HUMILITY IS SPELLED...

Philippians 2:1-11 (NLT)

1 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and sympathetic? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one heart and purpose.

3 Don't be selfish; don't live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. 4 Don't think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing.

5 Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. 7 He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. 8 And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal's death on a cross.

9 Because of this, God raised him up to the heights of heaven and gave him a name that is above every other name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

When I was in eighth grade I participated in a school spelling bee, which was a contest to see who could spell the most words correctly. Each day I would memorize the spelling of multiple words. I thought I had a great chance to win the competition, but I ended up in third place. One of my good friends won the contest, and afterwards I asked her what her technique was for winning. She told me that besides memorizing how to spell a variety of words, she also memorized the meaning of each word. Knowing the meaning of each word helped my friend remember how to spell each word flawlessly.

It is one thing to know how to spell the word "humility," but it is another thing to know how to spell out "humility." To spell out something is to discern its meaning and bring out its significance. Spelling the word "humility" does not help me understand what "humility" really is. My friend was able to win the spelling bee because she was able to understand the meaning of each word, which helped her remember the spelling of the word.

In Philippians 1:1 Paul presents the theme of humility by identifying himself as a slave of Jesus Christ rather than as an apostle of Jesus Christ. The reason for this is because he is introducing and modeling for the Philippian believers what humility looks like: the lowering of oneself in favor of the elevation of Jesus and the elevation of others. But, Paul did not further elaborate what humility is all about; he saves the expansion of this theme for Philippians 2:1-11. Here Paul begins to spell out for us what humility is all about and its implications for our lives today, and he does so by associating humility with Jesus himself.

Philippians 1 ends with Paul challenging the church at Philippi to remain united as they endure suffering for their faith. Just as Paul is in jail because of his faith in Christ (Philippians 1:13, 17), no doubt the church will face similar persecution because of their obedience to Jesus as well. Paul reminds the believers that they are "citizens of heaven"; they belong to God and thus, must live in a manner that brings honor and glory to God. (Philippians 1:27) The church must stand united, fighting and defending the gospel as one, recognizing that the gift of suffering is intended to help them identify with Jesus' own suffering on the cross and to help them deepen their trust in Christ. Unity in the church is what will help advance the gospel to the nations of the world.

But, corporate unity does not come out of nowhere. It cannot be created instantly. Unity is formed through a lifestyle each believer must actively live out. For unity to develop in the body of Christ, each believer must first live in constant humility. Just like flowers come from seeds that have been planted and nurtured by water and sunlight, unity blooms out of seeds planted and nurtured in humility. Humility is the catalyst for unity.

In Philippians 2:1-11 Paul begins to spell out what humility is and its repercussions for the church at Philippi. The struggle to spread the gospel in the midst of suffering (Philippians 1:30) is directly connected to the unity Paul is seeking for at the Philippian church (Philippian 2:1); this connection is found through the word "therefore," a word the NLT fails to flesh out. What Philippians 2:1 should say is:

Therefore, is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ?...

Hence, what Paul is driving at is this: he encourages the church to unite together in advancing the gospel. Despite facing persecution and obstacles, they must remain in the same spirit and fight for the Good News of Jesus. (Philippians 1:27-30) And the strength and wisdom the church possesses to keep this unity going comes from their relationship with Jesus Christ. (Philippians 2:1) It is Jesus who encourages the church during times of trials, providing comfort to the believers through his merciful love. It is through the fellowship with the Holy Spirit that the church is empowered to persevere during periods of suffering. The hearts of the believers become tender and sympathetic even as they fight against the harassment they undergo because of their faith in Christ. Therefore, the answer to the questions Paul asks in Philippians 2:1 is rhetorical: the answer is an emphatic YES!

Because the answer is a resounding "yes," Paul makes a plea to the church to remain united by expressing that unity through humble sacrifices. The first principle we can learn here is this:

•  Humility is spelled out in self-sacrificing giving . (vv. 1-4)

To embrace unity the believers must humbly submit themselves as slaves to one another. They are to agree wholeheartedly with each other. They are to love one another. They are to work together with one heart and purpose. They are to get rid of their selfish desires; instead of working hard to promote their individual accomplishments, Paul exhorts them never to make a good impression on others. They are to be humble, considering others as better than themselves. Be interested in other people's lives; never be consumed with our own self-centered agendas. (vv. 2-4)

Note the relationship between unity and humility here:

For unity to take place, humility has to be expressed. When humility is being expressed concretely, the body of Christ will be united. Sacrifice and unending giving are spiritual truths that must be lived out for unity to take shape in the church. This is all done through the encouragement, comfort and wisdom of Jesus and the Spirit.

How can Paul make such a bold proclamation? This is exactly what Jesus has exemplified for the church at Philippi and for the church today.

Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. (v. 5)

How should our attitude be in light of Jesus' attitude on humility? Here is the second principle from this passage:

•  Humility does not take advantage of one's position or identity . (vv. 5-8)

Jesus is the Son of God; in fact, Jesus is God. He is the King of Kings. He is sovereign over all things and has perfect knowledge over all circumstances. He is not bound by time; he exists everywhere.

Such a high description portrays Jesus as the One above all. At the very least he deserves to be treated with great dignity. That is his right. But, here in Philippians 2:5-8, Paul's depiction of Jesus is anything but. Just like Paul identifies himself as a slave instead of an apostle, here Jesus identifies himself not as the supreme divine King but as a meek human slave.

First, we learn that Jesus never demanded and clung to his rights as God, even though he could have. (v. 6) Jesus was equal to God in every divine quality, but he chose not to exploit or take advantage of his position. Amazingly, Jesus' identity to God guided him to portray himself as a humble servant, as we will see in the next few verses. Again, this is what Paul does when he calls himself a slave of Christ Jesus, even though everybody knows that Paul is an apostle of Jesus Christ. Jesus described himself as not taking advantage of an identity that he had every right to exploit. Yes, he was the Son of God, but Jesus portrayed himself to humanity in a different light.

What is this identity that Jesus revealed to humanity? Jesus made himself nothing by appearing as a human being and humbling himself as a slave. (v. 7) The phrase "made himself nothing" literally means "he emptied himself." The emptying here has nothing to do with a loss of qualities of some sort. It is not like an empty gas tank or an empty refrigerator. The word "empty" is used in verse 7 figuratively, suggesting that something is of no account anymore. Jesus could have used his divine power to instantly change what was wrong in this sinful world and make things right again. But, he did not exploit his position as God's Son to accomplish such an instantaneous feat. Instead, he will make things right by going about as a humble human slave. That is, Jesus "emptied" himself by making of no account his position as the King of Kings; instead, he relied on another less authoritative position - that of a slave. No divine qualities of Jesus were taken away from him; they were just not taken advantage of. God was to use Jesus in a different set of way.

Why save the world in such a humble degrading position as a human slave? That was the best way humanity could identify with God in the most personal intimate way. To appear in human form meant humanity could recognize and approach Jesus much more easily and without barriers that could have been erected between God and humankind if Jesus identified himself in his powerful divinity. In human form humanity witnessed a sinless perfect man who brought a message of hope to them.

But, to come down in human likeness and become a slave is not enough. Jesus chose to humble himself even more by dying a criminal's death on a cross. (v. 8) Being a slave is bad enough in the first century world; being crucified was the worse way a person could die, reserved only for the most deceitful and evil people. Again, Jesus, the King of Kings, coming down as a perfect sinless man, was put to death in such a humiliating manner. From the most highest position to the most lowest position, humility is dramatically exemplified here in Jesus. Jesus chose to sacrifice his own rights as God's Son, taking the humble position of a human crucified slave, in order to reveal his unconditional love to the world.

Humility never justifies; it always sacrifices!

Many people would read this about Jesus' humility and respond in a disgusting way. If Jesus was the King of Kings how embarrassing is it to have to die in this manner. What a shame he could not save himself. Why would I believe in a savior that had no power and authority.

God's response, on the other hand, is very different than the one above. Here is the crux of the passage, something we normally do not associate humility with. The third principle from the text is:

•  It is God alone who exalts the humble. (vv. 9-11)

Humility should not mean being stepped upon. Humility should not mean being treated in an unjust way. Humility should not equate to being weak and frail.

Humility is a spiritual attribute God wants the church to possess; this is exemplified through the life of Jesus. God responded to Jesus' humble sacrifice in this way.

•  God raises the humble up from the lifeless.

First, God raised Jesus from the dead and lifted him up to the heights of heaven. (v. 9) If Jesus remained dead, then the proper response should be one of disgust. But, that was not the case. The raising of Jesus indicates that God is much greater than the power of death, and thus, God is the only one who has the right to exalt the humble.

To live in humility gives life to the church. God will affirm and lead us in all circumstances, but especially when we are in the middle of great storms. Humility does not mean we are defeated; it means trusting that God has our back. He loves to lift up the lowly who faithfully serve him.

•  God gives a new identity to the humble - "a child of God"

Second, God exalted Jesus by giving him the name that is above every other name. (v. 9) The name given to Jesus is "Lord." (v. 11) The humble servant crucified to death has been enthroned as the supreme God over all creation. It is Jesus in whom every knee will bow and every tongue will confess to in worship. (vv. 10-11) God defined the identity of Jesus. From such a humble position is where God molded the Lord of Lords.

God, too, gives us a new identity when we live in humility. We are called his children. Humility does not mean being buried under the dirt of uselessness and ineptitude. Being humble actually strengthens the church to effectively accomplish more for the Lord. It is when we are self-centered and selfish that the church fails to fulfill the purposes of God. When we squabble for prestige and notoriety rather than humbly serving the world, we miss the mark of proclaiming the goodness of Jesus to the nations. When the church concretely lives out humble behavior, the church will be united in sharing the love of Christ to this broken world.

•  The life of the humble points towards the glory of God.

Third, the exaltation of Jesus is for the glory of God the Father. (v. 11) The goal is not to be humble. Humility is one way in which all glory and honor will be given to God himself. The goal is that the humble life will point back to God himself. Jesus' death and resurrection point people back to God. Paul's life points people back to God. The church's expression of humility must point people back to God.

Philippians 2:1-11 provides a clear view on what humility truly looks like. It is irresponsible for the church to give simple definitions of what humility is about. The church must spell out the full significance of humility in light of the humble service found in the life of Jesus Christ. Paul actively lived out a humble life because Jesus modeled it for him. Jesus is modeling humility to us today. Let us base our humble service not in words or definitions, but in dynamic involvement in people's lives. It is through our love for one another and uplifting one another that God is looking for.

© Arthur Hsu (2004)

FORWARD...MARCH

Philippians 1:12-30 (NLT)

12 And I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. 13 For everyone here, including all the soldiers in the palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. 14 And because of my imprisonment, many of the Christians here have gained confidence and become more bold in telling others about Christ.

15 Some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives. 16 They preach because they love me, for they know the Lord brought me here to defend the Good News. 17 Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me. 18 But whether or not their motives are pure, the fact remains that the message about Christ is being preached, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice. 19 For I know that as you pray for me and as the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will all turn out for my deliverance.

20 For I live in eager expectation and hope that I will never do anything that causes me shame, but that I will always be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past, and that my life will always honor Christ, whether I live or I die. 21 For to me, living is for Christ, and dying is even better. 22 Yet if I live, that means fruitful service for Christ. I really don't know which is better. 23 I'm torn between two desires: Sometimes I want to live, and sometimes I long to go and be with Christ. That would be far better for me, 24 but it is better for you that I live. 25 I am convinced of this, so I will continue with you so that you will grow and experience the joy of your faith. 26 Then when I return to you, you will have even more reason to boast about what Christ Jesus has done for me.

27 But whatever happens to me, you must live in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ, as citizens of heaven. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing side by side, fighting together for the Good News. 28 Don't be intimidated by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. 29 For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. 30 We are in this fight together. You have seen me suffer for him in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of this great struggle.

One of the traditions in Southern California is the Rose Parade that takes place every New Year's Day in Pasadena. This parade is known for their floats that are covered with a variety of roses and other flowers. The parade also includes bands and organizations that have been invited to march down Colorado Blvd. Millions of people each year tune in to their TV sets to watch this festive event. I remembered attending the Rose Parade twice. My friends and I would arrive the day before the parade and camp on the streets. We would stay awake the whole night and wait for the parade to begin. Being involved in the parade was an amazing experience.

A number of things caught my attention while watching the Rose Parade all of these years. First, all of the floats, bands and organizations moved in one direction. More specifically, they always moved forward. Not once have I seen a float choose to move opposite of the parade traffic. Everybody traveled from west to east.

Second, all of the floats, bands and organizations all ended up in the same place, on Sierra Madre Blvd. next to Pasadena High School. It was important that all of them moved in the same direction, but it was equally important for them to finish at the same location. Without an end or goal, the floats could very well keep on going towards Las Vegas! (Well, they probably would have emptied their gas tanks somewhere in Monrovia or something.)

