THE STRATEGY OF WIT ESS:

THE BODY OF CHRIST

Philippians 1:1-30
Message III in the "Witness" Series
Rev. Joe Morecraft
Introduction
The church today has a serious need and a
heartfelt cry. She needs to recover an urgent,
compelling, life-consuming vision of her mission
to the world. Her cry is for intimate unity and
fellowship with one another in the midst of a
fragmented world. Both the need and the cry
dovetail in Philippians 1. One is inseparably
involved in the other. Where there is failure in
mission, there is deficiency in fellowship, and
vice versa. What Paul says about "fellowship" in
Philippians brings them together into a complete
Christian experience.
Exposition
Paul's themes in his epistles can often be stated
in single words or phrases: Romans is the
righteousness of God; Ephesians is union with
Christ; Colossians is completeness in Christ; and
Philippians is fellowship and joy in the gospel.
"Fellowship" (koinonia) is not an emotional
experience or a warm feeling in someone's
presence, it is "participation in something
with someone." Christians share with
one another in a common possession, i.e.,
the gospel, 1:5, the Spirit, 2:1, union with
Christ, 3:9 . "Fellowship" does not mean
"a friendly atmosphere," instead it points
to our participation in an objective work or
relationship, beyond the subjective experience,
such as participation in the truth, in world
mission, in the sufferings of Christ, etc.
"Gospel" in Philippians denotes, not simply
the story of the historical accomplishment of
salvation in the life, death and resurrection of
Jesus Christ, but the apostolic ministry and
work of spreading the gospel, (evangelism
and discipleship)-"gathering and perfecting
the saints" -which the church through her
membership, ordinances and officers, has been
divinely commissioned and empowered by the
Spirit to carryon. As the Westminster Larger
Catechism, a younger cousin of your Heidelberg
Catechism, confesses: Unto this catholic visible
church Christ has given the ministry, oracles,
and ordinances of God, for the gathering and
perfecting of the saints, in this life, to the end
of the world: and does, by His own presence and
Spirit, according to His promise, make them
effectual thereunto.
Notice the following points in this answer: (1).
The mission of the church is the gathering and
perfecting of the saints-one aspect directed to
the sinful world and the other directed toward
the membership of the church; (2). This is the
mission of the visible catholic church; (3).
Essential to evangelism and world mission is
bringing people to Christ and into His visible
church under His headship; (4). The power that
makes our mission effective is the presence of
Christ, the work of His Spirit and His revealed
promise; (5). The divinely-ordained means by
which this mission is to be carried out are: the
ministry of the Word in preaching and witness,
the oracles of God, and the ordinances of God,
such as the sacraments and prayer.
That the word "gospel" in Philippians refers
primarily to the church's work of spreading the
gospel is evidenced in such passages as:
1. (1:3-5) I thank my God in all my remembrance of
you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer
for you all in view of your participation in the gospel
from the first day until now. Here Paul expresses his
gratitude to God and his affection for the Philippians
because of their sharing with him in the spread of the
gospel with him from the very beginning to the present.
2. (1:7) For it is only right for me to feel this way about
you all, because I have you in my heaIi, since both in my
imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of
the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. The
closeness Paul feels toward the Philippians grows out
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The Strategy of Witne.J.J: The Body of Chrut
of their common participation in the grace of God and
in the defense and confirmation ofthe gospel, i.e., the
disarming of prejudice and overcoming of objections
to the truth leading to the coming to faith of those
formerly critical of the gospel. Whether Paul is in
prison, arraigned before a judge or traveling freely, they
shared with him in his God-given commission of world
evangelization.
3. (1:12) Now I want you to know, brethren, that my
circumstances have turned out for the greater progress
of the gospel. Although in prison, Paul is encouraged by
one overriding fact: Christ is being proclaimed. In fact,
his very imprisonment, instead of curtailing the spread
of the gospel, has led to its extension.
4. (2:22) But you know of his (Timothy's) proven worth
that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel
like a child serving his father. Timothy enjoys Paul's
complete confidence and approval because of his close
association with Paul in his apostolic labors of spreading
the gospel on his perilous missionary journeys.
5. (4:3) Indeed, true comrade, I ask you also to help
these women who have shared my struggle in the cause
of the gospel together with Clement also, and the rest
of my fellow-workers, whose names are in the book of
life. Two women in the Philippian church were having
conflict. Paul enlists the aid of an unnamed, close and
trusted friend there to help them work out their problem,
because he does not want their great usefulness in the
struggles to spread the gospel of Christ to be hindered.
6. (4:15) And you yourselves know, Philippians, that
at the beginning of the gospel, after I departed from
Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of
giving and receiving but you alone. Paul is looking back
to the day when he first began his ministry of evangelism
and discipleship among them, preaching the gospel to
them.
