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Church of the Nazarene – East Rock

Living The Jesus Life: Part 6

Philippians 3:1-11

Living The Jesus Life

This series is a part of our annual practice of spending time focusing on one book of the Bible. In this case, the study is of Philippians – the letter Paul wrote from a Roman prison to the church at Philippi, the first church Paul started in Eastern Europe (see Acts 16). The people at Philippi were facing the resistance of Rome but remained a vibrant community of faith.

Philippians is a letter that speaks to living life as a disciple of Jesus in 2023. That’s why we’ve entitled the series, ‘Living the Jesus Life’.

Today’s focus is Philippians 3:1-11

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭4

‬‬Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more:

As we begin Chapter 3, we are moving on to Paul’s next major concern for his friends in Philippi, he says “beware of empty religion”.

As he begins, we get the sense this isn’t the first time they have had this conversation, but Paul doesn’t mind- It’s for their safety and the urgency of the truth bears repeating.

Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh.

Dog lovers everywhere, exhale. Paul is not talking about problems with our pets.

He is talking about one a group of arch enemies to the Gospel. People called Judaizers. They believed that to be in right relationship with God, to really experience salvation- you need to believe in Jesus AND take part in certain practices of the Jewish faith.

You couldn’t be a Christian without also being a jew.

Paul’s language here clearly shows his disgust and disagreement with anyone who would suggest such things. The problem is the deadly belief in Jesus PLUS anything.‭‭

Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭4‬-‭6‬‬

though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

If two Jews were having a bragging contest- The Apostle Paul would have beat them all with his resume. His trophy case was even more impressive than the Stanley Cup.

Paul was killing it in the eyes of the Jewish law and culture. But look what he says next‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭8

‬‬What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain ChristPaul’s previous life was one of status and achievement. He used to count all these things as a profit- something to boast about.

But now- That he has met Jesus- he considers all of those old things he used to brag about as a loss- a waste of time. Because he knows that true righteousness and right relationship with God is only found in Christ- in NOTHING else.‭‭

Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭8‬-‭9

‬‬What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

Paul has made the conscious decision over his past, and his present, that anything that takes away from living the Jesus life, is a loss.

Paul’s greatest treasure in life, his number one gain is relationship with Christ Jesus. Paul has learned that true right standing with God-True relationship with Him, can only come through Jesus Christ.

Paul is warning his friends in Philippi by way of his own testimony: Religion has no power to save anyone- only Christ can do that.

We have talked repeatedly in this series about living out our faith- shaping our lives after Jesus- the inseparable bond between what we believe and how we live, and these teachings are not in conflict today-Today’s teaching is a warning about thinking that those things, in and of themselves, are what save us.

It is only by faith, trusting in Jesus Christ that we can be saved.‭‭

Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭10‬-‭11

‬‬I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

Take it from the Apostle Paul; Religion doesn’t have the power to save you, only Jesus can do that.

Will you say with Paul “I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection”?

That’s what it is to live the Jesus Life

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Living The Jesus Life: Part 5

Philippians 2:12-18

Living The Jesus Life

This series is a part of our annual practice of spending time focusing on one book of the Bible. In this case, the study is of Philippians – the letter Paul wrote from a Roman prison to the church at Philippi, the first church Paul started in Eastern Europe (see Acts 16). The people at Philippi were facing the resistance of Rome but remained a vibrant community of faith.

Philippians is a letter that speaks to living life as a disciple of Jesus in 2023. That’s why we’ve entitled the series, ‘Living the Jesus Life’.

Today’s focus is Philippians 2:12-18.‭‭

Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭12‬-‭13‬‬

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.The obvious question is:

What does it mean to “work out your salvation”?

And, perhaps just as importantly, what doesn’t it mean?

-Salvation is not a prize that we work for. It’s not an accomplishment. It’s a free gift of God.

-In Philippians 1:11, Paul proclaims that righteousness comes through Christ alone.

-About this same time Paul writes this letter, while still in prison, he writes another letter in which he clearly proclaims: “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.…” (Ephesians 2:8-9)-Paul is not de-valuing the work of Christ, but rather He is re-emphasizing it (see Philippians 2:5-11 which precedes this text).-The Greek word used in verse 12 gives the implication of ‘completeness’.-The idea here is that your salvation should be evident in every area of your life. Salvation must find it’s completeness as you work it out in your life.

-Paul doesn’t say ‘work FOR your salvation’. It’s as if Paul is saying ‘activate the salvation God has given you’.

Interesting to compare these two mentions of work:

1. “continue to work out your salvation” (verse 12)

2. “it is God who works in you” (verse 13)

We are called to work out our salvation, but it is God who works in us.‭‭

Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭14‬-‭18

‬‬Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭9‬:‭24

‬‬Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭1

‬‬Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,

Bottom Line:

As you work, God works in you.

