Lord's Day April 20 2017

This past Sunday I was in Grace Reformed Baptist Church in Hilperton, Wiltshire.  (See here). I have preached there once before. My sister-in-law and family attend there. They meet in a primary school, It's always difficult to know what to preach in these situations. The family were with me so I wanted to use something they might not remember. Sinclair Ferguson's exploration of Philippians 3 set me thinking of that wonderful book (not that I stole hardly anything) and so I selected a fairly evangelistic sermon on Philippians 3:7-9 for the morning and 4:8 for the evening. They are lovely people and it was good to be there. It was nice to have further fellowship with some after the evening meeting.

Banner UK 2017 Session 6 S Ferguson

Having looked at the conversion of Paul we came tonight to his communion with Christ. He may well be saying in Philippians 3 that he was actually disinherited. He actually knew loss. It is possible to lose something and still highly value it. With Paul he both lost everything and willingly lost it. Here, said Dr Ferguson, Paul homologates (express agreement with or approval of) his loss. He shows a detachment that Calvin expresses as a "contempt for this present life" without despising life itself.

Thomas Chalmers speaks of the "expulsive power of a new affection" that lies behind this great change.

What is to have communion with Christ? Three things

1. Coming to know Christ

This is at the heart of New Covenant faith. In Galatians 4 he speaks of not knowing God and then coming to know him. In the Sermon on the Mount it is not that the false believer is refused entry because he does not know Christ but because Christ does not know him. This is not a reference to election bu the whole idea of being known by Christ. It is the same in Galatians 4.

His use of my Lord in verse 8 is a reminder that this is not really about Paul but about the Lord Jesus, the one to whom every knee shall bow.

If Christ is my Lord then it will show. He must be at the centre of Christian ministry not other things. We must truly be Christ centred.

Here is an encouragement and a challenge then.

2. It is rooted in a communion with Christ that involves being found in him.

This is exepegetical (explanatory) of knowing Christ and being united to him. The being found in him here is for justification. The importance of faith is that it is all of grace. Faith itself is not a contributory factor.
The importance of this is that this righteousness is not in us but in him. It is imputed to us but it remains his. Therefore it cannot be added to or taken away. When we grasp this it delivers us, at a stroke, from the idea that progress in sanctification contributes to our justification.
When we see this we see what an impact the Roman view had on Luther and then what an even greater impact the true Protestant doctrine had.
Luther
"I meditated night and day on those words until at last, by the mercy of God, I paid attention to their context: "The justice of God is revealed in it, as it is written: 'The just person lives by faith.'" I began to understand that in this verse the justice of God is that by which the just person lives by a gift of God, that is by faith. I began to understand that this verse means that the justice of God is revealed through the Gospel, but it is a passive justice, i.e. that by which the merciful God justifies us by faith, as it is written: "The just person lives by faith." All at once I felt that I had been born again and entered into paradise itself through open gates. Immediately I saw the whole of Scripture in a different light."
If we are righteous in Christ we are as righteous as Jesus Christ himself! This is why we boldly approach the eternal throne and make our claims.
3. It means becoming conformed to Christ
10, 11 I want to know Christ – yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
Paul begins with the risen Christ. That is where the Christian life begins. Here he is speaking about the outward change that comes to the Christian (as well as within). There is no suggestion that he is going to contribute anything but he has this idea of greater and greater service and suffering in order to share in the fruit and triumph of Christ. Even in the Old Testament we see it. Take Joseph as an example or Ruth and Naomi. Daniel.
You embrace Christ in his totality,Paul sees. There is an imprinting by the Spirit according to the pattern with the Son. Think of the oil of suffering and glory flowing down from the High Priest's head to the people.
Paul speaks of this too in 2 Corinthians 12 - strength made perfect in weakness. There is not just a strength that comes from being in Christ but a weakness too. 2 Corinthians 4:10-12
We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
There is a cruciformity principle that will produce life in others. Where did Paul learn this? We come back to Stephen. This is the single clearest illustration (apart from Christ himself) of death producing life
We closed with an illustration where a converted Arab recently knelt for baptism (sprinkling) just as others have been seen kneeling to be beheaded. At ordinations the new minister often kneels - again a pointer to our calling.
Once again superb!

