08/13/23 Philippians - Part 3 “Anticipation & Proclamation”

Philippians – Part 3 “Anticipation & Proclamation”

Philippians 1:12-26

Let’s begin with a game this morning. Let’s call the game ‘Details vs. the Big Picture” – it goes like this:

(Holding up a leaf) This small leaf represents a detail, with a forest representing the ‘big picture’….does that make sense?

How about this single tile….if the tile is the detail, what is the big picture? That’s right – the floor.

What if this spark plug is the detail…what would be the big picture?... Yes, an engine.

Great job everyone, I think you’re really getting the big picture of how to play this game…sorry, that was a really lame joke.

Given the option, we humans tend to focus more on details than we do the overall ‘big picture’ in life.

Think about the last time you spoke with a friend or relative on the phone. I’m guessing you were more likely to talk about your car’s gas miliage rather than the current state of the automotive industry as a whole.

Or perhaps you meet up with a friend for lunch, let’s say….Oh, I don’t know…at Culvers. I guarantee you are more likely to talk about your individual butter burger before ever discussing the current condition of the world beef market as a whole.

We tend to like talking about details, not the overarching big picture…usually.

There are always exceptions to the rule.

For instance, when I call or go visit my parents, my mom likes to chat about specifics (What her grandchildren are up to, the places she went and the people she has seen lately.) My dad, however, is one of those rare individuals who could really care less about specifics – rather, he likes to talk about ‘big picture’ things (Philosophical dilemmas, existentialism, world politics…you know – really riveting stuff like that)

In today’s passage, we see Paul discuss both specifics and the big-picture – on 2 very important topics.

First, he begins by describing his specific situation as he is being held prisoner in Rome.

Paul describes the palace guard, his chains, fellow preachers who are boldly proclaiming God’s Word – although some with less-than-pure motives. These are all specifics regarding the advancement of the gospel in and around Rome.

Paul then goes on to elaborate about these fellow evangelists and, since they were indeed preaching the actual truth about Jesus they were all serving to advance the gospel – despite some of them having worldly motives.

This advancement of the gospel was the big picture. Paul could rejoice in the fact that people were coming to Christ – even in spite of the selfishness, envy, and jealousy on the part of some of these messengers.

Verse 14 (Philippians 1:14) describes how the reality of Paul’s imprisonment had actually served to further the gospel.

This sounds counter-intuitive, doesn’t it?

We would think that an increase in Christian persecution would result in a decrease in people willing to boldly proclaim the name of Christ….after all, who wants to go to prison? – especially a first-century Roman prison! 

But surprisingly, every time the church has experienced intense persecution throughout the years, it has also generally seen an explosion in growth.

When people are committed to Jesus to the extent that they willingly give up their lives for their faith – it tends to get people’s attention.

When someone is so devoted to their savior that they actually look forward to meeting Jesus through the doorway of death – it will leave a lasting impression on others.

People will be compelled to investigate the reason for which others would willingly leave this world for their faith – we’ll talk a bit more about that in a few minutes.

In verses 15-18, Paul describes the situation involving these fellow preachers in greater detail.

So what was going on here with these evangelists? Why were these so called “Preachers” proclaiming the truth about Jesus from motives such as envy (v15) rivalry (v15) selfish ambition (v17) and insincerity (v17) ?

I believe that part of the answer lies in our inherent sinfulness as human beings – especially our natural pride our desire for recognition.

Many of these preachers had undoubtedly worked in Paul’s formidable shadow for quite some time, but without the recognition, respect, and prestige that Paul would have received.

Now that Paul was in prison and unable to preach outside of his prison walls, many of these men were now ‘jostling for position’ so-to-speak as to who would step into Paul’s large ‘traveling shoes’.

Think of the players in a basketball game trying to get position under the basket so they could grab the rebound – this is how I visualize the situation that we see here in this passage.

Because these preachers are technically proclaiming correct doctrine, they are ‘playing the game’ by the rules so-to-speak, but their motivation is pure selfishness. In verse 14 (Philippians 1:14) Paul calls this motivation the opposite of love.

I like how John MacArthur describes the situation. He says “Apart from the spirit and motive of love, nothing done in the Lord’s name – no preaching, teaching, or service, no matter how orthodox or impressive – is truly acceptable to him. It amounts to Nothing.”

How sad, immature and childish this was, and yet we see it happen today as well.

Just this past week at the Triennial, I had the opportunity to engage in many conversations with other pastors from all around the country.

