Titus 1:1-4; Key Verse: 1:3

"...and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior" (NIV, 2011).

Paul wrote Titus during a 4th missionary journey (A.D. 62-64) not recorded in Acts. He instructed Titus in how to lead the churches in Crete. Tit 3:8, a key verse of Titus, says, "...those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone." The theme of Titus is the inseparable link between faith and life, principle and practice.

Like 1 Timothy, Titus exhibits a strong concern for sound doctrine (Tit 1:9,13; 2:1-2), and contains 2 marvelous theological meditations on the grace of God extended in Christ (Tit 2:11-14; 3:4-7). Doctrine is then balanced by an emphasis on proper Christian conduct. Think BCD: Belief and behavior. Creed and conduct. Doctrine (devotion) and duty. Both always go hand in hand. Sound doctrine and proper conduct is the basis for critiquing false teaching, instruction in Christian living and qualifications for church leaders. In particular, Paul stresses the quality of sober-mindedness or self-control (Tit 1:8; 2:2, 4-6, 12) and the importance of doing what is good (Tit 2:7, 14; 3:1,8,14). With the theme of Doctrine and Duty, John Stott subdivides Titus as follows (after the introduction [Tit 1:1-4]):

1. Doctrine and Duty in the Church (Tit 1:5-16).
2. Doctrine and Duty in the Home (Tit 2:1-15).
3. Doctrine and Duty in the World (Tit 3:1-15).

In his introduction (Tit 1:1-4), Paul identifies himself, expresses his purpose, and greets Titus.

1. Paul identity (Tit 1:1).
2. Paul's purpose (Tit 1:1-3).
3. Paul's blessing (Tit 1:4).

As I was preparing for this sermon, my title and key verse changed 3 times. My 1st title was "The Hope of Eternal Life" (Tit 1:2). 2nd was "What is your identity and purpose of life?" (Tit 1:1). Finally, on Sat morning, I woke up and felt inspired to settle on my 3rd title and key verse: "God Makes Known His Word Through Preaching" (Tit 1:3). Though there are 3 parts, this is a 10 point sermon based on 4 verses.

I. Identity (Tit 1:1): Not what you do, but who you truly are.

"Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ..." (Tit 1:1a).

1. Servant/Slave. 2 types of slave: temporary, permanent.
2. Apostle. Paul did not appoint/choose himself (Jn 15:16; Ac 9:15). Paul committed to his calling/purpose/mission (1 Cor 10:31).

What is your core identity? Is your identity based on what you do, or on who you are? Paul had crystal clarity as to his identity. His purpose of life stemmed from who he was in Christ. He was a permanent slave of God willingly and voluntarily. He was chosen by God to be an apostle whose goal and aim in life was for the sake of God's elect (those chosen by God): for their faith, for the truth that sanctifies and leads to godliness, and for their hope of eternal life, which is God's fantastic guarantee to His children. May God bless each of us as we discover more and more our core identity in Christ Jesus.

II. Purpose (Tit 1:1-3): For Faith, Truth, Hope (Tit 1:1-2).

"...to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness —in the hope of eternal life" (Tit 1:1b-2a).

1. Faith. Whose faith? God's elect.
2. Truth. Truth sanctifies.
3. Hope. Hope of eternal life is the ultimate encouragement.

Knowledge and Truth. There tends to be an anti-intellectual idea in the church because Paul said, "Knowledge puffs up" (1 Cor 8:1). But it is also true that a stupid ignorant person can also be quite proud. But because some Christians think that "too much knowledge" is bad, they conclude that studying theology is bad. Thus, they think it is not good and not practical for a Christian to go and study in the seminary, regarding it as a cemetery. Yes, you should not go to a bad liberal seminary. Choose a good seminary and study for the glory of God, because the "knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness." Clearly, Paul is not against knowledge and learning. Even before his execution, he asked Timothy to bring his books (2 Tim 4:13).

In Chap 1 (The Study of God) of his clasic, Knowing God, J.I. Packer tells this story.

