Author: looking2jesus13

True Contentment

Bible Reading: Philippians 4:10-23

Philippians 4:10-13, “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.  Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.  I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

“Discontentment makes rich men poor, while contentment makes poor men rich.”

True contentment is a precious state of heart and mind.  A person is content when they are satisfied with their lot in life.  When that person needs nothing else to be satisfied.  When that person needs no change in status.  When that person needs no change in circumstances.  The key element in our definition is “satisfied.”  Being content does not mean that a person will not attempt to change or improve his situation, it just means that he is not agitated or grumbling or doing things apart from trusting in God and depending on His grace and being thankful to Him.  They are satisfied with God’s provision in Christ.  They are satisfied with God’s direction and providence, even when it leads to unexpected things.  As someone has said, “A contented man is one who enjoys the scenery along the detours.”  We might say that such a person is “happy in Jesus.”  Are you happy in Jesus?  Are you satisfied and content in that this very day?

We tend to think that true contentment is had in having the right set of circumstances.  But the Apostle Paul had learned to be content in whatever circumstances he was in (Philippians 4:11).  The context of the verse is a gift that the Philippians had sent to him.  He was very thankful for the gift, but he used the reception of the gift to speak to this most important matter, finding contentment in Christ.  He went on to explain how he had learned to be content, whether in humble means or in prosperity, or whether going hungry or poor.

We tend to an “if only” way of thinking about things.  We are prone to it in the flesh.  The world caters to and encourages this approach to life (1 John 2:15-16).  It is the nature of sin to be seldom satisfied and always wanting more (1 Timothy 6:9-10).  The if only way of thinking supposes that happiness (and contentment) lies in the if only provision of something or some different set of circumstances.  If only I had a new car, a bigger house, a better job, a better boss, no job, no boss, a better church, a better pastor, a new location, more freedom, less of a belly, a McDonald’s hamburger, etc.  If only I won the lottery, then I would be content.  If only didn’t have to go through this trial.  If only people would treat me with respect.  There are far too many if onlys to list.  They nag at us suggesting that we are on the verge of finding true happiness, if only.  It is not necessarily wrong to pursue or possess some of the things in this list, the problem lies in the thinking that true contentment can be found in them.  True contentment is something God wants us to experience, but it is not sourced in things or circumstances.  He refuses to allow us to experience true contentment in anything else but Him, because He created us for the purpose of knowing Him and finding joy and contentment in Him.

Paul says that he learned the secret of being content in any and all circumstances (Philippians 4:12). So, what’s the secret?  Verse 13.  And we could read the verse this way…according to the context—I can do all things…by way of being content in any and all circumstances… through Him who strengthens me.”  Note that this is something that Paul learned.  So, it is something to be learned.  Much as a child needs eventually to be weaned from mama’s milk, so that it can find the true sustenance that it will ultimately need, so we need to be weaned from the worldly ways that work against the true and lasting contentment that can be had in God alone (Psalm 131).

How did he learn?  We have one example where God worked to instruct Paul in that learning process (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).  Note verse 10…”Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, with, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”  Our circumstances are used by God in this learning process.  They are God’s way of direction is to the sole means by which we can find true and lasting contentment—and that is in Jesus.

William Cowper was a contemporary and friend of John Newton, the ex-slave-ship-captain who became a pastor, the author of the hymn “Amazing Grace.”  William was the most popular poet of his day, writing poems of nature, poems that had an anti-slavery theme, and many poems that were themed in Christ and eventually became hymns.  He wrote the hymn “There is a Fountain.”  William Cowper was also a little troubled in his life.  He had loved his cousin and wanted to marry her, but her father refused the union.  He was distraught.  In his later years, he sometimes lacked assurance with regards to his faith.  He experienced fits of depression and insanity.  Three times he tried to commit suicide.  He was institutionalized, but then cared for by John Newton and others.  He wrote a poem he entitled “Contentment”:

CONTENTMENT

Fierce passions discompose the mind,
As tempests vex the sea;
But calm content and peace we find,
When, Lord, we turn to thee.

In vain by reason and by rule,
We try to bend the will;
For none, but in the Saviour’s school,
Can learn the heav’nly skill.

Since at his feet my soul has sat,
His gracious words to hear;
Contented with my present state,
I cast, on him, my care.

Art thou a sinner, soul? he said,
Then how canst thou complain?
How light thy troubles here, if weighed
With everlasting pain!

If thou of murmuring wouldst be cured,
Compare thy griefs with mine;
Think what my love for thee endured,
And thou wilt not repine.

‘Tis I appoint thy daily lot,
And I do all things well:
Thou soon shalt leave this wretched spot,
And rise with me to dwell.

In life my grace shall strength supply,
Proportioned to thy day;
At death thou still shalt find me nigh,
To wipe thy tears away.

Thus I who once my wretched days,
In vain repinings spent;
Taught in my Saviour’s school of grace,
Have learned to be content.

Some Things to Think About

Bible Reading: Philippians 4:1-9

Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

Years ago, when I was in the still in the Navy, and a new believer in Jesus, I did something that proved very helpful to me in my Christian walk.  I went to a Christian bookstore and bought a little pack of Scripture memory verses.  I had lots of free time on board the submarine, so I’d pull out those memory verses and worked on sticking them in my thinking.  Philippians 4:8 was one of those verses.  I remember some years later, when I was on watch at Trojan Nuclear Plant, how I was checking on the cooling tower, going over and over the various elements of this verse in my mind—thinking about thinking!

