This morning we come not only to the last Lord's day in 2004, but also to the conclusion of our study of Paul's epistle to the Philippians. It has been a wonderful study for me in prodding me to have a more godly outlook and response to the things that go on in life. I hope it has done the same for you in helping and prodding all of us to be able to rejoice in all circumstances.

 

Over the last month we have been dealing with the issues of contentment and have found that the common understanding of contentment, defined by Webster as the state or quality of "being satisfied, not displeased," is not adequate to describe the contentment Paul describes in Philippians 4:11. Webster's definition can also be used of both complacency or something temporary, which is the kind of contentment many people find in the various philosophies that man has developed for himself in trying to find meaning to life. They may develop a sense of peace or calm, but complacency or something temporary is a sad substitute for the internal peace and confidence that God wants us to learn.

 

For the last couple of sermons we have been talking about being content. Webster defines contentment as: the state or quality of "being satisfied, not dis-pleased," but that definition can also be used of both complacency or something temporary. Everyone has times when things go the way that they like and they are pleased. They are content for the moment by Webster's definition, but circumstances change and when things are not pleasing the sense of satisfaction also disappears. Even when things continue well, that sense of pleasure that comes with achieving some goal quickly diminishes resulting in a loss of contentment. The contentment that some gain from their complacency is a sad substitute for true contentment. Many people, including some professing Christians find this kind of contentment through one of various philosophies that Satan has used to deceive man, but Webster's definition is not adequate for the contentment God wants us to learn.

 

How many of you are content this morning? Some of you may answer that differently this morning than you did a couple of weeks ago considering the definition that I gave then based on Paul's statement in Phil. 4:11 that he has "learned to be content."

 

Webster defines contentment as: the state or quality of being satisfied, not displeased. How many people, including yourself, feel that way? - Satisfied, not displeased.

 

Turn to Philippians 4 again this morning as we continue our study of verses 8 & 9. Staring in verse 4 we read as follows:

 

Paul gives us God's command in Philippians 4:4 to "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice!" Yet, so many professing Christians live life with only minimal joy. Why? Why do so many people who say they know Jesus Christ as their Savior and therefore bound for heaven live more in a manner like they are on a journey headed to either purgatory or hell? When you go on a journey to someplace you want to go, the goal of reaching that destination not only drives you on to reach it, but it also affects your attitude while your making the trip. Lets face it, a trip to the dentist is always more somber than a trip to your favorite restaurant. Why then such somberness, melancholy, and even depression among those that say they are going to Heaven?

 

Anxiety and worry. Two words to describe the condition of feeling disturbed or even depressed through fear regarding some event or outcome (Webster). It has also been described as the "interest paid on trouble before it falls due." The Biblical Greek word for worry, merimnavw / merimna', means "to be drawn in different directions," and is derived from a root meaning "to be thoughtful" and related to another word meaning "to remember." To be anxious, to worry, is to be troubled with cares. The uncertainty of the future causes the mind to go back and forth about the possible outcomes and how to react to them. At times, it feels like you're tied between two horses that are pulling in opposite directions.

 

Most of you are aware that Grace Bible Church has been hit with some pretty hard blows in the last month. We have an adversary that has been working overtime to get us off track and destroy God's ministry here if possible. The hardest hitting blow has only recently revealed itself, and we are still finding out the length, breadth and depth of it. The nature of this blow is related to what I can only describe as our adversaries exploitation of a personal offense or offenses into a web of grumbling and complaining that has strained and even broken some relationships; disrupted and damaged some of our ministries, some seriously; cast doubt on our church leaders and assassinated my character which has greatly hindered the teaching ministry to some. I believe that problems of this nature need to be faced head on, so this morning we are going to back to Philippians 2:14 to talk about grumbling and disputing and how to replace that with rejoicing.

 

Have you ever had one of those period of times when things just don't seem to be working out the way you would like them? (I know, some of you think that is your life). That has been true for my family the last month or so. Just before we went down to see my folks in Mississippi the dishwasher stopped working. (We have since found that jamming the door closed with a stick seems to work). I went to the basement to get something and noticed the dehumidifer, which keeps the mold down there at bay, was not working. A half hour later I finally found the problem was a kink in the hose where the line goes into the sewer. Then there is my refrigerator. It has one of those ice and water dispensers in the door. I was sitting at the table talking with Dan Fredericks, who was our speaker last week and for the IFCA Conference on Monday and Tuesday, when the dispenser just stated shooting water on the floor. It is disconnected now, but at least I now know why there had been puddles in front of the refrigerator lately. It really wasn't the kids. Finally, I sat down to work on this sermon yesterday and the computer monitor decided it was a good time to die. So I moved a monitor over from another computer and got back to work.

