Author: Scott Lane

Re:Verse passage – Philippians 3:12-16(day five)

“I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.”  No getting around Paul’s clear teaching that  BOTH the Lord and humans are active participants in spiritual growth. In chapter 2, “work out your salvation” (man) “because God is at work in you” (God).  There is a responsibility and accountability for each of us in our spiritual growth. There is a dependency on the Lord required for spiritual growth.

I am reminded of the helpful illustration that Jerry Bridges shares in his book, The Pursuit of Holiness.

A farmer plows his field, sows the seed and fertilizes and cultivates—all the while knowing that in the final analysis he is utterly dependent on forces outside of himself. He knows he cannot cause the seed to germinate, nor can he produce the rain and sunshine for growing and harvesting the crop. For a successful harvest, he is dependent on these things from God.

Yet the farmer knows that unless he diligently pursues his responsibilities to plow, plant, fertilize, and cultivate, he cannot expect a harvest at the end of the season. In a sense he is in partnership with God, and he will reap it benefits only when he has fulfilled his own responsibilities.

Farming is a joint venture between God and the farmer. The farmer cannot do what God must do, and God will not do what the farmer should do.

We can say just as accurately that the pursuit of holiness is a joint venture between God and the Christian. No one can attain any degree of holiness without God working in his life, but just as surely no one will attain it without effort on his own part.

Re:Verse passage – Philippians 3:1-11 (day four)“More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord,”
‭The first half of chapter three helps us understand what happened to Paul’s heart, mind, and life when he met Jesus on the Damascus road. Priorities, values, and passions changed dramatically.  Paul lists those, and remembers when those were the most valuable things. In and through the process of salvation as sanctification, Paul’s “life economy” changes dramatically. Loving and knowing Jesus moves into that list. As Paul’s faith grows and strengthens, his relationship with Christ, quickly climbs the list and revolutionizes the way he thinks about those previous achievements.  Not only did they move down the list, they moved off the list on Paul’s “profit column”. His life was so changed, he vowed that nothing could/should ever be in that column except knowing and loving Jesus.

Maybe it’s time for an “internal audit”. Where is faith in Christ on the spreadsheet of your heart and life?  Where is everything else?

Re:Verse passage – Philippians 2:19-30 (day five)

“I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon”.
It’s been a long 7 months and I miss seeing and being with so many of our church family. The Lord has led some to come back for worship. Others are being wise, prayerful, and careful (as we all should) as they listen to the Lord about their return timing.

There is a tangible joy and delight (for them and for me) when (each week) someone comes back for the first time since the pandemic. You can see it in their eyes and sense it in their hearts. (“that you may rejoice at seeing him again”)

I like the way Paul frames His decision to send Timothy back to the church in Philippi (in the Lord). Trusting God’s leadership and guidance in this (and every decision Paul makes). I believe God will help us, guide us, and speak to us (each and all) about when we could and should return. So, while my heart is heavy, it is also full of hope and confidence in God’s strength, sovereignty, and wisdom in protecting  and gathering His church. I hope “in the Lord” to be with you soon, as God continues to bless and grow His kingdom through FBCSA.

Re:Verse passage – Philippians 2:12-18 (day five)

“among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life,”“You’re in the midst of a twisted and perverse generation”.

Sound familiar?  I suspect the Philippians sensed it and felt it much like we do today. Anger. Dysfunction. Argument. Tension. Sadness. Is there any way to rise above it all?  Any way to sense and see a bigger and better life and existence?  Paul says, “Yes! by HOLDING fast (to)the word of life”. Paul is exhorting these believers to keep looking in and at the scriptures. He’s reminding them that they must stay faithfully connected to the scriptures. He is challenging them to think constantly with a biblical mindset.
Paul believed holding fast to the scriptures was crucial in living a life filled with joy and pleasing to God. So did Peter. “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).
Do you?

Re:Verse passage – Philippians 2:5-11 (day five)

“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,”

This week we get to read and focus on one of the most profound passages in the New Testament. Doctrinally rich. Theologically sound.  Gospel filled. An eternal perspective on the life and existence of Jesus Christ.

We should remember though, where this passage/poem/hymn is placed in Paul’s letter.  It follows a plea and exhortation for unity as a result of humility. But Paul isn’t trying to stimulate debate and discussion, rather He is pointing to Jesus as the example of humility- needed for authentic community and unity.