One question that almost always was asked of me (After the obligatory exchange of names and geographical locations, of course) was this: “How large is your church” or “How many people attend your church service each week?”

Now I realize that this question can stem from purely innocent motives, but it is also a question that has the potential to stir up rivalry, envy….or jealousy.

Yes, even solid, bible-based pastors today who preach the truth of the gospel and are used by God to bring others to Christ – they also have the potential to fall victim to doing the work of God from motives that are less than pure….this is just one of many reasons why pastors need to be bathed in prayer by their congregations.

Satan knows that if he can discredit a church leader, it will have a significant negative impact within the church – AND it will provide ammunition for those who are antagonistic to the church and its counter-cultural message of the gospel.

The amazing thing is that rather than being completely deflated over this reality, Paul rejoices – He rejoices that the name of Jesus was being preached, regardless of the impure motives that were driving some of these evangelists.

To Paul, it was all about Jesus – not about himself, his reputation, or other workers in ministry….If the correct massage about Jesus reached the ears of the lost – Paul rejoiced.

This situation of envy or jealousy as motivation doesn’t just affect pastors.

For instance, ask yourself this question (honestly): How easy is it for you to rejoice when God accomplishes something powerful through someone who, well, …..isn’t you?

When God’s kingdom advances through someone else’s efforts, do you feel left out?.....Do you feel at all envious of their involvement in a successful mission activity or ministry? Is it easy for you to rejoice with them over their being used mightily of God?

Our old human nature wants to allow these feelings of jealousy and envy to rise up within us – don’t ever simply assume that you are immune to this kind of thing happening to you.

If we keep the big picture in mind and dedicate ourselves to staying in God’s Word and prayer, we will train our brains to not be envious or jealous when others achieve success or notoriety for their kingdom work.

As Romans 12:2 reminds us, we will be “Transformed by the renewing of our minds….”

Back in 2020, because of Covid, the commencement services at Maranatha Seminary (Where I attended) were held online. As I was watching from home on my laptop and waiting for my name to be called, I was also anticipating them to announce that I had achieved the academic distinction known as “Magna Cum Laude” – this basically describes a graduate’s GPA that is between 3.7 and 3.9

Well, they announced my name, but they forgot to mention that I had achieved the status of “Magna Cum Laude” after saying my name.

In the moment, was I disappointed? Yes. Was I perturbed? Yes. Was I a bit envious of those students who had their academic distinctions announced? Yes.

Should I have thrown a pity-party for myself over this?.... Absolutely Not!

After having a few days to think it over, I came to the realization that God had probably orchestrated the situation that way in order to teach me a lesson in humility…..to get me to understand that personal accolades, as well as envy, jealousy, and selfishness, have absolutely no place in ministry.

It was a good lesson for me to learn…one I needed to learn.

In verses 19 – 26 (Philippians 1:19-26) Paul turns his attention toward another small-to-big-picture scenario.

How many of you are afraid of heights?....yeah, me too.

You are not alone, roughly 60% of the general population has acrophobia – the technical term for the fear of heights.

What do you think are some other things people are afraid of?

According to a recent pole, here are the top five:

5 – Spiders and other insects….4 – Being closed in a small space…3 – heights…2 – Public Speaking…1 – Death.

(Surprisingly some people were reported as giving the answer of public speaking as #1 behind death as #2.....this would basically mean that they’d rather be in the casket than giving the eulogy! 😊)

Death is – and always has been – the #1 fear of humanity.

To many, it signifies the end. To the atheist (As well as to the Agnostic) it represents complete finality – absolute nothingness. The closing sentence in the book of their existence.

What a depressing thought!...no wonder so many people are afraid of death.

No wonder our entire culture has become obsessed with healthcare, drugs, and the attempt to preserve these fleshly homes in which we reside.

If this life is all there is, it’s no wonder so many people are ‘living it up’ while chasing down materialism and the many sensory pleasures that life can afford.

Do you know anyone that hates going to funerals or visitations?

It is at these ceremonies that we are all forced to confront the question that humanity has been asking for millennia: “What will happen to me when I die?”

It’s a question we like to avoid…kind of like how we avoid the dentist, or driving through Chicago, or a colonoscopy exam….or Playland at McDonalds – do you have any idea how many germs are in those places?....they should call it ‘MRSA-land’ (Sorry, I’m getting distracted)

Actually, distractions are another area of life that people saturate themselves in just so they don’t have to consider the reality of their eventual death.