“On Jan 7, 1855, the minister of New Park Street Chapel in Southwark opened his morning sermon as follows: It has been said by someone that 'the proper study of mankind is man.' I will not oppose the idea, but I believe it is equally true that the proper study of God’s elect is God; the proper study of a Christian is the Godhead. The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy, which can ever engage the attention of a child of God, is the name, the nature, the person, the work, the doings, and the existence of the great God whom he calls his Father.

“There is something exceedingly improving to the mind in a contemplation of the Divinity. It is a subject so vast, that all our thoughts are lost in its immensity; so deep, that our pride is drowned in its infinity. Other subjects we can compass and grapple with; in them we feel a kind of self-content. But no subject of contemplation will tend more to humble the mind than thoughts of God...

"But while the subject humbles the mind, it also expands it. He who often thinks of God will have a larger mind than the man who simply plods around the narrow globe. The most excellent study for expanding the soul, is the science of Christ, and Him crucified, and the knowledge of the Godhead in the glorious Trinity. Nothing will so enlarge the intellect, nothing so magnify the whole soul of man, as a devout, earnest, continued investigation of the great subject of the Deity.

"And while humbling and expanding (the mind), the subject is eminently consolatory. Oh, there is in contemplating Christ, a balm for every wound; in musing on the Father, there is a quiet for every grief; and in the influence of the Holy Ghost, there is a balsam for every sore. Would you lose your sorrow? Would you drown your cares? Then go, plunge yourself in the Godhead’s deepest sea; be lost in his immensity; and you shall come forth as from a couch of rest, refreshed and invigorated. I know nothing which can so comfort the soul; so calm the swelling billows of sorrow and grief; so speak peace to the winds of trial, than a devout musing upon the subject of the Godhead. It is to that subject that I invite you this morning.

Then he goes on to preach the sermon. These words were spoken over a century ago. The preacher was 20 y/o. He had no formal theological education. But obviously he read and studied extensively by the time he was 20 y/o. What so motivated him? The grace of God (1 Cor 15:10). And he had no video games, spectator sports, or streaming movies to distract him. His name is Charles Haddon Spurgeon. Doesn't it make you kind of sick, that a 20 y/o can speak and preach like this!

The hope of eternal life. The movie Amish Grace (88 min), showed that the Amish parents had the hope of eternal life, when the worst of tragedies befell them. 5 of their daughters was shot to death by a man who was angry with God. But their hope of eternal life in the midst of their inconsolable grief enabled them to forgive the murderer of their children and to embrace his widow and his 3 children. How can they and we be sure of eternal life? God Himself guarantees it in 3 ways. "...in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior" (Tit 1:2-3).

1. God does not lie (Tit 1:2a; 12).
2. God promises eternal life before the beginning of time (Tit 1:2b; 2 Tim 1:9; Eph 1:4). Reflect on the mystery with gratitude and tears that God has chosen you to be saved before you were born, and even before Gen 1:1.
3. God entrusts preachers with the gospel (Tit 1:3). In Strong's concordance, "preaching" (kerygma) occurs 8 times, and "preach"  (kerysso) occurs 61 times. Both words have the similar meaning of "to proclaim, to herald, to publish, to declare with formality, gravity and authority that which must be listened to and obeyed." But kerygma signifies, not the action of the preacher, but that which he preaches upon, the content of the proclamation, while kerysso is the act of preaching or declaring the message to a group of people. What is the object or the content of what is preached? It is the gospel, which always carries with it the implications of "good tidings proclaimed."

What does Paul preach? The gospel (Rom 1:16; 1 Cor 1:23, 2:2,4). Telling people what to do based on the Bible is not preaching the gospel (but teaching or didache), because the imperatives are based on the indicatives and the order is not reversible. Behavior must follow belief. Duty must follow doctrine. Our Bible teaching can easily be skewed based on our bias or tradition or methodology. Paul taught the whole will, the whole plan, and the whole counsel of God (Ac 20:7). Paul gave his whole life to testify to the gospel of God's grace (Ac 20:24). Jesus himself said that all of the OT teachings pointed to him (Jn 5:39; Lk 24:27,44). Preaching, proclaiming, declaring, heralding the word that centers on the gospel is the way to shepherd God's flock, make disciples, have blameless elders, promote sanctification, increase our glorious hope, and thus have a healthy church.

