Which way is Up?

 Read Philippians 2.

Motivational speaker Zig Ziglar was known for saying, "Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude." 

Jesus said, "You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles (unbelievers) lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them"  Then, in contrast He said, "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve..." (Mark 10:42,45)

The Apostle Paul wrote that followers of Jesus are to "have this mind among yourselves which is yours in Christ Jesus."  He went on to explain what that means.

In this sin-warped world, success is most often measured by standards that are "crooked and twisted" (v.15).  Our natural attitudes are filled with "selfish ambition or conceit" (v.3).   Life becomes about what we can get and gain for ourselves.   Personal goals are marked by position, possessions and/or power.  Those three things comprise the entirety of human achievement.  Without Christ, that is all there is. 

But, then came the example of Jesus.  He was God in the flesh.  He has position as King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19).  He claims possession of everything there is.  "The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein." (Psalm 24:1)  And, on top of those, "All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me" (Matthew 28:18).  Indeed, Jesus is the Supreme Being.

Yet, for our sakes, He voluntarily laid aside all of those things for a time in order to meet our greatest need.  "He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." (v.8)  "Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow." (vv.9-10)  Since no one could ever come close to the humiliation of Christ, no one but Jesus could ever be so exalted.

Truly, the way up is down.  This, then, is the manner in which we are to serve.  "In humility count others more significant than yourselves.  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (vv.3-4)

 

So, why are you Here?

 Read Philippians 1. 

When Paul first visited the city of Philippi about A.D.51, he led Lydia, the Philippian jailer, and others to faith in Christ.  When he left, there was a nucleus of baptized believers for a local church.  At this writing, a decade had passed.  Paul was in prison in Rome awaiting trial.  But, he did not complain about his situation.  He understood why God had him where he was. 

1. He understood why he was in prison. (vv.12-14)

God gave him a captive audience at government expense!  Moans and groans, grumbling and cursing would be normal expectations.  But Paul could sing praises to God, as he did in the Philippian jail.  He could loudly proclaim the saving grace of Jesus to these fellow prisoners.  And, as he stated in verse 13, all of Caesar's palace guards had heard the gospel.  Perhaps, none of these countless number of men would have heard the message if Paul had not been in prison.

Question: Why does God have you where you are today?  Who needs to hear the good news of Jesus? 

2. He understood why he was on earth. (vv.19-26)

Why didn't God take Paul to heaven on the day of his conversion to Christ?  Why didn't God allow Paul to die on any number of occasions?  Why was he still living?  These thoughts perplexed him as well.  He wanted to go and be with Christ.  He would have preferred to be in heaven.  Paul wrote "to die is gain."  However, he realized that by staying he could continue to minister to and encourage others in their faith.  So, as long as God gave him breath, his life motto was "For to me to live is Christ."  

Question: Why are you still here on earth?  For whom are you living? 

3. He understood why he suffered. (vv.27-30) 

Suffering due to sharing the gospel and living for Christ is a "given" part of our faith.  "Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." (2 Timothy 3:12)

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

 Paul was ridiculed for his faith.  He was beaten and left for dead for preaching Jesus.  His own former colleagues of religious leaders in Jerusalem sought to assassinate him.  A weaker man may have wanted to give up.  Adversities in life will tend either make a person bitter or better.  What gave Paul such perseverance was that he knew all of these things were temporary.  His hope lay in his "completion at the day of Jesus Christ" (v.6). 

"But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed." (1 Peter 4:13)

Question: Now, do you understand?

Worship while you Work

 Read Ephesians 6.

Continuing from chapter 5 is the theme of submission.  When the Holy Spirit is in control of a follower of Jesus, they will exhibit humility and a willing respect for those whom God has placed over them.  We do this, not because the other person, but because our focus is on our true Leader, Jesus.  It is our aim to always do those things that will please Him.  This is foundational to understanding the instructions to wives and husbands.

