Category: Devotions

Well, of course they’re not are they? Your ‘credentials’ whatever kind they are, perhaps a qualification, a title, a trophy of achievement reveal that you have done something worthy with your life. You worked hard and sacrificed and you received your just reward.

However, the Apostle says: “If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3: 4-11)

The Apostle Paul had achieved much in his life. He had lots he could boast about. Nothing compares to this set of credentials:

circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel – Paul bore the mark and was not from a family of Gentiles who became Jews, he was a pure breed.

of the tribe of Benjamin – Paul could take pride in that he was a Benjamite, the only tribe to stay true to King David when the other tribes rebelled.

a Hebrew of Hebrews –Paul regarded himself not only a Jew because of his birth but because of his belief he was an original Hebrew loyal to the Hebrew faith.

in regard to the law, a Pharisee – Paul was a traditionalist holding to the Scriptures in one hand and the man-made rules handed down throughout the generations to help to understand the law of God.

as for zeal, persecuting the church – Paul had entered a religious and justifiable war against the new sect called Christians. He was eliminating them because he felt that is what God wanted him to do.

as for righteousness based on the law, faultless –Paul knew that outwardly no one could touch him for Jewish behaviours. Inwardly was a different matter but when people saw Paul they saw him without fault according to the Jewish law.

Since finding Jesus as his Lord how does his credentials now compare? The NIV uses the word ‘garbage’ or ‘rubbish’ but actually the Message has it right: “Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, first hand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung.” He doesn’t mince his words does he?

For Paul, he now only has one aim and that is to know Christ and that through experiencing his suffering and resurrection.

What stirred the Apostle Paul after all he had seen and discovered of God to say: I want to know Christ? Did he not already know Christ?

Whenever God reveals Himself He reveals His name, this is not only an aspect of His character but that of His intention. So, foretelling of the coming Messiah Jeremiah says “A king will reign wisely and do what is just and right, he will be called The Lord Our Righteousness” 23:5-6.

“This is who I am Jehovah Tsidkenu, but this is also what I intend to do.”

Exodus 6:1-3 I appeared as El Shaddai God Almighty but my name Lord/I AM/Yahweh I did not make known.

God said to Moses: “Abraham, Isaac and Jacob have never known this name but I am revealing it to you. I am God the redeemer.”

Is it possible that you have carried around in your life a picture of God, a revelation of His nature and intention that has not changed since it was first revealed to you?

It is possible for a whole church to be locked into one aspect of God’s nature eg. The judge. Judgment of sin occupies their preaching, their prayers and principles for ministry. But because of a lack of revelation of God they do not grow in grace, love and mercy.

As revelation changes so does our prayer life. We pray differently, expect differently, we step out in faith to do what we would never have done. We talk about God in ways that use a whole new vocabulary. And our world changes, our home, work or personal lives change. This is because God has given revelation of who He is and what He intends to do.

Two things will be needed to know Christ? Power and Participation.

The resurrection of Jesus is not a past event. It is a continual explosive power that is available to be experienced today so that you can walk in victory. The Spirit brings that power into our lives and it enables us to make great decisions and act like Christ.

The second way we get to know Christ is through participation in His suffering. Bad days are not empty pointless days. They are days when we have the opportunity to identify with the suffering of Christ. The suffering shapes us into his image, others see Christ in us, the hope of glory. Suffering creates the place for intimacy with our Lord.

So whatever you have accomplished is rubbish compared to what is of importance and that is to know Christ. In fact if you have no credentials and don’t feel qualified for anything then you are not in a more disadvantaged position than those who have every trophy you can think of.

All of us need to know Christ.

A young Pastor spoke to me this week about her struggle in preaching a message that she hadn’t herself perfected in practice. She felt disqualified to speak the message. Where did the thought come from that she had to be perfect in order to be used of God? Comparison has been the key disqualifying voice of the first part of my life. I compared myself with what I saw and what I heard in others. As I got older and came closer to those heroic figures I soon realised that they had the same character flaws as myself and some had worse ones! Superstars are usually people we don’t really know.

Today you can walk into any situation and have confidence no matter who is in the room. You have every right to be there. You may be dwarfed by educational qualification, beauty, wealth and experience yet still feel this is the place where you should be. You belong here. It is not because of your own ability, title or prestige but because of Jesus and your confidence to be anywhere is always found in Him.

Let’s see what the Apostle Paul has to say on the matter.

In what appears to be a whole new chapter in his letter (and we have made it so) Paul launches into something that disturbs him greatly. It is the age-old problem that still exists today: religious people making ordinary believers think they are disqualified.

“Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.” (Philippians 3: 1-6)

Paul’s language becomes angry. He uses despicable words that we cannot fully appreciate. Dogs, evildoers, mutilators of the flesh. These were offensive words and he chooses them carefully. He is referring to those who say in order to be in right standing before God you have to be in right standing before men. They use Scripture to prove it. Circumcision was an ordinance in the Word of God. If you want to become a true child of God then you must be circumcised. Legalists are found in every generation and they force the outward performance upon those who are trying to be the best they can be and blind them to the spiritual truth of that symbol. Can you imagine the person who having circumcision forced upon him so that he would be accepted before God then found out it didn’t need to happen?! Can you imagine the upset knowing God wasn’t in the slightest bothered whether he was circumcised or not?!!

Paul lays down the challenge to any Jew who thinks performance religion is the right road to go down. He teases them to compare themselves with what the Message translates are his ‘impressive credentials’. Today I will be attending an ordination service where the ordinands will be given their credentials of ministry. A piece of card, a certificate and the title ‘Reverend’ signals a wonderful moment of succeeding in their training but should this make them feel they are a better person now, not at all. We don’t despise these credentials at all but we don’t glorify in them. We will look tomorrow at Paul’s credentials and see what he thinks of them.

