After a challenging week dealing with what God has asked us to deal with, lets re-read the passage from Phillipians 1: 20-21

‘I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.’

To recap from last week:The desire on Paul’s heart is two fold:

1. To not be ashamed of his testimony of the gospel
2. To see Christ exalted in his life

Paul then states that he desires this ‘whether by life or death.’ This is the focus for these two weeks. How can we see Christ exalted in our life through life and death? Last week we focused on ‘through death’ and this week we will look at ‘through life’.

Through Life
‘for me, to live is Christ.’ Paul’s heart here shows us that anything that filled Paul’s life failed to compare with his desire to see Christ exalted. Paul had a view that life was inly important if it meant that Christ was exalted in his life. In other words, Christ would always be the central driving force behind Paul’s actions.

Unlike the Pharisees in Matthew 15: 8-9 whose focus was their own exaltation, Paul’s example to us challenges us to always put God’s plan and purpose first.

Our application this week is simply to ask the following question:
Is there anything in my life that I have placed before the will of God?

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Last week we looked at how the attitude and focus of our heart is so important to God. This has lead us to look at our worship to God and how it filters through our live from our hearts. Lets look at Paul’s example in Phillipians 1: 20-21 as he shares his heart with the Phillipian church:

‘I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.’

The desire on Paul’s heart is two fold

1. To not be ashamed of his testimony of the gospel
2. To see Christ exalted in his life

Paul then states that he desires this ‘whether by life or death.’ This is the focus for the next two weeks. How can we see Christ exalted in our life through life and death? This week we will focus on ‘through death’ and next week we will look at ‘through life’.

Through Death
‘for to me…. to die is gain.’ Paul has an understanding that if he needed to die so that Christ would be exalted then he would see his death as gain. This is because his desire is solely focused on seeing Christ exalted.

Our application here is seen in what we need to let go of in our lives to see Christ exalted in us. What has God asked you to let go of? What has he asked you to deal with, to sort out and to hand over to Him? You need to be ready to let go of whatever you are holding onto.

Do you see this aspect of your life as something to give up in order to experience more joy as Christ is exalted in your life, or do you see this as a sacrifice.
When you give something up as a sacrifice you often give it up reluctantly, out of obligation. When you give something up because you honestly believe that God will bless you as He is exalted in your life, you give it up freely.

Which heart focus do you think God would be more pleased:

• The reluctant, obligated sacrifice or
• The joyful expectation of God’s glory

The joy that comes from a decision to see Christ exalted is so great because you will see Christ exalted.

What is God asking you to die in? Where do you need to hand over the reigns to Him? Who do you need to forgive? What do you need to stop doing? Where do you need to stop going?

Seek to see God glorified and exalted as you worship Him with your lifestyle and He will ask you to die to your self so that He may exalt Himself.

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This study on Phillipians over the past few weeks have taught us to love more, to be more joyful, to place our trust in God, to live as citizens our heaven, to be humble in our citizenship, to honour God and to develop a mindset like God’s.
This book has been very challenging and full of incredible wisdom. I hope that you have enjoyed studying it with us.

Looking into chapter four of Phillipians we find another great truth that will help us in our walk with God. Peace!

Phillipians 4:7
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

It is the peace of God that will help us to guard our hearts. In other words God’s peace protects you. How? Verse eight gives us the answer:

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.

Peace comes from focusing on worthy, lovely, commendable and excellent things. Focusing on the things of God brings peace. We guard our hearts by focusing on Godly things which bring a peace to us.

Think about this a bit more. The reason peace protects us is because it “transcends understanding!” When we try to understand something we are trying to achieve something. We do it in our own strength. Peace in our hearts comes from trusting in God regardless of our understanding of current circumstances.

It’s easy to trust in God when you focus on Him. He is great, powerful, mighty, graceful, loving, peaceful, trustworthy, reliable, constant and merciful. When you focus on Him you begin to trust Him as He reveals Himself to you. Our need to understand is superseded by our love for Him and our trust in Him. Peace comes from a decision to trust God and not trust in ourselves.

Trusting in our own ability often brings anxiety and doubt. Trusting in God brings peace because He has proved Himself undoubtedly trustworthy.

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As we study Phillipians chapter three we can find three main point that show us how to live as citizens of heaven.

1. Be on your guard
2. Know your heritage
3. Move forward

Be on your guard
Verse to tells us to ‘watch out’ for people you do not honour God (vs 2). It is important to be aware of those people who live in such a way because it stops us from being caught up in their ways. We need to be constantly on our guard from any idea’s, concepts, ways of life and actions that do not honour God.

Know Your Heritage
To know God and what He has done for you will always put your heart right in every circumstance. To understand that your righteousness comes from God and not your works (vs 3-7) keeps us humble. God is able to use a humble person because they are more reliant on Him than themselves.
Knowing our heritage as a citizen of heaven gives us an better understanding of who we are, what we believe and how we should live. The only place that explains our heritage is the Word of God and this is why we need to spend quality time reading His word. In order that we may know our heritage in Christ Jesus.

