Providence Church of San Diego

Providence Church of San Diego

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Providence Church of San Diego episodes

  • Proverbs V: Wisdom and Stability

    Proverbs 2:21-22, For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it. But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.

    Proverbs 3:25-26, Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

    Proverbs 10:28-30, The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish. The way of the Lord is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.

    I. The establishment of the godly and disenfranchisement of the wicked.

    A. Proverbs 12:3, A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
    B. Proverbs 12:7, The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.
    C. Proverbs 12:19, The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
    D. Proverbs 15:25, The Lord will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
    E. Psalm 1:3-4, And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
    F. Psalm 46:4-6, There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
    G. Psalm 102:28, The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee.
    H. Haggai 2:6-7, For thus saith the Lord of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts.
    I. Hebrews 12:25-29, See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire.

    II. The providential purposes of shakings.


    A. Matthew 7:24-27, Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
    B. "Every disaster teaches us the uncertainty and instability of earthly enjoyments and how foolish we are to set our hearts too much on them." John Owen
    C. "All other kingdoms have been, or shall be, shaken and overturned; all boastings and expectations to the contrary are but vain. No dominion ever so dreamed of eternity as did the Roman empire; but it hath not only been shaken, but broken to pieces, and scattered like chaff before the wind. No external opposition shall ever be able to shake or move this kingdom of our God. The gates of hell shall not prevail against it. No internal decays shall ruin it. The spring of it is in Him who lives for ever, and who hath the keys of hell and death." John Owen
    D. "The things that cannot be moved are to remain and be established against all opposition whatever. Wherefore, as the heavens and the earth of the idolatrous world were of old shaken and removed, so shall those also of the antichristian world, which at present in many places seem to prevail. All things must give way, whatever may be comprised in the names of heaven and earth here below, unto the gospel, and the kingdom of Christ therein." John Owen
    E. "It was a mighty work, to introduce the gospel among the nations of the earth, seeing their gods and heavens were to be shaken and removed thereby." John Owen
    F. "History is a time of shaking in order to bring down all things whose foundation is not the Rock, Jesus Christ. Clearly, this echoes our Lord's final words in the Sermon on the Mount. He alone is the unshakable foundation which can withstand the earthquakes and the floods of history. Anything without Him as the foundation shall perish." R.J. Rushdoony
    G. "That old oak in the forest is one of the noblest works of God. Look at it just now bursting into full leaf, bearing well its verdant honours, and making a picture worthy of the artist’s rarest skill. What are these dry pieces of wood which strew the ground beneath it? What are these large branches which rot under its shade? It is needless to ask, for we all know that they fell from the tree during winter's storms. Is it a cause of regret for the sake of the tree that those rotten branches were broken off? It may be a lamentation as far as concerns the broken boughs, but the tree itself had never been so healthy, and never looked so complete if the rotten branches had been suffered to abide. When the hurricane came howling through the woods, the old tree shivered in the gale, and mourned as it heard the cracking of its boughs, yet now it is thankful because the sound healthy branches with sap and life in them are all there, and the withered ones no longer encumber the trunk." Charles Spurgeon
    "Every created thing, so far as it is opposed to the kingdom of God, must be shaken and laid in ruins, that this
    kingdom may continue to stand." E.W. Hengstenberg

    "The 'things that cannot be moved' are to remain and be established against all opposition whatever. Wherefore, as the heavens and the earth of the idolatrous world were of old shaken and removed, so shall those also of the

    antichristian world, which at present in many places seem to prevail. All things must give way, whatever may be comprised in the names of heaven and earth here below, unto the gospel, and the kingdom of Christ herein." John Owen

    "Our God is a consuming fire, and will destroy all that is not found built on this immovable foundation. God will unsettle and shake every earthly thing, private and public, that rests not on Himself, and is not identified with His kingdom on earth." T.V. Moore

    "Brethren, if a truly godly minister has for six or seven years been teaching a people, and he gives them good solid truth, and they receive it and understand it, I should not like to see the wolf come in, but I do not believe he would do much mischief, for many strong men will be found to slay the intruder. But if there be a ministry which only consists of preaching up vapid moral duties and creating the titillation of excitement, then, if the wolf comes, he may just glut himself with the blood of the flock, for there is no strength in them to resist him. We want sound doctrine to give us stability. May God grant that we may be rooted and grounded in Christ, that we may know the things which are revealed to us of God. Those men who know their God shall be strong and do exploits." Charles Spurgeon

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  • Righteousness over Rubbish

    Main Text: Philippians 3:4-11

    I. Definitions

    A. Rubbish: “excrement, that which is cast out from the body; that which is thrown away from the table”
    B. Righteousness: “the character or quality of being right”.
    This word is used in Scripture to refer to (1) the perfect righteousness of God, (2) the righteousness of God that becomes ours in Christ, or (3) man’s best attempts at righteousness.

