Practical Gospel Living (Phil 2:19-30)

Philippians 2:19-30; Key Verse: 2:30

"...he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life..."

What is beyond the gospel? There is an impression among Christians that the gospel is impractical. We think of Christianity as though the gospel is needed for our salvation. But after being saved, we need to start doing "Christian stuff" in order to grow as Christians. Matt Chandler wrote in his new book "The Explicit Gospel" that "For some reason--namely our depravity--we have a tendency to think that the cross saves us from past sin, but after we are saved, we have to take over and clean ourselves up. This sort of thinking is devastating to the soul. We call this the 'assumed gospel,' and it flourishes when well-meaning teachers, leaders and preachers set out to see lives first and foremost conformed to a pattern of behavior (religion) and not transformed by the Holy Spirit's power (gospel)."

Sanctification by the Gospel, not Discipleship (Phil 2:5-11)

Philippians 2:5-11; Key Verse: 2:8

"...even death on a cross."

Gospel-Driven Sanctification: The title of my sermon is "Sanctification by the Gospel, not Discipleship." This might be misunderstood as saying that discipleship is not important for Christians. That is not what I am saying. What I am saying is that discipleship does not necessarily result in sanctification. Rather, sanctification results in true discipleship.

Tullian Tchividjian wrote, "Many Christians have come to believe that the key to deeper spiritual renewal and revival is 'working harder.' (or discipleship) The truth, however, is that real spiritual growth (sanctification) happens only when we rediscover the gospel." (Surprised by Grace, 17)

Humility, Humiliation and the Humanity of Christ

Philippians 2:5-11; Key Verse: 2:5
"In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus."

Recap on joy: Joy is critical to life. Without joy, life would be torture. Paul was very serious about joy. He chose to life rather than die so that he could work for their "joy in the faith" (Phil 1:25). To have joy, a Christian needs to live a life of unity, humility and mutuality (Phil 2:2-4). A key to joy is to realize our perpetual sinful default to incurvatus in se (curved inward on oneself). An inward focus/orientation drives joy from our hearts. Yet, we cannot will ourselves to have an outward orientation and genuinely care for others. Rather, Christian joy comes from the gospel when we are encouraged, comforted, in fellowship with, and have tenderness and compassion in union with Christ (Phil 2:1). Christian joy is never an act of the will, but a gift of the Spirit (Gal 5:22; Phil 2:1). Christian joy is always gospel-based, Christ-focused and grace-enabled. Apart from the gospel we have a weird forced kind of Pharisee joy, or a victim's mentality of constantly blaming others.

Complete My Joy (Philippians 2:1-4)

Philippians 2:1-4; Key Verse: 2:2 "...make my joy complete..."

Recap on suffering: It is a very painful truth that God ordains and allows the sufferings we experience, past and present! The primacy of God operates in all of life, including our faith and the inevitable sufferings that accompany life (Phil 1:29). We suffer from of our own sins and from the sins of others. As Christians, we need to study, understand and ground all our suffering in the suffering of Christ. Then our suffering does not crush us, but draws us closer to Jesus. Also, our suffering and brokenness becomes an instrument which God uses to minister to others, as we become a "wounded healer," healed by the grace of God.