Move Forward
Paul asks us to move forward continually. To press on toward the goal (vs 14). In our lives as Christians we should always be seeking and striving for more. More fellowship, more intimacy, more obedience, more understanding and more wisdom from Christ. We do this because we have seen Christ in our lives and we have chosen to live in for Him in His kingdom. According to His purpose.
As citizens of heaven we acknowledge God as our King. We are proud of our heritage in Christ and we stay on guard of those who come against our King.

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Are you dead or alive? Are you driven by Godly passion that leads to towards God’s will in your life? When last did your heart beat for the purpose of God?

Last week we looked at how Timothy had a heart for the Phillipian Church and as we read further we see Epaphroditus with the same attitude. These men are mentioned in this passage because they are examples of what Paul is talking about.
In Phillipains 2 vs 1-3 we see the encouragement of Paul saying:

“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like‑minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”

Paul says that if we feel anything for God then we should be like-minded, having the same love and be one in the same spirit and purpose. You see we need to focus on having the same mind as God so that in the future He is able to impress His will in our lives.

As you love God and are obedient to what you read in His word, you will become like minded, you will start to love others in the same way that God love others and you will start to have the same mindset as our Father. When you choose to love God first He will make your heart beat for His will and purpose. Just like Timothy and Epaphraditus had hearts that desired to be with the Phillipian church.

The desire on their hearts lead them to their purpose. Simply because the desire on their hearts was placed there by a perfect God who was in a loving relationship with them.

Is God calling you to something? If not, I encourage you to search through His word - not to find His will but rather to learn how to love Him. The rest will come in His time.

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Christian, God has a new name for you. You don’t know what it is yet, but this what
Revelation 2v17 says, that to those who overcome, God will give a white stone with a new
name written in it, that only you will know! The name Timothy means Honouring God, so do
you wonder what the name is that God will give you?
Today we are going to carry on through the next part of the book of Philippians 2v19→23,
and in this section we will get to meet a Christian whose name was Timothy. There isn’t
space here to discuss the life of Timothy, but if you want to learn about him have a look
here.
To remind ourselves of what is going on here, Paul is in prison and he is writing a letter
to his friends that live in Philippi. In this part of his letter Paul tells his friends
that he really wants to send Timothy to them so that he (Paul) can hear how they’re
keeping. What is really interesting is why Paul wants to specifically send Timothy, and
this is something we can lean about ourselves today.
Paul wants to send Timothy for one main reason; Timothy cares about them. Timothy really
cared about Paul’s friends in Philippi, and therefore Paul wanted to send him to them.
Timothy cared more about the Philippians than he cared about himself. Now for us today,
this whole idea of really caring more about another than we care about ourselves is a crazy
idea. Practically nowhere in modern culture will anyone understand that there is any
benefit in caring more about someone else above themselves. The only time that there is
anything nearly like this in modern culture is in the realm of family, but this is not
frequent.
So what about us, we are all part of God’s family, as Christians we have brothers and
sisters all over the world. Do we care for them more than we care for ourselves, do we
actually care for them at all? Take this opportunity to develop a Timothy (God honouring)
care for your brothers and sisters in the Lord, pray for them, take care of those that you
can. If you’re from South Africa have a look at this website else look here. Remember God has
a white stone with a new name on it for you, what will your name say about you?

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Take a look at the sky on a clear day, there are no stars. Where have they gone? Why are
they not there any more? Look up at a patch of sky on a clear night (especially away from
the city) and see the stars, see how brightly they shine! What changed? Lets take a look at
you and your life, please read Philippians 2v12→18.
You are a Christian, you have been saved by Jesus, you have repented and have faith, but
now what is there to do. People say that Christianity isn’t a religion, it’s a way of life,
but what exactly are they talking about. Here in this section of scripture Paul is writing
to his friends in a place called Philippi, while he is in prison, and what he tells them
will help us.

Work it out…
Paul tells the Philippians Christians to work out their salvation (remember that Paul is
speaking to Christians here) that is to say, that since God has saved you, go and figure
out what He (God) wants you to do for Him. And the same is true for you today, if God has
saved you He won’t leave you, He’s going to put you to work. God has saved you to do great
things for Him (using His power working in you!).

…and see what will happen…
Once you’ve figured what God has wired you to do for Him, and you set that as the greatest
desire of your life, do it without grumbling or complaining! This is a very rare thing in
this world, a person living their life doing what God has built them to do, and loving it.
These people are like the stars, God wants you to be like the stars; while the rest of the
world fade back into the black background, you will shine out like the stars.

… you will overflow with joy!
Remember Paul was in prison when he wrote this letter, that’s why he says what he says
here. Yet all the external circumstances were on little significance to him, he was doing
what God had built him to do, and his joy was untouchable! This is what God has for you,
this is what you should be seeking. But how often do we trade the untouchable joy that God
has for us, for a fleeting moment of happiness, that’s what we do when we sin…

So where do the stars go in the day time, well the foreground becomes to bright, when the
sun comes up, the sky gets bright and the stars fade out. But when the sky goes dark, the
stars shine out bright! We so often see the sin that our culture offers us as something
good, we want it, and when we do choose sin we don’t stand out as Christians, we’re like
the stars during the day. But when we choose to reject sin, and follow Jesus with our
lives, all of a sudden we will stand out from our culture, we will be like the stars on a
dark clear night!

