Nathaniel R. Martin

The Surpassing Worth of Knowing Christ: Philippians 3:1-11

Sermon Idea: The gain of knowing Christ through faith surpasses whatever gain may come from confidence in ourselves.  

Introduction: On the evening of May 24th, 1738, a young man living in London recorded the story of his conversion in his journal. That young man was John Wesley, the father of modern-day Methodism. He had gone to what we might think of as a bible study meeting, what he calls a society, and when he arrived, someone was reading Martin Luther’s preface to his commentary on Romans. Here is the most famous portion of that entry. 

In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther’s preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.

What strikes me about this story is that Wesley wrote it not as someone living a life of sin and debauchery but as an Anglican minister with great zeal for his ministry. By this time, Wesley was well-educated and ordained as a priest. He had a reputation for strict habits of Bible reading, prayer, and even mercy ministries, such as caring for the poor. 

Wesley’s testimony is powerful because it is not his great works of piety that give him confidence and assurance before God but Christ and Christ alone. He says I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.

The Lord often uses the power of Christian testimony to draw people to Jesus Christ and to demonstrate that the gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (Rom. 1:16). Of course, by the word testimony, I mean recounting one’s conversion, the story of how someone became a Christian. 

Throughout church history, God has used not only the testimony of John Wesley but also Augustine, Martin Luther, Charles Spurgeon, and countless others to evangelize the lost and edify the church. 

Undoubtedly, many of you have benefitted from hearing the testimony of family or friends. Perhaps you’ve even had the opportunity to share your own testimony before the church. To hear a sincere Christian testimony is a powerful experience. They are powerful experiences because they testify to the gracious working of God in Christ by the power of the Spirit. 

You see, the best Christian testimonies are those that testify to the work of God in Jesus Christ in such a way that the sinner’s testimony becomes a testament to the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus Christ. 

Philippians 3:1-11 is such a testimony. After providing Timothy and Epaphrodtius as Christ-like examples, Paul offers his own story as a means to encourage the Philippians to have the mind of Christ. Like Wesley long after him, Paul does not put his confidence in his flesh but in Christ and Christ alone. 

This morning, I want us to hear from God and believe that knowing Christ through faith surpasses whatever gain may come from confidence in ourselves. 

We’ll do that in two primary ways. First, I want to encourage you to beware of basing your relationship with God on confidence in yourself. Second, I want you to believe that a true relationship with God comes from knowing Christ through faith.

I.) Beware of basing your relationship with God on confidence in yourself (Philippians 3:1-6)

It seems that Paul may have wanted to conclude the letter and then decided it was important to interject his own to further point the Philippians to Jesus Christ. We do this all the time in our own speech. Just think of how often you begin a sentence only to switch gears because something important comes to mind. Paul might have done that here. 

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. 2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh (Php 3:1–3) 

As a long friend should do, Paul warns the Philippians about teachers and teachings that are contrary to the gospel. These teachers are unlikely to be prominent in Philippi, but their teachings are becoming popular enough for Paul to warn the Philippians about them. He describes them as dogs, evildoers, and those who mutilate the flesh. 

In other words, there are most likely Jewish Christians who claim to believe that Jesus is the Messiah but who teach that Gentiles must be circumcised to be right with God and a part of God’s covenant people. 

God gave circumcision as a sign of the covenant God made with Abraham (Gen. 17). Israelite males were circumcised on the eighth day after their birth. It served as the entry sign into the covenant community and set the community apart from the nations as God’s people. It was an important symbol of Israel’s national identity. 

One of the major questions the early church had to answer was what it meant for Jews and Gentiles to be one people of God in Christ. Many groups argued that the Gentiles needed to become Jews through circumcision and adherence to the food laws to be right with God and part of God’s people. 

Much of Paul’s ministry is spent dealing with this question, and his answer is always the same. Jesus Christ has fulfilled the law perfectly, so the only thing required of a person to be made right with God and be made a member of God’s people is faith in Jesus Christ. 

