of going to Philippi first, Paul went to Ephesus. So it turned out that it was a very good thing that he sent Timothy on ahead of him. Because what happened was, Timothy went to Philippi, Paul went to Ephesus. Paul eventually was set free. However, Paul was going to keep Timothy with him in Rome as long as he possibly could. And hope that maybe Epaphroditus would be able to settle things down until Timothy got there. Now, we are going to find That Epaphroditus, who was going to go first. would actually carry the letter. And that Timothy would follow him sometime later and indeterminate amount of time, and then Paul would follow Timothy. So what Paul is doing here in this next section that goes all the way to the end of the chapter that He is paving the way for these two men to come back. Now, he, he does that because he has feelings for these people. They wanted to see him. And he felt That he could not get there. And yet he did not want these people to be disappointed. That he was not going to come, and in his place would be Epaphroditus and then Timothy. He did not want them to be disappointed and he did not want to undermine Timothy and any empaphroditus at all either, and give the feeling that, well, these are just substitutes for me. And so he spends A number of sentences here, building these men up in the eyes of these people. So that they will accept the decision that Paul has maderegarding what he feels is the most important thing for him to do. And the most important thing for him to do he felt was to go to Ephesus first and not go to the Philippi. Now, hopefully then, When Timothy got there, he would know the outcome of Paul's case, and then he would bring them news of that as well. Let's see Let's get something else here. I mentioned that already. OK, I wanted to explain this thing about in verse 20 where I have no one like-minded who will sincerely care for your state for all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. Now if we take that the way that it appears. In the English It almost looks as though Timothy was being elevated to a place. That was greater than any other of Paul's companions. You know, like he was greater than Luke. Or that he was greater than Silas. We would also spent time with Paul. But that's not what it means. It just gives a wrong impression in the English. What it means is Let's put it this way. Paul did not say this. But this is what is intended. He meant that there was nobody who was with him at the moment. That was better suited to carry out this responsibility than Timothy. It is highly unlikely. Since Timothy and Epaphroditus are the only ones that are mentioned in the letter. That Luke was not with him. That Silas was not with him. That Aristarchus was not with him. And any of the other men that Paul has spoken highly of in other books. Instead, There were Timothy. Antipaphroditus. And it's likely that there were also people from the Roman Church who were also there, maybe assisting Paul in his work. Now we know that from chapter one, that there were other people there in the city who were preaching the gospel. Now it's entirely possible. That Paul may have asked others who were associated with him there in Rome. And they decided on their own. Not To be Paul's message bearer. In other words, what I'm saying here. It gives us a little bit of insight into the way Paul operated. It's not like he just commanded somebody like the emperor of Rome and said, you go there and you take care of that. But rather, it appears that if there were other others present, That he counseled with them regarding this. To see whether or not he felt they would be the ones capable of doing the job. So the combination Of maybe counseling with. And also maybe even asking others who refuse to do it. He decided That Timothy was the one to carry out the job. That there was nobody else who was like-minded. It doesn't mean. That he was better than all the others that Paul associated with. But in this situation, he was the best man to to send. Now that the phrase there in verse 21 for all seek their own and not the the things which are Christ Jesus is what gives the impression that he did ask others whether they would do it and that they did not want to. Now you might reflect on what it says back there in in chapter one. And in verse 15. For some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife and some also from goodwill. The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely supposing to add affliction to my chains. It gives one the impression. That amongst the people who were there in the Roman church there were some who were not really all that dedicated to the work of God. So in that situation, Timothy was the best man for the job, and so then he was the one who was sent. OK, now verse 22. Continues the thought regarding Timothy. But you know his proven character. That as a son with his father, he served me in the gospel. Therefore, I hope to send him at once as soon as I see how it goes with me, but I trust in the Lord that I myself will also come shortly. I think that what we can begin to see here. I maybe the importance of a personality. How was writing a letter. A letter consists of words. And these words, this letter was coming from. A man That the recipients of this letter Respected very highly. And yet Paul recognized that words on a piece of paper were not going to solve the problem. It was going to take the words plus a personality. I want you to think about that. Because