Philippians has been called an epistle of joy
because it teaches us why the Christian life is
a life of continual rejoicing. This little book is
full of words like "joy" and "rejoice". What is
the cause of this profound joy ih a believer's
life? (1). The consciousness of living in vital
union and communion with Jesus Christ as Lord
and Savior, 3:8-14; (2). The consciousness of
living under God's sovereignty and care for us,
4:6,11,19; and (3). The knowledge that we are
being used by God in the salvation of sinners,
1:4. And the angel said to them, "Do not be
afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of
great joy which shall be for all the people, for
today in the city of David there has been born
for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, Luke
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2:10. Rejoice with me, for I have found my
sheep which was lost. I tell you that in the
same way, there will be more joy in heaven over
one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine
righteous persons who need no repentance, Luke
15:7-10. We are to run the race of life with our
eyes fixed on Jesus the author and perfecter of
faith, who for the joy set before Him endured
the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down
at the right hand of the throne of God, Hebrews
12:2. He shall see the travail of his soul and be
satisfied; by His knowledge the Righteous One
My Servant, will justify many, as He will bear
their iniquities, Isaiah 53:11.
With these key words defined, let us now look at
how Paul links the faithfulness of a church in the
work of Christian witness with the sense of unity
and loving affection the church experiences
among her members.
I. (1:1-4) THE CHURCH LIVES UPON AND
COMMUNICATES CHRIST'S WORD OF GRACE
AND PEACE
We continue to receive and live under Christ's
benediction by faith in Him. And we are called
to communicate Christ's benediction and to
press home its claims. We can communicate
only that which we ourselves are living out of
and feeding on. Lack of communication of the
Word robs spiritual food of its nutritional value.
II. (1:5-8) THE CHURCH'S UNITY AND LOVE
IS DEEPENED AS IT IS OF ONE HEART IN THE
ADVANCE OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST
No fellowship is true and lasting unless it is
fellowship in Christ and in the work of the
gospel-For whoever wishes to save his life shall
lose it; and whoever loses his life for My sake
and the gospel's shall save it, Mark 8:35. Real
fellowship shows itself in intercessory prayer
and concrete participation in Christian witness
together.
A. (1:5) Fellowship (or participation) in the
Gospel
Those who participate in the gospel-mission
together share a profound sense of oneness in
the Body of Christ and loving affection for one
another- I thank my God for every remembrance
of you.
'Fellowship in the gospel" points to concrete,
. joint-effort and support in the evangelization
of the world and the edification of the church.
The Philippians indicated the reality of their
partnership in the gospel, not by a quiet
enjoyment of it, but by a keen activity in the
interest of it, as financial supporters and actual
co-laborers.
Notice Paul's words of endearment to and about
those who are involved in the gospel-mission
with him, 1:3-4, 7-8. This closeness of fellow-
feeling is based on a common participation
in the grace and mission of the Gospel and a
deep sense of oneness in that gospel although
Paul and the church at Philippi are separated
by distance. Lasting closeness is impossible
outside of joint-commitment in the mission
of the gospel. Hence fellowship is deepened,
not by trying to have meetings to pump up
artificial, purely emotional experiences, but
by increasing involvement in the mission of
the church together. Fellowship is maintained
by involvement in each other's lives through
fervent, frequent intercessory prayer and
thanksgiving for each other and persevering
involvement together in the gathering and
perfecting of the saints. (Such prayer and
involvement demands familiarity with each
other.)
Of course the effectiveness of our prayers and
our witness, as well as the unity and affection we
long for in each other are not produced by our
own efforts. They are all the results of the work
of the Spirit of God in our church.
B. (2:1) Fellowship in the Spirit
This phrase is better translated, participation
in the Spirit or fellowship with the Spirit. It is
only as we are equipped by the Holy Spirit and
empowered by the Holy Spirit, whom the risen
Christ has sent to live and work in the Church
and in the lives of the individual members of
the Church that we are able to accomplish the
Spirit's purposes-If we are to guide people
into the truth, being convicted of their sin,
and lead them to glorify Christ by faith, we
must be empowered by the Holy Spirit to do
so-And He, when He comes, will convict the
world concerning sin ... He will guide you into all
truth ... He shall glorify Me; for He shall take of
Mine and shall disclose it to you, John 16:8-14.
If we are to bear witness of Christ effectively in
this hostile world, we must be empowered by
His Spirit, for He said, When the Helper comes,
whom I will send to you from the Father, that
is the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the
Father, He will bear witness of Me, and you will
bear witness also .. , John 15:26-27. Oneness in
the Spirit is inseparable from cooperation in the
Spirit's mission.
C. (3:10) Fellowship of His sufferings
This thought is breath-taking. The apostle
longs to know Christ in such a personal and
intimate way that he may enter into the deep
experience of the power of His resurrection and
the fellowship of His sufferings. He wants to
desire what Christ desires, and to be privileged
to know even closer union with Him by being
able to be persecuted in the cause of the gospel.
