Philippians 3:1; The Stability of Joy ~ 20240310 ~ Pastor Rodney Zedicher ~ Ephraim Church of the Bible ~ www.ephraimbible.org
03/10 Philippians 3:1; The Stability of Joy; Audio available at: http://www.ephraimbible.org/Sermons/20240310_philippians-3_1.mp3
Exhortation to Gospel Shaped Humility and Unity
Paul is exhorting the church in Philippi to gospel shaped humility and unity. He started by a joyful thanksgiving when remembering them in his prayers, confident in the sovereign God who began a good work in them will also bring it to completion, and he prays
Philippians 1:9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Paul prays that their love abound more and more, and he exhorts them:
Philippians 1:27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,
In chapter 2, he invites them:
Philippians 2:2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
And he holds up Jesus, who was for all eternity fully God, equal to his Father, yet he willingly humbled himself by becoming human, submitting to a death he didn’t deserve for the sake of others, for us! He is now exalted at his Father’s right hand as Lord over all, to whom we all owe allegiance.
In response to Jesus’ humility, we ought to take the salvation purchased for us on the cross, and allow it to work itself out in our daily lives, so that we live consistent with the gift we have been given. We are to work out what God has sovereignly worked in us, to live for his pleasure.
This looks like doing all things without grumbling or disputing, holding fast to the word of life.
In 2:17-18 Paul points to his own joy in being poured out in sacrificial service to others.
In 2:19-24 he points them to the example of Timothy’s selfless others-focused gospel ministry.
In 2:25-30 he points to Epaphroditus, who risked his very life as a co-laborer in sacrificial service to others.
Chapters 1 and 2 Paul prays for, exhorts to, and holds up examples of humble others-centered living out of love, earnestly pursuing the good of others above our own.
Transition to Sober Warning
Here in chapter 3, he concludes this section and transitions to a new topic, a sober warning of a grave danger. This transitional verse, 3:1, has caused much debate and speculation among biblical scholars. He just exhorted them to joyful humility and others-centered sacrificial service to others, and in the next breath he unleashes what some have described as a ‘rhetorical flame-thrower ...Beware of the dogs!’ [Markus Bockmuehl, BNTC p.177].
The word translated ‘finally’ is sometimes used to introduce concluding remarks (Phil.4:8; 1Thes.4:1; 2Thes.3:1; 2Cor.13:11; Eph.6:10), but this occurs in the middle of this short letter, so this has led some textual critics to imagine that what we have as the rest of chapter 3 was part of a different letter inserted carelessly into this letter, a speculation that has no shred of textual evidence. Some have conjectured that Paul meant to conclude here, and on further reflection decided he had more to say. I’m sure you’ve never heard a preacher say ‘in conclusion’, and then go on to preach for another half-hour, have you?
This word translated ‘finally’ literally means ‘the rest’ and could be translated ‘furthermore’ or ‘moreover’ (1Cor.1:16; 4:2; 2Tim.4:8); a transition word used to draw an inference and introduce a further thought.
Saturated With Rejoicing
Philippians 3:1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.
What are ‘the same things’ he is writing to them? Here again, scholars have conjectured a past teaching or letter about false teachers, and his severe warning here is reminding of that past communication. But this verse specifically mentions writing, and while it is possible that Paul had written to them before, this too is conjecture.
It is best to take the text as it stands, and look at the context. What in the context might indicate a repetition in his writing that he is drawing their attention to? The command immediately preceding this statement ‘to write the same things’ is a command to ‘rejoice in the Lord.’
Woven throughout the texture of this letter is joy. Paul opened with joy in his prayer for them (1:4), he rejoiced and resolved to rejoice whenever Christ was rightly proclaimed, regardless of motives (1:18). He lived to serve others for their ‘progress and joy in the faith’ (1:25). He invited his readers to bring him joy by their gospel humility (2:2). He was glad and rejoiced to be ‘poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith,’ and he invited them to be glad and rejoice with him (2:17-18). His sending Epaphroditus to them was meant to bring them joy and rejoicing (2:28-29). After this command to ‘rejoice in the Lord’ (3:1), in 4:1 he will call them ‘my joy and crown’, and command them again ‘Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice’ (4:4). He rejoiced in their care and concern for him personally (4:10).
This letter is saturated with joy. In chapters 1 and 2, Paul has mentioned joy or rejoicing no less than 9 times, and in chapter 4 he will make mention of rejoicing and joy another 4 times. Listening to this letter read in their church, by this point the Philippians have probably picked up on this persistent undercurrent of rejoicing.
Steadfast, Stable, Stand Firm
If this is indeed the repetition that Paul is referring to, what does he mean that it is no trouble for him but for them it is safe? Paul’s own heart is overflowing with joy regardless of his own circumstances, and it is natural for his joy to spill over and saturate this letter. But how is there safety in rejoicing? This is why some would more naturally expect safety in warning against false teachers, safety in sound doctrine, safety in the truth. Why safety in rejoicing?
This word ‘safe’ can be translated ‘sure, secure, without failing’; it points to stability and firmness. So far, Paul has pointed to the consistent partnership of the Philippians with him in the gospel (1:5), and his confidence in the completion of the good work God had begun in them (1:6). His own confident expectation was that Christ would be honored in his body by life or by death (1:20). He has encouraged the Philippians not only to rejoice, but to ‘stand firm in one spirit’ (1:27), to ‘hold fast to the word of life’ (2:16); he held up Timothy’s proven character (2:22); and Epaphroditus’ steadfast service even to death (2:29-30). Toward the end of the letter, Paul exhorts them to ‘stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved’ (4:1).