The word “think” in our verse is a present tense command to “reckon or take into account or ponder.” We are given here certain things that are to occupy our thinking. Now this is especially and extremely important, considering the nature of things in our society. Access to information has never been easier. Access to things to think about, contrary to this list, has never been easier. There’s a need to rein in our minds and our thinking such that our thought life is what it ought to be (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Have you ever heard the phrase, “garbage in, garbage out?”  It is typically used with respect to computers, but it can be applied to our thinking.  Proverbs 4:23 says “keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” It is as Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Sow a thought and you reap an action; sow an act and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character; sow a character and you reap a destiny.” Our destiny is tied directly to and starts with our thoughts. Biblical change takes place as our minds are progressively renewed through the working of the Spirit of God as He applies the Word of God to our hearts and minds.  But we are active participants in the process, as we think on the things listed here.

Paul gives a list here of things and I don’t think it’s meant at all to be comprehensive.  You may have noticed that the list is divided into two groups: six “whatevers” and two “if theres.” The verse has been deemed to be a brief biography of Christ since every one of these virtuous things is ultimately fulfilled in Him.  To think on these things is to think of Christ, and to spend time considering His perfection in all these various ways.  The things listed here are also true of the Word of God, which makes sense for it is the Word of Christ and He is its grand subject (Colossians 3:16; John 5:39).

Ray Pritchard has commented on this passage, “Did you know that the average person has 10,000 separate thoughts each day? That works out to 3.5 million thoughts a year. If you live to be 75, you will have over 26 million different thoughts. Already most of you have had over 2,000 separate thoughts since you got out of bed this morning. You’ll probably have another 8,000 before you hit the sack tonight. Then you’ll start all over again tomorrow. The principle behind Paul’s words is simple: Sin always begins in the mind and so does holiness. When Paul says, “think about such things,” the command is in the present tense: “Keep on thinking about these things.” Find what is true and think about it. Find the lovely and think about it. Find the virtuous and think about it. Do it and verse 9 says “the God of peace will be with you.”  You can literally change your mind if you want to. How? By remembering that all that is best is embodied in a Person! I am speaking of Jesus Christ. If you link yourself with him, you are joined with the highest moral power in the universe. He is the embodiment of everything Paul has commanded us to do. It’s all in Jesus. All virtue, all beauty, all holiness, all truth, all that is good and right is found in him. This is not some abstract philosophy but a call to a personal relationship. My exhortation is simple. Hold on to Jesus! Think about him! Rest in him! Live in him!”

BE THOU MY VISION

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best thought, by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light

Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true word
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord
Thou my great Father, and I Thy true son
Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one

Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise
Thou mine inheritance, now and always
Thou and Thou only first in my heart
High King of heaven, my treasure Thou art

High King of heaven, my victory won
May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s sun
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my vision, O ruler of all

Worry vs. Worship

Bible Reading: Philippians 4:1-9

Philippians 4:6-7, “… do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6 is such a helpful and practical verse.  It was a verse that I put to memory early on in my walk with Christ.  Simply put, the passage is saying to us—“Be anxious for nothing, trust God in everything.”  I’m not a big fan of bumper stickers, but there is one I especially like—”wag more, bark less.”  In bumper sticker form, this verse is saying to the believer—“trust more, worry less.”

If so inclined, we can find plenty of things to worry about—economic troubles, global threats, personal struggles, relationship difficulties, health concerns, financial fears, job issues, problems big and small—the list goes on and on.

But we are commanded not to worry.  The command, “be anxious for nothing” (Philippians 4:6), is all-encompassing—one of those infamous and troublesome all-or-nothing commands, such as “rejoice always” or “do all things without grumbling.”  And though worry is a common sin, it is still a sin.  Many tend to think it to be a mundane thing, a relatively harmless vice—low on the list of offenses, but there’s good reason to reconsider that assessment.  And though studies confirm what we know to be true, that worry can prove harmful to us emotionally and physically, worry also works against our spiritual well-being.  Chuck Swindoll has spoken to this: “Many of us are addicted to worry because we simply don’t view it as being sinful.  It’s become acceptable, something we blithely excuse without a second thought.  After all, it doesn’t have the same obvious effects that, say, alcohol or drugs do.  It seems more like a normal part of the human condition.  Who can imagine life without worry?”

The Greek term translated “anxious” in Philippians 4:6 means “to draw in different directions, to distract.”  Webster’s defines the term this way: “A painful or apprehensive uneasiness of mind usually over an impending or anticipated ill.”  We know from experience what it is.  It is a preoccupation of our minds, a mental “nagging”, having to do with things that are of concern to us.

The phrase, “be anxious for nothing,” is a present tense imperative.  It is an all-the-time command to us from our God who loves and cares for us.  Worry is wrong because it is antithetical to faith.  God is pleased by faith (Hebrews 11:5-6), if we are worrying we are not trusting Him.  George Muller put it this way, “The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety.”

