New blog

Hey guys and gals. I just wanted to inform you that I have started a new blog called "The Following Leader" at followingleader.blogspot.com. It will not be anything like eatyourbible.com which focused on daily bible devotions. Instead, this blog will be more concerned with leadership principles in the local church, as well as other random thoughts that God lays on my heart. Looking forward to hearing from you at the new location.

Sy Huffer

Update

For all you eatyourbiblers out there, we are currently figuring out some different administrative issues with the blog. As soon as we know anything, we will let you know. Thank you for all your patience.

Sy

Philippians 1.27-30

Now we come to the climax of this entire introduction to the book of Philippians. We have seen Paul remind the Philippians how they used to partner with him as kingdom citizens in the past, and we have also seen how we displayed three different scenarios that actually advance the gospel if you look at them from the perspective of kingdom citizens.

And now, Paul ends with a bang. This is what he says:

²⁷ Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel ²⁸ without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. ²⁹ For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, ³⁰ since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hearthat I still have.

Did you catch it at the very beginning of the passage?

He said, "Conduct yourselves". 

Does this mean anything to you?

It is going to.

For it is the word, politeuomai, which literally means, "to have one's citizenship". 

It is a word that defined the entire conduct of how one lived their lives. If you belonged to this certain city, this polis, you would conduct your life in a manner consistent with the values and foundations of that city, or people group. 

For instance, I am an Okie from Muskogee. You may have heard the song, "I'm proud to be an Okie from Muskogee, by Merle Haggard. 

The first verse goes like this:

We don't smoke marijuana in Muskogee;
We don't take our trips on LSD
We don't burn our draft cards down on Main Street;
We like livin' right, and bein' free.

Being from Muskogee expects a certain kind of conduct, a certain way to live one's life with an agreed upon set of values that the people from Muskogee adhere to. And the chorus emphasizes this point even more:

I'm proud to be an Okie from Muskogee,
A place where even squares can have a ball
We still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse,
And white lightnin's still the biggest thrill of all

Being a citizen of a certain place expects certain kinds of conduct. 

This is what the word, politeuomai, or "conduct yourself" means. 

Paul is encouraging the church in Philippi to have their citizenship in heaven, to conduct themselves as citizens of that kingdom. 

And look what this will produce:

Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel ²⁸ without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.

All the problems that are going on in the church in Philippi will be solved if they will begin acting like kingdom citizens. 

Their disunity will be done away with, for they will not be selfish like the citizens of this world but selfless like citizens of God's kingdom.

They will not be scared by death, like the citizens of the world, for they are promised a future resurrection. 

And this kind of life shows the citizens of this world that they will be judged for their conduct. 

All of the surface problems in this church are done away with if you just fix the underlying issue, act like citizens of God's kingdom. 

So the question that remains is simply this; What do citizens of God's kingdom act like?

And this is what Paul addresses in the rest of his book to the church in Philippi. 

But today, think about this...am I different or the similar to those around me who aren't Christians. If you are different, that probably means you are living according to the conduct of God's kingdom. If you are similar, it might mean you aren't. 

Philippians 1.18-26

We have looked at two different situations, seeing what it looks like to see things from the perspective of a kingdom citizen. We looked at how being in prison can advance the gospel (1.12-14) and that false motive preaching also advances the Gospel (1.15-18a). Now let's turn to look at whether life or dance advances the Gospel. Let's dig in:

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, ¹⁹ for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ,what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.^[d] 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. ²¹ For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. ²² If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! ²³ I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ,which is better by far; ²⁴ but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. ²⁵ Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, ²⁶ so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.

In this passage, Paul seems like a bipolar junior high cheerleader. He thinks he might get out, but then he thinks he won't, then back and forth. But the key to the entire book of Philippians comes in verse 21. 

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."

This is what Paul lives by.

Our lives are lived for Christ and the advancement of his kingdom, and if we die, it doesn't matter, we get to be with Christ forever. 

So no matter what, whether we live or die, if our lives are offered up to God, he can use us to advance the Gospel. 

There really isn't much else I know to say about this passage. 

The question you have to ask yourself is simply this....Am i living my life in such a way that the Kingdom of God is advanced because of me?

Every thing we spend our money on, everything we waste our time on, it all comes back to this...who am I living for?

