divided heart

Teach me your way, O LORD,
and I will walk in your truth;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name

(Ps 86:11)

So often my heart is divided, I know the truth but I'm not walking in it. I fear man more than God. The opinions and approval of others become an overbearing weight and as a result my heart is divided. Lord, teach me your ways. Give me an undivided heart.

among the transgressors (Isaiah 53:12)

Isaiah 53:12

Therefore, I will divide him a portion among the many, and he shall divide the spoil among the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered among the transgressors; yet he bore the sins of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.

Jesus is pictured here as a victorious king after a battle. the cross looked like a battle that Jesus lost, but it was actually where the greatest victory took place. It is not temporary, Jesus has won, we know the end result! 

  

And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

(Philippians 2:8-11 ESV)

Jesus poured out his soul unto death, but the death was on our behalf - he bore the sins of many. He was numbered among the transgressors, although he wasn't one, and he make intercession for us. Jesus took our place, and stands in the gap between us and God, his death meaning we can enter God's presence again. That is the message about the suffering servant in Isaiah 53

trade (Isaiah 53:11)

Isaiah 53:11

Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.

The crucifixion was not easy for Jesus - he suffered. But he was ultimately satisfied, there are no regrets for him, his mission was accomplished.

By his knowledge - or the knowledge of him - there is an exchange: he bore our iniquities and the righteousness of the righteous one makes us righteous!

it worked (Isaiah 53:10b)

Isaiah 53:10b

when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

When Jesus cancelled our guilt through his death:

• "he shall see his offspring" - Jesus will "see" us because we are welcomed back into the family of God, no longer cut off
• "he shall prolong his days" - Jesus is raised and will reign forever. His death did mark the end of his kingdom but the next stage in his rule
• "the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand" - this was God's plan and it has been successful!

Jereboam

Jereboam was a servant of Solomon, and God decided to make him king over the (divided) nation of Israel (1 Kings 11:26-40). Jereboam went from nothing to ruling a kingdom and it was a gift from God, he had done nothing for it. You would think that, of all people, Jereboam would realise that everything has been given to him by God, and that knowledge would lead to a life marked by trusting and following Him out of heart-felt gratitude. Unfortunately, once he had the kingdom, he starts to worry about losing it and relying on his own efforts to keep it (1 Kings 12:25-33). Before long this has ended up in nationwide idolatry - encouraging the people to worship 2 golden calves and setting up his own religious feasts and rituals.

It's easy to look at Jereboam and recognise his stupidity, but we do exactly the same thing! Everything we have is a gift from God. Your spouse, your house and your salvation are all gracious gifts from him. When we forget that, we start to worry about losing those things and hatching our own plans to control and keep them. Before long, we are worshiping and sacrificing at the golden calves of approval, finances or our own moral performance. Don't be stupid! God gave you the gift in the first place, worship the giver, not the gift.

according to plan (Isaiah 53:9-10)

Isaiah 53:9-10a

And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief.

Jesus was condemned as a criminal although he was totally innocent in word and deed. He didn't just suffer, he died and was buried (with a rich man in his death - fulfilled by Jesus burial in Joseph of Arimathea's tomb, see Matt 27:57-60). Why did this massive "injustice" happen. It wasn't an accident. It happened because it was God's will - it was God's rescue plan.

Acts 2:23 this Jesus, delivered up according to  he definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.

do you understand? (Isaiah 53:8)

Isaiah 53:8

By oppression and judgement he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people?

Jesus' generation saw his death happen, they heard him talk about it, they knew the prophecies. But they did not consider it - think about it, reflect on it, understand it's meaning. The same is true today. Most people are aware that Jesus died but don't know why. Maybe they've even heard that he died "for us" in someway but they do not consider why that matters. Without the Holy Spirit opening our eyes to the meaning of the gospel, we may hear it as a fact but will be blind to it's message.

He chose the cross (Isaiah 53:7)

Isaiah 53:7

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.

Jesus could have spoken up in his own defense at his trial, as the accusations against him were false and conflicting. Jesus could have spoken a single word and, the same voice that brought creation into existence, could have destroyed his opponents, or called down armies of angels or brought himself down from the cross. Think about how outraged we feel when we have false accusations made against us. Even though none of them will come anywhere close to this situation, we are desperate to defend ourselves, to set the record straight. Jesus didn't. He remained silent. He chose the cross.

In Acts 8, the Ehtiopian eunuch is reading this passage from Isaiah and doesn't understand it. Phillip, starting from these verses, "told him the good news about Jesus." (Acts 8:35). Phillip probably said something similar to Peter's reflections on the same themes in 1 Peter 2:22-25

He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

substitution (Isaiah 53)

sub·sti·tute 

a person or thing acting or serving in place of another.

to put (a person or thing) in the place of another.

The heart of the message of the cross is substitution. Jesus took our place. This is reinforced again and again in Isaiah 53:

• v4 surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows 
• v5 he was wounded for our transgressions
• v5 he was crushed for our iniquities
• v5 upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace
• v5 with his stripes we are healed
• v6 the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all
• v8 he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people
• v11 he shall bear their iniquities
• v12 he bore the sin of many 
   

There was an exchange. He took our sin. he gave us his righteousness. Amazing!

wandering (Isaiah 53:6)

Isaiah 53:6

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned - every one - to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

We are like sheep, wandering off from the shepherd, turning away from the one who cares for us, provides for us and protects us because we've seen some bit of grass that looks better than the piece we're currently on. Sheep are essentially stupid animals, and so are we. We don't realise that we are turning away from the one who gives us life, setting ourselves on a trajectory towards death. We have all done this. This verse is clear, every one of us has turned away from God. We deserve to be left wandering, but instead, the good shepherd came looking for us, and God laid our iniquity on him

wounded for us (Isaiah 53:5)

Isaiah 53:5

But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.

We start off in a bad place in this verse. We have transgressed - rebelling against our creator, wanting to go our own way. We are also in iniquity, guilty.  Everything we do is twisted and tainted by our selfish, sinful motives. We have not only failed God but also rejected him. 


