The PRIMACY of God in Faith and Suffering (Philippians 1:29-30)

We have taken 5 weeks to complete Philippians chapter 1. Thank God. We will go on to the meat or center of Philippians in chapter 2 when Paul focuses on the utmost importance of unity and humility in the church. Stay tuned.

The title of my sermon this morning, "The Primacy of God in Faith and Suffering," might seem odd and unusual. But I like the phrase "The Primacy of God," because it emphasizes that God is ALWAYS primary in everything, never man. "Primacy" means "the fact of being primary, preeminent, or more important." When we see God as the primary mover, God enables us to be theocentric (God-centered) and Christocentric (Christ-centered). Otherwise, we become anthropocentric (man-centered).

So, another reason I like the phrase "The Primacy of God," is because we tend to study the Bible anthropologically, a recent new "favorite" word of mine. We study the Bible by emphasizing man, rather than God. We emphasize what man must do, rather than what God has done or is doing. We emphasize through preaching and teaching that man must believe, which is biblically true. But the Bible shows us that a man believing in God is not/never primary. Rather, a man believing in God is always secondary to God giving him the gift of faith--the ability/power to believe in God. Phil 1:29 says, "it has been granted to you...to believe..." This simply means that we believe because God gave us the gift of faith. Thus, my title is "The Primacy of God in Faith." The same is true in regard to suffering for Christ. We do not necessarily choose to suffer (do you?), but that God gave us the gift of suffering. Thus, "The Primacy of God in Suffering."

Indeed, God gave us 2 very special gifts. We like gifts, don't we? What are these 2 very special gifts? As mentioned above, they are the gift of faith and the gift of suffering. Please think that faith is not just me believing in God, but that it is a gift from God. Please think also that suffering is not simply my/your choice, but that it is a gift from God. Let's think about the primacy of God in these 2 most special gifts from God: faith and suffering.

Philippians 1:29-30; Key Verse: Phil 1:29

"For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him."

One sentence sums up Phil 1:21-30: "Die is gain, yet I live a life worthy of the gospel to believe and to suffer for Christ."

1. Die is Gain (Phil 1:21-24).
2. Yet I Live (Phil 1:25-26).
3. A Life Worthy of the Gospel (Phil 1:27).
4. To Believe and to Suffer for Christ (Phil 1:28-30).

I. Die Is Gain (Phil 1:21-24). Phil 1:21 is a short, catchy verse. But what does it mean? It is to:

• Live for the glory of God (1 Cor 10:31), not for my own benefit.
• Want to know Jesus (Phil 3:10), by reading/reflecting on the Bible regularly (Ps 1:2).
• Love God (Dt 6:5), not the world (1 Jn 2:15-17).
  
• Tell others about Jesus (Mk 16:15), no matter what the cost or sacrifice.
• Look forward to death, because it is "better by far" (Phil 1:23).
  

II. Yet I Live (Phil 1:25-26). No Christian can be happy/victorious without progress, joy and confidence. Paul is not inward focused on himself, but he wants to live an outward focused life for others. Specifically, he wants to live for:

1. The progress of their faith (Phil 1:25; 1 Tim 4:15).
   
2. The joy of their faith (Phil 1:25; Jn 15:11; 1 Th 5:16).
3. Their confidence/boasting/glory/joy in Christ because of him (Phil 1:26, 6, 3:3; Job 27:6; Acts 24:16; 1 Cor 4:4; 2 Cor 1:12, 4:2 1 Jn 2:28, 3:21).
   

III. Gospel Life: A Life Worthy of the Gospel (Phil 1:27)

Phil 1:27 is an ethical exhortation or imperative. How can a Christian live a life worthy of the gospel of Christ? This is the ABCDE of living a life worthy of the gospel:

1. Attitude: Live as a citizen of the kingdom of God.
   
2. Behavior: Blameless (Tit 1:6). Above reproach (1 Tim 3:2). No fear (Phil 1:28).
   
3. Character, constancy, consistency, Christ-like: Integrity.
   
4. Doctrine: To live in accordance with the gospel we must know what exactly is the gospel.
   
5. Ethos, expression, experience: Who are you at your very core?
   

Do you live a Gospel Life? Is the gospel just head knowledge? Is your heart grounded in the Gospel? Does the Gospel define who you are and inform all areas of your life, including your emotions? Do you live a life worthy of the Gospel?

IV. To Believe and to Suffer for Christ (Phil 1:28-30): The Primacy of God in Faith and Suffering

In Phil 1:29 Paul clearly teaches us the primacy of God in that faith in Christ and suffering for Christ are gifts from God.

1. Faith is a Gift from God (Eph 2:8; 1 Jn 4:19, 5:1; 1 Cor 3:6, 12:3; Jn 6:44; Ac 16:14; 2 Cor 3:18; 1 Pet 4:11). These 9 verses all point to the primacy of God in faith (and in all of life):

• Eph 2:8: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God."
• 1 Jn 4:19: "We love because he first loved us."
  
