Divine Purposes

The following is the first in a five-part series in the book of Philippians

Before we read the scripture today, it’s helpful to make sure we understand what’s going on in the life of the ones who wrote it and those who received it first.

The authors are Paul and Timothy. That a letter is co-authored is unusual and important in that it tells us that Christian leadership is always a group effort. And, Paul at least is in jail. Very much how we understand house arrest. He has rooms in the Imperial Palace in Rome awaiting trial for believing in and teaching about the Resurrection of Jesus. So while in jail he is responsible for his own food and other needs. And he has some freedom to meet with friends and visitors, to write letters and the like. Timothy’s role is most likely that of secretary, writing as Paul dictates. The two have worked together for a long time. Timothy also believes deeply in Jesus.

The recipients of the letter are the members of the church Paul planted in the city of Philippi. They are a mixture of Jews, Greeks and Romans. They have a structure to their congregation much like our own and they are having trouble. As we go through the letter, we’ll begin to see what the trouble is about, but for now the main thing is to know that there are divisions and it’s breaking Paul’s heart. And so he writes:

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,

To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:

²Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

³I thank my God every time I remember you. ⁴In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy ⁵because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, ⁶being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

⁷It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. ⁸God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

⁹And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, ¹⁰so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, ¹¹filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

¹²Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. ¹³As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. ¹⁴And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.

¹⁵It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. ¹⁶The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. ¹⁷The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. ¹⁸But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, ¹⁹for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. ²⁰I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. ²¹For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

There are a few things to notice as we begin the letter.

Most importantly the theme of the entire letter is joy. Joy: a deep feeling or condition of happiness or contentment. And Paul wants the people to know all about it.

He loves the church in Philippi, so he sets the tone of joy and thanksgiving. God has established the church! And God will see them through their current troubles! Paul knows that God’s purposes in and with the church is grace in the way of Christ. Grace always comes first and then after grace reduces tensions, words of truth.

So beginning in verse 9 we have his prayer expressing a pastor’s heart. Pastors who love their church want the people in their care to be filled with love because love transforms. Love softens hard edges and harsh words; love listens and finds a way so that the church is strengthened and the cause of Jesus in the world is honoured and advanced. Love conquers all.

And then he really digs in. The people know he’s in jail for his faith in Christ. Are the arguments they have to do with that? Is someone saying, hey maybe we should keep faith talk on the down-low because otherwise we’ll be in trouble with the authorities too? Or maybe because it may cost us friends or business opportunities. We don’t know for sure, but I wonder if that isn’t the case? Are the same pressures facing believers today? We live in a country where tolerance and private faith are expected virtues, right?

So beginning in verse 12 Paul reassures them that his present situation, while not great, is accomplishing an important reality.  In house arrest, Paul is sharing his faith, the gospel, the passion of his heart and life to anyone who is willing to hear it. By the way, one aspect of house arrest unique to that time is that instead of an ankle transmitter like we have today - hooked up to a GPS signal so that the authorities know where the prisoner is at all time – they did something different. A guard was chained to Paul 24/7 and as they rotated shifts they all heard the good news. And it sunk in; some also believed. And this reality caused Paul’s entourage to be encouraged and even bolder to admit to and share their faith. They dare all the more. The irony is that under pressure God’s people shine.

Verse 15 returns again to the possible source of the arguments. It seems that some preachers in Paul’s time were doing the work looking for fame or position. And it seems they were also trying to prove their superiority by pointing to Paul’s imprisonment. As if God promises a life without hardship!

And yet Paul’s response to all of that is who cares! As long as Jesus the Christ, risen from the dead, God himself is preached. That’s kind of sobering when we think about all the divisions in the church that rarely had to do with the essentials Paul holds to.

And then Paul gets real personal. Paul has chosen a path and he will not let go of it regardless of circumstances, feelings, disagreements or anything else. In his response to grace and the overwhelming love of God; Paul will rejoice. All he worries about is that he can retain the courage to face his trial and the verdict in a way that brings Glory to God.

And then he says it, “for to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Or, at the end of the day all that matters is Christ Jesus the Lord. Or simply yet, in four short words: I am in Christ.

Let’s unpack that for a moment. This phrase, “I am in Christ.”

Let’s think of baptism for a moment. We teach that it is a sign and a seal of God’s call on the life of those baptized. That they become in Christ - a part of Christ’s family. And while we may think of the church as Christ’s family, it’s not the first one. The family or community offered by Christ to our children or adults in their baptism is the community of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is the community of pure joy, love, peace and unity. Is it any wonder then that those are the same gifts God has for all who respond to his call and enter through Christ, who is the doorway, so to speak, into this amazing community.

This is why Paul can remain confident and joyful. His circumstances just don’t measure up to anything near the reality of being in such a community. And that is why he can rejoice. Every time he rests in the Father’s love and is encouraged by the Spirit and is energized by preaching Christ, he grows in confidence, hope and determination that the path he’s on is right and good.

That’s what he means by: To live is Christ and to die is gain. I am in Christ.

Paul will not be sidelined by troubles or hardships; he will not put his trust in knowledge, power or prestige. His joy does not depend on anything he’s done or could do. By answering God’s call he is in Christ and that name, as we shall see in chapter two is the name above all names. The Name representing and revealing the one God who loves unconditionally. The one whose love draws order out of chaos, life out of death. The one who banishes fear and despair to fill hearts with faith, confident hope filled joy that will carry anyone through anything if only they let Him.

Paul not only loves his Lord, he trusts him because he knows God. As a teacher of the Law he knew all about God and that isn’t enough. He knows God by being in Christ, and living to the Glory of God.

And so we see his motive for sharing such a personal matter. He wants to encourage the saints at Philippi the only way possible. He is saying if you too will come to God in Christ, you too will understand that though life may be filled with trouble, joy is real.

So the question since this letter was written remains the same. Do you know God? Do you want to know joy? This is God’s Divine purpose for your life! Are you tired of being tired from trying to do it on your own? Are you tired of living the happiness cycle that depends on circumstances? Are you tired of wondering if God loves? Are you ready to lean into the truth that to live is Christ and to die gain? And are those of us who have accepted Christ, are in Christ today, are we ready to share with others the joy we have, boldly and confidently all to the Glory of God?

Many questions . . . .  any answers?