III. Blessing (Tit 1:4): Grace and Peace.

"To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior" (Tit 1:4).

1. Grace (Tit 2:11-14; 3:4-7). Charis repeated ~170 times.
2. Peace (Rom 5:1).

Tit 1:1-4 is the introduction to Titus, which is Paul's greeting and salutation to his true son Titus. This is how Paul says, "Hello." Paul packed a comprehensive theological doctrinal teaching in his "Hello." Paul's "Hello" included what a Christian's identity is, what a Christian's purpose of life is; he mentions faith, truth and hope of eternal life; he explains several attributes of God: he does not lie, he promises the elect eternal life, he commissions preachers, he blesses with grace and peace is, etc. In these introductory words you find Paul explaining the godhead of the Trinity at work. You also find the process of salvation, sanctification and glorification. If that's Paul's "Hello" in just the first 4 verses of his letter to Titus, just wonder what is coming next in the body of his letter. Stay tuned in the coming weeks as we complete our study of Titus in 5 more sermons.

May God bless us by calling and anointing preachers of the Gospel among us to declare the good news of salvation and the free gift of eternal life through Christ, in spite of all our sins.

Questions:

1. What is Paul's identity? For what purpose had Paul become God's slave and Christ's apostle (Tit 1:1-3)? Elaborate on the 3 characteristics of the elect (Tit 1:1-3). Is knowledge "bad" for faith (cf 1 Cor 8:1; 2 Tim 4:13)?
2. What 3 fold guarantee does God give us, which makes our Christian hope of eternal life reliable (Tit 1:2-3)? Reflect on God's promise made to the elect before the beginning of time (2 Tim 1:9; Eph 1:4). The role of preaching (kerygma) (Mt 12:41). What does Paul preach (Rom 1:16, 16:25; 1 Cor 1:23, 2:2,4, 15:1-4, 14; 2 Tim 4:17)?
3. How does Paul address Titus and bless him (Tit 1:4; 2 Cor 8:23; 2:13)? Who is Titus (Gal 2:1,3; 2 Cor 2:13; 7:5-7,13; 8:6, 16-18, 23; 12:18; 2 Tim 4:10)? In what way is God and Christ our Savior (Tit 1:3-4; 2:10,13; 3:4,6)?
4. What are the 2 reasons Paul left Titus in Crete (1 Tim 1:5)? What is the predominant requirement of Elders (Tit 1:6-7; 1 Tim 3:2)? In what 3 areas should elders be blameless (Tit 1:6-9)?

References:

1. What an Apostle Is For? (Tit 1:1-4). Ligon Duncan.
2. The Message of 1 Timothy and Titus: Guard the Truth. (Bible Speaks Today.) John Stott.
3. Titus - Introduction.
4. Tit 1:1-16 Executable Outlines.
5. Preaching (Kerygma). Preach (Kerysso).

Why study the Sermon on the Mount? The church is superficial. An outstanding characteristic of the Church is superficiality. Evangelistic efforts tends toward boisterousness, which is shocking. Her conception of holiness and approach to sanctification is shallow.

Why is the church shallow? Poor/wrong way of studying the Bible. A main cause is our attitude toward the Bible. We fail to take it seriously as our sole authority. We fail to study the Bible in the right manner.

• We read/study the Bible mechanically without meaningful thought and meditation. If we read the Bible without understanding it, we read it to our own destruction! (2 Pet 3:16)
• We read/study the Bible with our favored theory and fit that theory everywhere. We over-emphasize one aspect and under-emphasize another.
• We confuse the relationship between law and grace. We emphasize the law and turn the glorious gospel of grace into pure legalism and a collection of moral maxims. Or we over-emphasize grace at the expense of the law.