Philippians 1.15-17

Yesterday, we saw how having the perspective of kingdom citizens sees situations different than the perspective of this world. I talked about how Paul addresses four different situations that could be seen from different perspectives, and they are as follows:

1. Imprisonment (1.12-14)
2. False Motive Preaching (1.15-17)
3. Life or Death (1.18-26)
4. Suffering (1.27-30)

Yesterday, we saw how according to the perspective of kingdom citizens, Paul's imprisonment has actually served to advance the Gospel, to advance God's kingdom to some very important individuals. Now we are going to look at the second situation and see how we can look at it from a kingdom citizen perspective.

¹⁵ It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. ¹⁶ The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. ¹⁷ The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. ¹⁸ But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

There are two groups addressed here in this passage. The good motive preachers and the bad motive preachers. Apparently there were a group of people preaching about Jesus for their own selfish gain. Paul says that the reason they were preaching was to stir up trouble for Paul while he was in prison. There are two kinds of affliction that he could be talking about.

The first is psychological affliction. These guys could be trying to get a lot of converts while Paul is in prison, making him jealous that they are advancing the kingdom and he isn't. 

The second type of affliction that they could be trying to stir up for Paul is physical affliction. They might think that if they preach about Jesus all over Rome, the Romans will get upset and take out their frustration by beating Paul, the leader of the Christians. 

Basically, these guys really might have some very impure motives about preaching the gospel. There is a reason that they should be brought up. They are preaching about Jesus for their own benefit. 

They are like those TV Evangelists or preachers who just want to get rich off of Jesus. They should be stopped right?

Look at what Paul says:

But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

What?

That's not how I see it.

Yet, we have to look at things from a different perspective. 

The fact of the matter is, if their message is correct, Christ is still being proclaimed. 

Let me ask you a question...if someone accepts Jesus after hearing a sermon from someone who had bad motives, are they saved?

The answer is yes. 

And that is why Paul can say he rejoices when Christ is preached.

This does not mean for us to allow incorrect doctrine or theology to be preached. Paul has some strong words about that in Galatians 1.8-9. But it does mean that if the message is correct, the Gospel is being advanced. 

Yet, this doesn't mean we shouldn't care about our own motives. We see in Philippians 2 that we are told to "Do nothing out of selfish ambition." 

But this is looking at things from a different perspective. 

Philippians 1.12-14

For the last few days, we have looked at how the Philippians have partnered with Paul in the past, by being slaves who love each other self-sacrificially. This reminder of how they used to partner is a strategy hoping that they will continue on partnering with him by being the kind of kingdom citizens that he needs them to be. The next thing that Paul does is he tries to help the Philippians see things from the perspective of a kingdom citizen. He addresses four different situations that to the world seem to hold  back people trying to accomplish something. But Paul's point is that that is seeing things from the wrong perspective. According to God's kingdom, "All things work together for the good of those who love God and who are called according to his purpose", namely, to become like Christ.

These are the four situations that Paul says actually advances the kingdom of God:

1. Being imprisoned (1.12-14)
2. False Motive Preaching (1.15-17)
3. Life or Death (1.18-26)
4. Suffering (1.27-30)

Today, we are going to look at the first one, and we are going to try to see things from the perspective of a citizen of God's kingdom rather than a citizen of any worldly kingdom. 

¹² Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. ¹³ As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard^[b] and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.¹⁴ Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.

So what has happened to Paul that everyone is so up in arms about?

Paul, at this point, is in house arrest in Rome, awaiting to be tried before the Emperor Nero. And each and every day, Nero's personal body guards, kind of like the secret service today, guard Paul until he testifies before the emperor. 

Now to most people, being in prison serves as an obstacle to what they were trying to accomplish. 

Think about it. You get married start a family, and the next thing you know, your spouse is arrested and is put in prison for twenty years. Do you think that this advances their goals in life, or puts them on hold?

Yet for Paul, he says this imprisonment has served to ADVANCE the gospel. This word, "advance", carries with it the idea of a person going in front of the group, chopping and hacking away with a machete at all the obstacles and impediments to the journey. 

He is pioneering, clearing, advancing the purpose of the journey.

And Paul says this is what his imprisonment is doing.

That does not make sense from a worldly perspective, but from a kingdom perspective, this makes perfect sense. 

