Monthly Archives: September 2018

Biblical Scholarship, General Articles from Friends, GOSPEL OF JOHN, Leadrship, Philippians- Homiletical Outlines, Thoughts

PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE

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Previously, we looked at Paul’s complete shift of basis of confidence (from confidence in the flesh to confidence in God) as a result of his encounter with Christ. In Philippians 3:12-21, Paul continues to exhort Philippians concerning the gift of salvation. He uses an athletic metaphor to show how a Christian should live in respect to the time past, present, and future.

Read Christian Life as a Race

Past: “Forgetting what is behind”- (v13b)

In respect to the past, Paul reveals, “But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind…”

“To forget” does not mean failure to remember, amnesia/loss of memory, or some sort of brain malfunction. Rather, it means “no longer to be influenced by or affected by.” So, when God forgives us our sins, he promises to remember them no more (Heb 10:17), or no longer hold the sin against us.

Paul found the right antidote to the past. And this was, to simply forget! to bury the past in the past.  But this is not easy process because interestingly, as human beings, we easily remember what we should forget and easily forget what we should remember.

In the former section of this chapter, Paul’s encounter with Christ resulted into losses, in his past life. He lost: Jewish privileges/heritages, status as an educated Pharisee, his fervent zeal to persecute Christians, and cultural/ethnic identity. He lost all for the sake of Christ. Now, he no longer boasted in them but in Christ. Paul chose to let go of this past by forgetting. This wasn’t easy; but it was necessary for him to put off every weight in order to win the race. Clearly, he had to deal with his past in order to enjoy the blessings of God in Christ.

In his past life, Paul was a blasphemer, and a persecutor of the church. This was enough to hold Paul backward. But his surrender to the lordship of Christ unleashed upon his life the abundance of God’s mercy and grace (1 Tim 1:12-17).

Each one of us has a past, some good and some not good. What should we do with it? This Scripture exhorts us to leave the past where it belongs, behind.

Obviously, the past can positively bring some value/wealth of experience, memories of joy, victories, and gratitude to God.

But at the same time, the past can negatively hold memories of failure, loss, sorrow, sin, guilt, grief, regrets, defeat, discouragement, and difficulties.

Satan, the liar and accuser of brethren, would always like to capitalize on this; reminding and burdening believers with the cares of the past; and blinding believers from the marvelous freedom in Christ.

Today, many Christians are weighed/held down by regrets of the past; and as a result, they run the race looking backward like the man ploughing and looking back ((Lk 9:62). If you don’t deal with it rightly, one’s past has the potential to bring a negative force or enslaving/controlling power against you. So apart from forgetting, how else can we deal with our negative/evil/shameful past, once and for all.

We need to confess our sin/curse and put our faith in Jesus- the curse breaker, chain breaker, forgiver, and liberator. You need to confess and renounce your ways of darkness, your hidden involvement with the dark world, your covenant with demons or cultural ties that bring curses, and shame.

The Bible says, “Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill. In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed” (Acts 17:29-31)

It is good to remember that “we cannot change the past, but we can change the meaning of the past.” For example, when Joseph was in the land of Egypt he looked back at the evil committed against him by his brothers and interpreted, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Gen. 50:20). The evil action committed against him, in the past, did not change but Joseph’s understanding of the event changed. He understood the past in light of God’s sovereign power. As a result, he was unable to hold grudge against his brothers.

Don’t limit God’s power upon your past experience, because he can transform it for your own good. He can bring something good out of it. He can give you a good name. He can give you a new song. He can refresh and fill your life with good things. Your best days are not in the past, they are yet to come…

Brethren, to be able to run the race effectively, we need to break the power of the past, by living for the future. This power/force is broken by Jesus Christ. At the same time, we need to extend grace to each other, knowing that the Holy Spirit is working within us to make us new.

