1 Corinthians 1:1-9
1 Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes,
2 To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— 6 even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Introduction
Paul's Situation:
Paul preached in the Jewish synagogue and supported himself financially as a tentmaker or leatherworker.
He soon faced opposition from local Jewish leaders. After being banished from the synagogue, Paul preached and taught next door at the house of the Gentile convert Gaius. When the new Roman proconsul Gallo arrived in Corinth in A.D. 51 or 52, the Jewish leaders went before Gallo and accused Paul of “propagating illegal religion.” Gallo reasoned the complaint was over differences of Jewish law interpretation—an area he was not responsible to pronounce judgment. This ruling provided a legal precedent for other Roman magistrates, allowing Paul to continue his apostolic mission for several years.
Paul stayed in Corinth for approximately 18 months before journeying to Ephesus and Jerusalem, and then returning to Ephesus for another two years. It is believed Paul wrote his first letter to the Corinthians while in Ephesus sometime between A.D. 53-55. This letter exhorts the church to seek Christian wisdom and unity of church life, addresses specific problems in the Corinthian church life, and responds to questions posed to him in a letter from the Corinthians.
Position and situation of City of Corinth
The city of Corinth was at the heart of an important trade route in the ancient world. This served to bring together several different cultures under Roman rule to include Jews & Gentiles from all over the known world.
Corinth had a reputation for sexual immorality, besides the prostitution, homosexuality was rampant, and incest & pedophilia was a common occurrence.
Corinth had a reputation for religious diversity (a roman trading and merchant city, housing well over 20 different forms of worship to pagan gods), to include Emperor Worship. Main form of worship = prostitution
Corinth had a reputation for corruption. A place where "money is king" and the ability to obtain wealth is seen as a form of worship in itself.
Illustration: Comparison of the new Christian and the fire that they hold for Christ, to the believer who's fire has dwindled. The story of Charles Templeton (youth for Christ co-founder & friend of Billy Graham). Announced his "loss of faith" after failing to foster a relationship with God, he had many gifts but a lacking of faith.
Church's situation
The church that Paul planted there (Acts 18) floundered under all of these influences and began to divide over various issues.
First Corinthians addresses many practical questions dividing the church—questions concerning such things as spiritual gifts, marriage, food offered to idols, and the resurrection.
Paul urged the Corinthians to be unified and to give themselves fully to “the work of the Lord” (15:58).
I. Commendation: Their Standing in Christ (1:1–9)
In a most tactful way, Paul opened his letter by reminding the believers of the wonderful blessings they had in Christ. He does this before he disciplines them for their grievous sin, for they were living beneath their privileges as Christians.
They were not walking in a manner worthy of their calling in Christ (Eph. 4:1ff), causing division and dis-unity in the church.
Paul lists some of their spiritual blessings that they were ignoring and thus depriving themselves of.
A. Their particular privilege of being "Called by God " (v. 2).
This means they were sanctified (set apart) and members of that elect group, the church! They were not living like saints, but they were saints!
The key word here is Sanctified, the very fact that they have been separated and then elevated as "saints," for the sake of Christ and the spreading of His Gospel.
B. Grace of God (vv. 3–4).
Grace means that God gives us what we don’tdeserve; mercy means He doesn’tgive us what we do deserve.
This grace came through Christ by faith.
It is only proper to give thanks to God for fellow believers and the gifts of faith & grace He has bestowed on them. Their particular actions did not stop Paul from praising the Lord for them.
Paul reminds them that these gifts only came through Jesus Christ, and no other, setting the backdrop for what their mindset should be.
C. Gifts from God (vv. 5 and 7).
Paul mentions their blessing of spiritual gifts in v.5 and then discusses some in length in chapters 12–14, but it is evident that the Corinthians were wonderfully blessed with spiritual gifts.
They were enriched with knowledge, yet with all their gifts and knowledge, they lacked love (13:1–3) and could not get along with each other.
Spiritual gifts do not take the place of spiritual action, nor will their presence cause unity if they are not used properly.
D. Testimony for God (v. 6).
Everything Paul said that Christ could do for them came to pass in their lives. God’s Word came true in their lives.
How often do we see blatant evidence of God's hand and yet we simply forget moments later.
E. Hope from God (vv. 7–9).
They were waiting for Christ to return but were not living in the light of His coming (1 John 2:28).
Though the Corinthians were sinful on earth, God would be able to present them as blameless in heaven.
We should not use this passage as an excuse for sin; rather it should be seen as an encouragement that God is faithful even though we may fail Him.
Where are we on that scale of believers, is our fire still a potent flame or have we allowed the world to encroach on out faith?
Yes, we are to thank the Lord for the wonderful gift of faith He has bestowed upon us, but we can not forget or fail to put that faith into action and take part in that process of sanctification.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
James 4:1-10 Sermon Outline
James 4:1-10
1What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but dgives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Facing the Giants
This chapter makes it clear that there were carnal divisions and disputes among these believers.
One cause was the selfish desire of many to be teachers (3:1), "Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness."
but ultimatly the basic cause was disobedience. There was a lack of true separation in the lives of the people = Lack of Sanctification
Leviticus 20:8 "Keep my statutes and do them; I am the Lord who sanctifies you."
1 Corinthians 1:2 "To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours"
It is tragic when brethren dwell together in discord instead of unity (Ps. 133) "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! . “Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet? ?” (Amos 3:3)
I. The Enemies (or giants) We Must Face (4:1–7)
We noted in 3:15 that the Christian battle within themself against three main enemies - the world, the flesh, and the devil.
