Partners in the Gospel (XIV)

Comal Country Church

Dr. Boyd Luter

September 28, 2008

 

Partnership in the Gospel (VIII):

“True Spirituality from the Inside Out”

Philippians 3:1-11

 

Introduction-

 

 

Main Idea- All other religious approaches are variations on salvation from the outside in… except grace-centered Christianity.

 

 

(3:1-3) It’s protective to repeat truth that spirituality starts from a “circumcised” heart, not outside your body.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3:4-6) It’s quite possible to be incredibly impressive in your legalistic lifestyle and still be totally unsaved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3:7-9) To shift from legalism to a Christ-centered life, your sense of gains and losses must reverse course.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conclusion (3:10-11): The only route to Christ-centered resurrection power is through losing your life by identifying with His sufferings.

 

 

 

 

 

Coming Thursday: My first in-depth discussion of Philippians 3:1-11 since my first book, Looking Back, Moving On (Navpress, 1993)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Partners in the Gospel (XIV)

Philippians 2:19-30 is a remarkable passage for two very important reasons: 1) it says things about two of the Apostle Paul’s colleagues the likes of which are not found anywhere else; and 2) it is a “travelogue” that is either totally misplaced from what we in Paul’s other letters or there is a very good reason why it is right smack in the middle of the book.

We can get at the first of these reasons pretty well by simply looking at the wording Paul uses.  However, to understand the second we will have to probe deeper–which will be done momentarily.

In regard to the first reason, Paul gives descriptions of Timothy and Epaphroditus that are completely unique in their strikingly complimentary tone.  Verses 19-24 deal with Timothy.  Verses 25-30 focus on Epaphroditus.

Apparently, the reason these two are brought up for discussion is that Paul, being in house arrest in Rome for some time yet, is in no position to come to Philippi to referee the escalating problems in the church which point back to Euodia and Syntyche (4:2-3).  So, he is going to send not one, but two, of his close colleagues in his place: Epaphroditus first, then Timothy, as soon as possible.

Paul goes so far as to say about Timothy that he has “no one else who will genuinely care about your interests.”  That is both an amazing “stroke” for Timothy and a sad indictment of Paul’s other co-workers there in Rome, all of whom were caught up in seeking “their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ” (2:21).

Young though he was, Timothy was, in Paul’s thinking, already a man of “proven character.”  How did the Apostle know that?  Because Timothy had, by this time, for wel over a decade “served with [Paul] in the gospel ministry like a son with a father” (2:22).

Thus, Paul knew that he could fully trust Timothy to both represent him (i.e., as if he were his actual son) and the Lord (i.e., because of his godly unselfishness).  Since Paul could not yet go to Philippi, he was about to send the next best person: Timothy.

The situation with Epaphroditus is somewhat different.  Apparently, the church in Philippi had sent Epaphroditus to Paul with an open-ended commission.  On the one hand, he was their messenger to Paul–which might imply that he would turn around and go back to Philippi as soon as he delivered his message.  On the other hand, though, he is also called the church’s “minister to [Paul's] need” (2:25).  That wording makes it sound as if Epaphroditus was dispatched to Rome to stay as long as Paul needed him.

However, this one whom Paul glowingly referred to as “my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier” (2:25), got so ill in the midst of that service that he nearly died (2:26-27).  And, when the church back home heard about his terrible illness, they were greatly concerned.  And, to take it even a step further, when Epaphroditus heard about their heart-felt concern, he longed to be reunited with his brothers and sisters in Christ in Philippi (2:26).

Fortunately, the Lord had not allowed Epaphroditus to die.  And, Paul had concluded that it was the best thing for him to go home immediately (i.e., he probably was the carrier of this letter).  Not only would that allow the Philippians to see their beloved brother and honor him for his sacrificial service (2:28-29).  It would also allow Epaphroditus to, so to speak, clear the way for Timothy’s soon appearance and Paul’s eventual return.  Without question, Epaphroditus knew Euodia and Syntyche (4:2-3), as well as the overseers and deacons of the church (1:1), better than either Paul or Timothy.  Perhaps they would listen to him, which would make the later visits of Timothy and Paul simply joyous reunions.