Also Read : Reasons why Jesus Did not allow stoning of the Adulterous Woman

Present: “Pressing on”- (v12, 14)

Apostle Paul left the past to belong to the past so that he can concrete on the present. Yesterday’s successes, victories, failures and challenges are irrelevant today. He pressed on like a hunter eagerly pursuing his prey. He truly had a true sense of self-awareness of who he was. He knew that:

-He had not obtained all that has been promised. He had only received a deposit of the full payment, the first fruit of the harvest, and a foretaste of what is to come. So, it is clear in his mind that he’s not received the full blessings of salvation. Meanwhile, according to the previous context (3:9-11), Paul sought:

  • To gain Christ.
  • The righteousness of Christ (v.9; cf. Rom 3:21, 23,25) – Paul did not want self-righteousness but a form of righteousness that comes through faith in Christ.
  • The knowledge of Christ (v8)- Paul confesses “I want to know Christ.”
  • The power of his resurrection–
  • The fellowship of Christ-(v.10-11.
  • Becoming like him in his death- (Phil. 1:29-30; 3:21; Gal. 2:20).
  • Attain the resurrection from the death– Paul believed that the death would be raised (Acts 24:15; 26:6-8; Phil. 3:21), and that he will attain this resurrection.

It should be noted that when Paul wrote this letter, he was already a Christian for over three decades. Despite all this, he still pressed on, in this life-long journey. He desired the fullness of Christ. He was justified, but still desired to go to the deep end of sanctification, knowing Christ more intimately.

Paul knew he was not yet perfect. He was still work in progress. He knew that he had not attained freedom from sin, deliverance from trials and temptations, and had not received glorified body.

He knew he still needed to: battle spiritual battles, manifest the fruit of the Holy Spirit, pray more, follow God’s leading, read God’s word more, fellowship more, be more alert because the enemy prowls around looking for someone to devour (1 Pet. 5:8).

Paul had no sense of entitlement or the feeling ‘I have arrived.’ It is wrong that some Christians today feel that they have arrived. As a result, they think they no longer need to read their Bibles, go to church, preach the gospel, pray, attend fellowships. Paul’s desire reminds us that we should seek to constantly grow spiritually and not to settle on spiritual mediocrity.

Paul knew he has not yet obtained all that is promised at the end of the race.

-He knew he had not yet been made perfect– this is an important admission.

The tough experiences Paul had faced had not made him fully perfect. He still desired perfection and completeness in Christ.

But presently, believers were to realize that the journey to perfection has both dangers and opportunities.

Dangers/Threat: There are Judaizers, “those who live as enemies of the cross of Christ” (3:18). Believers in Christ should beware of this group which:

  • Their destiny is destruction- They oppose the word of life/true gospel.
  • Their god is their stomach- Not interested with honoring Christ but satisfying their selfish-interests (Rom. 16:18).
  • Their glory is shame- They glory in things which they ought to be ashamed of.
  • Their mind is on earthly things- They seek them, and their minds and hearts settled on them.

Opportunity: Believers in Christ are invited to emulate the example of Paul and other faithful believers in Christ (3:17). He had renounced all confidence in the flesh and trusted in God.

Future: Hoping

Believers should have an active hope toward the future.

Paul presses on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called him heavenward in Christ Jesus. How does he achieve this? He focuses on one thing!

“But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.” (v.13b).

Paul had learned the secret of singular focus. This is a secret to success. His focus is on winning the prize! That singular thing focusses his energies and defines what is important (Neh. 6:3; James 1:8).

Many Christians get involved in “many things” or “everything” and by doing so, they get distracted in the race. Only one thing is needed (Mk. 10:21; Lk10:42; Jn 9:25; Ps 27:4).

