August 28, 2022
Peace and Power in Prison
Philippians 2:12-18

Paul was a prisoner when he wrote this letter. Many commentators believe he wrote while in prison from Rome, others from Caesarea a few from Ephesus. In other words we don’t know. What we do know is Paul was in prison and he thinks he may be martyred. [4][5][6] Several scholars believed the internal evidence of Philippians puts its writing toward the end of this period.[7] Others argued that it was the first of Paul’s Prison Epistles.[8] (Constable)

Imagine you’re in prison, facing martyrdom, but you are rejoicing and focused on challenging the Church towards proper things and holiness. How could this be said of us? The answer is in our passage this morning.

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,

• Whenever we see words like “Therefore, So Then, Because, Accordingly PAUSE, LOOK BACK.
• Here it means: “For that reason”. As a result of…
• “So go ahead and whip out the notes you took in February when we covered the previous passage.

RECAP Philippians 2:1-11

In those first 11 verses of Philipians chapter 2, Paul told the church that as Christians, we should be individually humble and collectively unified, working as one body, shoulder to shoulder engaged in the divine struggle. Creating a symphony of worship to the King of Kings. He commanded us to look constantly to our supreme example, Christ, who gave Himself to the Father in complete obedience in perfect humility. As a result, God super exalted Him beyond imagination, and when we imitate Jesus’ obedience, humility, and unity we too shall share in his reward and glory.

With this in mind, we dive into Paul’s further directions. And he starts by lovingly referring to the Philipian church as “my beloved”

• Term of endearment, standard Paul greeting.
• The idea of them being close to his heart.
• The church is our family forever.
• We might have a good 70 years with our biological family, but a billion years into eternity, that wont even factor into the scale of our intimacy with our heavenly family.
• That should bring a lot of comfort to those with or from broken families

OBEDIENCE

• Obedience is very important not only to Paul but to God.
• He is perfectly frank and way more direct than we tend to be. OBEY!
• Obedience is even more important in Paul’s absence. Why?
• There’s a real danger in comfort
• We often plateau
• Their accountability left.
• Paul knows there is a real chance of slippage without accountability.
• Mentors
• We actively participate in our daily salvation through humble obedience.
• Look back at Christ’s example of obedience to God in verse 8: “he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death”.
• We look like God through obedience to Him.

SANCTIFICATION

Disclaimer: This is 100% only directed towards believers… Those who have repented from sin and put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone to save their soul from eternal damnation.

Acts 4:12 reads:
“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

GOSPEL PRESENTATION HERE:

• Constable wrote, “Paul doesn’t say work for your salvation, he says work out your salvation”.
• "It is not a ‘let go and let God’ affair. It is a ‘take hold with God’ business.” (Constable)
• Salvation is freely given and already accomplished by the work of Jesus, yet we are still called to work it out. (Maclaren)
• Salvation is not only “Justification”, that instant the Holy Spirit fills us. It’s also Sanctification here on earth and Glorification when we enter the Kingdom of God. No longer burdened with a sin riddled physical body, but liberated and set free from sin in an eternal, immortal body.
• Line illustration - live above the line to live in salvation or below the line to have those moments gone forever. Burned up in a flash, a heap of dirty rags and chaff. (Monte)
• And we’re told to do this with fear and trembling.
• Not fear of losing our salvation, but reverence for the Lord and a proper view of our sinful desires.
• READ THIS SLOWLY - “If lowliness was fitting for the Divine Savior, who was full of grace, wisdom, and power, then what shall be the mind of those who in great guilt and need have found part in the salvation, and who are going forward to its fullness?
• What shall be the mind of those who, in this experience, are looking up to Christ-looking up to lowliness? Surely not the spirit of strife and vainglory (Philippians 2:3), but of fear and trembling-the mind that dreads to be presumptuous and arrogant, because it finds the danger to be still near.” (EBC)

13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure

• The very first word here is: ”For”
• Paul’s giving them the reason and explanation for the previous command in verse 12.
• Its why we need to obey and work out our own salvation.
• God’s work in us is able to triumph over our flawed, corrupted human will with His perfect will.
• But the flesh’s fallen desire remains;hopelessly so; sin in all its raw potential resides there.
• Romans 7:18 reads: “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.”
• The only difference between me an Stalin or Hitler is God’s work in our lives.
• But the only difference between me and Paul, is me.
• We have just as much potential as Paul; God is fully and perfectly working in us for his good pleasure.
• Following in the will of God, God’s pleasure is the best and perfect place to be.
• There is satisfaction and joy found in obedience that’s not found anywhere else.
• As we submit to his will, God’s pleasure becomes our pleasure, as the image bearers of God.
• TURN TO: John 15:9-17, As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

APPLICATION

• The answer to the introduction question is here in verse 13.
• The philipians had been taught and shepherded by paul, and he admonished them to go think and ponder, do the work, don’t just look in the mirror and go home.
• So we need to do likewise.
• We must respond to that potential; We too should be living in and for God’s good pleasure.
• Are we striving onward and toward to the fullness of salvation or choosing to live in death?

