Categories
Scripture

January 26, 2015

Colossians 1

Greeting

1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

To the saints and faithful brothers1 in Christ at Colossae:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant.2 He is a faithful minister of Christ on your3 behalf and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks4 to the Father, who has qualified you5 to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

The Preeminence of Christ

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by6 him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation7 under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

Paul’s Ministry to the Church

24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

Footnotes

[1] 1:2 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters

[2] 1:7 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word sundoulos, see Preface

[3] 1:7 Some manuscripts our

[4] 1:12 Or patience, with joy giving thanks

[5] 1:12 Some manuscripts us

[6] 1:16 That is, by means of; or in

[7] 1:23 Or to every creature

(ESV)

Categories
Scripture

Going Deeper

Going Deeper

Humility (1-24-15)

Grab your Bible, and let’s go deeper into Philippians 2

Before we dig in …..A few observations on humility:

  1. I think most of us want to be humble.
  2. I think most of us really don’t quite understand humility.
  3. Even fewer of us have really considered what it takes to grow in humility.

Philippians 2:1-2: 1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.”  

Paul begins by reminding the church of the unity we have in Christ and with each other.  He is calling the church to not go at life alone but to pursue like-mindedness and unity in spirit and purpose.  We are not meant to do this life alone.  We will not make progress in growing in humility if we go at it alone.  It is first and foremost important that we know who we are in Christ and that we walk together in unity.

Philippians 2:3: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit…”  

Note Paul says:  Do nothing in PRIDE (self-centeredness).  The prison of our PRIDE has us constantly thinking of how we promote ourselves, or make ourselves look good, or save face.

This reminds me of an old Groucho Marx scene:  He is going on and on about himself with another guy, and then pauses to acknowledge the lopsidedness of the conversation, and turns to the other guy and says, “I am sorry, I have been talking about me all this time… Let’s talk about you!  What do you think about me?”

John Stott writes:  PRIDE is more than the first of the seven deadly sins, “it is itself the essence of all sin.”

Why is PRIDE, or vanity the centerpiece of SIN?

  1. It is “Me-centered”
  2. It is a direct challenge to God’s glory

Proverbs 6:16-17:  “There are six things the LORD hates, …..#1- haughty eyes,”

Proverbs 16:5The LORD detests all the proud of heart.”

Let’s take a deeper look at specifically what Paul says we are to NOT practice!

Philippians 2:3: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit,”

  1. Selfish Ambition

Ambition = the pursuit or activity of achieving something for oneself

These are the things we do, dream about, long for that all end up rewarding ourselves.  This is an endless maze that deteriorates all life.   Why?   When selfish ambition rules our lives, the goal of filling our own cup never ends, because there is always something better out there, or something to improve or have more of.

Be honest.  How often do you find yourself looking for ways to take your current circumstances and wishing they were “better”? So if you are living with your parents, the improvement for you is to rent a cheap apartment.  Once you have your own place, the improvement is to have some cool amenities.  Once you have a cool apartment, the improvement is to “own” a house.  Once you have a house, the improvement is to have cooler stuff that your house can do or to fill your house with.  Once you have a cool house, you want a bigger house.  Then a house in a better neighborhood.  And on and on.  We always are looking to make “MINE” bigger and better!

Now here is how bad it is:  take your current living situation and place it in the middle of the raw ghetto.  IF you are really honest, your pride says, “oh but I can’t live here!  My property value is diminished. My neighbors are dirty and trashy.”

The modern mindset of SELFISH AMBITION has us a long way away from the modeled humble life of Jesus!  Jesus had not much more than the thongs on his feet and the robe on his back. Our selfish ambition is a dangerous poison.   In the end, it’s really a cup with a big hole in it that we keep trying to fill!

The question is: How can you and I have lasting JOY if selfish ambition is our game, our identity, our dream, our happiness?  Do you realize that selfish ambition is completely based on how you are doing next to the other guy?  Because we feel good when ours is better and we eel worse when others’ is better.   We actually, deep down, celebrate when others fall behind us and complain when others seem to be doing better.