Verse 13, Paul says that it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard that he is in chains for Christ. The palace guard is the Emperor's personal army. A number of times throughout the history of Rome, these men decide who the next emperor is simply by choosing who they are going to protect. They have a lot of influence. And every single day, Paul is witnessing to them about christ. 

Coincidence? I think not. 

And not only has the message been spread throughout the palace guard, but all of the other brothers have been encouraged to speak more courageously and fearlessly. 

Sometimes as leaders we tend to try to do everything ourselves. We think everything would fall apart unless we take care of everything. 

Yet look at what always happens when we are removed from those areas of concern. God fills the spot. 

Yes, we are all needed to advance God's kingdom, but none of us are indispensable. There is always a better teacher, a better preacher, a better servant, a more equipped person out there to do the service you are doing. 

God will still carry out his mission, yet we are invited to take part in it. 

And that is what is happening with Paul. He is removed from teaching and preaching the word of God, and because of this, others have stepped up to fill the vacancy. 

No matter the circumstance, including imprisonment, God is going to advance his kingdom. 

Philippians 1.3-11

After Friday's LONG post, let me try to bring some pieces together for you guys. There is tension in the church in Philippi. Division is occurring, as well as false teaching. Yet Paul needs this church to partner with him to advance his missionary work. The key for this church to partner with him is to get them to act as true kingdom citizens, to develop the humility that Jesus demonstrated, the humility of a slave. The outline of the book is as follows:

• The Past Partnership of Kingdom Citizens: 1.1-11 
• The Slavery of Kingdom Citizens: Philippians Introduction-1.2 
• The Philippians as Kingdom Citizens: Philippians 1.3-11 
• The Perspective of Kingdom Citizens: Philippians 1.12-30 
•  In chains advances? 1.12-14 
•  False motive preaching advances? 1.15-17 
•  Life or Death Advances? 1.18-26 
•  Suffering Advances? 1.27-30 
• The Examples of Kingdom Citizens: 2.1-30 
•  Jesus as Kingdom Citizen: Philippians 2.1-11 
•  Paul as Kingdom Citizen: Philippians 2.12-18 
•  Timothy and Epaphroditus as Kingdom Citizens: Philippians 2.19-30 
• The Characteristics of Kingdom Citizens 
•  The Definition of Kingdom Citizens: Philippians 3.1-11 
• The Resolution of Kingdom Citizens: Philippians 3.12-4.1 
•  Paul’s Resolution-3.12-14 
•  A Call to Maturity of Resolution-3.15-16 
•  Positive and Negative Examples of Resolution-3.17-19 
•  The Kingdom Citizenship mindset required for Resolution-3.20-21 
• The “Peace” of Kingdom Citizens: Philippians 4.2-9 
•  Peace with Unity-4.2-3 
•  Peace of Heart--4.4-7 
•  Peace of Mind--4.8-9 
• The Future Partnership of Kingdom Citizens: Philippians 4.10-23 

 The first thing that Paul does is reminds the church how the people in the church in Philippi used to partner with Him by being Kingdom citizens.

Look at what he says in his Greeting:

 3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. 

 What Paul emphasizes in thie passage is unity through self sacrifice. Count how many times that he uses the word, "all". It is used five times from verse 3-8. Paul wants them to understand that partnering for the mission of God requires unity in the church. We see Jesus emphasize this in his last prayer to God before he is arrested. Look at what he says:

 John 17.20-21 "My prayer is not for them alone, I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us so that they world may believe that you have sent me."

 Jesus believed that the unity of the church would validify whether or not the world would believe that the Father sent Jesus. This is HUGE!!! And Paul believes that this is a requirement for the Philippians partnering with him in ministry.

 Yet how do they do this? The answer is found in Paul's prayer in verses 9-11.

9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

 The answer...LOVE!!! And not just feeling, but the word for loving someone in spite of what they have done to you. It is self-sacrificial love. This is the answer to unity of the church, for partnering as kingdom citizens. It is to love people the way Jesus did. Namely, by sacrificing himself for the good of others. This is the mark of what it looks like to be a part of God's kingdom. And this is the key for us in carrying out God's ministry here on earth. We are called to partner with all those before us and with us by loving self-sacrificially.

 So my prayer for you today is the same as Paul's... that your love may abound more and more.