You find this same listing in Eph. 2:1–3, "And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 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— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and pwere by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind."
These enemies echo troughout Scripture,
The unsaved person lives for the world and the flesh and is controlled by the devil.
Those who trust Christ receive the Holy Spirit within and have a new nature. But still, they will battle these enemies.
A. The flesh (vv. 1–3).
The word “lusts” does not necessarily mean sensual passions. It simply means desires, the inner wants of the person.
These desires are at work in the members of the body, and they excite the flesh and create problems.
Please keep in mind that the body itself is not sinful; it is the fallen nature that would control the body that is sinful.
The flesh is human nature apart from God, just as the world is human society apart from God. This is why Rom. 6:6 "We know that wour old self1 xwas crucified with him in order that ythe body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin," - exhorts us to yield the members of our bodies to the Spirit:
See also the emphasis in Rom. 8 "For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us"
In v. 2 James describes these believers’ sinful actions: they desire, they kill to obtain (see Gal. 5:15), and they do not stop to pray about their desires. And, when they do pray, they pray selfishly that they might enlarge their pleasures, not to glorify God.
The flesh can even encourage a person to pray! Butv of course, when a believer is at war with himself, it is not likely that he can have peace with others.
B. The world (vv. 4–5).
Spiritual adultery: is being married to Christ yet loving the world
Rom. 7:4 "Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God"
2 Cor. 11:2–3 "For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. 3 But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ."
In the OT, God called Israel’s idolatry “adultery” because the idols had robbed Him of the people’s devotion. How can Christians have friendship with the world when they have been called out of the world? (John 15:18–19) We have been crucified to the world, and the world to us (Gal. 6:14).
There are four dangerous steps that take the believer into a wrong relationship with the world:
(1) friendship with world, James 4:4; "You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God."
(2) being soiled by the world, James 1:27; "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
(3) love with the world, 1 John 2:15–17; "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
(4) conformity to the world, Rom. 12:1–2; "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
The result is that the compromising believer is judged as in the world, yet not condemned (1 Cor. 11:32 "But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.). Lot illustrates this folly; see Gen. 13:10–13 and chapter 19. Believers who are friends of the world are at enmity with God. They grieve the Spirit, who jealously yearns for their love.
C. The devil (vv. 6–7).
Christians who live for the world and the flesh become proud, and the devil takes advantage of this situation, for pride is one of his chief tools. God wants to give us more grace—more than anything Satan can give!
The Christian must use the Word to resist Satan (Luke 4:1–13), and this the Spirit will enable him to do.
But God will not help the Christian who is proud, who refuses to repent of sin and humble himself (James 4:6). Grace is for the lowly, not the lofty. We must first submit to God; then we can effectively resist the devil.
But, if we resist the Devil (v.7) he will flee from us.
Therefore, It is important that Christians examine themselves to see these enemies and apply God's power to them.
II. How do we apply this lesson and defeat this enemy, & utilize the power fo God. (James 4:8-10)
A. Draw near to God (v.8a) Let him be your shelter & fortress
B. Repent of your sin (v. 8b)
C. Realize your sin and mourn over your mis-strep (v. 9)
D. Humble yourself (v.10) and be exaulted by God.
1What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but dgives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Facing the Giants
This chapter makes it clear that there were carnal divisions and disputes among these believers.
One cause was the selfish desire of many to be teachers (3:1), "Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness."
but ultimatly the basic cause was disobedience. There was a lack of true separation in the lives of the people = Lack of Sanctification
Leviticus 20:8 "Keep my statutes and do them; I am the Lord who sanctifies you."
1 Corinthians 1:2 "To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours"
It is tragic when brethren dwell together in discord instead of unity (Ps. 133) "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! . “Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet? ?” (Amos 3:3)
I. The Enemies (or giants) We Must Face (4:1–7)
We noted in 3:15 that the Christian battle within themself against three main enemies - the world, the flesh, and the devil.
You find this same listing in Eph. 2:1–3, "And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 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— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and pwere by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind."
These enemies echo troughout Scripture,
The unsaved person lives for the world and the flesh and is controlled by the devil.
Those who trust Christ receive the Holy Spirit within and have a new nature. But still, they will battle these enemies.
A. The flesh (vv. 1–3).
The word “lusts” does not necessarily mean sensual passions. It simply means desires, the inner wants of the person.
These desires are at work in the members of the body, and they excite the flesh and create problems.
Please keep in mind that the body itself is not sinful; it is the fallen nature that would control the body that is sinful.
The flesh is human nature apart from God, just as the world is human society apart from God. This is why Rom. 6:6 "We know that wour old self1 xwas crucified with him in order that ythe body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin," - exhorts us to yield the members of our bodies to the Spirit:
See also the emphasis in Rom. 8 "For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us"
In v. 2 James describes these believers’ sinful actions: they desire, they kill to obtain (see Gal. 5:15), and they do not stop to pray about their desires. And, when they do pray, they pray selfishly that they might enlarge their pleasures, not to glorify God.
The flesh can even encourage a person to pray! Butv of course, when a believer is at war with himself, it is not likely that he can have peace with others.
B. The world (vv. 4–5).
Spiritual adultery: is being married to Christ yet loving the world
Rom. 7:4 "Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God"
2 Cor. 11:2–3 "For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. 3 But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ."