It’s a race, a never-ending competition!  Truth is, you can Increase your humility if you are willing to decrease your comparisons.

  1. Vain Conceit

Let’s look at vain conceit, or more specifically, empty glory!  Empty glory is the need to be honored, the need to be lifted up. Our need to be noticed and enjoyed and loved.  Our need to feel important.

Empty glory is a form of “secular” self-esteem.  In it, we position ourselves around people who will flatter us with compliments that highlight our strengths and will withhold comments that point out our weaknesses. This brings us into a place of feeling entitled, deserving, important.

But let’s stop and observe something:  People who live with this high self-esteem based on the world are often

  • more judgmental
  • critical of others
  • whiney
  • more showy
  • people who will often use relationships only long enough to advance themselves
  • people who tend to struggle entering into relationships because they view themselves as above the rest.  No one seems to meet their criteria of worthy.

Is this who you want to be?

On the contrary, those with a humble self-regard are people most of us long to be around.  They are people who tend to be

  • team players,
  • more understanding,
  • the kind of person you can simply kick back with and enjoy the moment!

WHY?  Because the moment doesn’t have to be about them.   This is also the kind of person that tends to be more compassionate and a more loyal friend.

So why is it then that society so often chases after the self-centered person?   The famous, the glory hogs, the pretty and the popular.  Why is it that we look at humility as weak and needy and wimpy?  When in fact the people we like the most are humble people!

Let’s look at humility!

Philippians 2:3b-4: but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

What is humility?  

John Calvin wrote:  “It is evident that one never attains to a true self-knowledge until he has previously contemplated the face of God, and come down after such contemplation to look into himself.”  A biblical worldview of humility would then be:  Humility is honestly assessing ourselves in the light of God’s holiness and our sinfulness.

Another definition:  Humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less.

Another definition:  Humility is being exactly who God made you to be.

Pride looks to attract the attention of others.  Humility attracts the attention of God!   Isaiah 66:2: “This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.”

I love the great example of humility in 1 Samuel 18.

The Background of this text is:

There is a great friendship between David and his friend Jonathan.  This is before David was king. The profit Samuel says to David, “you will be the next king of Israel”.   The problem with this scenario is that Saul’s (the current King of Israel) son was not David, but Jonathan.  Now being the heir to the throne is the goal of a lifetime, a prize like no other.  But watch Jonathan’s response to the news that David instead will be King:

1 Samuel 18:3-4:  “And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.”

This is a symbolic gesture saying:  I give up my glory to you!  I make myself nothing that you might become something.  I become poor that you might become rich.  I become a “nobody” that you might become a “somebody.”  This is the essence of LOVE, or other-centeredness.

It is self-donation!   Do you see:  The less kingly he acts, the more like a king he becomes.

The world’s pursuit of greatness is the opposite of this.  It is a self-interested, self-motivated, pursuit of personal glory that leaves us pushing others away when we are not using them to get further ahead. Humility is truly a characteristic of a godly life!  It is something God has always had within the Trinity and longs to have with us.

So, how does one move from Me-centered to other-centered?  From vain, selfish, and prideful to serving, loving, and humble?  You might be saying to yourself, “Someone show me how to get off this merry-go-round.”  There is one who can clearly show us, inspire us, and make it possible for us to be humble: Jesus!

Philippians 2:5-8: 5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in very nature  God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!”

To kill the poison of pride we have to embrace a life in humility.  This is only attainable if we are healed and redefined by JESUS!

Instead of SELF esteem,   we need to esteem IN Christ alone!

The amazing Grace of Jesus is his humility in saving us.  Jesus lost his esteem in order to give you a lasting esteem in him. What we have spent our entire lives running from; the feeling of not being noticed, the possibility of not getting picked, the horrible feeling of not being loved,    Jesus ran straight toward!  The only way to look away from self so that you can truly look towards others is to first look to JESUS!