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭12‬-‭18

‬‬What I’m getting at, friends, is that you should simply keep on doing what you’ve done from the beginning. When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I’m separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God’s energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure. Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night so I’ll have good cause to be proud of you on the day that Christ returns. You’ll be living proof that I didn’t go to all this work for nothing. Even if I am executed here and now, I’ll rejoice in being an element in the offering of your faith that you make on Christ’s altar, a part of your rejoicing. But turnabout’s fair play—you must join me in my rejoicing. Whatever you do, don’t feel sorry for me.

Verses for further study/reflection:

Philippians 1:6

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

James 5:9

1 Peter 1:9

1 Corinthians 10:10

Ephesians 4:1-3

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Living The Jesus Life: Part 5

Philippians 2:12-18

Living The Jesus Life

This series is a part of our annual practice of spending time focusing on one book of the Bible. In this case, the study is of Philippians – the letter Paul wrote from a Roman prison to the church at Philippi, the first church Paul started in Eastern Europe (see Acts 16). The people at Philippi were facing the resistance of Rome but remained a vibrant community of faith.

Philippians is a letter that speaks to living life as a disciple of Jesus in 2023. That’s why we’ve entitled the series, ‘Living the Jesus Life’.

Today’s focus is Philippians 2:12-18‭‭

Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭12‬-‭13‬‬

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

Working out is hard- It’s aches, it’s pain, it takes longevity, and commitment.

I wonder today, is that how you are viewing your journey with Christ- your salvation? Is that how you would describe your life within the Church

Do you think of it as a workout- something that takes intentionality, that might involve pain or being uncomfortable at times. Or do you find yourself in the recliner today- thinking to yourself “Let go and let God”?

For Paul- he saw the necessity that believers in Philippi put in the hard work of living the Jesus life

Here’s the truth for us this morning: Your salvation is something to be worked out!

Will you? Will you commit to working it out?

As we dive into this passage, I would like to answer 2 questions that impact how we read this text-The First and perhaps the most important thing we need to ask- Is Paul trying to say that we need to work to earn our salvation or that our right standing with God is something we have to earn?

This is a great question that deserves a clear answer; No, that is not what He is saying.

Our text today is not about earning salvation, it’s about how to live out that calling- how to live the Jesus life, not how to find it.

Second important question around this text: Is Paul talking about our personal salvation, how we live as individuals or is he talking about our life together as the church?

This answer is a bit more complex: Yes and yes

If you go home and begin to study this question on your own, you will find scholarship to support both views.It is quite easy to read this text and hear a very personal call to your own life. But, we must consider the context- Paul has been talking about unity, about their life together, addressing how they live out the Jesus life in community- All of this teaching has been towards their life together.

With that context in mind, I don’t think we can make this only about our personal relationship with the Lord, although that is part of it.

So don’t miss it- this is a text for US as a community of believers‭‭

Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭12‬‬

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,

“Continue to work out your salvation”

Work out is one Greek word: it means to achieve, to bring about, or to complete.

It means to work out fully and thoroughly, to accomplish or achieve an end

It’s a term used of the activity of mining. Gold or silver deposits are beneath the ground, and we must mine them out, go after them to retrieve them.

Remembering that salvation here doesn’t refer to our justification or right standing before God- Paul is calling believers to work out their Jesus Life together- Remember he has just told them- No grumbling, no bickering, no self-serving. Paul is calling them to bring the work that God has done in them, out into their everyday lives, to their relationships with one another. And It’s work. it’s sometimes very hard.

We are called to this life of obedience with “Fear and trembling”

Believers are to live their lives with honor and respect for God-to hold him in reverence. Our obedience, is no light matter and its’ not optional. We need to work this out, with awe and respect of the ONE who has called us- God himself.

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭13

‬‬for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

How do you work out your salvation- in your own life- in the context of community?- It is God who works in you to do it.

The word for works here is similar to the English word Energy

It’s God who energizes you, who equips and empowers you, to fulfill the life that he is calling you too.‭‭

Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭14‬-‭16‬‬

Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night so I’ll have good cause to be proud of you on the day that Christ returns. You’ll be living proof that I didn’t go to all this work for nothing.

Working out our Jesus life together directly affects our ability to fulfill our mission in the world.

We teach our children to sing “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine”. Paul is teaching all believers to shine their light so that a dark world may see the goodness of God.

The apostle Paul knew that if his friends at Philippi would commit to the hard work, of working out their Jesus life together- they would be transformed and empowered by God, and effective in their mission together.

The world around them would see something special about them- They would see the true light of God’s love at work in their livesThe same is true for us today- Are you ready to work it out?