    II. Paul’s “righteous” works of rubbish (Philippians 3:4-6)

    A. Qualifications of heredity:

    Circumcised the eighth day (Gen. 17:12; Lev. 12:3)

    Of the stock of Israel
    Of the tribe of Benjamin
    A Hebrew of the Hebrews

    B. Qualifications of his personal works:

    Law-abiding Pharisee (Acts 23:6; 26:5)

    Zealously persecuted the church (Acts 9:1-2; 1 Cor. 15:9)
    Blamelessly kept the Jewish law

    III. Righteousness in Christ (Philippians 3:7-11)

    A. Paul’s well-informed assessment

    Paul’s former attempts at righteousness were “rubbish” (Isa. 64:6; Rom. 4:5; Titus 3:5)

    Losing all for Christ is gain (Matt. 13:44-46; Mark 8:34-35)

    B. The beautiful righteousness of Christ.

    The excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus “my” Lord (Jer. 9:23-24; John 17:3)

    The protection of being found “in Him” (Rom. 8:1; 2 Cor. 5:21; Col. 1:14)
    The righteousness of Christ imputed to our account (Rom. 4:6; 2 Cor. 5:21)
    The gracious gift of faith (Rom. 1:16-17; Eph. 2:8-9)
    The power of His resurrection (Rom. 8:10-11; Eph. 1:19-20)
    The fellowship of His sufferings (Rom. 8:16-17; 1 Pet. 4:12-14)
    Conformity to His death (Rom. 6:5-11; Gal. 2:20)
    Association with His resurrection (Rom. 6:5-11; 2 Cor. 4:13-14)

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  • Proverbs IV: Proverbs and the Wise Path

    Main Text: Proverbs 2:1-22; 23:19

    I. A Call to Ponder Your Path

    A. Proverbs 4:26 Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.
    B. Proverbs 21:29 A wicked man puts on a bold face, but the upright gives thought to his ways.
    C. Proverbs 19:2 Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses is way.

    II. The Path of Folly

    A. The Pilgrim & his Heart: He lacks sense, enticed by sin, and does not think of consequences.
    a. Proverbs 7:6-9 For at the window of my house I have looked out through my lattice, and I have seen among the simple, I have perceived among the youths, a young man lacking sense, passing along the street near her corner, taking the road to her house in the twilight, in the evening, at the time of night and darkness.
    b. Proverbs 9:16-18 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” And to him who lacks sense she says, “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.” But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.
    B. The Path: The path of folly is evil, dangerous, increasingly dark, easy to enter, aimless
    a. Proverbs 4:14-17 Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil… For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong; they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble. For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
    b. Proverbs 22:5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked…
    c. Proverbs 4:19 The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.
    d. Proverbs 9:13-16 The woman Folly is loud; she is seductive and knows nothing. She sits at the door of her house; she takes a seat on the highest places of the town, calling to those who pass by, who are going straight on their way, “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
    e. Proverbs 5:6 The forbidden woman does not ponder the path of life, her ways wander and she does not know it.
    C. The Destination: The path of folly leads to death, and once entered upon it is very hard to leave
    a. Proverbs 21:16 One who wanders from the way of good sense will rest in the assembly of the dead.
    b. Proverbs 2:18-19 for her house sinks down to death, and her paths to the departed; none who go to her come back, nor do they regain the paths of life.
    D. The Warning: Do not set your foot on the path of folly—stay far away from it!
    a. Proverbs 1:10-16 My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. If they say, “Come with us... we shall find all precious goods... my son, do not walk in the way with them; hold back your foot from their paths...
    b. Proverbs 5:8 Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house.
    c. Young people are apt to plead with those who have the charge of their best interests—"What harm is there in this path or that path?" It is far more easy to resist the beginning than the progress of sin. The entrance into the path of the wicked will carry us far, lengths that we could never have contemplated in prospect without horror. It may appear an harmless outlet. But how far on before we encounter terror. The entrance is fatally connected with the next step onward. Those at least that know their own corruption and weakness will shrink back where others dare to tread. To pretend to dread sin without fearing temptation is self-delusion. The evil company is loved, then the evil of the company. Walk then with God and His people, and separate from an ungodly world. Walk closely with God in secret, and He will spread His almighty covering over you for your security. Avoid fellowship with those who hinder your fellowship with God. — Charles Bridges
     