In fact, the New Testament identifies those who have placed their faith in Christ as true Israelites who have been circumcised not in the flesh but in the heart. That is, they have been born again through faith in Christ. Throughout the Old Testament, we learn that those circumcised in the flesh also needed the circumcision of the heart. 

 6 And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live (Dt 30:5–6)

11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead (Col 2:11–12)

This is why Paul can say in verse 3, For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh (Php 3:3)

When Jesus comes, everything about what it means to relate to God becomes centered around him. Jews and Gentiles who place their faith in Christ are true Israelites who worship by the Spirit and boast in Jesus Christ. To boast or glory in Jesus is to put all your confidence in him, not yourself. 

Note the serious danger here. Paul identifies these false teachers as dogs and evil-doers. Jews would often refer to Gentiles as “dogs” because they were not members of God’s covenant community and so ritually unclean. In other words, Paul says by their obsession with requiring circumcision in addition to Christ, they have become the Gentiles by having confidence in the flesh. 

It is at this point where Paul’s testimony becomes especially powerful. Paul’s resume gives him reasons to boast in the flesh, but whatever gain comes from his confidence in the flesh pails in comparison to knowing Christ. 

— 4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. (Php 3:3–7)

This is an impressive resume of outward righteousness. Paul says he once put confidence in circumcision, his tribal lineage, and being a Hebrew of Hebrews. i.e., he could read and speak Hebrew and preserve Hebrew culture. He was a member of the Pharisees, a sect within Judaism known for its oral traditions and interpretation of the law. Outwardly, Paul was righteous according to the law. This is not a claim to sinlessness but a true claim of external righteousness from someone who followed the law, including its provisions for atonement and forgiveness. 

For all these reasons, Paul could have been confident in himself, but he considered it a loss for the sake of knowing Christ. The image we are given is that of a ledger. All that was once on the “gain” side of the ledge is moved to the “loss” side, leaving nothing but Christ as a gain for Paul. 

For pastoral due diligence, I want to mention four things that we should not put our confidence in. 

  1. Put no confidence in your place. 

It’s a blessing to be born in America, but there is nothing inherently Christian about it. We praise that the gospel can be preached freely here and that it is more accessible here than in many other places, but God shows no partiality. Pride in place or believing America is a Christian nation is not a saving faith. 

2. Put no confidence in your parents. 

We praise God for godly Christian households, but your parents’ faith is not enough for your standing before Him. Every person is accountable to God and must be reconciled with Him through Jesus Christ. The question, friend, is, have you placed your faith in Christ and been baptized in the name of the Triune God? 

5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. (2 Ti 1:5)

3. Put no confidence in your theological positions.

I love theology. I love confessionalism and conviction, but friends, we are not saved by our positions. We are saved through faith in a person, the person of Jesus Christ. Sound doctrine is important, but our confidence cannot be in our doctrine but in Christ and Christ alone.

4. Put no confidence in your practices. 

Despite what some people say, Christianity is a religion. It’s a relationship, to be sure, but it’s a religion that consists of spiritual practices, rituals, and disciplines, many of which happen in a particular place, i.e. the church. These are all good things and important parts of reverent worship. These practices in and of themselves cannot be the basis for our confidence before God. Our relationship before God is enjoyed in these practices, but we boast not in them but in Christ and Christ alone. 

Whatever external righteousness one can attain through one’s own efforts pales in comparison to the gain that comes from knowing Jesus Christ. That brings us to our next point: believe that a true relationship with God comes from knowing Christ through faith. 

II.) Believe that a true relationship with God comes by knowing Christ through faith (Philippians 3:7-11) 

8 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 (Php 3:8)

Paul’s relationship with God in Christ proves to be so rewarding and rich, of such surpassing worth, that his former confidence in himself and the righteousness that came from it became nothing more than “rubbish.” That’s not nearly a strong enough translation. The word here has a really crude and gross meaning. It could be used to refer to garbage, excrement, and feces. It’s the latter that Paul seems to have in mind. 

