TORREY BIBLE CONFERENCE SPECIAL MESSAGE
by Dr. W illiam F. Kerr Pastor, Casenovia Park Baptist Church, Buffalo, N ew York
P hilippians is a letter of gratitude expressing the apos tle’s thanks to the church at Philippi for their sup port of him in his ministry. For though in all other instances the apostle endeavored to earn his own support, yet in his relationship to the Philippians he made an exception. They had been kind, affectionate, and generous toward him, and he was deeply grateful to them for their love and liberality. This sentiment he expresses in these words: “Now ye Philippians know also, that in the be ginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity” (4:15, 16). Be cause of this mutual respect and love, this letter is much more personal in character than a teaching epistle. In fact, there is in this letter only one doctrinal section, and that is used only to make a practical application (2: 5-8). Its theme is joy and exultation (4:10). The letter may be divided into four easy sections. 1. Christ Our Provision, Philippians 1:1-30 The tender concern for others and the innate quality of courtesy which Paul possessed is seen from his greet ings to the Philippians. He does not identify himself as an apostle, but because Timothy was associated with him, he simply calls himself a servant (1:1). The very con cept, indeed, of service and servitude characterizes the letter. Paul and Timothy are servants (1:1); Christ is a servant (2 :7 ); the Philippians are also to serve (2:17). The extent of the provision which God had made for them is suggested in the confidence which Paul expresses that He who had begun a good work in them, would also “ perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (1:6). And having provided salvation for them, God will also an swer Paul’s prayer that they be “ filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ” (1:11). God’s provision also takes into account the impris onment which Paul is suffering and utilizes it for “ the furtherance of the gospel” (1:12). Christ is being preached, by some from unworthy motives, by others out of love, but however preached, the result of the gospel is the salvation of men (1:13-18). This state of affairs leads Paul to express his inner most desire to go home to be with Christ (1:19-24). But though desirous of going home, he nevertheless feels the need of Continuing with them for “ their furtherance and joy of faith” (1:25). Jn the meantime he exhorts them to live for Christ in such a way that their salvation will be demonstrated, and, if necessary, also to suffer for Him. In all these things, Christ will provide their needs. The modern-day believer should be in full agreement with
such admonitions. Or have we reached that place in the soft approach to our faith that we no longer want to suffer on Christ’s behalf? 2. Christ Our Pattern, Philippians 2:1-30 One principle of Christian living will help us to face worthily every circumstance of life, whether it be joy or sorrow, tragedy or triumph, victory or defeat, and that is humble submission to God’s will (w . 1-4). The classic example of such an attitude has been furnished to us by Christ (w . 5-8). Having every right by virtue of per sonal dignity and position to- claim exemption from the demands of suffering or service, He yet humbled Him self, and became a bond-slave to do God’s will, even to the point of death on the cross. We likewise must be motivated by this same principle and count all things but loss in order to gain Christ. Out of this humility and self-emptying came Christ’s ultimate exaltation, and we are to let the mind of Christ possess us to the same ends, that God may in due time also exalt us (2:9-11). As we walk in the way of Christian humility, and find that Paul has already covered great distances along the same road, we shall rejoice in the privilege of being companions with Him Two fundamental ideas are emphasized by Paul in this section: joy, which is the believer’s possession in Christ (w . 1-3), and the need of constant striving for practical sanctification in the believer’s life (vv. 7-21). This striving to do the Master’s will and to be found in the righteousness of Christ should characterize every believer (vv. 4-14). We should live our lives as citizens of heaven although walking upon earth, and we should look earnestly for the day of Christ’s return (vv. 15-21). 4. Christ Our Peace, Philippians 4:1-23 To help them continue in joyous striving for perfec tion in the Saviour’s will and work, Paul urges the Phil ippians on to steadfastness in the Lord. They must know Him who is the peace of God, even Jesus Christ. A life indwelt and controlled by Him will be careful or anxious for nothing, and will tranquilly rest in that “ peace of God, which passeth all understanding” (v. 7). Like the quiet spot in the eye of a hurricane, so will the Christian be amidst all the tempests of life, content to rest in the place the Lord gives him. What contentment is in store for the believer who finds that peace amidst all the pressures of life, Christ is our sufficiency and our source of power and peace (vv. 11, 12)! in the service for Christ (2:17-30). 3. Christ Our Power, Philippians 3:1-21
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FEBRUARY, 1963
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