The Good News is God humbled himself to put on flesh and walk among us; to be ridiculed by us, to be picked on.  Because of his humility he didn’t stand up and level them with his truth.  His mission was to FREE them with his sacrifice.

God Humbled himself

  • for the corporate executives, for the glamour queens;
  • for the arrogant husbands, and the vain wives;
  • for the “always judging back-talkers” and the “stubborn in their ways” dominators;
  • for those who use their bodies to be noticed and those who use their minds to make others feel dumb;
  • for those who use money to buy power and those who use their skills to remind others they fall short.

Jesus humbled himself to death so we could finally be humbled in the gift of life!  How can you and I be liberated from the dominating power of the world’s empty definitions of greatness?  JESUS!  How can you and I experience the lasting joy of being fully known and still fully loved?  JESUS!  How can you and I experience the satisfaction of Christ’s definition of who we are and no longer long after the world’s definitions that never leave us satisfied?  JESUS!

Jesus is the true Jonathan, who took of his robe (that was rightfully his) and put it on us!  So that we might have life; so that we might have JOY.  Everything that you and I stand to gain is because of what Jesus gave up.

To close, I want to look at the very beginning and the very end of the this passage as they are amazing bookmarks of GOOD NEWS for us today.

Philippians 2:1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ…”  In Christ.  What does it mean to be “united with Christ” or better yet to be “IN CHRIST?”  It essentially means that you have given up your pursuit of your significance, your dreams, your success, your need to prove yourself to God, and you took on Christ’s significance; his dreams, his success!  It means: what is true of Jesus is true of you.  You have received Christ. You are IN CHRIST!

What was Christ’s success?  Look at

Colossians 1:9-11

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy;

(ESV)

Philippians 2:9-11: 9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

If you are united to him, you are destined to GLORY!  So, let’s stop the self–centered pursuit of empty glory and pride and CLOTHE ourselves in humility!  As we do this, may we, the Soldiers for Jesus MC, endure together for all God has before us as we look to make much of him!

By His grace and for His glory,

-Shepherd / Soldiers for Jesus MC / Bakersfield CA

Categories
Scripture

January 23, 2015

Philippians 4

4:1 Therefore, my brothers,1 whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

Exhortation, Encouragement, and Prayer

I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion,2 help these women, who have labored3 side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness4 be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned5 and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

God’s Provision

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

14 Yet it was kind of you to share6 my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.7 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.

23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Footnotes

[1] 4:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 8, 21

[2] 4:3 Or loyal Syzygus; Greek true yokefellow

[3] 4:3 Or strived (see 1:27)

[4] 4:5 Or gentleness

[5] 4:9 Or these things— 9which things you have also learned

[6] 4:14 Or have fellowship in

[7] 4:17 Or I seek the profit that accrues to your account

(ESV)

Categories
Scripture

January 22, 2015

Philippians 3

Righteousness Through Faith in Christ

3:1 Finally, my brothers,1 rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.

Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God2 and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law,3 blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Straining Toward the Goal

12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Footnotes

[1] 3:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 13, 17

[2] 3:3 Some manuscripts God in spirit

[3] 3:6 Greek in the law

(ESV)

Categories
Scripture

January 21, 2015

Philippians 2

Christ’s Example of Humility

2:1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,1 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,2 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,3 being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Lights in the World

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

Timothy and Epaphroditus

19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know Timothy’s4 proven worth, how as a son5 with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.

25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, 26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died6 for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.

Footnotes

[1] 2:5 Or which was also in Christ Jesus

[2] 2:6 Or a thing to be held on to for advantage

[3] 2:7 Or slave (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface)

[4] 2:22 Greek his

[5] 2:22 Greek child

[6] 2:30 Or he drew near to the point of death; compare verse 8

(ESV)