    III. The Path of Wisdom

    A. The Pilgrim & his Heart: He fears God, fears the path of folly, considers and sets his face toward wisdom
    a. Proverbs 23:26 My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.
    b. Proverbs 2:1-5, 9-12 My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD... Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path; for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you, delivering you from the way of evil...
    c. Proverbs 17:24 The discerning sets his face toward wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
    B. The Path: The path of wisdom is righteousness, secure, increasingly bright, hard to enter, and is straight
    a. Proverbs 6:23-24 For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life, to preserve you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress.
    b. Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.
    c. "As shining light increases from twilight to noonday splendor, so the path of the just increases in purity, but that of the wicked is as thickest darkness, in which one knows not on what he stumbles." — D. Brown
    d. Proverbs 22:5 Thorns & snares are in the way of the crooked; whoever guards his soul will keep far from them.
    e. Proverbs 15:21 Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead.
    f. The path which is made, bit by bit, from farm to farm, is likely to wind about; but the old Roman high road that connects two distant cities runs as directly as possible. The ploughman who looks no further than his horses' heads will make a crooked furrow; to go straight he must fix his eyes on the end of the field. He who regards only present circumstances will wander aimlessly. To go right we must look out of self to Christ; beyond present expediency to the full purpose and end of life; above all earthly pursuits to the goal of the life eternal." — William Clarkson
    C. The Destination: The path of wisdom leads to life
    a. Proverbs 16:17 The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life.
    b. Proverbs 15:24 The path of life leads upward for the prudent, that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.
    D. The Invitation: Direct your heart in the way of wisdom.
    a. Proverbs 23:19 Hear, my son, and be wise, and direct your heart in the way.
    b. Proverbs 8:1-5, 20, 21 Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice? On the heights beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand; beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud: “To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of man. O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense. ... I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice, granting an inheritance to those who love me, and filling their treasuries.
     

    IV. Christ and the Wise Path

    A. Christ is the Perfect Pilgrim – During his earthly ministry Jesus Christ was the perfect pilgrim; having his heart committed to wisdom and obedience (Lk. 2:52, Heb 10:7) he kept his face set straight ahead on the path God had for him (Lk. 9:53), and he did not swerve to the right or to the left all the days of his life (Mt. 4:9-10), and his destination led to glorious resurrected life (2 Tim. 2:8).
    B. Christ is Wisdom – Col. 3:3, in [Christ] are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
    C. Christ is the Path – John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way (ὁδος - path), and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
    D. Christ is the Destination of Life – John 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
    E. Christ Gives the Invitation - Matthew 7:13-14 Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few

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  • Rejoice in the Lord

    Main Text: Philippians 3:1-3

    Main Idea: We need regular reminders of the gospel to fight against legalism and to fight for joy.

    “Our union with Christ is not just the appetizer to the Christian life, the soup we push back as we wait for the meat to arrive. It is not the doorway that leads us through into a life that is about something else. It is the steak and the living room of the Christian life.” (Michael Reeves, Rejoicing in Christ)

    1. We need regular reminders that joy is found in the Lord, not circumstances. (vs. 1)

    Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.

    2. Anything that points us away from the gospel kills joy. (vs. 2-3)

    [2] Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. [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...

    Romans 3:20: For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

    Romans 2:28–29: For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. [29] But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter...

