Lesson 1 -- Put the Gospel First

Lesson 2 -- Let the Gospel Shape Your Life

Lesson 3 -- Look at How the Gospel Has Shaped the Lives of Christian Leaders

(Note: Subject headings are taken from D. A. Carson, Basics for Believers. This is an excellent commentary on Philippians that looks at all significant textual matters but keeps the focus on practical, theological application of this letter.)

In imitating other Christians, it is not a question whether we will learn, but what will we learn, and from whom?

Imitate those who are interested in the well-being of others, not their own (2:19-21)

• this continues the theme of self-denial Paul has been teaching throughout this letter (esp v. 21)
• Timothy is a servant (22)
• are you the kind of Christian who serves when you will be noticed? Or are you content to quietly go about your business, loving, serving, and teaching others?
• Epaphroditus is a servant; he cared for Paul's needs (25); he risked his life in serving the Lord and is an example of setting the needs of others in Christian service ahead of your own (26-30)
• People like these are to be honored and imitated because of their faith that has been grown through hardship

Imitate those who have confidence in Jesus Christ and the gospel, not themselves (3:1-9)

• reminders of faith are good
• even though Paul had reasons to be confident in himself, he found his confidence only in the gospel
• Knowledge of Christ, gaining Christ; these things are where Paul finds worth; righteousness from faith

Imitate those who are growing spiritually, not those who are stagnating (3:10-16)

• maturity recognizes that the goal of Christian life is constant forward movement into Christ-likeness (imitating Christ; awaiting resurrection) while remaining grounded in our faith

Imitate those who await Jesus' return, not those who dwell on earthly things (3:17-21)

• transformation and heavenly things; not earthly things
• the kind of mature Christianity we ought to desire and live out is focused on imitating Jesus and awaiting his return; we are focused on heavenly things

Perhaps, by growing in faith, we can become those whose lives will be imitated by others...

Lesson 1 -- 1:1-26 -- Put the Gospel First

Philippians 1:27-2:18 -- Let the Gospel Shape Your Life

We interpret letters contextually, by looking at them paragraph-by-paragraph. Usually, as we are used to, a paragraph begins with a leading thought and then the rest of the paragraph expands on that thought. Each paragraph typically builds on what comes before. In this lesson, we'll see a lot of overlap with the rest of chapter 1.

We are called not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for him (1:27-30)

• Christian conduct is a natural outflow of putting the gospel first because that outlook overcomes whatever obstacles may be in front of us ("whatever happens")
• This is an encouragement to live up to the calling we are called to in the gospel (the exhortations to put the gospel first in chapter 1)
• The goal is to stand firm in the Spirit and strive together for the gospel without being afraid of the opposition (cf. 1:14; continue living this way!)
• The opposition will be real, and they will have to suffer, like Christ (cf. 2:5-8), while being obedient and advancing the gospel
• Notice that the call to suffer has been "granted" to the believers! Suffering for Christ is a honorable thing
• Salvation has been gained by Jesus' suffering on our behalf; our discipleship is demonstrated by our suffering on his behalf (Carson)

We are called to not only experience the gospel but also to live it out (2:1-11)

• If you have experienced these things in the gospel, then you must live out the implications of this experience; if we have experienced these things from others, we must share them with others in turn (not takers only, but also givers)
• This also includes what it means to live in a manner worthy of the gospel
• This includes more practical implications for how to live a self-denying life for others (2:3-4; cf. 1:18b-26)
• We are called to have the attitude of Christ in our relationships with others (2:5ff; cf. 2:3-4)
• Christ's self-denial, humility, and obedience are the examples for us, leading up to the exaltation, which is the goal for us--the promise of eternal life that makes sense of suffering for Christ

We are called to not only begin the life of faith but also to finish it (2:12-18)

• Christianity is not something that happens one time (baptism) and then we sit back and wait for the reward (cf. connection between 2:9-11 and the obedience mandated)
• Obedience is expected, but our obedience combines with God's work within us to accomplish his purpose (2:12-13)
• Keep that purpose firmly in view, so that how you live, and your steadfastness to the end, will mean something and might even be convicting (2:14-16)
• Living in this way is another way that we live a life worthy of the gospel (cf. 2:16); the perseverance of obedience is characterized by contentment (14-15); by the validation of the work of mature Christian leaders (16); and by the recognition of that work of discipleship that mature Christian leaders have poured into you, and that you begin to pour into others (17-18; Paul's sacrifice is his work among them, and as they grow spiritually they reflect the character of his work among them)

Sermon notes that will help you think about worship ahead of Sunday.

Amos 8 and Romans 12:1-2

Our culture teaches us to be consumers, to ask "What's in it for me?" If something doesn't suit us, we move on.