Related:  Singular Focus in Life

He focuses on:

  • Finishing and Wining- He eyed the victorious end (Acts 20:24); therefore, he had to leave everything that hinders him (Heb. 12:1-3). Like God, we need to deliberately finish what we initiate.
  • Crown/prize- The glorious crown. His eyes focused on the crown. The incorruptible crown.
  • Heavenward identity and calling- Paul lived his dual citizenship responsibly. He also longed for the revelation of the holy city of God (Heb. 11:9,10,14-16).
  • Appearance of Jesus Christ- Eagerly waited for the glorious appearance of Jesus Christ (Rom 8:19, 23,25; 1 Cor. 1:7; Gal 5:5; Heb 9:28).
  • Bringing of everything under one head-
  • Change of our lowly bodies- He longed for a spiritual body that is not subject to weaknesses, disease and death (1 Cor. 15:44).

Related: Faith, hope and Love

Also read: Living in Anticipation of the Lord’s Return

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Attitude Transformation, Faith and culture, Inspiration, Manna for Today, Sermons

Gaining by Losing

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In the first part of Philippians chapter 3 (3:1-11), Paul’s recounts his former and present life. Before his encounter with Christ, Paul based his confidence in the “flesh.” But after his experience with the risen Lord, his life totally changed! He put his confidence in God. In this church, false teachers from the Jewish background had spread false ideas with potential to cause conflicts and divisions. They boasted on external aspects of identity rather than looking at their newfound identity and calling in Christ. Today, believers in Christ should be changed by this transformative message of the gospel. We should be ready to lose in order to gain.

  1. Paul’s Former Basis for Confidence in the Flesh–
  • Circumcised on the Eight day– The false teachers (referred to as ‘dogs’) emphasized on the need of the Jewish rite of circumcision beside believing in Christ. Circumcision practice was usually celebrated among the Jewish people as a sign of God’s covenant with Abraham (Gen 17:14). To the Jewish people, it was a mark of identity and belonging. Paul claims he can validly boast because he was circumcised in exact compliance with the law (Gen 17:12; Lev. 12:3; Lk 1:59). Gentiles were “uncircumcised”
  • Of the people of Israel– Paul descended from the patriarch Jacob; and as an average Jew, he could trace his family lineage all the way to Abraham. He was a true member of God’s covenant people. He was not a Samaritan, proselyte, God-fearer or pagan…
  • From the tribe of Benjamin– We know that Benjamin was the most favorite son of Jacob. Significantly, it was one of the remnant tribes that remained with Judah (also godly) and when the other ten tribes seceded (1 Kings 12:21).
  • Hebrew of Hebrews– An expression expressing the superlative degree. Although born in a pagan country, Tarsus, his parents were Hebrews and so he was a true Jew with no ‘mixed blood’.
  • Pharisee, regarding the law– the Pharisees were the strictest sect within Judaism, with legalistic interpretation of the law of Moses (Acts 23:6-9; 26:5). Paul was a well-trained Pharisee.
  • Zealous Jew– Due to his devotion and zeal to safeguard the law and Judaism, Paul persecuted the church of Jesus Christ.
  • In the eyes of the law– Legally, faultless and righteous. Paul’s former righteousness was obtained by observation of the law. He could pride over other the legal standing because in the eyes of the law he was by far better than any other Jews and Gentiles.

From what we have looked at, Paul had a strong basis to boast or to glory in his Jewish-related privileges. He could boast of his cultural identity (ethnicity), what he has done (merits) and what he has not done (to break the law). These are the things (confidence in the flesh) that the false teachers, Judaizers, promoted and boasted about. They boasted about

This may look distant to us, but the point is real. In most cases, are tempted to take rely/pride in our tribes (as regrouping points), connections, wealth, jobs, experience, politicians, families, birth/inherited privileges, education, etc. These are good things but can become ‘idols’ when we use them as yardsticks of everything. Going by these distinctions will not help the body of Christ; these looks at the outside and not the inside. It focuses on standards set by men and not by God.

  1. But Something Radical Happened…

Saul encountered Christ Jesus. In his Damascus road experience, he realized that he had all along been blind without knowing. He realized he had been attaching value on wrong things. He realized that he had been basing his life on a wrong foundation- “flesh.” He realized that his zeal was devoid of knowledge. He realized that he was so lost that he direly needed a bearing for a true salvation. he realized that he was wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.

