A Joyful Dilemma
Notes
Transcript
Intro
Intro
In Matthew 20, when John and James’s mother asked Jesus to grant them to sit at his right and left hand in his glory, Jesus replied to them:
Matthew 20:22 (ESV)
22 […]“You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?”
“To partake in from my Kingdom, Jesus argues, you need also to partake of my suffering.”
“Brothers and sister, we are all sitting here as seminary students. We all desire to be endeavor in some sort of ministry.”
Many of us desire to be pastors & preachers.
Some, feel call to proclaim the Gospel to the nations.
Others want to be counselors or seminary professors.
Regardless of our program, we are all here because we feel called to serve the Church of Christ.
But I wonder, if Jesus were to walk in this room today and give us a lecture on “Ministry Calling”, I wonder if he’d say the same words to us:
“You do not know what you are asking.”
To serve Christ’s church is a great privilege, but it is also a great responsibility.
“A responsibility which will often present us with difficult choices. Choices which will often require more than what we are willing to give.
For the sake of our sermon today, we’ll call those difficult choices, “dilemmas.”
The Dilemma
The Dilemma
The Oxford Dictionary defines the word “dilemma” as following:
“A situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two or more alternatives, especially equally undesirable ones.”
Our passage for today, present how Paul deals with one of these dilemmas, in his ministry.
However, for Paul, there is nothing “undesirable” about this dilemma, in particular.
It is rather, “A Joyful Dilemma.”
“Today, we’ll take a look at Paul’s Dilemma.”
Specifically, we will consider:
The Setting of the Dilemma.
The Nature of the Dilemma.
The Result of the Dilemma.
The Setting of the Dilemma - A Concern for the Glory of Christ (v18b-20)
The Setting of the Dilemma - A Concern for the Glory of Christ (v18b-20)
18b Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.
Having consider his current imprisonment, Paul now focuses his attention to its possible outcome.
“Yes, and I will rejoice” - The last part of verse 18 connects the theme of joy with this section (vv19-27).
Thus, it is the same attitude of joy which carries out even in the face of uncertainty, as we shall see in a moment.
What does Paul hope to be his outcomes?
Paul’s Deliverance
Paul’s Deliverance
Paul’s is confident that the Philippians’ prayers and the help of the Holy Spirit will result in his deliverance.
But what does Paul really means by “deliverance”?
He could mean his physical deliverance, in other words, his release from prison.
This is possible since in verses 25-26 Paul is already making plans to visit the Philippians.
However, even Paul is not 100% sure of this, since he also contemplates the possibility of death (v20).
Another possibility is that Paul is using the word “deliverance” in eschatological terms.
The greek word Paul uses here is often times translated “salvation.”
Is is also the same word used in the Septuagint, for Job 13:15-16
Job 13:15–16 (ESV)
15 Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face. 16 This will be my salvation […]
Both the context of Job, and the common use of the word suggest Paul has in mind his final deliverance from sin, when he stands in the presence of God, fully vindicated.
SO, WHAT IS IT THEN?
Well, how about both?
Paul is truly optimist about his liberation and potential visit to Philippi.
Nevertheless, he understand God to be sovereign, and thus having all the right to end his life in jail.
[Tono Solemne] “But one thing is certain, regardless of the outcome, Paul is confident that he will be delivered!”
Christ’s Glory
Christ’s Glory
Even so, his deliverance is not that important to Paul.
“His biggest concern at this point is not whether he’ll live or die. His biggest concern is whether or not Christ will be honor in his life or death.”
English Standard Version Chapter 1
it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed
The word “Ashamed” must be contrasted with the later part of this verse, “but that… Christ will be honored...”
Thus, Paul is not concern for his own reputation, but for Christ’s reputation.
“In other words, Paul’s concern is his faithfulness to proclaim the Gospel in any and all circumstances.”
“Now let me ask you a question, what are you most concern about in your ministry?”
Whether you’ll fail or succeed?
Whether or not you will have an impactful ministry?
Whether or not you can afford a particular lifestyle?
[Tono Compasivo] “Brothers, how about we concern ourselves with bringing honor to Christ, in whatever circumstances He’ll have us, and we let him take care of the rest?”
“The possibility of either life or death, led Paul to ponder, what does he really want?, which also leads us to our next point…”
The Nature of the Dilemma - A Concern for the Work of Christ (v21-24)
The Nature of the Dilemma - A Concern for the Work of Christ (v21-24)
Paul is now presented with the actual dilemma: What does he really want?
Or, said differently, If it was really up to Paul, what would he chose?
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.