God's Grace NEVER excuses a Christian from keeping the law. Even Paul was accused of antinomianism when he preached the Gospel (Acts 21:21). When Paul taught the gospel of God's grace and that we Christians are under grace and not under law (Rom 6:14), his detractors criticized him for teaching that people can keep on sinning so that grace may increase (Rom 6:1,15). Twice, Paul's abrupt emphatic response is, "By no means!" (Rom 6:2,15) That we are not under law but under grace does not mean that we need not keep the law. Christ kept the law. A Christian's righteousness must surpass that of the legalistic Pharisees (Mt 5:20). Personally facing the Sermon on the Mount helps us to seriously keep the plain teaching of Jesus (Mt 7:20-23; Lk 6:45-46), and not abuse the grace of God.

1. The social gospel. The social gospel views the Sermon as a way to live, while ignoring who we are as described in the Beautitudes, which show that "no man can live the Sermon on the Mount in and of himself, and unaided."
2. As an exposition/elaboration of the Law. By elaborating on the Law (which the Sermon does) also fails to take account of the Beautitudes, which immediately takes us into a realm that is beyond the law of Moses completely.
3. The dispensational view. The dispensational view regards that the Sermon was for the disciples and for the church age to come, but that it has nothing to do with us  in the present.

Because you are a Christian--live this way; forgive because you are already forgiven. The Jews had a false materialistic conception of the kingdom, expecting a Messiah to give them political emancipation to deliver them from the bondage and yoke of Rome. But the kingdom of God is something 'within you.' It is that which governs and controls the heart and mind and outlook. It is not necessarily spectacular, but 'poor in spirit.' Its teaching is not "Live like this and you will become a Christian." Rather, it is, "Because you are a Christian, live like this." Similarly, you forgive because you are already forgiven. You do not forgive in order to be forgiven. If you cannot forgive, it is because you do not know that you are forgiven.

4 Reason to Study the Sermon on the Mount:

1. Christ Died to Enable us to Live the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus died to make this possible for me.
   
2. It shows me the Absolute Need of the New Birth, and the Work of the Holy Spirit Within. The Beautitudes crush me to the ground. They show me my utter helplessness. Were it not for the new birth, I am undone.
   
3. We Experience Blessing when we Live and Practice the Sermon on the Mount. To be filled, face the Sermon on the Mount and its implications and demands, see your utter need, and then you will get it. It is the direct road to blessing.
   
4. It is the Best Means of Evangelism. Lloyd-Jones is tired of saying that what the Church needs to do is not to organize evangelistic campaigns to attract outside people, but to begin herself to live the Christian life.Christians claim to believe that the Son of God has come into the world and has sent His own Holy Spirit into us. His own absolute power that will reside in men and make them live a quality of life like His own. He came, and lived and died and rose again and sent the Holy Spirit in order that you and I might live the Sermon on the Mount.
   

1. Studies in the Sermon on the Mount, D Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Chap 1: General Introduction.
2. List of Books by ML-Jones.
3. Top 5 Lessons from the life of Martyn Lloyd-Jones.
4. Martyn Lloyd-Jones: 20 Lessons from His Life.
   

Philippians 3:1-7; Key Verse: 3:1

"...rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again..."

What is Philippians about?

1. Joy. Its major theme is joy. Paul expresses his joy and he seeks their joy repeatedly (Phil 1:25).
   
2. Christian living. Philippians is about living the Christian life, about living in a manner worthy of the gospel (Phil 1:27). This must include unity, humility and mutuality (Phil 2:2-4). True Christian living never happens without personally and deeply knowing and embracing the humility, humiliation and humanity of Christ (Phil 2:5-11). Paul gives 2 clear examples of Christian living in Timothy and Epaphroditus (Phil 2:19-30).
3. Sanctification. No Christian can live a Christian life without sanctification. What is that? It is God working in us, and we Christians working it out (Phil 2:12-13). It is Christ taking hold of us, and we striving heavenward in Christ toward the goal (Phil 3:12-14), which is to know him (Phil 3:10).
   