If we are worrying, we are not worshipping.  Simply put, worship is acknowledging God for who He is and what He does in what we say and what we do.  Worship is something that far transcends that which happens in church on a Sunday.  It involves our heart, head, and hands and every aspect of our daily lives (Romans 12:1; 1 Corinthians 10:31).  Prayer is an integral part of worship.  As the helpful acrostic “A.C.T.S.” reminds us, prayer involves: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication.  Spirit-led prayer is born of faith.  In humility, we see and acknowledge our complete dependence on God.  By faith, we apprehend and acknowledge God to be who He has revealed Himself to be—one who is Sovereign over all, who knows and cares and who is more than able to care for us (Matthew 6:25-34).

Now we’ve gotten closer to the heart of what’s wrong with being anxious.  We’ve a world full of worrywarts.  Sin has made it so.  The born-again Christian is one who has been saved by faith to live and walk by faith in the sovereign God who loves Him and has promised to provide and care for him (Romans 8:28, 32, 33-34).  As ambassadors of Christ, we’ve got good news to share with the lost.  It is in the fabric of life and especially amidst our trials that we can best gain a hearing in this worrisome world.  Trust more, worry less.

Perhaps you’ve some things even now that you’ve been worrying about.  Take that list of worries and submit them to this verse.  Do with them, as the verse says.  Instead of worrying, pray (1 Peter 5:7).  But don’t just pray for God to change your circumstances, worship God in prayer.  Bring your requests to Him, in a spirit of worship—acknowledging Him in all His goodness and thanking Him in all He does.  Maybe He’ll choose to free you from your troublesome circumstances. Maybe He won’t (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).  But even if you are to endure through troublesome times for a season, God promises to guard your heart and your mind with His peace, a peace which “surpasses all comprehension” (Philippians 4:7).

TRUSTING JESUS

Simply trusting every day,
Trusting through a stormy way;
Even when my faith is small,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Refrain:
Trusting as the moments fly,
Trusting as the days go by;
Trusting Him whate’er befall,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Brightly doth His Spirit shine
Into this poor heart of mine;
While He leads I cannot fall;
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Singing if my way is clear,
Praying if the path be drear;
If in danger for Him call;
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Trusting Him while life shall last,
Trusting Him till earth be past;
Till within the jasper wall,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Harmonious Humans

Bible Reading: Philippians 4:1-9

Philippians 4:1-3, “Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.  I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.”

“To dwell above with saints we love, O that will be glory.  To dwell below, with saints we know, well that’s a different story.”

As long as we live in this sin-cursed world, there will be disagreements, as was the case with these two sisters in Christ in the church of Philippi.  Paul wrote from prison to appeal to the two that they might live in harmony in the Lord, as some friction had developed between the two of them.

It is very possible for true believers who are even actively serving Christ to have disagreements.  Even as Paul and Barnabas once disagreed as to whether they should take Barnabas’ nephew along on a missionary journey.  In the end, they decided to part ways.  We get the impression that we have here a disagreement of a different kind.  The fact that it has come to Paul’s attention, far away in prison as he was, suggests that it may have been something that threatened even the well-being of the church. It’s amazing how rapidly small fires of tension can spread to cause widespread destruction!

We don’t know the details of the particular problem between Euodia and Syntyche.  Likely, it was the source of much discussion and possibly even gossip that these two active servants were not getting along.  Their names are maybe helpful.  Eudoia means “prosperous journey.”  Syntyche means “to happen, chance.”  Someone has noted that Eudoia means “traveling” and Synthche means “accident”, so that when you bring the two together it results in a “traveling accident” of disagreement.  Others have poked fun at them inasmuch as Eudoia sounds a little like “odious” (smelly) and Syntyche sounds a little like “soon-touchy,” so you have the combination of one who is smelly in her relating to others coming across someone who is very touchy about such matters.  We don’t know.  But that Paul gives no specific instructions regarding a change to be made in faith or practice of either would lead us to believe that it to be of the standard fare of the kinds of disagreements that take place among humans.  They are commonplace.

What is at the source of such things?  It’s not hard to figure out.  It is because of sin we are naturally prone to division and disagreements.  Historically, the fall of man happens—as we read of it in Genesis chapter 3—then in the very next chapter we read of the first disagreement, and even murder.  So, the experience of these two women was nothing new.  It was nothing outside the norm.  We recall in the letter Paul wrote to the church in Corinth about some of the various kinds of disagreements that were going on there.  

God’s purpose is for unity amongst His people (Psalm 133:1; John 17:22-23; Romans 15:5-6).  God has made us one. We are to be diligent in working to preserve it (Ephesians 4:1-6), keeping in mind that unity is essential if we are to fulfill our God-given purpose (Philippians 1:27).  God calls us to live in harmony with one another.  That’s only possible as we collectively endeavor to keep in step in the Spirit, practicing Christ-like love and exercising forgiveness (Galatians 5:25; Colossians 3:12-14).

The NASB translation of this verse uses the word “harmony,” and that gives us a great word picture of what is being called for here. Harmony represents the combination of simultaneous musical notes in a chord, producing a pleasing or congruent arrangement.  A. W. Tozer has commented on this, “Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow. So one hundred worshipers met together, each one looking away to Christ, are in heart nearer to each other than they could possibly be, were they to become ‘unity’ conscious and turn their eyes away from God to strive for closer fellowship.” Harmony is the result when we are each in tune with Christ. And that’s not just a blessing to those so bound, it is essential to maintaining a credible witness before the lost. Every effort should be undertaken to preserve, and when necessary, restore it! Have you a broken relationship in need of repair? Take the matter to the Lord in prayer, and take steps to make it right.