Third, each year the Rose Parade has a theme that guides the message of the parade itself. Whether it was "Music, Music, Music" (2004) or "A World of Harmony" (1990), all the floats and organizations must in some way showcase the theme to the audience. Now I am sure that many companies that participate in the parade have other motives in their involvement, that is, this is a good public relations move and, they get to reveal their company to millions of people around the world. But, the companies cannot reveal their own business' mission statement; instead, they have to expose the theme or message of the Rose Parade, no exceptions accepted.

The church today can learn something from the Rose Parade, namely, the significance of working in unison, accomplishing an end-goal, and understanding whom she belongs to. We are called to march forward for Jesus Christ. As we continue our study on the letter to the Philippians, we will be addressing these very issues. Our text for today is Philippians 1:12-30.

Keep in mind that when we talk about marching forward for Jesus the themes of humility, unity and joy (established in Philippians 1:1-11) come into play. Thus, it is given that the reader of Philippians 1:12-30 would agree to this assumption.  

Paul begins this section by revealing that he is in prison. (vv. 13-14) The question to ask here is: If Paul is in prison, how does that affect the spreading of the gospel? (see Philippians 1:5, 7) This is a reasonable inquiry. If Paul is stuck in a jail cell, it is impossible for him to be in the synagogues and marketplaces defending and explaining the word of God to people. Because he is in prison why would churches such as the one at Philippi continue to support him, especially in financial provision? (see Philippians 4:15-17)

And yet in the midst of a difficult situation (Paul in prison), the good news of the gospel continues to spread unhindered. (v. 12) Here is the first principle of the passage:

•  God can use any situation to advance the Good News of Jesus. (vv. 12-19)

The end-goal of Paul's ministry is that the gospel will spread so that people will hear and accept the salvation message. That mission will never change. Just like in the Rose Parade, all of the floats must, in the end, finish near Pasadena High School. Even if there were distractions along the parade route, eventually everything will find its way at the school.

Ultimately, the gospel will continue to advance irregardless of Paul's situation. Prison will not hold back God's Spirit to penetrate the lives of people with the love of Jesus. In fact, God uses Paul's circumstances to further the salvation message. In God's unique mysterious way, Paul's imprisonment allowed the guards to fully comprehend Paul's mission in life to share the truth of God to all humankind.

•  Because of Paul's imprisonment many of the guards understood Paul's mission in life.

What is even more amazing is that the fellow Christians in the city where Paul was imprisoned became more bold and confident in telling others about Christ! (v. 14) The text does not elaborate how this took place, but the message is still clear: God's mission, through Paul's work, will advance forward. Nothing can prevent the blossoming and transforming love of Jesus Christ.

Now in verses 15-19 Paul writes about these fellow Christians who are preaching God's truth while he is in prison. Paul states that there are some who have pure motives in their proclamation. But, there are others that are preaching from wrong motives: they are full of jealousy and rivalry, selfish ambition, without sincerity, all for the purpose of making Paul's life in prison more strenuous and difficult. And yet, God continues to further the gospel.

•  Even personal motives can be used by God to spread the gospel.

In this context Paul is not concerned about people's motives. He is more interested in the advancement of the truth of God. We do not know the reasons why some believers are against Paul, but the silence of Paul in explaining this matter further tells us that these people's motives are not important at all. Paul does not even identify specifically who this group might be. Paul is joyful that even in evil circumstances the Good News of Jesus is being spread across the land. And he knows that in the end, with the prayers of the Philippian believers coupled with the power of the Holy Spirit, Paul will be vindicated, if not on earth, then definitely when he is in heaven. (v. 19) The end-goal is still the advancement of the gospel; nothing will prevent this mission from being accomplished.

This does not mean that Paul is not concerned about people's motives at all. In 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 Paul describes that his motives to preach the gospel are pure, and not swayed by greed or insincere commendation. In 2 Corinthians Paul targets the false apostles and the contents of their messages. But, Paul also points to their motives for preaching: [1] these preachers compare themselves to Paul in a boastful spirit, claiming that they are better speakers than Paul (2 Corinthians 11:6); [2] they claim that they can perform amazing exploits (2 Corinthians 12:12); [3] they even use questionable actions to attract people to join their groups (2 Corinthians 11:20). Thus, Paul is very concerned about the evil motives of people.

Paul is now in prison and he cannot do anything in regards to what people are saying about him outside of jail. Asking the Philippian church to do something about it would only put the focus upon Paul and not on the gospel. Thus, Paul believes that God is in control over his circumstances and that God will use this difficult time to further Jesus' message of salvation. Paul does not give up the mission of advancing the gospel despite his troublesome situation. The focus of the church must remain in the spreading of the Good News. Paul is concerned about motives, but he is also interested in the spreading of the gospel message: ultimately, Christ must be preached. (v. 18) With that end-goal, Paul will rejoice always.

•  What would our response be when we face difficult situations in life? Would we continue to advance the gospel or not? (v. 14)

This is the application for the church today. If we were Paul and we were in jail, would we allow our circumstances to stop us from furthering the preaching of Christ Jesus? Paul had every reason to quit, especially after suffering some personal attacks from fellow believers. Yet, he remained faithful to God and to God's mission. He understood that God's salvation message will continue to move forward, that the goal of the mission will be accomplished. Are we willing to completely trust God in all of our circumstances, whether good or bad, so that the Good News of Jesus will be preached throughout the nations of the world? We are the church united in God through Jesus Christ. If we claim that we belong on God's side, we need to allow him to do his work in and through our lives.

Paul continues in verse 20 by stating that it is his hope he will always be courageous for Christ. The second principle of this message is this:

•  Therefore, the church must continually be bold in advancing the Good News of Jesus. (vv. 20-26)

Because Paul knows God can use any given situation to advance the Good News of Jesus, he must therefore be bold in proclaiming Christ as well. Paul knows he belongs to God and he can depend on God for everything. That is why Paul eagerly hopes that as long as his life is for Jesus, he will never be put to shame.

•  You cannot be put to shame as long as your hope is in Jesus.

No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame,

but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse.

(Psalm 25:3; NIV)

For Paul it does not matter whether he is found innocent or guilty of the charges brought against him. If he is found innocent by the court of law and he lives, his life will always honor Christ. If he is found guilty and he is sentenced to death, Paul will live his life in honor of Christ.

•  Whether in life or death, Jesus will be exalted.

In Paul's mind there is no difference between life and death; in either case he wants to live boldly for God's mission. If he is alive he can continue to achieve the end-goal of spreading the love of Jesus. But, if he dies, he will spend the rest of eternity with God. Both scenarios are good for Paul. He is very clear that when he puts his hope in God, he will never be put to shame. As long as he lives his life according to God's will, Jesus will always be exalted.

•  We are in the business of growing joyful faith! (v. 25)

But, Paul has determined that in his present context it is better for him to live so that he can minister to the church at Philippi and help her grow in the joy of her faith. Again, Paul is emphasizing his unity with God's church. They are united together in spreading the gospel of Christ Jesus in joyful faith.

Paul is living an example for the Philippians on what it means to follow Jesus. His own personal life is not what matters; it is the advancement of the gospel that is the most significant. His own life is not what counts; it is his humble service to others that makes the difference. And to be united in this way takes great joy in faith. God will determine whether Paul will physically live or die. As for Paul, he will always promote the gospel message.

This section of the text teaches us about our attitude when it comes to life and death and their relationship to the service of God. Paul is very clear that whether he is physically alive or not, he will bring honor to Jesus in humble service. In fact, for Paul, there is no difference between life or death. He will always rejoice in being with God.

Our perspective of life and death must be comparable to that of Paul. We so readily assume that life is very precious and thus we avoid death as much as possible. But, this forces us to never take risks for God. We are so consumed about preserving our lives that we become afraid to give it all up for Jesus. Paul never hindered in sacrificing his life for the work of God. We, too, must submit our whole totality of our human existence, whether that might be living or dying, to the mission of Jesus. Hold onto God in humility and unity, and live for Jesus in joy. For whatever the circumstances might be, God is in full control; we are his slaves and he is our Master. Remember, Jesus is more important than our very lives.

Paul hammers this point down in verse 27: because we are citizens of heaven, we must live in a manner worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Here is the last principle of the message:

•  The church must stand united, in faith and conduct , in advancing the Good News of Jesus. (vv. 27-30)

•  The church belongs on the side of God.

As citizens of heaven we belong to God. This means that what we believe in and how we apply those beliefs must conform to the purposes of God. The Philippian church must understand this because they are also citizens of the Roman Empire. Paul wants to make it very clear that they must side with the kingdom of God always, even if it goes against that of the Roman Empire. God deserves our full allegiance. Everything else is of less priority.

It is like the Rose Parade. All participants belong to one group or another. But, to join in the parade, every organization must adhere to the creed and values of the parade itself. A group cannot promote its own agenda at will during the event; it must follow the guidelines the parade committee has set up. On the day of January 1 st of every year, all allegiance goes to the Rose Parade only.

Because we are citizens of heaven we must submit under God's sovereign authority. Our faith and conduct must measure up to his will. By humbly yielding ourselves to God, we will live according to God's purposes, that is, live in a manner worthy of the Good News of Jesus.

•  The church stands firm in the same spirit. (v. 27, "you are standing side by side" [NLT])

As citizens of heaven, then, the believers at Philippi must stand "side by side" and fight together for the Good News. The Greek text states that the church must stand firm "in the same spirit." That is, the church must stand united together in one spirit because they belong to the same Spirit of God. As citizens belonging to the Lord Jesus, the church must support, fight, and defend the truth of the Good News.

Again, Paul is affirming the unity of the community of believers. We belong to God. We are citizens of heaven. We must live in a manner worthy of the gospel of Jesus. We stand firm together in the same spirit. We stand side by side. We must fight and work together for the Good News.

The church today has to embrace this spiritual closeness Paul demands of us. We should not allow such things as denominational competitions, gaps between church leaders and lay people, and comparisons between mission agencies bring division to the church. We are in this spiritual battle together; we are fighting for God's cause. Self-promotion must be wiped out in favor of humble service to God.

•  The church must embrace the cause of God as one community. (v. 30)

By being united, the church can combat the blows of her enemies. (v. 28) The opponents of the Philippian believers will recognize their destruction through the courage of the church in the midst of persecution. The enemies will also comprehend that the church will be saved because of her complete faith in the Lord.

But, more than the opposition perceiving all of this is the fact that the church, too, will understand all of these things. Paul is exhorting the church to remain faithful during times of persecution because they will be saved by God while their enemies will be destroyed. To already know the verdict of God gives the church today boldness to continue to fight for the gospel. We are able to stand firm in one spirit because God has already won the battles for us. We are to stand side by side to experience God's victory for us.

In fact, Paul says that suffering for Jesus is actually a privilege or gift given to the believer. (v. 29) Why is this so? By enduring suffering we can connect with the persecution Jesus had to undergo so that reconciliation and salvation can be offered to humanity. The death and resurrection of Jesus becomes more personal to us when we go through suffering because of our faith in Christ Jesus. By embracing one another as one community, we can fight these oppositions together and at the same time identify with Jesus' death and resurrection.

Plus, through suffering, our dependency upon Jesus may deepen in faith. We have to trust in him as we face suffering. The church has to focus on the strength of God in the midst of persecution. By trusting the almighty God, the church will unite together to spread the Good News of Jesus.

In America it is difficult to fathom what persecution is like. Because of the freedom of religion, we do not know how it feels to suffer for the gospel. But, there are many believers all over the world that are suffering for the cause of Christ Jesus. They are being systematically tortured because they are willing to put all of their allegiance on God alone.

A practical thing we can do is to be more sensitive to what suffering might look like. Notice how you are being treated at work, school, or even in your own family, because of your faith. Do not brush aside people's comments about you, but begin to understand why some would criticize your faith in God. How do you feel about such negative reaction from people? How would you react to them?

Now, multiply your experiences a million times and maybe you can get a glimpse of the persecution believers from other nations go through on a daily basis. Hopefully this will persuade the church in America to take more seriously about standing firm with the world-wide church of God, fighting together for the cause of the gospel, remembering our fellow brothers and sisters who are "in chains" because of their faith in Jesus. We need to remember in prayer those who are being persecuted for the gospel.

Philippians 1:12-30 focuses on the end-goal of advancing the gospel of Jesus Christ. No matter what circumstances or obstacles we face, God will use any given situation to spread the Good News. Therefore we can be bold in advancing the gospel as well. Whether in life or in death, Jesus will always be exalted. It is God and his message of salvation in which our whole allegiance goes to. In unity the church must live in faith and conduct consistent to the message of the Good News of Jesus Christ.

