Prescott Valley Christian Church

THESIS: Remember And Relieve
TEXT: Philippians 2:14-30

OPEN: In Philippians 2:14-30 let’s discover how remembering others and relieving their burdens looks out for the interests of Christ.

1. REMEMBER YOU’RE A CHILD OF GOD SO RELIEVE OTHERS BY NOT ARGUING OR COMPLAINING.

1. Do not argue and complain so you may become blameless and pure.

Complain (Greek: gongysmos) means grumbling or muttering private talk of dissatisfaction.

1 Corinthians 10:10-11 “Do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel. 11These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.”

Illustration: Author Jacques Weisel wrote an article about self-made millionaires. One hundred entrepreneurs were interviewed in a search for the common denominator that bound them together. The interviews revealed these highly successful men and women could only see the good in people. They were people builders, rather than grumblers.

James 5:7-9 “Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. 8You, too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!”

Insight from Adam Khan: “You don’t have to do anything to be patient. You have to not do something. Patience is not a skill—it’s a decision. Patient people have made it a habit to make the decision to not do something.”

2. Do hold on to the word of life so you may shine like stars in a crooked and depraved generation.

Life (Greek: zoe) is one’s being relating to character and conduct—a vim, vigor, and vitality. It’s not mere existence, but a God-inspired energy, liveliness, and radiance (i.e. moral significance).

Here are examples of people in the Bible who were exceptional and effective in God’s eyes:
a. Job: “Have you considered My servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil” (Job 1:8).

b. John the Baptist: “I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of Heaven is greater than he” (Matthew 11:11).

c. Roman centurion: “‘Lord, say the word, and my servant will be healed’…When Jesus heard this, He was amazed at him…He said, ‘I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel’” (Luke 7:7, 9).

d. David: “God made David their king. He testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after My own heart; he will do everything I want him to do’” (Acts 13:22).

Application: Here are ways to know God’s word to apply it for a productive life & effective faith:

1. Pray it: Col 1:9-11a “We have not stopped praying for and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10We pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11being strengthened with all power…”

2. Say it: Philemon 6 “I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.”

3. Obey it: John 15:8, 10-11 “This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples…10If you obey My commands, you will remain in My love, just as I have obeyed My Father’s commands and remain in His love. 11I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” Hebrews 4:12a “The word of God is living and active.”

Active (Greek: energes) means energetic, powerful, or productive; motion that generates effective results.

2. REMEMBER YOU’RE A CHILD OF GOD SO RELIEVE OTHERS BY REJOICING AND SERVING.

3. Do honor God by offering your faith to Him through sacrificial and joyful service.

Historical (William Barclay on drink offerings): “The Apostle uses the practice of pagan drink offerings to illustrate sacrifice and service with faith in Christ. This libation was a cup of wine poured out as an offering to the (false) gods…Paul was willing to make his life a sacrifice to God; and, if that (martyrdom) happened, to him it would be all joy. He calls on them not to mourn at the prospect, but rather to rejoice. To him every call to sacrifice and to toil was a call to his love for Christ (and His church), and therefore he met it not with regret and complain but with joy.”

Insight from John Maxwell: “Talk more about the other person and less about yourself. At the close of a conversation, ask if there is anything you can do to help and then follow through. Acts of service have a resounding impact that live longer than words.”

Sacrifice (Greek: thysia) means to give up or offer. A spiritual sacrifice (1 Peter 2:5) is God-inspired and engages our heart, mind, and will. It’s not ritual or symbolic.

The Apostle Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus poured out unto God not wine on a physical altar, but rather all their being on the “altar of sacrifice” called faith in Christ through their service with and for the church.

Philippians 1:12-14, 23-26 “What has happened to me (imprisoned for preaching) has really served to advance the gospel. 13As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am I chains for Christ. 14 Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly…23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.”

Faith in this world is a sacrifice—an offering to God.

Matthew 16:24 “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.’”

Illustration: Amy Carmichael wrote “Hast thou no scar? No hidden scar on foot, side, or hand? I hear thee sung as mighty in the land, I hear them hail thy bright ascendant star, Has thou no scar? Hast thou no wound? Yet I was wounded by the archers, spent, leaned against a tree to die; and rent by ravening beasts that compassed Me, I swooned: Has thou no wound? No wound? No scar? Yet, as the Master shall the servant be, and pierced are the feet that follow Me; but thine are whole—can he have followed far? Who has nor wound nor scar?”

2 Timothy 4:6-8 “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.”

CLOSE: Is it worth it then to remember to be a relief to others by serving and sacrificing? Give “Thinks” to that.