In light of Jesus Christ, he considered his former life as having the value of “crap.” The Bible is consistent in that our righteousness before God is vile compared to God’s righteousness and holiness. 

Isaiah compared human righteousness to filthy rags. But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags (Is 64:6, NKJV)

The good news is that faith in Jesus Christ can secure our standing before God and knowing Christ of surpassing worth. Knowledge of Christ is so valuable it can’t be measured by any human standard. To what can the knowledge of Christ be compared? 

Is it like a treasure in a field that a man finds, covers up, sells all he has, and buys that field? Is it like a pearl of great value that a man sold all he had and bought?  In verses 9-11, Paul explains why knowing Christ is of surpassing worth. Each one could be given its own sermon. Indeed, books have been written in abundance just to articulate the salvation that Paul describes in just a few verses.

Why is knowing Christ as Lord of surpassing worth? 

  1. Knowing Christ as Lord means union with Christ. 

 I may gain Christ and be found in him (Php 3:8–9)

The central and fundamental truth of God’s work of salvation is that we become united to Christ through faith and the indwelling of the Spirit. Our union with Christ is how we access all the gracious benefits that Christ secured for us on the cross. What is true of Jesus becomes true of us. As Christ has died, so we have died and been made new in Jesus Christ. This is dramatized at our baptism when we profess faith in Jesus. We are buried with him in Baptism and raised with him in new life. 

  1. Knowing Christ as Lord means we have righteousness from God (Justification)

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 (Php 3:9)

This verse captures the glory of the doctrine of justification. This is a legal concept rooted in the Old Testament. To be justified is to be in the right, to receive the verdict of not guilty according to the law. 

Justification is God’s gracious declaration that those who place their faith in Jesus Christ are counted to be in the right before him. God does this not by sweeping away our sins but by counting us righteous in Christ. The righteousness God grants us is not our own but the righteousness of Christ. 

Notice how Paul makes a clear distinction not…righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but…the righteousness from God that depends on faith. 

The righteousness that we need to stand before God can never come from ourselves. We are lawbreakers. We are transgressors. All, without exception, are guilty before God’s righteous judgment. 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Ro 3:23)

This is what makes the life and death of Jesus such good news. Jesus lives in perfect obedience to God’s law. He is the righteous one. He then dies in our place on the cross—the righteous for the unrighteous (2 Cor 5:21). He takes our sin and disobedience so that we can receive his righteous obedience through faith. That’s how God justifies sinners; the righteous obedience of Jesus is attributed to our account by grace through faith.

It’s as if God covers us in such a way that he wraps us with the robes of Christ’s righteousness and obedience so that when our lives are taken into account, God considers Christ’s righteousness as ours. 

24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith (Ro 3:24–25.)

Knowledge of Christ as Lord is of surpassing worth because with comes the righteousness of Christ. 

It is this glorious truth that we proclaim when we sing, Because the sinless savior died, my sinful soul is counted free, For God the just is satisfied to look on him and pardon me.

  1. Knowing Christ as Lord means sharing in the power of his resurrection (Sanctification)

10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection (Php 3:10)

To know Christ Jesus as Lord is to experience the power of his resurrection. In a very real way, those who are in Christ have Christ’s resurrection power at work within them. It’s why we can grow, change, defeat sin, and be strengthened in the faith. 

Friends, do you know the great power that is at work within you? Have you considered how it is superior to the temptations and struggles that still hinder you? 

The power of his resurrection assures our sanctification, so we can slowly but surely become more like Jesus Christ. 

  1. Knowing Christ as Lord means attaining the resurrection from the dead (Glorification)

and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead (Php 3:10–11)

Christian hope is not political success, prosperity, or achieving all your goals. Christian hope is the promise that death will be undone, that sin will be no more, and as sure as Christ was raised from the dead, all who are in Christ will be raised to dwell with God forever. 

