Hello again brothers and sisters,
The Chapter Memory Study continues today in Philippians 3. The Memory Passage is a long one, but I just couldn't figure out a great place to stop.
Philippians 3:7-11,12 (ESV)
7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.
The outline themes are 'I count as loss' and 'I press on'.
After a typically Pauline greeting and encouragement to rejoice, Paul reminds his readers of the dangers of adding anything to salvation by grace through faith in Christ. The Judaizers were pressing hard to add the Hebrew right of circumcision as a necessary step for Gentiles to be truly saved. Paul calls them 'those who mutilate the flesh' (2). He then turns the tables on them with an unexpected argument; I of all people could put confidence in the flesh because of my heritage and my actions prior to knowing Christ.
Next comes one of the most concise and essential passages for anyone who truly wishes to follow Christ. The theme of Luke 9:23 is expanded in great detail. 'Whatever I had, have, or will have, I count as loss, or garbage, because it's better to know Christ. And being found in Him gives me the true righteousness from God that depends on faith in Christ. I must share with Him in His sufferings, but I know He promises that the power of His Spirit that raised Him from the dead will sustain me as I strive to attain ultimate resurrection when He returns."
Verse 12 transitions into the next thematic section; I press on. After about 30 years of following Christ, Paul still has this encouragement for himself and his readers; keep pressing on! 'I have not made it yet, but I press on for that ultimate prize; being with Christ forever'.
Verses 15-17 outline a tremendous model for discipleship. As we mature, the Lord will mold our thinking to be what He reveals to us. And then we are to hold fast to what we have already gained in Him. Once again in verse 17 (as in 1 Cor 4:16 and 11:1) Paul urges his readers to imitate him. This is not for his ego or because he intends to usurp the place of Christ in our ultimate discipleship, but because he understands that God has formed him into a teacher and model for younger believers. We are to 'keep our eyes on those who walk according to our example'. More on this later.
And what a passionate plea for the children of God to live as citizens of heaven in hopeful anticipation of our glorification for eternity with Him! The opposite of this way of life is as an enemies of the cross who seek to feed their flesh and worship shameful, worldly things.
How does this affect my worship?
The core of the word worship is 'worth'. The first part of verse 8 speaks profoundly to this idea of what is really worth it. If I truly value knowing Jesus Christ my Lord above all else, how can I help but loose my grip on anything I have gained on my own. If my focus is Him and only Him, and if I truly place surpassing worth in knowing Him, my worship will be transformed. Only by losing everything can I truly gain the best He has for me; Himself.
How does this affect my discipleship?
Verse 17 is one of those unexpected verses that just jumped out at me in this study. Paul sets up a mindset for multiplicational discipleship. Imitate me, and watch those who imitate me and those I have discipled. And if we truly emulate Paul, we then must at some point turn around to others and say 'Imitate me and those I have discipled'. For us to truly and righteously be able to say that, we must count every worldly thing as loss and be striving for only Christ. Without abandonment to Christ, this plea for imitators (or disciples) would be self-serving and pride-feeding. I must always remember that I am making disciples of Christ, not Ethan. Not just 'follow me', but always 'follow me as I follow Him'!
May you count as loss and press on in Him, to Him, and for His sake!
Ethan
Monday, July 30, 2007
Philippians 3
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Philippians 2
Greetings in the Lord,
The second chapter of Philippians deals with Christ's humility and example, God's help for us as we work out our salvation, and the example of two heroes of the faith.
The memory passage is;
Philippians 2:5-8, 12-13 (ESV)
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. And being found in human form, 8 he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
The outline themes are Humility, Help, and Heroes in the Christian Walk.
The first few verses of Chapter Two center around the Mind of Christ. From the encouragement, comfort, love, affection, sympathy, and participation in the Spirit through Christ comes the desire to be of the same mind; the mind of Christ in one accord. Not rivalry, conceit, pride or selfishness.
What is the mind of Christ? Though He was (is) God, He humbled Himself (made Himself nothing) by becoming a man. And He humbled Himself even more by dying, as the innocent, spotless Lamb, in the worst way of the day, in order that we might share in His resurrection. The mind and heart of Christ is that of love and sacrifice for me. Through His humiliation, He has opened the door for my glorification.
The mind of Christ is not just a 'state of being', but leads to action. We are to 'work out our own salvation' with fear and trembling. This is not working 'for' salvation, but working it out in the sense of our daily life. God's investment in us is ultimately for His good pleasure and glory. Somehow there is the gift of grace that is freely (unearned) given with which we must then work out in our walk with Christ. This is to be done without grumbling or questioning so that we can be separate from the world; free of blemish and corruption in the midst of a stained and corrupt world. This fruit in the lives of those he discipled gave Paul joy and contentment in that his life and labor for the kingdom of God that were not wasted.