© Arthur Hsu (2004)

CULTIVATING HUMILITY, UNITY AND JOY

Philippians 1:1-11 (NLT)

1 This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus. It is written to all of God's people in Philippi, who believe in Christ Jesus, and to the elders and deacons. 2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. 3 Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. 4 I always pray for you, and I make my requests with a heart full of joy 5 because you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. 6 And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again. 7 It is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a very special place in my heart. We have shared together the blessings of God, both when I was in prison and when I was out, defending the truth and telling others the Good News. 8 God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus. 9 I pray that your love for each other will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in your knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until Christ returns. 11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation--those good things that are produced in your life by Jesus Christ--for this will bring much glory and praise to God.

When I was in seminary I had to read countless of books for my classes. Now many books begin with a preface or introduction before chapter one. But, for the most part, I skip these sections and head straight to the first chapter. I figure there is nothing really significant written in these segments. Most of the time the author gives thanks to individuals that had inspired him or her to write the book. But, I do not want to read a list of "people of inspiration." I want to get to the heart of the book, and where better to start than in chapter one?

I was well into my second year of school when I learned something profound in my educational life. No, it did not come from my professors; I actually learned this valuable lesson from one of my teaching assistants. Rob told me that many times the essence or core of the book is not to be found within the chapters, but is actually discovered in the preface or introduction of the book. The author would provide a summary of what the book is all about in these sections. In the preface or introduction the writer will share with his or her readers why the book was written, the contents that will shape the form of the book, and the possible outcomes derived from the data. In a nutshell the preface or introduction offers the various themes and ideas that the chapters of the book will try to support.

When we read the letters of Paul in the Bible, many times we skip the introductory section of his letters and try to jump into the "meat" of his writing. We know that in the beginning of his letters Paul would normally introduce himself to his audience, give his status as an apostle of God, and give some sort of prayer of thanksgiving to his readers. The introduction to many of his letters is so similar that it is easy for us to skim through the words without giving them a second thought. We readily assume that the introduction has nothing worthwhile to say to us.

Of course we are dead wrong on such a grave assumption. I am reminded of Rob's challenge: there is a wealth of teaching that can be found in the introduction of a book or body of writing. This is definitely true in the letters of Paul as well.

We are embarking on a new preaching series on the book of Philippians. For the next two months we will discover the very heart and soul of this letter to the church at Philippi. But, we do not have to wait until the end of the letter to discover the core of Paul's writing. In fact, the very essence of Paul's words can bloom forth through a serious analysis of the letters' introduction. Three themes, in particular, can be discovered in Philippians 1:1-11. What is Paul teaching us in these first eleven verses?

The letter starts off with a common element, the writer of the letter introducing himself to the readers of the letter. Verse 1 states that the letter is from Paul and Timothy and it is written to all of God's people in the city of Philippi. But, if we read the whole letter carefully we will discover that in fact Paul is the sole author of this letter. For example, the letter depicts Paul's experience in prison. (Philippians 1:12-26, 30) Paul also describes a time when he was with the Philippian believers. (Philippians 2:12) The letter also speaks of Paul's plans for Timothy and Epaphroditus. (Philippians 2:19-30) Paul even speaks of himself and his goals in life in the letter. (Philippians 3:1-21) Hence, there is no doubt that Paul is the single author of the letter to the Philippians.

So, why is the letter acknowledged to come from both Paul and Timothy if Paul is the sole author of the letter? Some scholars believed that Timothy might have assisted Paul as a secretary to this letter. But, an underlying clue is found in Paul's description of himself - a "slave" of Jesus Christ.

It is common for Paul to address himself as an "apostle" of Jesus Christ. (see 1 Corinthians 1:1; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Galatians 1:1; Ephesians 1:1; Colossians 1:1; 1 Timothy 1:1; and, 2 Timothy 1:1) Even in the two passages where Paul introduces himself as a servant of Christ Jesus (Romans 1:1 and Titus 1:1) he also refers to himself as an apostle. This is a significant observation for this very reason: whereas the status of apostle signifies authority and spiritual power, the status of a slave denotes humility and meekness. An apostle speaks on behalf of God because the apostle is commissioned by God himself. But, the image of a slave is much different than an apostle. A slave "belongs" to a master in submission . Full obedience is expected from the slave; all honor and glory is given to the master alone. In Philippians Paul speaks of himself solely as a slave; Paul is emphasizing the cultivation of humility in the Christian life. Here is the first point of the message:

•  Humility does not promote status or self-importance . (v. 1)

•  Paul describes himself as a slave instead of an apostle .

Paul wants to highlight the value of humility in the believer's life. Paul has every right to call himself an apostle, but he chooses not to. Instead, the image he uses to portray himself is that of a slave. In spiritual submission Paul is compelled to accomplish the will of Jesus Christ. Paul now belongs to Christ and nobody else.

•  Honor is directed to his master, Jesus Christ.

As a slave of Christ, all honor is given over to the glory of Jesus. Paul is no longer important; in his eyes it is his Master, Jesus, that deserves all of creation's worship. In fact, later on in the letter, we will uncover what true humility is like through the life of Jesus. (see Philippians 2:1-11)

•  Paul and Timothy are equal in God's eyes.

Humility is not only expressed between human being and the divine; it is also lived out between one human being to another. Everybody knows that Paul has produced a greater spiritual impact in the life of the church than Timothy ever had accomplished. Yet, in humility, Paul "lowers" himself in the same status as that of Timothy. Both are slaves of Christ Jesus. Both are identical in God's kingdom. Paul is constructing a model of humility here by "equaling" Timothy as himself.  

The church today can learn something here from Paul. Humility is not one of our greatest spiritual assets. We try to promote ourselves and our ministries as the best that the church has to offer. We love to receive attention and we will do anything to lift ourselves up on any pedestal we can climb on.

But, this is not what Paul is trying to teach us. Yes, some of us play a significant role in the building up of God's kingdom. Yes, some of us make a strong impact in the sharing of God's love and the discipleship of God's people. Yes, some of us are considered by other believers as the "cream of the crop" in ministry.

But, Paul reminds us that we should still avoid the sin of self-promotion. Remember, we are slaves of Jesus Christ; there is no difference between any of us. All of us work together to build up God's kingdom, not ours! Even when the fruits of blessings are plentiful in our lives and ministries, we must remain in humble submission to the One who deserves all the glory, Jesus himself. If Paul is able to live in humility, the church today should be able to as well.

We have already seen in verse 1 that humility is one important theme presented in the introduction of Paul's letter to the Philippians. Another theme is also featured in verse 1, the theme of unity.

The letter is addressed to all of God's people in Philippi. The letter is also addressed to the elders and deacons of the church. The second point of the message is this:

•  Unity elevates the whole community . (v. 1)

•  The letter is written to all God's people.

The NLT writes verse 1 as such:

It is written to all of God's people in Philippi, who believe in Christ Jesus, and to the elders and deacons. (NLT)

But, a more proper translation is:

It is written to all [the saints] in Philippi, who believe in Christ Jesus, [together with] the elders and deacons.

You can see that Paul is addressing all believers as one and the same. It does not matter if one is a spiritual leader or a lay person of the church: the letter is directed to all the saints . All are saints through the salvation carried out in Christ Jesus.

•  Unity is mandatory because of God's grace of salvation for all of us. (v. 2)

In verse 2 Paul pronounces that may the grace of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be upon all the saints in Philippi. Unity is enforced because all have experienced the same grace from God the Father. God's grace is given to believers through the atoning death of Jesus. Humans did not work for this grace; it was freely given by God to those who choose to receive. Because the grace of God is the same upon all people, all people are the same in God's eyes.

•  Peace in life is the result from such a grace. (v. 2)

Furthermore, peace becomes the natural outflow of such an unconditional grace. Individuals experience wholeness and harmony with God because of God's grace upon their lives. Grace is what God offers us through Jesus. Peace is what we experience from God's grace.

That is why Paul sees himself as equal to Timothy. That is why Paul speaks to all the saints at Philippi, which includes the church leaders. God's grace is meant for all people. Those who accept God's grace will also receive his peace. Unity is at the forefront of such a merciful experience.

Again, there should be no division within the body of Christ. All of us are slaves of Jesus; he is the Master and we are his servants. We may occupy different positions in ministry, but all of us work together to further God's work here on earth. It is God's grace that has saved us all, and it is his peace that we experience as a benefit of his grace. We must value and love one another for who we are, humbly sacrificing our self-importance for the greatest importance of all, the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We now enter the section of the letter's introduction known as the prayer of thanksgiving. (Philippians 1:3-8) Here is where we are introduced to the third theme of the letter - joy. The third point of the message is this:

•  Joy is the primary evidence of God's Spirit dwelling in our lives. (vv. 3-8)

The evidence of experiencing God's grace and peace in our lives is joy. This is what Paul makes clear in verses 3-8.

•  Joy raises the frequency of thanksgiving to God. (v. 3)

Note that the focus of Paul's thanksgiving is on God. Whenever he prays for them ("every time I think of you..." in NLT) he thanks the Lord. For Paul prayer and thanksgiving are combined together as one. The reason is because of joy. This is more evident in verse 4.

•  Prayer in joy promotes spiritual fullness. (v. 4)

When Paul prays for the Philippians he prays with a heart "full of joy." Paul does not allow his circumstances (Paul is in prison; Philippians 1:7, 13) dictate how he should pray; every time he prays for the Philippians, he prays with joy.

What a valuable lesson for us to learn today! How many of us allow our circumstances to influence our prayer? When our lives turn towards the negative, our prayers tend to be discouraging and powerless. But, Paul shows us that we can still pray with joy even in the most difficult of situations! If Paul could pray with joy in prison, why can't we pray with joy always as well?

Our joy is tied closely with the peace we experience through God's grace. (see again Philippians 1:2) Because the peace of God resides within those who have accepted God's grace of salvation, and because this peace is eternal and entrenched in God's presence, we are able to live in continued joy, no matter what our situations present us with. Paul is joyful even though he is in prison. We can be joyful as well, both in good and bad times.

•  The reason for joy: the constant goodness of God in the past, present and future. (vv. 5-6)

•  Joy brings believers together for one purpose: the spreading of the gospel. (v. 5)

The reason Paul is able to pray with joy is because the Philippians have been Paul's partners in spreading the gospel of good news. They have been participating with Paul "from the first time you first heard it until now." (v. 5) That is, this good work of the church began in the beginning when they first received salvation in Christ Jesus. From that moment to the present time, the church has served God faithfully through Paul's mission work. We also know from Philippians 4:15-16 that part of the church's good work included financial support for Paul's ministry:

15 As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. 16 Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. (Philippians 4:15-16)

Hence, the Philippians have been generous and consistent in supporting Paul in ministry from the beginning to Paul's current situation.

And, there is no doubt in Paul's mind that it was God who started this good work in the lives of the Philippian believers and it is God who will bring this good work into completion when Jesus Christ comes back again. (v. 6) All honor is due to God: he offered salvation to the Philippians; he stirred the church to join Paul in partnership in mission; he motivated the church to offer financial support to Paul; and, he challenged the church to continue to partner with Paul. All the good work shown by the church is made possible through the constant goodness of God over the church. The result of such a great testimony is overwhelming joy that Paul is experiencing in his prayers. Who would not be joyful to partner with a church like the Philippian church who is so committed to God's work?

•  Joy surpasses any of life's circumstances. (v. 7)

Again, Paul is currently in prison when he writes this letter. Yet, his circumstances do not stop him from having a thankful and joyful heart. God's grace and peace, coupled with the Philippians' participation in sharing the gospel, encourages Paul to live life in fullness of joy.

Another application we learn here is the consistent support of the Philippians towards Paul's ministry. Paul's situations never distracted the church from faithfully supporting him, whether in finances or spreading the good news. Whether in good times ("defending the truth and telling others the Good News") or in bad times ("when I was in prison..."), the church continued to partner with Paul in furthering the kingdom of God. They never detached themselves from Paul when things were rough and hard. They remained in partnership with Paul because they understood their role in serving God. That is why the church holds a special place in Paul's heart. Who would not be joyful at having a church so faithful to God's work and to your ministry?

When we partner with people in ministry let us partner with them in faith. In times of triumph or times of trial, people are depending on us to be there for support and service. This is important to learn in a time when it is easy for people to church-hop. God does not want us to keep moving around; he wants us to commit to a local church and help build his church up to make an impact in the surrounding communities. We need to be like the church at Philippi who consistently partnered with Paul to see God's work come into fruition.

•  Joy exhibits unconditional love and compassion towards one another. (v. 8)

Paul's joy is further exemplified in his relationship with his Philippian brothers and sisters in Christ. The saints at Philippi hold a special place in Paul's hearts. They have shared God's blessings as a united community. The church willfully stood by Paul, whether he was in prison or proclaiming the gospel. Paul longs for the Philippians in compassion. The bottom line is this: in joy Paul passionately cares for the Philippian believers.

