“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” – Vs 13

That’s the secret. Paul has learned the mystery to contentment and he shares is with us right here. He has discovered the hidden key to a life of contentment, regardless of the circumstance he finds himself in. And he is writing this while sitting in a prison cell!

In verse 12, Paul shares what this life of contentment looks like: “I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.” (NLT). He lists three sets of polar opposite circumstances: Poverty vs abundance. Hunger vs fulness. Plenty vs want.  These are extreme opposites that reveal what Paul means when he says he has learned to be content. The word translated “content” means sufficient for one’s self, strong enough; independent of external circumstances. Paul has learned to be self-sufficient, independent of external circumstances. In other words, he has learned not to have to depend on circumstances to bring him joy, peace, and true contentment. But while he has learned to live independent of his circumstances, he has also learned live dependent on God. That’s the secret. “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” The Message says it this way: “Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.”

Paul’s secret was God’s strength. It was his dependent relationship on a dependable God. That’s why Paul could sit in a prison cell and write about contentment and really mean it. His joy was not based on his freedom or lack of it. His contentment was not based on things turning out the way he wanted them to. He was willing to trust God and “be anxious for nothing” (Vs 5). He was willing to prayerfully trust God with his circumstances and enjoy “the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension” (Vs 7). He was willing to keep his mind focused on those things that were “true and honorable and right,” “pure and lovely and admirable,” and  “excellent and worthy of praise” (Vs 8). Poverty is no more true and honorable and right than plenty. Instead of focusing on our circumstances, we should focus on those things that really matter for eternity. The faithfulness of God, the promises of Scripture, the reality of Christ’s resurrection and coming return, the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, the power available to us because of His presence, the unfailing, unchanging love of God. That’s what we should learn to think about. Not our circumstances. Because as we all are seeing happen all around us today, circumstances can change. One day we can be on top of the world, and the next, at the bottom. We can go from plenty to poverty in a flash. We can lose our popularity, our health, our wealth, our position,our power, but we never run low on the enabling power of God. Now that’s something to think about.

Father, help me to truly believe that I can do ALL things because You provide the strength I need. I don’t have to live according to my circumstances. But the truth is, I do allow my circumstances to control me. I pray for my circumstances to change, instead of asking You to change me in the midst of my circumstances. I view my circumstances as obstacles rather than opportunities to see You work in me. Give me a new perspective. Help me to learn the secret that Paul learned. That I might learn to be content in whatever circumstance I am. Amen

Ken Miller
Grow Pastor & Minister to Men
kenm@christchapelbc.org

“…they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is their destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.” – Vs 18-19

Paul has just invited his readers to “join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us” (Vs 17). Now he warns them about a pattern or example NOT to follow. The example being set by those who are enemies of the cross of Christ. In other words, they refuse to accept the cross of Christ and the gift of salvation that it makes available. Instead, they have chosen to “walk” or live their lives pursuing a different agenda. They have chosen to worship another god. The NET Bible describes them this way:

“Their end is destruction, their god is the belly, they exult in their shame, and they think about earthly things.”

We live in a world that hates the cross of Christ. Because the cross requires us to admit our sin and acknowledge our shame. It demands that we confess our open rebellion against God and admit our need for a Savior. We must give up our independence and come to God in complete dependence. For many, that’s just too much to ask. So they reject the cross of Christ and remain His enemies. And their lives are marked by the worship of their own appetites – physical, sensual, emotional, and psychological. The NIV says, “their god is their stomach.” They are driven by sensual desires. They live to meet those desires and are completely controlled by them. Whether it’s the desire for food, drink, satisfaction, success, or sex. These people actually glory in their own shame. They exult in their own shame. They find worth in what should embarrass them. They brag about what should humiliate them. They find their sense of self-worth in the very things that should bring them shame. Their world is turned upside down.

These people set their minds on earthly things. The New Living Translation says it this way: “all they think about is this life here on earth.” These people are dominated by what Paul Tripp calls “earth-bound treasures.” They were obsessed with the things of this world, instead of the next. Because this world is all they have. Paul reminds us that “our citizenship is in heaven” (Vs 20). We are not of this world. He told the Colossian believers, “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:2). Jesus said that, as believers, we were to “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). But the people Paul is warning the Philippians believers about are seeking their own selfish kingdom of one and their own warped brand of righteousness. God is nowhere in the picture. And their future is one of destruction, not blessing.