OUR GOD HAS MADE US ONE

Our God has made us one —
In Him our hearts unite.
When we, His children, share His love,
Our joy is His delight.

Our God has made us one —
His glory is displayed.
For as we build each other up
Our love becomes His praise.

Our God has made us one —
In sorrow and in joy;
We share the cross of Christ, our Lord,
In Him we now rejoice.

Our God has made us one —
One Church to bear His name;
One body and one Bride of Christ,
And with Him we shall reign

Your Heavenly Citizenship

Bible Reading: Philippians 3:12-21

Philippians 3:20-21, “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”

We don’t think enough or talk enough or yearn enough for heaven.  We’ve plenty of reason to do all those things, but we get so preoccupied with earthly affairs, we forget that this world is not our home. Our text speaks all about this…

Your citizenship is in heaven.  It’s likely that most reading this are US citizens.  I am too.  I was born to that.  I didn’t have to do anything to gain that privileged status.  I have a passport.  Anywhere I go in this world, I’ve that passport that identifies me to be a citizen of this country.  But how does a person become a citizen of heaven?  A person cannot be born to that, they must be born again to it, as John 1:12-13 explains: “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” When you trusted in Jesus, you became a citizen of heaven.  That’s your home even now, positionally speaking (Ephesians 2:4-6).  And just as a passport identifies you to be an American citizenship, the indwelling presence of the Spirit assures you of your heavenly citizenship.

So now you have a dual citizenship, but the benefits associated with your heavenly citizenship far outweigh those of your earthly one.  Stop and consider this… You’ve been privileged to live in the most free and prosperous country in history.  People from all around the world want to come here to America.  As attested to by the thousands who are crossing our southern border every single day.  Still, our heavenly citizenship is of infinitely greater value. Kings and kingdoms come and go.  But heaven is forever (Hebrews 11:13-16, 12:28).  All on earth suffers from corruption and decay because of sin.  Not so heaven.  We possess in heaven “an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you (1 Peter 1:4).”  It will not perish.  It is untouched by sin.  It’ll never go away.  

You know about politics.  You know how there is constant conflict and divisiveness.  So much so that it is literally tearing our country apart.  But it is different with heaven.  No earthly leader of any country is perfect.  We are all sinners by birth, and they are, too.  But in heaven, we’ve a perfect ruler.  Jesus is even now the ruler of the kings of the earth (Revelation 1:5).  He does all things well.  There will come a day when every knee will bow and every tongue confess Him as Lord.  And rightly so, for He is our creator and our Savior.  He is rich in grace and mercy.  He cares so much that He willingly gave Himself up for our sins.  He is all wise and can never make a wrong decision about anything.  He has the power to subject all things to Himself.  He is a perfect King and His is a perfect Kingdom.

There will be a lot of “no longers” in heaven.  A lot of things will be missing when we get there:  “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away’ (Revelation 21:3-4).”  No longer any death, or mourning, or crying, or pain or sin!  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve shared this passage as a hospice chaplain.  

I remember one particular situation.  I had visited our hospice patient over many weeks.  He and his family had become dear friends.  He was a believer and had the hope of heaven.  Knowing of my wife’s long time battle with cancer, he would always pray for her—every single visit His time on earth was drawing to a close, and I made one last visit to him.  He was there in his bed, no longer able to get around.  I sensed he could still hear what I was telling him.  And I said to him much of what we’d talked about before.  God had a place prepared for him where the pain and tears and troubles would be no more.  God would take care of his family.  Soon, he’d open his eyes to the glory of Jesus and heaven.  I prayed.  On the way back to the office, we received news that he had made his journey home.  You know, later I attended his funeral service.  It was not as somber as it would otherwise have been, because we all knew that my friend was a citizen of heaven and that he had at last made his way home!

The greatest thing about heaven will be seeing Jesus.  Scripture tells us that we will marvel at Him when we see Him (2 Thessalonians 1:10)!  It is a matter which transcends our earthly ability to grasp.  We will be restored to what God intended for us before sin entered in.  In the presence of Jesus, all of our desires and needs will be finally and perfectly met.  And we will be reunited with those who have gone on before us.  As the song says, “Friends will be there I have loved long ago; joy like a river around me will flow; yet just a smile from my Savior, I know, will through the ages be glory for me!”

You’ve two citizenships, but the one is of infinitely more value for it foretells of a perfect and eternal place.  Be very glad for your heavenly citizenship as you eagerly await Jesus’ return!

A CHILD OF THE KING

My Father is rich in houses and land,
He holdeth the wealth of the world in His hands!
Of rubies and diamonds, of silver and gold,
His coffers are full, He has riches untold.

Refrain:
I’m a child of the King,
A child of the King,
With Jesus my Savior,
I’m a child of the King.

My Father’s own Son, the Savior of men,
Once wandered on earth as the poorest of them;
But now He is reigning for ever on high,
And will give me a home in heav’n by and by. [Refrain]

I once was an outcast stranger on earth,
A sinner by choice and an alien by birth;
But I’ve been adopted, my name’s written down,
An heir to a mansion, a robe and a crown. [Refrain]

A tent or a cottage, why should I care?
They’re building a palace for me over there;
Though exiled from home, yet still may I sing:
All glory to God, I’m a child of the King. [Refrain]

Walk this Way

Bible Reading: Philippians 3:12-21

Philippians 3:15-19, “Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained. Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.”