Nathaniel R. Martin

Christ-Like Examples: Philippians 2:19-30

Sermon Idea: The church is called to Christ-like, sacrificial service to one another. 

Introduction: In 1989, a youth leader at Calvary Reformed Church in Holland, MI, read In His Steps, a book first published in 1896 by Charles Sheldon. It was a fictional story about a town experiencing a great revival. The characters committed to not doing anything for a year before asking one question: What would Jesus do? 

The youth leader, Janie Tinklenberg, discussed the book with her students and sought to brand her group around this theme. Her initial thought was to print T-shirts, but instead, she printed 300 friendship bracelets with just four letters: WWJD. This trend took off beyond the group and into the community. Unfortunately for her, others essentially copied and marketed her idea, and the WWJD phenomenon of the 1990s was born. 

There is great power in a good example and no greater example than Jesus Christ. In several places, the Bible calls us to follow the example of Jesus Christ. 

By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. (1 Jn 2:5–6)

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Eph 5:1–2)

21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. (1 Pe 2:21)

Of course, this imitation of Christ is not in our own power, nor is it mere outward behavior. Christians are enabled to follow the example of Jesus by God’s grace in salvation rooted in the finished work of Christ. That is really important to say. If you’re not saved by God’s grace, your effort to follow Jesus’ example will just be another empty attempt to earn your own righteousness or the approval of other people. 

Jesus is the great example, but following in his footsteps is only made possible by God’s great grace through faith in Jesus. 

What is interesting, though, is that the Bible gives us Christ as an example and Christ-like examples. 

For example, Paul can say, Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ (1 Co 11:1)

There is a way to speak of following another person’s example in a way that is consistent with the gospel of grace and the centrality of Jesus Christ. That is because the examples we are called to follow imitate, resemble, and so reflect Jesus Christ himself.

This morning’s text offers two Christ-like examples whose lives resemble the mind of Christ that Paul wants us to have. 

You might remember that Philippians call us to have the mind of Christ because Jesus is not only the power but also the pattern of the Christian life. 

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus. (Php 2:3–5)

At first glance, these verses seem like a mere update from a missionary, offering mundane information about who he is sending to them and why, but something deeper is happening. 

Paul describes both Timothy and Epaphroditus in a way that recalls the humility of Jesus Christ in 2:5-11. Jesus emptied himself by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross (Php 2:7–8)

Timothy and Ephaphroditus resemble the very minds of Christ that Paul wants them to cultivate. They are examples of the Christ-likeness that we as a church must emulate for each other and before the world. 

The church is called to Christ-like, sacrificial service to one another. As a church, we want to become Christ-like examples who point one another and who point a lost world to the person and work of Jesus Christ. 

To this end, we want to reflect on this passage’s example, including Paul’s. So, let us look together and glean what we can from the Christ-like examples of Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus. 

I.) The Christ-like example of Paul (Phil. 2:19-30) 

Although this section is about Paul’s co-workers, much can be taken from Paul’s example. Don’t forget Paul is in prison for preaching the gospel. He is confident but not certain as to whether he will be released. That is quite a lot to handle. It might be expected that Paul’s attention be focused on his own circumstances. And yet, Paul’s heart is for the Philippians. He cares for them and pursues their well-being even though he cannot be with them.

Paul does this by promising to send Timothy soon and by having already sent Epaphroditus.  

19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. (Php 2:19)

25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother… (Php 2:25)

Paul follows Christ by being a sender. Like Jesus discipled men to be sent out for the gospel, so Paul has discipled men and sent them for the edification and building up of other churches. 

21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you (Jn 20:21)

 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations… (Mt 28:18–19)

Churches should expect, by the way, for their pastors to invest in other men. They should encourage him to pour into any men who are willing to be better equipped, especially those who aspire to ministry. In fact, healthy churches consider this an important part of the church’s mission and ministry. 

Illustration (Maybe): Pastoral internship at FBC, Metro & the business meeting. 

And consider the quality of these men that Paul sends. These are godly, competent co-laborers in the gospel. 