it's, it's an important thing to to understand. Now God could have. Just given us his Bible. His work And let's say handed the book to us. And say, do the best you can. With the book. But he did not do that. Instead, he gave us the book and personalities. See human beings through whom he would work. Through whom he would inspire. In order to add impact to the written word. Now a personality conveys not only the truth in words, but he also conveys a living example and in a sense, the more perfect the example, the more powerful the impact. Now, if you want an idea. of how important the personality is. All you have to do is think about Jesus Christ. He was the living word of God. But it was not until the word became a lie. You see, in the personality. That there was such an impact made on the world that even today, 2000 years later, He is the greatest force that has ever hit this earth. We never saw it. But the force of that personality. Living and speaking the word of God has carried right on through to this day. Now, let's go back. To Isaiah 53. I say 5343. Isaiah 43:10 through 12. Now God here is speaking generally to Israel. Speak specifically to you and me. As you are my witnesses, says the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am He. Before me there was no God formed. Nor shall there be after me. I, even I am the Lord, and besides me there is no Savior. I have declared and saved. I have proclaimed, and there was no foreign God among you. Therefore, you are my witnesses, says the Lord, that I am God. Now there is what our witness has to be off. But God is not relying only on the written word. You know, Jesus said a couple of times that there is one who bears witness against you, even Moses. See, he meant that the written word of God bears witness against people in regard to what they are doing. But when it came to making a witness for God, God chose to do it through the combination of word and personality. And we say that a picture is worth 10,000 words. And this is where the personality comes in. It can convey things to people that words cannot because they do not understand words. They can't define them. They can't use them. But they do understand what they see. A personality living it. Now let's go to another one in Deuteronomy 4. In verses 6 and 7. Now surely, I have taught you statutes and judgments. Just as the Lord my God commanded me. That you should act according to them in the land which you go to possess. Now consider this as instruction to you and me. Instead of Moses speaking it, it's Christ. Therefore, Be careful to observe them. For this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes and say, surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. Yes, they hear the word. But God wanted Israel. To set them the example of living it. And you see here are a multitude of personalities who are conveying the message of the words which the people would not understand. Let's go to another one. Back in I Peter 2. First Peter 2 and then verse 9. You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. His own special people. Now why? That you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. The proclamation is made in the form of words. But the proclamation is also made by personalities living it. And it is the life, it is the personality that gives impact to the words. And without the personality, The words just do not have the same effect. In fact, the personality is so powerful. Even if a person never hears the word, they can understand the personality. OK, let's vary it a little bit further. I Timothy 4. I Timothy 4. And in verse 12, First Timothy was written shortly after Philippians. Quite shortly, I mean, within the next couple of years. Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith. In purity. Now, that was so. The congregation Even if they did not understand what was said. would still be very powerfully and effectively instructed by the example of the man. Well, it has to be that way. in a congregation like we have here, there is a large variety of educational levels here. And Not all of us are, are sharp in understanding the English language. All we do not understand the subtleties of it. We do not always pick up on the idioms. We just do not always get it. But if there are personalities around that are living it. Then even those who are not well instructed in the language can still understand what's going on. And what is expected of them. And they can overcome and grow even though there are severe intellectual handicaps or educational handicaps. Now again, you see, God is backing us in the corner. He gives us no excuse. Because when it comes to our judgment, And if we try to say, well, I really was not of a very great educational level, he's going to say to us, it doesn't take a great educational level. I gave you the example of people to follow. See there were personalities there. So again, you see, God has not given us something that is too great. And I know, practically every person that I ever visit sometime in my contact with them, tells me in so many words, they can sit down and read the Bible and 15 minutes later, they forgotten. And it just goes out of their mind. And that's not something to be ashamed of, it's something that happens to everybody, and we keep have, have to keep going back repetitiously and doing it. But even though we are all encumbered with minds like that, we can still see. We see the power of a personality. And that's why Paul