Philippians 3:17 (Phillips paraphrase), “Let me be your example here, my brothers: let my example be the standard by which you can tell who are the genuine Christians among those about you.”

We tend to follow the example of others; be they parents or friends or celebrities.  Imitating others can be a good thing, assuming their behavior is worthy of imitation.  But if not, imitation of others can be disastrous.  We live in a day that is typified by a shortage of folks whose lives are worth emulating. Hence the need to exercise discernment in those we look to follow. 

Those who profess to be followers of Jesus Christ should follow His example and imitate Him. “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:21).  Our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, is the best example for us to follow in every possible way—in the way we think, the way we walk, and the way we talk.  He has set before us a pattern for life that is radically different from who we once were, or what we find in our world (Philippians 2:3-8). 

False teachers had infiltrated the church in Philippi.  They were doing a lot of barking about a way of religion that was contrary to what Paul had taught.  Paul called them “dogs” and told the folks to beware (Philippians 3:2).  Their manner of life was at odds with Christ’s example and with that of the Apostle Paul.  So, Paul set forth himself and his life as a visible pattern to the church of what it looks like to truly follow Jesus.  Paul was able to do that because he was walking in the footsteps of Christ.  Just as He exhorted those in Corinth, saying: “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).

So how did Paul’s example differ from that of the false teachers?  Paul embraced the cross, whereas the false teachers were its enemies (Philippians 3:18).  He embraced it not just because it had worked to set him free from sin, he embraced it as a pattern to follow.  He understood that we believers have been called to the same self-sacrificing manner of life that was revealed to us in Jesus (Philippians 1:21-24, 2:17, 3:10; Acts 20:33-35; Galatians 6:14).

Paul gloried “in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:3), whereas the false teachers gloried in their shame (Philippians 3:19).  The Apostle Paul clearly understood that his only claim to any measure of righteousness rested solely and completely in the person and work of Christ.  He refused to take personal credit for anything, acknowledging that he was what he was “by the grace of God” (1 Corinthians 15:10).  The false teachers, on the other hand, boasted in the sham of their supposed self-righteousness, their “shame.”

Paul had his sights set on heaven (Philippians 1:6, 10, 1:21, 1:23; 2:10-11, 2:13, 2:14; 3:20). The false teachers–on the other hand–were all about the here and now, having their minds “set on earthly things” (Philippians 3:19).  They were like Demas, of whom the Scripture speaks, “for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me” (2 Timothy 4:10).  The deceivers loved the world too. 

The Apostle Paul lived according to a Christ-centered, cross-centered, and heavenly-minded approach to life.  The false teachers talked a good talk, but they were as sheep in wolves clothing.  They put on a good show, but their end was “destruction” (Philippians 3:19).  Their example was one to avoid at all costs.  Paul’s, on the other hand, is one to cleave to.  Our text likewise reminds us of the need we have to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord Jesus.  A good question to ask is this: Is our life enough of an example that we would want others to pattern themselves after us? What must be altered to answer affirmatively?

NEAR THE CROSS

Jesus, keep me near the cross,
There a precious fountain;
Free to all, a healing stream,
Flows from Calv’ry’s mountain.

Refrain:
In the cross, in the cross
Be my glory ever,
Till my ransomed soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.

Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and mercy found me;
There the Bright and Morning Star
Shed His beams around me. [Refrain]

Near the cross! O lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day
With its shadow o’er me. [Refrain]

Near the cross! I’ll watch and wait,
Hoping, trusting ever;
Till I reach the golden strand,
Just beyond the river. [Refrain]

Your Place in the Race

Bible Reading: Philippians 3:12-21

Philippians 3:12-14, “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. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

If you are a believer in Christ, you are in a race.  Not a sprint, but a marathon.  By grace, God plucked you off the broad path that leads to destruction, and put you in a race, a race that leads to “the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).  This analogy—the believer in a race—is commonly found in Scripture (1 Corinthians 9:24; 2 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 12:1-2).  You started in the race when you first believed, and you will not be done until you are at home with Jesus.  You are not a spectator of this race, you are a runner, and it matters how you run. 

How are you doing in the race?  Our passage speaks to how we are to run.  1) Remember that you are in a good race leading to a glorious finish!  2) It matters not how far you’ve come, you’ve still a long way to go (Hebrews 12:1-2)! 3) Don’t let your past failures or successes get in the way of your present effort (Philippians 3:13-14)! 4) Run in such a way that you may win (1 Corinthians 9:24).  5) Run according to the rules (2 Timothy 2:5).  6) Keep your eyes on the prize.  Fix your eyes on Jesus and the glory that awaits you when you enter His presence (Philippians 3:14).

The 543.7-mile race from Sydney to Melbourne, Australia, is the most grueling race in the world.  In 1983, 150 runners ran that race.  On the day of the race, a toothless, 61-year-old potato farmer and sheepherder named Cliff Young approached the registration table wearing overalls and galoshes.