22 But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel (Php 2:22)

Likewise, Ephaphroditus is described as my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need (Php 2:25)

Many organizations wouldn’t want to lose these types of men. They’re capable; their presence is a benefit to Paul. And is willing to send them for the benefit of the church in Philippi. 

When I was in North Carolina, I got to know another pastor in South Carolina, about 30 minutes from where I was. He had undergone revitalization and, by God’s grace, transformed a declining church into a vibrant, healthy congregation. After that change, he started a pastoral residency to train, equip, and send out brothers for ministry, many of whom became pastors in that county or other parts of the state. Many other churches do this well, and once you witness the beauty of that type of ministry philosophy, you can’t unsee it and return to focusing only on yourself, your church, and your name. 

Paul cares about the well-being and health of the church in Philippi and is willing to send valuable resources, in this case, co-laborers in the gospel, for their benefit.

The healthiest churches I have been around are (1) kingdom-minded, i.e., they care about the health and well-being of other churches, and (2) have a sending culture. Churches that are not kingdom-minded and care little about sending rarely serve as good examples of Jesus Christ. 

How do we want to represent Christ to Massac Co? I pray that we will consider the Christ-like example of the Apostle Paul, who cares about more than his personal ministry and cares about the well-being and health of every church he has a relationship with. 

That is the Christ-like example of Paul. Now let’s consider the Christ-like example of Timothy. 

II.) The Christ-like example of Timothy (Phil. 2:19-24)

20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also. (Php 2:20–24)

Timothy is the ideal example of someone Paul is encouraging the Philippians to become because he resembles the mind of Christ. The language Paul uses to describe him echoes portions of 2:1-11. 

For example, Timothy is genuinely concerned for the welfare of the Philippians. He cares about them and truly seeks their good. In other words, he is a good example of what Paul calls us to do in 2:4: Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others.

Paul further describes him as a son with a father he has served me in the gospel (Phil 2:22). In other words, he is an example of Jesus Christ who, emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. (Phil. 2:7)

If Paul demonstrates Christ-likeness by sending, Timothy demonstrates Christ-likeness by serving in the gospel. This “in the gospel” phrase is quite important. We are talking about much more than being nice and courteous. Timothy is a servant of Jesus Christ, who seeks the interests of Christ, and part of those interests is the health and well-being of the church in Philippi. 

Friends, when we commit to serving one another in the gospel—whether it be our church or sister churches— we are committing to serve those for whom Christ died, those Christ has purchased, and those Christ has made his own. 

and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mk 10:44–45)

Jesus served the church by humbly giving his life. How can we say that we’re following Jesus if we won’t even give up our time?  

Since I came here, I have been so encouraged by watching you all love and serve one another. I have been so encouraged by how we’ve embraced the opportunity to serve our neighbors when it has presented itself. That’s sincere. 

What is important for us is to persevere in Christ-like service to one another so that we’ll remain unified for gospel advancement. We do that by continually fixing our eyes on Jesus Christ, contemplating his humble cross, and being shaped by it. That’s how we do it. We never stop being enamored with the glorious reality that the eternal Son of God assumed human flesh, was born in the likeness of men, and became obedient to the point of death. 

Timothy exemplified a Christ-like service in the gospel, and it is an example we are meant to follow, for it is the mind of Christ. 

III.) The Christ-like example of Epaphroditus (Phil. 2:25-30)

If you remember the introductory sermon from several weeks ago, the church in Philippi sent one of its members, Epaphroditus, to minister to Paul and give him a monetary gift. While he was with Paul, Epaphroditus became so ill that he nearly died, delaying his return. So Paul wrote the letter to thank the church for their gift, assure them that Epaphroditus fulfilled his responsibility, and address the disunity within the church. 

This is why Timothy is coming soon, but it is necessary to send Ephaphoditus now. We said that Paul offers us a Christ-like example of sending Timothy of service, and now we can reflect on the Christ-life example of sacrifice given to us by Ephaphroditus. 