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  • Proverbs III: Walking Wisely in the Fear of God

    Main Text: Proverbs 1:1-7; 9:10

    I. The first and foundational principle.

    A. Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

    B. Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

    C. Job 28:28 And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

    D. Psalm 111:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

    E. "But what is this fear of the Lord? It is that affectionate reverence by which the child of God bends himself humbly and carefully to his Father's law. His wrath is so bitter, and His love so sweet, that hence springs an earnest desire to please Him and--because of the danger of coming short from his own weakness and temptations--a holy watchfulness and fear, that he might not sin against Him." Charles Bridges

    F. "The fear of the Lord is opposed to pride, high-mindedness, and vain conceit; this includes reverence of God, faith in Him, dependence upon Him, acknowledgment of Him, seeking to Him for direction, and carefulness not to offend Him." John Gill

    G. "Filial fear is a holy inclination of the heart, generated by God in the hearts of His children, whereby they, out of reverence for God, take careful pains not to displease God, and earnestly endeavor to please Him in all things." Wilhelmus A'Brakel

    H. "The child of God has only one fear--to offend his Father, and only one desire--to please and delight Him. The true fear of God is a holy, happy, reverential principle. We fear Him, because we love Him. We fear Him, yet we are not afraid of Him. The fear of man produces cowardice; the fear of God emboldens." Charles Bridges

    II. Submitting our minds to the mind of God.

    A. Proverbs 1:29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord.

    B. Proverbs 2:4-5 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.

    C. Proverbs 15:33 The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

    D. Genesis 22:12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.

    E. Psalm 34:9, 11 O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. . . Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

    F. Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

    III. The sanctifying influence of the fear of God.

    A. Proverbs 3:5-8 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

    B. Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

    C. Proverbs 14:2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the Lord: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.

    D. Proverbs 16:6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.

    E. Exodus 1:17 But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.

    F. Nehemiah 5:15 But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.

    G. I Kings 18:3-4 And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly: For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)

    H. Psalm 2:11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

    I. Psalm 19:9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

    J. Psalm 86:11 Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.

    K. Psalm 147:11 The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.

    L. I Chronicles 16:25 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods.

    M. Isaiah 11:2 And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.

    N. Jeremiah 32:40 And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.

    O. Malachi 3:16 Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.

    IV. The abundant blessing of the fear of the Lord.

    A. Proverbs 14:26 In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

    B. Proverbs 14:27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

    C. Proverbs 15:16 Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.

    D. Proverbs 19:23 The fear of the Lord tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

    E. Proverbs 22:4 By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life.

    F. Proverbs 31:30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

    G. Psalm 112:1 Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.

    H. Malachi 4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness  rise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

    I. Acts 9:31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

    J. Hebrews 12:28-29 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire.

    Heidelberg Catechism #94

    Question. What does the LORD require in the first commandment

    Answer. That for the sake of my very salvation I avoid and flee all idolatry, witchcraft, superstition, and prayer to saints or to other creatures. Further, that I rightly come to know the only true God, trust in him alone, submit to him with all humility and patience, expect all good from him only, and love, fear, and honour him with all my heart. In short, that I forsake all creatures rather than do the least thing against his will.

    "Let God's distinguishing love to you be a motive to you to fear Him greatly. He hath put His fear in thy heart, and hath not given that blessing to thy neighbor. Oh what an obligation should this consideration lay upon every heart greatly to fear the Lord. Remember also, this fear of the Lord is His treasure, a choice jewel, given only to favorites, and to those that are greatly beloved. Great gifts naturally tend to oblige, and will do so with thee, when thou shalt seriously consider it. Therefore love it, nourish it, exercise it, use all means to cause it to increase and grow in thy heart." John Bunyan

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  • The Power of Another Example

    Main Text: Philippians 2:25-30

    Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation: Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.

    I. The context: thinking with the mind of Christ.

    A. Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.

    B. Philippians 2:20 For I have no man likeminded (Greek isopsuchos--same soul, same mind), who will naturally care for your state.