“Unity isn’t the result of preaching on unity; it’s the result of people adoring and emulating Jesus. The more we behold His glory and imitate His character, the more unified we will be as a church”. – Tony Merida

Re:Verse passage – Philippians 2:1-4 (day five)

“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;”

It is a tension we must navigate carefully and cautiously- the desire to be humble and the desire to grow and mature in Christ. Paul makes the proposition that we can hold onto both. But as John Stott so wisely points out, “At every stage of our Christian development and at every sphere of our Christian discipleship, pride is the greatest enemy and humility our greatest friend”.

I had a professor who joked, that if you ever wanted to write a book entitled “Humility, and How I Achieved  It”, you’ve probably missed the point. Humility does take personal discipline and attention (the way we think about the Lord, priority of loving others, and willingness to be a servant). It is work for sure, which ushers in the danger of pride. But, as Paul reminds, humility can come, but only from the Spirit. So the prayer is NOT, “help me be humble”.  It is “make me more like Jesus”. Humility is not thinking less of yourself (desire for growth and maturity in Christian faith), it is thinking of yourself less (regard one another as more important).

Re:Verse passage – Philippians 1:27-30 (day five)

“I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;”  God’s grand design is on display in Paul’s mind and in his words. We all face suffering and difficulty at one time or another. Granted they may come in varying degrees, but the reality is that each of us has or will face suffering or difficulty or hardship.  Jesus said, “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:11‬ ‭If we live worthy of the gospel (as Paul exhorts) suffering WILL come. To them. To us.
The secret to standing firm is as much about fellowship as it is about fighting. Paul’s words reveal God’s wisdom and plan. Steadfastness is grounded in unity- one spirit, one mind, striving together. Will you seek out fellowship with others?  Will you give and receive encouragement, accountability, and community to members the body?  Social distancing does not hinder the work of the Spirit!  Will you keep the unity of the church so that others may be able to “live a life worthy of the gospel” even in suffering?

Re:Verse passage – Philippians 1:20-26 (day five). 

“Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith,”. 

Are you sometimes leery when people offer to help you “make progress”? It usually means work and learning are ahead. Is there an agenda in their mind?  What am I doing wrong?  What am I not doing right?  On its own and by itself, progress is hard work, exhausting, and sometimes painful. But, if progress is combined with joy, it changes the equation all together. Yes, there is still difficulty. Yes, there is still struggle. Yes, there is still hard work to be done. Yet, when the facet of joy is added, the experience of making progress is life-changing and life-giving.   That’s what Paul has in mind, life-changing and life-giving exhortation and ministry with the Philippians. There is hard work (progress) to be done 1:6.  But God gives joy along with the work of progress.

“These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” John‬ ‭15:11‬ ‭.

Lord, give us grace as joy, that we would make progress in the faith!!

Re:Verse passage – Philippians 1:12-19 (day five)

“Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel,”  Paul begins this section of his letter by declaring “gospel progress” is being made by his imprisonment. What does he mean by this term?

Gospel progress shifts attitudes and perspectives in the hearts and thoughts of believers from hopelessness and despair to joy and assurance (vs 18-19).
Gospel progress brings about courage and faithfulness in the actions and priorities of believers to boldly witness. (vs 14).

Gospel progress brings influence, awareness, and understanding of the message of Christ to non-believers (vs 13).

Are you experiencing gospel progress (joy, assurance)?  Are those believers close to you experiencing gospel progress (courage, faithfulness)?
Are non-believers who are around you and who interact with you experiencing gospel progress (hearing and seeing the message of Christ)?

May gospel progress come to and through the Body of Christ at FBCSA!!

Re:Verse passage – Philippians 1:1-11 (day five)

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”

There is a great promise found in Philippians 1:6.  God will bring His work to completion. He will get us there. Such hope, such assurance, such help.  Yet, there’s another side to this verse.  Remember when traveling with family, the question that gets asked a thousand times from the children?  “Are we there yet?”  The short answer was, “NO”.  The long answer was a little more complicated.  More miles to be traveled. More time in the car was necessary. More scenery to view. More patience required. The process of traveling was not over.  Some parts of the trip were easy, some were more difficult.
Same thing is happening in verse six. We are not “there” yet.  The work- His work- is not finished. Our faith journey is not complete. We are not finished learning, growing, refining, maturing, loving, trusting, and serving. Some parts of our faith journey are easier and others.  The great promise is that God will get us there. We will need humility, courage, patience, and trust (to name a few) as we travel!