At first, people there thought he had come to watch the race, but much to their surprise, he had come to run.  Cliff had grown up on a farm without the benefit of horses and vehicles.  When storms came along, he headed out to round up his 2000 sheep over his 2000 acre farm.  Sometimes that would take 2 or 3 days.

When the gun went off, bystanders snickered at Cliff, left behind in his galoshes and overalls as the other runners, with their sculpted bodies and running gear, briskly began the race.  Snickers gave way to laughter when Cliff ran, not like the other runners, but with what could only be described as a leisurely, odd shuffle.

All of Australia was riveted to the live telecast as they watched the scene unfold. “Someone should stop that crazy old man before he kills himself!” Five days, 15 hours, and 4 minutes later, Cliff Young came shuffling across the finish line in Melbourne, winning the ultra-marathon! He didn’t win by a few seconds, or even a few minutes. The nearest runner was 9 hours and 56 minutes behind.

Australians were stunned at this remarkable yet seemingly impossible victory. How did it happen?  Everyone knew that to run the ultra-marathon, runners would run for 18 hours, then stop and sleep for six hours. This routine was repeated for five punishing days.  But no one told Cliff Young. He just shuffled along, day and night, night and day, without stopping to sleep. Cliff broke the previous race record by nine hours and became overnight a national hero.  He claimed afterwards that during the race, he imagined he was running after sheep and trying to outrun a storm.

So run, brethren, run with passion.  Run like Cliff.  Some might laugh at your efforts.  You’ll likely grow weary sometimes and might even fall.  Get back in the race!  By God’s grace, one step at a time, run with endurance the race that is set before you. Keeping your eyes on the prize!

ALL FOR JESUS

All for Jesus! All for Jesus!
All my being’s ransomed pow’rs,
all my thoughts and words and doings,
all my days and all my hours.

Let my hands perform his bidding,
let my feet run in his ways;
let my eyes see Jesus only,
let my lips speak forth his praise.

Worldlings prize their gems of beauty,
cling to gilded toys of dust,
boast of wealth and fame and pleasure;
only Jesus will I trust.

Since my eyes were fixed on Jesus,
I’ve lost sight of all beside;
so enchained my spirit’s vision,
looking at the Crucified.

O what wonder! How amazing!
Jesus, glorious King of kings,
deigns to call me his beloved,
lets me rest beneath his wings.

One Thing I Do 

Bible Reading: Philippians 3:4-11 

Philippians 3:10, “…that I may know him.” 

Philippians 3:13, “But one thing I do.” 

There is a famous scene in the movie “City Slickers” in which Jack Palance’s character Curly, the life-hardened trail boss, turns to Mitch (Billy Crystal) and asks the question: “Do you know what the secret of life is?” He then holds up his index finger and says: “It’s just one thing”. Mitch responds by asking “What’s the one thing?” Curly answers with: “That’s what you have to figure out.” From that moment on, the band of dude-ranch city-slickers sets out to discover what “The One Thing” is. They know it must be important, yet have no idea of what it could be. In our passage, the Apostle Paul speaks of the one thing, the supreme desire, which governed his life and his ministry— “knowing Jesus.” 

Charles Spurgeon wrote a wonderful analogy describing what is at the heart of such thinking: “’That I may know Him.’ Are you astonished that a saved man should have such a desire as this? A moment’s reflection will remove your astonishment. Imagine for a moment that you are living in the age of the Roman emperors. You have been captured by Roman soldiers and dragged from your native country; you have been sold as a slave, stripped, whipped, branded, imprisoned, and treated with shameful cruelty. At last, you are appointed to die in the amphitheater, to make holiday for a tyrant. The populace assemble with delight. There they are, tens of thousands of them, gazing down from the living sides of the capacious Colosseum. You stand alone, and naked, armed only with a single dagger-a poor defense against gigantic beasts. A ponderous door is drawn up by machinery, from which rushes the monarch of the forest–a huge lion; you must slay him or be torn to pieces. You are absolutely certain the conflict is too stern for you, and the sure result must and will be those terrible teeth will grind your bones and drip with your blood. You tremble; your joints are loosed; you are paralyzed with fear, like the timid deer when the lion has dashed it to the ground. Yet what is this? O wonder of mercy! — a deliverer appears. A great unknown leaps from among the gazing multitude and confronts the savage monster. He quails not at the roaring of the devourer, but dashes upon him with terrible fury, til, like a whipped cur, the lion slinks towards his den, dragging himself along in pain and fear. The hero lifts you up, smiles into your bloodless face, whispers comfort in your ear and bids you be of good courage, for you are free. Do you not think that there would arise at once in your heart a desire to know your deliverer? 

As the guards conduct you into the open street,and you breathe the cool, fresh air, would not the first question be, ‘Who was my deliverer, that I may fall at his feet and bless him?’ You are not, however, informed, instead you are gently led away to a noble mansion house, where your many wounds are washed and healed with a salve of rarest power. You are clothed in sumptuous apparel; you are made to sit down at a feast; you eat and are satisfied; you rest upon the softest down. The next morning you are attended by servants who guard you from evil and minister to your good. Day after day, week after week, your wants are supplied. You live like a courtier. There is nothing you can ask which you do not receive. I am sure your curiosity would grow more and more intense til it would ripen into an insatiable craving. You would scarcely neglect an opportunity of asking the servants, ‘Tell me, who does all this, who is my noble benefactor, for I must know him?’ ‘Well, but’ they would say, ‘is it not enough for you that you are delivered from the lion?’ ‘Nay,’ say you, ‘it is for that very reason I want to know him.’ ‘Your wants are richly supplied – why are you vexed by curiosity as to the hand which reaches you the boon? If your garment is worn out, there is another. Long before hunger oppresses you, the table is well loaded. What more do you want?’ But your reply is, ‘It is because I have no wants, that, therefore, my soul longs and yearns even to hungering and to thirsting, that I may know my generous loving friend.’ 

