Upload
truongnguyet
View
225
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Thaddeus M. Maharaj: Sermon – Philippians 1 – To Live is Christ, to Die is Gain
Background:
Paul probably visited Philippi in 49AD. Acts 16 tells us about his journey there.
Residents of Philippi were very proud of their Roman citizenship as shown by their
accusation against him in Acts 16:21, of "advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to
accept or practice." Paul utilized his Roman citizenship to his advantage—complaining that
he and Silas were treated unjustly as citizens of Rome (Acts 16:37). So the imperial cult was
very important to the people of Philippi, and this is why in Paul's letter to the church he
started there he uses analogies from that context. We see why it is significant that he
mentions his witness to the "whole palace guard" (1:12-13, 4:22), his reference to our
heavenly citizenship (1:27, 3:20), his use of titles of the emperor for Jesus (2:11, 3:20-21 –
Lord and Saviour), his sorrow over those who gave into cultural pressure and abandoned
the faith (3:18-19) and his promise of the "peace of God" rather than the "Pax Romana"
(Roman peace) as the security of the believer's peace of mind.
We read in Acts 16 that Philippi apparently didn't have the necessary amount of
Jewish men to establish a synagogue (10 men minimum), so instead he found a place of
prayer by the river where some women gathered for Sabbath (Acts 16:13). This is where
Paul meets Lydia, his first convert there (Acts 16:14). She was a Gentile follower of Judaism,
a merchant of purple cloth—so probably wealthy—she would have been like a high
'fashionista.'
Secondly we find the demon possessed slave girl who Paul exorcises in Jesus name
(Acts 16:16-18). She used to predict the future by the power of the demons, but now that
she was set free her masters were enraged because they loss their income from her, so they
Thaddeus M. Maharaj: Sermon – Philippians 1 – To Live is Christ, to Die is Gain
dragged Paul before the court. There was a strong aversion to Jewish proselytizing in
Philippi as seen by their words in Acts 16:20-21. The magistrates strip, beat and imprison
Paul and Silas (Acts 16:22-24). So when Paul reminds the Philippians in his letter of their
suffering being the same as his, he is calling them back to this incident probably (Phil 1:30).
Paul uses this common experience of suffering to show how it leads ultimately to
vindication by God's triumphant grace.
Lastly, we see the conversion of the Roman jailer
when Paul and Silas are miraculously set free from the
prison (see Acts 16:25-34). These were probably some of
the people Paul had in mind as he was writing to the
Philippians' church. We see how the Gospel infiltrates and
saves people from all strata of society—a rich merchant
lady, a demon possessed slave girl, and a Roman soldier—
so that truly there is neither, slave nor free, Jew nor Greek,
but all are one in Chirst! Paul uses such language of
friendship throughout this letter, and it shows his great
affections for them as seen in 4:1: “my brothers and sisters,
you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, dear
friends.” This makes Philippians a unique letter in the NT,
because there is not much rebuke in it, but rather a
friendly encouragement to continue strong in the faith—
and one many Christians have found very inspiring and uplifting to continue fighting the
good fight.
(Read Philippians 1)
Looking at the text:
Two things which frame the letter:
1. Verse 5 - κοινωνία in the Gospel
"…because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure
of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of
Jesus Christ." (Phil 1:5-6)
His joyful thanksgiving for their partnership (κοινωνία - koinōnia) in the gospel is
based upon his conviction that this partnership is the good work of God. Philippians 1:6 is
widely interpreted as a basis for personal confidence: God began the good work of
salvation in me, and he will complete that good work in me. Of course, the good work of God
includes God’s work of salvation in the individual. But as true as that individualistic
application of the text is, it misses the connection of God’s good work to koinōnia. The good
Thaddeus M. Maharaj: Sermon – Philippians 1 – To Live is Christ, to Die is Gain
work that God began was the formation of a corporate entity: the partnership (koinōnia) in
the gospel. Those who belong to this koinōnia enjoy a friendship deeper than the blood
relationship of brothers and sisters on the basis of their mutual participation in the saving
work of Christ announced by the gospel. How many have experienced this on mission trips
or even just ministering together for the gospel? There is a special deep connection that
binds believers who labour together for the Lord, and even more so for when they suffer
together for the sake of Christ. Their koinōnia as friends is also a koinōnia as partners in the
work of proclaiming the gospel.1
This concept of koinōnia is important to framing the text of Philippians as Paul is
encouraging the Philippians toward unity in this one purpose of the gospel. We see this
thought continued in chapter 2:1-11 where he encourages them that if there is any
encouragement in Christ, to being united, not be selfish, esteem others more highly, look to
the interest of others—and all of this by looking to Jesus as our ultimate example of this
model. True unity of fellowship happens when believers are in koinōnia for the sake of the
gospel. A church that has lost its focus on the gospel and evangelism will soon lose its unity
also. It is the most important message, and the reason we're left on this earth to spread.