This is significant for the church today when it comes to pastoral care. Paul, the apostle of God, chooses to showcase himself as a slave instead. Though he could have called upon his God-given authority to challenge the church at Philippi, he instead demonstrates God's love by passionately loving back the church. Paul could have used his leadership power to shake up the church, but, he chooses to reveal compassion and love towards them.

The church today must reflect the same kind of love as Paul has exhibited to the Philippians. In joy we can embrace all through compassion and mercy. In joy we can unconditionally love even those whose behavior may not warrant such love. Pastoral care welcomes all just as God welcomes us all into his family.

Verses 3-8 of Philippians 1 center upon Paul's joy and thanksgiving in his prayers. But here in verses 9-11 Paul moves towards the substance of his prayers. It is here where we discover what humility, unity and joy's ultimate end or goal is to be. The last point of our message is this:

•  The ultimate goal of humility, unity and joy is to lift up the glory of God . (vv. 9-11)

Paul begins his exhortation with a challenge:

•  Challenge: Love for one another will overflow more and more. (v. 9)

What kind of love is Paul talking about? Is it the kind of affectionate love he displays to the church in verse 8? Possibly. But, the love must extend beyond just "mere feelings." It has to be concretely lived out. It is a kind of love that places great worth upon another person. It is a love that secures a benefit towards another person.

Love here must be the kind of transformational love revealed to us by Jesus on the cross. Love is the unconditional grace of salvation God freely offers to us. Love is the constant peace we experience in salvation. Love challenges us to care for one another equally in humility. Love teaches that no one person is greater than another. Love brings unity in the family of God. Joy is the proper evidence of this kind of love that can only come from God himself.

It is this kind of love that the Philippians must demonstrate towards one another, a love that "overflows more and more." It is a love that is unlimited, a love that knows no end. It keeps abounding in great supply full of richness and goodness. The kind of love Jesus exemplified to us on the cross is the same love we must minister towards one another.

Paul continues to challenge the Philippian church by defining this love further:

•  Challenge: This love will come with knowledge and full insight. (v. 9) ["knowledge and understanding" in NLT]

The love Paul wants to see the Philippians exhibit towards one another must not just overflow more and more; the love must also abound with "knowledge and full insight." Knowledge here does not mean the accumulation of facts or information. Instead, it is a personal understanding of who God is in relationship to humanity. Knowledge points to the character of God, God's righteousness, the distain of God towards sin, God's action of grace through Jesus, and God's perfect will for those who choose to follow him. This knowledge, therefore, targets spiritual knowledge generally. If the Philippians have true knowledge of who God is in each of their lives, they will properly display true love towards one another.

With this knowledge comes full insight. This is the ability to make the wise and practical decisions in life according to the purpose of God. It is the capability to make the right assessments in all circumstances. With full insight the Philippian believers will know how to love one another concretely and sensibly. Thus, their love for one another must demonstrate how to live under the will of God and how to make moral decisions based on obeying the Lord's will.

What is the benefit of loving someone with knowledge and full insight?

•  Result: To help the believer determine what is best. (v. 10) ["understand what really matters" in NLT]

To love with knowledge and full insight helps the believer to understand "what really matters" or to "determine what is best." This is the ability to decide what is true and reliable. In the Philippians' immediate context, to test what is true will take shape in the form of false teaching (see Philippians 3:1--4:1). Paul wants to make sure that the church at Philippi knows what is the truth of their faith and how to determine what is right according to God's ways and what is wrong according to human ways. A love that attaches itself to the knowledge of God's purpose will express itself in right moral actions by verifying what is best, what really counts in the kingdom of God.

And when the believer determines what is best, he or she will be "pure and blameless."

•  Result: The believer will be pure and blameless. (v. 10)

To be pure literally means "without spot." The illustration is that of a piece of clothing being brought out into the sun to see if there are any dirty spots on the garment. Thus, being pure focuses on moral purity.

To be blameless means not causing someone to stumble or fall. The picture we have here is putting a stone in front of a person to cause them to trip and fall.

Paul declares that if the church knows what is best because of the knowledge of God's will and the application of that knowledge in life, then she will be pure and blameless. She will be pure and clean in the eyes of the Lord and she will not cause anybody to stumble. The diligent application of humility, unity and joy in one's life promotes moral purity and blamelessness.

Yet, there is still another result to such a love that Paul proclaims:

•  Result: The believer will be full of the fruit of righteousness. (v. 11) [ "be filled with the fruit of your salvation" in NLT)

The "fruit of righteousness" is the right conduct lived out by the believer towards the community. It is being humble instead of living in vain arrogance. It is uplifting unity instead of creating division through selfishness. It is valuing the significance of other people rather than living a self-centered life. It is promoting joy in all circumstances. It is partnering with one another in consistency and in faith in sharing the good news.

But, the ultimate final goal in all this is:

•  Ultimate Result: All these results are for the glory and praise of God. (v. 11)

Everything is meant to offer glory and praise to God. The love the Philippians are to live out is the same love that God displayed through his son Jesus upon the cross. This is a love centered on righteousness, a love marked in humility, unity and joy. Therefore, when the church at Philippi reflects this righteous love towards one another, people will know where this love comes from and where this love points them to - God himself. It is a righteousness that gives all honor and glory back to the One who began the good work in people's lives and will bring the good work to completion.

In summary, what seems like barren words are in fact filled with ripe challenges. The introduction to the letter of Philippians guides us towards the major themes Paul will be presenting throughout his writing. Humility, unity and joy are personal traits Paul encourages believers to live faithfully to [1] in order to spread the gospel effectively, [2] build up the community of faith, [3] and ultimately, offer all glory and praise to the Maker of all things, God himself. May your spiritual journey in the study of this letter be one that bears great fruit for the kingdom of God. Remember, the good work that God started in your life he will bring to completion upon Christ's return!

© Arthur Hsu (2004)

Luke 13:22-30 (NLT)

22 Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he went, always pressing on toward Jerusalem. 23 Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few be saved?”

He replied, 24 “The door to heaven is narrow. Work hard to get in, because many will try to enter, 25 but when the head of the house has locked the door, it will be too late. Then you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Lord, open the door for us!’ But he will reply, ‘I do not know you.’ 26 You will say, ‘But we ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 And he will reply, ‘I tell you, I don’t know you. Go away, all you who do evil.’

28 “And there will be great weeping and gnashing of teeth, for you will see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets within the Kingdom of God, but you will be thrown out. 29 Then people will come from all over the world to take their places in the Kingdom of God. 30 And note this: Some who are despised now will be greatly honored then; and some who are greatly honored now will be despised then.”

I believe that one of the greatest powers human beings can ever possess is the power of choice. I should know. It is in college where I used this power quite extensively. I chose to take classes that started after 10 am only. I chose to take the minimum number of classes each quarter, graduating in five years instead of four. I chose to acquaint myself with the taste of alcohol when I was in college. I chose whether to attend class based on my given mood that day (more likely my laziness played a role in this). I even chose to grow my hair long in college for no reason at all.

Though my examples above are trivial at best, one thing is clear: the power to choose impacted my behavior in life. Can you now imagine why issues such as abortion are hot buttons? It all comes down to a person’s right to choose. This seduction for choice has even crept into the church today. Some churches conduct surveys to see what congregants want their pastors to preach on. As church leaders decide on the church budget, tense conflicts arise between the various ministries as they fight over a piece of the financial pie. The power of choice is such a fundamental value of a person’s life. We love to make our own individual decisions; we dread having somebody else make the decisions for us.

The end of a year with the inauguration of a new one is normally a time when choices become important in a person’s life. Many of us have been involved in making New Year’s resolutions. We promise to lose 20 pounds this new year. We make a pact to stop smoking and drinking. We choose to spend more time with our children instead of at work. Why do we involve ourselves with resolutions? The simple fact is we are not proud about how our lives have turned out this past year; in fact, we are ashamed of it. Hence, making resolutions gives us the power to turn things around. To choose to change gives us security that all will be better this upcoming new year.

This is also a good time to reevaluate our spiritual condition. As much as other areas of our lives are not pleasant to look at, our relationship with God must be our first priority to receive attention. And as in other cases, our choice whether to change or not will impact our roles in the kingdom of God.

This message will focus on one choice we all need to make, not just for the upcoming year, but for the rest of our existence. The choice is this: will you decide to follow God all the way? What this means is are you willing to sacrifice all of your heart’s desires and dreams and live for the very purpose of God? Will you choose to abide in God’s just ways or choose to walk in your own imperfect footsteps? Your decision will be a dangerous selection; whether you humbly submit everything to Jesus or you prefer to go your separate way, your life will never be the same again.

This is a choice you cannot avoid because God will hold you accountable to it. You cannot take your time pondering about this. God wants to transform your life now; thus, he is expecting your response now. If you are to wait towards the end of your life before choosing to follow God faithfully, you have already made your choice not to yield to him in the present.

Luke 13:22-30 gives us a proper perspective on choice. The story begins with Jesus passing through the different towns and villages on his way to Jerusalem, teaching the people all along the journey. Now a question is posed to Jesus: “Lord, will only a few be saved?”

What an interesting question! Of all the questions to ask Jesus, this person chooses to inquire about salvation. Now what was the prevailing thought of salvation during that time?

If you look at the classical literature salvation deals with being delivered from something that is threatening life. The hazard could be war (Homer, The Iliad 15, 290 f.), danger at sea (Lucian, Dialogi Deorum 26, 2), or even illness. But, salvation can also has a positive twist in the classics, sometimes designating a safe passage home. (Homer, The Iliad 9, 393)

The meaning of salvation as deliverance can similarly be found in the Old Testament. The saving act could come from human initiative, as in David and Israel saving the people of Keilah from the Philistines. (1 Samuel 23:5) The king of Israel is seen as the deliverer of salvation to his people. (Hosea 13:10) Of course, ultimately, it is God who is behind these human saving acts. Putting one’s trust in mortal humans is not wise; but, blessed is the one whose hope is in God alone. (Psalm 146:3, 5)

It is interesting that the Old Testament also warns about turning to worldly things for safety, whether it is a human army (Psalm 33:16-17), wealth (Job 20:20), or even trusting one’s own wisdom. (Proverbs 28:26) Only those who cling to God will be saved. (Joel 2:32)

It is therefore very clear from the examples above that salvation imparts the notion of freedom and deliverance from a treacherous situation. Life is valued and every act of rescue must be used to save a life in danger. This is the context we need to grasp in our text: the question posed to Jesus is uplifting the worth of life. Here is our first principle:

1. Choose to understand the significance of your life. (verse 23)

Your life is very precious to Jesus. He cares about the most intimate details of your existence. And while Jesus is concerned about your financial difficulties, relationship problems, etc., he is ultimately concerned about your spiritual reality. The person who asked the question in the story understood that Jesus’ teaching emphasized the spiritual connection between God and human. The person could have asked countless other questions, but he chose to focus on what counts the most – an individual’s relationship with the Creator of life.

You are very important to God, and God does not want to lose you. He values you so much and wants your life to have meaning and purpose. But, the only way we can have true meaning is to have a personal relationship with God through Jesus. God is in the business of saving lives, and he does this by sacrificing his only son, Jesus, on the cross so that we may have the opportunity to be reconciled back to God.

Note that God made this sacrifice for you! If you were insignificant do you think God would waste his time on you? That is how precious and beloved you are to God. Amongst the craziness and busyness of life, God sees you; God knows you; and, God wants you. Do not just ask, “Lord, will only a few be saved?” Make it personal: “God, do you want to save me?” You will be pleasantly surprised at his response.

Jesus’ reply to the question is interesting as well. Because the door to heaven is narrow, people would need to work hard to enter since many will try to go through such a limited path. But, the head of the house will lock the door someday, and when he does, many will be left outside of heaven.

It is obvious that Jesus is speaking about eternal life with God. As stated above under the first principle, God values your life and wants to offer you eternal life through Jesus. Our submissive response to God is the “door to heaven” that Jesus is describing. When we offer our lives to God through Jesus Christ, we have now entered through the door to heaven.

But, not all people will respond to God in this manner. Many will choose to live for their own selfish desires and wants, rather than living for God’s purpose. Yet, all want to enter heaven. Can you now imagine why the door to heaven is narrow? If we choose ourselves rather than choosing God, we will be left outside of God’s kingdom. Here is the second principle:

2. Choose to make every effort for God. (verses 24-25)

Entering heaven and spending eternity with God is a simple concept but really not that easy to attain. For you to choose this path you must decide to give your life to God and follow his ways all the days of your life. You cannot experience true life in Jesus with your self-centered wants. Jesus is all that matters now and his purpose becomes the only calling for your life. You either make every effort to follow God’s decrees, or, you continue to go after the desires of your heart. But, do not fool yourself to think that you can enter heaven without a personal relationship with God. Like Jesus said, many will try to enter, but God, the head of the house, will prevent those who have strayed away from him from entering heaven. At this point, everything will be too late.