• brand loyalty is gone
• sound bytes rule the day, trying to catch us with a pithy saying rather than substance (politics)
• even in the workplace, workers are encouraged to view themselves as "free agents" who go to the next best thing

This WIIFM mentality creeps even into the church, creating a breed of spiritual consumers who go "church shopping."

• brand loyalty has disappeared when it comes to churches
• churches are often in a situation where they must compete with bigger, more attractive churches or get used to becoming smaller and smaller
• spirituality and growth and maturity are not seen as signs of health, but bigger buildings, larger attendance, newer ministries and growing budgets are seen as the signs of success

Meanwhile, the result is that no roots are put down by people, no consistency is established, and much time and money is spent in the Kingdom of God not growing or advancing the kingdom, but competing within the kingdom for attendance and budgets.

The greater loss is in the life of the people who claim to follow God but are really using God to benefit themselves. Rather than serving God and others with the giftedness God has given them, they selfishly use other people and other churches for their own use and then discard them when they are done.

Although this spiritual consumerism approach is a major problem for us today, it is not unique to us. If we look all the way back in the Old Testament, in Amos, we see that many operated the same way.

• During Amos' time, the nation of Israel was strong and prosperous. They had every reason to believe they would be successful and that their success was because God was blessing them. This led them to pride...and to sin, because the blessings continued even as small sins crept in, which gave way to more sin, until outright disdain for God became the norm.
• Let us not forget that the path to impurity begins small...then grows, until we are so far gone we don't realize it. And though many of us would say that honoring and worshiping God is important to us, how many of us would find ourselves asking the same questions as the Israelites?

• When will the New Moon be over so we may sell grain?
• When will the Sabbath be done so we can market wheat?
• When will Bible study be over so I can return this phone call?
• When will church be over so I can get to lunch?
• When will this sermon be done so I can get to the football game?

• In Israel's case, the people were like ripe fruit, they were ready to be judged (1-2).

• Amos identifies the reason as this: they abused and neglected the poor and needy (4).
• Even worse, they did this for their own benefit, and at God's expense (5-6)--they skimped on the measure, they boosted the price by cheating with dishonest scales, taking advantage of the poor and breaking the law (selling the sweepings; no gleaning possible) to do so.

• As a result, there would be punishment. God promised to bring a famine, but not a famine of food or water. Instead, he would bring a famine of his word. God would be absent to them; there would be no guidance, no leading word from him.

This passage is a passage that demands we ask of ourselves what true and pure worship is. How do we see ourselves in this?

• Do we view worship in a technical and transactional way? 5 acts; focus on attendance; etc., as though when we do these things, God is happy, regardless of how we live our lives, so that we believe our grudges, prejudices, and sinful behaviors and attitudes towards people are okay because we have pleased God?
• Or we view worship more in a way in line with Paul's teaching in Romans 12 about a transformed life, offering ourselves as living sacrifices to God?
• How we treat people matters. How we worship God matters. 
• Let us take the "sweepings of our lives," not selling them to the highest bidder to enhance our own lives, but to give back to God, to leave them for others, to offer ourselves to God in our very lives, to make ourselves sacrifices for the sake of others.
• Let us hear the word of judgment this morning and repent, and allow it to become a word of hope. Not hope for ourselves, but hope for others, as we end the God-famine they are experiencing by graciously sharing from God's abundance with them.

These are some sermon notes that will help you begin thinking ahead to Sunday's sermon.

Genesis 27:1-4, 15-23 and 28:10-17 God's Purpose in All Things
God's ways are not our ways, so one solution to "figuring out" God is to give up and not even try to understand him. This leads to some severe misunderstandings.

• Some look at God's will and ask questions about how we can ever understand or know it.

• many look at God's will improperly, either as a "health and wealth" scenario, in which nothing bad will happen to those who claim to follow God (whether their lives actually line up with biblical principles or not); or as a very narrow path that is difficult to find and even trickier to stay on.

• Others assume that God rewards exceptional Christians, and the rest of us who are not able to live up to the images of those "exceptional" Christians we see at church are just on our own.

But God's will is seen in how he guides history and his people to fulfill his promises. God uses imperfect people to accomplish his will of blessing all nations.

• Jacob's story
• Not the heir, but through trickery and deception becomes the heir (27:1-4, 15-23)
  
  • Is sent away for his own safety (27:41-44)
  • The dream (28:10-17)
  • As a result, Jacob learns God (28:16-17)
  • In this dream, we see both God's intent to keep the promise made to Abraham and God's personal commitment to Jacob
  • the promise comes (past)
  • to an imperfect person (present)
  • and the promise will be fulfilled (future)
  • this is how God works!

In the gospel, the same promise and commitment is made to us!