In chapter 6, the letter then addresses children and slaves with words of caution and warning to fathers and masters.  Regardless of one's station in life, each Christian is to fulfill their responsibilities in a God-honoring way.

One practical test will be how a believer in Jesus responds when there are challenges at work.  For example, what should a Christian do when there are disagreements with a supervisor, changes in job expectations, an overload of work to be done, or unfair treatment by an employer?  The unbeliever may display anger, grumbling, rebellion, etc.  If the word of God found here in 6:5-8 will work for Christian slaves in the Roman Empire, they will work anywhere.

1. Obey with fear and trembling.
Respect for authority is taught throughout the Bible on every level from the home to employment to government to God Himself.  Second to that is being afraid of the consequences of disobedience.

2. With a sincere heart.
There are those who will comply outwardly while harboring resentment and anger on the inside.  A follower of Jesus is to be genuine from the inside out.

3. As you would Christ.
If that person were Jesus Himself how would you respond?  But some will say, "They are not Jesus and do not deserve my respect."  That is the whole point of this passage!  We are to look beyond that imperfect, even sinful, person and keep our eyes of the One we really serve in this life.

4. Not with eyeservice as people-pleasers.
Some are tempted to work hard and smile big when the boss is watching.  True believers understand that God is watching our behavior all the time.

5. Doing the will of God from the heart.
Bloom where you are planted.  The slave had no choice of occupation.  But even the Christian slave had to decide about their attitude.  Free people must ask themselves if this place and this job is God's will for me or not.  If it is, we are to be accepting, embracing, God's will for our lives this day.

6. Whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord.
Performing a good job with a great attitude will not only be seen by the authority over us, but the Lord promises to take note and reward us accordingly.  "For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do." (Hebrews 6:10)

 

3 indicators that God is control of your Life

 Read Ephesians 5.

Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul continued to explain about the Christian walk.  Walk in love (v.1).  Walk as children of the light (v.8).  Look carefully then how you walk (v.15).

This theme began in chapter 2 and verse 2.  Those who do not know Jesus walk (live their lives) according to the satanically energized "course of this world."  As a defeated enemy, the devil does everything he can to cause individuals to distort and dismiss the standards of God.  Once a person rejects the fact that they are created by God and that the Bible is the authoritative word of God, then they will turn to their own way.  They will look to personal feelings, culture, government, and majority votes to determine what is right and wrong.  The Bible calls this rebellious independence sin (Isaiah 53:6) and is the very reason for the crucifixion of Christ.

Chapter 5 also continues to be specific about sin: Sexual immorality, all impurity, covetousness (which is idolatry), filthiness, and foolish talk, crude joking.  Such things as these "must not even be named among you".

Men and women of God have renounced these behaviors in themselves in order to live lives that please God.  It is called "walking in the light", walking "as wise", and living in "will of God."  Instead, of being under the influence of those who will experience God's wrath (v.6), or the influence of substances such as wine (v.18), followers of Jesus are to be filled (controlled by) the Holy Spirit.

Next, we are given three indicators that we are in the will of God and that we have yielded ourselves to the Holy Spirit.
1. Singing. (v.19)
No religion on earth has music that can compare to that of Christianity.  Singing has always been a mainstay of the worship of Jesus Christ.  Two books of the Bible are songbooks (Psalms and the Song of Solomon).  Humorously, Steve Martin has recorded "Atheists don’t have no songs."  Sin and the cares of this world may rob a believer of their song.  When Judah sat broken hearted, they lost their song (Psalm 137:4).   A sign of one who has submitted themselves and their circumstances to God begins to sing from the inside out.  And, as this verse begins, we need to let others hear our praise.
2. Giving thanks. (v.20)
When a person is trying to find their song in circumstances, they will become ungrateful.  They will want to measure their lives by more.  A follower of Jesus learns that contentment comes in knowing the truth.  "For the Gentiles (unbelievers) seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all." (Matthew 6:32)  Learning to acknowledge that everything comes to us from the hand of God causes us to live lives of thanksgiving for what we have been given today.
3. Submitting to one another. (v.21)
Here is a true test that will expose our wrong sort of independence.  We may yield to the Holy Spirit in private prayer, but yielding to each other may be the challenge.  When God is in control there will be a humility about that person.  They will not be demanding their own way but the good of others according to God's word.  We are to behave like this out of reverence for Christ.  "Have this mind among yourselves which is yours in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:5)  Jesus did not demand His rights as Creator and Owner of all things.  He submitted Himself to the suffering and the sacrifice to meet our needs.

