Dondi E. Costin
INTRODUCTION
At least once in your lifetime God will ask you to alter your best-laid plans to align with His, which will in every case be exactly what you ought to do. In most cases that choice will seem inexplicable because it will take you unimaginably outside your comfort zone, but the choice you make in that moment will determine your direction the rest of the way. Your decision may also be the vehicle God uses to bring others to Christ. As the personal trainers among us might say, “No pain, no gain.”
I’m inclined to yield my time this morning to a long line of saints sitting in this sanctuary who can testify to this truth. If we had the time these saints could stand on this platform and tell how God called them, like Abraham, to be willing to sacrifice their most precious possession to obey the Lord. Some would liken themselves to Moses in their initial objections to God’s call to do something completely outside their comfort zone. Others would compare their experiences to that of Isaiah, who realized that his own sinfulness stood in the way of God’s call on his life to maximize God’s glory in his sphere of influence.
Then there would be those whose testimonies would sound as dramatic as the Apostle Paul’s in the 9th chapter of Acts, where in the space of just 19 verses we see Saul go from “breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples” to being radically saved on the road to Damascus. In that moment God called Saul to realign his life goals with the those of His Creator, and Saul said yes. It was something he would do over and over and over again throughout the course of his extraordinarily eventful life.
What we now refer to as the Macedonian Call is one of the more consequential of those occasions in Paul’s life. Although he packed his bags for Asia in Acts chapter 16, God gave him a vision of a man from Macedonia begging him to come to Europe instead.
(7) When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. (8) So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. (9) During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” (10) After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Ac 16:7–10.
As was Paul’s custom, he did exactly what God asked him to do. He and Timothy made their way to Philippi, where they won Europe’s first convert to Christ, planted a church, and grew a body of believers who would be an encouragement to him for the rest of his ministry. If the text of this letter is any indication, the church in Philippi was his favorite.
This morning we will examine the first chapter of a letter Paul wrote to his Philippian friends. In the 30 verses of chapter one we see ample evidence of an extraordinary relationship between Paul and what many would say was his favorite local church. In reading these 2,000-year-old words from a church planter to his people, we’ll see 5 fundamental principles that apply as much to us this morning as they did to our Philippian brothers and sisters in Christ two millennia before us.
His affection for the Philippians is evident from the get-go, which we see in the first 2 verses of the book.
(1) Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: (2) Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Php 1:1–2.
- IDENTITY: See what God sees in you when you look at yourself. (1:1-2)
In sharp contrast to the opening lines of the book of Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians, 1 Corinthians, and 2 Corinthians, where he has to pull rank as an Apostle to deal with a variety of doctrinal and personal challenges in those churches, Paul identifies himself and his sidekick Timothy by the far more humble title, “bondservants of Jesus Christ” (1:1a). And when he sits down to pen this letter to the Philippians, he correctly calls them “saints in Christ Jesus” (1:1b) before wishing them both “grace and peace” (1:2).
- Servants of Jesus Christ – what you are called to do.
(5) What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. (6) I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. (7) So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.
The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), 1 Co 3:5–7.
Illustration: General Dave Goldfein now wants to be called “JD.” Just Dave.
- Saints in Christ Jesus – who you are called to be.
“Saint” is one who has been set apart from sin and set apart to God and for God.
(18) I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, (19) and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Eph 1:18–19.
Illustration: Polar bear son asks polar bear dad on an early morning fishing trip if he’s really a polar bear. Dad explains his polar bear heritage in great detail and then wants to know why his son even asked the question, to which the son replies, “Because, to tell you the truth, I’m cold.”
Whether or not you feel like a saint, if Christ has saved you, you’re a saint. (If you haven’t accepted Jesus as your Savior, a saint you ain’t.) But you aren’t much of a saint if you aren’t also a servant. And you aren’t much of a servant if God has not declared you to be a saint.
- COMMUNITY: You cannot thrive as a Christian all by yourself. (1:3-11)
Living the Christian life is personal, but it was never meant to be private. Both Scripture and scientific research make it abundantly clear that we humans were made for community, and a treasure trove of benefits accrue for those who experience as sense of belonging. You need others, and they need you. So don’t deprive yourself or others of the value you bring to the community of believers you call home. Paul makes this truth abundantly clear in verses 3-11.