But, amazingly, by the end of this verse we are in a much better position. We have peace - completeness, contentment, restoration of our relationship with God. And we are healed - brought from death into life.


How did this dramatic turnaround happen? It happened because Jesus was wounded, dying a brutal death in our place. It happened because Jesus was crushed and broken so that we could be restored. It happened because Jesus was chastised, taking God's wrath that our rebellion deserved.

That is God's great love for us. He suffered violence so that we can have peace. He died so that we can have eternal life.

we don't get what we deserve (Isaiah 53:4)

Isaiah 53:4

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God and afflicted.

Often we can look at others and we want God to judge them, we want them to get what we think they deserve for their sin. We want to see God teaching them a lesson. No doubt the majority of the crowd at Jesus crucifixion were doing the same thing with Jesus. They judged that he was being punished by God for what he had said and taught. If that wasn't the case, if Jesus didn't deserve it, if he hadn't done anything wrong then why wouldn't God have protected him from this brutal death?

The reality is that Jesus didn't deserve the cross but he chose it, protecting us from the death we do deserve.

man of sorrows (Isaiah 53:3)

Isaiah 53:3

He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

• despised - I used to despise the name of Jesus, recoil a bit at it's use. The use of the name in a conversation makes often makes people uncomfortable. Would you sacrifice anything to rescue someone who despised you? He sacrificed his own life for those, including me, who despised him.
• rejected by men - we rejected him we should be rejected by him. Instead, he endured rejection so that we can be accepted.
• man of sorrows - the creator of the universe experiencing sorrow and shame so that we can have eternal joy
• acquainted with grief - God did not have to acquaint himself with grief, but he did so that the suffering we experience now is a light and momentary affliction compared to the eternal weight of glory that lies ahead
• men hide their faces - we did not want him, he pursued us. If he had not loved us first we would still refuse him!
• esteemed him not - though he deserves the highest esteem, honour and glory from us, we consider ourselves on a level with him. the creator says something but, even though I am a created being, I think I know better, I think that I'm a special case. I esteem myself more highly than God.

This is the shocking nature of what happened on the cross.

judging a book by it's cover (Isaiah 53:2)

Isaiah 53:2a

For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.

Jesus didn't appear in power and glory but in humility as a baby that had to grow up, experiencing everything we experienced but without sin. The incarnation was like a root coming up out of dry ground - life in the midst of spiritually dead people, light in the midst of darkness.

Jesus' earthly life didn't happen as we might expect - 30 years in obscurity. 3 years of public ministry during which at times he was popular but at others offended the crowds that were following him. People welcoming him into Jerusalem as a king and then a week later shouting for his death. To an outside observer he was, at best, someone who had a bit of potential as a leader, but wasted it. Someone who needed a better pr manager. That's because man looks at the outside appearance but God looks at the heart - the substance. We judge success on how things look to the outside. Jesus kingdom, during the time of his earthly life, did not look powerful or impressive, but at the heart of it was the all powerful creator God carrying out his plan to rescue mankind from their own deliberate disobedience.

strong? (Isaiah 53:1)

Isaiah 53:1

Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

The arm of the Lord is often associated with strength. Isaiah begins this section of his prophecy about the suffering servant with the question about who has believed and had the "arm of the Lord" revealed to them. the suffering servant sounds, and would appear, anything but strong. This seems like weakness. Who would believe it? But God's power is revealed in apparent weakness. The bruised, crushed, afflicted servant that Isaiah is about to describe is the greatest show of God's strength possible - God himself, become man to die in our place and destroy Satan, sin and death!

I am what I am (1 Cor 15:9-10)

1 Corinthians 15:9-10

For I am the least of all the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace towards me was not in vain.

"I am what I am" is a popular phrase used to excuse almost anything. Yes, I know I gossip/treat my spouse badly/react angrily to criticism/don't pray/don't read my bible/don't go to church if something better comes up... but that's just me, I am what I am! Paul tells the Corinthian church that "by the grace of God I am what I am". Is this justification for our self justification? God is gracious so who cares that I'm not? 

That is the opposite of Paul's meaning. He is astounded by God's grace that has taken him from persecuting the church and, as unworthy as he is, has made him an apostle. God's grace transformed Paul from someone trying to kill off the church to someone who would spend the rest of his life planting churches! Paul's cry of "I am what I am" is "can you believe God is so gracious that I am what I am?" not "don't expect me to change". 

God's grace towards Paul was not in vain. What about us? It changed him. Is it changing us?

witnesses to the resurrection (1 cor15:4-8)

1 corinthians 15:4b-8

...he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve, then he appeared to more than 500 brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, although some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

Jesus resurrection transformed people's lives.

• Cephas (Peter) was transformed from someone who was denying that he even knew Jesus into someone boldly proclaiming the gospel, despite the threats of the authorities.
• the Twelve were transformed from a fearful, uncertain and confused group into fearless witness  willing to die for the gospel.
• we don't know the individual stories of the 500 brothers Paul mentions, but he is pointing out to his readers that most of these people are still alive - ask them their story. Every one of them has been transformed.
• James, the brother of Jesus has been transformed from thinking his brother was insane to worshipping him as God!
• Paul was transformed from someone who was persecuting the church and seeking to arrest and murder Christians into the man who God used to take the gospel to the gentile world.

Jesus' life, death and resurrection changes everything!

Jesus is alive (1 cor 15:4)

1 Corinthians 15:4

... he was raised on the third day

Jesus is alive. Death couldn't hold him. No one else has conquered the grave. Because of that, anything that anyone else says about what happens when you die is just speculation. Jesus died and returned and He is not just speculating, we know that our future is resurrection with Him. Because He was raised we know that his sacrifice was effective, our sins are forgiven, it is finished, we are no longer wondering whether we have pleased God because we know Jesus already has. Because Jesus is raised we don't need to be afraid because we see his power that conquered Satan, sin and death and that same power is with us.

Every other "great" religious or political leader is dead or will die. Jesus is alive!

... in accordance with the scriptures (1 cor 15:3-4)

1 Corinthians 15:3-4

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures.