Several people have implied over the last few years that they like both Chicago UBF and West Loop UBF. This is good, because we should always love all of our brothers and sisters in Christ wherever they are. They say they like Chicago UBF because they are constantly told what to do: go fishing, feed sheep, make disciples, write testimony. But they say they also like West Loop because we are given the freedom to do whatever we want. So they like both. I think that is very cute. I believe that true freedom includes "working harder" than others, not in competition, but because of the grace of Jesus. No one enjoys and experiences true freedom by being lazy or selfish. Freedom requires working to the point of sacrificing and losing something we treasure, even our life and the lives of our children. Jesus said, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple" (Lk 14:26-27). "In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples" (Lk 14:31). Do we have the freedom to hate "wife and children" and to "give up everything"? If we do, we are truly free. If we do not, we are slaves to idolatry. No Christian can be happy without sanctification, holiness and godliness. No one grows in holiness and godliness without "working harder than all of them," because of the grace of Jesus.

What do we want more than anything else as human beings? Joy. Peace. Happiness. Paul is very serious about joy. He preferred "to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far" (Phil 1:23). But for their sakes, he was convinced that he would continue to live "for your progress and joy in the faith" (Phil 1:25). He also said to them, "make my joy complete" (Phil 2:2a). He showed them 3 Ways to Live/Pursue a Life of Joy by pursuing unity, humility and mutuality (Phip 2:2b-4). It is not by merely trying harder, but by contemplating and comprehending the humility, humiliation and humanity of Christ (Phil 2:5-11).

Today, let's see how Paul helps us to keep our joy as Christians. In Phil 3:1-6, Paul tells us to:

1. Rejoice...in the Lord.
   
2. Repeat...important teachings.
   
3. Repent...of legalism.
   
4. Review, remember, realize...who you are.

I. Rejoice (Phil 3:1a)

Read Phil 3:1. Many think that the Christian life is no fun. But Christianity is a religion of joy. The word "joy(ful)" is repeated 242 times in the 2011 NIV, not including related words like rejoice, delight, blessed. Let's see how pervasive joy is in the Bible:

• The Psalmist said, "Delight yourself in the Lord" (Ps 37:4).
• "...his delight is in the law of the Lord" (Ps 1:2).
• "You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand" (Ps 16:11).
• "The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart" (Ps 19:8),
• "Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart" (Ps 119:111).
• When the people studied the Bible, Neh 8:10 says, "for the joy of the Lord is their strength."
• Jesus, the happiest man who ever lived, said,
• "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete" (Jn 15:11).
• "You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy" (Jn 16:20).
• "Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy" (Jn 16:22).
• "Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete" (Jn 16:24).
• "I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them" (Jn 17:13).
• Peter says that when we believe in Jesus we "are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy" (1 Pet 4:18).

II. Repeat (Phil 3:1b)

"It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you." Paul is happy to teach, say and write the same things again and again. It is for our spiritual safety. Good teachers repeat themselves. Why? To get it through our thick skulls! Martin Luther, in his commentary on Galatians (St. Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians), said,

"The truth of the gospel...is...the principal article of all Christian doctrine, wherein the knowledge of all godliness consisteth. Most necessary it is, therefore, that we should know this article well, teach it unto others, and beat it into their heads continually.”

1 Cor 15:1-2,11 say, "Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain." "Whether, then, it is I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed."

III. Repent (Phil 3:2)

IV. Review, Remember, Realize (Phil 3:3-7)

"For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh" (Phip 3:3). Here, Paul gives a 4 part definition/description of what a Christian is:

1. The true circumcision.
2. Worships/serves God by the Spirit.
3. Glories/boasts in Christ Jesus.
4. Puts no confidence in the flesh.

Notice that a Christian is trinitarian, one who serves/worships "God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus."

2) Worship by the Spirit. Where else does this phrase occur? Jn 4:23-24 says, "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth." The Samaritan woman wanted to know where to worship. In the OT, they had to worship in the temple, for that is where God would meet them. In the NT, a temple is no longer the place where God manifests His presence among His people. Jesus is now our temple by His Spirit. That is the whole point of Hebrews.

3) Glory in Christ Jesus. We glory in Christ Jesus, because Jesus paid it all. Imagine singing, "Jesus paid most of it." In the entire Bible, the name Jesus never occurs in a sentence "is not necessary" or "is not enough."