The last section focuses on two men that Paul holds up as examples of walking with Christ. Timothy is highly regarded as unique (no one like him) and worthy in the work of the kingdom. Paul emphasizes Timothy's genuine concern and love for the Philippian church and the benefit he will be to them. Epaphroditus is honored by Paul as a brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier in the work of the kingdom. He apparently gave of himself freely to Paul and the ministry of the Word as he 'was ill, near to death' before God healed him. His service was invaluable to Paul, and will certainly be the same for the Philippians.
Notice how Paul sent his best men to the Philippians. It wasn't those he could spare, or someone extra; he sent the best. It would have been easy to justify the need to keep these pillars close by in Paul's 'greater ministry'. But he raised them up, discipled them, and sent them. For the kingdom to multiply, disciples and disciple-makers must have a mindset of multiplication from beginning to end. Only then can our discipleship truly reach to the ends of the earth.
How does this affect my worship?
Verses 9 and 10 will be the subject of praise for eternity. As we now, and in heaven, thank God the Father for His love and enduring mercy, we will not be able to separate the exaltation of Christ from that strain. It is the very reason we will be able to praise for eternity in the first place. After all Christ went through, God exalted Him and honored Him; and with this is the seal of our own glorification. We are united with Him in His death, but also in His resurrection (Rom 6:5), and we are hidden with Him so much that when He appears, we will also appear with Him (Col 3:4) and be like Him (1 Cor 15:49, 1 John 3:2).
How does this affect my discipleship?
Do I have the courage to let my 'best disciples' go and make more disciples? Those will be the men who challenge and stretch me the most, who I am the closest to in vulnerability and accountability, and who I love the most. Can I turn them loose? I must. If the Lord is gracious and shows His favor to me by letting me disciple and apprentice with men like this, it would be selfish of me to keep them to myself.
May you walk in the Mind of Christ today,
Ethan
The second chapter of Philippians deals with Christ's humility and example, God's help for us as we work out our salvation, and the example of two heroes of the faith.
The memory passage is;
Philippians 2:5-8, 12-13 (ESV)
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. And being found in human form, 8 he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
The outline themes are Humility, Help, and Heroes in the Christian Walk.
The first few verses of Chapter Two center around the Mind of Christ. From the encouragement, comfort, love, affection, sympathy, and participation in the Spirit through Christ comes the desire to be of the same mind; the mind of Christ in one accord. Not rivalry, conceit, pride or selfishness.
What is the mind of Christ? Though He was (is) God, He humbled Himself (made Himself nothing) by becoming a man. And He humbled Himself even more by dying, as the innocent, spotless Lamb, in the worst way of the day, in order that we might share in His resurrection. The mind and heart of Christ is that of love and sacrifice for me. Through His humiliation, He has opened the door for my glorification.
The mind of Christ is not just a 'state of being', but leads to action. We are to 'work out our own salvation' with fear and trembling. This is not working 'for' salvation, but working it out in the sense of our daily life. God's investment in us is ultimately for His good pleasure and glory. Somehow there is the gift of grace that is freely (unearned) given with which we must then work out in our walk with Christ. This is to be done without grumbling or questioning so that we can be separate from the world; free of blemish and corruption in the midst of a stained and corrupt world. This fruit in the lives of those he discipled gave Paul joy and contentment in that his life and labor for the kingdom of God that were not wasted.
The last section focuses on two men that Paul holds up as examples of walking with Christ. Timothy is highly regarded as unique (no one like him) and worthy in the work of the kingdom. Paul emphasizes Timothy's genuine concern and love for the Philippian church and the benefit he will be to them. Epaphroditus is honored by Paul as a brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier in the work of the kingdom. He apparently gave of himself freely to Paul and the ministry of the Word as he 'was ill, near to death' before God healed him. His service was invaluable to Paul, and will certainly be the same for the Philippians.
Notice how Paul sent his best men to the Philippians. It wasn't those he could spare, or someone extra; he sent the best. It would have been easy to justify the need to keep these pillars close by in Paul's 'greater ministry'. But he raised them up, discipled them, and sent them. For the kingdom to multiply, disciples and disciple-makers must have a mindset of multiplication from beginning to end. Only then can our discipleship truly reach to the ends of the earth.
How does this affect my worship?
Verses 9 and 10 will be the subject of praise for eternity. As we now, and in heaven, thank God the Father for His love and enduring mercy, we will not be able to separate the exaltation of Christ from that strain. It is the very reason we will be able to praise for eternity in the first place. After all Christ went through, God exalted Him and honored Him; and with this is the seal of our own glorification. We are united with Him in His death, but also in His resurrection (Rom 6:5), and we are hidden with Him so much that when He appears, we will also appear with Him (Col 3:4) and be like Him (1 Cor 15:49, 1 John 3:2).
How does this affect my discipleship?
Do I have the courage to let my 'best disciples' go and make more disciples? Those will be the men who challenge and stretch me the most, who I am the closest to in vulnerability and accountability, and who I love the most. Can I turn them loose? I must. If the Lord is gracious and shows His favor to me by letting me disciple and apprentice with men like this, it would be selfish of me to keep them to myself.
May you walk in the Mind of Christ today,
Ethan
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