The mission of God (Philippians 1:12-26, Philippians 2:2-18, Philippians 3:7-16, Philippians 4:1-9)

Paul Southern, 12th August 2018
Part of the Sermon series, preached at a Fordham Sunday Service service

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« To the ends of the earth	None	The mission of God »

1:12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.
1:13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.
1:14 Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.
1:15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.

1:16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.
1:17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.
1:18 But 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.
1:19 Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.
1:20 I 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.

1:21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
1:22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!
1:23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;
1:24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.
1:25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,

1:26 so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.
2:2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.
2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
2:4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
2:5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

2:6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
2:7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!
2:9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
2:10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

2:11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
2:12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,
2:13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
2:14 Do everything without complaining or arguing,
2:15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe

2:16 as you hold out the word of life--in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.
2:17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.
2:18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
3:7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
3:8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ
3:9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.
3:10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

3:11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
3:12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
3:13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
3:14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
3:15 All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.

3:16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
4:1 Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!
4:2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.
4:3 Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
4:5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.
4:9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.