The gospel, the good news about who Jesus is and what he has done is in accordance with the scriptures. The gospel is biblical. It is not God's plan B, it is not a change of attitude or approach from the Old Testament. The whole Bible s about, as Shai Linne raps, "man's complete ruin in sin and what God has done through Christ to bring them together again". If we are not rooted in the biblical understanding of the gospel we are prone to make it about other things without Jesus' substitutionary death central. We can't operate on the basis of "it seems to me..." or "surely it wouldn't have happened like that". Jesus death and resurrection were in accordance with the scriptures and that is where we need to look to understand their implications.

substitute (1 cor 15:3)

1 Cor 15:3

For I delivered to you of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures.

Jesus died FOR OUR sins. Substitution is the heart of the gospel. He took our place. He lived the life we failed to live. He died the death we should have died. He took our sin. He gives us His righteousness. It is the great exchange. This is not some generalised "he died for the sin of humanity" thing, but deeply personal. He died for MY sins. What a Saviour!

preach the gospel... using words (1 cor 15:1-2)

1 Corinthians 15

v1 Now I would remind you brothers of the gospel I preached to you...

v2... hold fast to the word I preached to you.

The gospel is news that needs to be told. It can not be fully explained by actions alone, it needs to be spoken. The idea that preaching or telling people about the gospel is not massively important probably comes from a misunderstanding of what the gospel is. The gospel is not advice but news. If it was advice of what we need to do to be good people then that could potentially be sufficiently communicated by actions alone, but people need to be told about news.

"The gospel is news rather than instruction. The Greek term “gospel” (ev-angelion) distinguished the Christian message from that of other religions.
• An “ev-angel” was news of a great historical event that changed the listeners’ condition and required response (such as a victory in war or the ascension of a new king).
• So the gospel is news of what God has done to accomplish salvation through Jesus Christ in history. It is not advice about what we must do to reach God.
• We do not achieve this salvation. We only accept it."

Tim Keller, Gospel Christianity

remember the gospel (1 cor 15:1-2)

1 corinthians 15:1-2a

Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand and by which you are being saved.

The people Paul is writing to in Corinth are Christians - Paul calls them brothers and says that they recieved the gospel. So why is he reminding them of the gospel? He is reminding them of the good news about Jesus life, death and resurrection because it is not just something that they heard and understood in the past, but it is also the thing "by which they are being saved". Their growth in the Christian life doesn't come from moving beyond the gospel but by going deeper into it.

• The way to overcome your habit of lying to cover up your mistakes is to understand that the gospel tells us that, although God knows every "mistake" we've made along with every sinful thought and attitude, He loves us and we are accepted by Him not because we stopped doing things wrong or successfully managed to cover them up but because of Jesus' death on the cross.
• The way to stop reacting in anger to your spouse is to understand how God is slow in anger but rich in love towards us, despite the fact that we constantly provoke Him by trying to take His place.

As Tim Keller says, "the gospel is not the ABC of Christianity, it is the A to Z"

rock and redeemer (psalm 19:14)

Psalm 19:14

Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

Words and the heart behind them are both important. Sometimes we might just be focused on the right words - thinking that because we said the right thing, or didn't say something bad, then we're ok, even though the motives behind the scenes were wrong. Or maybe we go the other way and think the words we say didn't really matter because I didn't really mean them! Both are important. The words flow from the heart. They are both connected.

How do we change in this area? By looking at God. He is described as our rock. He is the only true, solid, stable foundation that we can rely on. everything else we lean our weight on can (and usually will) fail. It's common to hear people saying "they were my rock" but what happens when that person fails to give you what you need? I heard someone say that, for her and another person, "they were each other's rocks". That is nonsensical. How can you rest on someone who is needing you to support them? we need to recognise God as the Rock.

He's not just an unmoving foundation. We've chosen to leave the rock and stand on other things and become enslaved to sin, unable to help ourselves, unable to return to the rock. But God is also the redeemer. He brings us out of slavery. He acts to bring us back to Him. The fault was all ours, we sold ourselves into slavery, but he paid the price of his life to free us. That's the good news of the gospel!

breaking sin's dominion (psalm 19:13)

psalm 19:13

Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.

As well as our blind spots (v12) we also need help with the sins that we know are wrong and do them anyway. We are justified - freed from the power of sin and we will eventually be glorfied - freed from the presence of sin, but at the moment we are being sanctified - being freed from the power of sin. that is not done in our strength and so we should be regularly praying God for the areas that we know we are tempted in, the areas we know we are struggling. We should not only pray for forgiveness but also for the power of the Holy Spirit to beat sin.

blind spots (psalm 19:12)

Psalm 19:12

Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults

We tend to easily notice the errors of those around us while remaining ignorant of our own. By definition, we can't see our blind spots. That is why we need God's word to warn us, why we need the holy spirit to convict us and why we need to be in community with others who will lovingly challenge us when necessary. What should we do when we are made aware of these things? Not try to justify them. Not try to ignore them. Not try to minimise them by comparing ourselves with someone else (that would be declaring ourselves innocent). Not think that we can change in our own strength. We should run to God, who has declared us innocent based on Jesus' work on the cross.

warnings with great reward (psalm 19:11)

Psalm 19:11

Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

God's law acts as a warning to us. Showing us our sin and warning of the consequences. This points us to Jesus, who fulfiled the law and provides a way for us to be rescued and restored despite the fact that we have violated God's law. But, as well as that, this psalm reminds us that there is great reward in following God's law. His commands are not there to give us a poorer quality of life but to give us the best quality to life possible. His commands are for our good.

God's word

In the Bible we find God's testimony about himself, His self-revelation to us, His laws and commands about the way life should work. In Psalm 19 this is described as:

• perfect - complete, providing everything that we need, no fault in it, no deficiency
• sure - not uncertain
• right - not only the opposite of wrong, but the correct way, the correct path
• pure - no bias, no blemish
• clean - clear, can be understood
• true - not a guess at truth like the world offers

do we believe all this. Are we convinced that the bible is perfect?

The effects of god's word on us are:

• it revives the soul - resurrects a dead soul set on destruction!
• makes wise the simple - shows us how life works
• rejoices the heart - gives us joy (in the gospel) despite our circumstances
• enlightens the eyes - letting us see things as they really are
• warns - shows us our sin

that is why it is better than the best thing you can imagine

better than... (psalm 19:10)

psalm 19:10

More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.