On our way to the Triennial last week, Lisa & I drove through the cities of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg….has anyone been there?

A straight 30 miles of endless distractions – everywhere you look. A person could spend an entire lifetime immersing themselves in all of the tourist activities that are offered in this area. Emagine if the Dells strip stretched all the way down to Sauk City…that’s about the same distance as the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg tourist corridor.

We as a culture have gotten really good at distracting ourselves from thinking about big-picture things….especially death.

In this portion of scripture, Paul (As usual) turns popular intuition on its head.

He again begins describing his current imprisonment (The specifics) and then pivots to his inevitable death, along with the general ramifications of death (The Big Picture).

Paul is waiting to hear a final verdict from Ceasar regarding his future – he does not know if he will be set free, or if he will be put to death….think of living with that kind of stress!

Paul, however, doesn’t seem to be bothered with his current tenuous circumstances whatsoever.

In fact, his statement in verse 21 (Philippians 1:21) has to be one of the most counter-intuitive passages in all of the bible – at least in the ‘small picture’, that is.

After all, none of us really wants to die, right? Even those of us who have placed our faith and trust in Jesus and know that our eternal destiny is with him in Heaven typically would rather go on living on earth than to experience death.

This is why we pray for people’s physical healing…this is why we respect the biblical view concerning the sanctity of life…this is why we follow the scriptural mandate to treat our bodies well (1 Corinthians 6:19) that they are temples of the Holy Spirit…….and this is why we stay away from the Dells during Automotion weekend! (Our family tried it a few years back – never doing that again….we were lucky to get out of there alive!)

Actually, If you’re like me, the thought of death itself isn’t the scary part, Rather, it’s the thought of your grieving loved ones left behind that makes death an unpleasant reality, right?

Listen to what Paul says here in verse (Philippians 1:21) : “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

This is one of the most famous “Big-Picture” passages in the entire bible – one that is definitely worth highlighting or underlining if you do that sort of thing.

This passage seems easy to nod our heads in agreement with, and yet, so hard to live by – especially here in this country where we have it so good compared to the rest of the world.

We have so many modern conveniences, luxuries, and entertainment opportunities in our society…

If we were asked to honestly answer the question whether or not we think of death as being better than life, it would undoubtedly be difficult for many of us to answer that question in the affirmative.

Our overabundance of materialism, entertainment, and wealth has deceived many American Christians into believing the lie that this life is somehow better than our future life with our savior in Heaven.

What a tragedy!

Ephesians 2:7 talks about the “Incomparable Riches” of God’s grace.

We cannot fathom how amazing Heaven will be – and yet the Devil deceives us into thinking that we are living in Heaven right now. Contrary to what culture tells you – and even what a few false teachers tell you – this is not your best life.

If Jesus is your Lord & Savior, your best life will be with Him in Heaven where there is no more pain, no more sickness, no more death, no more crying, and no more sin.

As believers, we need to keep a Big-Picture mindset when it comes to thinking about the doorway of death, otherwise it will be so easy to succumb to a worldly outlook – along with its friends: depression, anxiety, and life-numbing addictions.

Paul knew that dying would be gain because that meant he would be with his savior – Jesus. Dying would simply mean that he would be going home, to his real home, Heaven.

Paul states in verse 23 (Philippians 1:23) that he actually desires to depart and be with Christ!

How many of us can truthfully say that we would rather die and be with Jesus today than to keep on living these earthly lives?

I know….death can be scary – I’ve experienced seasons of fearing death - but we need not be afraid of it.

William Gurnall says “Let your hope in Heaven master your fear of death”

I like how pastor/author/theologian John Piper teaches how we ought to look at death : “If you want to glorify Christ in your dying, you must experience death as gain. Which means Christ must be your prize, your treasure, your joy. He must be a satisfaction so deep that when death rakes away everything you love – but gives you more of Christ – you count it gain. When you are satisfied with Christ in dying, He is glorified in your dying.”

The glorification of God is the proclamation of his people. Through our lives, and through our death, Jesus is lifted up – and God is glorified.

I’d like to end with these encouraging and comforting passages of scripture concerning death:

Jesus says in Revelation 1:17-18: “…Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”

Finally, Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 “When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.’ ‘Where, O death is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

If Jesus is truly the Lord of your life, you will anticipate the day you will be with him forever….and in the meantime, you will proclaim his name to a lost and dying world….and through it all, death need not be feared!

Let’s Pray.