Being Poured Out for Others

Paul gave everything he had to help others know Christ and grow in Him. Since he suffered persecution and other hardships, it was easy to be sad for him, but he saw it as joyful due to the serving others and building their faith. Then he encouraged them to be joyful along with him! This is part of the goal he ran towards and gave as an example to follow...

Philippians 2:17-18

Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.

Grace, Glory, Suffering, and Settling

"I will perfect you." That is my assurance - whether in my dream last night, or in every waking moment now. We may walk through flood, famine, or persecution - but His certain promises hold as sure as the rock beneath the doubt under foot. So we settle in His hands with absolute trust as a child in all things...

1 Peter 5:10

But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 

Blameless and Harmless in Word of God

If we do not complain and grumble, we can become blameless before God and men; if we stop disputing and doubting what is true, we will be seen as harmless. Then we will be without fault in our own actions and reactions, holding out the light in this dark world. This word of life offered to all is what we can hold fast to as we hold it out to offer hope in reconciliation with God.

Philippians 2:14-16

14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

What God Shows, We Must Do

Reflecting on what God shows us in His word by His Spirit, I am again reminded of the depth and breadth of what He shows, yet how much more I will know when in His presence forever after this life. The bottom line: what He shows, I must do. What He chooses not to show, I will know at some time.

1 Corinthians 13:12

For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

Dimly = αινιγμα ainigma; an obscure saying (“enigma”), i. e. (abstractly) obscureness:— darkly, enigma, riddle

Job 26:14

Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways, and how small a whisper we hear of Him! But the thunder of His power who can understand?”

2 Corinthians 3:18

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

James 1:23-25

For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

Deuteronomy 29:29

“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.

Obey Unseen (Godly Integrity)

Why do we obey what God says? It must be for Him, and not to show others. This should then motivate us further to work to achieve something in the deliverance from sin and its punishment we have been given. This should cause us to shake and fear what we have been delivered from and the wrath of God that once was upon us! The hope we have is that God Himself is causing us to even desire to obey (out of love) and to be able to do all we must.

Philippians 2:12-13

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Jesus, Name Above All Names

God among us, Jesus Christ. Not knowing who He really is keeps many away from reconciliation with God. In the end, each one of us will face Him and bow to His absolute authority (Lord and God), not to any other we imagine to be God in this life. The question becomes, if you see that Jesus Christ is Lord of all, what keeps you from admitting your offenses against Him, what keeps you from turning from them, and what keeps you from believing what He did on your place on the cross to make you right with him again?

Philippians 2:9-11

9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Isaiah 45:22-23

“ Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. 23 I have sworn by Myself; The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, And shall not return, That to Me every knee shall bow, Every tongue shall take an oath.

Servant Mind of Christ in Us

The understanding, the pursuit of our thoughts, our intense earnest interests must be as Christ's shown and told to us - as a servant with real humility and obedience. We must die to ourselves as we allow sacrifice to put us on the cross, willing to give all for our Lord in all we do here. This counter-cultural, counter-world thinking is radically essential to being His disciple.

Philippians 2:5-8

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

Lowliness in Thinking

Being of one mind must be based on humility that seeks to serve others. To see that our needs must be put on hold to meet others' needs - that is difficult for most of us. We like our interests, and our old nature wants its own. But we who are Christ's must look to His example, as He came not to BE served, but TO serve.

Philippians 2:3-4

3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

On quoting Scripture to others:

Remember also that motivation is the key - God looks at the heart. He does want us to put His word in our heart, and that path is though our mind (memorizing) to have our spirit encorporate it into the heart. It is wrong to mechanically memorize and then quote scripture without the Spirit, but with His enabling it is sharp, powerful, and able to convict others and change lives. How we use this sword is crucial; putting all only in our won words is often just that - our words, not His.

This is the law written on our hearts, not rules we attempt to follow in our own effort. That is God's desire. We just need to be so full of His word in our heart, mind, and soul that we can love with all our strength of life in the process. But we are to hide his word in our heart so we can be ready to give a good defense of the hope in us as well. But if the word goes no further than intellect (think AUG degree instead) or emotion (charismatics), then our heart and spirit are not fruitful instruments of the Gospel.

Called Alongside to Share

Consolation is παρακλησισ / paraklesis; a calling alongside to help, as how the Spirit of God is named. This, along with the comfort and deep intimacy we receive from Him, should remind us of His love and mercy on us - and urge us on to seeking to be unified in the fundamental truths of the Bible, fueled by love and agreement on the essential truths, working together to so teach and live them together.