In the OT, God called Israel’s idolatry “adultery” because the idols had robbed Him of the people’s devotion. How can Christians have friendship with the world when they have been called out of the world? (John 15:18–19) We have been crucified to the world, and the world to us (Gal. 6:14).
There are four dangerous steps that take the believer into a wrong relationship with the world:
(1) friendship with world, James 4:4; "You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God."
(2) being soiled by the world, James 1:27; "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
(3) love with the world, 1 John 2:15–17; "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
(4) conformity to the world, Rom. 12:1–2; "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
The result is that the compromising believer is judged as in the world, yet not condemned (1 Cor. 11:32 "But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.). Lot illustrates this folly; see Gen. 13:10–13 and chapter 19. Believers who are friends of the world are at enmity with God. They grieve the Spirit, who jealously yearns for their love.
C. The devil (vv. 6–7).
Christians who live for the world and the flesh become proud, and the devil takes advantage of this situation, for pride is one of his chief tools. God wants to give us more grace—more than anything Satan can give!
The Christian must use the Word to resist Satan (Luke 4:1–13), and this the Spirit will enable him to do.
But God will not help the Christian who is proud, who refuses to repent of sin and humble himself (James 4:6). Grace is for the lowly, not the lofty. We must first submit to God; then we can effectively resist the devil.
But, if we resist the Devil (v.7) he will flee from us.
Therefore, It is important that Christians examine themselves to see these enemies and apply God's power to them.
II. How do we apply this lesson and defeat this enemy, & utilize the power fo God. (James 4:8-10)
A. Draw near to God (v.8a) Let him be your shelter & fortress
B. Repent of your sin (v. 8b)
C. Realize your sin and mourn over your mis-strep (v. 9)
D. Humble yourself (v.10) and be exaulted by God.
James 3:1-18 Sermon Outline
Taming the Tongue
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.
How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then speaceable, gentle, open to reason, tfull of mercy and good fruits, uimpartial and vsincere. 18 And wa harvest of righteousness xis sown in peace by those who make peace.
Illustration: Satan's Yard Sale & The Wedge
We can identify mature Christians by their:
attitude toward suffering (chap. 1)
by their obedience to the Word of God (chap. 2).
Now James tells us that a Christian’s speech is another test of maturity. We read and hear many words every day and forget what a wonderful thing a word is! When God gave us the faculty of speech, He gave us a tool to build with; but it can also become a weapon of destruction.
I. The Exhortation (3:1–2)
Apparently there was a rivalry in the assemblies over who would teach, for James warns them, “Let not many of you become teachers!”
The reason? Those who teach will be judged more strictly than those who listen.
It is a sad thing when immature Christians, or what we call Social Christians, try to become teachers either before they are ready or even in the face of utter opposition from God.
Many think they have attained a great place of honor, when they have really asked for a more severe judgment from God!
James is quick to agree that all of us stumble in many ways, especially in what we say.
In fact, the person who is able to control the tongue proves that he or she has control over the whole body.
Read 1:26 again, and note also the many references to the tongue in the Book of Proverbs. Peter is a good illustration of this truth. In the Gospels, while an immature disciple, he often lost control of his tongue and had to be either reproved or taught by the Lord. But after Pentecost, his spiritual discipline was evident by his controlled speech.
II. The Illustrations (3:3–12)
James used three paired illustrations to portray the power of the tongue.
A. Power to direct—the bit and rudder (vv. 3–4).
The word “helm” in v. 4 is “rudder,” the part of the ship that steers it through the water.
We often think that our words are unimportant, but the wrong word can direct the listener into the wrong paths.
An idle word, a questionable story, a half-truth, or a deliberate lie could change the course of a life and lead it to destruction.
On the other hand, the right word, used by the Spirit, could direct a soul out of sin and into salvation. Just as the horse needs a guide, and the rudder needs a pilot, so our tongues need the Lord to control them.
B. Power to destroy—the fire and animal (vv. 5–8).
The size of a thing does not determine its value or power.
The tongue is a little member in the body, but it can cause great destruction. How the tongue loves to boast! (Of course, what the tongue says comes from the heart: Matt. 12:34–35.) (v. 5) Each year, many thousands of acres of timber are lost because of careless campers or smokers.
A little flame can set a whole forest on fire. The tongue is a flame: it can, through lies and gossip and heated words, set a whole family or church on fire.
See Prov. 16:27 "A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.. " And the “soot” from the fire can defile everybody involved. When the Spirit came at Pentecost, there were tongues of fire from heaven to enable the Christians to witness; but it is also possible for the tongue to be “set on fire from hell” (v. 6). James also compares the tongue to a fierce and poisonous beast that cannot be tamed. No man can tame the tongue; only God can control it through His Spirit.
C. Power to delight—the fountain and tree (vv. 9–12).
It is impossible for a fountain to produce both fresh water and salt; and it is impossible for a tongue to speak both blessing and cursing.
However we “bless God” in our praying and singing, and then “curse men” in our anger and impatience! See Prov. 18:4 "The words of a man’s mouth are adeep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook."
Christians must allow the Spirit to give forth the “living waters” of the Word through their tongues. There is something wrong with the heart when the tongue is inconsistent. Likewise, a tree cannot bear two kinds of fruit. The “fruit of the lips” (see Heb. 13:15) ought always to be spiritual.
After considering these examples, believers must realize that they cannot permit Satan to use their tongues. The wrong word at the wrong time could break a heart or lead a person astray.