4) Put no Confidence in the Flesh. The false teaches placed their confidence in being a Jew and in the performance in their duties. In essence they trusted themselves. If we are Christians, in essence we must trust God. But do Christians not put confidence in how well they think they are living their Christian life?

Paul then gives us his own personal evidence why confidence in the flesh does not work (Phil 3:4). He boasts about his pedigree not to show off, but to show that in the final analysis it is really nothing at all. Paul tells us 7 very impressive things about himself and his credentials in Phil 3:5-6.

1. "circumcised on the eighth day" according to the Law of Moses (Gen 17:12; Lev 12:3).
   
2. "of the people of Israel." He was a pure Hebrew by birth, descended from Jacob (Gen 32:28), not a convert to Judaism.
   
3. "of the tribe of Benjamin," the elite of Israel (1 Ki 12:21), descended from the 1st king, Saul (1 Sam 9:1-2), whose name he bore.
   
4. "a Hebrew of Hebrews," who retained the Hebrew language, and was not just a Greek speaking Jew.
   
5. "in regard to the law, a Pharisee" (Acts 22:3, 23:6, 26:5), the most devoted rigorous spiritual athletes of Judaism.
   
6. "as for zeal, persecuting the church" (Acts 22:2-21, 26:4-23; 1 Cor 15:8-10; Gal 1:13). To a Jew, zeal was the greatest religious quality (Ps 69:9).
   
7. "as for righteousness based on the law, faultless." Paul claims that there was no demand of the law which he did not fulfill.
   

Do we put confidence in the flesh, i.e. in ourselves? Do you put confidence in your looks, coolness, intelligence, seniority, faithfulness, commitment, hard work, stewardship? I know that I do. This is always my sinful default, for which I will always have to repent this side of the eschaton.

God calls us Christians to live a life of joy. Yes, the Christian life includes a cross. But in the cross there is life and joy. Without the cross there is only death and unhappiness. How can I keep this joy in my soul always (1 Th 5:16)? I must know that for me to live a life of joy, Someone had to loose all his joy. For me to be truly happy, Someone had to become a man of sorrow and familiar with suffering. For me to gain all things, Someone had to loose all things. For me to live, Someone had to die. When I know this from my very depths, joy and thanksgiving floods my soul. Do you know such a joy?

Reference:

1. Remembering Who We Are.
   
2. The Letters to the Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians. William Barclay
   

Philippians 2:19-30; Key Verse: 2:30

References:

1. The Letters to the Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians. William Barclay, The New Daily Study Bible, 1957, 1975, 2003.

Philippians 2:5-11; Key Verse: 2:8

Philippians 2:5-11; Key Verse: 2:5

"In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus."

Recap on joy: Joy is critical to life. Without joy, life would be torture. Paul was very serious about joy. He chose to life rather than die so that he could work for their "joy in the faith" (Phil 1:25). To have joy, a Christian needs to live a life of unity, humility and mutuality (Phil 2:2-4). A key to joy is to realize our perpetual sinful default to incurvatus in se (curved inward on oneself). An inward focus/orientation drives joy from our hearts. Yet, we cannot will ourselves to have an outward orientation and genuinely care for others. Rather, Christian joy comes from the gospel when we are encouraged, comforted, in fellowship with, and have tenderness and compassion in union with Christ (Phil 2:1). Christian joy is never an act of the will, but a gift of the Spirit (Gal 5:22; Phil 2:1). Christian joy is always gospel-based, Christ-focused and grace-enabled. Apart from the gospel we have a weird forced kind of Pharisee joy, or a victim's mentality of constantly blaming others.

The singular solution to all of our life's problems. Consider the following questions:

• What is the solution to our life's problems?
• What is the solution to the ever present problem of division, disunity, pride, personal ambition, selfishness, unwillingness to serve, desire for prominence and prestige that exists in every church, even in Paul's sweetheart church in Philippi?
• How can we have genuine humility and a selfless desire to serve others, which is the essence of the life of Christ?
• How do you go about counting someone better than you, ahead of you, above you, in preference to you, as more significant than you, when you think you are every bit their equal—if not their superior?
• Is it to have a prep rally to motivate people to be more selfless?
• Is it to have retreats and conferences to promote unity?
• Is it to repeatedly emphasize how we must always love others?

