Here are some of the things we talked about at our Women’s Bible Study this week on Philippians 3:1-11.

Paul starts chapter 3 by saying, “Finally…” Then he goes on for two more chapters! Maybe he was intending to wrap up the letter and then something came up to keep him going. (Just beware anytime a pastor says, “In closing….” — it probably means he’s half way through the sermon!)

What warning does Paul give in verse 2? Why does he come down so hard on these people?

When the good news of Jesus started spreading and people began to believe in His saving work, some of the Jewish believers began to put requirements on new converts. They said that before anyone could become a Christian, they had to first become a Jew and follow the Old Testament laws, including circumcision. Paul responded by saying, “No, no, no!” We are saved by grace through faith. It’s not Jesus + circumcision; it’s not Jesus + the Law; it’s Jesus + 0 = everything.

Paul uses some very strong language here. To call someone a “dog” was a very derogatory statement. In Paul’s eyes, these people were evil, making it harder for those who wanted to follow Jesus. The sign of circumcision was nothing more than mutilation of the flesh if the heart wasn’t right. Falling back on someone’s own ability to keep the Law in their own strength in order to earn salvation was a teaching Paul passionately fought against. That misleading message communicated that what Jesus did on the cross was not enough.

Instead of an outward sign to prove belief, Paul gave three indicators of a person’s heart:

• a true believer is a worshiper
• a true believer glories in Jesus
• a true believer’s confidence is in Christ, not in self

What were Paul’s reasons to have self-confidence about his right standing with God? He had an impressive resume, loaded with significant assets.

• Circumcised on the 8th day — he came from a godly family who followed the Law.
• Of the people of Israel — he had a pure blood line, descending directly from Jacob.
• Of the tribe of Benjamin —  Benjamin was the only one of Jacob’s sons to be born in the Promised Land. The first king of Israel came from the tribe of Benjamin, King Saul, who Paul may have been named after. The tribe of Benjamin was the only tribe to stick with King David when the nation split. The temple was built on the land given to Benjamin. To be a Benjaminite was to be highly esteemed and among the elite.
• A Hebrew of Hebrews — indicated that Paul could speak in Hebrew and that he was highly educated.
• In regard to the law, a Pharisee — Paul had risen in the ranks of professional religious leaders quickly. A Pharisee was dedicated to keeping the law in all aspects.
• As for zeal, persecuting the church — Paul defended Judaism and was responsible for putting many Christians in jail and putting some to death. He was there, holding the coats of the people who stoned Stephen. (Acts 8:1)
• As for legalistic righteousness, faultless — Faultless. Who says that? 

What kinds of reasons do people give today?

I had a godly grandma. I go to church. I teach Sunday school. I sing in the choir. I tithe. I don’t drink, cuss, go to R-rated movies (except the one about Jesus dying on the cross). I’m a good person. I’m better than a lot of people.

Put all those things on one side of the accounting ledger and what does it add up to? Rubbish. Except Paul didn’t use the word rubbish. When the translators came to this Greek word (skubala) they didn’t know what to do with it. This vulgar term embarrassed them. It offended and shocked them. So they tamed it down. Paul used this word only this time and never again. Perhaps he used it for shock value, to try to express how intensely he felt about this. Paul used the word shit.

All the things he did to try to earn God’s favor, all the striving to be perfect, all the achievements and success — a pile of dung. Leave Jesus out of the equation and it all adds up to zero. Stamp the word “Bankrupt” on that side of the accounting sheet.

We can’t find Jesus by using our own measure of goodness based on rules. Trying hard to be righteous based on performance is empty and is the equivalent of feces. We find Jesus by leaning on His righteousness alone by faith, which is full and complete and robust.

What was Paul’s highest goal?

To know Christ — after 30 years, Paul hadn’t let up on his pursuit of Jesus.

Matt Chandler says there are two questions we must ask ourselves continually:
1. What stirs my affection for Jesus?
2. What robs my affection for Jesus?
I hope you spend some time thinking about these questions. Self-awareness of what enhances our spiritual growth and what hinders our spiritual growth is a step toward maturity. I encourage you to listen to Matt’s message (21:00-29:30, if you’ve got 8.5 minutes). Matt Chandler – To Live Is Christ

May this be our prayer: I want to know Christ, inside and out.

Shine Like Stars Week 10 Worksheet

Here’s a recap of some of the discussion from Week 8 of our Bible study on Philippians 2:12-30.

What did Paul expect from his dear friends in Philippi? 
Paul expected the believers in Philippi to continue on in the faith and to keep growing. He urged them to take some responsibility and put great effort into their life of faith. He was in a prison 800 miles away and could not hold their hands or baby them along. Paul encouraged this young body of believers to stick with it and don’t fizzle out.

Paul made it clear that it is God who does the work IN us, but we are to work it OUT. To be very clear here — we do not work FOR our salvation, or even ON our salvation. Salvation is a work of God and God alone, not something we earn or strive for. There can be no salvation without God, but what God offers, people must receive. And once received, there is expectation that growth and maturity will follow.