So what’s the point? Why does Paul take the time to even discuss these people? Because even as believers, it is easy for us to fall into their way of living and thinking. We can allow our appetites to control us to the point that we virtually worship them. One definition of worship is “adoring reverence or regard.” So when we give our physical desires and cravings adoring reverence or regard by giving into their every wish, we are worshiping our appetites. We are allowing them to control us. It’s the I’ve-got-to-have-it-and-I’ve-got-to-have-it-NOW syndrom. We begin to believe that fulfilling our desires is what will bring us true satisfaction. One more bite, one more purchase, one more indiscretion, one more flirtatous look, one more look at that image on the Internet. We begin to expect our sensual desires and appetites to meet our needs rather than God. That is misplaced worship and Paul warns us to stay away from it.

We can easily end up finding glory or value in the very things that should shame us. We find our sense of worth in our abundance and live selfishly while those around us suffer in want. We become prideful and even obsessed about the kind of physical shape we’re in, while neglecting the health of  our spiritual lives. We laugh and joke about movies and TV programs that once would have been considered shameful. And slowly, we begin to set our minds on the things of this earth. We begin to forget that we are citizens of heaven. We neglect to remember, as the old hymn says, “This world is not my home, I’m just a passin through, my treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.” We stop eagerly waiting for the return of Christ and remembering that He is in the process of transforming us into His likeness. A job He will finish one day.

Father, I don’t want to live like those whose end is destruction. I don’t want to spend my life following their example. But it is so easy to do because they are all around me. Keep me focused on You and Your kingdom. Don’t allow me to give in to my sensual appetites, the desires of the flesh. But let me learn to listen to You. Let me find my glory or sense of worth in serving You, not in doing things that should embarrass me. And help me set my sights on things above, not on the things of this earth. I want to live like a citizen of heaven, with my hopes and desires focused on the reality of Your Son’s return. Amen

Ken Miller
Grow Pastor & Minister to Men
kenm@christchapelbc.org

“Do nothing from selfishness of empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” – Vs 3-4

Maybe it’s an ego problem, but I keep wanting to read Paul’s letters as if they were written to me alone. Like he was my best friend writing to encourage me while I was away at camp. So I tend to read them from a self-centered perspective and forget the fact that he was writing to a group of people who were probably hearing his letter read out loud to them as they met together for fellowship. If I read chapter two with that group context in mind, it changes the message for me. It reminds me of Paul’s obsession with living out the power of the gospel in the context of community.

In verse 2 he tells them to make his joy complete by “being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.” Listen to that same verse from the New Living Translation: “Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one heart and purpose.” Paul’s joy was focused on the believers in Philippi having a unity of heart and purpose motivated by a genuine love for one another. Paul wasn’t interested in raising up individual believers with their own personal agendas and spiritual growth plans. He wanted to see a local body of believers who were living out their faith in loving community. It is as if Paul was saying, “You want to make me happy? Then get along!” It’s the same thing I say to my kids whenever they ask me what I want for Christmas or my birthday. I always say the same thing. “I just want me kids to love one another.” They always roll their eyes and say, “Come on Dad, be serious. What do you really want?” But what they don’t understand is that is exactly what I want. Their love for one another is my greatest desire. Paul felt the same way. And he knew what was the greatest roadblock to this kind of community. He names it in verses 3-4.

“Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself. Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well.”

Selfishness. Self-centeredness. Individualism. Pride. Wanting things your own way. Having your own personal agenda and demanding that everyone else follow it. Thinking of yourself as more important than anyone else around you. Paul knew all it would take is one person with this kind of attitude to destroy any sense of community in the body of believers at Philippi. There was no room for selfishness or self-centeredness. No one had the right to consider himself or herself better or more important than anyone else. In fact, they weren’t to consider themselves at all. Instead, they were to have an attitude of humility. Some say that humility is thinking less of yourself. No, humility is not thinking of yourself at all. It is not a belittling of yourself or lowering your estimation of your own self worth. To do those things you would have to spend precious time thinking about yourself. Paul seems to be saying, stop thinking about yourself so much and start thinking about others. The truth is, we think way too much about ourselves and of ourselves. It’s a “the-world-revolves-around-me” mentality that is a cancer that will destroy and sense of community, whether in a family, a small group, a Bible study, or a local body of believers.