When his eyes were opened, he realized that truth and life are not abstract concepts but a person.

And so, he had to scale down from the ladder that leaned on the “flesh” in order to climb up the right ladder that leans on “God.”

Entirely, his encounter with Jesus Christ transformed his mind, world view, and heart. The life of the new Paul was never the same again.

Have you had this encounter with Jesus?

 III. What Did this Transformative Encounter Lead to?

Paul now considered what was formerly profit a LOSS. He literally began a journey of losing. Christianity is a journey of losing and gaining. He started detaching value from what is worthless and putting value on what is praiseworthy and eternal. He now wanted to glory/boast in Christ.

What was formerly an advantage was now a loss, for the sake of Christ (v.7, 8). He realized that the very things that led him by the nose like a bull were the very things that hindered him from coming to the true faith in Christ. Now they are a loss. He now considers them all a “rubbish” (refuse, what is thrown away as worthless, chaff, refuse of a table, or of slaughtered animals, and then filthy of any kind), he no longer depends on them. He no longer esteems rites (circumcision), ethnicity, or birth privileges. Instead, he now has an identity defined by his relationship with Christ.

In Philippi, the slave girl lost her demonic gift, reputation, and power to predict the future and to earn money out of it. The disciples gave up everything- houses, brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, fields for Christ’s sake (Matt.19:29). For our behalf, Jesus gave up- his riches (2 Cor. 8:9), glory, joys of heaven to be a ‘man of sorrows’, immunity from temptation so as to be tempted, etc. (Phil 2:6-11). Many have lost friends, names, property, social exclusion, and abandonment.

Are there some things that you have lost as a result of your union with Christ?  Can you be able to say:

I no longer live the life I used to live; sing the songs I used to sing; eat the food I used to eat; drinks what I used to drink. I am able to truly say: I no longer talk the way I used to talk; go to places I used to go; think the way I used to think; or do what I used to do…. Have we suffered loss/renounced/given up some behaviors, attitudes, shameful ways (2 Cor. 4:2), patterns of the past (2 Cor. 5:17)?

We always sing, ‘count your blessings’; perhaps it is also good to think of ‘counting our loses’

Paul lost all things, but he gained much more than he lost.

What is it that has happened since Christ come into your heart? Are there loses? Have you lost attachment to the ways of the world or people of the world? The problem we have today is that we have many Christians who are unwilling to lose attachment to the (things of the) world. What is it that was formerly dear that you’ve now considered to be rubbish, FOR THE SAKE OF CHRIST.

IV. Things That Paul Wanted to gain (V. 8-11):

By losing “all” Paul did not want to remain empty. Rather, he wanted to be filled by God with worthy, valuable and eternal things. He wanted to receive what is true bread (Isa 55:1-2). He wanted his thirsty to be quenched once and for all (Jn 4:14).

So, what did he seek in exchange? Paul sought:

  • To gain Christ– Christ was the treasure that apostle Paul sought. Christ is the all in all. Secondly, Paul wanted to be found in him-united with Christ.
  • The righteousness of Christ (v.9; cf. Rom 3:21, 23,25) – Paul did not want self-righteousness but a form of righteousness that comes through faith in Christ.
  • The knowledge of Christ (v8)- Paul confesses “I want to know Christ.” Although he had walked with Chrsit for about three decades, Paul still desired a continual intimate/personal relationship with God. To know God is to: know Jesus Christ, walk as Jesus did, and to obey his commands. He wanted to know of his love that surpasses all understanding (Eph 3:19).
  • The power of his resurrection– Paul wanted to continue to know the power that raised Christ from the dead-the power that is now at work in us, the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8; Rom. 1:16; Col. 3:1). This is the same power that quickened us when we were death in our transgressions and sins; the power that brought us to salvation, sustaining us, the power that will present us before God.
  • The fellowship of Christ-(v.10-11)- The fellowship of sharing in his suffering. Similar experience to the baptism experience. Paul desired to suffer like and with Christ so that hw will be overjoyed when is glory is revealed (1 Pet 4:13; Col 1:24). He had a proper perspective of the present pain versus the future gain.
  • Becoming like him in his death- United with Christ in his death- 3:21. Baptism figure. Crucified with Christ… (Gal. 2:20; Phil. 1:29-30).
  • Attain the resurrection from the death– Paul believed that the death would be raised (Acts 24:15; 26:6-8; Phil. 3:21) that he will attain this resurrection. He hopes for that glorious resurrection of those who died in the Lord.