 

How do you react when your personal circumstances turn sour? What is your response to personal trials whether they be financial, career, medical or personal conflict? If you are a normal person, depending on the particular situation, you might react with either some level of anger from mild irritation to being outright mad, or some level of disappointment ranging from mild discouragement to full depression. Normal humans usual respond to situations that block their goals with some level of anger, and they respond to goals that now appear to be unreachable with some level of depression.

 

There is an old story about four men traveling on a train in England in one of those compartment where two seats face one way, and the other two seats face them. These men did not know each other, but in the course of conversation, one of the men said that he could accurately guess the occupation of the other three.

 

How do you deal with conflict? People handle it all sorts of different ways. Some seek to just avoid it by either running away from it or by appeasing their enemies. Some go to the opposite extreme and almost seem to welcome it if not instigate it themselves. Then there are those who will not back down from their core issues of belief, yet will also seek to find common ground in which compromise can be made and the issues resolved. While that introduction could be a good introduction to a political speech since the major political parties and candidates differ so much on the issues related to dealing with those that hate America and seek our harm, our interest this morning is dealing with conflict in the church.

 

Paul begins the fourth chapter of Philippians saying, "Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, so stand firm in the Lord, my beloved." The "therefore" tells us that what Paul is going to say in this chapter is predicated in all that he has already said. So as a quick review is in order. What is Philippians all about? This wonderful book is about being able to rejoice in the Lord in all circumstances. It is tragic that so many professing Christians live their life without that joy because they either continue to keep one foot in the world, or they do not believe God's promises, or both.

 

This morning we are going to take a short break in our study of Philippians in order to expand on a theological subject that was brought up in our study of Philippians 3:20,21 last week. In that passage Paul calls on the Philippian believers to follow his example in living for God and "pressing on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." In verse 20 he gives them one of the reasons for doing this. "For our citizenship is in heaven." Paul was calling on them to live according to what they actually were in Christ. We discussed the meaning and ramifications of being a citizen of heaven last week, so I will not repeat it again here except to say that the Christian is even now a citizen of heaven though we are still on earth. All the benefits and responsibilities belong to us now, though we will not be able to experience all of them until we are in heaven. One of those benefits will be the transformation of our physical bodies into spiritual bodies that will be like Jesus Christ. The physical pains and limitations that are upon us now will be done away with as we are transformed from perishable to imperishable, and from mortal to immortal (1 Cor. 15).

 

Last week I spoke about the importance of following a good example. In Philippians 3:17 Paul calls us to "join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us." You will become like those you seek to imitate, so it is very important that those you seek to imitate, your heroes, are worthy models to follow.

 

Who are your heroes? Why are they your heroes? Do they fit the examples God has left for us as true heroes? I want you to understand what God says in his word about those we hold out to be models for our own behavior and attitudes. Too often I find people who profess to know and love Jesus Christ who hold in high esteem the ungodly. They have the wrong heroes!

 

Do you ever consider the Christian walk to be difficult, like it is always an uphill climb? Maybe your doing okay, but does there still seem a long way to go? Perhaps you have even become weary and tired or even a little frustrated at times? I have felt that way at times.

 

Different interests are important to different people to differing degrees, but all of us have our lives marked by, if not controlled by, those interests that we deem to be the most important. Very commonly people become known for their particular trade or profession. We even commonly refer to a person and then add in what they do for a living as a source of further identification - i.e. there is so and so, he is a carpenter, auto mechanic, medical doctor, policeman, fireman, etc., or there is so and so, she runs her own business, or works for so and so, or is a "stay at home mom." People are also commonly marked by the non-work activities in which they have a great interest. So is so is a sports fan (of various types), an outdoorsman, a hobbiest (of various kinds), a political activist, a musician, etc. There are also those that are known for their religious involvement. Such a man was the Paul.