The practical example of this last indicator is marriage.  Satan has done everything he can to distort and to dismiss the truth of God's word and to destroy this picture of Christ and the church.  The wife is to submit to her husband's leadership, not because she thinks her husband is always right, but out of reverence for her true Leader.  The husband is to lovingly sacrifice for his wife.  His weighty responsibility is to maintain the holiness of the relationship and the home.  This means he gives up living for himself, doing his own thing, and going his own way, in order to be like Jesus in his marriage.

 

Learning to Walk

 Read Ephesian 4.

One of the exciting moments in parenting is when the baby takes those first steps.  In time, the child is expected to do much more than wobble for a few feet.  The parents look forward to seeing them run.  The walking comparison is used in the New Testament regarding spiritual growth and living as a follower of Jesus.

Chapter 4 begins in verse 1 with "therefore."  Based upon what was written in the first three chapters, the last three chapters become very personal.  These are instructions on how to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called."  Since we are individually gifted by God to serve Him effectively, we are to grow up.  This is done as we mutually utilize our gifts for each other in the local church.  Then, we are to serve one another with the gifts God has given to us.  Such maturation takes place in a gathering of committed believers.  Notice how crucial each member of the local church is to the health of the congregation.  "From whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly..." (v.16)

Learning to walk as a believer in Jesus and then helping others to follow in your footsteps is what every church member is to be pursuing.  Living in a manner that pleases God requires decided and continuous acts of discipline.
1. Put off the old self. (vv.17-22) 
We are no longer allowed to walk like those who do not know Christ.  All of us enter the Christian life with certain vocabulary words, ways of thinking, a world view, personal habits, sinful behaviors, and selfish motives that offend the holiness of God.  Those are sins that nailed Jesus to the cross (Isaiah 53).  Before Christ, these things did not bother us because of the "hardness of heart" and callousness in our thinking.  Sometimes these changes may happen instantly upon salvation.  But there is usually one or more of these "old self" elements that linger.  It is our duty in Christ to daily confront our temptations to sin and flee them.

2. Put on the new self. (vv.23-24)
In other words, we are to practice "true righteousness and holiness"; "the likeness of God."  One who claims to be a Christian is to be known by others as a person of God.  How does this happen?  First, we have the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide us.  We must listen moment by moment for His voice in our conscience reminding us of right from wrong.  Second, we must exercise moment by moment obedience to the holiness of God in our thinking, words, and actions.  There is no substitute for the daily intake of reading and studying the Scriptures to renew our minds.

3. Put away the old responses and practice the new. (vv.25-32)
To be specific, the Holy Spirit had Paul write down ten examples of sinful behaviors that we are no longer allowed to do.  Lying, anger (twice), stealing, offensive and condemning vocabulary, grieving the Holy Spirit, bitterness, wrath, clamor, slander, and malice.  Each of these comes with a contrasting response of a true follower of Christ.  Speak truth, do not hold on to anger, work so you  may share when others are in need, speak in a constructive way that ministers grace to others, be kind, tenderhearted, forgiving one another.

God's grace in Action

 Read Ephesians 3.

This is one of the letters Paul wrote while in prison.  Rightly so, the people were gravely concerned for him and his health.  "So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is for your glory." (v.13)

How can a man who is confined in prison and apparently limited in resources write such strong words of doctrinal truth?  How can a hurting man seemingly dismiss his suffering and be encouraging to others?  The simple answer is here in this chapter as Paul explains the effects of God's grace.