knowing christ

Concluding Thoughts:

Jesus as the single greatest treasure that is worth everything (Matt. 13:44-45)

If you have not lost anything then you have not gained anything.

Paul gained far more than he lost.

If you have not detached yourself from the world then you have not learned the secret of attachment to Christ.

“He is no fool to give what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Jim Elliot

gain by losing

I AM STATEMENTS, Philippians- Homiletical Outlines, Sermons, Thoughts, Uncategorized

SHINNING LIKE STARS (IN A DARK WORLD)

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STARS.jpg

The first half of Philippians chapter 2 deals with Jesus Christ, our example in love, humility, suffering, compassion, and obedience. Believers are exhorted to have the same attitude that was in Christ Jesus (2:5).

But Philippians 2:12–30, a text of focus in this write-up, shows how believers can shine like stars in the universe. The key question that this pericope raises is: How can we shine like stars in a dark world (see Phil. 2:15b; Matt. 5:14).

Paul reminded the Philippian believers that they lived in a “crooked and depraved generation”. A language drawn from Deut. 32:5, 20 describing the wilderness/tangatanga generation. A generation that did not shine for God but were characterized with ungodliness and rebellion. It was a generation that was ungrateful, always complaining, and unbelieving. Jesus also talked of a “perverse generation” (Matt. 17:17), and apostle Peter talked of a “corrupt generation” (Acts 2:40).

But in what sense are we today living in a “crooked and depraved generation”? People live as enemies of God, do not value or believe the truth… Most people have turned their backs on God.

So, we have a unique role to fulfil in a dark world- That is, not to leave but to live and shine the light of Christ.

Biblical Principles that can help us shine like Stars in a Dark world:

  1. Work out your salvation with fear and trembling (v.12-13)- Our God-given gracious gift of salvation requires some working out. It is like a baby that should be nursed to maturity, it is like a investment that needs to be multiplied, it is like a farm that need to be cultivated…. This is a daily activity.

Salvation is such a precious gift from God that we should hold it dearly and treasure it.  It should be done “With fear and trembling”- knowing that by our own, with our weaknesses and unworthiness, we cannot make it (Jn. 15:5). But that God works in us… to accomplish his good purpose.

The external world may be full of darkness, but our hearts are continually lit by the light and hope of salvation. The Spirit of God works in us to bring to completion the good work that God has begun.

So, we have a responsibility to nurture our spiritual lives. Thankfully, God enables us in this process.

Spiritual growth does not happen by chance or by wish. It takes hard work. Beware of the real danger of being nominal and lukewarm. Maturity and Christian character is not achieved unless we take deliberate steps of denial and sacrifice.

Read:  The Role of Holy Spirit in the Spiritual Formation in the life of a believer

  1. Do everything without complaining or arguing (v. 14-15)– Note that these verbs are in present tense highlighting the idea of continuity of the behavior. Paul might have been thinking about the wilderness generation who complained to Moses and to God (Ex. 16:7; Num 11:11; Cor. 10:10). Most likely Philippians were complaining (to God and each other) and arguing (with each other); which is a sin. God hates complaining. Complaining makes us unholy and impure. We cannot shine like stars in our generation when in our speech we are always full of complaining like everybody else around us. We need to develop a grateful spirit.

Through all trials and suffering Jesus underwent, he did not complain. Do (much of the complaining/discontentment deals with things we ‘do’- see the story of Jesus, Mary and Martha) everything without complaining. The root cause of complaining is rebellion and disobedience; Israelites for example complained because they did not want to do what the Lord wanted them to do.

