Title Conditions of Gratitude (Explanation of Philippians 3)
Contents
Title: Conditions of Gratitude (Explanation of Philippians 3)
(Sunday service on May 13, 2007, text: Philippians 1:7-8)
The reason Paul was able to give thanks and pray for joy whenever he thought of the Philippian church last time was because of true fellowship. In an age where there is a 'house' but the 'home' is lost, and in an age where a community that accepts and accepts me as I am, gratitude for true friendship makes me envious.
And today, Paul tells two more today about the reason why he is thankful whenever he thinks of the Philippian church. What is it? Let's read verse 7 together.
“It is proper for me to think this way for all of you, because you are in my heart, and in my bonds and in the vindication and confirmation of the gospel, you all become partakers of the grace with me.”
First, because I love you.
“Because you are in my heart”
It has been several years since Paul planted the Philippian church and left another area. However, the Philippian church members were always in Paul's heart. There is a saying in the saying "Out of sight, out of mind," that is, "Out of sight, out of mind." If you don't see a person, you are bound to forget that person. And eventually, your interest and love for that person will grow cold. However, today Paul was absent physically, but he had the members of the Philippian church in his heart. How is this possible? The reason is that Paul always prayed for the Philippian church. This is because, if you pray for someone, you can have spiritual fellowship even though your body may be gone. It is because it is the power of prayer and the power of love that you can feel the pain and crisis of life of the person you pray for even in a foreign country.
Look at Paul's love for the Philippian church. Verse 8. “God is my witness how I long for you all with the heart of Jesus Christ.”
Second, because of participation in the gospel ministry.
“For in my bondage and in the vindication and confirmation of the gospel, you all became partakers of the grace with me.”
The most important thing for Paul is the ministry related to the gospel. This was so important that it was Paul's lifelong mission, for which he did not regard life as precious at all. Hear that great tribulation awaits you when you enter Jerusalem, and listen to Paul's confession. “I do not count my life of any value, in order to finish my course and the mission I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24).
By the way, how grateful I am that the Philippian Church has participated in the gospel ministry that is more important than life. Please think for a moment. Someone joins you in something you value more than life. Think of it as participating not just from afar, but by sharing your time, material, devotion, and life. How grateful, dear, grateful that person is. Here is Paul's thanks for the Philippian church.
Then, what was the content of the gospel ministry that Paul valued more than life?
First, it is “my bond”.
In other words, it can be called “the sufferings suffered because of the gospel.” There are many reasons why we suffer. You can get hurt because you make a mistake, or you can be vaguely beaten for no particular reason. However, another thing is suffering for the sake of righteousness and for the sake of the gospel. If we look at the book of Acts, we can see the record of the persecution and suffering Paul suffered while preaching the gospel. They are starved, beaten, imprisoned, and even threatened with death.
You will remember comedian Jeong Jong-cheol, who was invited to our church last December. He is famous for Okdongja and Ma Pakgi, and after giving his testimony at our church, he won the Best Comedy Award at the KBS Entertainment Awards the next day. However, Jong-cheol Jeong confesses that he wants to become a comedian who preaches the gospel for the rest of his life. So on Saturdays and Sundays, except in special cases, we go to church meetings. Then, fellow comedians will swear at you. It's not popular all your life, you have to make a lot of money when your popularity is at its peak, but why do you go to church testimonies on weekends, the golden season, when you can't afford it? However, he says that he is a comedian to spread the gospel, not a comedian to make money. So, even if they lose money because of preaching the gospel, it's okay. So, I also gave my testimony at our church, and promised that if I called you one more time, I would definitely come again.
Second, it is “the excuse and confirmation of the gospel”.
When we accept Jesus and become children of God, a very abundant life unfolds. However, the forces of darkness do not leave us alone. Seducing through people, raising doubts. It tempts and knocks us down through books, ideas, movies, and the media. To excuse the gospel is to actively respond to external attacks, and to confirm it is to strengthen it internally.
If you watch movies, cartoons, and broadcasts today, you can see that there are a lot of content such as ghosts, magic, and new things. For example, "Love and the Soul" (title: Ghost) in the 1990s starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore. Also, the power magic warrior Marjiranger that kids these days love so much. The story is about five siblings becoming sorcerers and defeating enemies. The dragon sometimes enters people, and the content is very spiritual. In the past, my children used to cry and wake up crying saying they had scary dreams on the day they slept after seeing Magic Warrior Marji Ranger. Children are spiritually oppressed as the scenes they see on TV are shown in their dreams. So I stopped seeing Magic Warrior Marjiranger for a while. Then there is no such thing now.
There are numerous other examples. There are enemies that weaken our faith and attack us. Especially today, families have become a mess. Keep your home. You need to make your home beautiful. Don't fall for lewdness. What we need to remember is that there is an evil spirit behind it. And, it cleverly attacks people's theories, ideas, and culture. Against him we must be wise as serpents, innocent as doves, defend our gospel, and abide in confidence in ourselves. For him, you must be nourished by the Word and receive the power of the Holy Spirit through prayer. Only then can we overcome this evil force.
As I was preparing the sermon, I had one wish. That is, I wish I could give the same kind of thanks as Paul. The situation of the Philippian church was very difficult. However, Paul suffered along with the gospel and willingly participated in this ministry to defend and confirm the gospel. They gave their time, and they shared material and even life. Because of these co-workers in the gospel ministry, Paul was able to carry out the gospel ministry with power. The preaching of the gospel does not happen automatically. There must be someone's sacrifice and service. It is possible only when someone gives their time, material, and life.
I wish. I pray every day for you with all my heart, and you pray for me and for each other, so I expect each other to be in each other's hearts. Also, I hope that you will be able to participate with me in prayer, time, material and life in suffering, making excuses, and confirming things for the sake of the gospel. I hope that this can become a condition of my gratitude to you.