In a brief explanation of the second major point of significance of 2:19-30, it is only necessary to look as far as Romans 15-16, 1 Corinthians 16, Ephesians 6 and Colossians 4 to realize that the travel plans of Paul and his missionary groups are characteristically found at the end of his letters.  So, what is different here?  Liberal thinkers would like for us to conclude that Philippians 2:19-30 was the end of an original shorter letter, which was later stitched together with two shorter notes, 3:1-4:9 and 4:10-20, to complete our present letter of Philippians.  However, a better explanation id that 2:19-30 is the centerpiece of an inverted parallel structure of the overall letter.  If that is the case, then 2:19-30 is the spotlighted portion, which would have gone farther in underlining the importance of Epaphroditus and Timothy coming and serving as godly examples for the church at this tense moment than anything else other than Paul coming himself.  Paul, of course, would be doing just that at the earliest possible moment (2:24).

Coming Tuesday: The outline of my first message on Philippians 3

Partners in the Gospel (XIII)

Here is my sermon outline for Sunday:

Comal Country Church

Dr. Boyd Luter

September 21, 2008

 

Partnership in the Gospel (VII):

“A Matched Pair of Godly Gospel Partners”

Philippians 2:19-30

 

Introduction-

 

 

Main Idea- To be a truly exemplary gospel partner, you must be selfless and sacrificial.

 

 

(2:19-24) As a gospel partner, you display proven character when your life is characterized by humble, selfless service.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2:25-30) As a gospel partner, your sacrificial service should be joyfully honored by your fellow believers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conclusion- Two key practical questions here are:

1)      What is true biblical selflessness?

 

 

 

 

2)      What is truly sacrificial service?

 

 

 

 

 

Coming Thursday: The spotlighted significance of 2:19-30 in Philippians

Partners in the Gospel (XII)

(I did not have the time to get to this Thursday or yesterday.  Oh, well, better late than never–at least hopefully.)

Due to the previously-mentioned time limitations, I’m going to keep this post short and sweet.  I will simply lay out the meaning of each verse in Philippians 2:12-18–and a couple of helpful related angles–without further fanfare or rabbit trails.

“So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (v. 12).

Apparently, the Apostle Paul had always only had full cooperation out of the Philippian Christians, whether he was actually there in Philippi or any other time that he had communicated with them, asking them to do something.  He expects nothing less in this case.

The command to “work out your salvation”  has been debated throughout church history.  Anyone who has had the tendency to believe that works are part of what is involved in either becoming a Christian (i.e., justification) or maintaining your salvation (i.e, sanctification) look to this verse for backing.  However, that is not what this verse is teaching.  Instead, the meaning is that Christians are to “work out” what they already have, not “work for” something they do not already possess.  The idea of doing so with “fear and trembling” is to demonstrate that they have a sober respect for what is going on in their lives, as the next verse explains.

“For it is God who is working in you, enabling you to both to will and to act for His good purpose” (v. 13).

The clearest way for the believer to demonstrate that he or she is saved is to “work out” (v. 12) what the Lord is working in their lives, both individually and collectively.  And, doing so is made possible by the fact that God’s energizing of individual Christians is the enablement for both our choices and actions that accomplish God’s will.

“Do everything without grumbling and arguing” (v. 14).

The earlier section in 1:27-2:4 had implied that there was selfish behavior taking place in the church at Philippi that was already beginning to cause division.  Now, for the first time, specific actions are stated that are symptoms of that self-centeredness: “grumbling” and “arguing.”  These are the kinds of attitudes and related actions that clearly demonstrate that people want their own way and do not value the unity of the body of Christ.