(3) I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, (4) always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, (5) for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, (6) being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; (7) just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. (8) For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ. (9) And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, (10) that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, (11) being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Php 1:3–11.
Note the string of phrases in this passage that demonstrates the extent of Paul’s heartwarming affection for this local church: I thank my God upon every remembrance of you (v.3); always in every prayer of mine (v.4); your fellowship in the gospel (v.5); He who has begun a good work in you will complete it (v.6); I have you in my heart … you are all partakers with me of grace (v.7); how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ (v.8); I pray…that your love may abound still more (v.9).
We see the COMMUNITY principle in action in 1 Corinthians 12.
(12) Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. (13) For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. (14) Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many… (27) Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), 1 Co 12:12–14, 27.
God would no more think of a church full of folks just like me or just like you than Coach Chadwell would think of a football team full of just quarterbacks—and he was a quarterback.
- RESILIENCY: Say what God says about your situation when you talk to yourself.
(vv. 12-18)
Resiliency is our capacity to bounce back when hardship comes our way. In the words of the old Timex watch commercial, resiliency is our ability to take a lickin’ and keep on tickin’.
It has been widely reported that the state of mental health in our country has reached crisis stage. As stressful and polarized as our modern age has become, it’s little wonder that the drivers of anxiety and depression and the like have taken their toll. But it’s also clear that we seem to have lost the ability to handle hardship in healthy ways.
It’s also noteworthy that the rise in mental health challenges we’ve seen the last 15 years corresponds almost directly with a decrease in religiosity in nearly every quarter. In other words, the less religious our country has become, the more anxious we have become. This result should not surprise anyone who understands the Bible, and it certainly wouldn’t surprise Paul. Thankfully, he understood that, for Christians, when the going gets tough, the tough get going. And who better to pen these words than a man who wrote this letter from prison?
(12) But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, (13) so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; (14) and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. (15) Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: (16) The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; (17) but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. (18) What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.
The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Php 1:12–18.
Rather than gripe about his circumstances, Paul gloats instead. He insists that being bound in chains has allowed him to help others be free from their sin. Not only that, seeing his resilience in the face of hardship encourages others to preach the gospel, too. That reality causes him to rejoice, and is reminiscent of Joseph’s powerful words in a similar situation.
(19) But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? (20) You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Ge 50:19–20.
The Bible is clear that difficulty and trouble and trial and suffering are all part of our journey this side of heaven. Jesus said that God causes it to rain on the righteous and the unrighteous (Matthew 5:45). And with conviction He said that “in this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
(2) Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, (3) because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Jas 1:2–4.
Note the use of the word “joy” in this passage from James chapter 1. Joy is a key theme in Paul’s letter to the Philippians, in which some version of joy/rejoice/rejoicing is used 16 times. Five of those occurrences happen in chapter 1. Scripture draws a distinction between “joy” and “happiness.” Joy is the settled conviction that God sovereignly controls the events of life for His glory and our good. Joy is a choice you make to believe God regardless of what happens, while happiness is how you feel based on what’s happening in the moment. When your Identity is found in your relationship to the God of the universe, joy is always the best choice to make because happiness comes and goes.
The academic literature is filled with thousands of studies every year demonstrating the value of religion in improving health in every aspect of our lives – physically, mentally, emotionally, relationally, spiritually, professionally, and every other way. The gist of this research is concisely captured in the title of an editorial written for USA Today in October 2016 by a Harvard public health professor named Tyler Vanderweele: Religion may be a miracle drug. In other words, from a public health perspective, practicing one’s faith leads to human flourishing, which is exactly what our Creator has been telling us since the beginning of time.
With respect to RESILIENCY in the face of hardship, what you believe about the hardship is vastly more important than the hardship itself. When difficulty comes your way, life is much better when you say to yourself what God has already said about your situation. We see a perfect example of this approach in Philippians 4:4-9.
(4) Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (5) Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. (6) Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (7) And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (8) Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (9) Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Php 4:4–9.
This approach is what healthy living looks like, and it’s as effective in the 21st century as it was in the 1st.
- GALLANTRY: Be courageous in your convictions regardless of the cost to yourself . (vv.19-26)
The dictionary defines gallantry as the strength of mind to keep going in spite of danger. Gallantry is courage under fire and bravery in the heat of battle. It’s exactly how you hope you’d respond when called upon to act in this way.