God's word, his revelation to us, is better than gold, sweeter than honey. What God says is better than the best thing you can imagine. The Bible isn't a weighty burden on us, it is good for us. It is the treasure in the field that was worth the man selling everything else he had. It is the pearl that was worth selling every other pearl. It is for His glory, but His glory is also our greatest good!

words that last (psalm 19:9)

psalm 19:9

the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.

the fear, awe, reverence of God is something else that we learn from the Bible and it endures forever. People who we might be in awe of, say things that seem wise but those people die and their words are forgotten. God's word endures forever. His rules are true, in contrast to the deceptive "rules" or lack of them (which is a rule in the first place) that are given to us in society. Only God is righteous.

blind experts (psalm 19:8)

Psalm 19:8

the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes

God's revelation to us - about himself, ourselves and how life works - is right and pure, unlike the ideas we invent for ourselves about how we think the world does or should work. It would seem ridiculous for me to claim to be an expert in Physics compared to Einstein for example, but we all seem to think that we're an expert in life. Maybe God, the creator of life, can give us a bit of advice, but otherwise we've pretty much got it sorted! We are self proclaimed experts on life but we are actually walking around in darkness.

proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

"only in the commandments of God that we find the difference between good and evil laid down, and that it is in vain to seek it elsewhere, since whatever men devise of themselves is mere filth and refuse, corrupting the purity of the life. He farther intimates that men, with all their acuteness, are blind, and always wander in darkness, until they turn their eyes to the light of heavenly doctrine. Whence it follows, that none are truly wise but those who take God for their conductor and guide, following the path which he points out to them, and who are diligently seeking after the peace which he offers and presents by his word." Calvin

It's God's word that opens our eyes to see things asthey really are and that news - the depths of our sin but the wonders of his grace, should cause our hearts to rejoice.

reviving wisdom (psalm 19:7)

Psalm 19:7

The law of the Lord is perfect, revivng the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

God's law revives! When we feel drained our burned out, we think we need "time off" from what God wants us to do, but it is what God says that will revive us. We see it as a burden, but it is the best way to live, it is lifegiving, it is designed by the author of life! Without Jesus it condemns us, but because Jesus fulfilled it, we can joyfully follow Him.

God's law also makes us wise. We don't apply our wisdom in order to interpret the Bible, it is the Bible that gives us wisdom. The Bible s a book that reads us!

the sun (psalm 19:4b-6)

psalm 19:4b-6

In them he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. Its rising is from one end of the heavens and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

David uses the sun as another example of creation teaching us about the creator. It is described as a bridegroom leaving his chamber, the newlywed "glowing" couple? Calvin says this refers to surpassing beauty, magnificent splendour. The sun allows us to see everything else but we can't look directly at it without being blinded due to its intense light. It is also like a strong man running a race, you can't stop it, it operates completely independantly from us, yet we are completely dependant on it. Nothing is hidden from its heat, nobody can choose to take the sun out of their life, it was there before us and will be there after us and we are able to live because it is there, not the other way around.

The sun teaches us about God  - he is so glorious that we couldn't stand to look directly at him, we are totally dependant on him for everything, we can't choose to opt out of living in his world (even though we act as if God is encroaching into our life!), we can't stop him, he does what he is going to do whether we like it or not. 

In revelation 21:23 we read about  "the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light". As important and massive and powerful as the sun is, God is more important and massive and powerful, and when we go to be with him, we wont need the sun any more!

without excuse (psalm 19:3-4b)

Psalm 19:3-4b

There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.

The thrust of these verses is that the "speech" of the universe telling us about the glory of God is everywhere and includes everyone. There is no one who has not heard this "voice". This idea is the key to the passage on idolatry in Romans 1:18-25

¹⁸ The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, ¹⁹ since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. ²⁰ For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. ²¹ For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. ²²²³ and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. ²⁴ Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. ²⁵ They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.  Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools

Let's listen to what the voice of creation tells us about the creator, instead of supressing the truth.

creation and creator (psalm 19:1)

The first verse of psalm 19 tells us that creaton tells us about the glory of God. It doesn't say that creation is God (pantheism). Creaton and creator are seperate things, with the creator obviously superior. The universe can tell us many things about the wonderful creator, but the universe is something God made, not something He is

daily reminders (psalm 19:2)

psalm 19:2

day to day pours out speech and night to night reveals knowledge

Creation is always telling us about the creator. Are we listening? We assume that one day will follow the next, but the regular pattern of day following night following day should remain us of the faithfulness and reliability of God. He is unchanging in his position towards us. Even when we are faithless, he remains faithful. We rely on many things to support us that can't promise anything. God is perfectly reliable. We have no need to look elsewhere.

the skies speak (psalm 19:1)

Psalm 19:1

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims his handiwork

Everything we see tells us something about God. Creation talks to us about the creator. When we look up, we see the sky (which appears to go on forever) or space (which does go on forever) and we should be reminded that God is bigger. God made everything we see, he is powerful. We can't go anywhere to escape being under the sky or heavens, God is everywhere, we are never cut off from his presence, there is nowehere that is outside his sphere of control. The sky fascinates us with clouds, sunrises and sunsets and tells us that God is creative. 

Are we listening to the voce of creation? It points towards a creator. Someone bigger, someone better, someone behind everything, someone in control of anything - humbling us (looking at the sky or thinking about space reminds us of how small we are) but at the same time making us more secure (knowing that God is not out of control). Creation also tells us that God is good, he is worthy of praise, he is glorious - we are amazed, speechless, breathtaken, emotional, stimulated when we consider creation, which is just a shadow of the creator!