III. The Application (3:13–18)
One of the key themes in the Book of James is wisdom, or practical living directed by the Word of God.
It becomes tragic when Christians lack practical wisdom to direct their affairs, both personally and in the church. Far too many people have the idea that to be “spiritual” means to be impractical—and nothing is farther from the truth!
When the Holy Spirit guides us, He uses our minds, and He expects us to get the facts and weigh issues in the light of the Word of God. James indicates that there are two sources of wisdom and that the believer needs to be discerning.
We are thereby warned - The tongue of the believer can be filled with true wisdom from above or the false wisdom from below.
A. False wisdom from below (vv. 14–16).
When we have bitterness and envy in our hearts, our tongues will express these things. It matters not how spiritual our teaching might be: if the tongue is not controlled by the Spirit from a loving heart, then we are imparting false wisdom.
To their shame, Christians often believe this false wisdom and even glory in it! They know this “wisdom” contradicts the Bible, so they lie even against the truth of God’s Word! False wisdom belongs to the world (earthly), the flesh (sensual), and the devil (The Evil One)—the three great enemies of the believer (Eph. 2:1–3).
You can always tell when a church or a family follows false wisdom: you will find jealousy, division, and confusion. Instead of humbly depending on the Spirit and the Word, they look to the world for ideas and to the flesh for strength, and by so doing play right into the hands of the devil.
B. True wisdom from above (vv. 17–18).
Truly wise believers do not need to advertise the fact that they are wise; you will see it expressed in their daily life (edifying conversation and good behavior) and attitude (meekness). Knowledge puffs up (1 Cor. 8:1), but spiritual wisdom humbles us and keeps us from being arrogant. While the false wisdom has its origin in the world, the flesh, and the devil, the true wisdom “comes down from above” (see 1:17). It comes from God, by the Spirit; it is not invented by the mind of man
This true wisdom is pure; there is no error in the Word of God. It is peaceable: it leads to peace and harmony, not discord.
Man’s method for attaining peace is to sacrifice purity for the sake of harmony, but God does not work that way. Where people bow to the pure Word of God, there will always be peace.
The wisdom from above is also gentle; gentleness includes patience and forbearance. When the flesh controls the tongue, it unleashes a flood of words without self-control or a willingness to listen to others.
“A fool vents all his feelings,” says Prov. 29:11. The wise person uses gentleness and persuasion with patience; he or she does not threaten or accuse. “Easy to be intreated” (v. 17) suggests a willingness to yield, or to be reasonable.
Wise people are full of mercy, not quick to judge or condemn; their lives are full of good fruits.
There is no wavering (“partiality,” 1:6 and 2:4); though they are willing to yield, they are not willing to compromise with the truth. Finally, true wisdom will not allow for hypocrisy; the truth is spoken and is backed with a true motive.
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.
How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then speaceable, gentle, open to reason, tfull of mercy and good fruits, uimpartial and vsincere. 18 And wa harvest of righteousness xis sown in peace by those who make peace.
Illustration: Satan's Yard Sale & The Wedge
We can identify mature Christians by their:
attitude toward suffering (chap. 1)
by their obedience to the Word of God (chap. 2).
Now James tells us that a Christian’s speech is another test of maturity. We read and hear many words every day and forget what a wonderful thing a word is! When God gave us the faculty of speech, He gave us a tool to build with; but it can also become a weapon of destruction.
I. The Exhortation (3:1–2)
Apparently there was a rivalry in the assemblies over who would teach, for James warns them, “Let not many of you become teachers!”
The reason? Those who teach will be judged more strictly than those who listen.
It is a sad thing when immature Christians, or what we call Social Christians, try to become teachers either before they are ready or even in the face of utter opposition from God.
Many think they have attained a great place of honor, when they have really asked for a more severe judgment from God!
James is quick to agree that all of us stumble in many ways, especially in what we say.
In fact, the person who is able to control the tongue proves that he or she has control over the whole body.
Read 1:26 again, and note also the many references to the tongue in the Book of Proverbs. Peter is a good illustration of this truth. In the Gospels, while an immature disciple, he often lost control of his tongue and had to be either reproved or taught by the Lord. But after Pentecost, his spiritual discipline was evident by his controlled speech.
II. The Illustrations (3:3–12)
James used three paired illustrations to portray the power of the tongue.
A. Power to direct—the bit and rudder (vv. 3–4).
The word “helm” in v. 4 is “rudder,” the part of the ship that steers it through the water.
We often think that our words are unimportant, but the wrong word can direct the listener into the wrong paths.
An idle word, a questionable story, a half-truth, or a deliberate lie could change the course of a life and lead it to destruction.
On the other hand, the right word, used by the Spirit, could direct a soul out of sin and into salvation. Just as the horse needs a guide, and the rudder needs a pilot, so our tongues need the Lord to control them.
B. Power to destroy—the fire and animal (vv. 5–8).
The size of a thing does not determine its value or power.
The tongue is a little member in the body, but it can cause great destruction. How the tongue loves to boast! (Of course, what the tongue says comes from the heart: Matt. 12:34–35.) (v. 5) Each year, many thousands of acres of timber are lost because of careless campers or smokers.
A little flame can set a whole forest on fire. The tongue is a flame: it can, through lies and gossip and heated words, set a whole family or church on fire.