was going to send Timothy. Words wouldn't cut it, and he knew that. Even though there was the best of intention on the other end, it was going to be the power of that personality coupled with what Paul wrote. It was going to cut it. And get these people turned around. So back in the Philippians 3. And in verse 17, we are going to come up to this. A little bit later, Paul says, brethren, join in following my example and note those who so walk as you have us for a pattern. So when you understand this paragraph, please understand that. That Paul is not writing to these people. Uh, as a harsh criticism. By Paul of others in comparison to Timothy. Uh, But rather it was just a paving the way of Timothy that under the circumstances he felt that he was the best one, the best personality. To send out there to help them to to solve that problem. And they would, they would understand that. Because again, if you can remember from the book of Acts, Timothy was with Paul when he went to Philippi, and the church was founded. So Timothy was there right on the ground floor with Paul and uh. These people knew his character, knew the kind of man he was. And so when Paul sent him there, he understood that he was sending something that these people had a great deal of confidence in. So it was not just Paul that they were confident in, was not just God that they were confident in, but even the personality of a man who had helped to pastor them before was going to be there as well. OK. Don to verse 25. As yet, I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus. My brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need. OK, remember, The scenario that I set up for you. Paul was in prison. He was going to hold on to Timothy for a while. Until maybe his case was decided. We find out later that Paul went to Ephesus before he went to Philippi, and so that was part of his reason for sending. Timothy later, you see, on to Philippi. Now, in order to ensure that the problem was begun to be worked on, he was going to send Epaphroditus back to them. Now, it's entirely possible. The part of the squabble in this church was ovarypaphroditus. We find a little bit later that Epaphroditus was the one who carried, delivered their latest gift to him, apparently a gift of money, and he also was part of that gift because they sent him to serve Paul. What we find out here, we are going to read in just a little bit. Epaphroditus arrived in Rome, and then he became sick. And being sick, he was unable to serve Paul. He was unable to carry out the reason for which he was sent. Apparently it got back to Philippi. In a garbled manner. The Epaphroditus was shirking his duty. You see, they considered that to be Damaging to their name, to their reputation, because the very man that they picked out and felt would represent them the best under this circumstance, turned out to be a flop. Well, apparently they did not understand or they did not believe that he really was sick, see, or that he had, they did not believe that he Uh, had carried out his responsibility to Paul. Now, notice how Paul builds the man up before them. He calls Epaphroditus my brother. Oh, that's pretty close. That that puts him in a in a very close family relationship with Paul. Do you know that siblings are more closely related? Then mother and child. They are. So when when Paul said that this is my brother. He was saying, this is the closest blood relationship, if I can put it in a physical way that you can possibly have. Well he's doing that in order to show that he is not down on Epaphroditus at all, not in any way, and he doesn't want these people to be down on him at all. Next, he called him a fellow worker. You know Paul sent Mark back to Jerusalem. At least he wanted Mark to go back. He did not want Mark with him anyway. Because he felt that Mark was shirking his responsibility. He did not want somebody who was going to shirk their responsibility to be teamed up with him. Paul had big things to do and he wanted somebody that was going to cooperate with them and get along with him. So Silas went one way with, was it Silas? I think it was, went one way with Mark and Paul went another way with somebody else. It was not, it was not Silas, who was it? Barnabas, right. Mark went with Barnabas and Paul went with Silas. That's the way it was. And so they they split up. Well, this is the same apostle, and in this case, he calls Epaphroditus a fellow worker. So he was not separating Epaphroditus away from him because he was discouraged about the lack of work that Epaphroditus was doing. And again, he wanted them to understand that. Then he called him a fellow soldier. Which indicates that Epaphroditus had suffered the dangers of persecution. As a Christian soldier with Paul. In other words, he had exposed himself to the kind of dangers that the apostle Paul had. What Paul is trying to do undoubtedly is puncture. Anybody's ideas that somehow or another Epaphroditus was shirking his responsibility because he was not. OK, he calls him your messenger. You know what this word messenger comes from? Well, it's the same word that the word apostle comes from. He was their apostle. It shows you what an apostle is. He was one sent forth. Now, he was not apostle rank. But he was one who was sent forth from the Philippian congregation bearing a message. Bearing a gift And he was one who ministered to Paul's knees. Now, it's interesting this word minister is not the word that is normally used for