26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me. (Php 2:26–30)

Epaphroditus’ journey alone was a form of sacrifice as he left his home, but the sacrifice did not end there. Although he recovered from his sickness, he suffered as part of his ministry to Paul and in service to Philippi. 

Like his description of Timothy, Paul uses language to describe Epaphroditus in a way that directs our minds back to Jesus. The work of Christ nearly brought Epaphroditus to death. Jesus became obedient to the point of death. 

Jesus’ suffering was a road to glory, for after he was resurrected, “God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, (Php 2:9)

When Ephaphroditus returns to the church, they will receive him joyfully and honor him. 

9 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me. (Phil. 2:30) 

Service to Christ and his people will require us to follow Jesus in some form of sacrifice. It may not be illness near death or even severe illness like many missionaries experience, but we’ll sacrifice for one another. 

We must remember that no amount of suffering and sacrifice now can compare with the glory that awaits every saint in Christ. 

16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, (2 Co 4:16–17)

We are called to adopt the mind of Christ, exemplified by Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus. They are faithful models whom we can follow to the degree that they followed Jesus Christ. 

Application 

  1. In what ways does your life reflect the mind of Christ? 
  2. How often do you think about the example you’re leaving for your spouse, children, and friends? Can they follow you as you follow Christ? 
  3. Is our church committed to following Jesus in serving, sacrificing, and sending? 
Nathaniel R. Martin

Gospel Unity: Philippians 2:14-18 (Caleb Waddell)

Sermon Idea – “Gospel unity is both the foundation and the fruit of a humble and joyful spirit, enabling us to shine brightly in a dark world.”

Outline 

1) Gospel Unity through Humility (v. 14)

2) Gospel Unity causes us to shine. (v. 15-16)

3) Gospel Unity brings joyful service (v.17-18)

Introduction: Let’s take a second to think about where we have been, so that we can know where we are going. 

Last time, Bro. Nate brought a wonderful message on God working in us throughout the journey of our Salvation. Paul gives us this exhortation, in verses 12-13, to be empowered by the fact that it is God who works in us, it is not dependent on our own power. 

It is clear that we are called to work and grow in our faith. And just as it was mentioned last time, this exhortation stems from the main passage of this letter. 

“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel. (Philippians 1:27)

It is worth noting where Paul writes that it is about a lifestyle. It is about living our life for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is not something we do on the side while we live our own life! We strive towards living our entire life for Christ and His Glory! 

We are to work out our own salvation, to work toward maturity in Christ, and to become more like him. We are Justified, but we are walking in Sanctification. Meaning, through the sacrificial blood of Jesus Christ, repentance, and faith in Him, we are made right in the eyes of God. However, we are also still working toward Holiness. It is the idea of Already/Not yet. However, we must never forget that it is God who works in us through the Spirit. This should empower us to move forward in our journey of salvation!

I want to provide a better definition of Sanctification that comes from the Baptist Faith and Message, a confession to which we hold here. 

“Sanctification is the experience, beginning in regeneration, by which the believer is set apart to God’s purposes, and is enabled to progress toward moral and spiritual maturity through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him. Growth in grace should continue throughout the regenerate person’s life.” (bfm.sbc.net/bfm2000/#iv)

Thus, as we know that Sanctification is a journey of maturity, it is important to understand that this journey requires Humility. Specifically, rooted in the example of Christ’s humility as He is the exalted mediator between God and man. And as we journey together as a Church family, we are called to be of the same mind, to be unified in Christ.

This is important because in our passage this morning, Paul is giving an application to the exhortation in which he has been building upon. In Philippians 2:14-18, we will find that Paul is giving a call, both as individuals and a Congregation, to unity in Christ through our humble and joyful service! Why? Because we will shine brightly to a dark and broken world in need of a Savior.

  1. Gospel Unity through Humility (v. 14)

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing,

As I mentioned previously, this passage is a call to application stemming from the exhortation that Paul has been building in this letter. This command is a tangible way that one can work out their own salvation. However, Paul is also connecting this application back to the main point in Philippians 1:27, as well as connecting it to the beginning of Chapter 2.