The ironic thing about this image of the narrow door is that all of us assume we have an invitation to enter heaven. We presume God will grant all of us access into his kingdom. But, this is surely not the case. God, the head of the house, will determine who gets in and who stays out. Our assumption alone will not get us in. God will make the judgment based upon whether or not we have completely submitted our lives to Jesus. He will examine whether we have made every effort to carry out his purpose here on earth. Have we shared the love of Jesus to others? Have we been merciful to those less fortunate than ourselves? Have we forgiven those who have hurt us? Have we sacrificially offered our whole life up to the Lord?

We are entering a new year that can very well make us into a new creature in Christ. But, it will demand a choice from us. Will we make every effort for God, or, will we make every effort for ourselves? Will we choose to work hard in fulfilling God’s will, or, will we choose to work hard to satisfy our selfish motives? Again, you have a choice to make and you will be responsible for any decision you declare. But, remember three phrases from verses 24-25: “narrow”; “locked the door”; and, “it will be too late.” Consequences will be laid out in any choices you make. For those who think there is still time to correct their mistakes and make amends for their sins, keep in mind that it is God who decides the timing, not you. He is the one who will lock the door to heaven; it is he who will determine when it is too late for us. Do not take the chance of waiting. Make your decision now: choose to make every and all effort for God alone.

After we read about God locking the entrance to heaven, there will be people standing outside who are imploring God to let them in. They will be begging God to open the door for them. They will justify their lives by stating that they in fact spent time with Jesus eating and drinking with him. But, no matter what reasoning they use, God still offers the same response: he does not know these people. Because he does not know them, they will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

But, God does know these people: he knows that they are people who do evil. Heaven is not the place for evil people. Eternal life is not given to those who purposefully do not live according to God’s ways. Salvation is not offered to those who desire worldly falsehoods rather than spiritual truths found only in Jesus. This brings us to our third principle:

3. Choose to have an authentic relationship with God. (verses 25-27)

Do not just choose any kind of relationship with God. Choose a relationship that is permanent, committed, constant, sincere. Choose a personal authentic relationship with God! Choose to follow God with a devoted lifestyle. Embrace his calling and purpose. Do what he commands you to do.

Do not be spiritually superficial. We can easily justify ourselves by saying that we go to church regularly; we go to care group often; we attend all the prayer gatherings. But there is no spiritual depth at all; all we are doing is participating, but no personal transformation is taking place. Aren’t we like those people in the story who will claim that we ate and drank with Jesus, and hence, we should be allowed to go the heaven? But, God’s response will be the same: “I don’t know you. Go away all you who do evil.”

To choose that one thing means to choose God. But, it is not to choose God out of convenience sake. Some of us may get married so that we can have double income. Some of us might be in a relationship so that we can look good in front of people. Some of us might develop friendships because of a popularity contest.

We cannot approach God with this kind of mentality. God sees through our shallow nature. To choose God means cultivating a relationship with him in humility. It means genuinely recognizing our need for God; without him we are of no worth or value. Choosing God means approaching him in authenticity, distinguishing him as Lord over our lives, and submitting in faith and action under his perfect will. Anything less will not do.

Our passage ends with a stern declaration. The environment of those who are left outside of God’s kingdom will be one of weeping and lamentation. The gnashing or clenching of teeth signifies the sadness and pain of not experiencing salvation with God in heaven. Whereas people from all corners of the earth, as well as the faithful followers of old, enter God’s house without reservation, those who are not obedient to the Lord will not find eternal peace at all. Instead, they now belong in the eternal damnation known as hell.

Here is the final principle:

4. Choose to accept the consequences of your decisions. (verses 28-30)

All choices have consequences. If you choose not to maintain your car, your automobile will break down. If you choose to forget your wedding anniversary, your spouse will let you know his or her displeasure. If you choose to be late at work everyday, your company will let you go.

Let us not be surprised that this same principle also applies in our relationship with God. If we do not choose God, several consequences take place. First, we will be shut out from eternally living with God. Second, God will not know us. Third, we are considered evildoers in the eyes of God. Fourth, we will end up in a place of eternal torment and pain.

Remember that this text is meant to focus on life, not just the physical, but ultimately, the spiritual. “Lord, will only a few be saved?” is meant to stir you, the reader of the story, to seriously question the true significance of your own life. Will you be the one who will crave great honor now in your lifetime? Will you strive for all of the selfish acclaim that this world can offer you? Will you push Jesus aside in favor of the pursuit of riches, careers, and human dreams? Remember, those who are greatly honored now will be despised then.

But, Jesus says that those who are despised now will be honored in the kingdom of God. People who choose to surrender their whole lives over to God now will find true tribute in heaven. Those who choose to live according to God’s ways instead of human’s ways will receive eternal salvation. Those who choose to make every effort for God will be escorted into the house of the Lord.

As we approach this new year we have a great opportunity to make eternal-lasting, life-changing choices. Do not make selections that focus only on the temporary worth of life. Remember the question in the story is centered upon salvation not based on life here on earth, but on life after our human existence. Your decisions and how you act upon those very decisions will determine whether you will be invited into an eternal relationship with God or not.

Will you choose that one thing that will forever change your life? Will you choose the God of the heavens who truly cares about your life? Will you choose the Lord over all the earth by submitting everything to him in humility? Will you choose to follow Jesus this day? The choice is up to you.

© Arthur Hsu (2003)

LIFE SKILLS IX: PUTTING OTHERS FIRST
My Life as a Servant

Philippians 2:3-11 (NLT)

3 Don’t be selfish; don’t live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. 4 Don’t think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing.

5 Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. 7 He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. 8 And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal’s death on a cross.

9 Because of this, God raised him up to the heights of heaven and gave him a name that is above every other name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

When I lived in the Philippines we had a person who would drive my family’s cars for us. The driver’s name was Felix. I distinctively remember Felix. He was a quiet person, a man with few words. Driving in Manila was an adventure. Traffic was the norm; you had to maneuver your way through a myriad of small streets, being careful not to hit the hundreds of cars that are literally inches away from you, and paying close attention to people who walked the streets as if they, and not the cars, were the kings of the road. No wonder my parents hired Felix to drive for us!

Looking back I am pretty sure that Felix did not imagine his life to turn out the way it did. Drivers do not make that much money to begin with. Everyday he had to take the kids to school, fighting traffic and pollution wherever he went. If my parents wanted Felix in a particular place, he had to be there, no questions asked. Traffic cannot be used as an excuse for being late; you either make it on time or experience the wrath of my parents. In fact, Felix had to make himself available to my family 24 hours a day. He really did not have any days off. I assume he spent more time with me than with his own children.

Yet, I do not have any recollection of Felix ever complaining about life. Each time I was with him he treated me as one of his own. He protected me and cared for me. He even spoke kind words about my father and mother. Felix was never bitter about his life situation. He treated my family with the utmost respect, though I cannot say the same about my family towards him. Felix was a tireless person, even though each day took a toll on him physically. And while I knew he would love to spend his days with his family, my family came first for him. Felix literally gave his life for my family. Yes, it was probably done for economic reasons, but he still sacrificed himself for me nonetheless.

I still remember this one incident I had with Felix. Felix was sharing with me how poor his family was and how he could not afford to buy new clothes for his children. I ran into my room and gave him all of my clothes. My mom saw me and got very upset at me. But, Felix stepped up and lied for me, telling my mother that he made me do it. Of course Felix got into a lot of trouble and almost lost his job. Yet, he was willing to sacrifice his livelihood so that my mom would not be upset with me.

If I had to pick a person that resembles the servant lifestyle God speaks about in the Bible I would choose Felix. He was a person that had every reason to be upset at life. He had every right to carry a chip on his shoulder. I will admit that my family and I did not treat Felix as well as we could have. We only saw him as our servant; he had to do everything we commanded him to do. And yet he did his job well. He never used his situation against us. Instead, he chose to submit himself to us in servanthood.

Having qualities of a servant is not something people strive for today. Instead, the world teaches us to promote our own individuality, strength and wisdom. Who wants to occupy the lowest positions in life as a servant would? We would rather be at the forefront where everybody can see us!

Amazingly, the Bible encourages us to endeavor after servanthood. What the world thinks is absurd God elevates as ideal: he calls his people to serve him and to serve one another. Why is this so? Because this is exactly what Jesus did for us: he came down as a servant to die for each of us.

Paul eloquently points this out in Philippians 2:3-11, which will be our text today. More than anything, God desires that our lives reflect the servant lifestyle that Jesus had shown us when he was on earth. Being a servant is an important life skill that God wants us to have to change this world. This world will not be transformed through human strength and wisdom. It will be altered through humility and sacrifice. What are some guiding principles that we can learn from Philippians 2:3-11?

The first principle is this:

1. Servants never promote themselves. (verses 3-4)

Note how being selfish puts the focus upon ourselves whereas being humble draws the focus away from us.

When we elevate ourselves the focus is on us:
· We are selfish.
· We make good impressions.
· We are proud.
· We think only about our own affairs.

But, when we lower ourselves the focus is on others:
· We are humble.
· We think of others as better than ourselves.
· We are interested in other people’s affairs.

A servant never draws attention to himself or herself. This is because God, and not us, deserves all the glory. This is very difficult for us to do because our world is wired to promote the person and not the Lord. From getting a good grade to receiving a raise for a job well done, we strive to establish ourselves as worthy to be praised by others.

But, the Lord specifically calls us to do the opposite. We are to be humble and not seek good impressions from others. We are to think of other people and their life affairs instead of just focusing on our concerns all the time. We are not to be proud or boastful, but to meekly give of ourselves to others. A servant who has these qualities is admired and blessed by the Lord.

Now we are to have a servant attitude because this is exactly the kind of lifestyle Jesus exhibited to us. (verse 5) More significantly, Jesus revealed his servanthood by not clinging onto his rights as God. (verse 6) The second spiritual principle is this:

2. Servants never justify their importance. (verse 6)

· Jesus never claimed his rights as God; he chose to be a servant in order to save us.

This is an important principle to understand here. Remember that Jesus is God; thus, he could have demanded through his rights that he did not have to come down to earth in human form to be our sacrificial servant. Jesus could have claimed his position as King of all kings to prevent himself from going through the suffering and humiliation here on earth.

But, Jesus never does that. Can you imagine the Prince of peace, with all of his glory and majesty, stooping down to become like one of us so as to reach out to us in very personal intimate ways? This kind of action is not common in our society today. In fact, we do the opposite of what Jesus did. There is no way a CEO of a company should be sweeping the restroom floors. A ministry leader should never pick up the trash in the sanctuary. Why should someone with a graduate degree end up teaching first graders in Sunday school instead of the adults?

Having this kind of attitude is not what God looks for in his servants. Jesus never justified his importance as the son of God. Instead, he faithfully obeyed the Father’s will, even though he had every right not to go through the disgrace he faced here on earth. To be a servant we too should never justify our worth. Do not demand that you are better than the work God assigns for you. Regardless of our positions, rankings, or authority here on earth, we can never compare to the awesome glory of God. When we match up with God we realize that we are all small compared to his greatness. To be his servant is a privilege rather than a demotion.

Now as we make our way to verse 7 we read about Jesus making himself nothing as he takes the humble position of a human slave. In the first principle above we learned that a servant does not promote himself or herself. The focus is not upon our self-glory. An extension of this attitude is found in the third principle of servanthood:

3. Servants work invisibly. (verse 7)

The opposite of self-promotion is not spiritual idleness. God still expects us to serve his purpose, but to serve him in a quiet and gentle posture. In doing God’s work we never seek attention the way the world understands it.

· The world teaches us to be visible. (be proud, be selfish, be known, be powerful)
But:

· God teaches us to be invisible. (be humble, be caring, be meek, be unrecognizable)

You know Jesus did not have to come down as a humble servant. He did not have to make himself nothing. Remember, he is the King of kings. With his majestic power Jesus could have changed our lives with a snap of a finger.

But, Jesus chose to take this route for one simple reason: if the Lord over all creation was willing to be our slave and die for each of us, then we would genuinely understand what unconditional love truly means. This goes opposite with what the world believes a leader should be: to change something takes a proud, selfish and powerful person. But, Jesus shows us that being humble, caring and meek is more effective in a power-hungry world. A true leader is an invisible servant, one who points others to Christ instead of wanting to taste his or her own glory. We do not remain idle; we continue to do God’s work. But, the visible honor goes back to God and not us. We remain invisible, quiet and unobtrusive so that the Spirit of God can enact his power upon broken lives.