 

This morning we return to our study of the book of Philippians. Personally, I have enjoyed and greatly benefitted from our study of the first half of this book, and I pray that you have as well. This morning we begin our study of chapter 3 in which Paul returns to his main theme of rejoicing, after writing about the more personal subjects of Timothy coming to them and the reasons for Ephaphroditus' return. We will only be examining verses 1-7 this morning, but since those verses occur in a passage that runs through verse 16, let us begin by reading that whole section to set the context.

 

How important is your example? Our society, which has a Greek view of education, places is secondary to academics. We, like the ancient Greeks, tend to view the ability to repeat back information as the evidence of learning. We esteem people who earn college degrees, sometimes despite their actual abilities. But Jesus said in Luke 6:40, "a pupil (disciple) is not above his teacher, but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher." He was talking about a lot more here than just a knowledge base.

 

We have been studying Philippians 2:14-16 the last couple of weeks and have learned about the importance of not grumbling and disputing and of having a character that is blameless, innocent and above reproach. The better that you are doing at these things, the better you are proving that you are indeed a child of God who is living in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation among whom you appear as a light in the world. Even so, these things are not always easy to do. In fact, without the Holy Spirit's help, they are impossible to do. Why? First, we do live in the midst of a crooked and perverse society and it is very easy to given into its pressures and do what everyone else does. Second, we come out of that society when we are saved and our natural inclination is to either continue in or go back to our old habits.

 

Last week I introduced the passage of Scripture that we will be studying this morning, Philippians 2:14,15, by examining verse 14. As a way of setting the context for our examination of verse 15, let me quickly review.

 

Have you ever worked hard at something and then had those you prepared it for complain about how it did not meet their expectations? Perhaps you fixed you a very nice dinner and then had the kids turn their noses up at it. Perhaps you decided to put off getting something you have wanted for awhile so that you could buy your child a special toy, and then when you gave it to them they complained it was not the more expensive model their friends have. Or perhaps you remember doing something that was hard for you to do, but all your parents did was mutter something about how much more difficult it was when they were a kid. Or maybe you have to work with one of those people that always must take some other view. If you say red, they say green. If you say 6 feet high, they say 5' 6" high. If you say good, they say not so good. I think all of us can agree that grumbling, complaining and arguing is frustrating. How much worse are these things when they occur among the people of God?

 

Context: This morning we come in our study to Philippians 2:12,13. This is a passage that is, as Martyn Lloyd-Jones put it, "perhaps one of the most perfect summaries of the Christian life to be found anywhere," and at the same time, it is one of the more frequently disputed passages of Scripture. Like so many other passages, the major reason for the disputing is that men too often dissect Scripture and put the pieces into their theological boxes instead of taking in the whole meaning within its context first.

 

Last week we examined the humility of our Lord Jesus Christ that serves as the example for our own attitude. The point of this whole passage is that humility is the practical means by which Christians are able to conduct themselves worthy of the gospel and stand firm in one spirit with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel (1:27). Humility is the key to unity in the church. It is humility that allows us to actually consider others as more important than ourselves and look out for the interest of others instead of just our own (2:3,4).

 

Turn in your Bibles this morning to Philippians 2 as we come to the passage that describes the most humble person and most humble action that has ever occurred in all time which is Jesus Christ, the second person of the triune Godhead, becoming a man to pay the penalty of our sins with His own life.

 

We will continue our study of the book of Philippians this morning by examining 2:1-4 and the reasons, requirements and basis for unity within the church. In one sense, this study of unity would seem to have little application to our church at present because at present we have a high degree of unity within our church. I am not aware of any factions or divisions among our people. Yet at the same time, this could not be a better time to speak about unity within the church because it does take work to maintain it. If we are to remain unified, then we must be committed to that work as well as the importance, characteristics and basis for unity.

 

How should a Christian live? What characteristics should make a true Christian stand out from non-Christians and those with a false profession of faith? Paul will give us some answers to these questions this morning in our study of Philippians 1:27- 30.