Verse 21 is one of the most quoted verses in the book of Philippians, probably second only to Philippians 4:13.
It is also Paul’s master-key to unlock all the riches of this section.
To Live is Christ
To Live is Christ
The first question we need to ask: What does it mean to live is Christ? Paul himself will help us answer this question.
I live with Christ.
Galatians 2.20 “20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Just as Christ died and now lives forever, all those who are joined to Christ’s death, are also alive forever with Him.
I live for Christ.
Philippians 3.8 “8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ”
Christ is also the aim of our life. We live to know him more.
To use the illustration of Hebrews, When we are born again with Christ, Christ becomes:
- Our starting point.
- Our finish line.
- Our track & field where we run.
- Our coach.
- Our audience.
- Our reward.
[Con Pasion] “And when we die, we’ve finished the race!”
That’s why Paul says, “to die is gain.”
To Die is Gain
To Die is Gain
Doña Nilda’s Surgery
Many years ago a godly woman I know had to through open heart surgery.
Because of her age and the health, her family was concerned she would not make it out of the surgery.
But with great joy and peace she told them, “Do not be concern for me, for once I close my eyes I will open them again, either here or in heaven.”
“When you have lived all your life for Christ, death is but a sweat reunion.”
And Paul longed to be reunited with his Savior.
That is why it was so hard for Paul to chose one!
The Choice
The Choice
Paul is pressed with a great dilemma:
Option #1 - To remain and labor for Christ is more profitable. (v22,24)
Option #2 - To depart and be with Christ is far better. (v23)
It is obvious that Paul desired to depart and be with Christ. Are we to blame him?
No more sufferings.
No more persecutions.
No more dealing with false teachers.
No more dealing with ungrateful christians.
[Tono Solemne] “And yet, he choose what was more beneficial for the body of Christ...”
Why!? How come?! Because the Gospel compelled him so.
The Gospel
The Gospel
“There is nothing wrong in Paul wanting to be with Christ, anymore that there is nothing wrong with Christ wanting to remain in Heaven and pour out his righteous wrath on us.”
Really, there is nothing WRONG with that!
But Christ choose the hard way.
Christ choose to endured our suffering, so that we can enjoy his blessings.
“The Gospel message is Christ laying down his life for the sake of his people.”
Ironically, the Gospel compelled Paul to lay down his “death” for the sake of the Church.
And once again I must ask you, What will the Gospel compel you to lay down for your people?
Ministry will demand us to make sacrifices other people won’t have to.
Ministry will demand we give up rights for the sake of people who won’t appreciate it.
Ministry will bring us to our knees daily, and will force us to meet our Savior in ways we have never meet him before!
Ministry will also give us the privilege to identify with Christ in ways which few humans have experienced, on this side of eternity.
[Tono Solemne] “Brothers and sisters, if the Father did not spare his Son, for the sake of us, would not the Son spare a few of us for the sake of his Church?”
“Lastly, let us consider our third point...”
The Result of the Dilemma - A Concern for the Church of Christ (v25-26)
The Result of the Dilemma - A Concern for the Church of Christ (v25-26)
What was the result of Paul’s dilema?
25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
Convinced of what? Convinced that his work is not yet finished.
Paul not only want the Philippians to grow in their faith.
He also wants them to grow in the joy of their faith.
Even while in prison, Paul is still thinking on ways to edify the churches. The whole Epistle to the Philippians is a testament to that!
Perhaps verse 26 could be better understood consulting another translation.
26 And when I come to you again, you will have even more reason to take pride in Christ Jesus because of what he is doing through me.
What do we learn here?
Paul is not inviting the Philippians to boast, pride, glory in HIM, but on the work of Christ through him.
Instead of drawing their attention to himself, Paul is drawing their attention to Christ.
Why is this important? Because this is what ministry is all about!
Draw them to Christ
Draw them to Christ
The most profitable and fruitful thing we can do for our people is to draw them to Christ.
Building a ministry around us, will only cripple our ministry.
Moreover, they are not even “our people”. They are Christ’s!
“Brothers and Sister, if we want our ministry to prevail long after we are gone, build your ministry on the Eternal Rock.”
“You and I, we are disposable. Many people have come before us, and Lord willing, many more will come after us.”
[Con Eagerness] But Christ, Christ is the everlasting rock.
Teach them Christ.
Preach them Christ.
Show them Christ.
Point them to Christ.
And one day, they would also have the joy of saying:
Phil 1.21 “21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
Conclusion
Conclusion
To serve Christ’s church is a great responsibility, but it is also a great privilege.
“Let us honor Christ, as we serve others before ourselves.”
[Pray]