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Living The Jesus Life: Part 4

Philippians 2:5-11

Living The Jesus Life

This series is a part of our annual practice of spending time focusing on one book of the Bible. In this case, the study is of Philippians – the letter Paul wrote from a Roman prison to the church at Philippi, the first church Paul started in Eastern Europe (see Acts 16). The people at Philippi were facing the resistance of Rome but remained a vibrant community of faith.

Philippians is a letter that speaks to living life as a disciple of Jesus in 2023. That’s why we’ve entitled the series, ‘Living the Jesus Life’.

Today’s focus is Philippians 2:5-11.

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭5‬-‭11

‬‬In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming 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 acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

-Living the Jesus Life was never intended to be only about observation. It is a much bigger a call: a call to act. To participate.

-Living the Jesus Life means participating.

-We are called to have the same mindset as Christ did because it causes us to act.

What does this mindset of Christ look like?

1. He did not cling to his privileges, and his power, and his authority (verse 6)

2. He made himself a servant – made himself nothing (verse 7)

3. He humbled himself (verse 8)

1. Choose sacrifice2. Choose surrender3. Chose humility

You can’t choose your circumstances, but you do get to choose your response (your ‘mindset’ as Paul calls it).

“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: To choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s way.”-Viktor Frankl

Bottom Line:

Choosing the Jesus mindset leads to living a Jesus life.

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭5‬-‭11‬‬

Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion. Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.

Verses for further study/reflection:

John 1:14

Hebrews 1:1-2

Galatians 4:4-5

Zechariah 9:9

Hebrews 12:1-3

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Living The Jesus Life Part 4Philippians 2:5-11Living The Jesus Life

I want to welcome you back to our teaching series “Living the Jesus Life”

We are in the midst of a 9-Week series, taking a deep dive into the book of Philippians and this is our 4th study in this letter.

We have covered Paul’s initial greetings and expression of his love and gratitude for his friends in Philippi. Paul has shared about his current imprisonment in Rome- No sad stories though, all the seemingly bad things are actually turning out to allow him to tell more people about Christ.

Last week we turned from his welcoming remarks and updates to practical exhortation or instruction for the believers in Philippi. The church was under pressure from the Roman empire, those outside the church. And it seems like that pressure was starting to endanger the relationships, the unity within the church.

Paul’s first instruction for them- “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.”

As we continue today in Verse 5 of Chapter 2, Paul will deepen his teaching with the pivotal text in the book of Philippians. What we’ll read today is the anchor of all of his other arguments in this letter.‭‭

Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭5

‬‬In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

To live the Jesus life, to be a follower or an apprentice of Christ- is to seek to have his mind.

– To speak as he spoke, to love as he loved, to serve as he served.

– To deal with disruption the way he did.- To love your enemies, like he did.

– To humble yourself like he did- To give up your rights, like he did.

To live the Jesus life, to follow after him, is to live like he lived.

For the Apostle Paul, there is an inseparable link between what we believe and how we live. You might call it the link between theology and ethics.

What we think about Christ, what we believe about him, cannot be separated from how we live our lives.

We cannot say that Jesus is Lord, then live any old way we want to. We can’t say that we believe in Jesus and continue to live in sin. We can’t say that Jesus is Lord, and continue to harbor un-forgiveness, jealousy, pride, or envy in our hearts.

To place your faith in Jesus as Lord is to model your life after his. That’s what it is to live the Jesus life. And that’s the central theme of PhilippiansDoes your life affirm you believe that too?‭‭

Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭5‬-‭11

‬‬In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming 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 acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

This isn’t just the Gospel presented in poetic fashion. It’s a call to us to live just like that.

– Jesus, by the very nature and essence of who he is, was God, and is God.

– And His Lordship, his status, he did not view as being for his own benefit.

– Rather than using his power and status for himself, he used that to serve others.

– Not only did Jesus become a man, but he also humbled himself as a man, becoming obedient, even to the point of death, and that of the worst kind

– Death on the cross. This act of humility and obedience unto death, most vividly portrays the Love of God.- God the Father has highly exalted Christ

– the vindication or affirmation of his deity and expressed love through humbling himself in service to others.

Are you ready today, to set aside what you feel like you deserve, what you think you have a right to, to live the Jesus life?

Jesus said “Those who seek to save their lives will lose it, but those who lose their life for my sake will find it”Is this the Jesus life you are living?

Remember this beautiful description of Christ is centered in a letter written to a church that was having a few challenges, experiencing opposition and pressure.

It was important they had an accurate understanding of Christ and just who he was and what was accomplished on the cross.

But he also wanted them to know that this pattern of self-serving, self-giving love, was the model for them to live their lives after.

Today in response, I want to invite you to declare Jesus as Lord of your life.

To place your faith in Him, and to model your life after him.

“Jesus is Lord”

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