"Paul's Heart-Rending Message"; Philippians Chapter 2
ZADOK PUBLICATIONS - Dr. C. R. OLIVER
December 1, 2018
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December 1, 2018 "Paul's Heart-Rending Message" Philippians Chapter 2 Introduction: Before entering Philippians 2, remember how Chapter One ended with three admonitions:
With these tenants in mind (along with the entire first chapter), one can understand Paul's use of three "Therefore Gates" in this chapter (vs. 1, 9, 12). Each of these "Therefore Gates" build on what was said previously. They serve as doorways to the next level of understanding. They are transitional in many ways by assuming the question: "Do you fully comprehend what was just said?" THERFORE GATE NO.1: Verse one opens the door to the very inner being of this great Apostle, who begins with four rhetorical questions. Each one is really a statement of belief when the reader drops the "if… any."
Writing from the Roman prison, Paul's main thrust was: "Do we believe the same things?" (Which is a valid question today among Christians.) Paul addresses being "like minded" five times in this chapter alone. I believe he understood the divisiveness of theology and took it out of that realm into a discussion of the inner man. Consolation depicts the "solace" one feels while walking alongside Christ. Yes, there is consolation in Christ! It's like the Emmaus Road experience wrapped in a word. Pretense is gone and only the fellowship of companionship remains. The same is pictured in the comfort of love. Through love comes a breaking down of walls of resistance and becomes a bulwark against mistrust. Love is seen in facial expressions and eyes, experienced in the message of the voice as it creates an atmosphere of caring. It is the base of faith. So, when one experiences the "fellowship of the Spirit," a different perspective rules. (Fellowship in the Spirit is on a different level of interaction, for it reaches into spiritual understanding and surpasses worldly considerations. It is sometimes an "instant knowing" of another's belief system without asking. It is a supernatural equation requiring an openness between persons and a feeling of, "It seems as if I have known this person or persons for a long time." (Here, it is an entering into the life and being of another, which involves a mutuality almost unknown in the modern church setting.) Paul's use of the word "affection" conveys "interaction on a deeper level." The isolation and insulation of individuals within the body of believers today often inhibits such involvement in another's life. Without these four ingredients, thousands of church folk will never experience the "tender mercies" available from the kind of fellowship Paul envisioned for the Philippian church. King David understood these factors came from God to man. In Psalm 103 he said,
Paul urged them to make his joy about them complete by being like-minded and of "one mind." He introduced the ingredient that should be the essence of the church. Unity! Unity can be arrived at by no other means. Having the "same love" and "being in one accord" smells different than the taciturn atmosphere of most religions. Unity is a sweet-smelling savor to God and God's people.
The "mind, will and emotions" of congregates soon become the corporate mind of the church, and this factor alone speaks volumes about a church (which is greater evidence of what a church really practices, regardless of its dynamic worship services, magnificent media production or public image). Paul's admonition about selfish ambition would make a wonderful sermon, but just who would preach it? (Especially when the Greek word actually says "let nothing be done by strife or vain-glory.") "Lowliness of mind" is the antithesis of vain-glory. It is this kind of mind that "esteems others better than himself" and "looks out for the interest of others as well as for themselves." To be a part of a fellowship where these traits prevail would be refreshing in these days. Things coming upon the earth will one day necessitate such behavior for mutual survival. Next, is a verse well quoted and famous.
Jesus' mind in the believer is a matter of "letting." Verse thirteen says this is facilitated by God, who "works in us both to will and to do for His good pleasure." To think like Jesus means that fear and doubt flee. Perfect confidence of communication with the Father becomes a continual reality, as well as a constant assurance of His will (all this comes with His mind). This is the mind Paul displayed and what defined his preachment about the mindset of believers. Later, Paul outlined what a Christ Mind's thought pattern should be (Philippians 4:6). Notice the bold segments in verses 7 and 8. Jesus "made Himself of no reputation." Is that a model for those of His mind? He "humbled Himself and became obedient." These are voluntary acts flowing from His person (His heart). This defined who He is and those actions flowing out of the believer's being defines them as well. Vain-glory cannot connect with "the glory of God." Every temptation satan used against Jesus contained the element of "vain-glory." Jesus, whom John defined beautifully as the "Word was God," emptied himself of his privileges and became a servant. He came as a man and humbled himself in obedience to the will of God (the cross). THEREFORE GATE NO. 2
What was the end result of Jesus' actions? He was highly exalted and given a name above every name. Verse nine declares that every knee will bow; every tongue, wherever it resides, will confess "Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Hallelujah! Christ's mind is the kind of mind Paul was describing in this second chapter. Paul humbly displayed this as the mind he possessed. Christ's mind should be ours as well. His mind in us allows us to use His Name, for His Name is above every Name. His Name is above sicknesses and demons and circumstances; they all must bow before Him. Who can capture all the ramifications of using His Name? Paul does a great job when he encapsulates the foundational aspects in six verses (vvs.5-11). THEREFORE GATE NO. 3