    II. The character of Epaphroditus. (Our character flows from our thinking.)

    A. He is Paul's brother in the faith; no longer a man in Adam, but a new man in Christ.

    1. Hebrews 2:11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren.

    2. "Our love to God is measured by our everyday fellowship with others and the love it displays." Andrew Murray
    3. "Some Christians try to go to heaven alone, in solitude. But believers are not compared to bears or lions or other animals that wander alone. Those who belong to Christ are sheep in this respect, that they love to get together. Sheep go in flocks, and so do God's people." Charles Spurgeon
    4. "He is your friend who pushes you nearer to God." Abraham Kuyper
    5. "Let those be thy choicest companions who have made Christ their chief companion." Thomas Brooks
    6. Westminster Confession of Faith XXVI:1. All saints, that are united to Jesus Christ their Head, by his Spirit, and by faith, have fellowship with him in his graces, sufferings, death, resurrection, and glory: and, being united to one another in love, they have communion in each other's gifts and graces, and are obliged to the performance of such duties, public and private, as do conduce to their mutual good, both in the inward and outward man.

    B. He is Paul's companion in labor (Greek sunergos--with energy).

    1. I Corinthians 3:9 For we are labourers together with God.

    2. II Corinthians 12:14 I seek not yours but to you.
    3. Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.
    4. "He is Paul's companion in labour in the laborious work of preaching the Gospel. The ministry of the word is a work; it is called the work of the ministry; and it is a laborious one when diligently and faithfully performed. The apostle was a workman that needed not to be ashamed, a labourer in Christ's vineyard, and one that laboured more abundantly than others; and he was not alone, he had companions in his work, and this good man Epaphroditus was one of them." John Gill

    C. He is Paul's fellow soldier.

    1. Ephesians 6:11-13 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

    2. Together they waged "a good warfare" (I Timothy 1:18).
    3. Together they fought "the good fight of faith" (I Timothy 6:12).
    4. Together they refused to entangle themselves in the affairs of this life that they might please Him who has "chosen [them] to be a soldier." (II Timothy 2:4).
    5. "The Apostle nobly honored the younger men who wrought with him. He speaks of Timothy as his son, and expounds on the genuineness of his loving interest in each of his converts. He describes Epaphroditus as his brother, fellow-worker, and fellow-soldier. How tenderly he refers to his sickness and recovery, as though God had conferred on himself special favor in giving back this beloved comrade in the great fight." F.B. Meyer

    D. He is God's faithful messenger to the Philippian congregation.

    1. II Corinthians 2:17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

    2. II Corinthians 8:23 Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellow helper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.

    E. He is the one who ministered (Greek leitourgos--to discharge a public office, to render official and sacred service) to Paul's needs, a man who made himself a channel for the comfort of God to flow through him to others.

    1. Matthew 20:25-28 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

    2. "There would be many ways of serving the captive apostle, looking after his comfort, doing his errands, procuring daily necessaries, managing affairs, perhaps writing his letters, easing his chain, chafing his aching wrists, and ministering in a thousand ways which we cannot and need not specify. At all events he gladly undertook even servile work for love of Paul." Alexander Maclaren

    F. He longed for (Greek epipotheo--to earnestly desire, to intensely crave) the brethren; he was full of heaviness (Greek ademoneo--to be very heavy, to be greatly troubled, to be in much distress) at the thought of worrying the church.

    1. Philippians 1:8 For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

    2. Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
    3. "Nothing can give a more interesting testimony, with what love they took part in each other's concern. We shall do well, to keep it in remembrance as a lovely model of the primitive church. And let us beg of the Great Head of the church, to cement all His members at the present hour in Himself, and to one another, by the same sweet spirit of union, that all the world may know, whose we are, and to whom we belong, by that oneness of soul, which distinguish all the regenerated disciples of Jesus Christ." Robert Hawker

    III. The responsibility of the church at Philippi.

    A. Rejoice at his return, receive him with all gladness, hold him in high reputation; because he is a good and godly man, and a faithful messenger of the gospel.
    B. Proverbs 22:1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
    C. III John 1:12 Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.
    D. "Those who truly love Christ, and are hearty in the interests of His kingdom, will think it very well worth their while to hazard their health and life to do Him service, and promote the edification of His church." Matthew Henry

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  • Proverbs II: The Heart of Proverbs

    I. Genres in the Bible

    Old Testament

    Law: Genesis – Deuteronomy
    History: Joshua – Esther
    Poetry: Job – Song of Solomon
    Prophets: Isaiah – Malachi

    New Testament

    Gospels: Matthew – John
    Church History: Acts
    Epistles: Romans – Jude
    Prophecy: Revelation

    II. The parents’ heart of Proverbs

    Proverbs 1:8 - My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother;