Paul gives us the only solution to every problem that we Christians have in the church and in life. It is the most profound truth in all of Scripture, and yet it is the most practical teaching that is applicable to all of life. The most profound is often the most applicable, while the simplistic is often reductionistic, skewed and burdensome.

Today's text, Phil 2:5-11 is one of the greatest passages in Philippians, in all of Paul's writings, and in all of Scripture. In many ways, this is the greatest and most moving passage Paul ever wrote about Jesus. It has been called "The Song of Christ," "A Hymn of Christ" and the theology of Christians. The essence of this is 2 Cor 8:9 where Paul wrote that although Jesus was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor. In Phil 2:5-11  that simple idea is stated with a fullness that is without parallel. This deep and rich passage can be outlined in 3 parts:

1. Exhortation (Phil 2:5): Have the mind of Christ.
2. Humiliation (Phil 2:6-8): The condescension of Christ shows us the way to live the Christian life.
3. Exaltation (Phil 2:9-11): The exaltation of Christ shows the promises God holds out for those who go the way of the cross.

I. Exhortation (Phil 2:5)

It is important to clearly state and understand that "Be like Jesus" is NOT the gospel (good news). If it is, it would be horribly bad news. We will all be in hell. When Paul says, "have the same mindset as Christ Jesus," he is not saying, "Do this and be saved. Do this and be blessed." We do not be like Jesus to be saved. But we want to be like Jesus because we are saved by grace alone.

The '84 NIV says, "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." The new 2011 NIV says, "In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus." The ESV says, "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus." Paul's exhortation is to adopt, express, show, exhibit, display, live out, have the attitude, mind set, outlook of Christ. But it is not just directed at the individual. Paul's exhortation is corporate, collective and congregational to all the members of the church: "among yourselves" and "In your relationships with one another." We would not fully enjoy the unity, humility and mutuality of the richness of life in Christ unless God enables and empowers us to do so congregationally. We cannot fulfill this command unless we do it all together. The thrust of the Christian life is never inward but outward, never toward self, but toward others. It is never for self benefit, but for the benefit, interests, welfare and well-being of others (Phil 2:4). That is the mindset of Christ. What is it?

It is humility. What is that? Phillips Brooks said, “The true way to be humble is not to stoop until you are smaller than yourself, but to stand at your real height against some higher nature that will show you what the real smallness of your greatness is.” Humility is never in comparison with someone else, and then trying to think of how you are less than that person. Humility is never to think less of yourself, nor to belittle yourself. Humility must involve a right estimation of who you are. Yes, pride is to have a false high estimation of oneself. But it is not corrected by having a low estimation of yourself. It can only be truly corrected by seeing ourselves in light of God. How? 3 things:

1. Continually read and study the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27).
2. Continually know, understand, remind ourselves of the gospel, and preach the gospel to ourselves.
3. Live out your life in community.

II. Humiliation (Phil 2:6-8). Let us think of the humility and humiliation of Christ in 6 ways:

1. His divinity. He is "in very nature God" (Phil 1:6a). Jesus humility will not be understood until we know who he is when he humbled himself.
2. His abnegation. This means renunciation, disavowal, repudiation, renouncement, self-denial. Jesus "did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage" (Phil 1:6b). We all use our strengths to our own advantage. A pretty girl can use her charm and beauty to get what she wants. A smart person can use his smartness to his own advantage. But Jesus refused to use the fact that he is God to his own advantage.
3. His self-abasement. "He made himself nothing" (Phil 2:7a). People who are nobody try to act like somebody. People who have nothing act like they have something. But Jesus who had everything made himself nothing. He "made himself of no reputation" (KJV).
4. His voluntary servitude. He took "the very nature of a servant" (Phil 2:7b) or "bond-slave." Most slaves in Israel served not for life but for a period of time. But a bond-slave would volunteer to have his ear nailed to the doorpost of his master's house to pledge that he would be attached to that house permanently. Jesus chose to be a bond-slave in order to save us. A major problem with Christian leadership is when the leader claims to be a servant, but acts like a boss who calls the shots. But Jesus' leadership was voluntary servantship and servitude.
5. His incarnation. He was "made in human likeness" (Phil 2:7c). The Word became flesh (Jn 1:14). God became a man. Who can understand Jesus' condescension in becoming man?
6. His ultimate humiliation. To God who is Life, death is the ultimate shame. That is what Jesus embraced: the ultimate humiliation and shame of death. "And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross" (Phil 2:8). No one can endure shame. So when we do something shameful our immediate impulse is to hide our shame. People commit suicide rather than be exposed to shame. But Jesus took upon himself the ultimate shame of death.

