Free Expression

Philippians 3:12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. 17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame--who set their mind on earthly things.

Last week we were talking in church about motivation, as in: What motivates you?

Paul continues that discussion here in chapter 3, and goes much further, revealing the dichotomy which exists between the Spirit of God and the world.

Isn’t it interesting to notice the Spirit of God never ever moderates His position when it comes to worldly things – and yet we do that all the time? The world holds nothing for the Spirit of God.

We are so prone to going back and forth responding to gravitational forces which present themselves to our bodies and our souls. You may have been saved in the first place by responding to the gravitational pull of the gospel. I don’t think that’s at all unusual. But once saved, the gravitational pull of the world does not disappear – in fact, it may actually increase.

Our “belly” is still our belly, and our belly still wants to be filled by fleshy things, ESPECIALLY if they appear spiritual.

This is why Paul so strongly advocates something other than a neutral position. When we stand still and wait for the next wave to strike us, we are more than likely going to be moved – and maybe even sunk. Even while standing in God’s grace? Yes. Even while standing in Christ? Yes. And the reason is we stand in a body made of flesh subject to fleshy desires.

Paul tells us to press toward and to prize of the upward call of Christ Jesus – even though we have already received it. Press toward it – even though you have it. The expression which comes of the freedom found in the grace of Jesus Christ only desires more of it. Those who truly understand Jesus’ grace are not content to stand still, they want more of it – and this is the expression of true freedom – not the slavery of the belly of the beast.

-  Pastor Bill

The Invitation

Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. 14 Do all things without complaining and disputing,15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. 17 Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.

How would you describe your ‘Christian life?’ Do you have one?

It ‘s natural for people to think along these lines…that a part of their life is their ‘Christian life.’ Makes sense in today’s compartmentalized world. You know…I’ve got my married life, and then I’ve got my work life. I’ve got my life with my friends, and then I’ve got my ‘Christian life.’

We come to church and learn to prioritize, and to re-arrange, and to “work on” making the part of our life that is our ‘Christian life’ more prominent. After all, if other people see that my ‘Christian life’ is important to me, then I have become a “light to the world.”

That it?

In a word, “No,” says the apostle Paul. If by being a “Christian” you simply mean that you have adopted a certain lifestyle of conformance with the ‘Christian’ part of your life than you have missed the whole point. Religion is a lifestyle of conformance, relationship with Jesus IS life.

The truth of Biblical Christianity is conformance, but it only comes by transformation – which only happens by receiving Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. A transformed life is not “in part, but the whole.”

And so Paul confidently guides us to the next step - which is to take one. (A step, that is.) You can’t watch the Christian life from the pew. The pew is a launch pad not a lounge. God’s desire is to work in you and through you to will and to do His good pleasure.

That can only take place when you leave the stands and come down on the field, and allow God to put you in the game – in the position He desires. The only thing hindering that process, (if it is hindered,) is you.

-  Pastor Bill

The End of the Road

Philippians 2:5  Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

When you get to the end of this life, what can you count on?

Some folks hang their hat on oblivion – I suppose counting on what it was like before you were born. That was peaceful wasn’t it? (Best as I can remember.) John Lennon wrote a song about it, “Imagine,” as in – “Imagine there’s no heaven, it’s easy if you try, nothing to live or die for, no hell below us, above us only sky.”

Wow, what a hope-filled song, eh? Now I see why the world loves to sing that song when a loved-one dies – not! And listen, John Lennon’s scenario is the BEST one they can come up with apart from God. And here’s the bottom line to that thinking: Life is completely meaningless. You live for this life and then you die. Adolph Hitler lives for this life, and then he dies. No harm, no foul. No reward. No punishment. Everyone just dies and goes into oblivion. Do whatever you please. Doesn’t that sound like a wonderful recipe for world peace? It hasn’t worked so well, and the reason is because people are sinners, and left to their own devices they will sin more and not less. Some will sin A LOT more, like Hitler and Stalin, while they are living only “for today.” Can you imagine?

On the other hand there is a truth authored deep in the human soul which cannot be disconnected no matter how hard we try. That truth is life is eternal. We can try to ignore it, take intoxicants, or write and sing poetic song lyrics, but it isn’t going away. 2,000 years ago a man named Jesus walked across the human stage. He called Himself the ‘Son of God.’ He called Himself, ‘The Savior of the world.’ He said He had power over death and dying.

Had Jesus only said those things I may have remained a skeptic right along with John Lennon. But He proved them by first dying on the cross, and then being raised from the dead. It is historical truth which can only be denied by looking the other way. I was one of those who used to look the other way, but then I turned to carefully examine the facts. Here’s what I now know: When I am at the foot of Jesus confessing He is Lord, John Lennon will be there, and so will Adolph Hitler and Josef Stalin. Justice will be served, and Hitler and his ilk will receive all the punishment their crimes deserve. “Nothing to live or die for?” Truth doesn’t allow for that kind of imagining…

-  Pastor Bill

For Better or For Worse

Philippians 1:19 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, 26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again. 

Taking the vow of marriage includes to oft-spoken but little followed promise to take our spouse “for better of for worse.” The implication is we will not forsake each other over the circumstances of life.

Many times we find the difficulties posed by life draw us closer to our spouse, and as we go through the seasons of struggle together, we find the bond of marriage grow stronger. This tells us of the wisdom of whoever it was who crafted the standard marriage vows we so often hear. There is something to sticking together through better AND worse.

Unfortunately, in the modern age the wisdom of the past has gone by the wayside, and we see dissolution often being a solution in the midst of a season of “worse.”

Isn’t it fascinating, in light of the fact a personal relationship with Christ is often referred to in the Bible as being depicted by Christian marriage, that Paul invokes this important witness of the ‘better’ actually coming from the ‘worse.’ How unlike current worldly opinion is that?

But Paul says, “My current circumstances,” (he is presently imprisoned at Rome – under house arrest,) “are actually working for the furtherance of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Obviously some would look on and say Paul’s imprisonment doesn’t seem very prosperous, and if you are a believer in a prosperity doctrine - Paul’s imprisonment is a major stumbling-block. After all, IF God is ‘for’ Paul, than why would He allow Paul to be placed in jail? Is Paul really God’s friend – as he claims to be? To which Paul says, “Hey, all of this has happened to expand the reach of the gospel, and God is in control of every bit of it – even my suffering – and I praise God for that!” The shortcomings of the understandings of the world often become the basis for seeing and understanding the strength and the wisdom of God.

-  Pastor Bill