See Prov. 16:27 "A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.. " And the “soot” from the fire can defile everybody involved. When the Spirit came at Pentecost, there were tongues of fire from heaven to enable the Christians to witness; but it is also possible for the tongue to be “set on fire from hell” (v. 6). James also compares the tongue to a fierce and poisonous beast that cannot be tamed. No man can tame the tongue; only God can control it through His Spirit.
C. Power to delight—the fountain and tree (vv. 9–12).
It is impossible for a fountain to produce both fresh water and salt; and it is impossible for a tongue to speak both blessing and cursing.
However we “bless God” in our praying and singing, and then “curse men” in our anger and impatience! See Prov. 18:4 "The words of a man’s mouth are adeep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook."
Christians must allow the Spirit to give forth the “living waters” of the Word through their tongues. There is something wrong with the heart when the tongue is inconsistent. Likewise, a tree cannot bear two kinds of fruit. The “fruit of the lips” (see Heb. 13:15) ought always to be spiritual.
After considering these examples, believers must realize that they cannot permit Satan to use their tongues. The wrong word at the wrong time could break a heart or lead a person astray.
III. The Application (3:13–18)
One of the key themes in the Book of James is wisdom, or practical living directed by the Word of God.
It becomes tragic when Christians lack practical wisdom to direct their affairs, both personally and in the church. Far too many people have the idea that to be “spiritual” means to be impractical—and nothing is farther from the truth!
When the Holy Spirit guides us, He uses our minds, and He expects us to get the facts and weigh issues in the light of the Word of God. James indicates that there are two sources of wisdom and that the believer needs to be discerning.
We are thereby warned - The tongue of the believer can be filled with true wisdom from above or the false wisdom from below.
A. False wisdom from below (vv. 14–16).
When we have bitterness and envy in our hearts, our tongues will express these things. It matters not how spiritual our teaching might be: if the tongue is not controlled by the Spirit from a loving heart, then we are imparting false wisdom.
To their shame, Christians often believe this false wisdom and even glory in it! They know this “wisdom” contradicts the Bible, so they lie even against the truth of God’s Word! False wisdom belongs to the world (earthly), the flesh (sensual), and the devil (The Evil One)—the three great enemies of the believer (Eph. 2:1–3).
You can always tell when a church or a family follows false wisdom: you will find jealousy, division, and confusion. Instead of humbly depending on the Spirit and the Word, they look to the world for ideas and to the flesh for strength, and by so doing play right into the hands of the devil.
B. True wisdom from above (vv. 17–18).
Truly wise believers do not need to advertise the fact that they are wise; you will see it expressed in their daily life (edifying conversation and good behavior) and attitude (meekness). Knowledge puffs up (1 Cor. 8:1), but spiritual wisdom humbles us and keeps us from being arrogant. While the false wisdom has its origin in the world, the flesh, and the devil, the true wisdom “comes down from above” (see 1:17). It comes from God, by the Spirit; it is not invented by the mind of man
This true wisdom is pure; there is no error in the Word of God. It is peaceable: it leads to peace and harmony, not discord.
Man’s method for attaining peace is to sacrifice purity for the sake of harmony, but God does not work that way. Where people bow to the pure Word of God, there will always be peace.
The wisdom from above is also gentle; gentleness includes patience and forbearance. When the flesh controls the tongue, it unleashes a flood of words without self-control or a willingness to listen to others.
“A fool vents all his feelings,” says Prov. 29:11. The wise person uses gentleness and persuasion with patience; he or she does not threaten or accuse. “Easy to be intreated” (v. 17) suggests a willingness to yield, or to be reasonable.
Wise people are full of mercy, not quick to judge or condemn; their lives are full of good fruits.
There is no wavering (“partiality,” 1:6 and 2:4); though they are willing to yield, they are not willing to compromise with the truth. Finally, true wisdom will not allow for hypocrisy; the truth is spoken and is backed with a true motive.
Philippians 2:1-11 Sermon Outline
Philippians 2:1-11
2 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 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.
Circumstances may cause us to lose our joy, but people can also bring trials that rob us of joy. How many times we lose our peace and joy because of what people say or do. The best remedy for these trials is the submissive mind, the humble mind that seeks only to honor Christ. Pride is the cause of much unrest and contention (read James 4), but humility brings peace and joy. Paul gives four examples for us to follow so that we may achieve the submissive mind.
I. The Example of Christ (2:1–11)
There is the suggestion in this passage of disunity in the Philippian church (see also 4:1–3). Paul appeals to them on the basis of their Christian experience to have unity of mind and heart and to put others ahead of themselves. What motives are there for unity in the church? Christ is the greatest incentive; if we are in Christ, we ought to be able to live with one another! Other incentives include love, the fellowship of the Spirit, the deep-seated desires we have in Christ, and the joy we can bring to others. Paul saw strife and selfish ambition among the Roman believers (1:14–17), and he warns that it must not be present at Philippi. “Lowliness of mind”—this is the submissive mind that thinks not of itself but of Christ and others. “Humility is not thinking meanly of ourselves; it is just not thinking of ourselves at all.” Paul points to the attitude of Christ before His incarnation. Was He selfishly trying to hold on to His privileges as God? No! He willingly laid aside His glory and “put on” the form of a servant. He did not cease to be God, but He did lay aside His glory and the independent use of His attributes as God. His life as the God-Man on earth was completely subjected to the Father. “I do always those things that please Him” (John 8:29). Jesus humbled Himself to become flesh, and then to become sin as He willingly went to the cross.