2. Verses 9-11: An Exposition of Paul's Prayer
I believe this prayer also helps set the tone and frame for Paul's letter, for in it he
states what his desired outcome for the Philippians is. So let's track with Paul's flow of
thought in his prayer and dig into what he and the Holy Spirit is saying to us. I've included
my labeled mapping of the verses above so you can follow my path through the passage.
1 G. Walter Hansen, The Letter to the Philippians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI;
Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2009), 50.
Thaddeus M. Maharaj: Sermon – Philippians 1 – To Live is Christ, to Die is Gain
1. Firstly, he prays that their love would abound more and more. However, this is
not a mere sentement or fluffy feeling he is talking about, because he follows it up (A & B)
"with knowledge and all discernment". This is a love that is not void of the intellect, but
rather comes with or through it. He is speaking of a love which is birthed out of knowing
Christ through his Word. This is why he pairs it with "all discernment". Knowing plays a
vital role in the life of the Christian in kindling passion for God.
The intellectually lazy Christian is biblically an oxymoron. Paul knows that if these
Christians are to stand fast in the trials of life, holding on to the faith in the face of
persecution and death, persevering in love for one another—it has to be grounded and
rooted in Christ through something more than just mere fickle emotions. It is this love
which is born out of knowing Christ that Paul later in Philippians 3:8 says makes him
"count all things loss for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus." It is the knowledge of
Christ as who He is that outweighs every earthly
gain and makes it seem like "dung" to Paul.
Christ is to be treasured. The only way He will be
highly treasured is for Him to be intimately
known. The only way we will know Him like that
is to study His word. For the sake of our faith and
joy—we must not be lazy in our minds. Jonathan
Edwards said that "religious affections are not all
heat without light"—there must be some
illumination happening there for it to be genuine
Christian affection for Christ and His truth.
2. He follows this up with a purpose clause, "so that". The purpose of Paul wanting
them to abound in love with knowledge and discernment is so that they would "approve
what is excellent". 1 Corinthians 13:6 says that love "does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but
rejoices in the truth." This is the type of love that Paul hopes would abound in them. It is a
love that approves and rejoices in what is excellent. Though knowing Christ via the
scriptures, they would see the surpassing worth of Christ, and forsake all other illegitmate
pleasures of sin and this world—approving what is excellent and this would lead to them
being "pure and blameless for the Day of Christ."
3. Thirdly, we see that this becoming pure and blameless by approving what is
excellent prepares them for Christ's emminent return. "For we must all appear before the
judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the
body, whether good or evil." (2 Corinthians 5:10) The Day of Christ is both that terrible day
of judgment on all evil and injustice, but also the blessed hope of those in Christ! May we
live in light of that glorious Day! No person will stand before God on that Day and regret
sacrificing too much, praying too much, or giving too much. I'm pretty sure none of us when
Thaddeus M. Maharaj: Sermon – Philippians 1 – To Live is Christ, to Die is Gain
we are standing before the glorified Christ will say I wish I spent more time in trivial
pursuits and chasing material gains. All these things will pale in light of His glory and grace.