“So that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world” (v. 15).

It is by forbearing grumbling and arguing, as well as similar self-centered behavior, that Christians, show themselves to be “blameless and pure” and “faultless,” as “children of God” should behave.  What makes such behavior difficult for the believer is that the context in which they live, the world today truly is ” a crooked and perverse generation.”  Against that dark spiritual background, Christians, who know Jesus, the Light of the world, reflect His light as “stars” to the unsaved world.

“Hold firmly the message of life.  Then I can boast in the day of Christ that I didn’t run in vain or labor for nothing” (v. 16).

There is disagreement as to whether the initial verb here should be translated as “hold fast” or “hold forth” the word of life (i.e., the gospel and the Scriptures).  Upon reflection, as in many such tough choices, I think it is very possible that the best understanding is both: Christians are to both cling tightly to (i.e., hold fast) and extend the message of (i.e., hold forth) the gospel.  You can’t go wrong with either understanding!  And, if the Philippians were faithful to Paul’s call, at the end of the age, he would be able to look back and know that every minute of effort was well worth it, to the glory of God.

“But even if I am poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith.  I am glad and rejoice with all of you” (v. 17).

In Philippians 1:12-26, Paul had discussed at length the possibilities that lay before him.  He could soon be released from his house arrest in Rome.  He thought that more likely.  However, the real possibility also existed that he could be executed, if his hearing before Caesar went badly.  With that in mind, it becomes clear what Paul meant: the Philippians had given sacrificially to support Paul while he was in jail; his death–if he died–would be like pouring an additional “drink offering” over the top of another offering, making the offering even more extravagant to the Lord.  To Paul, that possibility was not fearful, but joyful.

“In the same way you also should rejoice and share your joy with me” (v. 18).

In light of their wonderful partnership in the gospel (see Phil. 1:5), the Philippian Christians should be just as joyful as Paul about what was taking place… and so should we!

Coming Tuesday: Philippians 2:19-30

Partners in the Gospel (XI)

Here’s my sermon outline for September 14.  See what you think:

Comal Country Church

Dr. Boyd Luter

September 14, 2008

 

Partnership in the Gospel (VI):

“The Lord’s Idea of a Christian ‘Work-out”

Philippians 2:12-18

 

Introduction-

 

 

Main Idea- Be confident of God’s empowerment as you choose to live for Him, whether avoiding or joyfully acting.

 

 

(2:12-13) God will enable you to choose and act in ways prompting spiritual growth, unity and pleasing Him.

 

 

 

 

 

(2:14-16) God is not pleased with grumbling or arguing, because it’s worldly behavior, not holding forth His word.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2:17-18) God is pleased with your sacrificial service for Him, which should be joyful for you to realize.

 

 

 

 

 

Application: God is working in your life.  Your part is:

-         Working out…

 

 

-         Holding forth…

 

 

-         Serving joyfully…

 

Coming Thursday: Further thoughts on Philippians 2:12-18

 

 

 

Some Thoughts on the Guidance of God

(With a concert in our Sunday morning service this week, I am turning aside to a subject that is on my mind and heart on a fairly consistent basis.  I suspect that the same is true for a number of you.)

I am going to move through brief discussions of four biblical passages which I think are very helpful in relation to the Lord’s guidance in the lives of His children.  The four are (in the order in which I will handle them): Acts 16:6-10; Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalm 37:4; and Romans 12:1-2.

If you are looking for a narrative approach to this subject, Acts 16:6-10 is your passage.  We see the role of the “closed doors” in God’s guidance in vv. 6-7.  Coming to the point where you don’t know which way to turn–since you have tried everything you know to do is the situation in v. 8.  Waiting on a “vision” from the Lord is what happens in v. 9, which always eventually comes.  However, when he does reveal what He wants you to do, you are responsible to move ahead briskly in the direction He has shown you (v. 10).