Remember, Jesus, our example, went through trials and endured without complain.

Related: Complaining Spirit Vs Thankful Spirit

  1. Hold fast/firmly the word of life (v. 16)-

The word is the gospel. It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes (Rom 1:16). It is a powerful word that is able to transform people’s lives. It is the word that brought things into being that were not (Gen. 1) and calmed a raging storm (Matt. 12:13).  It is the word that can release divine power in our lives. The Thessalonians received this word and treated it specially, not as words of men (1 Thess. 2:13). It is powerful and authoritative word in matters of faith and practice. It reveals, nourishes, perfects.

The word of God is qualified by ‘life’ (cf. 1 Jn. 1:1). The word gives life (it is the spiritual food that sustains a Christian- Jn 6:63). It is the word of life because it proclaims the true life in Christ; it is a message of salvation and new life Acts 13:26; 5:20). It is what offers life in a lifeless world. It is what brings light in a dark world.

Philippians, just like us today, were reminded to “hold firmly”/believing this word till the return of Christ.

  1. Always Rejoice, be glad (v. 17-18)– Whatever outcome of the trial Paul rejoiced in Christ because the name of Christ will be eventually honored. God’s control over every circumstance should cause us to always rejoice.

Paul viewed his death as imminent; and saw himself being “poured out like a drink offering” (being an act of worship); a similar language used in 2 Timothy 4:6. But still Paul counted all possible eventualities joy!

  1. Honoring good examples in our midst (v. 19-30)- Paul singled out Timothy and Epaphroditus for their critical role in his missionary life and activity. These two were unique gifts from God to paul and his ministry. God gave Paul a vision but he also raised people to support him.

Timothy– He was a spiritual son of Paul, who had joined him during his second missionary journey. He was raised us by a Jewish mother and a Gentile father. Paul had something to mention about him.

Paul confessed “I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare”. In a generation where young men took care of their own interests first, in a world where preachers preached what people’s itching ears wanted to hear, Timothy stood out as one who dearly loved God and His people.

Paul had certainly observed this over time to have said this of Timothy. Paul must have noticed his genuine concern and passion for God’s people and for the growth of the churches planted.  To Paul, Timothy was a rare example to be honored and emulated. He had God’s people in his mind and earth. Paul hoped to send him so that he can receive news about the Philippians.

To be able to administer to Paul in his difficult situation, Timothy must have had a servant heart. He is an example to all even today.

Epaphroditus– He was a Gentile believer who had been send by the Philippian church to attend to Paul’s needs and to deliver church’s “gift” (financial support) to Paul (Phil. 4:18). Paul highly commends this individual, he is a: brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, and messenger.

He became ill, when with Paul, and almost died but God had mercy on him.

The church of Philippi and these two individuals were among the key churches and associates of Paul behind Paul’s successful ministry among the Gentiles. As God gives a vision, he also brings right people/groups to support the mission.

What were Philippians supposed to do with them? The Philippians were to honor and welcome such men- people who risk their lives (all) for the sake of the gospel and ministers of the gospel. A fake shepherd would not risk their lives for the sheep.

They were to emulate and honor them. The world may not accord honor, value, or recognize their efforts but the church and believers should. They were diligent and faithful servants of God. They may not lay them a red-carpet or scrubbing of streets; but should be received honorably and heartily.

Like Jesus, these two took the roles of a servant. How many of such people do we have today?

Concluding Thoughts: 

Sometimes we feel the darkness around us is overwhelming. But we are called to shine like stars in the universe. Don’t be bothered by darkness around us, stars shine brighter when it is darker. Darkness brings them out. May God raise godly and resourceful people along our paths to nurture the gift of God in us into fruition. Those who shine for God NOW, will in the coming kingdom shine like stars forever (Dan 12:3)

STAR

Related: making a difference in an ungodly generation

Also Read: How can we sing a Lord’s song in a strange land