"When we behold the heavens, we cannot but be elevated, by the contemplation of them, to Him who is their great Creator; and the beautiful arrangement and wonderful variety... together with the beauty and splendor which are manifest in them, cannot but furnish us with an evident proof of his providence. Scripture, indeed, makes known to us the time and manner of the creation; but the heavens themselves, although God should say nothing on the subject, proclaim loudly and distinctly enough that they have been fashioned by his hands: and this of itself abundantly suffices to bear testimony to men of his glory. As soon as we acknowledge God to be the supreme Architect, who has erected the beauteous fabric of the universe, our minds must necessarily be ravished with wonder at his infinite goodness, wisdom, and power." Calvin

seeking our own interests

We have an in-built tendency to seek our own interests instead of others. It's called sin! We are happy enough to think about others interests when it doesn't affect us too much. Or we are willing to put ourselves out when we think there will be some sort of return later. Paul's letter to the Philippians instructs the exact opposite. He encourages a counter-cultural attitude when he says in Philippians 2:4, "let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others".

How does an obsession with my own interests affect my life?

• Do I have a high concern for my own comfort or, like Paul, am I viewing whatever happens to me as a way for the gospel to advance? (1:12-14)
• Do I feel a sense of rivalry with others or am I rejoicing that the gospel is being preached, even if those doing the preaching don't like me! (1:15-18)
• Am I living my life for something that will end when I die, or am I living my life for Jesus and look forward to being with him eternally (1:21-25)
• Do I see myself as more significant than others, or others more significant than myself? (2:4)
• Do I grumble and complain about most things? (2:14)
• Am I thinking about my own welfare or, like Timothy, genuinely concerned for the welfare of others? (2:19-22)
• Am I concerned about my own safety or, like Epaphroditus, willing to risk my life for the work of Christ? (2:29-30)
• Do I expect my own accomplishments to be impressive to others or God, or do I recognise them as rubbish and depend on Jesus' work instead of my own? (3:4-9)
• Is my mind set on earthly things or do I recognise that I am a citizen of heaven? (3:18-20)
• Am I anxious when things seem out of control, or do I pray and trust God (4:6-7)
• Do I think that getting something or achieving something will bring me contentment or have I learned to be content in any situation? (4:11-13)
• Am I generous with my money or do I give to support the needs of others? (4:15-17)

We probably don't do to well on this list. What's the answer? Look at Jesus. He was the one person who truly did not seek his own interests, but he gave everything up for us. He "made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross (2:5-11)". No matter how concerned we are with our own interests, we can't fix ourselves. Jesus took care of our needs, let's think about the needs of others.

philippians word clouds

chapter 1


chapter 2


chapter 3


chapter 4


whole book

focussed on grace (phil 4:23)

Philippians 4:23

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Paul finishes his letter to the Philippians in the same place he started - the grace of Jesus Christ. That is what it is all about. Grace gives him joy in prison. Grace affects Paul's approach to life and death. Grace is what we see in Jesus' incarnation and death. Grace is what motivates servants of the gospel like Timothy and Epaphroditus. Grace is what makes Paul count all his works as rubbish. Grace is what causes Paul to strive towards the goal of being with Christ. Grace inspires unity, humility and generousity. The message of the gospel, the grace shown to us through Jesus, is what defines the Christian life.

real people (phil 4:21-22)

Philippians 4:21-22

Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of Caeser's household.

Paul always has (usually extended) greetings in his letters. This is a community of believers. This is not Paul discharging information through an academic paper distrbuted to faceless learners. It involves real relationships between real people. that is how the christian life operates.

every need supplied (phil 4:19-20)

Philippians 4:19-20

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen

God can and will supply every need we have. What we think our needs are may not actually be our greatest need. We think our greatest need is comfort, security, happiness. The greatest riches that God can give us is His glory, most clearly on display through Jesus Christ. My greatest need isn't for God to get me a job or a wife, my greatest need is to see who God is and what he has done in the purpose and work of Jesus Christ.

investment (phil 4:17-18)

Philippians 4:17-18

Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have recieved full payment and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.

The talk about money in the last few verses is not a case of Paul trying to get rich but getting them to see that they are investing in the advanceof the gospel. Their investment is bearing fruit, the church is growing, people's lives are being transformed. This is worshipping God with money - an offering and sacrifice to God. This is the best thing to spend your money on. It is the only investment that lasts eternally.

generousity (phil 4:14-16)

philippians 4:14-16

yet it was kind of you to share in my trouble. And you philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.

The giving of financial/material/physical aid is referred to as "sharing in trouble", "partnership in giving and receiving", "help". Are these the things that mark our Christian communities? Why are Christians know for being stingy rather than financially generous? It's because we don't recognise that everything is a gift. We don't believe God is sovereign - and so I think I need to look after myself. And we don't believe that God is good - we don't trust that God's plan is for our good. The worst thing that most people can imagine is that god would ask them to give away their money!

contentment (phil 4:10-13)

philippians 4:10-13

I rejoiced n the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. Indeed you were concerned for me but had no opportunity. Not that  am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Paul exhibits contentment, a totally counter cultural attitude in today's society. Everyone wants to be content but we have all been conned into thinking we need x/y/z to be content. The advertising industry is built around creating discontent in us. We tend to be materially discontent and spiritually content, when it should be the other way around.

Paul is content in any situation, in any and every circumstance, when he is brought low and when he abounds, when he has plenty and when he is hungry. How? through Him (Jesus!) who gives Paul strength. It is because his contentment is found in Jesus, not in physical circumstances.

v13 is not some sort of "if you believe it you can achieve it" type thing, as if often gets used. It's not about you succeeding in sport, business or family life. It's about being content in every circumstances. Sadly, this verse is often used in a way that suggests God will help you to achieve the "plenty" that you "need" to be content!

practice (phil 4:9)

Philippians 4:9

what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me - practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

• Are we looking for examples of godly men and women to follow? We should see someone growing in their relationship with God and find out what they do, learn from them, listen to them, observe them. Why do we think that we've got all the answers in ourselves?
• Also, we should expect to practice these things, we can't expect it just to happen. relationships build through time and effort, not because we have to do that, but because we desire to.

positive thinking (phil 4:8)

philippians 4:8

Finally brothers, whatever s true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

We tend to spend more time thinkng about the negatives rather than the positives. "Don't do this" dominates our thinking rather than "How can I do this good thing?". We should be looking for evidences of God's grace, not always going straight to the problems. We should spend tme dwelling on things that fall into the categories listed above. Of course, the perfect example of all of these things is Jesus. He is truth, honourable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and worthy of praise. We should spend time thinking about Him!