Philippians 2:1-2

1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

Worthy Conduct

What is suitable for us who have been called out into Christ is godly, righteous character. This is not automatic, but must be the direction our lives are going. Real believers know this, agree it is truth, and together pursue knowing and living the truths in the Bible. We also should not fear those who scoff at the truth of Christ, since they fight Him in us. This proves we are His also. So we who live right in Jesus suffer persecution from those at odds with Him - both inside and outside the church buildings we attend.

Philippians 1:27-30

27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. 29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.

Good To Live and Die

How wonderful to finally be in God's presence, away from sin and the temptations and sorrows that separate me from Him! Yet there are those here who need to be reconciled to an angry God who loves them - and needs me as ambassador to tell them so. So I must remain here as long as He purposes and I am so able, that I may do these and disciple others to also do the same, warning and teaching them. Time is short, and the wide gate to destruction is full...

Philippians 1:21-26

21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard- pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, 26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.

Colossians 1:28-29

Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.

Take Time to Know God

Habakkuk 2:4

“ Behold the proud,

His soul is not upright in him;

But the just shall live by his faith.

Habakkuk 2:14

For the earth will be filled

With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord,

As the waters cover the sea.

John's [Sorrell's] Sermon 12 May:

I sat at the bedside of one dear, dear friend…

And he told me…”Tell everyone you know about Christ…

Tell them to live for Him…and Him alone…

As I prepare myself to face Him …

I wish I had spent more time learning about Him.”

He looked at me and said, “I’m dying…

And for the first time in my life…I realize…

All I have…all I ever will have…is Jesus Christ…

He’s everything…forever!”

He died early the next morning…

Went to be with His Lord and savior…

He dies with his priorities in life straight

Boldness in Earnest Hope

Earnest expectation means an intense, anxious and persistent expectation as in Romans 8:19, where creation waits for the children of God to be revealed. This is the hope we hold to in telling others the Great News - that no matter what we go through, everyone will see Christ above all others and everything imaginable... And this whether we live or die, suffer or have it easy. It is about Him to live for (and others as the 2nd greatest commandment says) not our comfort or security.

Philippians 1:19-20

19 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.

Joy in Jesus Preached

Some people will talk of Jesus Christ because they are jealous of what God does through others, whether famous evangelists or others who get attention, or they will talk of Him to cause problems as an argument. We must talk of Him instead in love for His glory and others' good - love God and others as we are commanded. But even if some do speak of Christ out of the wrong motives, we should rejoice that people hear of the great news!

Philippians 1:15-18

15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: 16 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; 17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.

Abounding Love in Knowing Christ

Prayer for others (and self!) should ask for knowing and understanding all God has for us for the purpose of ever increasing and deepening love - for God and others. To choose not the good, but the best God has for us. To sincerely follow Jesus and turn away from the things that offend Him - sin. That the life may be fruitful in righteousness that Jesus Christ alone can impart to us so we can be truly pleasing to God in Him! This takes a lifetime, so we must get up, stop looking back, and press to this goal...

Philippians 1:9-11

9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Partakers of Grace Together

Those we serve, to bring to come to know Christ, these should be in our hearts. This is even greater when they are with you in prayer and encouragement when you go through difficult times for the Good News' sake. God knows and sees it all, so we should love and appreciate the encouraging and uplifting fellowship.

Philippians 1:7-8

7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. 8 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.

Thankful For Gospel Fellowship

Am I thankful for those God brought into my life whom I have been able to help in Christ? If so, then I must continue to pray for them, thanking God for their fellowship, their sharing in common the great news of reconciliation in Jesus Christ we share. It is so reassuring to know that He has them in His perfect and powerful hands to work in molding them after the image of Christ! This gives comfort, hope, and peaceful assurance.

Philippians 1:3-6

3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

Grace to the Saints

Once again, those who are reborn, reconciled to God through Jesus Christ, set apart for God now (saints) - these know peace inside and His unmerited, unearned favor called grace. Saints are not determined, elected, or sponsored by any man or church, but by God Himself due to calling them out of sin, death, and Hell. We are set aside for Him by Him.

Philippians 1:1-2

1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ,

To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Peace to the Brethren

Peace and rest are for those who trust and follow God in Jesus the Christ. This rest that goes beyond words or understanding is above all for those who love Him in word and deed. This must be sincere and pure (true), not a religious game or fear-driven compliance. It is truly so!

Ephesians 6:23-24

23 Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

Comfort and Care in Serving

Paul showed an example of how we are to truly care for those we lead to see and come to know Jesus. He sent word of how he was doing to encourage and put them at ease for what God was doing through him and for him. He wanted to comfort, encourage, and exhort them... So he sent word by a trusted and loved friend in Christ. We can also let others know how God is working in and through us by others at times, or by email or letters.

Ephesians 6:21-22

21 But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you; 22 whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, and that he may comfort your hearts.