Proverbs 3:5-6 were my favorite verses for many years, having only recently been replaced by Psalm 37:4.  The key issue emerging from Proverbs 3:5-6 is trusting God.  Nothing will happen in terms of guidance without faith in Him.  Yes, we are also admonished to “lean not on your own understanding” and to acknowledge His role and power in everything we do.  However, as Hebrews 11:6 makes clear, no one can please God without faith.  However, if you have faith, you can expect the Lord to reward you in various ways, which would include guidance.  That is essentially the promised end result of Proverbs 3:6: “He will direct your paths” (or, literally, “He will make your paths straight”). 

What I so much appreciate about Psalm 37:4 is the inferred transforming influence of the Lord.  Notice that it is not a bare promise that God will give His child “the desires of your heart.”  Instead, there is a critically important pre-condition: that you “Delight yourself in the Lord.”  In other words, it is only in the wake of your growing delight in Him, His person and His ways that He promises to make available to you your heart’s desires.  Of course, by that time, your delight in Him has had its way with your desires.  You no longer want the things you selfishly craved previously.  You now want what He wants for you.

Finally,  Romans 12:1-2 provides a pathway toward having a confident awareness that you have, in fact, discerned the will of God… even if you still are not absolutely sure whether you received a “flash” revealing God’s will in your mind.  The first step down the path is unreserved commitment to the Lord of your entire life: “Commit your body as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God.”  Giving all that the Lord has done for you (i.e., “the mercies of God”), it just makes sense to make that commitment (“your reasonable [Gk. logikos] service”).  Then, in the light of that total (re-)commitment, the believer’s mind is overhauled to think the Lord’s thoughts after Him (“transformed”), instead of the thoughts that the world is programming you to think and act upon.  Now, as I said above, this is still not a guarantee that you will have a full, clear mental certainty that you know “God’s will.”  What it does promise is that the Christian whose thoughts are transformed in the wake of unreserved commitment will “discern” (Greek dokimazo) the way he or she should go, even if only after the fact.  Thinking God’s thoughts after Him–even if you are constantly aware that you are doing so–puts you in position to do what He wants in every situation, even if there is no lightning blot or some other spectacular revelation that makes it absolutely clear what option should be pursued.

Coming Tuesday: Philippians 2:12-18

A Week Off from Philippians

Comal Country Church has a guest artist coming this week.  Blaine Lilly, Country Gospel Vocalist of the Year, who lives in nearby Blanco, TX, will be doing a mini-concert on Sunday.  So, all I will be doing is administering the Lord’s Supper.  The brief outline for that follows.

Comal Country Church

Dr. Boyd Luter

September 7, 2008

 

“The Communion Meal:

The Body and the Blood”

 

Mark 14:22-24

 

Introduction-

 

 

Main Idea- The Lord’s Supper remembers the crucified body and bloodshed of Christ until we take it with Him.

 

 

 

(14:22) The meaning of the bread: Christ’s broken body

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(14:23-24) The meaning of the cup: Christ’s shed blood

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conclusion (14:25)- The abstinence of the Lord until…

 

 

Coming Thursday: Some Reflections on the Lord’s Guidance

Be-Labor-ing a Point Playing off Labor Day

As you know from my last post, I am preaching Luke 10:38-42 on Sunday.  It’s obvious connection to Labor Day is that it is very possible for our labors in behalf of Jesus to get in the way of our relationship with Jesus.  Yes–my main point for Sunday can be stated just that quickly and succinctly.  However, it packs more of a wallop as we consider the details more closely.

The passage begins in an odd way, if you know anything at all about the references to the family in question from the Gospel of John.  There, John 11:5 tells us that “Jeses loved Martha, her sister (i.e., Mary) and Lazarus.”  In other words, this family was much more than passing acquaintances of Jesus, though that is the way things feel in Luke 10:38: “While they were traveling, [Jesus]entered a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.”