This point leads us to our last servanthood principle:

4. Servants humbly sacrifice. (verse 8)

Not only was Jesus made nothing. Not only did he take up a human form. Not only did he take up the position of a slave. Jesus humbled himself even further by dying a criminal’s death on a cross. (verse 8) No other images we have of Jesus can best project one of humble sacrifice than that of Jesus hanging on the cross for us. He lowered himself, forgoing his position and status as God, so that we may have a chance to find redemption in him. Jesus ultimately wanted humanity to be restored back to God, and he willingly gave himself up in order for this restoration to be possible.

And yet, it is in this most depleted state that God exalted Jesus as Lord of all:

· Jesus died a criminal’s death, yet in the end he was exalted as Lord of all. (verses 9-11)

· God will exalt those who live in humble sacrifice.

A humble sacrifice will find honor from God. Jesus knew his humble life was tied to his obedience to his Father. And it was God who brought Jesus back to his rightful glory. It is God who will recognize us for our humble sacrifices as well. And God will exalt us for our faithful obedience to him. Now, how do we practically live out such a humble lifestyle? Here are a few applications for the church today:

APPLICATION

1. Learn to take a back seat; put other people’s lives ahead of yours.
2. You must give up personal selfishness for humble sacrifice.
3. Never justify your importance.
4. Do not seek for personal glory. God will recognize you for your humble efforts.

© Arthur Hsu (2003)

LIFE SKILLS VIII: LET US SHOUT ALOUD
Developing a Thankful Heart

Psalm 95 (NLT)

1 Come, let us sing to the LORD!
Let us give a joyous shout to the rock of our salvation!
2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving.
Let us sing him psalms of praise.
3 For the LORD is a great God,
the great King above all gods.
4 He owns the depths of the earth,
and even the mightiest mountains are his.
5 The sea belongs to him, for he made it.
His hands formed the dry land, too.
6 Come, let us worship and bow down.
Let us kneel before the LORD our maker,
7 for he is our God.
We are the people he watches over,
the sheep under his care.
Oh, that you would listen to his voice today!
8 The LORD says, “Don’t harden your hearts as Israel did at Meribah,
as they did at Massah in the wilderness.
9 For there your ancestors tried my patience;
they courted my wrath though they had seen my many miracles.
10 For forty years I was angry with them, and I said,
"They are a people whose hearts turn away from me.
They refuse to do what I tell them."
11 So in my anger I made a vow:
"They will never enter my place of rest."

I know I lack a thankful heart. How do I know? All I need to do is watch myself in traffic. I grew up in the Los Angeles area, notoriously known for its traffic. The freeways are constantly a parking lot, no matter what time of day it is (unless of course you’re driving at 1:00 in the morning). Even the weekends are jammed pack with motorists driving all over the place and going in all directions, sometimes using illegal means to do so.

I admit I hate sitting in traffic. I get impatient as my car inches by at less than five miles an hour. Cutting people off is a skill you need to develop. There is no time to signal before switching lanes; you either go for it and squeeze into a narrow space between two cars, or you have to wait 30 minutes before finding another open lane. And do not think that just because you signal people will let you into their lane: LA drivers value any space they can get on the freeway. Now add all this with smoggy weather, no AC in your car, a sore back and rear end, and constant braking, and you too can easily grumble and complain. I confess I can be unpleasant when I drive in these conditions.

I will also confess that in the midst of my complaining and bitterness I am not thankful I could actually drive and that I have a car to drive. Many people do not have their own personal automobiles to drive to work. They have to use public transportations to get around town. Many individuals also do not have the privilege to own a driver’s license. I can do both, but I seem to take these privileges for granted when I am caught in traffic. Because I feel like I am being inconvenienced I deserve to whine about the situation rather than being humble that I have the opportunity to drive in the first place.

Surely many of us can identify with this situation. It may not be traffic for you, but it could be busyness in life, relationship problems, family issues, etc. Whatever the situation is one thing is clear: it is easier for us to complain and grumble rather than to have a thankful heart. For some reason we believe we are entitled to the best things that life has to offer. Only then do we acquire a thankful heart. But, if life hands us a degrading situation, we protest to our heart’s content.

But, have you wondered that the reason why you are constantly bitter and angry is because you do not have a thankful heart? Maybe your lack of close friendships is due to your constant complaints towards others instead of appreciation of love and care for them. Maybe you take your loved ones for granted, which is a form of abuse rather than one of thanksgiving. Whatever the causes are, a deficiency of a thankful heart will always result in brokenness instead of healing.

Psalm 95 speaks about the importance of having a thankful heart. A thankful heart connects us in worship to the almighty God. It is in the presence of this God where we find strength and restoration. And it is from this restoration that we are called to convey God’s healing to those who live shattered existences.

Psalm 95 begins with the psalmist calling the people to enter the presence of the Lord with singing and psalms of praise. (verses 1-2) Scholars believe that the scene is one where people are summoned from all over the land to approach the Temple and dwell in God’s presence. Imagine the sight of thousands of people from every direction beginning to congregate, shouting out loud and proclaiming in one joyous voice towards the rock of their salvation. And specifically, the psalmist calls the people to come before God with thanksgiving. (verse 2a) Here is the first principle:

1. A thankful heart must be the basis of our lives. (verses 1-2)

Normally we are thankful when something good has been done to us. A thankful heart is the result of somebody extending kindness towards us. But, note in verse 2 that we approach God in thanksgiving, not necessarily because God did something good for us, but because a thankful heart is just the proper response to God. We must learn that a thankful heart must be the basis of our lives and character. It is possible to be thankful even when nothing good is being done to you.

· Do not always think a thankful heart is the result of a good deed done upon you.

We must break away from thinking that we are only thankful if somebody is nice to us or has treated us well. But, if we are always called to approach God in thanksgiving, whether or not God blesses us first, then surely we can also approach everything in life with thanksgiving, whether or not we experience blessing first. Having this attitude will prepare us to be always thankful in all circumstances.

· We must constantly be thankful even when life is painful.

Always having a thankful heart means we are also grateful during the most difficult times of life. Normally life’s complexities only invite our complaints and grumbling. When our parents abuse us, we complain. When our significant others exploit us, we criticize. When I face constant traffic on the freeways I fume and get upset over the perceived stupidity of other drivers who do not know how to drive and are getting in my way.

· A thankful heart projects a zealous passion for God.

But, when we cultivate a thankful heart that passionately seeks after God, we also embrace the varied intricacies of life in thanksgiving. How so? Our second principle is:

2. A thankful heart is anchored upon the God of reliability and permanence. (verses 1, 3-5)

Verse 1 states that we are to give a joyous shout to God, the rock of our salvation. Being the rock means God is reliable and trustworthy, unlike our emotions and moods, which many times fluctuate without any rhyme or reason.

· A thankful heart is not dependent upon our emotional moods.

Unfortunately, our emotions and moods are intricately tied to having a thankful heart. If somebody gets us upset, we are not thankful. If somebody said something bad about us, we are not grateful. We cold hold grudges against a person for the rest of our lives just because this person said we are not handsome or beautiful!

Yet, a thankful heart should not be based on how we feel. A thankful heart is developed within us because God is the rock of our salvation!

· We are always thankful because of God’s constancy, stability and protection over us!

We should be thankful because our foundation is always stable and constant. We can count on God to be the same yesterday, today, and forever. As human beings our beliefs and character are always in flux; we are one person one day and another person another day. No wonder we can easily be thankful to our friend today, but brand him as an enemy the next day.

But, the Lord God is different. He is the rock. He is the great king above all other (false) gods. All of creation belongs to him, from the depths of the earth, to the mightiest mountains, to the sea and the land as well. How secure are we to lay our thanksgiving upon this great rock!

· With God’s constancy as our foundation, we are able to restore our broken relationships with families and friends.

Since our thankful hearts are built upon a constant unmovable God, we can mend wrecked relationships with other people in thanksgiving! We are no longer dependent upon our emotions and moods to cultivate a thankful heart. Instead, we are solely reliant upon the God of all creation, in whom we now receive his strength and mercy. A thankful heart is solidly based on the rock of our salvation, not upon fluctuating feelings.

Thus, even if somebody has purposefully hurt you, you will respond to them with a thankful heart. No matter what slanderous words and hateful actions you had to endure from someone else, your thankful heart is securely fastened to the great God who is above all other gods. Restoration with our enemies can be accomplished because our hearts of thanksgiving are not dependent upon human emotions; instead, our hearts are dependent on the permanency and eternal hope found in God alone.

This is further elaborated in verses 6-7a, which leads us to third principle:

3. A thankful heart brings us face to face to God’s adoring care. (verses 6-7a)

Again, the psalmist calls the people to come into the presence of God in worship. But, whereas verses 1-2 invite people to the direction of the Temple, in verses 6-7a the people are now entering the Temple. This section becomes more personal, focusing not so much on the whole community, but on the individual worshiper. Each person is to worship God in reverence, bowing down and kneeling before the almighty God. Why such a humble posture? Because he is our God, the one who watches over us; we are his sheep and he is our shepherd, providing constant care to us.

· We approach God in humility; God approaches us with healing.

We have a thankful heart because of this face to face encounter with the loving God. When we approach God he does not reject us. Instead, he embraces us with nurture and healing.

· We find forgiveness and restoration through this personal encounter with the all-loving God.

It is in this most intimate moment with God that we find his mercy. God desires for his flock to live in freedom; he seeks to break the bondages that hold us back from experiencing true love in him. Our thankful heart is shaped by this divine encounter. We are grateful because we put our hope upon a God who tenderly heals us through his unconditional love and grace.

· Result: A transformed heart will reach out to broken lives.

But, this blessed restoration should not remain in us. A thankful heart allows us to restore other broken lives as well, especially to those who might have hurt us in the past. Though you might think you are justified in distancing yourself from those who have abused you and taken advantage of you, God has other ideas.

A thankful heart gives us the freedom to forgive those who have hurt us. How so? If God’s desire is to heal us in forgiveness, then it must be the case that his desire is also to forgive those who have wounded us. Maybe our fathers never showed their love towards us; they were always strict and demanding. Maybe our mothers never encouraged us; they always put us down and say that we are stupid. Maybe we had experienced some form of abuse from a loved one. The list here could go on and on. Yet, having a thankful heart breaks this chain of hopelessness in our lives. Since we have personally received the loving care of God, we can now accept our enemies back into our lives in forgiveness. This does not mean every hurtful issue needs to be swept under the rug. But, what it does mean is that the road to recovery begins when a broken person (you) can reach out to another broken person (your enemy) because of your thankful heart. God is as much concerned about your enemy as he is with you.

Our last point is this:

4. A thankful heart does not grumble and complain. (verses 7b-11)

· Background: Exodus 17:1-7

Psalm 95 interestingly ends with this story from Exodus 17. The people of Israel were in the desert as they made their way to the promised land. They began to test God by complaining of lack of water. They grumbled that they were better off in Egypt, ironically the place where they were kept as slaves. They did not appreciate what God had done for them by rescuing them from bondage and leading them to their own land. God commanded Moses to strike a rock to get water for the people. Moses named the place Massah and Meribah because Israel quarreled and tested the Lord.

The point here is that God does not want us to have a heart of complaint. Grumbling and complaining only leads to testing one another and quarreling against each other.

· A heart of complaint only produces bitterness.
· A heart of complaint cannot forgive and restore.

- We cannot forgive ourselves: leads to self-pity and self-destruction
- We cannot forgive those who have hurt us: leads to broken relationships

· Result: A heart of complaint suffocates the growth of a thankful heart.

Maybe the reason why you are full of bitterness is because you are failing to live with a thankful heart. Your attitude towards this world is one of hatred. Yet you must still come before God with thanksgiving. Come before him face to face and let him be your shepherd. Let him heal you; make yourself vulnerable to him. Let God transform you to be a person always thankful in all circumstances. Do not be fearful about this: remember, your foundation is the rock of your salvation and he is constant and permanent in keeping a watch over you. Finally, use your heart of thanksgiving to reach out to those who have mistreated you. They, too, need healing from God. Today, let us all shout aloud with one voice; let us be thankful because of the everlasting love of our Lord God.

© Arthur Hsu (2003)

LIFE SKILLS VII: THE RICHES OF LIFE
Achieving Financial Responsibility

Proverbs 27:23-27 (NLT)

23 Know the state of your flocks, and put your heart into caring for your herds, 24 for riches don’t last forever, and the crown might not be secure for the next generation. 25 After the hay is harvested, the new crop appears, and the mountain grasses are gathered in, 26 your sheep will provide wool for clothing, and your goats will be sold for the price of a field. 27 And you will have enough goats’ milk for you, your family, and your servants.

I remember the first day of college. It was a bustling day. All along the main corridor of school many people congregated. It seemed like all of the college clubs were there trying to recruit brand new freshmen to join their cause. From the religious to the environmental, from the athletic to the social, all the organizations were reeling in one individual after another.

And then I saw a group that caught my attention, an organization with bright lights and outlandish offers, a club that will change my life forever: a credit-card company.