minister. However, it is used in the book of Hebrews to indicate the way Christ ministers. In other words, it is a priestly function. Now what Epaphroditus did was he carried their sacrifice to the apostle Paul, and he continued to sacrifice for the apostle Paul in ministering to him there. So he was bearing, as far as Paul was concerned, a priestly responsibility in doing that. Now verse 26. Since he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. Now, the wording here in the Greek is unusually strong. It's almost as if Paul is striking out at these people who had spread the the rumor that somehow or another Epaphroditus was not doing his job. And some had leaped to conclusions. About Epaphroditus character that Paul was saying very strongly, he was sick. Making it very clear, verse 27. For indeed he was sick almost unto death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. Oh Undoubtedly what Paul is inferring here is that Epaphroditus's illness was directly related to his priestly service. With all that included, I do not know. Uh, let's see here. I, I wanna drop down to Verse 30, just very briefly because I want to pick up a thought here. Because for the work of Christ, he came close to death, not regarding his life to supply what was lacking in your service to me. OK, he came close to death. Now can we assume under these circumstances that since Epaphroditus was ministering to Paul. That Epaphroditus was anointed by Paul. that Paul laid hands on it. Well, it would have to remain an assumption. Because we do not know. But it seems to me a logical assumption. That someone that close to the apostle. would want to be anointed by the apostle, and the apostle would want to do that himself. Now the reason I'm bringing that up is that it shows very clearly that not even an apostle could heal on demand. He could only heal. On demand or by command, if it was also God's will to heal the person at that time. I mean, these miraculous occurrences like. Peter, you know, putting out his hand and lifting the guy. At the gate called Beautiful. In other words, the prayer that the apostle made. Had to be in complete agreement with the will of God. At that time for that to occur. Now, if Paul did anoint him, Then indeed a miracle did occur. Because the man was raised up from a state of almost being dead. However, there is no indication. That it occurred immediately, but rather, Epaphroditus was restored to good health over a period of time. Now what I am saying here is, indeed if the apostle Paul, or whoever it was, anointed him, but I'm using the apostle Paul because I want you to see that. These miracles do not occur simply because the apostle or the prophet. Or whatever simply wills them to occur. But even an apostle has to wait upon the will of God. For that to occur. So it did occur, but it did not occur right away. And Epaphroditus had to wait. And his faith had to be tested. And Paul's faith as well. So God did intervene, and he did heal, but he did not do it simply because the apostle asked that it be done. Even though it was in accordance with the general will of God, he says that he will do it. It did not happen right away. So if you should want Mr. Decos to anoint you? Why You can expect Pretty much the same thing to occur as if I did it. Cause it's not the man. It's God working in the man. And it is God's will. See that needs to be taken into consideration. I'm of course leaving out other things, the faith that is involved, but we are considering all things equal here and that faith is there. OK, verse 28. Therefore, I sent him the more eagerly that when you see him again, you may rejoice and I be less sorrowful, and I may be less sorrowful. Now it seems very likely that if there had not been the problems in or in Philippi, that Paul would not have sent Epaphroditus back. If it had not been for that, he would have kept it. But because the problem was there, this is one of the things that makes I feel that a lot of the squabble in Philippi was over Epaphroditus. And so he was Paul was sending him back eagerly because he wanted the problem to be resolved. Because again, a personality was there. Wasn't just words on a letter on a page that the the apostle have uh. Had written Receive him, therefore. In the Lord with all gladness. And hold such men in esteem. Now the general instruction here is. That they were to welcome him. Because he had fulfilled his mission with distinction, and that he deserved an appropriate homecoming. And again, this is one of those cases where the wording in the Greek is very strong. indicates that alienation had occurred in the congregation, and again, it seemed to be swirling around Epaphroditus. And so he is commanding those people that they not just refrain from criticism, but actually give recognition to Epaphroditus as being like hailing the conquering hero kind of thing. That this man had had served with distinction and he needed to be received the way a hero would be received. So verse 30 then tells why, because he had faithfully engaged in Christ's work, and it actually risked his life for it and uh. He was trying With all of his might, that's what this last phrase means. To supply what was lacking in your service toward me. Now, it does not mean that again, that Paul was criticizing what these people had done for him, but he, he was saying that they could not be there. Epaphroditus could, it, it was in their absence that Epaphroditus was serving in their behalf. And that he had