4. Fourthly, by abounding in love, with knowledge and discernment which enables
them to approve what is excellent, being pure and blameless which prepares them for the
Day of Christ, they are "filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ."
We see that there is no conjunction here, it is not a new idea he's intruducing, so it is a
continuation of the thought. This process of knowing Christ more leads to bearing fruit as it
is how we are rooted in him (Col. 2:7), so that we bear fruit (John 15:8). We can look at
Galatians 5:22-23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." Against these fruits
there is no law, therefore we are prepared for standing before the Judge.
Now, this is not to say that we are saved by our good works, but rather that the good
works which flow from having a saving knowledge of Christ are the evidences that we are
truly saved. The evidence of a new relationship with God is a new relationship with sin and
that we want to do the things which please Him because we treasure Him! This is why the
very next verse in Galatians says, "And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the
flesh with its passions and desires."
5. Lastly, Paul sums up the purpose of all of this—everything that he has prayed for
them (and us)—it is to the glory and praise of God. John Piper has a famous saying that, "I
am most satisfied when God is most glorified in
me." The Westminster Shorter Catechism says it
this way, "The chief end of man is to glorify God,
and to enjoy Him forever." Also it continues that
God has given the His Word contained in the
Scriptures as, "the only rule to direct us how we
may glorify and enjoy him." This sums up nicely
Paul's prayer here and frames the purpose and
outcome which Paul wants to see happen in
these believers' lives and ours. This is why we
are diving into our study today—with the hope that this prayer will be answered in our
lives. It is with these 2 points that Paul frames his letter – koinōnia and love that abounds to
God's glory.
Verse 21—To Live is Christ, To Die is Gain
Paul then rejoices in the Gospel advance where he is—that the whole palace guard
has heard the Gospel now through his imprisonment. And even that it has caused the
brethren to become bold by seeing how bold Paul was. He even rejoices that people are
Thaddeus M. Maharaj: Sermon – Philippians 1 – To Live is Christ, to Die is Gain
preaching Christ to try to add to his afflictions
because he knows the power of the Gospel is not in
the messenger, but in the message and the Holy
Spirit working through it to convict people. Why is
he rejoicing?
Here we come to a definitive statement in
Philippians 1, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is
gain." In fact, Paul seems to be having difficulty
choosing between the two (v. 23)! This is the secret
to Paul's rejoicing. Paul must have been a frustrating person for those who opposed him. If
you threatened him and told him not to preach, he'd reply like Peter, "I'd rather obey God
than men." (Acts 5:29) You throw him in prison, and he converts all your guards. If you beat
him, he'd say "I count not the sufferings of this world worthy of comparing to the weight of
glory awaiting me." (2 Cor. 4:17) If you take away all that he has he says, "I count all things
loss for the sake of Christ." (Phil 3:8) If you kill him, he says, "dying is gain!!" (Phil 1:21) Paul
is unstoppable because Paul realizes that he's already a dead man walking. Indeed for all
those redeemed in Christ, we all are! "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who
live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of
God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)
You can't threaten a dead man! Paul is truly free from this world—this is how we
are to live. Christianity is not that we add Jesus to our lives. It is that we exchange our life
for His! The Gospel call is to a cross! "If any many desire to come after me, let him take up his
cross daily and follow after me."(Luke 9:23) When we come to Christ, we are united with
Him first in His death—whereby we crucify the flesh, our desires, our sinful life—then are
raised to life together with Him so that our life is now found IN HIM. You have died to your
self-autonomy, your life is Christ's now—and that is gloriously good news!