Thus, it brings a straightforward way of thinking here. We cannot be like-minded, embracing a common love if we are grumbling and arguing. 

But why is this so important? How do we realistically walk in unified humility?

This passage is interesting because it presents itself to be a simple command. “Don’t grumble or complain.” However, it also has a deeper intent. This is a command to Gospel Joy and Unity. As established in Pastor Nate’s intro message to the book of Philippians, “The Christian life is one of joy in the Gospel by the Spirit.” Throughout this letter, Paul is calling us to replace grumbling and complaining with Gospel Joy and Gospel Unity. 

So, let’s look at a few of the connections to this idea of grumbling and disputing and how, through our sanctification journey, we are striving to replace this with Gospel Joy. 


Before I get much deeper, I want to quickly define a few important terms here.

  • Grumbling: In this context and in a similar context in 1 Cor. 10:10, we know that Paul intended this word to point toward our complaining and discontentment. The word discontent is super important here.
  • Disputing: In this context, Paul is most likely using this word in relation to arguing or literally disputing with others.
    • Its this interesting dichotomy of both inward discontentment and outward quarreling.
  • Humility: In this context, it is clear that Humility is a lack of pride and “counting others more significant than yourselves” (Phil 2:3)
    • I always tell my students that humility is not thinking less of ourself because we are fearfully and wonderfully made, but it is thinking of ourself less

Let’s look at Chapter 1 again. 

Paul is describing his circumstances in light of understanding the circumstances of the Philippians. He is in prison, and they are facing opposition from several angles. However, several times throughout the first chapter, Paul describes his joy in the midst of his circumstances. 

Where does this joy come from?

  • 1:18 states that “Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice!” 
  • Paul is not focusing on his circumstances, he’s focusing on the Gospel, and specifically here, the advancement of the Gospel. 
  • He mentions in verse 20-21 that he desires his life to honor Christ and that he can do that with full confidence. 
  • He continues to point to our goal of living for Christ in verse 27. 
  • Then He starts chapter 2 off with this encouragement toward unity, understanding that Gospel joy is connected to Gospel partnership. 
  • But, he grounds this exhortation toward unity and joy with the beautiful truth of Christ’s humility. 

3Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Phil. 2:3-8)

Thus, we know that this joy that Paul speaks of is rooted in the humility of Christ. The one who had true humility, the one who died so that you and I could experience life and life abundantly with the Father!! 

Jesus never grumbled or disputed!! 

Isaiah 53:7 – 7He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. 

1 Peter 2:22-23 – 22He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

So, where does our Joy come from? It comes from Christ. It comes from our connection to him. Joy is not measured by our circumstances. Joy is a response to God’s faithfulness and a discipline that reshapes how we view our circumstances. 

Now, I want us to understand a difference between our grumbling and disputing, and genuine lament. I have discussed this before, but I want to reiterate it here. 

The idea behind this verse is complaining, and the fact about complaining is that we are discontent and want out of it. The harmful thing to ourselves in that is our discontent heart, because discontentment is often rooted in selfishness. 

The difference in a lament is that we learn to be content in the Lord and pray for Him to walk with us in a difficult season. To find comfort in the truth that we are dependent upon His deliverance and healing. Because when we choose joy, it trains our hearts to focus on God’s presence rather than our circumstances.

So, you may be asking, how does this tie into Unity?

Its simple. You are not alone. We learn to walk in Christ both personally and communally. 

Just as Pastor Nate noted in His sermon over Phil 2:1-11; “God has granted them to suffer for Christ, but he has also blessed them in Christ with all that is needed to live faithfully with one another through suffering. They can stand firm in one spirit, striving side by side for the faith of the gospel because there is encouragement in Christ, comfort from love, participation in the spirit, affection, and sympathy.”

You see, this journey of Sanctification is both individual and communal. We cannot strive to be like Christ without the Church. This cannot be mentioned enough.