It appears that Dr. Luke is attempting to leave the impression that this was just any old home, somewhere in Israel.  But, why would he do that?  Most likely, Luke is seeking for his readers to understand that the principle the passage is teaching is not just relevant to those who were close friends of friends during his earthly life.  Instead, the principle applies to anyone, at any time, who has a relationship with Jesus Christ.

In verse 39, we are introduced to Martha’s sister, Mary.  In a signficant break from the cultural expectation of the day, Mary did not help her sister in the kitchen (v. 40).  Instead, she assumed the cultural position of the learner (i.e., disciple), sitting at the feet of Jesus and hanging on His every word.

In verse 40, we find out that Martha is more than slightly irrtitated that Mary has bailed out on kitchen duty.  After all, that is what women–considered little higher than farm animals in that society–did.  Period.  End of discussion.

However, Mary was not content with keep her frustration with her sister to herself.  After a while, she could not take it any more and approached Jesus with what she was certain would be a legitimate gripe: “Lord, don’t You care that my sister has left me to serve alone.  So tell her to give me a hand.”

All eyes in the room were on Jesus.  Surely He would immediately correct this episode of non-culturally acceptable laziness on the part of Mary, would He not?  Not!

Instead, Jesus gently rebukes Martha in regard to her wrong spiritual priorities: “Martha, Martha, yoiu are worried and upset about many things, but one thing is necessary.  Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her.” 

Wow!  From a human standpoint, it almost sounds as if Jesus was, so to speak, “biting the hand that was (quite literally) feeding him” in this home  However, we must not miss the thrust of Jesus’ point here.  As I wrote in my note on Luke 10:42 for the forthcoming Holman Study Bible (keyed to the Holman Christian Standard Bible:

Jesus indicated that [Martha's] exclusive focus (one thing), instead, should be the same as her sister’s: discipleship, an eternally commendable choice (it will not be taken away from her).  

Some of us are so familiar with this passage, though, that we no longer notice how completely non-”common sense” Jesus’ words sound.  Does this mean that nobody should work in the kitchen?  Does this mean that all the labor that must take place on a weekly basis around church plants should go lacking, in favor of learning about Jesus as His disciple?

The answer to this question is not as simple as you might hink.  Here’s why: If Martha had been able to work in the kitchen and not get distracted from her discipleship to Jesus, there would not have been a problem.  Jesus did not minimize her work at all.  Instead, he lovingly chided her for being “worried and upset about many things.” 

However, if you can’t do that kind of work for the Lord without being distracted from what is most important,  you would be better off not doing it and focusing on learning in regard to Christ.  You see, the first commandment (i.e., the “one thing” that is “necessary”) is still “Love the Lord Your God with all my heart and soul and mind and strength.”  And, Jesus is God and, thus, worthy of first place in each of our lives.

How similar is this same Mary’s anointing of Jesus in John 12:1-3!  Humanly, it made no sense to waste what may have cost as much as a year’s wages.  Judas Iscariot, the treasurer of the disciples, griped about the waste (12:4-6)–and so would many “practical” people today!  However, Jesus forcefully commended Mary’s behavior (12:7).

The main point here: Putting Jesus first is always the best thing (i.e., the one necessary thing!) in the life of the believer.  It is possible to serve the Lord without being spiritually distracted.  But, it is exceedingly common for such distraction to pull Christians aside from what really matters and give them a negative, resentful attitude.

Coming Tuesday: Philippians 2:12-18

My Labor Day message outline

Enjoy… and have a wonderful Labor Day!

Comal Country Church

Dr. Boyd Luter

August 31, 2008

 

Labor Day, 2008:

“Resting from Your Distracting Labor”

Luke 10:38-42

 

Introduction-

 

 

Main Idea- Laboring for the Lord sadly can easily distract you from what is most important in Christ’s eyes.

 

 

(10:38) Your relationship with Jesus cannot become close unless you welcome Him into your life-space.