But Christ’s experience proves that exaltation always follows humiliation. “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,” promises 1 Peter 5:6. The person who exalts himself will be humbled (Luke 14:11). Remember what happened to Pharaoh, King Saul, Nebuchadnezzar, Haman, and Herod? We do not worship a “babe in a manger” or a “sacrifice on a cross”; we worship an exalted Lord seated on the throne of the universe. Christ’s life, death, and resurrection proved eternally that the way to be exalted is to be humbled before God. There is no joy or peace in pride and self-seeking. When we have the submissive mind that Christ had, then we will have the joy and peace that He alone can give.
Philippians 2:1-11
Paul presents Christ as the believer’s life pattern. The Joy found in humility, through Christ's Example.
I. The Challenge from Paul (2:1–18): He desires that the church strive for humility.
A. The essentials in humility (2:1–4)
1. Unity in love (2:1–2a) "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..."
2. Unity in spirit and purpose (2:2b–4) " being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."
B. The example of humility (2:5–11): Paul holds up the earthly ministry of Christ.
1. The pain (2:5–8b)
a. Even though he was God, he did not cling to his rights as God (2:5–6). "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, ..."
b. He laid aside his glory (2:7a). "but made himself nothing,"
c. He took upon himself the nature of a human servant (2:7b)." taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men."
d. He humbled himself (2:8a). "And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death,"
e. He became obedient and died on the cross (2:8b). "even death on a cross."
2. The gain (2:9–11)
a. God has exalted him to the highest place (2:9a). "Therefore God has highly exalted him..."
b. He has been given a name above all other names (2:9b). "and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,..."
3. Someday all people will acknowledge that he is Lord (2:10–11). "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."
2 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 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.
Circumstances may cause us to lose our joy, but people can also bring trials that rob us of joy. How many times we lose our peace and joy because of what people say or do. The best remedy for these trials is the submissive mind, the humble mind that seeks only to honor Christ. Pride is the cause of much unrest and contention (read James 4), but humility brings peace and joy. Paul gives four examples for us to follow so that we may achieve the submissive mind.
I. The Example of Christ (2:1–11)
There is the suggestion in this passage of disunity in the Philippian church (see also 4:1–3). Paul appeals to them on the basis of their Christian experience to have unity of mind and heart and to put others ahead of themselves. What motives are there for unity in the church? Christ is the greatest incentive; if we are in Christ, we ought to be able to live with one another! Other incentives include love, the fellowship of the Spirit, the deep-seated desires we have in Christ, and the joy we can bring to others. Paul saw strife and selfish ambition among the Roman believers (1:14–17), and he warns that it must not be present at Philippi. “Lowliness of mind”—this is the submissive mind that thinks not of itself but of Christ and others. “Humility is not thinking meanly of ourselves; it is just not thinking of ourselves at all.” Paul points to the attitude of Christ before His incarnation. Was He selfishly trying to hold on to His privileges as God? No! He willingly laid aside His glory and “put on” the form of a servant. He did not cease to be God, but He did lay aside His glory and the independent use of His attributes as God. His life as the God-Man on earth was completely subjected to the Father. “I do always those things that please Him” (John 8:29). Jesus humbled Himself to become flesh, and then to become sin as He willingly went to the cross.
But Christ’s experience proves that exaltation always follows humiliation. “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,” promises 1 Peter 5:6. The person who exalts himself will be humbled (Luke 14:11). Remember what happened to Pharaoh, King Saul, Nebuchadnezzar, Haman, and Herod? We do not worship a “babe in a manger” or a “sacrifice on a cross”; we worship an exalted Lord seated on the throne of the universe. Christ’s life, death, and resurrection proved eternally that the way to be exalted is to be humbled before God. There is no joy or peace in pride and self-seeking. When we have the submissive mind that Christ had, then we will have the joy and peace that He alone can give.
Philippians 2:1-11
Paul presents Christ as the believer’s life pattern. The Joy found in humility, through Christ's Example.
I. The Challenge from Paul (2:1–18): He desires that the church strive for humility.
A. The essentials in humility (2:1–4)
1. Unity in love (2:1–2a) "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..."
2. Unity in spirit and purpose (2:2b–4) " being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."
B. The example of humility (2:5–11): Paul holds up the earthly ministry of Christ.
1. The pain (2:5–8b)
a. Even though he was God, he did not cling to his rights as God (2:5–6). "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, ..."
b. He laid aside his glory (2:7a). "but made himself nothing,"
c. He took upon himself the nature of a human servant (2:7b)." taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men."
d. He humbled himself (2:8a). "And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death,"
e. He became obedient and died on the cross (2:8b). "even death on a cross."
2. The gain (2:9–11)
a. God has exalted him to the highest place (2:9a). "Therefore God has highly exalted him..."
b. He has been given a name above all other names (2:9b). "and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,..."
3. Someday all people will acknowledge that he is Lord (2:10–11). "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."
Philippians 1:12-30 Sermon Outline
Philippians 1:12-30
The Advance of the Gospel
12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
To Live Is Christ
Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.
Where do we find JOY: Part II
I. Joy found in the the Furtherance of the Gospel (1:12–26)
Notice how Paul describes all the suffering he had been through; he calls these trying events “the things that have happened unto me” (1:12). Most of us would have gone into great detail about shipwreck and chains, but not Paul. His desire was to honor Christ and promote the Gospel.