Midweek Meeting July 8 2015

I'd thought numbers might be own a bit last night but we weren't too bad even with four or so missing. Two sort of visitors helped. We looked at the final verses in Philippians, which we started back at the end of 2014. It was the twenty fourth in the series. I was not long on these closing verses (4:20-24). It's always good to end with grace. There seemed to be loads of things to pray about including a number prospective new attendees. We'll see.

Midweek Meeting July 1 2015

We had a bumper turn out last night mainly because we had a few students back before they head off on various exploits for the summer. We looked at Philippians 4:10-19 and the matter of giving to others - a cause of joy in the Lord, when opportunity arises, etc, including material on contentedness which is so important. A good time of prayer followed.

Midweek Meeting June 24 2015

We looked at just one verse again last night - Philippians 4:9, Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. In a quite wide ranging presentation I urged us all to take greater advantage of the ministry we receive. We were able to spend a good time in prayer.

Every Chapter 03 - Philippians

In every chapter of Philippians the themes of joy or rejoicing and striving together, sharing or being of the same mind are found.

Chapter 1

4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 18 ... The important thing is that in every way ... Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 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, 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 the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel

Chapter 2

1, 2 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

17, 18 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

28, 29 Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, ....

Chapter 3

1 Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! 

17 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters,

Chapter 4

2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. 

Midweek Meeting June 10 2015

We were a good number last night as we carried on in Philippians 4 looking at verses 4-7. These are well known verses against downheartedness, harshness and anxiety and calling for rejoicing in the Lord, gentleness and prayer. A good prayer time followed. I tried not to end too late as we have a church members meeting tonight. We start at eight and end around 9.30 pm usually. Perhaps 9.15 pm would be a better time. I need to be a bit more snappy with the prayer requests maybe.

Midweek meeting June 3 2015

So it was back to Philippians last night. We looked at the first three verses of Chapter 4. 4:1 in many ways concludes Chapter 3. I notice that the old NIV sets it out in that way but the new NIV puts verses 1-3 together under their own section as I did. It seemed to me that Paul is speaking very personally in these verses and so I sought to speak very personally too about standing firm and being united and working together, pastor and people. As ever there were a stack of things to pray for and we did our best. 

Midweek Meeting May 6 2015

We were a very good number once again last night (about 15) as we ploughed on through Philippians 3, looking this time at verses 10-16. Once again I was struck very much by Paul's total commitment to Christ and the highly positive yet realistic way he sees the Christian life. It is so easy to come adrift but with passages like this one in the Bible there is no reason to do so. We again had an excellent time of prayer, with a good balance of requests and thanksgivings. It is always good to be with God's people, especially to pray. We prayed about the election, of course, but lots of other things big and small too.

Midweek Meeting March 18 2015

Rather behind with this but we did meet on Wednesday - about 15 of us all told. We had a decent time of prayer and I spoke from the end of Philippians 2 on Timothy and Epaphroditus as outstanding examples to us. It is quite a challenge. I asked seven searching questions

1. Do you have a genuine concern for the welfare of your fellow Christians?

2. Do you put Jesus Christ's interests above your own?

3. Are you proving yourself by serving with others in the work of the gospel?

4. Are you ready to be a co-worker and fellow soldier to your brothers, caring for any in need?

5. Do you long for other believers and are you distressed if they are anxious at all?

6. Does it gladden your heart to see your faithful fellow believer and do you honour such people?

7. Are you willing to risk your life for the good of your fellow believers?

Our lives are so cosy it is hard to enter the spirit of these questions.

Midweek Meeting March 4 2015

A good number gathered last night for prayer and further studies in Philippians 2. We looked at verses 16b-18 and the rewards and demands of the Christian ministry. I always feel a little awkward when we come to these sort of verses. Paul was very frank, however. Perhaps it is a failure to think biblically about judgement and other matters that is the problem. My two main points were

1. Christian ministry has its reward – future boasting but it demands great effort

2. Christian ministry demands great sacrifice but it has its reward – present gladness and joy

Midweek Meeting February 11 2015

Numbers were down just a little but we had another good time of prayer and we looked at the next bit of Philippians 2, that is 14-16a, which includes one of the hardest verses in the Bible - Do everything without complaining (or grumbling) or arguing! It is surprising what an emphasis Paul puts on it. As it is something of a national pastime several of us felt quite convicted. Nearly everyone prayed. What a great thing a prayer meeting is!