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Phillipians 2: 1-11

Imitating Christ’s Humility
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Christs humility is described for us in this passage and we are asked to follow this example because of our love for Him.
The challenge here is to become completely focused on the things of God that our our selfish desire becomes non existent. Particularly difficult when the world around us is continually seeking to serve itself.
Becoming humble like Jesus would lead us to a place where our hearts are moved by God’s heart and would inevitably lead us to serving others. Just as Christ took on the very nature of a servant.
So this is an attitude of the heart that directly opposes the world view we live in. Therefore it is important to acknowledge and use the power of prayer here. Continually pray for God’s guidance in your life,  ask Him to guide and lead you, ask Him to share His heart with you.
I love the prayer that John Piper gives us:

“Lord, work so deeply in my heart that I am freed from the bondage of self-centeredness and given the disposition to look not only to my own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
A tough call, but what better way to be felt by the world than to go against its selfish principles. The world will stand by in amazement as God heals the broken-hearted, the sick and lame and the hurting souls that plague this planet.
You cannot help people unless your concern is for the people.Concern for people comes through a humble attitude.

The depth of healing that this world needs can only come from God, who works through a humble heart.

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Politeuesthe!! Here is a greek word that we really need to understand. Paul is using it here to show the phillipian christians how to live their lives.
Our passage today is Phillipians 1: 27: 30

²⁷Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel ²⁸without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. ²⁹For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, ³⁰since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

This portion of scripture encourages us to walk in a way that is worthy of the gospel. You see Paul’s suffering for the gospel is for the sake of the gospel. To see the gospel working out in peoples lives. Even though Paul finds joy through his suffering, the purpose of suffering is to see Jesus Christ glorified. Therefore it is important to note that Paul’s encouragement in Phillipians chapter 1 is to live a life worthy of the gospel of Christ. In other words:

• To overflow with love (vs 9)
• To live pure and blameless lives (vs 10)

The encouragement is not to suffer but should this lifestyle bring suffering, then suffer in the knowledge that it is for the gospel of Christ – and this will bring you joy.

Politeuesthe means to behave as citizens worthy [of the gospel of Christ]. The keyword in this definition is ‘citizens’. A citizen is member of a town, a city, a nation and we are members of God’s kingdom.

A citizens lives by the law of the land, supports the land and it’s people and ultimately is united with the other citizens of the land to a common desire and purpose.

Our citizenship in Christ’s kingdom should lead us to live a life worthy of the gospel. A life that calls us to behave as citizens of a most holy, wonderful, glorious, mighty Lord of Lords and King of Kings.

Our citizenship approach that Paul asks of us here, would mean that we obey the law of Christ, live for the body of Christ and be focused on God’s plan rather than our own. That way we will experience joy as we see God’s plan work out and advance in the lives of people all over this world.

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Paul carries on in his letter to the Philippians and as we read through Philippians 1v19→26 we get an awesome sense of how Paul just totally trusted Jesus, He knew that everything would turn out exactly as it should. We can learn some awesome lessons about who God is, and how we should live in light of that, as we go through this section of Paul’s letter to his friends in Philippi.

Paul is sitting in prison as he is writing this letter, and yet he is rejoicing. The reason that Paul could rejoice was because he didn’t let his life be directed by the circumstance he found himself in, he let God direct his life. That is why as Paul was sitting in horrendous conditions he could rejoice! Paul’s greatest concern was not for himself, it was not for material things, it was not for anything except that Jesus would be honoured. Paul’s greatest desire in life was that God would use him, all of his life, to bring honour to Christ, Paul’s drive was to make Jesus famous.

Because of Paul’s motivation in his life, he could honestly say those famous words – For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Paul’s earthly life was sold out to Jesus, and when he died, Paul knew that he would be with Jesus; so whether Paul lived or died, there was no loss for him! Imagine living your life like this, knowing that everything in your life is working towards the one thing that you are most passionate about, and that when you die, that passion will be ultimately fulfilled! Welcome to Christianity, this is what it is to be a Christian…

However, there should be a question bugging you; how can every single moment and aspect of your life bring glory to Jesus? The answer to that question is not found within you, rather it is found in God. God is sovereign, everything that God sets out to do, He will do. No person or thing can get in the way of what God sets His will to do. Acts 4v24→30 speaks about God’s sovereign plan in sending Jesus, even though the rulers of the day thought they were thwarting Jesus’ plan, they were in fact fulfilling it! Because God is sovereign, you can trust that, if you desire to live for Jesus, that God can use every moment of your life to make Jesus famous, even when you are mowing the lawn, or whatever you’re doing.

Therefore, we see that Paul trusted in the sovereignty of our awesome God, and that he knew that whatever his circumstance was that as long as he tried to live as God would have him to live that his life would be of eternal value. Christian, this is what God is calling you to today, that you would really trust Him, and fully surrender control of your life to God, that God will take every moment of every day of your life, and make it count towards the ultimate purpose, God’s glory! There is no other way you will find joy.

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