Prayer: Father, if You are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but Yours be done (Luke 22:42). Jesus, we come to you with open hearts and open minds, always seeking Your will for our lives. We appreciate Your great sacrifice that provides eternal life for us. As a result, we want to serve You by living our lives according to Your plan. Draw us closer to You, Jesus, that we might know that plan and that we might submit to it. Amen.
Main Scripture: Read Philippians 1:27-30.
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have (Philippians 1:27-30).
Associated Scriptures:
Jesus is the way: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Jesus is the Truth: “If you continue in my word… You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” -- John 8:31-32 (CSB)
Jesus is the Light: For my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel (Luke 2:30-32).
Jesus is the Good Fruit: A tree is known by its fruit. A bad tree bears bad fruit, a good tree bears good fruit (Matthew 12:33).
Jesus is the Example: I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life (John 8:12).
Correlative Quotes:
All of God’s people are ordinary people who have been made extraordinary by the purpose He has given them.[1] – Oswald Chambers
A Christian church is like a city and is often so- called that; the members of it are citizens. They are fellow citizens, one with another, and of the household of God. They have laws and rules according to which they conduct themselves. As they walk worthy of their calling, they become the witnesses of the Gospel by which they have and hold their freedoms and privileges.[2] – John Gill
The fearlessness of the Christian is a gift, not inherent stoic self-sufficiency. It rests indeed upon the sense that it is a privilege to suffer in the cause of truth. Yet still more on the belief that such suffering is not for an abstract principle, but on the behalf of Christ and with Christ.[3]
Study:
For Paul, the battle was with the world system. It was the people, the government, and the religious establishment of the time. They were filled with evil and conspired against him to have him physically detained and eventually killed. His battle was with evil, and evil took on all these forms.
But for Paul, living was Christ. This is also the way it should be with us who have submitted our lives to Christ. For us, living for Christ means growing spiritually, loving God, ourselves, and others while actively helping people in need, and spreading the Gospel of Christ.
The man who was passionate about eliminating Christianity had become a zealot for the cause of Christ. Nothing could deter Paul from his assignment, and as a result, he lived a life of joy.
Paul recognized and reiterated his two choices in the flesh. He could die in confinement or he could live and continue his spiritual journey of evangelism and church building. The apostle chose to do the latter, in this case, to benefit of the Philippian church.
Three ministry advantages were accomplished with Paul’s continued life:
So, for the good of the Philippians, the continual spread of the Gospel message, and the magnification of our Savior, Paul wished to do all he could to stay a living example. In verses 25-26, Paul makes this clear when he states: “And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again”.
When it came to a final solution, Paul’s ultimate desire was to stay and continue with the work of redemption and discipleship. The churches still needed him. Paul’s teaching was necessary to strengthen them in the face of suffering.
The continuation of life is the daily revelation of Christ (Vs. 27d) “stand fast in one spirit.” Our conduct must reflect what Christ has done for us through salvation. Everything we have, all that we are, what we say, what we do should be a reflection of Christ. Unity with the Spirit results from a close identity with Jesus.
John Piper says: “Unity is emphasized in the phrases ‘one spirit’ and ‘one mind’ and ‘striving side by side’. …In other words: ‘Be unified and fearless before your opponents because your faith and suffering are a gift of God.’[4]
Romans 8:5 tells us that if we fill our minds with things that satisfy the desires of the flesh we will live by the flesh. If we focus on the things of the Spirit, we will live by the Spirit. Ephesians 5:8 (NKJV) teaches: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light”
Acts 17:11 explains that we are to be ready to receive God’s message at all times. Furthermore, we are to search the scripture to test its truth. It is God’s will and command that we study scripture (2 Timothy 2:15).
Hebrews 3:12-13 recommends the exhortation of one another daily. Ask others to hold us accountable. Verbally applaud what is right. Do not excuse what is evil. Do all things in love.
The Bible not only tells us to walk in the light (John 1:7), and to confess our sin continually (1 John 1:9), to walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-17), but also, 1 Peter 2:24 instructs us to make His life count in yours: “…so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness…”
1 Peter 3:15 says: “Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” (NKJV)
Fulfillment in life is to be transformed into the likeness of Christ (vs. 30): “having the same conflict.”
Summary Statement:
Surrendering to Jesus and submitting to Him are not the same things. When we surrender to Christ, we become born again, a new creation in Christ. Submitting to Jesus involves committing to his desire for our lives and working with his power to fulfill them. Surrendering to Him also means hardship in the future. Rejection will be a continued source of pain and suffering. There is no worthwhile journey in life that doesn’t require pain and produce change. When the journey involves making ourselves and others better, the reward is worth the challenge (Colossians 3:23-24).
Being a Surrendered Servant means:
Being a Submitted Servant means:
Lessons within the Lesson:
Prepare and give your testimony in front of those you know.
Ask God to give you opportunities to share your faith each day.
What are the reasons you need to share your testimony?
What steps are you taking to conform to the image of Christ?
[1] Oswald Chambers, Submitting to God’s Purpose, My Utmost for His Highest, Fair Use Authorization, Section 107, of the Copyright Law, October 5, 2015, http://utmost.org/submitting-to-god%E2%80%99s-purpose/.
[2] John Gill, John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible, Public Domain, Ibid., P. 19337.
[3] C. J. Ellicott, (Charles John), A New Testament Commentary for English Readers, Vol. III, Ephesians-Colossians, 1819-1905. Public Domain, Published by E. D. Dolton and Company, New York, 1897, P. 72.
[4] John Piper, A Sign: United and Fearless with the Gift of Suffering, By John Piper. Fair Use Authorization, Section 107, of the Copyright Law, © Desiring God Foundation. Source: desiring God.org.
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