III. Exaltation (Phil 2:9-11): The way up is the way down. The way to exaltation is the way of humiliation.

The key to the glory is that it is the way of humiliation, the way down. But in the end it is the only way up. The most profound and paradoxical of truths is that humiliation always precedes exaltation. Or exaltation always follows humiliation. But those who do their best to avoid humiliation will only experience it as their common pattern of life. Notice 5 things about the exaltation of Christ:

1. Hyper-exaltation. "God exalted him to the highest" (Phil 2:9a).
2. Final coronation. God "gave him the name that is above every name" (Phil 9:2b).
3. Global adoration. "...that at the name of Jesus every knee should in heaven and on earth and under the earth" (Phil 2:10).
4. Universal confession. "...every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord" (Phil 2:11a).
5. Paternal glorification. "...to the glory of God the Father" (Phil 2:11b).

This Song of Christ is the ultimate practical application for all Christians: They way up is the way down. The way to exaltation is the way of humiliation. The humiliation and exaltation of Christ is the most profound, yet most basic of biblical truths. It is the most paradoxical and confounding of truths, yet most life giving. How can we be ever united, humble, selfless, helpful? How can we ever overcome any sin? What must I do and apply in my everyday life as a Christian? Ask this question to yourself every day: Do I see what my Jesus has done for me? Do I feel it in my bones? Am I still moved and deeply touched by Him?

References: 7 sermons by Ligon Duncan

1. The Song of Christ (Phil 2:5-6)
2. The Divinity of Christ (Phil 2:5-6)
3. The Ungrasped Equality of Christ (Phil 2:5-6)
4. The Emptying of Christ (Phil 2:7)
5. The Humanity of Christ (Phil 2:7-8)
6. The Obedience and Death of Christ (Phil 2:8)
7. The Exaltation of Christ (Phil 2:9-11)
8. The Letters to the Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians, William Barclay, The New Daily Study Bible, 2003.

We have taken 5 weeks to complete Philippians chapter 1. Thank God. We will go on to the meat or center of Philippians in chapter 2 when Paul focuses on the utmost importance of unity and humility. Stay tuned.

The title of my sermon this morning, "The Primacy of God in Faith and Suffering," might seem odd and unusual. But I like the phrase "The Primacy of God," because it emphasizes that God is ALWAYS primary in everything, never man. "Primacy" means "the fact of being primary, preeminent, or more important." When we see God as the primary mover, God enables us to be theocentric (God-centered) and Christocentric (Christ-centered). Otherwise, we become anthropocentric (man-centered).

Is death really a delightful dilemma? It was for the Apostle Paul. He expressed clearly and in detail why his dilemma as to whether he lives or dies is such a happy process (Phil 1:20-24). Whenever we have 2 choices, one often seems better than the other. Should I marry a pretty girl? Or a homely girl? But Paul's dilemma is that one choice is the best in the world, and the other choice is even better than that! Won't we all like to have 2 such choices in life where you can NEVER EVER make a bad choice and lose? It is not just a WIN-WIN situation, but a WIN-BETTER THAN WIN situation.

Philippians 1:21-30; Key Verse: Phil 1:21,22

1. Phil 1:21 (4 sermons).
2. Phil 1:21-26; 25-26 (2 sermons).
   
3. Phil 1:27-28 (4 sermons).
   
4. Phil 1:29-30 (2 sermons).