When a baby is born, it is a joyful event! There is rejoicing in that delivery room! But what a tragedy it would be for that new little life to never leave the delivery room — to never grow or mature or experience life beyond that space. Our spiritual birth is important, but it is only the beginning! Baby Christians need to grow up into vibrant, mature believers.

What does it mean to “shine like stars”?
In Matthew 5:14, Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.” That’s a fact. That’s who we are. We are not to hide our light or be secretive about our faith. We are the way God shows His love to the world. If we don’t shine, the dark world just becomes darker. Maybe a better question is, “What is your wattage?!” If we are bright spots, we will obviously stand out against darkness.

Verse 14 says, “Do everything without complaining or arguing.” Whew — that’s a tough one. Is it even possible? Why is complaining such an affront to God?

• Complaining voices a lack of trust in God.
• Complaining is a way of saying God is insufficient.
• Complaining is a backhanded accusation that God’s ways are not good.

The word “complain” means to “murmur”, which is a reference to the people of Israel during their 40 years in the wilderness (see Exodus). They continually called into question God’s goodness and His leadership. Complaining about God got them in lots of trouble.

On the other hand, many Old Testament people complained. King David wrote, “I pour out my complaint before him; before him I tell my trouble.” (Psalm 142:2)  Job also voiced many complaints to God but “Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.” (Job 1:22) 

It’s okay to take your complaints TO God, but we need to be careful not to complain ABOUT God. Or His Bride, the church. (See here)

Also, a group of people constantly whining or arguing make a very poor witness. One way to shine like stars is to avoid negative, degrading, divisive talk.

Paul ended this section by holding up two men as examples of servants who embodied everything in verses 1-5 of chapter 2.

Timothy (verses 19-24)

• took a genuine interest in the welfare of others
• went where he was most needed
• humbled himself under Paul’s authority as a son

Epaphroditis (verses 25-30)

• volunteered to make an 800 mile trip to deliver an offering from the Philippian church to Paul
• almost died, serving at great risk to himself
• was willing to put the work of Christ first over his own comfort

An interesting note on “risking his life” (v. 30): That was a gambler’s word that meant to risk everything on the roll of the dice. “In the days of the Early Church there was an association of men and women who called themselves the gamblers. It was their aim to visit the prisoners and the sick, especially those who were ill with dangerous and infectious diseases. Often, when a plague struck a city, the heathen threw the dead bodies into the streets and fled in terror. But the gamblers buried the dead and helped the sick the best they could, and so risked their lives to show the love of Jesus.” (David Guzik)

What brought Paul joy? Being poured out as a pleasing sacrifice to God.
What does a mature believer look like? Someone with an uncomplaining, grateful heart who is willing to risk something for God.
How can we shine like stars? By letting the same light that broke into the void on the first day of creation (And God said, “Let there be light.” Genesis 1:3), shine in our hearts out to a world that’s becoming increasingly dark.

Shine Like Stars Week 9 Worksheet

We are officially half way through “Shine Like Stars” — our Bible study on Philippians! This week we dug into Philippians 2:6-11, considered by some theologians as the high point of Paul’s letter. It’s possible that these verses were words to a hymn, poem, confession or creed that the early church used in their gatherings. John Piper calls it “the most glorious picture of Jesus there is.”

We started this week by looking at verses 6-8.

“Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped….”
The “who” in this verse is Jesus. We must not forget that Jesus is God. (Read Colossians 1:15-20 for a look at the supremacy of Christ.) Tony Evans calls Jesus the only “200% person” to ever live. He was 100% human and 100% divine — not an easy concept for us to take in. However, by coming to earth as a human, Jesus limited his “God-ness” and gave up some of his rights and powers of deity.

“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity (God) lives in bodily form.” Col. 2:9
Jesus was a man, but He was more.
He limited His power but it kept leaking out.
He was thirsty, because He was human.
Yet He calmed the sea because He was God.
He was hungry and had to eat because He was human.
Then He fed 5,000 people with a few loaves and fish because He was God.
He had to sleep because He was a human.
He got up out of the grave because He is God.

Jesus had access to legions of angels who would have come to His rescue if He had said the word. (Matt. 26:53) But He didn’t use the resources available to Him to ease His own situation. Everything He did, He did for you and me.

“…but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”

What is the nature of a servant?
Think about being in a restaurant and having a really good waitress. What are the qualities that make her a great server?

• Others oriented — not being self-absorbed
• Willing to serve everyone — not waiting only on big tippers
• Uncomplaining spirit — not whining about the cook or her aching back
• Hard working — not being lazy
• Observant and attentive — not ignoring the needs of the people
• Faithful — not skipping out when she doesn’t feel like working

Jesus is our example of the ultimate servant.
We look the most like Him when we serve like Him. 

Matt Chandler tells about a staff member from his church who always parks in a big puddle in the church parking lot when it rains. It means walking through six inches of water and getting all wet. When asked why he parked there he answered, “I park there so no one else has to.” That’s a good measure of servant-hood — what things can you do that aren’t so pleasant so others don’t have to?

“And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!”