Midweek Meeting February 4 2015

Another good session with around 15 present. We just looked at two verses, Philippians 2:12, 13. It is one of those rare places where the sovereignty of God and human responsibility are highlighted in the same place. I took opportunity to quote Jim Packer and others on the subject as well as expounding the text as best as I could. Always lots to pray about on the local and worldwide stages.

Midweek Meeting January 21 2015

Another good and varied number gathered last night and we had a good time of prayer preceded by our study of Philippians 2:6-8. These are familiar words but it was good to remind ourselves once again of the amazing condescension of Christ in coming to this earth in the way that he did. How it magnifies the grace of God and his greatness. Such knowledge should lead us not only to worship but to deny ourselves and put others first. We began with At the name of Jesus which is a fine hymn with a fine tune.

Midweek Meeting November 26 2014

I wasn't quite well yesterday but well enough to get along to the midweek meeting where a good crowd gathered to pray and to look together at Philippians 1:27-30. I made four practical points -

1. Conduct yourselves as citizens worthy of the gospel

2. Stand and fight in one spirit as one man for the faith of the gospel

3. Do not be frightened by those who oppose you

4. Count it a privilege not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for him

Lots to pray for near and far as ever.

Midweek Meeting November 19 2014

We were a little lower in numbers tonight than of late only just creeping into double figures. We were looking at reasons to be cheerful from Philippians 1:19-26. That and the prayer time seemed to go off quite well I guess. We have a members meeting for November 20 so I tried not to keep people too late. The seven reasons to be cheerful are above.

Midweek Meeting November 12 2014

Pier Francesco Sacchi, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Everything's been behind this week for some reason. Anyway we had a good session last Wednesday meeting to pray and to look at Philippians 1:12-18. We were the usual sort of number but older and more male dominated than last week and with a newcomer, who I hope felt welcome among us. My four points were
1. Recognise that sometimes what appears to be a reverse will turn out to be an advance
2. If we take a stand for the Lord it may encourage others to be more bold3
3. Sometimes if we take a stand and are successful some will envy us and compete with us
4. If someone else takes a stand and is successful, don't envy them or compete with them

Midweek Meeting November 5 2014

The fireworks outside were not too disturbing and we had a good time together. We were 12 again plus me, although we could have been more - six men, six women, six under 30 and six over, I guess. We carried on with Philippians, looking at 1:6-11 and talking about confidence in each other and praying for each other. I really feel at this stage that I am getting it grips with Paul's letters. For a long time it has seemed to me that the various letters are quite distinct but as I keep going over them I have begun to see that the same man is clearly behind them all and he has the same concerns always but expresses himself in different ways in different circumstances. We seemed to have a tone of things to pray for and made good progress on some of the items.

Midweek Meeting October 29 2014

We were quite a select group last night, as I thought we might be. I did thinking of doing a one off but I wanted to get on with Philippians so I just pressed on with the first five verses. You can never predict who will be there on any given Wednesday so it makes sense. Starting off on one of Paul's letters is always slightly difficult as he says similar things in most of them. There are lessons to learn, however. Perhaps the most obvious one was the need to see ourselves as Christ's servants - as Paul clearly did. A good prayer time followed - lots to pray about, as ever.

 

Carey 08

The final session, chaired by Phil Heaps, was given over to a sermon from Steven Curry (formerly in Ballymoney but now pastoring in Bangor). Steven should have spoken last year but was unwell. Typically thorough, clear and warm he took us to Philippians 2 (an adapted Christmas sermon perhaps) and made the following helpful five points. If we are to go on in the ministry in the footsteps of Jesus as true servants of God then

1. We should have an attitude that surrenders position for the sake of the people of God
2. We should have an attitude that serves submissively in obedience to God
3. We should have an attitude that patiently waits in humility to be exalted in due time by God
4. We should have an attitude that puts first the cause of God
5. We should have an attitude that is motivated by the glory of God