 

 

 

 

(10:39-40) You will try to grow in relationship with Jesus by either being or doing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(10:41-42) Your doing for the Lord often gets in the way of the priority of being Christ’s disciple.

 

 

 

 

 

Conclusion:

-         Putting Christ before anything else in life: Valuing joy and worship over “common sense” (John 12:1-8)

 

 

 

-         Thinking God’s thoughts after Him: Renovating your mind in the light of recommitment (Romans 12:1-2)

 

 

 

 

Coming Thursday: “Filling in the blanks” on Luke 10:38-42

Partners in the Gospel (X)

I’ve chosen to handle my discussion today somewhat differently.  I’m going to cite the entire passage I’m preaching this week (Phil. 2:5-11), then discuss it as a whole, instead of verse-by-verse.  The reason for that is that from verse 6 to verse 11, it all hangs together both theologically and practically.

Quoting from the Holman Christian Standard Bible:

“Make your attitude that of Christ Jesus, who, though existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be use for His own advantage.  Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, talking on the likeness of men.  And when He had come as a man in His external form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death–even to death on a cross.  For this reason God also highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow–of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth–and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:5-11).

In the long and checkered history of biblical interpretation, seldom has a passage been so vulnerable to misunderstanding, with so many in fact short-sightedly exploiting that vulnerability.  In general, that has happened in three ways: 1) not recognizing the context of this passage and its practical intent in the Apostle Paul’s argument; 2) erroneously concluding that Paul is saying Christ was no longer God after He became a man; and 3) equally erroneously concluding that Paul is saying that Christ only looked like a man, but was not completely human.

In regard to the first issue, it is incredible how many theologians and laypersons alike fail to notice that the lead-in to 2:5-11 is talking about the need to avoid “rivalry” and “conceit” in dealing with one another, but instead to act in “humility.”  Then, as the passage begins, Paul admonishes his readers to “Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus” (v. 5).  What was the “attitude” of Jesus in focus here?  Humility–see verse 8.  Thus, the reason Paul develops this incredible passage in the first place is the practical need for humility among the Philippians–nothing more or less.

Still, as practical as it is in this context, there can be no debate that the passage has great theological implications and must be handled with great exegetical care in drawing theological implications.  So, I will attempt to offer a brief, understandable discussion of why it is to be understood that Jesus does not forfeit His divinity, but does become fully human from Philippians 2:6-11.

First, please notice that verse 7 does not say that Jesus “emptied” Himself of being God.  Rather, in finishing the thought from verse 6, it says that, in becoming man, Jesus “emptied” Himself of His divine advantages. 

What does that mean?  While on earth in His pre-resurrection human body, Jesus chose not to exercise His divine powers.  Instead, He acted in the power of the Holy Spirit (e.g., Luke 4:1, where Jesus is said to have faced the Devil’s temptations in the Wilderness in the power of the Spirit).  In doing so, Jesus fulfilled His role as the “last Adam” (i.e., the perfect man that Adam failed to be by sinning).

In regard to the other error regarding Jesus’ person, He did indeed become fully human.  When it says in verse 7 that Jesus assumed “the form of a man,” it does not mean that he just had outward human form.  Instead, the term means “the outward display of an inward reality.”  Thus, Jesus had as much of the “inward reality” of being human (v. 7) as He had of being God (v.6, where the same Greek word, morphe, rendered as “form,” is also used). 

The other term that comes into play here that is worth mentioning is that Jesus was made in “the likeness of man.”  It may sound like that is hedging on Jesus’ humanity, that He was only like mankind, but not truly human.  However, it is almost certainly that the reason for this careful wording by Paul is that he does not want to leave the impression that Jesus is like mankind in every way, including being sinful.  The word “likeness” allows the similarity to be almost complete, but not 100%, because Jesus does not share our sinful nature.

Coming Tuesday: Philippians 2:12-18