Suppose as you wake up one morning, you find lying up on your pillow a precious love-token from your unknown friend, a ring sparkling with jewels and engraved with a tender inscription, a bouquet of flowers bound about with a love-motto! Your curiosity now knows no bounds. But you are informed this wondrous being has not only done for you what you have seen, but a thousand deeds of love which you did not see, which were higher and greater still, as proofs of his affection. You are told he was wounded, and imprisoned and scourged for your sake, for he had a love for you so great, death itself could not overcome it: you are informed he is every moment occupied by your interests, because he has sworn by himself where he is there you shall be; his honors you shall share and of his happiness you shall he the crown. Why, I think you would say, ‘Tell me, men and women, any of you who know him, tell me who he is and what he is;’ and if they said, ‘But it is enough for you to know that he loves you, and to have daily proofs of his goodness,’ you would say, ‘No, these love-tokens increase my thirst. If you see him, tell him I am sick of love. The flagons which he scuds me and the love-tokens which he gives me, they stay with me for a while with the assurance of his affection, yet they only impel me onward with the more unconquerable desire that I may know him. I must know him; I cannot live without knowing him. His goodness makes me thirst, and pant, and faint, and even die, that I may know him.” 

And so we are so incredibly loved by Jesus (Ephesians 3:18-19) and in response there is no better “one thing” to lay hold of than the desire to know Him better (2 Peter 3:18). It is the rational and suitable response to so great a love (Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 5:15). What’s your “one thing?” 

JESUS, PRICELESS TREASURE

Jesus, priceless treasure,
source of purest pleasure,
truest friend to me,
long my heart hath panted,
till it well-nigh fainted,
thirsting after thee.
Thine I am, O spotless Lamb,
I will suffer naught to hide thee,
ask for naught beside thee.

In thine arms I rest me;
foes who would molest me
cannot reach me here.
Though the earth be shaking,
every heart be quaking,
Jesus calms our fear;
sin and hell in conflict fell
with their heaviest storms assail us;
Jesus will not fail us.

Hence, all thoughts of sadness!
For the Lord of gladness,
Jesus, enters in.
Those who love the Father,
though the storms may gather,
still have peace within;
yea, whate’er we here must bear,
still in thee lies purest pleasure,
Jesus, priceless treasure!

Rubbish vs. Treasure 

Bible Reading: Philippians 3:4-11 

Philippians 3:7-9, “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 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 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.” 

In 2014, a Northern California couple out walking their dog stumbled across a modern-day bonanza buried in the shadow of an old tree. Day after day, they would walk that portion of their property, unaware of what lay beneath the surface. Over time, erosion worked to unearth the top of a can that was buried along the path. Curious, they stopped to investigate. Guess what they found? 1427 coins in rare, uncirculated coins in mint condition, dating from 1847 to 1894, and worth an estimated $10 million!  Now, before you rush out to walk your property, consider this… in Christ, you already possess “unsearchable riches” (Ephesians 3:8)!

Paul came to understand the riches he possessed in Christ and henceforth viewed his past religiosity as mere rubbish. Note the repetition of the terms “counted” and “gain” and “loss.” The term “counted” is an accounting term and appears in verses 7 and 8. It’s in the present tense, speaking of a continual conviction Paul had about these things. The terms “gain” and “loss” are likewise accounting terms. So, what we have here is Paul weighing the other things in his life on the one hand and the value of knowing Christ on the other. It is his profit and loss statement. 

On the loss side of things were the various elements of his religious resume, including his impressive religious pedigree, position, practice, passion and even his religious perfection (Philippians 3:4-6). He had been respected and admired by his peers. He had been self-confident and assured in his own religiosity. He was a citizen of Tarsus, a place for families of wealth and reputation. He was taught by the famous Gamaliel. He had power, position, and possessions, friendships, family relationships, and in a purpose and a cause for which he was laboring, the respect of his peers. All of that, Paul counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 

Yet, notice Paul’s perspective when it comes to the loss side of the ledger. He not only counted those things and all things to be loss, but he also counted them to be “rubbish.” The KJV translates the term “dung.” According to Vine’s Expository Dictionary the term can either be understood to be referring to “excrement,” or to “the leavings which are to be thrown from the table.” Paul had previously devoted his life to such things, but now they were to him as that which should be thrown away to the dogs. Worthless scraps. 

On the plus side of things was but one thing—” the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8). The term “surpassing” translates a term meaning “to have over.” It means more excellent, or superior, or super better. Knowing Christ is not just better, but super better! So much so, that in Him lie “unsearchable riches” (Ephesians 3:8). In knowing Him, “we have this treasure in jars of clay” (2 Corinthians 4:7). Nothing can compare to knowing Jesus!  Everything else pails in comparison, no matter how much it once seemed to matter!