Let me put also show you another passage in which Paul gives this same idea. 

  • 15Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. (Ephesians 4:15-16

Thus, “Growing together in joy, humility, and unity, we shine brightly, lighting up the world with hope and inspiration.

  • Gospel Unity Causes us to Shine (15-16)

Similar to the previous verse, the exhortation here is simple. We strive to do all things without grumbling so that we are blameless and innocent children of God.

But, what does this mean? What does it mean to be blameless, innocent, and faultless (without blemish)?

It is important to remember that Gospel unity and gospel joy is the foundation for verse 15. The word “that” indicates this connection. 

Now, this may initially catch your attention because the exhortation of being blameless, innocent, and faultless brings with it this idea of being perfect. We know good and well that we are nowhere near perfect. So what is Paul saying here? Because even in his own letter, he later states that he has not obtained perfection in 3:12. So how could Paul make this statement?

I could sit here and breakdown each word and the meaning of each word, but Paul does something here that warrants me not doing that and boring you all with the semantics. He writes what is known as a stylistic reinforcement. What is really interesting is that all three words here are actually an alliteration in the Greek text. Each word starts with the Greek letter of a (alpha). George Guthrie, in his exegetical commentary of Philippians, states, “The alliteration of the Greek terms should be read as ‘stylistic reinforcement’ – the drumming home of multiple, similar, potent, rhetorically crafted descriptions to make a point.” Thus, Paul is emphasizing the importance of the Philippians’ testimony to the rest of the world. 

It goes back to this idea of living our lives in a manner that is worthy of the Lord. When we strive for unity through Joy and ultimately through Christ, we exemplify God and his glory. I believe that we often forget that we are called to be witnesses for Christ. We forget the purpose in which we’ve been given. 

Paul is encouraging the Philippians to recognize this calling. So often we make our salvation to be this individualistic thing. That Christ saved us to sit and grow on my own. How do I know that this exists? Because I have experienced it in my own life, and in the lives of others around me. I cannot tell you how many times I have heard people talk about how they don’t need a Church. Not only that, but when we do come to church, we do not become connected because it is an item to be checked off of the list. And when these mentalities are at play, our life for Christ gets placed to the side. And when it gets placed to the side, our witness and testimony to the world around us dims.

Are you seeing how all this is meant to come together?

We are called to be together. To strive together. That’s the main theme in this letter. We cannot grow into maturity alone. And as we grow together in unity and joy, we shine as a beacon to those around us for the hope that is in Christ! The church is the main vehicle that God uses to advance the Kingdom. That means our focus is on the Kingdom. Our focus should not be how the church can serve us, its about how we can serve in the church joyfully! Why? Because its not about me. It’s all about pointing to the love of our savior Jesus Christ, its about bringing him the Glory!! We can’t do that if we are caught up in our selfish desires through conflict. 

Thus, We should desire to be unified, being built up towards Christ. 

Unified by what? The Word of life.

There is often debate on whether or not Paul is referring to “holding out” or “holding on” the Word of life here. 

However, I don’t want to dive into the semantics because either way, I believe it has a similar message because there is no life in Christ apart from the Word of God. It is our guide, it is where we draw close to Him, it is where we draw strength, it is where we find peace, it is where we find joy, and it is what has true impact on the world.

  • Gospel Unity brings joyful service (v.17-18)

Ministry is worth it. 

It is discussed exactly what Paul meant by “poured out as a drink offering.” There are obvious Old Testament implications in this phrase. And through this, Paul is painting this beautiful picture of Old Testament worship and his sacrificial ministry. 

The Philippians’ faithfulness will result in Paul’s celebration on the day of Christ that his ministry was effective

and

even if he is martyred in the course of his continued ministry, this does nothing to dampen the celebration.

When we are working out our salvation with gospel joy, growing together in gospel unity, we have the opportunity to joyfully serve one another as well as the world around us. We were not meant to come and sit on a pew; we were made to serve one another. We need each other.