“You qualify for a credit card!” “You do not need a job!” “Money at your fingertips!” “Credit limits of up to $5,000!” “Low interest rates!” “Pay only $20 a month!”

Now that is tempting to a first-year college student like myself. I can have money in my pocket without having to work at all. I started dreaming about what I could buy as I was signing up for membership. Hmm… a stereo system, music, clothes… I fell in love with college right after the credit-card representative smiled at me and said that I was automatically approved.

At the end of my first year I had a staggering seven credit cards with an even staggering balance in my accounts. The total? $4,000! Things did not look good for me. In fact, because of poor grades I lost my scholarship. I had to borrow loans just to stay in school. With no job and no scholarship, I was in a financial dilemma. How could such a nice story end up as a nightmare?

This is not an uncommon incident for many of us. In fact, I bet many of you can identify with my story in some way. Money has been a blessing and a curse in human history. We recently witnessed how the Internet and dot.com industries in the 1990s created an influx of wealthy people. We also witnessed such a strong dependence upon money and the irresponsibility of spending that when the financial bubble burst, many of the same individuals lost their entire savings and livelihood.

Did you know that the Bible has much to say about how we should be responsible with our finances? In fact, Scripture is kind of like a financial advisor that teaches us godly principles in how we should embrace money and the pitfalls that come from such a dependence on it. This morning we will look at one such text that challenges us how we can have the right perspective when it comes to finances and the responsibilities that God expect us to have in view of this.

Verse 23 of Proverbs 27 begins by stating that we need to know the state of our flock. As an animal herder it is important to know how many animals are under your care and how much production you will receive from your animals. For example, you know that you need five cows to produce 25 gallons of milk a week to care for your entire family. If you have less than five cows or if you are not receiving 25 gallons from your cows, then your living sustenance will be tight and you will need to make financial adjustments to provide adequate care for your family. Maybe you normally buy 2 dozen eggs with some of the money you got from selling 25 gallons of milk. But, if you only have 15 gallons this week, you may opt to buy only 1 dozen of eggs instead of the normal 2 dozens.

The same is true when it comes to our finances. The first principle is this:

1. Know the state of your financial situation. (verse 23)

You must understand how much you are making and what production you can receive from it. Do not fool yourself to think you can afford everything by what you are earning. Let me give an example:

You make $2,000 a month after taxes. With rent, bills, food, savings, etc., your budget comes out to $1,900 per month. That means you are making enough each month and still have $100 leftover. Normally, you spend that $100 to buy clothes.

But, you find out that your landlord is raising your rent by $50 a month. With your current budget, this means you now only have $50 leftover. This results in buying fewer clothes than before. There is no way you can continue to purchase $100 worth of clothes a month when you know you only $50 leftover. You will be in a deficit all the time. This is what it means to know the state of your financial situation.

Other suggestions related to this are:

· Are we living beyond our means?

For example, you know that you can only afford $700 a month for rent. Yet you live in this house that costs you $1500 a month. You are living beyond what you can afford. Knowing the state of your financial situation means comprehending how much you can spend on rent, clothes, food, etc., and not living beyond your means.

· Our professions could determine our income’s restrictions.

Many times your job determines your financial restrictions. For example, as a pastor, there is no way I can live a lifestyle that a pop star singer might be able to. On average, a singer earns more money than a pastor. MTV has a show called “Cribs” where they go into the houses of well-known celebrities and film how these celebrities live. Many of them have gigantic mansions with expensive cars and lavish pools with waterfalls overlooking the city. There is no way I can ever afford any of those homes. I understand that my profession does not allow me to live such an extravagant way. And I should not pretend that I could live like a singer or actor. Part of knowing the state of your financial situation is comprehending the restrictions you face because of your profession.

· Where we are in our life stages could determine our income constraints.

Our life stages can also affect our financial standing. Generally speaking, a college student is financially poorer than an engineer. An elderly person may be poorer than a middle-aged person since the younger person has greater opportunities to work while an elder person may not have the luxury to work at all. The point here is that where we are in our life stages can limit our financial resources and how we spend those resources.

The second half of verse 23 states that animal herders need to put their hearts into caring for their herds. Since the herders earn their living from the produce of their herds, they must make sure the proper food, nutrients and environment are established for the herds to breed healthily.

The same is true when it comes to our finances. The second principle is this:

2. Be responsible for what you own. (verse 23)

For example, an automobile is important for many of us because it transports us to work and school. Cars are also used to take us to the grocery store, the doctor, etc. Yet, though we pay good money to buy the car, many of us do not invest wisely in keeping the car in good running condition. We could save thousands of dollars in car problems if we only spend far less amount of money on regular car maintenance such as an oil change or a tune-up. As it is, we fail to care for our “herds,” which force us to waste more money that could have been stashed away as savings.

We have to be responsible for the things that we own. This includes our cars, houses, clothes, etc. Properly maintain what we have so that we do not to spend more money trying to fix things. God wants us to be economically responsible for the things that we have. Our possessions are not “toys” that we can rightfully destroy and waste. These are blessings that God has given to bring us comfort as well as be used to be a blessing to other people. Wouldn’t it be a shame that you could not take a person to church just because you consistently fail to get an oil change and now your car is not working? God holds us accountable for our actions.

So far we have learned that it is important to know our financial situation and to be responsible over everything we own in life. Why are these significant? The answer is found in verse 24: riches do not last forever just as human power cannot guarantee peace for future generations. All of us know that politics and human authority cannot warrant security for the future. Kingdoms and “crowns” cannot assure safety forever; they appear and disappear just like the wind.

Since this is true about human power, it is also true when it comes to riches. Here is the third financial principle:

3. Life should not be shaped by how much you make. (verse 24)

· Do not base your identity upon human foundations; money and power do not last forever.

Money and power come and go. They have short-term gratification but do not provide lasting joy. They may give us temporary happiness here in this temporary world, but they cannot guarantee eternal hope.

· Be fixed to the eternal hope found in Jesus alone.

34 Then he called his disciples and the crowds to come over and listen. “If any of you wants to be my follower,” he told them, “you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and follow me. 35 If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will find true life. 36 And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul in the process? 37 Is anything worth more than your soul? 38 If a person is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, I, the Son of Man, will be ashamed of that person when I return in the glory of my Father with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:34-38)

It is unfortunate that we define our lives based on what careers we have, what rankings we occupy, how much money we earn, even what school we go to. Jesus tells us that this is our way of saving our lives. Yet, if we try to keep our lives for ourselves we will lose it. Gaining the whole world will not rescue our souls when God comes to judge us. Instead, our lives must be fixed in the eternal hope that only Jesus can give. Things of the world do not last forever, but the love of Jesus does if we choose to submit to him and allow him to be our Lord and Savior. Remember that your soul is worth more than what you will ever make in your lifetime. Connect your life to Jesus now.

The passage ends by explaining the purpose of possessing things. Why are there hay, new crops and mountain grasses? Why do sheep provide wool and why are goats sold? What is the purpose of goats’ milk? We come to our fourth principle:

4. Understand that financial resources are meant to provide care for you and your loved ones. (verses 25-27)

· Owning things should reflect our needs, not our abundance.

As a society today we fail to properly comprehend why we own things. We think that ownership allows us to accumulate as much stuff as we possibly can. As long as I can buy it, I have a right to own it.

But, this is not what verses 25-27 tell us. Nowhere does it say that we have a right to live a life of abundance or extravagance. Instead, God gives us the responsibility of ownership in order to help us care for one another, not to collect as much material objects as we possibly can.

Many of us are negatively affected by finances because we fail to understand what it means to own. We might have 15 pairs of jeans in our closet even though we know we only need 3 pairs. I read stories in the Internet of people who would buy countless numbers of computers and computer parts because of great deals, even though they know they do not need 10 systems in their home.

Proverbs 27:23-27 teaches us that we own so that we can care for ourselves and our families. This does not mean that we have to live on the bare minimum. But, all of us can admit that we love to live in extravagance. This is not what God expects from us. Begin to reflect on what you own and you need to ask yourself honestly if God would be pleased with what you have. Do you really need what you have or did you buy because it makes you look and feel good?

· Financial resources support provision, not selfishness.

Ultimately, many of the things we own are due to our selfishness rather than our needs in life. We want the more expensive jewelry, we shop at the more exquisite stores, we desire the sophisticated cars, etc. What we own goes beyond what we need to enjoy life the way God wants us to. This leads us to the last principle of this message:

5. Learn a life of giving and not a life of receiving.

One effective way to break out of our selfish greed and become more financially responsible is to learn to give instead of to receive. We want to develop a habit of caring for others instead of piling things up solely for ourselves. Maybe our extra clothes in our closets could be given away to families who need them. Maybe we can use our automobiles to give people rides or even lend them our cars. Maybe our homes are to be used to bring people in and make them feel connected and well-cared for.

When we root ourselves out of personal selfishness we will begin to understand God’s purpose when it comes to financial responsibility. Finances help us bring care and protection for us and our family so that we can engage this world for Jesus. We are not supposed to hoard up and accumulate as much stuff as we can. We own and have money to provide security for our loved ones. And by giving to those less fortunate than us we train ourselves to give always because that is what God does for us each and everyday. We are not shaped by how much we have; instead we are formed by the unconditional love that Jesus gave to us through his death on the cross. The riches of life are not found here on earth; they are found within the very being of God.

© Arthur Hsu (2003)

LIFE SKILLS V: THE POWER OF ONE
Freedom in Singleness

1 Corinthians 7:32-35 (NLT)

32 In everything you do, I want you to be free from the concerns of this life. An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord’s work and thinking how to please him. 33 But a married man can’t do that so well. He has to think about his

We live in a world today where “more is better.” This is very obvious when it comes to material possessions. People are happier if they own two cars instead of one, have a three-bedroom house instead of a studio apartment, or possess 10 pairs of shoes instead of only one pair.

This principle of “more is better” has been carried over to human relationships as well. Now, some of the reasons why are for advantageous motives. For example, if you are moving to a new place it is much easier and more efficient to have five of your friends help you instead of moving everything on your own. In fact, when it comes to friendships, it is beneficial to have many trustworthy friends whom you can lean on versus not having a single friend at all.

This idea of “more is better” is clearly seen when we talk about marriage. We always talk about the healthy benefits of having a husband or wife who can encourage us, strengthen us, challenge us, and build us up to become a better servant for Christ and to become a solid mature human being. The church heavily promotes marriage as the best thing a person can ever experience outside of his or her devotion to God. We believe that everybody needs to have a partner in life to find significance and self-worth.

But, what about the single person? If a person is not married does that mean he or she has less worth than a married person? Obviously the answer is a resounding “No!” Unfortunately, society in general, and the church specifically, fails to honor the value of singleness. We instinctively think that if somebody is single that person is lonely or something is wrong with that individual. A single person is looked down upon as an incomplete human being who is unable to enjoy the full benefit of life unless he or she has a life-long partner. It is extremely sad to hear about many churches who demand that their pastors are married so that the pastor can fully grasp what life is truly all about. Would Jesus have been qualified to be a pastor at a church today given his single status? This is indeed a sad testimony.

1 Corinthians 7:32-35 addresses the issue of singleness. The passage does not determine whether being single is better than being married, or vice versa. Instead, the text teaches us the value and worth of a single person and the advantages a single person has when it comes to serving God. The hope of the message today is to encourage the single person to understand his or her position in Christ and the opportunities he or she has in living out a life that is pleasing to God.

Paul starts off by teaching the church at Corinth that in everything they do they need “to be free from the concerns of this life.” (verse 32) Why? Because in order to give one’s best to God one needs to have as few distractions as possible. (verse 35) The first point is this:

1. Singleness is one way we can reduce distractions in order to serve God more effectively.

We are not saying that singleness is the only way to become spiritually effective. We are also not advocating that singleness is better than being married. Here Paul is pointing to a common-sense principle: the amount of obligations we have in life will affect our time and effort when it comes to serving God. An unmarried person does not need to worry about the well-being of a spouse, whereas a married person does. Being single means a person has fewer responsibilities and thus can commit that extra time and energy to serving the Lord.

I can speak on this first-hand. I am a married man; I’ve been married for over a year now. Before I was married I had a lot of flexible time to serve God. I could have discipleship any time of the day. I can spend time with people without looking at my watch all the time. I can go on trips with the students without worrying about a spouse at home.

My life has changed once I got married. Now I have an added responsibility to take care of my wife. One way I do this is to be at home at night and spend time with her. I can no longer stay out late with other people. I have to do more chores at home, which creates less time for me to be involved in other ministry activities. Whenever a ministry opportunity arises I would need to consult with my wife and see what her thoughts are. Simply put, I have more things that I am responsible for that a single person does not have to think about.