stand firm part 4 - anxiety vs prayer (phil 4:5b-7)

Philppians 4:5b-6

[stand firm thus in the Lord (v1b)]... The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

The person who s not standing firm in the Lord is anxious - everything depends on them, how can they make sure this turns out alright? I must control this, what about this thing that I can't control. The person standing firm in the Lord knows that God is at hand, he is near. the person standing firm in the Lord knows that we are not in control, but God is, and he can be trusted. The anxious person gets stressed when something goes wrong, running it over and over in their mind - praying to themselves, but still unable to do anything about it. The Christian reacts by praying to God, the person who can do something about it. The anxious person is assuming that they know best. The Christian knows that God actually does know best. The anxious person doesn't know if they can trust someone else to do what they're supposed to do. The Christian knows that God can be trusted. So, through prayer, God gives us peace. that peace surpasses understanding because the situation may not have change, the circumstances may be terrible, but the source of our peace is not crcumstances, it is tthe fact that God is near to us.

stand firm part 3 - be reasonable (phil4:5)

Philippians 4:5

[stand firm thus in the Lord (v1b)]...Let your reasonableness be known to everyone

Reasonableness here means "big heartedness", a forbearing spirit, contentment, reasonable with people, showing goodwill, being gracious. Are Christians known for this? Every relationshp and interaction we have with people should be marked by grace. That's not the same as being "nice" or being well-liked by everyone - Jesus was the most gracious person that ever walked the earth and he got killed! It does mean that we should be people who do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than ourselves, that we should look not only to our own interests, but also to the interests of othesr (ch2v3-4)

stand firm part 2 - rejoice (phil 4:4)

Philippians 4:4

[stand firm thus in the Lord (v1b)]... Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say rejoice

Paul says twice that we are to rejoice "in the Lord". This is a recurring theme in this letter and the key is that the rejoicing is in the Lord. Our circumstances may or may not give us any cause for happiness but we can rejoice in the Lord because of the gospel. Looking back at the cross and looking forward to Christ's return is the only sure source of joy.

stand firm part 1 - work for unity (phil4:2-3)

Philippians 4:2-3

[stand firm thus in the Lord]... I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have laboured side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life

Paul is going to address a number of things after the general command to "stand firm in the Lord". Firstly, to stand firm in the Lord is to work for unity. That is why Paul is urging the two women who are in dispute to agree in the Lord and the rest of the church (or an indivdual - "true companion") to help them. This is obviously not a matter of doctrine, otherwise Paul would have said which of these women were right. It is also clear that they are christians - they have laboured in the gospel alongside Paul and their names are in the book of life. This is not unity at all costs, Paul disagrees sharply with anyone who opposes or changes the gospel (he's called them dogs earlier in this letter!). But in secondary matters - styles, traditions, music, bible translations, favourite authors/preachers - we should work hard to agree "in the Lord" for the sake of the church. Working for unity in these sorts of disagreements cultivates humlity in ourselves and builds relationships that help us to stand firm in the Lord. Being divisive over these sorts of issues does not.

joy and crown (phil 4:1)

Philippians 4:1

Therefore my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and my crown, stand firm in the Lord, my beloved

Paul's affection for the Philippians has been clear throughout the letter. These are not impersonal service users as he fulfils his "job" of planting churches. He loves them. He describes them as his joy - his joy is not dependant on selfish criteria, but other people walking with God brings him joy. He describes them as his crown - his recognition is not financial achievement or political status, but that God has used him to build His church. He cares for them. They are important to Him. And now, as he starts to bring the letter to a close, he wants to encourage them to stand firm in the Lord, which he will give them some advice about in the following verses.

future motivated (phil 3:20-21)

Philippians 3:20-21

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to himself.

rather than having minds set on earthly things (v19) Paul encourages us to remember that we are citizens of heaven, and that future focus should affect the way we live in the present. Am I anticipating the day when Jesus returns and transforms me? Or am I too concerned with this life. Paul is looking forward to Jesus' return (see 3v11, 14 as well as this verse). that affects the decisions he makes today. Are my decisions motivated by my focus on today?

enemies of the cross (phil 3:18-19)

Philippians 3:18-19

For many, of whom I have often told you, and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

It seems like a terrifying thing to be described as an enemy of the cross of Christ. Their god is their belly and their minds are set on earthly things - satisfying their own desires for money, power, security or sex become the motivating factor in their lives. Success or failure, satisfaction and happiness are defined by these goals. They glory in their shame with a kind of perverse pride in disobeying God and their end is destruction - they are willfully cutting themselves off from God, the author of life.

This might be fairly easy to recognise outside the church, but applying these criteria to churchgoers can often reveal the same thing! We might be attending the church services, reading the bible and praying but we might still be motivated by earthly things - using God to try and satisfy the "god" our belly, wanting Him to meet my desire for a successful career, or a healthy life or a secure family life. Or we may be proud and self-righteousness, thinking that God is pleased with our moral efforts, when actually we are glorying in our shame

This is walking as an enemy of the cross of Christ. At the cross we can find life instead of destruction. At the cross we see that, while we were worshipping the god of our belly, the God of the universe loved us so much that he died in our place. At the cross we see the depths of our shame and the heights of His glory. When we look at the cross, we see something greater than those "earthly things" that occupied our minds.

imitation (phil 3:17)

Philippians 3:17

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example they have in us

Paul telling others to imitate him may seem like a bold claim, but it is not arrogance when what Paul is telling them to imitate is his total reliance on the gospel for his righteousness before God. He is asking us to join him in counting whatever "gain" we had as loss and rely on God's grace. We should be looking to follow the example of people who are doing this, not necessarily trying to imitate those who seem talented or skillful or together, but those who are humbly trusting in God and not themselves.

not moving (phil 3:16)

Philippians 3:16

Only let us hold true to what we have attained

We should never be moving on from the gospel. We don't move on from the righteousness that we "attained" through Jesus death on the cross. The way we have grown is by the Spirit, everything we have acheived is his work in us, and that is how we will continue to grow.

mature thinking (phil 3:15)

Philippians 3:15

Let those of you who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.