• In our story this morning, the stairway represents access to God. Angels ascended and descended from the earth to heaven, mediating the presence of God to Jacob. In John 1:50-51, Jesus picks up on this idea but describes *himself* as the stairway! HE is the one providing access to God! God is known through him! He is the Savior of the world!
• In the gospel, the promise is fulfilled--redemption is offered, and God's people will be enabled to be a blessing to all nations through and as the body of Christ.
• Christ's death provides us access to God and his resurrection vindicates him and defeats all enemies, all sin, all barriers existing between us and God...we have pure access to God.
• In Christ, we have access to the Spirit of God...which is his pledge, his commitment to us made manifest by his own Spirit. We come to know God through Christ.

Know God, be encouraged by God's plan and his faithfulness to both his plan and to his people, and stand firm!

Sacrifice is a theme that is common in our culture:

• joining the military is seen as a noble pursuit in which one sacrifices for the greater good; and wartime sacrifice is seen as one of the highest forms of sacrifice that can be given
• others use the idea of sacrifice to describe how they climbed the career ladder...sometimes leaving a trail of broken relationships, and broken families, behind
• in sports, the idea of sacrifice is used to describe someone who makes a heroic play, or who "sacrifices their body" to stop a play

But in our religious lives, sacrifice is more often given lip service than done.

• we know that our faith is founded on a sacrifice--Jesus
• we know that Jesus called for sacrifice among his followers--deny self, pick up a cross, follow him
• we know that the early church sacrificed by giving financially (Acts 4-5; 2 Cor 8-9) or by giving of their very lives in martyrdom (apostles, early Christians)

When we look around at contemporary Christianity, we seem to have taken a view that says, "All that was necessary to get things started, to provide the offer of salvation, but we've evolved from that," as if sacrifice and testing is something God used to demand but no longer does. We look for a Christianity of comfort.

• we have our meetings, our potlucks, our church activities...and then we go home
• we count attendance and contributions
• we say about mission work that it is for other people whom God calls...and we just happen to not be among the called
• we consider sacrifices to be made by those who give time to come back for Sunday evening and Wednesday meetings

But in the Bible, sacrifice is always presented as the "norm" for believers in Jesus. Testing is an active part of faith. If God's own Son had the singular purpose of being a sacrifice for our sin, and he calls his followers to follow in his very steps, can we really expect anything less than to be called to sacrifice in our own lives? The things we claim as sacrifices today--giving of a little time; attending an extra meeting--that actually sacrifice nothing are mockeries of the gospel. We are called to more: to give of our very selves, to give up ourselves to be shaped by Jesus. To be tested in our faith, to sacrifice something, to leave our idols behind, is to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, and to find our hope realized fully in him.

Sacrifice as a reality for followers of God goes back even before Jesus. In fact, it goes back to the beginning of the Israelites, to Abraham, who had to sacrifice his ties to his own family, to leave behind his household gods and his family, and head out towards an unknown destination at the call of a God he hardly knew, on the basis of a promise he would never see fulfilled.

• God promised to make Abraham a great nation through whom all nations in the world would be blessed (Gen 12:1-3)
• This promise began to be fulfilled when Isaac was born (Gen 21:1-3)
• But soon, God would put Abraham to the test...and demand a sacrifice to determine whether Abraham's faith was in God to fulfill his own promise, or in himself to protect the promise and his lineage (22:1-19)

Notice the qualities of this test, of this sacrifice demanded by God:

• it included the sacrifice of the very promise God made to Abraham itself--if Isaac died, how would the promise be fulfilled?
• it included the son Abraham loved--note the progression: your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac (2)
• but Abraham unquestionably met this test head on--he obeyed; he was willing to let go of the idolatry of his love for his son, of his notions that he knew best how to bring God's promise and plan to fulfillment, of his need to control the relationship with God
• he obeyed

It is in Abraham's obedience and sacrifice that he passes the test before him. God still demanded sacrifice, but in providing the ram, God proves himself to be the provider...and he blessed Abraham because of his sacrifice made. Abraham was blessed as the result of the test.

We see this theme--blessing from testing--carried forward in the Bible.

• the people of God, tested in the wilderness, led to the blessing of the promised land
• King David, tempted through a sinful adulterous relationship with Bathsheba, blessed after repentance
• the people of God, tested through exile, sacrificing to learn a new way of life with God apart from the promise of land and temple, blessed with restoration and hope through the words of the prophets and a return to the land
• in the gospel itself, with Jesus -- as Paul says in Philippians 2, he had to undergo humiliation first, and after the humiliation of the cross came his exaltation
• in Jesus' words to his followers in Mark 8 that whoever wants to save their life will lose it but whoever loses their life for his sake and for the gospel will save it
• in the promise of eternal life given to believers, as Paul writes to Timothy that everyone who desires to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted...but that life will be rewarded with the joy and the glory of life eternal

God brings blessing from testing.