So Paul says, “have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.” In other words, he is saying they should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had. And so should we. An attitude of humility, selflessness, sacrifice, servanthood, and love that puts self so far in the background that it is willing to see self die in order to put the needs of others first.

Paul goes on to say, “work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Vs 12-13). Paul is talking to the “beloved” – the body. He seems to be addressing the group, not the individual. God is at work among them. He wants them to individually and corporately to be extra careful to put into action God’s saving work in their lives. Why? So that they will be “blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach” (Vs 15). Their unity and love will make them stand out like bright shining lights in the midst of a “crooked and perverse generation.”

Isn’t that what our world is dying to see? Our lives shining like a bright light in the darkness? But they won’t see it if we are all living for ourselves, selfishly focusing on our own individual needs and concerns. When we live like that, we are no different than the world. God has called us to imitate His Son. To live lives of humility and self-sacrifice. To love others more than we love ourselves. To be willing to give rather than get. To serve rather than be served. To die to self and live for the sake of others. To be willing to be “poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service” of one another’s faith (Vs 17). What a difference that kind of attitude would make in our churches, our homes, and in our community.

Father, you have called us to live in a way that is so foreign to our natural inclinations. My flesh doesn’t want to die. I want to be the center of my own little world. But You are calling me to die daily. I know I don’t have the power to do that in and of myself, but with the help of Your Holy Spirit, I can put that selfish, self-centered part of me to death and live for the sake of others. Show me how to do that even today. Amen

Ken Miller
Grow Pastor & Minister to Men
kenm@christchapelbc.org

“Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.” – Vs 27

I don’t think I ever really noticed how many of Paul’s admonitions in his leterse were not for the individual believers, but for the body – the community of believers. Somehow, in Western Christianity, we have turned all of this into a solo-sport. It is all about my walk, my relationship with Christ, my quiet time, my sanctification. And while there is not doubt that there is an individualized aspect to spiritual growth, God intended it to take place in the context of community. I cannot and should not to grow alone or in isolation. I should not attempt to live my life in Christ alone.

In fact, my disconnectedness and individualism can actually harm or prevent the kind of community God intended and Paul encourages. Listen to what Paul says. “Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” This is a team endeavor. It is our living out our lives together, in community, that truly reveals the power of the gospel among us and the to the world around us. The fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5 are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, fruitfulness, gentleness, and self control. Every one of these is meant to be lived out in community. How else will we know if we have them? I can’t exhibit love if there is no one to love. I can’t show kindness without having someone to receive it. I can’t practice self-control if there is no one to put it to the test. All of these fruits are for the benefit of others, not me.

Paul is concerned about their mutual or shared conduct. It is the body of Christ for which he is concerned. He wants them to stand firm in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel. He knows that our ability to love one another in the power of the Spirit is what will attract a lost and dying world to the gospel. It is the unity we exhibit, in spite of all our differences and flaws, that marks us as Children of God. “Spirit formation is a very public, corporate exercise. Unlike diet or and exercise program, God’s program for getting us into spiritual shape requires our working out alongside others” (Darrell Bock, New Testament Community and Spiritual Formation). Community. It’s an over-used, misunderstood word today. I live in a “community,” but I barely know my neighbors. I can join a “community” group, (small group) and never really get to know the other members beyond a shallow, surface lever. I can become part of a “community” of believers and live out my life in isolation and hiddenness, refusing to open up, reach out, join in, lift up, and grow up together. Instead, we tend to cover up, and attempt to live out our faith refusing to let anyone really get to know the real us. But that’s NOT biblical community. What Paul describes is so much more and so much more fulfilling. It is doing life together with other believers – sharing, caring, failing, falling, loving, lifting, rejoicing, crying, and growing more like Christ together.

Father, may I really learn to love true, blblical community. Forgive me for my stubborn isolation and independence. For wanting to live my Christian life on my own and for me alone. Thank You for the body – Your body. May I learn to love it and see myself as an integral part of it. Amen

Ken Miller
Grow Pastor & Minister to Men
kenm@christchapelbc.org