We might judge Christian maturity in a variety of ways, but one of the ways that Paul evaluates it here is are they thinking in this way. What is THIS way? The ideas he has been covering in the previous verses: Considering everything as loss compared to Jesus, knowing that our righteousness comes through faith and not to law, pressing on towards Jesus. 

Paul also indicates that if immature believers are to mature in this way of thinking, it will be God who reveals it to them. We can't even take credit for mature thinking as a believer, it is only because God has revealed it to us!

humble pursuit (phil 3:12-14)

Philippians 3:12-14

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own becase Christ jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own, but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on towards the goal for the prize of the upward call in Christ Jesus.

Paul is humble in this passage (making it clear that he does not think he has already become holy etc) but also is totally commited to pursuing holiness. Usually for us, we are either humbly aware of our sin and not bothered to fight it, or we are wholeheartedly commited to the pursuit of holiness and self-righteous at the same time! As Christians we should have no reason for self righteousness as we are keenly aware of our own sin which made the cross necessary. But also we should be motivated to live holy lives by the love that compelled jesus to go to the cross. Paul is pressing on to make it his own because Jesus has made Paul His own. Our justification motivates our sanctification (which is still only possible by the Spirit!). This is grace-driven effort. 

"Paul answers by using the illustration of a runner. What must the runner do to succeed? He must not concern himself with some awkward mistake or misstep at the beginning of the race. He cannot run well if he is thinking about how poorly he broke from the blocks, or, on the other hand, how splendidly he covered the first few yards. He must be good at obliteration, wiping such thoughts from his mind. And he must focus his concentration completely on the goal line, driving towards it with everything his body has to offer and straining every muscle.
Here is a picture for every Christian to etch into his or her mind. We must approach the Christian life in the same manner. We must not look back to our failures or successes. We must keep ever in mind that our goal is to know Christ better, and we must daily put forth the effort to reach that goal.
We admire this kind of devotion in every area of life except the spiritual realm. When Olympic athletes begin to discipline their bodies and hone their skills, we heap praise upon them. When someone shows total dedication in the areas of medicine, science, music or drama, we approve and applaud. We applaud, for example, the violinist who explained her success in this way: ‘I deliberately planned to neglect everything else until my practice period was completed. That program of planned neglect accounts for my success.’
But when we hear of someone doing this in the area of Christian living, we are inclined to dismiss him as something of a fanatic, who, as someone has observed, will not change his mind and will not change the subject.
Why do those who are focused on knowing God bother us? Is it not because they remind us that our own priorities are not what they ought to be? Most people are living such cluttered, distracted and fragmented lives. Our lives are not integrated around a single, unifying purpose. We often embrace the ‘shotgun’ approach to life, trying to find happiness and satisfaction by scattering our time and energies over a wide range of interests and activities. We want to try a little bit of everything, and we do not want to miss out on anything.
Paul suggests we use the ‘rifle’ approach by finding the singular priority that makes life worth living, that is, the Lord Jesus Christ, and give ourselves unreservedly to it."

Ellsworth, R. (2004). Opening up Philippians (66–67). Leominster: Day One Publications.

I want to... (phil3:10-11)

Philippians 3:10-11

that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Paul wants to:

• know Jesus - this is the ultimate goal, this is what makes all his religious credentials seem like rubbish.
• know the power of His resurrection - Jesus resurrection proves His power, and without that power we would be powerless to defeat sin, to become like him, to make disciples
• share his sufferings - Do I want to do this? When we see the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus, our attitude to suffering changes dramatically
• be resurrected like Jesus - returning to the whole idea of death being gain that he explored in chapter 1

Are these the things that I want to do? Are these the things that motivate me?

righteousness comes through faith in Jesus (phil 3:9)

Philippians 3:9

... not having a righteousness of my own that comes through the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness of God that depends on faith.

Paul has spent the last few verses describing how the "righteousness" that comes through the law is rubbish and the only gain, or profit, is the righteousness that, as he describes here, depends on faith in Jesus. If we are working away at a righteousness that is based on the law it either results in failure and feeling condemnation or, we think we have suceeded and we become self-righteouss.. which is actually failure. I need to be reminded every day to not look to my own righteousness but to the righteousness of God that depends on faith.

religion stinks (phil 3:8-9)

Philippians 3:8-9a

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in Him.

Everything is loss compared to knowing Jesus. Everything that Paul thought was good (see previous section) he now realises is rubbish compared to Jesus. And those things weren't necessarily things that would be traditionally be thought of as sins. There's nothing wrong with circumcision, nationality, or trying to keep God's law. But if that's what we are relying on, then it isn't helping us get to God, it is hindering us. That is religion, not the gospel. Religion is rubbish, trash, dung, excrement! It's knowing Jesus that counts! That's why in Jesus' parable, the man sells EVERYTHING he has in order to buy the field with the treasure. Or sells EVERY pearl he has in order to get the best one. We come to Jesus with nothing in our hands. If we do come with some sense of our own acheivements... we are bringing him a pile of crap.

what I thought was gain... isn't (phil 3:5-7)

Philippians 3:5-7

circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews, as to the law a Pharisee, as to zeal persecuting the church, as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

Here Paul lists out his religious accomplishments, his reasons that he, above anyone, could have confidence in the flesh, confidence in himself:

• circumcised on the eighth day - born a Jew, not a convert
• of the people of Israel - God's chosen people
• of the tribe of Benjamin - a tribe from Rachel, the wife that was loved
• a Hebrew of Hebrews - both parents being Hebrews, a thoroughbred!
• as to the law a Pharisee  - the strictest law keepers
• as to zeal persecuting the church - so committed to God that he was actively persecuting the threat of this new sect
• as to righteousness under the law, blameless - following all the ceremonial laws, no one would be able to find fault with him

But, although he would have counted that all as great gain, he now counts it as loss! Why? For the sake of Christ. His nationality means nothing compared to Jesus. His upbringing and pedigree means nothing compared to Jesus. His efforts to make himself righteous mean nothing compared to Jesus. His (misguided) enthusiasm for God means nothing compared to Jesus. His good deeds (of which there will have done plenty) mean nothing compared to Jesus. It is not about Paul and his accomplishments or me and mine. It is about Jesus and what He has accomplished. All of that stuff which seems so important, was actually loss - it hinders us from coming to God. The only thing that can be classed as gain, the only thing that helps us come to God, is Jesus Christ.

