Sermon Notes: Just Do It
Today, I preached at Hesston MB on Philippians 2:14-18. Below are notes from the message.
Indicative and Imperative
Just
Do It
Philippians
2:14-18
Introduction:
Title of sermon is based on Nike’s Slogan-This slogan was coined in 1988 & was highly
successful as one of top two taglines of 20th century because it was
"universal and intensely personal. While Reebok was
directing their campaign at aerobics during the fitness craze of the 1980s,
Nike’s objective was to target all Americans regardless of age, gender or
physical fitness level which led to Nike becoming worn as a
fashion statement, not just as fitness gear. (wikipedia) As
humans, we are doers. We gravitate
towards DIY (do it yourself). As I read our passage today, be listening for how
we “just do it.”
Indicative and Imperative
Elyse Fitzpatrick defines
indicative as what has already been indicated or declared about you, it informs
us, an accomplished fact, it’s what has been done by God; imperative comes to
us in the form of a command or direction, it’s what we are to do. Trying to
disengage our work for Christ from our union with Christ does violence to the
method by which the Spirit has obviously chosen to sanctify us.
Imperatives-what
we are to do
·
Vs. 14-Do everything without complaining
or arguing
o
We are told to “do everything without
complaining or arguing.” I don’t know about you, but I fail at this. I often complain and argue.
o
“Complaining”
is the translation of a word which reflects a bad attitude expressed in grumbling.
It was most likely in reference to
“grumbling of Israel in the desert (See Exodus 16:7-12)
§
7 and in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your
grumbling against the Lord. For
what are we, that you grumble against us?” 8 And Moses said,
“When the Lord gives you in the
evening meat to eat and in the morning bread to the full, because the Lord has heard your grumbling that you
grumble against him—what are we? Your grumbling is not against us but against
the Lord.”
9 Then Moses said to Aaron, “Say to
the whole congregation of the people of Israel, ‘Come near before the Lord, for he has heard your grumbling.’”
10 And as soon as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the
people of Israel, they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, the glory of
the Lord appeared in the cloud. 11 And
the Lord said to Moses, 12 “I
have heard the grumbling of the people of Israel. Say to them, ‘At twilight you
shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread. Then you
shall know that I am the Lord your
God.’”
o
“Arguing” reflects a legal connotation of
disputing[1]
o
Evidently the believers were complaining
(to God and each other) and arguing (with each other). The Philippian assembly
needed to show themselves as united and as one in Christ. Non-Christians were
not being attracted to Him by the saints’ strifes and contentions.[2]
·
Vs. 15-Become blameless & pure
o
How many people have left the church or
will never step foot inside because of our behavior? Watch how people treat
each other they disagree with especially on social media. Look at how our desire to be right crushes
relationships.
o
Blameless-This does not mean sinless
perfection. The corporate testimony of the church is in view. Pure Greek word
that was used of wine which had not been diluted and of metal which had not
been weakened in any way. Pure is directed more toward the heart (pg. 246
NICNT)
o
Who makes us blameless and pure? Us or
God? A quote I remind myself and my family is “live from your identity (what
God says about you) not for identity.”
·
Vs. 15-Crooked & depraved generation
o
Most likely a reference to Deuteronomy 32:5- They have dealt corruptly with him; they
are no longer his children because they are blemished; they
are a crooked and twisted generation.
·
Vs. 15-Shine
o
About a month ago, we as pastors/wives
went out together for supper and then to Key Quest Escape Room. If you are not familiar with this, it is a
game where you are locked in a room and then try to escape the room within a
certain amount of time by figuring out clues.
One of the interesting aspects was the lack of light. It was dark but there were a few lights
(flashlights, candles) in the room that we needed. As we broke into groups to figure out clues,
a few times we had to call out to someone to bring a light to help us see. As I began to study this passage, it reminded
me of the idea of “shining”. It is not just about being different from the
world. But also as the light helped us see what we needed to do, Jesus as light
of the world & we as light are to shine. How?
·
Vs. 16-Hold out the word of life
o
This mission was accomplished by their
holding out the word of life. All assume that the “word of life” is the
gospel, of which Paul had so much to say in this epistle. The word “hold
out,”also could mean “holding fast”. We need to keep the gospel central.
·
Vs. 16-Boast
o
In Self or Christ-we see this in anything
where we use our specific abilities whether its sports, drama, parenting,
marriage, occupation, etc. We either focus on own skills or abilities or the
One who gave the skills/abilities.
o
Fee writes, “Boasting has nothing to do
with what Paul has done but with what Christ has wrought through him (NICNT pg.
249), boasting points to the ground of one’s confidence and trust, Christ
himself, in whom one therefore “glories”.
§ 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who
boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:31
§ 14 But far be it from me to boast except in the
cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, Galatians 6:14
·
Vs. 17-18-Be glad and rejoice
o
poured out like an offering
§ His
terminology of being poured out as a
drink offering may refer to his potential martyrdom or to his imprisonment,.[3]
o
Sacrifice-Most people would associate
sorrow with suffering, but Paul sees suffering and sacrifice as doorways to a
deeper joy in Christ.[4]
o
Fee continues, “Joy in suffering, it
should finally be noted, is not “delight in feeling badly”; rather it is
predicated on the unshakeable foundation of the work of Christ, both past and
future. Joy has nothing to do with circumstances, but everything to do with
one’s place in Christ. (Fee NICNT 257)
Indicatives-what
has been done
·
As we think about these things we should
be doing, we need to be reminded of the previous verse.
·
So often our verse and chapter breaks
cause us to miss out on the intent of the passage. Remember there were no
chapters or verses in the original text.
Chapters were added in 13th century & Verses in middle of
16th century.
·
However, if we remember verse 13 we see
how this will happen “for it is God who works in you to will and to act
according to his good purpose.”
o
The only way this (or any command or imperative)
could be realized was through God who would enable them to do it. The verb works
means “energizes” or “provides enablement.” God makes His own both willing and
desirous to do His work.[5]
·
Vs. 15-Children of God
o
Don’t forget who you are. You are a child of God. We are not God’s employees but his
children. We do these things as children
who are loved not because of obligation.
§ 3 See what kind of love the
Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we
are. (1 John 3:1)
§ 14 For
all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of
God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall
back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom
we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with
our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children,
then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with
him in order that we may also be glorified with him. (Romans 8:14-17)
§ 24 So
then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be
justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no
longer under a guardian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all
sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were
baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither
Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor
free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And
if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to
promise. (Galatians 3:24-29)
Closing:
Thankful for what God has done
[1]
Lightner, R. P. (1985). Philippians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.),
The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An
Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 655). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[2]
Lightner, R. P. (1985). Philippians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.),
The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An
Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, pp. 655–656). Wheaton, IL: Victor
Books.
[3]
Sapaugh, G. P. (2010). The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Philippians. In
R. N. Wilkin (Ed.), The Grace New
Testament Commentary (p. 901). Denton, TX: Grace Evangelical Society.
[4]
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible
exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 80). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[5]
Lightner, R. P. (1985). Philippians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.),
The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An
Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 655). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
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