Again, in Greek the word grace (charis) refers to "the divine influence on the heart and its reflection in the life."  In other words, God does a work within a person and that work becomes outwardly apparent.  This is beyond personalities and natural abilities.  It is a spiritual result that causes us to act and respond differently than those who do not know Jesus.  The word grace appears twelve times in these six chapters.  In chapter two, Paul explained that salvation is by God's grace.  Here, in chapter three, he began to expand upon the impact of grace.

1. The stewardship of God's grace. (vv.1-6)
Stewardship is a trust.  Whether the object is money, time, talent, life, children, opportunity, property, etc., it does not belong to the person.  The owner allows a steward to manage it for a time.  At the end of that time, there will be accountability for what was entrusted.  Specifically, Paul acknowledged that the Holy Spirit had revealed insights "into the mystery of Christ".    That mystery, or previously unexplained truth, had to do with how the Gentiles fit into God's plans and promises.  It was the Holy Spirit's work of revelation, not as a result of his intellect and education.  It had been given to him "for you" (v.2).

As Creator, God is the Owner of all things (Psalm 24:1).  What He has entrusted to us is not for us.  It is to be used for the benefit of others.  When we respond to God's grace by renouncing selfish goals for passing on that grace to others, God is glorified.  And, that is the ultimate aim of life.  Soli Deo gloria.

2. The gift of God's grace. (v.7)
Every believer has been gifted by the Holy Spirit to serve Him effectively.  We do not all have the same spiritual giftedness.  These are differently distributed by the will of God.  See Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, 1 Peter 4, and Ephesians 4.  The gifts, as explained above, are stewardships given to us for the spiritual benefit of others.

3. The administration of God's grace. (vv.8-21)   
For Paul, the assignment was to preach the gospel (death, burial, and resurrection) of Jesus.  Faith in that message changed the lives and the eternal destinies of those who responded in faith to God's grace (2:8).  Each follower of Christ must discover how God has gifted them and to use that gift for the spiritual growth of other people.

It is a staggering thought that the God of heaven desires to use us!  But the impact and influence of our obedience to God's grace is beyond our comprehension.  "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.  Amen."

 

Dead man Walking

 Read Ephesians 2.

After presenting a strong doctrinal case for what believers have in Christ, the letter now turns to recalling how and why this happened.

1. Where were we? (vv.1-3)
-Dead.  Before a person puts their personal faith in Jesus they are without true spiritual life.
-Disobedient.  Human life on its own cannot please God.  Before receiving Jesus one can only follow their sinful, natural desires which are energized by the devil himself.
-Doomed.  Without Jesus, "all" (v.3) people are destined to experience the consequences of their sin: God's eternal wrath.  (John 3:36)

2. What happened? (vv.4-7)
"But God."  When the God of heaven steps in, He changes everything.  It was impossible for us to be good enough to escape eternal judgment.  Note the Biblical statements describing the character of God.
-rich in mercy
-great in love
-immeasurable in kindness 
"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

3. How did this change take place? (vv.8-10)
Our only hope of rescue was by the gracious intervention of God.  No one can earn their way to being saved from eternal torment.  No one can do anything to pay for a single sin.  The offer of Christ's full and final payment for the sin of the world comes only from the grace of God.  It becomes effective for each individual when they believe God's offer through faith alone.  Not only does one's personal destiny change but for the first time they can begin to understand their purpose in life.  It is not about our works, but God's workmanship; how and why He has created us.  (John 1:12)

4. Where are we now? (vv.11-22)
The Apostle Paul addressed one our biggest problems.  We humans are forgetful.  Twice, he stated "remember."   First, remember what life was like before faith in Jesus.  "But now in Christ" look what we have and what God is doing in and through us.
-we have been brought near to God by the blood of Christ
-we have peace with God because of Christ
-we have direct access to God because of Christ
-we are fellow citizens with all other believers, members of the household of God, working with Christ and each other in fulfilling His plans.