Ignatius of Antioch that great early church father of the first
century, was given the chance to recant but instead said
these words before going to face execution by wild beasts:
"Now am I beginning to be a disciple. May naught of
things visible and things invisible envy me; that I may
attain unto Jesus Christ. Come fire and cross and
grapplings with wild beasts, [cuttings and manglings,]
wrenching of bones, hacking of limbs, crushings of my
whole body, come cruel tortures of the devil to assail
me. Only be it mine to attain unto Jesus Christ.2
2 Joseph Barber Lightfoot and J. R. Harmer, The Apostolic Fathers (London: Macmillan and Co., 1891), 151.
Thaddeus M. Maharaj: Sermon – Philippians 1 – To Live is Christ, to Die is Gain
The farthest bounds of the universe shall profit me nothing, neither the kingdoms of
this world. It is good for me to die for Jesus Christ rather than to reign over the farthest
bounds of the earth. Him I seek, who died on our behalf; Him I desire, who rose again
[for our sake]. The pangs of a new birth are upon me."3
What makes a man so bold a witness as to willingly embrace death? It is when he
has seen Christ as more valuable than life itself! Even the way verse 21 is written in
Greek—there is no verb in between. It's simply "to live Christ, to die gain." It's like you can
put an equal sign between them and say, "to live = Christ and to die = gain." Or indeed, that
only in Christ is true life found!!
Salvation is an exchange, we give up our life for His. Rags for riches and beauty for
ashes is the great exchange. Many would say they would die for Jesus, but if you're not
living for him presently—what makes you think you would die for him? Not in any way to
discredit the value and amazing faith of the martyrs, but I'd be bold to say, it takes more
courage to live a long life of faithful service to our Lord than to hastily say you'd lay down
your life. The early church understood that you did not seek the martyr's crown—it was
something that God had to choose you for. You want to be a martyr? Pick up your cross
daily and follow Him! If we do not die to ourselves daily, we will not understand that this
life is no longer ours to live. And if we have not seen Christ beautifully for all that He is,
dying makes no sense. Only the one who realizes the immense value of the treasure buried
in the field will sell all that he has joyfully to have it! (Matt. 13:44)
Living Worthy of the Gospel – an exposition of verses
27-30
Paul's closing lines in chapter one are a good
conclusion of what he's been talking about so far—
although this is continued in chapter 2 (remember there
weren't chapter divisions in the original). However, for
now we will end with going through this section of
scripture together. I have provided below my own
translation of the Greek text to try to bring out some of the
nuances I think we may miss reading some English
translations. I'd encourage you in your own study to
similarly underline, highlight and map out a passage to
better follow the flow of though or argument.
3 Joseph Barber Lightfoot and J. R. Harmer, The Apostolic Fathers (London: Macmillan and Co., 1891), 151.
Thaddeus M. Maharaj: Sermon – Philippians 1 – To Live is Christ, to Die is Gain
1. Verse 27: A. Heavenly Citizenship
Paul turns from his own circumstances and exhorts his friends by focusing their
attention on "only" one significant demand. Some translations say "Just one thing!" This
"one thing" is all which follows next in the imperative sentence. He commands them to
"πολιτεύεσθε" [politeuesthe] which is an Present Imperative from the verb "πολιτεύομαι"
[politeuomai] which derives from the word "πολίτης" [polités] meaning "a citizen". He
utilizes the Philippians' high regard for Roman citizenship to communicate something
significant. So the command he gives is literally to "live as a citizen". But a citizen of what?
He explains later in Philippians 3:20-21, "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it
we await a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, 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." In
Ephesians 2:19 he says that through Christ we "are no longer strangers and aliens, but you
are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God." Paul is reminding
us that as Christians, our home is no longer in this world—we have a heavenly
citizenship—and as such, we're expected to conduct ourselves according to the great grace
we've been shown.
Thaddeus M. Maharaj: Sermon – Philippians 1 – To Live is Christ, to Die is Gain
Someone who lives as a foreigner in a land that is not their home lives differently to
someone who has made a place their home. So how are we to live as "foreigners on earth"?
What does it say about us when we amass comforts and stuff here as if we were going to
stay here forever? Would you spend money furnishing a hotel room? Now I'm not saying
that we don't invest or take care of the things we are given here, but rather that we live in
light of eternity—knowing that this is not our permanent dwelling place—so why get
overly entangled with temporary affairs? We work towards a kingdom that is yet to come
fully, and toward an eternal reward. How are non-Christians to believe our message if we
live as if this live is the only thing we have to live for? YOLO is not a Christian's motto!