Illustration: My thoughts when standing on the beaches of Normandy: Would I have had the courage to do what those heroes did? You may never have that opportunity or that obligation, but in an increasingly secular culture, you will have more than your share of opportunities to be bold and courageous for the sake of the gospel. The good news is that the alternative
We see Paul’s encouragement to be gallant for the gospel in Philippians 1:19-26.
(19) For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, (20) according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. (21) For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (22) But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. (23) For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. (24) Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. (25) And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, (26) that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.
The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Php 1:19–26.
C.S. Lewis may have been right in saying that “courage is not simply one of the virtues but the form of every virtue at the testing point, which means at the point of highest reality.” (The Screwtape Letters, chapter 29, p. 137).
He and Paul would certainly agree on that point as far as one’s stance for the gospel is concerned. In a world that seems to be more secular by the minute, you and I will have ample opportunities to demonstrate the courage of our Christian convictions and be gallant for the gospel. You’ll know you’re there when you can say with Paul in verse 21: “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” The more consistently we practice this principle, the more impact we’ll have in the world.
- CONSISTENCY: Your life is not just about yourself. (vv.27-30)
Consistency produces credibility. The world is watching to see if the Christ we confess makes the difference we claim.
There’s a good reason Scripture specifically limits the office of pastor to one who is not a recent convert to the faith, because it takes testing over time to make sure they have what it takes to go the distance as a shepherd over others (1 Tim 3:6). Again, consistency produces credibility.
Paul’s confidence in the Philippians was driven by his confidence in their commitment to live worthy of their calling.
(27) Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, (28) and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. (29) For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, (30) having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.
The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Php 1:27–30.
Note that Paul makes a clear distinction here between their IDENTITY as servants and saints in verse 1 and their “conduct” as disciples in verse 27. As he concludes the first salvo of this joy-filled letter, he urges them to live so consistently worthy of the gospel. He echoes this sentiment in Ephesians 4:1 – “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to life a life worthy of the calling you have received.”
I should point out that the NIV construction of verse 27 says it like this: “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” Those first two words – “whatever happens” – are our marching orders with respect to how we should live as followers of Christ.
Illustration: These words remind me of the traditional wedding vows many of you have made, in which you promised to take your husband or wife in marriage, “forsaking all others, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, ‘til death us do part.” In other words, whatever happens.
It’s often said that character is who you are when no one’s looking, a concept that Paul suggests in verse 27 when he says their consistency for Christ should be evident whether he is watching them or not.
Note also that Paul includes the possibility of being terrified by your adversaries (v. 28) and suffering for the sake of Christ (v. 29) in the category of “whatever happens.” Remember, sometimes “No pain” for yourself means “no gain” for others.
Jesus might well have added that this kind of consistent living would be so credible before the world that, as He said in the Sermon on the Mount, “let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16, NIV).
CONCLUSION
This letter from Paul to his favorite church is packed with principles to help us live worthy of our calling as sons and daughters of the most high God. We’ve seen at least 5 in this first chapter, and we merely skimmed the surface. But these 5 – IDENTITY, COMMUNITY, RESILIENCY, GALLANTRY, and CONSISTENCY can chart the course for an effective game plan going forward. If nothing else, this chapter and these principles remind us of Jesus’ words: “If anyone would be my disciple, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23).
I said at the outset that at least once in your lifetime God would call you to change you best-laid plans to align with His. I should have been more specific by saying that God’s call would not be once or twice per life but at least once or twice per day. The secret to the Christian life is that there really are no secrets to living the Christian life.
Illustration: I found myself this past week standing in the office of three of Liberty’s field hockey coaches just as they were finishing a planning session for their next practice. I can hardly remember ever hearing of field hockey until a few weeks ago, and I don’t know much about the game beyond the fact that our nationally ranked team is incredibly good at their craft, we have an amazing blue field that is the envy of the country, that the ball is round, and that the goal is square. So, when I asked the coach what happens now that the planning is done, he said it’s really pretty simple. Our team is going out to the blue thing to put the round thing into the square thing. I couldn’t have said it better myself.
Much like the Christian life. Is it simple? Yes. Is it easy? No. Is it worth it? Absolutely!
Just remember these words from Philippians 1:6 as you put these principles into action: “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
No pain, no gain.
Amen to that.