done it well. So he did that, that is Epaphroditus did for them, what they could not do because they were not there. OK, on the Philippians 3, and another really exciting chapter. It says, finally my brethren, rejoice. I do not know whether you realize it. I did not realize it until I looked it up. But that is the common Greek. Uh, Closing for a letter. Now this makes for all kinds of interesting speculations. Why did he write it right in the middle of the letter? There is all kinds of speculations about it. It's almost though as if he said he was getting ready to say goodbye. And then he remembered something else. And so it's entirely possible that the remainder of the letter, which is 40% of the letter, It's almost like a postscript. That's like he started to write. Well, goodbye for now. Rejoice! And then he would have followed that by saying, you know, Timothy greets you, EpAphrodites greets you, Aristarchus greets you, you know, like it is common. In all of his other letters, when he gives a couple of personal notes from people who were surrounding him, and then he would say, I, Paul, have written this with my own hand or something. So he started to say goodbye, rejoice, and then suddenly this other thing popped into his mind and he forgot all about it. Now there are those who say, That the word that is translated here in my Bible finally. Can also mean furthermore, or in addition to, that's entirely possible. Now he is asking them to rejoice, even though he goes on to discuss something that was pretty unpleasant. Now, in this case, what he is talking about being unpleasant, has nothing to do with anybody in the congregation. Except for his concern that somehow or another, they will be persuaded or influenced by people who are trying to deceive them. So what he writes, He says, finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord for me to write the same things to you. Now the same things turns out to be comments about Judaizers who were trying to deceive them into following Judaistic practices. What he means is that these things were were discussed a great deal, uh. Well, very thoroughly previous to this. Now doesn't that remind you of somebody? It reminds me of Mr. Armstrong. We went back to Genesis 12, and 3, easily 300 times. And maybe more. And finally it got to the place where even he would say, I know we've been here before, but we are going to go through it again. You people just aren't getting it. Well, that's what Paul is saying here. I know I've talked about this thing before. But I'm going to go over it again and again. He says it's no trouble for me because repetition is the best form of emphasis. That's what he's saying. It's like a school teacher repeating a lesson over and over and over again until it's A groove in your mind and you just think that way because you've heard it so frequently. That's what he's doing. OK, verse 2. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation, mutilation. For we are the circumcision who worship God in the spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Now for you and me, that is something that does not have The direct application that it did. To the apostle Paul and to the Philippian Church, however, It still has applications. It still has application in principle, because all of us have come out of this Protestant society in the United States. And whether we realize it or not, we are imbued with Protestantism. There is no way else, nowhere else we could turn from the time that we were growing up. This country, even if you were Catholic, is founded upon Protestant principles. And so it, it hits you from every direction. It hits you in school, it hits you in, in government, it hits you in business. And the warning is a warning that needs to be well taken because Even though they may not be putting the pressure on you and me directly the way the Jews were here, Nonetheless, there is always that subtle influence that is praying around the periphery of our mind to fall back on the way that we have thought before. And so, do not dismiss it just just because it is talking about Jews. The principle is still valid, and we need the warning. Now, these Judaizers, The way that Paul is talking of them. Again, is in very strong language. He first calls them dogs. Now, the metaphor comes from. An animal With its nose to the ground. Not really looking where it's going. Only guided by its sense of smell for garbage. Now these Judaizers, you understand from the book of Acts, dogged Paul's heels everywhere he went. If they found out he was there, they were there to try to refute what he said, either directly with him, or to bring persecution to bear on him, or to argue with and bring persecution upon the church after the apostle Paul left. On the converts Now, dog is a term of reproach to a Jew. It is what a Jew referred to a gentile as. And apparently, the term arose from the fact that the Gentiles ate meat without discriminating between that which was clean and unclean. And to eat meat that was unclean was to a Jew that which you fed to an animal. You see that it did not make any difference. The dog did not care whether it was clean or unclean, and so the Jew or the gentile by inference became a dog. You see, it became a term an epithet against them. So now what Paul is doing, you see, he is turning the term back on the juice. And what they are doing, you see, is doing what the Gentile, what the Jew accused the Gentile of doing. Following after refuge. And