The thought of spiritual union with Christ in his
death and resurrection is the very heart of Paul's
experience and apostolic teaching. I Corinthians
speaks of this union and fellowship with the Son
of God in His saving mission-God is faithful,
through whom you were called into fellowship
with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. We are not
close to Christ, to the Spirit, and to each other
in the church, unless we are actively involved in
gospel-mission for the sake of Christ-Therefore
knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men ...
for the love of Christ controls uS ... Therefore if
any man is in Christ, he is a new creation; the
old things passed away; behold, new things have
come. Now all these things are from God, who
reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and
gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely,
that God was in Christ reconciling the world to
Himself, not counting their trespasses against
them, and He has committed to us the word of
reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors
for Christ, as though God were entreating
through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be
reconciled to God. He made Him who knew
no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might
become the righteousness of God in Him, II
Corinthians 5:11-21.
D. APPLICATION
The reason for our cry for deeper fellowship is
our lack of any urgent sense of and continuing
participation in the fellowship of the gospel.
Without involvement in this mission, we will
be held together by such frail cords that the
smallest crisis in the church will break them.
But fellowship in the gospel is an unbreakable
cord, regardless of the intensity of the crisis.
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Such participation in the spread of the gospel
brings fellowship of the most intimate sort.
Furthermore, unless you are involved in this
global mission, you will be a source of conflict
and tension in the church.
Lack of fellowship with each other and
disobedience in the mission of the gospel both
stem from a breakdown in our fellowship with
Christ and a weakening of our submission to
His Word. Recommit yourself to Him. Retrace
your steps to see when and why you left your
first love and earnestly pray that God would
rekindle your love for Him. Follow Christ's
example in Mark 10:45-be more concerned with
serving than being served, more concerned with
ministering than being ministered to, with being
a friend than having one, with mission than with
fellowship, and fellowship will come. Involve
yourself and your family in the mission of
gathering and perfecting the saints and you will
know joy that is inexpressible and full of glory.
III. (1:9-11) THE CHURCH'S INCREASING
EFFECTIVENESS FLOWS FROM HER GROWTH
IN THREE AREAS
A. THE MATURING OF ITS LOVE IN
KNOWLEDGE AND IN DEPTH OF INSIGHT
B. THE MATURING OF ITS KNOWLEDGE IN
DISCERNMENT, PURITY AND HOPE
C. THE MATURING OF ITS DISCERNMENT
IN THE FRUIT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS TO THE
GLORY OF GOD
D. APPLICATIONS
Effectiveness in the spread of the gospel is
inseparable from a life of love, truth and
righteousness.
Make Paul's petitions for the Philippians the
petitions of your prayers for yourself and
your church: that your love would abound
more and more; that your love would abound
in knowledge, wisdom and discernment; that
your life would be filled with Christlike fruit of
righteousness; that the goal of all your activity
would be the glory of God.
Love abounds as our knowledge of God's word
and our wisdom in applying it grows. As these
develop our discernment sharpens; and as that
21 the COUNSEL of CHALCEDON
improves our sincerity increases. With th,
are filled with the fruit of righteousness to \
praise of God. Notice three inseparables: 10,
and knowledge; knowledge and wisdom; and
knowledge and righteousness.
Abounding love, increasing knowledge of God's
word and the ability to apply it practically, along
with a life of faith in and obedience to Christ
are absolutely essential in bringing glory to God
and in being effective in carrying out the Great
Commission.
IV. (1:12-26) THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF THE
CHURCH IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE AND IN
THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE GOSPEL IS THE
GLORY OF GOD. (Connect 1:11 with 1:12-16.)
A. (1:12-14) Paul glorifies Christ by being
content with His will, being confident that
Christ is in total control of his life and ministry,
sovereignly bringing things to pass in Paul's
life in order to advance His gospel through
Paul. This causes Paul to persevere under fierce
persecution.
B. (1:15-18) Paul glorifies Christ by rejoicing
that Christ's gospel is being preached regardless
of who is doing it or who receives the credit for
doing it. Paul is not condoning, however, any
tampering with the gospel. For him there is only
one gospel, Galatians 1:8f, and if anyone tampers
with it he will be accursed. Here he is speaking
of different motives for declaring the gospel, not
of declaring different gospels.
C. (1:19-26) Paul glorifies Christ by being so
devoted to Him and to spreading His gospel,
that he is willing to go to any length to please
Him and to advance His kingdom, whether life
or death. Paul summarized his whole life with
one word-CHRIST, who was for him the source,
goal, content, sustenance, joy and motive of his
life. Without Him, life means nothing, 3: lOf. Is
there anything in your life that you desire with
a greater intensity than to know Christ and to
serve Him?