• 1 Jn 5:1: "Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God..."
• I Cor 3:6: "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow."
• 1 Cor 12:3: "...no one can say, 'Jesus is Lord,' except by the Holy Spirit."
• Jn 6:44: "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them..."
• Ac 16:14: "The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message."
• 2 Cor 3:18: "And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
• 1 Pet 4:11: "If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen."

2. Faith is a Necessary Responsibility (Mk 11:22; Jn 14:1-2; Heb 11:6; Ac 16:31; Mt 11:28).

• Mk 11:22: "'Have faith in God,' Jesus answered."
• Jn 14:1: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me."
• Heb 11:6: "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
• Ac 16:31: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
• Mt 11:28: "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

How does knowing this gospel paradox that faith is both a gift and a responsibility help me? (In light of the primacy of God, how do we teach the Bible and how do we help our friends to come to believe in Jesus?) Knowing that faith is a gift leads to:

1. Assurance. It gives me assurance that God is doing his own work. It helps me overcome fear (Phil 1:28).
   
2. Dependence. It moves me to depend on God, since no one can make anyone else believe.
   
3. Responsibility. In God's sovereignty God uses my responsibility for his glory and for my good.

3. Suffering is a Gift from God

What is the biblical view of suffering for Christ, and for suffering in general? Whenever we encounter any form of suffering, it is important to deeply acknowledge that God is the one who is in charge and in total control of any suffering that we may be experiencing (Rom 8:28).

To Paul, suffering was explicitly stated as a gift from God (Acts 9:16). Paul did indeed suffer (2 Cor 11:24-27). Suffering as a Christian is never a mistake or an accident, but always part of God's plan to sanctify us (Gen 50:20). John Piper says that all suffering is "intended by Satan for the destruction of our faith, and they’re governed by God for the purifying of our faith." The Bible does speak of many different kinds of suffering in the Christian life, and of suffering in general. Here is just a short list from Ligon Duncan:
1. The suffering of justice. The view of Job's friends.
   
2. The suffering of discipline (Heb 12:5-6).
   
3. The suffering of fellowship (Acts 9:4).
4. The suffering of witness (John 9:13-34).
5. The suffering of eternity in hell (Rev 21:8).
6. The suffering of substitution (2 Cor 5:21).
7. The suffering of discipleship (1 Tim 4:7).

It is a given that the Bible absolutely teaches that man must be responsible (Gal 6:7-8). If man is irresponsible, God WILL judge him and hold him accountable for his irresponsibility. Despite the utmost importance of man being responsible, the Bible declares repeatedly the sovereignty of God and the primacy of God in all of life. When we believe and trust in God, and when we suffer, God is the one who gives us these special gifts. May God give us grace and sanctify us as we see and feel and experience all of life in the reality of the primacy of God.

Questions:

1. What does it mean "to live is Christ"? "To die is gain" (Phil 1:21; Jn 10:10b; 1 Cor 2:2)? How revolutionary is this? Who experiences this (Phil 1:3:8-10; Gal 2:20)? How do we live as if to live is Christ (1 Cor 10:31; Ex 20:2; Dt 6:5)? What is the gain of death (Phil 1:23; 2 Cor 5:8; Rom 7:24, 8:35,37; Jn 14:2)? Do you believe this like Paul that death is gain? Are you prepared for the day of death?
   
2. Following Paul's thesis, core belief, truth claim (Phil 1:21), what is his dilemma (Phil 1:22)? Why is this a delightful dilemma? Why is he torn (Phil 1:23-24)? How did he resolve it (Phil 1:25)? What 3 things does Paul want for them, for us, for churches (Phil 1:25-26, 5, 3:3; 1 Tim 4:15; Jn 15:11)? Is Paul saying, "Don't seek joy, be selfless, be good, and do good to others"? What did Paul "gain" by staying (2 Cor 11:24-27)?
   
3. Why is the imperative of Phil 1:27 be daunting (2 Cor 2:16)? What is significant about whether or not Paul comes (Phil 1:27: 2:12)? What does Phil 1:27 mean (Mt 5:16)? Explain "the gospel." What does Paul want to see about their tenacity, activity, unity and mutuality of the gospel (Phil 1:27-28, 2:12, 3:14)?
   
4. Does the Bible say that there is nothing to be afraid of (Phil 1:28)? What are 2 gifts of God (Phil 1:29)? Is faith a gift (Eph 2:8; 1 Jn 4:19, 5:1; 1 Cor 3:6, 12:3; Jn 6:44; Ac 16:14; 2 Cor 3:18; 1 Pet 4:11)? A responsibility (Mk 11:22; Jn 14:1-2; Heb 11:6; Ac 16:31; Mt 11:28)? What does it mean that suffering is a gift (Phil 1:29; Acts 9:15-16; Heb 12:5-6)? Why does God give us such a gift (Rom 5:3-5; James 1:2-4)?
   

References: 2 Sermons by Ligon Duncan

1. Not Only to Believe, But to Suffer (Phil 1:29-30).
2. The Gift of Suffering for Christ's Sake (Phil 1:29-30).