• What test are you undergoing right now?
• What sacrifice is God demanding of you?
• What blessing will he give you at the end of this journey?

So let testing come. Let sacrifice be demanded. Let us not shy away from sacrifice, but let us instead challenge ourselves: When God demands a sacrifice, when that test comes, will you obey?

Put the Gospel First

How influenced are we by the gospel? Does it shape our lives? Are we transformed by it? Or do we want (or know) just enough to ensure our salvation but not enough to actually convert (or transform) our lives?

For Paul, the gospel was everything...

(Outline is from D.A. Carson's book on Philippians.)

1. Put the fellowship of the gospel at the center of your relationships with believers (1:3-8)

• he gives thanks as he remembers them (3)
• he prays with joy over the partnership they share in the gospel (4-5)
• • this partnership leads to spiritual progression and maturity (6)
• they share in God's grace together (7)
• he longs for them with the affection of Christ (8)
• what binds them together is the gospel, not their activities, or friendships, or whatever; although those are important, Paul wants them to keep the gospel central
• Q: how do you view your fellow believers? what do you talk about? 

2. Put the priorities of the gospel at the center of your prayer life (1:9-11)

• for their love to abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight (i.e., into how to practice mature love)
• to discern what is best and to be pure and blameless for the day of Christ
• to be filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Christ
• Q: how is Paul's prayer different than our typical prayers? How is the gospel front and center to Paul's prayer?

3. Put the advance of the gospel at the center of your life (1:12-18a)

• Paul uses his current (bad) circumstances for the glory of God (12-14)
• • what happened to him advanced the gospel -- this is what matters
• He focuses on what matters--that Christ is preached--not the motivation of his opponents (15-18)
• Q: what is most important to you? 
• Q: what interests do you spend the most time advancing?
• Q: what Christian things/issues do you spend the most time on?

4. Put the converts of the gospel at the center of your principled self-denial (1:18b-26)

• Paul looks at the dire circumstances of his life and longs to be with Jesus but stays on for their benefit
• his whole life is committed to the growth of his converts (esp 22-26)
• • he decides things based on them
  • he denies his own gains for their sake
• Q: how often do we make decisions based on what would be best for our church? our fellow believers? Christians or new disciples we've worked closely with? vs. making decisions based on what is best for us?

Following Christ and living by the gospel requires a whole life commitment.

I've always been cross-disciplinary and eclectic in my approach to study and learning, reading widely and incorporating insights from diverse areas into ministry and preaching applications.

One of the must fruitful areas I've mined for help with preaching is the area of narrative writing/screenwriting. Books in this genre are focused on story and telling a tight, narratively driven story. In my opinion, the best sermons are those that follow a narrative "plot."

Many preaching books indicate that this approach is the best way to preach to postmoderns and millenials. One good example is John Wright's Telling God's Story.These books come from a theological perspective that is often heavy on theory but not always in praxis. So I turned to books about the writing process, specifically screenwriting, to learn how I might take a narrative idea and "plot" it out narratively.

I've learned much from this process, which I've been undergoing for the last 3-4 years. My preaching has improved. My sermons have a tighter focus. It's easier to write sermons, focusing on the classic narrative approach of problem, escalation, solution. For my sermons, I introduce conflict, escalate the conflict, introduce the gospel, and apply it. Eugene Lowry touches on some of this, but not to the extent that I have been helped by actual writers.

These are the top 3 books I recommend for you to read. These books will help you learn dramatic structure, pacing, and plot in practical ways, with which you can take your theology and speak a fresh word to your church.

• Robert McKee, Story. This book is one of the seminal books in the screenwriting field. Its reach is wide and McKee has influenced the storytelling of writers who have written for many popular shows and movies. He breaks down the essence of what makes a good story and even includes some ideas on how to write. I've tried his writing method and found it too time consuming for me for weekly preaching but the information in this book is outstanding.
• Christopher Vogler, The Writer's Journey. Joseph Campbell published an important book of mythology called The Hero With a Thousand Faces. This book was about the hero's journey, which is a common theme to much mythology, as well as many contemporary stories. Vogler took Campbell's book as a foundation and expanded on it for writers by breaking down the mythic structures that Campbell discussed in an academic way. This book provides a wealth of insight into understanding the structure of some of the Bible's stories but also in structuring stories. This book is most helpful when you have a clear application and can work backwards to find a suitable structure.
• Peter David, Writing for Comics & Graphic Novels. Peter David is comic book writer and a novelist. This book has excellent concise chapters about conflict and plot and story structure. When we approach sermons as more than lectures but as events that do something, then the importance of wrestling with the conflicts that everyday people wrestle with comes into focus.