B. Worthy of the Gospel
Paul starts here by admonishing us to live "ἀξίως" [axiōs] "worthy of the Gospel" or
in manner becoming of the Gospel. St. Basil the Great (330-379AD – and no, he's not the
patron saint of seasoning) wrote about this saying:
"The Christian ought to be so minded as becomes his
heavenly calling, and his life and conversation ought to
be worthy of the Gospel of Christ. The Christian ought
not to be of doubtful mind, nor by anything drawn
away from the recollection of God and of His purposes
and judgments. The Christian ought in all things to
become superior to the righteousness existing under
the law… He ought not to speak evil; to do violence; to
fight; to avenge himself; to return evil for evil; to be
angry. The Christian ought to be patient… and to
convict the wrong-doer in season, not with the desire
of his own vindication, but of his brother’s
reformation… He must not talk idly… The Christian ought not to be enslaved by wine;
nor to be eager for flesh meat, and as a general rule ought not to be a lover of pleasure
in eating or drinking… The Christian ought to regard all the things that are given him
for his use, not as his to hold as his own or to lay up… No Christian ought to think of
himself as his own master, but each should rather so think and act as though given by
God to be slave to his like minded brethren…"4
The Gospel is a high calling to walk worthily of. It is actually a calling to which we
are totally incapable of fulfilling—which is the point! Paul says in Colossians 2:6, "as you
received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him." How did we receive Christ? By first
4 Basil of Caesarea, “Letters,” in St. Basil: Letters and Select Works, ed. Philip Schaff and Henry Wace, trans.
Blomfield Jackson, vol. 8, A Select Library of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church, Second
Series (New York: Christian Literature Company, 1895), 128.
Thaddeus M. Maharaj: Sermon – Philippians 1 – To Live is Christ, to Die is Gain
recognizing our need for Him. We needed Him to do in us, that which we could not do for
ourselves. This is not just the entry point of salvation, but also the continuing driving force
of Christian living. As we received Christ—as helpless beggars of His grace—so too are we
to walk in Him! Growth in Christian maturity is an increasing dependence on God.
2. A. Standing firm – στήκετε
Paul wishes to hear that they are standing firm—unified in the faith. In one spirit,
here Paul isn't necessarily talking about the Holy Spirit, but rather the human spirit. It is
like how we would express persons in unison as being 'in one spirit.' He also strengthens
this by adding "with one mind"—emphasizing the common mind or having the same
attitude together.5He then explains what this "standing firm" looks like by the following
participles, positively with συναθλοῦντες (B) and negatively with μὴ πτυρόμενοι (C).
B. Striving together - συναθλοῦντες (verse 28)
Paul uses an interesting word here, "συναθλοῦντες" from the verb "συναθλέω"
[sunathleó]—which is a compound word, "sun" + "ahtleo". "sun" simply means "with" and
from "athleo" we get our English gloss
"athlete". The word has the sense "to
compete together with others" or "cooperate
vigorously with". It brings to mind athletes
competing together for a prize. Sound
familiar? (see 1 Cor. 9:24, 2 Tim. 4:7, Heb
12:1) This is how we're to stand firm in one
spirit and mind—not stagnant, but actively
"motivating one another to acts of love and
good works" (Hebrews 10:24). Why? For the
faith of the Gospel. It is the Gospel charge
that brings the church together in unity for one purpose. How is your life reflecting this?
C. Fearless - μὴ πτυρόμενοι
Paul uses a double emphatic negative here, literally, "not being afraid in nothing"—
just in case you had any doubts. It explains negatively what standing firm looks like.
"πτύρω, found only here in the Greek Bible, in its other occurrences is almost always
employed in the passive voice and means ‘to be frightened, terrified, let oneself be
intimidated’. It could denote the uncontrollable stampede of startled horses. The
Philippians’ opponents tried to throw them into a panic or to strike terror into their
5 Peter Thomas O’Brien, The Epistle to the Philippians: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek
Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1991), 150.