becoming a dog. Now, evil workers, is a reference To the fact that these people put a great deal of energy into what they did. To try to Upset the faith of these people. Now there is a secondary application to it. Now considering what follows this section, this first paragraph here in this. Chapter 3. And that is that he might be speaking about the energetic labors that these people made in trying to achieve salvation by works. You know the works of the law. The making of sacrifices, those kinds of things. All kinds of External ritual. That indeed was a part of the Jewish religion. But they looked upon it as being something that was going to get them saved. OK, now, the mutilated refers to circumcision. A circumcision was not a mutilation. You have to understand this from Paul's point of view. To him, the fact that they were circumcised. Without understanding circumcision, you see, without understanding its spiritual intent was the same thing as mutilating. God's intent, and so he turned the word. Into a a a disparagement. And instead of calling them the circumcised, he called them the mutilated because they were pretending that they were the circumcised. And that's why he says in verse 3 that we are the circumcision. To worship God in the spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh. You know that's what a true Christian does. He worships God in the spirit, rejoices in Christ Jesus, and has no confidence. In the flesh. OK, now. Worships God in the Spirit. John 4:22, 24. Paul talked about or John John talked about that. He is talking here about not worshiping God through externals, that is the doing of ritual or human traditions. OK, the second thing, Who rejoice in Christ Jesus. A Christian takes satisfaction. From knowing that his hope is in Christ. Not in And meticulous conformity to law. Now please understand, Paul is not saying that we are not to keep the law. But a Christian knows that he is going to be saved by grace through faith. And therefore, he does not have to be overly concerned that even though he does break the law, He is not going to be saved or lost merely on the basis of the fact that he has broken a law. If your salvation depends on how well you keep the law, you are going to fail. And so our hope is in Christ Jesus. We know that he already kept the law perfectly. We know that he is at the right hand of God. We know that he is our high priest administering the spirit of God. We know that he is our intercessor before God. Our hope is in those things, not in our meticulous conformity to law. Again, let me hasten to understand, this does not mean that we do not keep law, we do keep law. OK, number 3. It's directly connected to the one that precedes it, that we take or have no confidence in the flesh. We ought to understand thoroughly that human nature cannot produce righteousness before God. Now what this does is it it removes any ground that we have. For human pride before God. We have no case in for boasting. Or being conceited. Or failing to be humble. As a Christian ought to understand that human nature cannot produce the righteousness. To Give us access before God. We are able to access God because of Jesus Christ. So there is no confidence in the flesh. For that kind of thing. It does not mean that we can't have confidence in our abilities. You're a good typist? Great. You're a good driver? Good. You do things well in athletics, we will find. Well, all of those things, even the keeping of the law does not earn us a place before God. That kind of righteousness, God says, is filthy rags. And we go before God on the righteousness of Jesus Christ. So we have no cause for boasting, no basis, no foundation. OK, now, flesh. Let's explain this just a little bit. And the way the apostle Paul uses it. Skin, you see, is flesh, but that's not the way that he is using. Muscle, you see, is flesh. But that's not the way Paul uses it. He is not using it in a literal sense, but rather he is using it in the sense that it stands for all the rounds, you might say, all of the external acts, including our thinking processes. What we do with our hands, what we do with our feet, what we do with our eyes, and what we do with our ears, what we do with our tongue, including. Our Thinking processes, human reason. OK, now Let's see if I can explain this. Human nature and the acts. That it produces is never exactly right. Cause it's already spoiled. Fouled cause we've already said. So, anything that comes out of the flesh. It's already tainted. By the life that has preceded it. And that is not something that is acceptable before God. And so we cannot possibly put any confidence in the flesh. If we have to stand before God, Based upon the things that we do in the flesh. Then all we have earned with our life is death. Because the wages of sin is death. And since we've sinned, And since The only way that we can possibly pay for the sins that we have done is to die. Cause that's all we've earned. How is that going to create life? You say it's impossible. God has us in a sense here, boxed in the corner again. The only way that we can access before him. is to go on the basis of the righteousness of Christ. And so we can do that. Because of faith, faith in his atoning work, faith in the fact that he is there to intercede and to help us and to represent us before God.

JWR/aws/drm

 

 

Sermon Topics

False Gospels

Jesus Christ's Return

Life after Death

Repentance

Resurrection

The Gospel

The Kingdom of God