    Proverbs 1:10 - My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.
    Proverbs 1:15 - My son, do not walk in the way with them, keep your foot from their path;
    Proverbs 2:1 - My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you,
    Proverbs 3:1 - My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands;

    III. Examples of a parental heart to share wisdom

    A. Eunice (Timothy’s mother)

    2 Timothy 1:5 - when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.

    2 Timothy 3:14-15 - But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

    B. David (Solomon’s father)

    1 Chronicles 22:6, 11-14 - Then he called for his son Solomon, and charged him to build a house for the Lord God of Israel… Now, my son, may the Lord be with you; and may you prosper, and build the house of the Lord your God, as He has said to you. 12 Only may the Lord give you wisdom and understanding, and give you charge concerning Israel, that you may keep the law of the Lord your God. 13 Then you will prosper, if you take care to fulfill the statutes and judgments with which the Lord charged Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and of good courage; do not fear nor be dismayed. 14 Indeed I have taken much trouble to prepare for the house of the Lord one hundred thousand talents of gold and one million talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond measure, for it is so abundant. I have prepared timber and stone also, and you may add to them.

    1 Kings 2:1-5 - Now the days of David drew near that he should die, and he charged Solomon his son, saying: 2 “I go the way of all the earth; be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man. 3 And keep the charge of the Lord your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn; 4 that the Lord may fulfill His word which He spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your sons take heed to their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul,’ He said, ‘you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’

    1 Chronicles 29:19 - And give my son Solomon a loyal heart to keep Your commandments and Your testimonies and Your statutes, to do all these things, and to build the temple for which I have made provision.

    C. Rehoboam (Solomon’s son)

    2 Chronicles 10:6-8 - Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who stood before his father Solomon while he still lived, saying, “How do you advise me to answer these people?” 7 And they spoke to him, saying, “If you are kind to these people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be your servants forever.” 8 But he rejected the advice which the elders had given him, and consulted the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him.

    IV. Practical examples of wisdom

    A. Avoid foolish friends

    Proverbs 1:15 - My son, do not walk in the way with them, keep your foot from their path;

    Proverbs 24:21-22 - My son, fear the Lord and the king; do not associate with those given to change; 22 For their calamity will rise suddenly, and who knows the ruin those two can bring?

    B. Avoid debt

    Proverbs 6:1-5 - My son, if you become surety for your friend, if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger, 2 You are snared by the words of your mouth; you are taken by the words of your mouth. 3 So do this, my son, and deliver yourself; for you have come into the hand of your friend: go and humble yourself; Plead with your friend. 4 Give no sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids. 5 Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, and like a bird from the hand of the fowler.

    C. Pursue understanding

    Proverbs 4:1 - Hear, my children, the instruction of a father, and give attention to know understanding;

    Proverbs 4:20 - My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.

    D. Pass on heavenly wisdom

    James 3:13-18 - Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

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  • The Power of an Example

    Main Text: Philippians 2:19-24

    Main Idea: Timothy is an encouraging example of what it means to be like Jesus.

    1. We all _________________ encouragement! (vs. 19 & 23-24)

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

    [23] I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, [24] and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.

    3 John 2–4: [2] Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. [3] For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. [4] I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

    2. A personal _______________________ of Christlikeness is a powerful encouragement. (vs. 20-22)

    [20] For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. [21] For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. [22] But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.

    Today’s Discussion Questions: If you were to share a key insight from today’s sermon with a friend, what would you say?

    Today’s Lunch Discussion: In what area of your life do you need encouragement today? Are you caring well for your own soul? Who do you have in your life that looks like Jesus? Where do you see the grace of God in those closest to you? How are you genuinely caring for the welfare of others? How are you focused on the mission of Jesus? Are you a powerful example of what it means to look like Jesus? If not, what do you need to repent of?

