Review of/Introduction to Scripture reading:

As we’re all aware, of course, Jason and I have been looking with you into the Scriptures in order to see what it tells us about serving God and about serving one another for the purpose of being built up profitably and for the nurturing of the Spirit driven unity that God has so perfectly provided to us.

In the first week we began by first understanding what the primary purpose and responsibility each one of us has as a member of the Church body; prayer and the preaching of the Word of God, the Gospel. We also saw that our joint participation in the Gospel produces a self-evident source of thankfulness, joy, confidence, and core desire for one another in sincere love.

Last week we examined the work and the attitude produced among the saints through their service. Reading of the selfless and willful sharing of possessions to meet the needs of the saints was an incredible model, I think, of a positive attitude from a heart filled with a sincere love. Having said that, however, what I personally haven’t been able to shake out of my mind all week, what jumped out to me so powerfully, was the story of Tabitha in Acts 9:36-39. Those weren’t simply “tunics and other garments” sowed together to accommodate modesty or keep warm. What the widows showed Peter was Tabitha’s love for them. That love had shape, form, color, smell, and purpose. It was tangible, it was physical, it was real! That was a love that Tabitha was able to give, through the talent and heart given her by the Spirit, which could be smelt, looked at, touched, enjoyed, shown as a true witness and testimony of her heart attitude towards the widows.

Also, please keep in mind with me WHO it was that showed Peter the clothing; widows! If we’re paying attention then this fact should speak volumes to us. 7 deacons had been selected to minister to the needs of the widows, but it was Tabitha’s work among them that we’re reading about 3 chapters later! Beyond a very quick reference to “the seven”, the first 7 deacons are never mentioned again within the context of their initial charge. Of course, Steven and Philip are mentioned later, but in a completely different context. As a matter of fact, Philip wasn’t later called “the deacon” or “the minister to the widows” in Acts 21:8 when “the seven” was referenced again. He was called “the evangelist”.

With that review fresh in our minds, what we’re going to read about today is Paul’s defined ministry to the saints at Philippi, to give them ample cause for glory in Jesus Christ, and his placing this outcome above his own desires for himself.

Scripture Reading  Text:

Philippians 1:20-26

Lessons from text:

Paul begins with two statements and to these everything that follows relates directly back. In this we learn at least 4 things, that is:

1.       Life in the flesh is work for the outcome of God’s will

2.       Our hope is not that our work will produce reward for us in the flesh; it’s for reward at the death of the flesh

3.       We aren’t to see death as the release from work but as the arrival of our hope after our labors have been fully completed

(Please pay careful attention to this last one and be sure to think about it carefully)

4.       We may be pushed forward by the hope of our reward, but we’re pulled by the hope of others

Application/Conclusion:

I’d like to urge us to this:

Let’s not set our minds to looking for ways to enjoy ourselves, to finding personal comfort or to simply having fun. Let’s not allow that to be our beacon. Let it be enough to know without a doubt that these very things and more will flow naturally and of their own accord through the outpouring of the Father’s love for us. Let’s always keep in mind that God is the perfect provider.

He knows our every need and proper pleasure and has a desire to meet them. His desire for us, his children, is love exemplified (attested to).

Let’s prayerfully look to the Lord to understand the needs and the proper pleasures of our brothers and sisters and willfully seek with determination to meet them.