Passing into the third "Therefore Gate" brings one into some of the most beautiful descriptions of the Christian walk to be found in Paul's epistles. He is writing to his beloved church body with pathos. First, he acknowledges their faithfulness in obeying the voice of the Lord. Clearly, obedience was better than sacrifice even in Paul's absence. It is one thing to be very upright when the prophet is present, but what happens when he is away (v.12)? Second, Paul set the stage for "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" as a lifelong pursuit for the things God has deposited in the believer. Talents, opportunities and spiritual attributes are things that manifest themselves as one is prompted in the Spirit to obediently "mine" for the treasures of His will. Paul is referring to those facets that make for the uniqueness of the individual believer which God has planned for in the great scheme of history; His point is made in his use of "fear" and "trembling," which are the attributes of "reverential awe and humility." Seeking God's will for one's life is not a casual investigation. It is a daily and continual process. "Work out what has been worked in," explained one commentator. God, working in the believer, generates cooperation with His will and from that obedience comes action in His will (which is pleasing to Him). Third, one must do His will without complaining and disputing. When someone knows he is "in" the will of God, the struggle against it ceases. A pastor recently said, "I was not pleased with my surroundings or circumstances, but I knew it was God's will for me to serve in this particular place." (Such was his confidence, for he served that small community for over forty years. However, he now finds himself in a worldwide Religious Media.) Look at the results of this pursuit of Divine origin: one stands Blameless, Harmless, a Child of God, without fault and shining as lights in a dark world. Does this describe you? It should! Verses 14-16, concisely picture the general will of God for every believer. Since Paul's time, believers have lived in the midst of "crooked and perverse generations," so this scripture is for the current time as well. If ever there was a time for Christians to shine, it is now. Notice how this light is to be used in the "midst" of gross darkness. There is no room for timidity. How is this to be accomplished? It is done.by holding fast the word of life. Taking a firm grip on the Word through faith is the key!
Paul wanted to rejoice now and in the last days, showing his labors had not been in vain. Little did he know, in that prison cell, his epistles would span the world and impact all ages, especially affecting the current generation. For in this we rejoice with him and tighten our grip on Paul's Bible truths.
Paul's reference to a "drink offering" is a valuable description of his inmost being. The drink offering was poured out before the Lord because there was to be no portion which could be redeemable. It was like pouring out his inward being on the sacrificial altar and seeking no retraction. He was akin to Jacob at Bethel.
At this point, Paul directed his attention to matters at hand and commended Timothy and Epaphroditus to them, each with a special task. The Philippi Church supported Paul's endeavors when others did not and he was grateful. He wanted to hear how the Lord was repaying them and rejoice in their testimonies about it. By sending Timothy as one of the family, "like a son," their reticence to share would be diminished.
Verses 20-21 offer insight into church behavior during early times (a matter which still prevails). Thousands of congregations are defined by verse 21. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. Name building, crowd pleasing, empire erecting and resource centered ministries abound with full congregational support in many places in modern times. Verse 21 flashes like an irrefutable summary statement of spiritual indictment against such behavior. God help us all! But it doesn't have to continue-things can and must change and will, through the unity of having the same mind of Christ. When preachers lay emphasis on these areas, an awakening must occur! Verse 23 indicates how Paul did not know the extent of his further incarceration, but showed his desire to visit Philippi upon his release. Until such time, he was sending Epaphroditus with further duties for him.
It would pay to read several times the underlined verse 25. What a marvelous commendation from the Apostle Paul. Brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier are accolades that hail to persons of rare distinction. Would to God there were more! Fellowship in the Flame of two hearts linked in Christian love with that kind of unanimity is an estate shared by few. Billy Sunday had Gypsy Smith, Billy Graham had Cliff Barrows and George Beverly Shay for example. God brings together those couplings that breathe the same rarified air through experiences only known to each other. Such is the case with Paul and Epaphroditus. Even in sickness, near death, he ministered. That kind of relationship cannot be purchased in the world market. Such connectivity is bonded only by the Spirit and blessed are those who are so linked. The church at Philippi was instructed to receive him with "gladness and high esteem." Epaphroditus was one of God's dignitaries, a trait often missed in the appraisals of men. He held an ethic few have emulated, yet is a vital part of Revelation 12 ("and they loved not their life to the death"). "For the work of Christ, he came close to death, not regarding his life." Through the ages, men and women have embraced this trait and laid down their lives for service to Christ. Heaven alone will witness a grand awakening as to who they are and the saint's rejoicing will be immense. Somehow, the Philippian church had not supplied enough and Epaphroditus took it upon himself to fill the gap. In doing so, he exhausted and hazarded himself as a personal sacrifice to God and His servant. Many testimonies of such faithfulness never find themselves in the chronicles of history-but they are recorded in God's book of remembrance. Such lives are not in vain. When Paul gave God glory for Epaphroditus' recovery, one gains insight to Paul's spirit.
We are not privy to the amount of sorrow endured by this servant of the Lord, but somehow it must have been great enough to elicit this comment. Often castigated by men, beaten, misunderstood, falsely accused, condemned by organized religion, slighted by society, imprisoned and shackled are but some of the contributors to a hard life, but none so devastating as being betrayed by those claiming the gospel. When one's sorrow turns to joy, God is in it! Paul was candid in his comments and open in his address to the Philippian congregation. It is time to be "real" again with each other and for preachers to be candid and open as we all seek the mercy of God for ourselves and in world matters. Until Next month, Dr. Cosby R. Oliver, PhD. |
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Last modified: 02/07/2019