16th June 2025

16th June 2025


Pray (ACts)


Read (Philippians 2:12-13, focus v12a)


Message (Alan Burke) 


I wonder if you have seen one of those videos of what I think it’s called the 'temptation challenge’? If you’re left wondering what the temptation challenge is it is when some sweets or chocolate are put in front of a child and the grown up with them leaves and secretly videos their child struggle not to give into temptation before they scoff the sweets or chocolate. Some of the children of course do a better job than others. But here’s the thing when there is no one watching you, when there isn’t someone watching over your shoulder, how quick are you and how easily do you give into temptation? It is much easier for us to obey, to do the right thing when we are being watched by someone we know and love than left to our own devices. Here in Paul affirms the church for how they have obeyed in his presence but also encourages the church to do so more and more in his absence. It shouldn’t matter if the apostle is there or if he languished in prison or was with them they should continue to obey.


Look back to how the verse starts as Paul says ‘Therefore’, ie, consequently, because of what I have just said and what has Paul just said, well it is of the humility of Christ Jesus, the example of Christ himself. Paul had held up Christ, he sets Christ before us as the example for us to how to live, he wanted the church in Phillip and us here today to look to what Jesus has done, to think on Christ, focus on him and the wonder of how he left the realms of glory for the cross of Calvary. He humbled himself for us, those who by our nature are his enemies and we should live lives in response to what he has done. Now he draws out the implications for us in our lives as a result of the humility of Christ. Ie therefore, consequently, because of what I have just said, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence. 


For all of us we should live in a way that is consistent with our faith in the Lord Jesus. The church in Philippi had come to know the wonder of what Christ had done, their lives had been transformed by the gospel. It wasn’t that they came to salvation and lived exactly as they did beforehand, no the gospel had brought transformation, they had left their paganism and turned to Christ. They were not somehow perfect Christians who obeyed perfectly, but they were those who sought to obey, responding to the work of God within. They were living in response to the gospel and whether Paul was among them or away from them he encourages them to continue to live in this way not only as he was with them but now in his absence. 


It shouldn’t be that we need someone watching over our shoulders to make us live in this way, rather our love and knowledge of the Lord should lead us to live this way, living life of obedience. What motivates us to live in obedience is the example of Christ, we live lives in response to the gospel, lives that are lived consistently with what we believe, we obey because Christ obeyed. And as we do that it will be seen in our sanctification. And while Paul doesn’t state it here, remember the reason why it was necessary that Christ humbled himself for us it was because we will fail to obey as we should, for all of us are sinful, every day in all things we fall short of his glory. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons (Gal 4:4). So when you fail, remember what Christ has done, and in remembering what Christ has done may it lead you and I to great obedience. 


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC
Q4 What is God?
A. God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.