Being single provides a person with a single focus towards God, whereas a married person has a double focus, one on God and one on his or her family. There is nothing wrong with being married. It’s just that a married person has different priorities than a single person. Singleness allows a person the flexibility to do God’s work and have a single-minded focus in accomplishing God’s purpose.

It is clear that a single person does not have to be responsible for a spouse or family. Less distractions in life lets a person give their best to serving God. Here is the second point:

2. Singleness offers more opportunities to serve the Lord.

Paul mentions that an unmarried man, because of fewer distractions in caring for a family, can use that extra time to serve and please God. An unmarried woman can also devote her time for God’s work in body and spirit. A married man and woman, on the other hand, do not have as much opportunities to serve God because they have added responsibilities to please their spouses as well. The interests of a single person can be single-minded, whereas that of a married person is divided.

Again, this is a common-sense principle. The fewer responsibilities you have, the more time and energy you can exert to serve God. A person who has to take care of a spouse, work to feed his family, pay bills, and maintain his house and cars will have less opportunities to serve God than somebody who is single and does not have all of these added responsibilities. The life of a single person, generally speaking, is much less complex than that of a married person. A single person can pack up and go on a road trip with the youth group on a single’s notice, whereas a married person cannot readily do that. A single person can stay much later after care group and pray for people, whereas a married person might need to go home earlier to his or her spouse and children. The point is evident: singles have more time, and thus more opportunities, to do more things for the Lord.

Now, having more opportunities and actually living out those opportunities are two different things. Though it is true that singles are more available to serve God, it does not mean that they will actually live out their lives for God. Many times the amount of opportunities found in a single’s life becomes a detriment to serving the Lord. When we have a lot of time on our hands, it is tempting to use that time for ourselves; we become spiritually lazy and do nothing for God at all. This should not be. All of our lives must be given over to God, including our time, energy, and flexible lives. Being available should not be squandered in busyness, schoolwork, career, etc. Instead, being single affords you more opportunities to care for God’s people; use your time for God’s work so that he could be pleased with you. (verse 32)

Again, this message is not to prove whether being single is better than being married, or vice-versa. Instead, it wants to encourage those of you who are single that you are very valuable to God. Many people believe that finding a partner in life will bring completion to their lives. This is not true at all. Marriage does not bring completion; only through a personal relationship with God will each of us find completion. This leads us to our final point:

3. Whether we are single or married, we find true completion only in Jesus Christ.

Marriage, in and of itself, cannot give you true fulfillment. Our purpose in life can only be found in an active relationship with God. Why do you think over half of marriages, including Christian marriages, end up in divorce? Marriage does not guarantee your life will be filled with peace and hope.

For those of you who are single, the most important thing in your life is your walk with God, not whether you will find a spouse or not. You must purposefully seek God out and ask if marriage is part of his plan for you. Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t. Whatever it is, it does not make you a better or worse person than anybody else. Marriage does not make you a good person, anymore than being single makes you a bad person. Being married or staying single is looked at by God equally; what he is more concerned about is your personal devotion to him. And God knows which option, whether marriage or singleness, will help you grow spiritually.

This means that if you are single, recognize that you are valuable to God and you can be used by him to make a difference here on earth. You are no less a person just because you are single. Remember, you have more opportunities to accomplish great things from God; spend your time doing God’s work and thinking about how to please him. You are less distracted that a married person to focus single-handedly on serving the Lord and his people. And your relationship with God will afford you true completion that nothing else in this world, including marriage, can give you.

Here are two applications that we can employ in our lives when it comes to singleness:

1. Being single gives you freedom to love everybody equally.

When it comes to love, a married person is automatically biased towards his or her spouse and children first. Even if his or her family made a mistake towards somebody else, a married person must still stand by his or her family and support them in love; this may not necessarily be the case if the love is directed towards another family that is not yours.

But, a single person can manage to love everybody equally because he or she has no close ties with anybody else. A single person can love all of the children at church in the same manner, whereas parents will naturally side with their own children first. There is freedom for a single person to make a difference in a Christian community that a married person may not have. You have the power to make a change in people’s lives because you are not tied down to anybody else.

2. Being single gives you freedom to achieve personal healing in your life.

Many of us need the time in life to grow up and find out who we are in Christ. Being married may not give you the space needed to do this. Some of us need to deal with emotional, psychological, physical, and spiritual issues, and part of the healing process is time and space for us to be restored. This is hard to accomplish if we have a spouse to worry about, children to take care of, etc. God wants each of us to be made whole in all areas of life. Who knows, being single at this juncture of your life may be a blessed thing for you; by being made whole now you will be a much stronger individual in the future if God calls you to in fact get married and raise an family. Use this time to grow as a person and understand the unique purpose of God in your life.

In summary, there is power found in being single. Do not believe you are much better off if you are married. God can still use your single lifestyle to accomplish great things through you. What is of greater significance for you is your willingness to surrender your life over to him. Do God’s work and pursue the things that please him. Be single-minded in your focus and devotion to him. Take advantage of your opportunities to make a difference and do not let any of life’s distractions hinder you from fulfilling God’s purpose in your life. Use the freedom found in singleness to devote your whole life to Jesus.

© Arthur Hsu (2003)

ALWAYS THERE

1 The LORD is my shepherd;
I have everything I need.

2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.

3 He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
4 Even when I walk
through the dark valley of death,
I will not be afraid,

for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
5 You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.

You welcome me as a guest,
anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.

6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the LORD
forever.

Psalm 23 (NLT)

When I was in the fourth grade my class went to visit a farm. On the farm one event caught my attention. The farmer was tending to his sheep and I noticed how all the sheep followed the farmer's commands. Wherever the farmer went, the sheep were always behind him. Wherever the farmer chose to settle down, that is where the sheep grazed. When the farmer prodded the sheep to go in a specific direction, the animals obeyed without hesitation. And when the farmer brought out pails of water, the sheep surround him for a drink.

The reason this caught my attention was the fact that the farmer was always there for the sheep. There was this special bond between the animals and the one shepherding them. The sheep instinctively submit their fate into the hands of the farmer, all day and all night.

When we sense that God is not with us, it is this special bond that we question is missing. We are like sheep that depend so much on the instruction and guidance of our shepherd, the Lord. When God is nowhere to be found, we become lost, beings without any direction in life.

Psalm 13 is a perfect example of a person who believed God had forsaken him, and he questions where God is at. "How long will you forget me? Forever?" cries the frustrated psalmist. "How long will you look the other way?" The writer continues to ask God when he will bring victory to the writer who is suffering endless beatings from the enemy. The psalmist whimpers in pain, "How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day?" When the shepherd abandons the sheep, the sheep's life becomes meaningless.

But Psalm 13 is not just all about this supposed abandonment. In fact, the psalmist reminds God that God's nature is one of faithfulness to his people. The psalmist challenges God to appear again and restore victory and hope in the psalmist's life. God does so and in the end of the psalm, the song-writer praises God because God had finally rescued him.

Psalm 23 is like a continuation of where Psalm 13 lefts off. Psalm 13 begins to unveil for us the truth that God never really abandons us, contrary to what we think, "feel" or "sense." Psalm 23 affirms this truth: God is always there for us.

Psalm 23 begins with this assertion: The Lord is our shepherd and we have everything we need. (v. 1)

Verse 1 clarifies two points for us. First, it establishes God's position and function in our lives. God's position is that of a shepherd, which means we are his sheep. God's function is to always care for us and provide guidance for our daily lives. As the sheep, we are fully dependent on the leadership of God. We willingly give up our trust in ourselves in favor of trusting in God's wisdom and strength.

The second point verse 1 clarifies for us is that we have everything we need. Note carefully that it does not say we have everything we want. It says we have everything we need. This is significant because it is God who determines what is enough for us. When we seek the Lord and allow him to be our shepherd we lack nothing.

How does God provide for all of our needs? He lets us rest in green meadows and leads us to peaceful streams. (v. 2) Green meadows and peaceful streams signify refreshment and restoration for the person who puts his or her trust in the Lord. God is very concerned with our well-being; as a shepherd it is his job to provide nourishment and care for us.

Here is the first lesson of the passage:

1. God is not an abandoner. He is the care-giver of life.

God does not flee from his responsibilities as the shepherd of our lives. We can hold onto his promises in delivering us from our enemies and lead us to the green meadows and peaceful streams where we can find rest. God cannot abandon us; that is not his nature. Instead, his nature is to care for us in his lovingkindness.

Remember, though, that the underlying assumption here is that for God to care for us, we must allow him to be the true shepherd of our lives. This means submitting in faith to everything God wants us to do. He is our leader – he knows what we need in life, he knows where we need to go for nourishment, and he is the only provider of peace and rest. We cannot be the rulers of our own fate and still expect God to pull through for us. For God to be the care-giver of our lives we must choose to make him the only shepherd of our lives. When we do, rest assured that God will always be there for you.

Now, it is easy to acknowledge God as our shepherd when life is going well. It is simple to exclaim that God is always there for us when our problems are solved without difficulties. But, what should our response be when times are very rough in life? In fact, it is in the midst of great troubles that we need God the most, right? Will he be there for me?

The answer is a resounding YES! God will always be there for you, in the most joyful of times as well as in the most difficult of times. As our shepherd it is God's responsibility to protect and guide us through every circumstance in life. Look at what the psalmist writes here in Psalm 23, verses 3-4:

It is God who renews our strength. Because of our sinful limitations we are unable to renew our own strength. Only God, our shepherd, can offer us the strength and courage we need to break through from our trials.

It is God who guides us along right paths. When we choose to shepherd our own lives, it is a guarantee that we will walk down the wrong paths of life because we do not know where we are going. We will continually make the same mistakes and hurt one another in the process. That is what the stronghold of sin does to us.

But, with God in control over our lives, he will lead us in the right direction towards the green meadows and peaceful streams. Again, we cannot go wrong when we follow the Lord faithfully. Our obedience brings honor to him, and rightfully so: all credit goes to the One who never abandons his people.

Therefore, when we face the dark trial of life, we no longer have to be afraid. (v. 4) Why? Because God has dominion over our lives. As the shepherd God is prepared to defend us from any wicked schemes from the enemy. God is close beside us; his rod and staff is used to fight the dangers that come our way. This is what God is equipped to do for us; he will always comfort us and he will always win our battles. We need to trust in such an unfailing guarantee.

The second lesson we can learn in Psalm 23 is this:

2. As the care-giver of life, God will defend you into victory.

God does not just protect and comfort us. He does so in victory! A shepherd uses his rod and staff as protection if other animals want to destroy his sheep. The rod becomes the weapon that will chase the sheep's enemies away. That is what God offers us. As our care-giver God will chase down our enemies and destroy them one by one. Again, the idea here is not just one of protection; it is a protection that leads us into victory.

That is why you do not have to live fearful lives anymore. Even as you walk through the dark valleys of death, you have the assurance that God is already winning the battles for you and you can face your difficulties with boldness. He is not just comforting you, he is destroying your very enemies! Whereas in Psalm 13 the writer is frustrated because God is nowhere to be found, here in Psalm 23 we have definitive guarantee that God is in fact always with us.

Want proof that God has already claimed victory for you? The psalmist ends the chapter by making some profound statements. First, God has prepared a feast for the writer in the presence of the writer's enemies. (v. 5) "To prepare a feast" is normally reserved when victory is in hand and the king declares a celebration for the triumph. We learn here that we are allowed to celebrate victory with God in front of our conquered enemies!

Second, this victory is further illustrated with the writer being welcomed as a guest of God to the feast of celebration. (v. 5) And as a guest of God, the writer is anointed with oil, another sign of victory in the life of the writer. His life is overflowing with the blessings from God. Our lives will also experience the anointing and blessings of God as long as we trust that he is always there for us.

Third, victory is always at hand because God's goodness and unfailing love has been pursuing the writer all the days of his life! (v. 6) Once you have given your life over to God the care-giver you cannot escape his great love and mercy for you. His love will overwhelm and consume you so much your enemies cannot defeat you. No matter whether your life faces an uphill battle or you have sunken so low in the valley of death, you are still victorious because God has pursued you with his love.

This leads us to our final lesson:

3. Our response to God, our care-giver, is also to pursue him forever.

Psalm 23 ends with the writer acknowledging that he too will live in the house of the Lord forever. (v. 6) The psalmist recognizes that for all that God has done for him there must also be a reciprocity of commitment back to God. As God chooses to pursue us with his love and grace, we too must choose to entrust our lives over to him, to live with him forever in infinity. God does not abandon us; he chases us with his unconditional mercy. He cares so much for you that he is willing to walk with you, even in the most depressing times of your life, in order to protect you from your enemies. But, this protection is more than just temporary comfort; it is guaranteed victory for you. Triumph will come because God has given our enemies to us. Celebration ensues as we come into contact with the blessings of God.

Therefore, believe in this God who cares so much for you, for he is always there for you…

© Arthur Hsu (2003)