Give a picture of the Apostle Paul:
Events: 3-shipwrecks, stoning victim, beaten multiple times, running for his life, attacked by a mob, etc...
What would he look like by now: old, feeble, hunch-back, scares, multiple broken bones
and now-in prison in bad circumstances
How does he still find Joy in the the Furtherance of the Gospel after all of this:
A. He put Christ first (vv. 12–21).
Were there chains on his wrists? These were his “bonds in Christ.”
Were his enemies causing trouble by their selfish preaching? “So what? They are preaching Christ!”
Were his friends worried about him and praying for him? “Fine! This will exalt Christ!”
Was there a possibility that he might die? “Then Christ will be magnified by life or by death!” This is the single mind—putting Christ and the Gospel ahead of everything else.
When we take Christ into every circumstance, we will have joy.
Paul was not the prisoner of Rome; he was the “prisoner of Jesus Christ” (Eph. 3:1; 4:1).
The soldiers chained to his wrist were not guards; they were souls for whom Christ died.
Paul had a “captive audience,” and from 1:13 and 4:22, we conclude that he won some of them to Christ.
The single-minded Christian does not allow circumstances to overcome him; he or she turns those circumstances into opportunities to magnify Christ and win souls.
B. He put others second (vv. 22–26).
Selfishness always breeds unhappiness.
Paul had joy because he loved others.
He prayed for others, encouraged others, and sought to bring joy to others.
Paul’s “heaven on earth” was helping others!
While he longed to be with Christ, he eagerly yearned to remain and help these believers grow in Christ.
C. He put himself last.
His body was not his own; his future was not his own; his reputation was not his own.
In contrast, when we put ourselves first, it always brings misery.Whenever difficulties affect our lives, we should always be sure that we have the single mind that says, “Lord, whatever comes, I want Christ to be glorified.”
This is the secret of Christian joy.
II. Joy found in the Faith of the Gospel (1:27–30)
There are battles to fight in the Christian life, and Paul warns here about the enemies that would attack us.
New Christians go through these three stages:
(1) they become sons or daughters in the family (the fellowship of the Gospel);
(2) they become servants (the furtherance of the Gospel); and then
(3) they become soldiers (the faith of the Gospel).
Satan is out to defeat the church, and Christians need to have the single mind to face him and “fight the good fight of faith.”
Paul gives several encouragements here to help the Christian defend the faith of the Gospel.
A. “You are not standing alone” (v. 27).
How wonderful it is to know that others are standing right with us as we fight the battles of life.
There is no substitute for the unity and harmony of the Christian church.
Satan is the great divider and destroyer; Christ is the uniter and builder.
B. “You are on the winning side” (v. 28).
“Don’tlet the enemy frighten you!”
Paul counsels. “He knows he’s losing and you’re winning!”
The unity and faith of the believers is an “evident token” (clear omen or sign) to the enemy that he is going to lose.
C. “It is a privilege to suffer for Christ” (vv. 29–30).
It is wonderful to believe in Christ and receive the free gift of salvation, but there is another gift that brings joy: the gift of suffering for Jesus’ sake.
Philippians 3:10 points out that our suffering is in fellowship with Him; see also Acts 5:41.
What a privilege to follow in the train of such saints as Paul as we suffer for Jesus’ sake!
But, whatever happens, a Christian should always act like a Christian. “Let your behavior be such that it can be identified with the Gospel,” Paul warns in 1:27.
Someone once asked Gandhi, “What is the greatest hindrance to Christian missions in India?” Gandhi replied, “Christians.” Such criticism may also apply to Christians in other lands besides India. Even in the midst of battle, we must behave like Christians.
In the midst of trouble, Paul showed quiet confidence.
He was confident that the Philippians would continue in their Christian walk (v. 6);
he was rejoicing that his trials had given the believers in Rome new confidence (v. 14);
he was confident that he would come through these trials and be restored to his friends again (v. 25).
This is the blessing of the single mind—that joyful confidence in God, knowing that He is in control of circumstances.
The Advance of the Gospel
12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
To Live Is Christ
Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.
Where do we find JOY: Part II
I. Joy found in the the Furtherance of the Gospel (1:12–26)
Notice how Paul describes all the suffering he had been through; he calls these trying events “the things that have happened unto me” (1:12). Most of us would have gone into great detail about shipwreck and chains, but not Paul. His desire was to honor Christ and promote the Gospel.
Give a picture of the Apostle Paul:
Events: 3-shipwrecks, stoning victim, beaten multiple times, running for his life, attacked by a mob, etc...
What would he look like by now: old, feeble, hunch-back, scares, multiple broken bones
and now-in prison in bad circumstances
How does he still find Joy in the the Furtherance of the Gospel after all of this:
A. He put Christ first (vv. 12–21).
Were there chains on his wrists? These were his “bonds in Christ.”
Were his enemies causing trouble by their selfish preaching? “So what? They are preaching Christ!”
Were his friends worried about him and praying for him? “Fine! This will exalt Christ!”
Was there a possibility that he might die? “Then Christ will be magnified by life or by death!” This is the single mind—putting Christ and the Gospel ahead of everything else.
When we take Christ into every circumstance, we will have joy.
Paul was not the prisoner of Rome; he was the “prisoner of Jesus Christ” (Eph. 3:1; 4:1).
The soldiers chained to his wrist were not guards; they were souls for whom Christ died.
Paul had a “captive audience,” and from 1:13 and 4:22, we conclude that he won some of them to Christ.