 

What is the purpose of life? The answer to that question will vary with each person asked. So more specifically, what is the purpose of your life? Paul clearly understood the purpose of his life and it gave him the confidence to live it to its fullest potential. The same can be true for each of us if we will follow Paul's example. Turn to Phil. 1. Our study this morning will focus on verses 19-26, but since the first phrase of verse 19, "for I know that this . . .", refers back to the previous 6 verses, we will start by reading from verse 12. "Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in [the cause of] Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; the latter [do it] out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice, yes, and I will rejoice. For I know that this shall turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I shall not be put to shame in anything, but [that] with all boldness, Christ shall even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if [I am] to live [on] in the flesh, this [will mean] fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both [directions,] having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for [that] is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. And convinced of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again."

 

There is an old joke about four men in England that were all seated in the same booth on a train. During the course of conversation, one of them men boasted that he could correctly guess the occupations of the others solely by his observations of them. They agreed to let him try and so he carefully looked at the first man and declared that he was a banker. The man was surprised by the correct assessment and asked how he knew. He replied it was his manner of dress, his briefcase and professional demeanor. He then looked at the second man and correctly assessed that he was a printer based on the stains on his hands and the smell of ink. He then looked at the third man who had been fairly quite, looked a bit pale with a very somber face and guessed he was a clergyman. The man protested that he was not, but had just been sick lately.

 

As Paul writes his letter to the believers in the Macedonian city of Philippi, he is facing some very difficult circumstances. He was wrongfully accused some three or four years earlier and has been in prison ever since. He is currently in Rome awaiting a hearing with Caesar, and though he believes he will be released after his case is heard, he is also realistic and knows that it could also result in his death (Phil. 1:19,20). To make matters worse, there are those who out of envy and strife are seeking to cause Paul distress by preaching Christ. To men of lesser godly character, these things might well cause distress, but Paul rejoices in the midst of them. He lived for purposes beyond the common stuff of daily life. He lived with eternity in view.

 

In my introduction to our study of the book of Philippians, I spoke about the difference between joy and happiness. Our society provides many ways in which happiness can be pursued. It might be fame, fortune, materialism, power, self-esteem, personal accomplishment, hedonism, entertainment or escape. Most people are using one or more of these ways in order to catch up with happiness. The problem is that even when you do catch up to happiness, you cannot capture it, for it is fleeting, and soon the pursuit must be made again. Joy, on the other, is something that can be present at all times. If you have the correct source of joy, then it will be with you even in difficult circumstances. It will be with you even when the circumstances are sad and your heart is breaking. This morning we will begin to learn through what Paul says here in Philippians that the source of this joy is in God Himself. Turn again to Philippians 1.

 

Whenever you read a letter, there are two bits of information that are very important to understand before you can make proper sense of the content of the letter. You need to know who wrote the letter and to whom the letter is written. For example, ladies, if you received a valentine's card that told you how much you were greatly admired and how beautiful you were, the signature at the bottom would make a big difference in the meaning of the message. If you are not married and it was signed by your boy-friend or fianc', or if you are married and it was signed by your husband, it would be a very romantic message. If it was signed by your father, it would be a treasured message of acceptance and encouragement. If you got it from your 8 year old son, it would be cute. The same is thing is true when it comes to whom the letter is written. A man could send valentine cards that had very similar written content to three different people and it would have three very different meanings depending on if it was addressed to his wife, his mother or his daughter.

 

What constitutes a hero? In generations past that did not seem like a difficult or controversial question. But now, Fame, fortune and power seem to be the dominant requirements needed to achieve role model status. But should a sports figure ever be considered a role model simply because they play a game well? Should society look up to an entertainer simply because they act, sing, or perform music well? Should we consider someone to be of superior nature because they managed to be elected to office or have a lot of money? The answer to all these questions should be no, but much of our society considers such folks to be good role models and even heroes regardless of their actual character which might also include being any of the following: drunkard, drug addict, womanizer, sexual pervert, liar, deceitful, slanderer, extortionist, greedy, thievery, sadistic, evil and even murder. Regardless of popular culture, such people are not true heroes. They are not appropriate role models.

 

This morning we begin our study of Paul's Epistle to the Philippians. This is a study that I have been looking foreword to for quite some time, yet I am glad that I was not able to start it sooner. As I began preparation for this new sermon series, I started with examining and outlining the text as well as reading through several commentaries. I also started reading another book at about the same time as part of my general reading that was not related to my study of Philippians. Yet, as it is turned out, this book has been very helpful in giving me additional understanding of the joy that God desires us to have in our lives and its source in Him. That is also the theme of the book of Philippians.