I should be confident (Phil 3:4)

Philippians 3:4

[we ... place no confidence in the flesh] though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more...

Paul is not arguing from a position of "I haven't got this... but you don't need it anyway". The very things that Paul is telling the Philippians that they don't need are the very things he had! As he is about to explain in detail...

Christ alone (Phil3:3)

Philippians 3:3
For we are the circumcision, who worship by the spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh

Circumcision was a sign of belonging to God. What does Paul say is the sign of being Gods people now? Worshipping by the spirit of God, glorying in Jesus and having no confidence in the flesh. The advocates of circumcision were saying that we needed to do something. If we start to evaluate our standing before god based on our actions we are not worshipping by the spirit, we are defining the way which we think we can worship god. We are not glorying in Jesus but in ourselves. And we have confidence in the flesh, in something about ourselves, rather than confidence in Jesus. The biblical gospel is not Jesus + ... it is Christ alone. 

threat to joy (phil3:1-2)

Philippians 3:1-2

Finally my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write these things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.

Paul obviously wants to remind the Philippians to rejoice but it seems like an abrupt change to warning them about evildoers. This would seem to suggest that the greatest threat to their joy are these "dogs", evildoers, mutilators - advocates of circumcision. The biggest threat to the joy of these Christians was "Jesus PLUS something else". Joy will be killed whenever we revert to the law - we have to do something. Joy comes from knowing that, while we were unable and unwilling to follow the law, Jesus was obedient to it and has set us free from it's condemnation

honouring others (phil 2:29-30)

Philippians 2:29-30

So receive him (Epaphroditus) in the Lord with all joy, and honour such men, for he almost died for the work of Christ, and risked his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me

Do we give honour to people who are risking their lives (or reputation, or money, or status, or comfort, or control) for the work of Jesus? Our tendency is to honour to people who have more obvious gifts - good speakers or musicians - or, even worse, base it on worldly standards of success - numbers of people, human praise, reputation, money, possessions. That's not how Paul evaluates things, and neither should we, because neither does God!

people before programs (phil 2:26-28)

Philippians 2:26-28

for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. Indeed he was ill, near to death, but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious.

Paul thinks it's necessary to send Epaphroditus back to Philippi, even though he seems to be doing a great job (v1) because they were worried about him being ill - and that causes both of them distress. This is people before programs! Paul could have legitimately thought it was more useful for Epaphroditus to stay where he was, but they are concerned about people, not just the most effective strategy. For Paul, the most effective strategy is loving God and loving others.

Epaphroditus (phil 2:25)

Philippians 2:25

I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need

Epaphroditus is described as a brother to Paul, showing the deep affection shared between the two, that has been formed and forged by working together in gospel partnership, engaged in the same conflict (see 1v30). He has been sent by the Philippians to Paul as a messenger and minister - helping him on their behalf. So often, the relationships we see in churches are superficial and shallow, talking the christian jargon but concealing what's going on deep down and with no real shared mission other than getting what we think we "need" from the church. Gospel partnership forges deep bonds as we strive to see the gospel advance.

plans (phil 2:23-24)

Philippians 2:23-24

I hope therefore to send him to you just as soon as I see how it will go with me, and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also

Paul makes plans but doesn't take anything for granted. He's not going to be surprised if he gets released and wonder what to do, because he's already got it planned. But if he doesn' get released he wont be devestated because, in making those plans, he's mindful that God may have something different in mind!

philippians chapter 1

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proof (phil 2:22)

Philippians 2:22

But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father, he has served with me in the gospel.

We judge people's worth by what they say, or how they look, or their success. Timothy's worth has been proven because he is a servant for the cause of the gospel, he loves God (v21) and others (v20) more than himself. This should be the criteria we are using to evaluate our own sanctification.

examples (phil 2:21)

Philippians 2:21

For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ

Timothy is an example of someone following Paul's instruction in 2v4. Paul is showing the Philippians someone who is seeking Jesus' interests before their own as an encouragement to them to do the same. How do I learn from the example of others.

people person (phil 2:20)

Philippians 2:20

For I have no one like him [Timothy], who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare

Timothy is genuinely concerned for the Phillipians, which Paul appears to think is quite rare. We might show concern to be polite, but are we actually bothered? Are we genuinely concerned for people's welfare? Am I a people person?

self-centered (phil 2:19)

Philippians 2:19

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you

It brings Paul joy and encouragement from news of them continuing to follow Jesus. This is the opposite of the twisted and crooked generation that operates out of envy and rivalry (mentioned earlier in the chapter/book). Our society looks on others doing well and is envious, and takes a twisted pleasure when things go wrong for others. Do I rejoice alongside others as their faith grows and develops? That's a good test of whether we are looking to the interests of others and not just ourselves (v4)

offerings (phil 2:17-18)

Philippians 2:17-18

Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

Paul describes his life as a drink offering, being poured out to honour God. The Philippians' lives are described as a sacrificial offering - laying down their lives, dying to themselves and living for Jesus. People could look at this drink offering or sacrificial offering of a life as a waste, but it brings Paul joy because that's what our lives were designed for... something more than ourselves. The hardship and suffering is worth it for the joy that it coming, the ultimate example of this being Jesus who "for the joy set before Him, endured the cross" Heb 12:2

holding fast (phil 2:16)

Philippians 2:16

Holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ i may be proud that I did not run in vain or labour in vain.

We desperately grasp and hold on to to all sorts of things that promise life but deliver nothing. Instead, we should be holding fast to the thing that literally brings life - God's word. That's what Paul's looking at as some sort of measure of his ministry - not how many people are in the Philippian church, not how attractive their worship services were, not if everything was going "well" for them, but were they holdiing fast to God's word, because that is where they will find life.