TRANSITION

• We see the church at Philippi was called to continue in obedience.
• Paul sharpened their focus on God’s pleasure
• Now let’s look at Paul’s specific action points for the Philippines and us.
• Look at verse 14:

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing,

• ALL THINGS WITHOUT, not most, not everything once you’ve had coffee. All things.
• Grumbling or murmuring = secret inner debate [Monte idea]
• Grumbling: the thinking of a man deliberating with himself; …, a thought, inward reasoning: the reasoning of those who think themselves to be wise, an opinion, balancing of accounts, calculation, consideration, debate, argument, discussion,
  circuit court, judicial inquiry, (LSJ.gr)
• We grumble towards people or we fire up the “group grumble”.
• What’s the difference between a discussion and disputing?
• Fleshly anger and selfishness.
• Murmuring about something, or disputing with someone.
• These are the opposite of being in God’s good pleasure.

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,

• This set’s up the possibility that you may be: blameless and innocent -> “Being blameless and innocent is a daily choice we make, first with our thoughts followed with our actions by the Spirit’s power.” (READ THIS TWICE)
• Our striving for holiness is challenged by other’s sinful interaction with us.
• If people knew how to drive correctly and stay out of my way, it be easier to be holy.
• If your parents were always kind and patient, it be easier to be holy.
• If we diddn’t go out in public or online to the explicit, illicit and easy sex that’s advertised everywhere it would be alot easier to shine as lights in the word.
• We’re in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. There’s a lot to grumble about!
• “Among whom you shine” -> the Greek is present passive indicative -> We are the passive object. The shining is from another source. This is a statement of fact that God is acting upon our lives to make us shine.

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.

• The Greek word has been used to say: Apply, to observe, attend to, give attention to, to stay (Thayer; source LSJ.gr)
• The word of life!
• Bible = life. POUND IT!
• John 6:67-69, So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”
• (The Bible) “must be held forth by every believer, by word and example, for his own credit, the world’s benefit, God’s glory.” (J. Lyth)
• So that, on the day of Christ, I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
• 2 Cor 5:10 - For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
• Paul wants a reward for his work!
• And he implies that his work could be for nothing if the Philipians do not continue to be humble, united and obedient. Lights in a broken world.
• I don’t want to say more than Paul has said here, but that is significant! It’s possible if the people we pour into spiritually do not find success and victory in following after Christ, our work is for nothing.

ILLUSTRATION

• There is an entire department at my work for handling debit card disputes. 30 some people.
• We are “dispute specialists.” Give me anything and I’ll argue with you about it.
• But that’s not who the Church is called to be.

APPLICATION

• The application here is beyond simple. Don’t grumble. Don’t complain.
• Parents: your children challenge you.
• Kids: Your parents seems to know just when to aggravate you.
• Students: Someone’s not pulling their weight on that group project.
• Teachers: your students are gremlins pretty often.
• Speak the truth in love.
• We are more effective when holding out the Gospel to the world, shining from our God given light when we are blameless and pure. Undefiled.
• Keep grumbling or hold fast and hold forth the WORD OF LIFE!

TRANSITION

Now that we see the clear instructions on the how to please God in all things; let’s look at Paul’s example to the church.

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.

• Paul is looking at possible death as he’s currently imprisoned, despite this:
• He compares his death to the drink offering; priests would pour out wine next to the altar as a part of the sacrifice ceremony.
• Paul offers his life work and physical body to God as a pleasing offering.
• Paul didn’t see his imprisonment as an obstacle to overcome, but part of the larger offering and an opportunity to encourage and embolden the church in their race.
• He rejoices that his sacrifice of service and possible martyrdom is coupled with the offering of the Philipians’ obedient faith.
• “I am glad and REJOICE”! - He’s in prison right now!
• Since he wasn’t grumbling about any of the things to grumble about in prison, God used Paul to write Philippians. (Monte idea)

APPLICATION

• We see Paul’s attitude in the worst of circumstances > His mind is on God and His Church.
  How often do we say we’ll have a good attitude or do the hard things when we are in a better place?
• I’ll read my Bible when I’m not depressed.
• I’ll go to church when I’m not busy this week.
• I’ll reach out and encourage that friend when I’m being more consistent about reading my own Bible.

18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

• It would be natural for the church to possibly be sad and depressed concerning Paul’s circumstances–and perhaps they were, but just as he is rejoicing, he commands the church to do the same.

APPLICATION

• What do we typically rejoice in? A new house, a new car, motorcycle, or a job promotion?
• Paul is rejoicing in hardship, imprisonment, and likely death that results in the spread of the gospel.
• Are we willing to sacrifice our lives for the growth of other’s faith?
• Our focus should be towards the service of others and God’s church in this life.

Bibliography and Works Cited

NOTE: Please see the following web-page for most of the works cited: https://insidecrosspoint.org/sermons/2022/aug/bibliography.html. Most works cited on that web-page correspond to the verses they are outlined with, or in the case of background information, general references, author information, etc., one will find cited material with the Bible books the citations are associated with.

Scripture quotations [unless otherwise noted] are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Other Works Cited