The single-minded Christian does not allow circumstances to overcome him; he or she turns those circumstances into opportunities to magnify Christ and win souls.
B. He put others second (vv. 22–26).
Selfishness always breeds unhappiness.
Paul had joy because he loved others.
He prayed for others, encouraged others, and sought to bring joy to others.
Paul’s “heaven on earth” was helping others!
While he longed to be with Christ, he eagerly yearned to remain and help these believers grow in Christ.
C. He put himself last.
His body was not his own; his future was not his own; his reputation was not his own.
In contrast, when we put ourselves first, it always brings misery.Whenever difficulties affect our lives, we should always be sure that we have the single mind that says, “Lord, whatever comes, I want Christ to be glorified.”
This is the secret of Christian joy.
II. Joy found in the Faith of the Gospel (1:27–30)
There are battles to fight in the Christian life, and Paul warns here about the enemies that would attack us.
New Christians go through these three stages:
(1) they become sons or daughters in the family (the fellowship of the Gospel);
(2) they become servants (the furtherance of the Gospel); and then
(3) they become soldiers (the faith of the Gospel).
Satan is out to defeat the church, and Christians need to have the single mind to face him and “fight the good fight of faith.”
Paul gives several encouragements here to help the Christian defend the faith of the Gospel.
A. “You are not standing alone” (v. 27).
How wonderful it is to know that others are standing right with us as we fight the battles of life.
There is no substitute for the unity and harmony of the Christian church.
Satan is the great divider and destroyer; Christ is the uniter and builder.
B. “You are on the winning side” (v. 28).
“Don’tlet the enemy frighten you!”
Paul counsels. “He knows he’s losing and you’re winning!”
The unity and faith of the believers is an “evident token” (clear omen or sign) to the enemy that he is going to lose.
C. “It is a privilege to suffer for Christ” (vv. 29–30).
It is wonderful to believe in Christ and receive the free gift of salvation, but there is another gift that brings joy: the gift of suffering for Jesus’ sake.
Philippians 3:10 points out that our suffering is in fellowship with Him; see also Acts 5:41.
What a privilege to follow in the train of such saints as Paul as we suffer for Jesus’ sake!
But, whatever happens, a Christian should always act like a Christian. “Let your behavior be such that it can be identified with the Gospel,” Paul warns in 1:27.
Someone once asked Gandhi, “What is the greatest hindrance to Christian missions in India?” Gandhi replied, “Christians.” Such criticism may also apply to Christians in other lands besides India. Even in the midst of battle, we must behave like Christians.
In the midst of trouble, Paul showed quiet confidence.
He was confident that the Philippians would continue in their Christian walk (v. 6);
he was rejoicing that his trials had given the believers in Rome new confidence (v. 14);
he was confident that he would come through these trials and be restored to his friends again (v. 25).
This is the blessing of the single mind—that joyful confidence in God, knowing that He is in control of circumstances.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Day three
Well today is day three, and as many of you have found I* am not a very good speller. It's one of the things I need to work on. I am working on attaching some documents and bible studies that will be useful. I am still working on the content for the counseling sections, so they will be posted in the near future. Please feel free to send me any comments, as to what you would like to see on this resource page. When first deploying I was looking for just this type of resource and now that I am back hopefully we can bui8ld one for other Chaplains that may be in the same position.
Thank You,
Chaplain Roman
Thank You,
Chaplain Roman
Monday, May 17, 2010
Day Two
Well, today is day two, I have updated the reading lists and sermon link pages. I hope that this eventually becomes helpful to others as I will be updating them on a weekly basis. I have not been able to update the counseling page as of yet, that will eventually turn into several pages with resources, counseling outlines and reading suggestions. I will also be posting a page with listings of free resources for Chaplains and their Soldiers in the near future.
Till next time.
CH Roman
Till next time.
CH Roman
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Day One
Well, here we go, today is day one of this blog. My overall goal for this blog is to provide a place where Christians, especially Christian Chaplains, can go and receive information concerning ministry resources. I also have the plan to post a weekly updates as my family and I are starting our journey onto Active Duty, with the Army. My family and I have been led by the Lord to accept a position, shifting from the National Guard over to the Active Component.
This caught many by surprise to include my church, which I have a profound love for. God called my family to Richland Creek Community Church several years ago, where I was the Director of Senior Adult Ministry. Two years ago I was notified that I would be deploying to Afghanistan. Well a long story made short, after 18 months of training up and then deploying the Lord has called us away from the church at to ministry with Soldiers on a full time basis. My senior pastor, David Sims, and the elders of the church have been simply amazing throughout this process. They have been in prayer with us concerning this decision for some time now and we are grateful for their support throughout this.
Well, this is it for day one, as I update the page and discover how this all actually works, I will post later.
Chaplain Roman
This caught many by surprise to include my church, which I have a profound love for. God called my family to Richland Creek Community Church several years ago, where I was the Director of Senior Adult Ministry. Two years ago I was notified that I would be deploying to Afghanistan. Well a long story made short, after 18 months of training up and then deploying the Lord has called us away from the church at to ministry with Soldiers on a full time basis. My senior pastor, David Sims, and the elders of the church have been simply amazing throughout this process. They have been in prayer with us concerning this decision for some time now and we are grateful for their support throughout this.
Well, this is it for day one, as I update the page and discover how this all actually works, I will post later.
Chaplain Roman
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