Sermon Notes from "The Important Thing" #RealJoy
Here are notes from my sermon today at Hesston MB. It is based on Philippians 1:12-18.
The
Important Thing
Philippians
1:12-18
Praise:
What God has done at Philippi-As we begin this morning, let’s be
reminded of the opening verses from Philippians 1 that were read during singing
this morning.
·
1:3-Paul is thankful for people of
Philippi. He remembers that God saved Lydia & the jailer, and how God
worked miracles of casting out demons and prison doors being opened.
·
1:6-Thankful to God who “began a good work
will carry it on to completion
·
1:5,7-He is thankful for their support of
his ministry
·
1:9-11-prays for their love to abound more
and more & ends in verse 11, it is all to the glory and praise of God.
What God has done through Hesston MB
over the years. Stories during sharing. As we celebrate 38 years, I would like
to recognize the charter members who still attend.
Persevere
(vs. 12-14)
·
Is Paul’s response? Optimistic, Pessimistic-which are you? Let’s
watch two clips from Saturday Night Live characters that highlight the
extremes. It seems Paul’s response is neither of these, but based on a joy
& peace from the Holy Spirit.
·
Vs. 12-Paul encourages the Philippians
that what has happened has advanced the gospel
o
his imprisonment which we would consider a
bad thing has actually turned out for good.
How?
o
His imprisonment took Paul into contact
with a select group of people, soldiers and Roman officials, who otherwise
would have had no relationship to him,[1]
§ People
in our world need to know “Christ died for sinners”
§ Charter
members left what was comfortable and established relationships to come in
contact with people in Hesston to proclaim “Christ died for sinners”
·
Vs. 13-What does it mean Paul is in chains
for Christ?
o
He is in prison for sharing Christ.
o
The guard and people recognize Paul has
not broken any law and has been imprisoned falsely
o
Paul recognized that all events could be
redeemed for the Lord’s sake,[2]
·
Vs. 14-Because Paul is in prison, the
brothers have become more courageous and fearless.
o
Paul is not available.
o
Encouraged by how God has worked in spite
of Paul’s circumstances. If the gospel can advance while Paul is in prison,
then they too can point people to the gospel.
Preach
(vs. 15-18)
·
Vs. 15-Some preaching Christ with bad
motives (envy and rivalry) and good motives (goodwill)
o
Paul rejoiced in the message they
preached, but he was grieved by the manner in which they delivered it. (David
Jeremiah)
·
Vs. 16-Motive for one group was love
o
Are the things we are doing for God out of
duty or delight? We DO out of gratitude and joy for what Christ has DONE.
External action might be the same but the internal motivation is
different. Duty can eventually lead to
pride or despair. Delight recognizes God working in us rather our works.
·
Vs. 17-Motive for other group was selfish,
not sincere, stir up trouble for Paul-who is this?-Judaizers? I don't think so.
o
Paul’s aim was to glorify Christ and get
people to follow Him; his critics’ aim was to promote themselves and win a
following of their own.[4]
·
Vs. 18-The important thing (NIV), only in
every way (NASB)
o
It mattered not that some were for him and
some were against him. All that mattered was the preaching of the Gospel of
Jesus Christ![5]
o 3 For
I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ
died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,
4 that he was buried, that he was raised on
the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
o
For I decided to know nothing among
you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. (1 Corinthians 2:2)
o
2 looking
to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set
before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right
hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)
·
Vs. 18-No matter the motive (false or
true) Christ is preached!
o
Are we keeping the gospel (Christ died for
sinners) as most important?
§ Or
do we distract from the gospel with disagreements about Republican, Democrat,
Independent, Libertarian, etc.
§ Or
we focus on externals like you need to clean yourself up before you are welcome
in church-we look at what they watch, listen to, what they wear and make
judgments
§ We
make moral issues (drinking, sexuality, abortion) more important than Christ or
people. I am not saying these are not important but they are not more important
than Christ being preached.
§ Is
our focus on what we are doing for Christ or what He has done for us?
§ We
let creation beliefs or end times or Calvinist/Arminian or Presbyterian,
Methodist, Baptist, Mennonite divide us rather than praising God for being
united with Christ.
Closing:
In
what ways, have I become distracted from gospel message “Christ died for
sinners”?
In Christ alone, you were saved. In Christ alone, you
are made alive. Because of Christ alone,
you are redeemed, restored and reconciled. In Christ alone, you are holy, blameless,
forgiven and righteous. In Christ alone, death, sin & Satan are defeated. In Christ alone, you are loved.
[1]
Melick, R. R. (1991). Philippians,
Colossians, Philemon (Vol. 32, p. 70). Nashville: Broadman & Holman
Publishers.
[2]
Melick, R. R. (1991). Philippians,
Colossians, Philemon (Vol. 32, p. 70). Nashville: Broadman & Holman
Publishers.
[3]
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible
exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 68). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[4]
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible
exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 69). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[5]
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible
exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 69). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
Comments
Post a Comment