Jesus knew He came to die. (“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28) That doesn’t mean He was excited about dying, especially the most cruel, torturous, shameful death possible. (“My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.” Matthew 26:39) He had to become obedient. The humility required of Him was on a level far beyond anything that will ever be required of us. Talk about doing something unpleasant so we wouldn’t have to!

Thanks be to God for Jesus’ sacrifice, His submission to the Father’s plan, His willingness to suffer, His heart to serve! As a result, God exalted His Son and gave Him the title “Lord” – a name high and full of authority. It’s such a powerful name that every knee will bow at the sound of it. Believers will bow in worship and praise. Those who rejected Him will bow, but it will be in bitter agony as they acknowledge His Lordship.

Every tongue will confess — what will that sound like? The absolute totality of all creation will recognize the superiority of Jesus Christ from highest heaven to deepest hell. John confirms this event in his Revelation vision (Rev. 5:11-13). What a day that will be!

With Jesus as our example, here are some questions to consider:

• What am I willing to sacrifice?
• How much am I willing to serve?
• How submissive am I willing to be?
• Am I willing to suffer if my suffering brings glory to God?

Blessings on you as you seek to walk as Jesus walked!

Shine Like Stars Week 8 Worksheet

In week 5 of our study on Philippians, we looked at Phil 1:21-30. We spent quite a bit of time on verse 21, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Paul’s perspective on death was radically different than the way most of us think of death. All of us have experienced pain by the passing of loved ones – it was not glorious and we would not have chosen it. But in this passage Paul is showing us a healthy perspective on how to approach our own death. Not an easy conversation, but an important one.

For most people what does having a great life look like?
A big house, plenty of money, a good job, health, leisure, no struggles.
How would you fill in this blank? For me, to live is ___________________.
If the answer is money, then to die is to lose it all.
If the answer is possessions, then to die is to leave it all behind.
If the answer is health and fitness, then to die is the ultimate failure.
Anything that can go in that blank will end up a loss. Anything but Jesus.

What about Paul?
Paul defined a great life by the words “fruitful labor”. The only life that winds up with gain is a life of fruitful labor for Christ.

For most people what does death look like?
For some it looks like fear, an end, defeat, something to avoid, something to fight against. For others death looks like an escape. We never want to glorify death or take it into our own hands. “All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.” (Psalm 139:16) God holds the keys to life and death – we need to leave the timing of these things to Him.

What about Paul?
Paul viewed death as a departure (“I desire to depart and be with Christ.”) The word “depart” is a nautical term for a ship lifting its anchor and sailing home. Paul saw death as more of Jesus, which was better than anything this world had to offer. Is it any wonder that heaven looked good to Paul? “Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked….” (Read the rest in 2 Corinthians 11:23-29.) 

Paul saw death like this:
1. We lose everything we don’t need (troubles, tears, fears, weaknesses, sin).
2. We keep everything that matters (our personality, the Word of God, people).
3. We gain what we never had before (face to face with Jesus, heaven, angels).

What was Paul’s dilemma?
He was torn between the two possible outcomes: life, which was a temporary mission for Jesus, or death, which was an eternal gain with Jesus. For Paul, it was a win/win situation.

His first choice, his greatest desire, was to depart and go be with Jesus. But Paul settled for his second choice — stay and continue to serve the church. His own personal desires were superseded by the needs of the body. What an example for us! What if the needs of my local church came before my own personal desires? Wow. As Steven J. Cole said,  “If everybody had this mindset, we’d have a waiting list to teach Sunday school.”

What was not an option for Paul?
DO NOTHING. The possible third choice of continuing to live without fruitful labor was not even on the table. As long as he had a physical body, Paul figured it was to be used for the sake of Christ. Spending his last days at a Mediterranean resort was not a consideration.

“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” (verse 27)

The word “conduct” implies a citizenship. When people become citizens of the United States, they pledge allegiance to the country. They receive all the rights of an American and are responsible to uphold the law of the land. Their conduct when traveling abroad is a reflection of their homeland. Foreigners judge America based on the behavior of its citizens.

A friend recently went through boot camp and became a U. S. Marine. He has pledged to conduct himself worthy of the U. S. Marine Corps. Even when he’s not on base. Even when he’s not on active duty. He is expected to represent the USMC at all times.

It’s not enough for us to be Christians at church. That’s easy. We are responsible for our conduct outside those walls, as representatives of the gospel of Christ. What happens to the reputation of the good news of Jesus when we don’t conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of it? If we easily cave in to culture over and over, if we compromise our values on little things, then when we are in a situation to have to stand firm for Christ, we won’t have the courage to do it. We need to be unashamed, in any company, to be identified as followers of Jesus. We must not laugh at dalliance with sin or join in behavior that smudges the reputation of our great God.

Lord, may we grow in our faith and in knowledge of truth so we can say with Paul, “to live is Christ, to die is gain”. Amen.

What gave Paul joy? Helping others progress in their faith.
What do mature believers look like? They put aside their own desires for the sake of the gospel, the Kingdom, the church.
How can we shine like stars? By keeping an eternal perspective and conducting ourselves in a manner worthy of His gift of salvation.

Shine Like Stars Week 6 Worksheet