Thaddeus M. Maharaj: Sermon – Philippians 1 – To Live is Christ, to Die is Gain
hearts. If, however, the believers stand firm as a congregation, one in heart and mind,
then at no point should they be intimidated by their adversaries."6
And we're not to be afraid of the "ἀντικειμένων" [antikeimenōn] – literally
translated "the ones opposing you"—could have a wide range of applications including
enemies of Jesus, opponents of believers, the Antichrist and even Satan. So Paul is desiring
for us "not being afraid in nothing by anyone or anything opposing you." That is the level of
fearlessness we can have because of Romans 8:31-39:
"What then shall we say to these things? If God is
for us, who can be against us? He who did not
spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how
will he not also with him graciously give us all
things? Who shall bring any charge against God's
elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn?
Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that,
who was raised—who is at the right hand of God,
who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall
separate us from the love of Christ? Shall
tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine,
or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,
"For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be
slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I
am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things
to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be
able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
3. Evidence of destruction and Salvation
This living as citizens of Heaven, worthy of the Gospel, standing firm in unity and
striving together for the work of the Gospel boldly without fear of opposition is "ἔνδειξις"
[endeixis] or "undeniable proof" or "an obvious demonstration" of destruction and salvation.
Paul in 2 Corinthians 2:15-16 says, "For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who
are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death,
to the other a fragrance from life to life." Our lives which are lived out earnestly for Christ
6 Peter Thomas O’Brien, The Epistle to the Philippians: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek
Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1991), 152–153.
Thaddeus M. Maharaj: Sermon – Philippians 1 – To Live is Christ, to Die is Gain
and the Gospel is part of what God uses to convict sinners or encourage fellow believers.
Our testimony is that important. This is why we must strive to live worthy of the gospel!
I think of the story of "The Cross and the Switchblade"—a true story of David
Wilkerson, a young preacher from Pennsylvania who went to New York city and influenced
some hard gang members. In it, he meets with one particularly ruthless teen—Nicky Cruz.
Nicky Cruz threatened Wilkerson, "You come
near me and I'll kill you!" The lanky country
preacher responded, "Yeah, you could do
that. You could cut me up into a thousand
pieces and lay them in the street, and every
piece will still love you." That sort of
unrelenting love, standing firm, unafraid of
opponents, unsettled and scared Cruz and he
eventually gave his life to Christ. Wilkerson's
ministry eventually birthed Teen Challenge,
an inner city ministry that continues to minister thousands of men and women with drug
and alcohol addiction.
A life lived wholly sold out for the Lord is often the best apologetic. Even the
apologist's theme verses is:
"But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear
of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honour Christ the Lord as holy, always
being prepared to make a defence to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope
that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that,
when you are slandered, those who revile your good behaviour in Christ may be put to
shame." (1 Peter 3:14-16 ESV)
However, not to let it go to our heads as if this were our doing, Paul reminds us at
the end of verse 28 that "this is from God." We have nothing to boast of except in the cross.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift
of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created
in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
(Ephesians 2:8-10 ESV)
4. Verse 29: Graced to believe and suffer
All of this is because of Grace—God's undeserved favour on our lives. Not that we
were deserving of forgiveness, reconciliation, or blessing—in fact the bible tells us just the
opposite.
Thaddeus M. Maharaj: Sermon – Philippians 1 – To Live is Christ, to Die is Gain
"And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the
course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now
at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of
our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature
children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the
great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us
alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved…" (Ephesians 2:1-5 ESV)
Grace is amazing! It is only by grace that we who
were once dead, blind, enemies of God are made alive and
anew in Christ. Indeed in the following verse in
Philippians 1:29, that is the very word that Paul uses. He
says, all of this is "because it has been ἐχαρίσθη
[echaristhē] to you." That verb "χαρίζομαι" [charizomai]
comes from the word "χάρις" [charis] which we translate
"grace." And oh how we love grace!!! But notice what Paul
says we're graced with? Not only to believe, but to suffer?
Graced to suffer!? Where does Paul get this crazy idea
from? Well… Jesus.