Paul cared deeply about steadfastness, consistency, faithfulness, unshakably standing firm through every circumstance.
Stability Found In Rejoicing
But how is this safety and stability found in rejoicing? Paul had himself resolved to rejoice whenever Christ was preached, even if some did it out of false motives like selfish ambition, envy and strife, seeking to add affliction to his imprisonment (1:15-18). He made a choice to rejoice in his own salvation and in the salvation of others. Paul lived not only for the church’s progress in the faith, but also for their joy in the faith (1:25). Joyless belief in the gospel is not an option. The good news is good news, and it must be celebrated! For Paul, ‘holding fast to the word of life’ (2:14-16) is inextricably linked to attitude. It must be without blemish, blameless and innocent, free of the crooked and twisted grumbling and complaining of this world. Paul chose joy in suffering as his own life was continually being poured out; he viewed his life as a drink offering poured out in joyful worship (2:17). Those who risk their life in service to Christ are worthy of honor, to be celebrated with joy (2:29-30).
The Logic of Joy
The connection between joy and stability might not seem obvious at first glance, but if we think about it, it makes sense. If we can rejoice not only in favorable circumstances, but also in adversity, in opposition, in sacrifice, suffering, sickness, even death, then our joy is unshakable. If our joy is found in changing things, then it will be volatile and flimsy. But if our joy is placed in the unchanging reality of God and the gospel, then it is an anchor that will hold us steady even through uncertain times.
Joy and Stability in the Old Testament
We can see this connection between rejoicing and stability throughout scripture. Nehemiah 8:10 says
Nehemiah 8:10 ...the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
The Psalms overflow with rejoicing; Psalm 5:11 says
Psalm 5:11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.
Rejoicing is connected with God as a refuge, a place of safety; with God’s protection over his people. Psalm 16 says
Psalm 16:8 I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. ... 11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
God’s presence is joy, fullness of joy. When we fix our eyes on the Lord, when we walk with the Lord we will not be shaken, our hearts will overflow with joy, and we will dwell in security.
Habakkuk ends with joy in the Lord even in the face of adversity;
Habakkuk 3:17 Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. 19 GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places.
Joy even in times of famine and hardship, because joy is in God, who makes our footsteps sure.
Jesus and Joy
Jesus said:
John 10:10 ...I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
And he went on to talk about our absolute security in him:
John 10:28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
Jesus in John 15 invites us to abide in him and we will bear much fruit. He says;
John 15:11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
Joy is linked to our life-sustaining connection with Jesus. Jesus continues in John 16, pointing to his own crucifixion;
John 16:20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. 21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.
This unshakable joy is rooted in the crucifixion of Jesus, Jesus who was not supposed to die, Jesus whose death brought great sorrow, but whose death was the very reason he came into the world, whose death brought salvation and security, abundant and eternal life, un-lose-able life. When our joy is in Jesus crucified for sinners, Jesus risen again, exalted at the right hand of his Father, Jesus coming again for us, that joy no one can take from us. That joy is fixed and firm, an anchor for our souls.
Rejoice in the Lord
Paul tells us to ‘rejoice in the Lord’; what he has assumed, he now clarifies. The object of our joy is essential. Our joy must be rooted and grounded in, fixed on Jesus. All other joys are fleeting and feeble. For joy to be fixed and firm and stable, it must have Jesus as its source, its object, its domain.
Paul has said that the brothers’ confidence was ‘in the Lord’ (1:14); his own hope and confidence was ‘in the Lord Jesus’ (2:19, 24); and their reception of a faithful worker was to be ‘in the Lord’ (2:29); under the sovereign hand of a good God. Now our rejoicing is to be ‘in the Lord’; rejoicing because Jesus is exalted sovereign Lord over all, the one to whom every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess. The Lord to whom we gladly surrender ourselves.
Rejoicing Is Safe
Rejoicing is safe. This joy can keep us from pride, because it is joy in Jesus who died for sinners like me. This joy can keep us from grumbling and complaining, because when we are rejoicing in the good news of Jesus who humbled himself for us, what is there to grumble or complain about? This joy can keep us from becoming ingrown and self-focused, because it is joy in Jesus who loved us and gave himself up for us. This joy can keep us faithful even in adversity, even in sickness and in the face of death, because if our joy is Jesus, then to die is gain. This joy can keep us safe from false teachers, because joy in the Lord expels confidence in the flesh.
Philippians 3:1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.
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2024.03.10 Sermon Notes
Philippians 3:1; The Security of Joy
1:27 - 2:30 exhortations to gospel unity, humility and others-centered service
3:1 transition of repeated rejoicing
3:2-21 warning against false teachers and works righteousness
finally / furthermore
Philippians 4:8; 1Thessalonians 4:1; 2Thessalonians 3:1;
2Corinthians 13:11; Ephesians 6:10
1Corinthians 1:16; 4:2; 2Timothy 4:8
writing saturated with rejoicing
Philippians 1:4, 18, 25; 2:2, 17-18, 28-29; 3:1; 4:1, 4, 10
stability, security, firmness...
Philippians 1:5-6, 20, 27; 2:16; 22, 29-30; 4:1
found in rejoicing
Philippians 1:15-18, 25; 2:14-16, 17, 29-30
joy and strength
Nehemiah 8:10; Psalm 5:11; 16:8-9, 11; Habakkuk 3:17-19
joy and Jesus
John 10:10, 28-30; 15:5, 11; 16:20-22
rejoicing in the Lord
Philippians 1:14; 2:19, 24, 29; 3:1
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Pastor Rodney Zedicher ~ Ephraim Church of the Bible ~ www.ephraimbible.org