KNOWING YOU, JESUS

All I once held dear, built my life upon
All this world reveres, and wars to own
All I once thought gain I have counted loss
Spent and worthless now, compared to this

Knowing You, Jesus
Knowing You
There is no greater thing
You’re my all, You’re the best
You’re my joy, my righteousness
And I love You, Lord

Now my heart’s desire is to know You more
To be found in You and known as Yours
To possess by faith what I could not earn
All-surpassing gift of righteousness

Knowing You, Jesus
Knowing You
There is no greater thing
You’re my all, You’re the best
You’re my joy, my righteousness
And I love You, Lord

Oh, to know the power of Your risen life
And to know You in Your sufferings
To become like You in Your death, my Lord
So with You to live and never die

Knowing You, Jesus
Knowing You
There is no greater thing
You’re my all, You’re the best
You’re my joy, my righteousness
And I love You, Lord

Songwriters: Graham Kendrick
Knowing You Jesus lyrics © Make Way Music

Well-Placed Confidence 

Bible Reading: Philippians 3:1-6

Philippians 3:3-6, “For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh.” 

Peter was confident he had what it took to stand with Jesus. “I will never fall away,” he said (Matthew 26:33). “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you,” he declared! (Matthew 26:35) Though we might admire him for his courageous pledge of devotion, the fact is his confidence was misplaced. In the end, it was as Jesus had warned, Peter denied Jesus. He denied Him three times. He denied ever knowing Jesus. He denied Jesus before a slave girl. It was as Jesus said in chiding His disciples in their failure to pray, “The spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41). Peter denied Jesus, Jesus looked at him, and Peter “went out and wept bitterly” (Luke 22:61-62). 

The flesh doesn’t have what it takes! When we trust in Jesus Christ for salvation, we are identified with Him in His death and in His resurrection. The Scriptures speak to the radical change which takes place at that moment in time. The old man… that “in Adam” rebel part… is crucified with Christ (Colossians 3:9; Galatians 2:20). The believer is no longer compelled to do its bidding. Yet there is still a part which is yet unredeemed and weak and inadequate and prone to sin, which the Bible calls the “flesh.” The term translates this Greek term “sarx.” The flesh is contrary to a believer’s new identity in Christ. His nature, by the Spirit, is to not sin. But the flesh is weak. And the flesh is easily tempted. 

Vine’s Expository defines the flesh as “the weaker element in human nature” and “the unregenerate state of men.” It would be fair to say the flesh amounts to the selfish you. That part of you which is still prone to live according to your old manner of life. That part of you which endeavors to function independently of God. A part of you which is still prone to think and behave as you used to think and behave–to think and behave as unbelievers do. 

Now the false teachers in Philippi were acknowledging Jesus, yet what they were saying is it was still up to the believer to perform certain works to gain his or her salvation. They taught there was a need for a person to work hard at doing these things. To try harder to be better. To gain and maintain God’s approval through human self-effort. Now this is a common problem which can be traced all the way back to the fall of man, when Adam and Eve tried to resolve their sin problem according to their own wisdom and self-efforts. The problem is when it comes to salvation—in any aspect of it—we don’t have it in ourselves. Never did…Never will. To attempt to gain God’s favor through our own self efforts is foolhardy!

The flesh is not worthy of our confidence (2 Corinthians 1:9). It can never gain God’s approval (Jeremiah 17:5). It is of no help at all (John 6:63). It is weak (Matthew 26:41). It is only capable of doing the deeds of the flesh and has no ability to do good (Galatians 5:19-21; Romans 7:18). It only seeks indulgence (Colossians 2:23). 

Cowardly Peter was made courageous by the Spirit. We read of a different Peter in Acts chapter two. Jesus had promised to empower His disciples by the Spirit, and that’s exactly what happened. Before a crowd of thousands, Spirit-emboldened Peter boldly bore witness of Jesus Christ, in speaking of His life, His miracles, His death, His resurrection, and His eventual return. He indicted his listeners with Jesus’ death. The Spirit worked on their behalf and 3000 souls were saved. On a later occasion, Peter stood boldly before the powerful Sanhedrin and their threats and proclaimed, “we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20). As promised, Peter was made strong by the Spirit. His experience reminds us it is the Spirit who is deserving of our confidence, not ourselves. It is as we are filled with the Spirit and walk by Him that we are led and empowered to live out our Christian lives in a God-honoring way.  Apart from Jesus, we can do nothing, but by the Spirit, God is able to work in us and through us to accomplish amazing things (John 15:5; Philippians 4:13; Ephesians 3:20)!

HOLY SPIRIT, LIGHT DIVINE

Holy Spirit, light divine,
shine upon this heart of mine;
chase the gloom of night away,
turn the darkness into day.

Holy Spirit, love divine,
cleanse this guilty heart of mine;
in your mercy pity me,
from sin’s bondage set me free.

Holy Spirit, joy divine,
cheer this saddened heart of mine;
fill me with your heav’nly peace,
let it grow and still increase.

Holy Spirit, pow’r divine,
dwell within this heart of mine;
cast down ev’ry idol throne,
reign supreme and reign alone.

Holy Spirit, fill my heart,
cleanse my life in ev’ry part;
your own temple I would be
now and for eternity.