"Blessed are you when others revile you and
persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you
falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your
reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
(Matthew 5:11-12 ESV)
But Paul isn't a masochist—he doesn't see suffering as an end in itself.
"Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces
endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and
hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts
through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." (Romans 5:3-5 ESV)
In fact—the other NT writers also echo this:
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that
the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full
effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:2-4 ESV)
"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as
though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share
Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If
you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and
of God rests upon you." (1 Peter 4:12-14 ESV)
Thaddeus M. Maharaj: Sermon – Philippians 1 – To Live is Christ, to Die is Gain
In Acts 5—the disciples rejoice that they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ. In
Acts 14, Paul is stoned and left for dead, but gets up and the next day he's preaching the
gospel again and "strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in
the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God."
(Acts 14:22 ESV) Paul encourages the Philippians who are undergoing persecution, that
they are having the same struggle that they saw in him when he was there, and also that
they hear of him now that he's away. He reminds them of his time in jail and how the Lord
delivered him and brought glory to His name. Suffering as a Christian is not optional.
"Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." (2 Timothy 3:12
ESV) That's a promise you don't hear a lot of people claiming these days! Certainly not the
blessing you hear from the prosperity gospel!
Anyone who has been a serious Christian for a length of time knows this all too well.
For a large part (about 90%) of the Christians who live in parts of the world where they are
persecuted and even martyred for their faith, they know it. We know it when we face our
own trials for the sake of Christ. When our faith is tested, when we're ridiculed for standing
for Christ or a Biblical worldview. When
though we follow Him, yet are we afflicted
with disease and sickness, loved ones die,
accidents happen and the evils of this world
tear at our hearts. We follow a crucified
Lord, and His charge to His disciples is to "take up your cross daily." We follow Him in a
world system that is set against Him, sent as sheep among wolves, as light in darkness.
According to Peter, we "share in Christ's sufferings" and in doing so know Him more
intimately through them. In fact, this is exactly where Paul takes his argument later in this
letter, he says:
"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—that I may know him and
the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his
death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead."
(Philippians 3:8-11 ESV)
Knowing Christ… "that I may know him" Paul says. How infinitely sweet is this
knowledge that it would make even suffering and death pale by comparison!? Indeed, "O
death, where is thy victory? O grave, where is thy victory?" (1 Corinthians 15:55 ESV) That is
the Christ I want to know! The Christ who's savour is better than life itself! Oh that I may
taste and see that the Lord is good! It is because of this that Paul is willing to gladly endure
suffering, because in it, He knows and experiences Christ the more. It would be plain
Thaddeus M. Maharaj: Sermon – Philippians 1 – To Live is Christ, to Die is Gain
insanity were it not true. But "this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal
weight of glory beyond all comparison!" (2 Corinthians 4:17 ESV)
However, there is one important
truth we hold on to more than just a final
eschatological hope—that is that He is with
us now, in our sufferings. Right there in the
Great Commission is the Great Comfort, "Lo,
I am with you always, even to the end of the
age." This is how we are graced not only to
believe on Him, but also to suffer for His
sake. How many have felt this comfort of
Christ in the most desperate and hopeless of
times? How many have known His presence
tangible when they stood up for the Gospel?
For those who have known the sweetness of
His presence—they know that it is worth all
the money, possessions and even hardships
of this life. We only taste it now and yet it is enough to give us spiritual diabetes! Imagine
in the age to come when we shall forever bask in His presence! These foretastes of heaven
are only the sprinkle, a mere drip… imagine when we are under the full waterfall of His
love and we know Him as we are known, face to face with Grace amazing!
If you do not know Jesus in this way, or if this just doesn't make sense—if you're not
a believer and all this talk about dying being gain seems ridiculous—you're right! It makes
no sense until you've tasted and seen that Christ is all that you need and more. I pray that
the Lord would reveal Himself to you and become the delight of your heart, that you may
comprehend with all the saints what is the height and depth and breadth and width of the
love of Christ which is beyond all knowledge, so that you would abound in joyous
enjoyment of Him now and forever!
Amen.