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  • Proverbs I: The Beauty of Wisdom

    Main Text: Proverbs 1:1-6 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

    "This book is a guidebook and directory for godly conduct. All ranks and classes have their word in season. The king on his throne is instructed as from God. The principles of national prosperity or decay are laid open. The rich are warned of their besetting temptations. The poor are cheered in their worldly humiliation. Wise rules are given for self-government. This book bridles the injurious tongue, corrects the wanton eye, and ties the unjust hand in chains. It prevents sloth, chastises all absurd desires, teaches prudence, raises man's courage, and represents temperance and chastity after such a fashion, that we cannot but have them in veneration. Sound principles of family order and discipline are inculcated. Domestic economy is displayed in its adoring consistency. Even the minute courtesies of daily life are regulated. Self-denying consideration of others, and liberal distribution are enforced. All this diversified instruction is based upon the principles of true godliness. That is not sound faith, that does not issue in practical godliness." Charles Bridges

    I. The proverb: mawshawl, superiority in mental activity.

    A. I Kings 4:29-34 And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore. And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about. And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five. And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes. And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.

    B. Ephesians 5:15-16 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

    II. The purpose of the proverbs.

    A. Wisdom (verse 2)--skillfulness.

    B. Instruction--warning, correction.

    C. To perceive the words of understanding--mentally separate.

    D. To receive the instruction of wisdom (verse 3)--the restraint of circumspection.

    E. Justice--moral or legal right.

    F. Judgment--judicial verdict, legal decree.

    G. Equity--evenness, straightness.

    H. Subtlety--discretion for the easily misled.

    I. Knowledge--cunning, awareness.

    J. Discretion--wise intent.

    K. Hearing, learning, wise counsel, understanding, interpretation, words of the wise, dark counsels.

    III. The foundational principle.

    A. Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

    B. Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

    IV. The earnest quest for wisdom.

    A. Proverbs 2:1-5 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.

    B. Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

    V. The ultimate theme and beauty of proverbs.

    A. Colossians 2:3 In [Christ] are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

    B. I Corinthians 1:22-24 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

    C. I Corinthians 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.

    "1st, Every action done in company, ought to be with some sign of respect, to those that are present. 50th, Be not hasty to believe flying reports to the disparagement of any. 56th, Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for 'tis better to be alone than in bad company. 108th, When you speak of God or His attributes, let it be seriously and with reverence." Young George Washington's Rules of Civility (110 rules written at age 14)

    "Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God's help, I do humbly entreat Him by His grace to enable me to keep these resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to His will for Christ's sake.

    1. Resolved, to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolve to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many and how great soever.

    5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time, but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.

    28. Resolved, to study the scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same." Young Jonathan Edwards' Resolutions (70 resolutions at age 19)

    "This book will help us,

    1. To form right notions of things, and to possess our minds with clear and distinct ideas of them, that we may know wisdom and instruction, that wisdom which is got by instruction, by divine revelation, may know both how to speak and act wisely ourselves and to give instruction to others.

    2. To distinguish between truth and falsehood, good and evil - to perceive the words of understanding, to apprehend them, to judge of them, to guard against mistakes, and to accommodate what we are taught to ourselves and our own use, that we may discern things that differ and not be imposed upon, and may approve things that are excellent and not lose the benefit of them.

    3. To order our conversation aright in all things. This book will give, that we may receive, the instruction of wisdom, that knowledge which will guide our practice in justice, judgment, and equity, which will dispose us to render to all their due, to God the things that are God's, in all the exercises of religion, and to all men what is due to them, according to the obligations which by relation, office, contract, or upon any other account, we lie under to them.

    Note, Those are truly wise, and none but those, who are universally conscientious; and the design of the scripture is to teach us that wisdom, justice in the duties of the first table, judgment in those of the second table, and equity in both." Matthew Henry

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  • Partners in Sacrifice. Partners in Joy.

    Main Text: Philippians 2:17-18 [17] 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. [18] Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

    Main Point: Partnering in sacrifice leads to partnering in joy.

    1. Christians should partner in sacrifice for the cause of Christ. (vs. 17a)

    "Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith…” (17a)

    A. Paul’s Drink Offering: A Life Poured Out for Christ, His Church and the Gospel

    B. The Philippians' Sacrifice: Money, Ministers, Persecution and Prayer
    C. The Source of Sacrifice: Faith
    D. The Supreme Sacrifice: The Death of Christ

    2. Christians should rejoice together in their mutual sacrifices. (vs. 17b-18)

    "...I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.” (17b-18)

    A. Rejoice in Mutual Sacrifice

    B. Rejoice with One Another
    C. The Upward Spiral of Rejoicing, Sacrifice and Gospel Growth

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