Rejoice in the Lord! That’s Paul’s opener to this subject.

Don’t let anyone take your joy away. Even yourself if you are a perfectionist.

How? Here are the 4 things we should know:

1. We are the circumcision. Meaning we have seen the cut of the flesh in Christ’s death on the cross. The flesh has been judged as being incapable of keeping the law of God that makes us acceptable to Him. So we have laid down the performance.
2. We serve God by His Spirit. We partner with the Holy Spirit in our lives who does the work of God through us. We do not. He does. The fruit of righteousness is not ours it is His fruit.
3. We boast in Christ Jesus. We talk about Him, what He has done, not who we are. If some people stopped talking about themselves they would have nothing to say.
4. We put no confidence in the flesh. A Christian’s performance is no more powerful than an unbeliever’s. Our ability is nothing. It cannot transform anything. So we don’t gain confidence from it.

To any young Pastor I say don’t wait until you are more perfect get on with it today.

To all of us let us ask for the Holy Spirit to work through us and let us be committed to speak about Christ today more than we did yesterday.

Above all, be happy, don’t let the joy-stealers come anywhere near your door.

One of my all-time favourite bed-time stories is ‘We’re going on a bear hunt’ by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury.

We’re going on a bear hunt; we’re going to catch a big one.

What a beautiful day! We’re not scared.

Uh-uh! Grass! Long wavy grass. We can’t go over it. We can’t go under it. Oh no! We’ve got to go through it!

The book is exciting because it is so risky. They get through the grass, but then face the scary river, mud, forest and even a snowstorm until they actually do get to the bear! Facing the bear they are scared to the core so they run all the way through the scary terrain they have crossed until they:-

Get to our front door; Open the door; Up the stairs; Oh no!

We forgot to shut the door; Back downstairs; Shut the door; Back upstairs; into the bedroom; into bed; under the covers.

We’re not going on a bear hunt again.

Some people will not want to come out from under the covers today. I understand that. Perhaps they are grieving and maybe staying there is right for now. But some won’t want to face their day because they are afraid of what is ahead. It’s not a bear hunt they are on but the risk is ever before them.

These next verses in Paul’s letter he reveals an extraordinary man.

“But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honour people like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.” (Philippians 2: 25-30)

In the year 252AD a plague started in modern-day Tunisia which spread across the Roman Empire. The description of that plague was a horrid, destructive virus which man was powerless to defeat. Many thought it was the end of the world. At one point there were 5,000 people dying every day just in Rome alone. It lasted for 20 years. The Bishop of Tunis as it is known today (Carthage originally) wrote about the plague and that is why we know so much about it. In a rallying cry to God’s people he called for them to rise as front-line workers:

He wrote; “What a grandeur of spirit it is to struggle with all the powers of an unshaken mind against so many onsets of devastation and death! what sublimity, to stand erect amid the desolation of the human race, and not to lie prostrate with those who have no hope in God; but rather to rejoice, and to embrace the benefit of the occasion; that in thus bravely showing forth our faith, and by suffering endured, going forward to Christ by the narrow way that Christ trod, we may receive the reward of His life and faith according to His own judgment!”

The Christians stayed in the city to tend to the sick, care for the abandoned and bury the dead. They risked their own lives and many did die for their sacrifice. Their work cut the death rate with estimates saying by half. They became known as the gamblers.

There is one interesting detail to the story. Two years previously a persecution had broken out and the Bishop had fled the city which he was accused of cowardice. It was perhaps that learned experience which caused him to begin to risk his life for others.

The ‘parabolani’ (meaning gamblers) caused the gospel to spread even further during that plague. Their name is very interesting.

The Apostle who enjoyed playing with words as we found in Philemon with the name of Onesimus now does the same with a loved man, Epaphroditus. The name is taken from the goddess of gambling, Aphrodite. Paul knew well that when the gambler won the game they would shout ‘Epaphrodite!’ which means ‘Aphrodite has favoured me!’
And so Paul invents a new Greek word to describe how Epaphroditus “gambled” with his own life – parabouleusamenos.

We have seen every day this year our frontline workers leave their homes and risk their lives in helping those in dire need. They will do it again next year and even when we are through this pandemic.

Our prayer is that the Church will also rise to risk their lives with the gospel. To get out from underneath the covers and to knock on someone’s door and ask if they are okay; to share their faith; to give generously; to be bothered about the challenges of their city and town; to reach out to those who are unreachable. It is happening and there are great stories emerging but we need to encourage all of us to do more.

After the intensity of Paul opening the windows of heaven to show us the beauty of Christology we come to a section that at first glance we may want to skip over as unimportant. But if we do we miss the example of two men that Paul wants to demonstrate who are walking out this theology of Christ.

“I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.” (Philippians 2: 19-24)

How was Christ seen in Timothy?

• Timothy wasn’t in it for himself. He wasn’t there for his own personal gain whether that be money or status.
• Timothy wasn’t just going through the motions. He was genuine.
• Timothy wasn’t just a people-pleaser. It was Jesus first and then others second. If we are going to be what is needed then we have to do what Jesus wants not what people demand.
• Timothy has proven himself to Paul so much so that as a son he serves alongside his father.
• Timothy proved himself not because of some gifting and ability but out of testing and trial he demonstrated Christ.

May Christ be seen in us today. 

That’s quite a question isn’t it?

Yesterday was spent interviewing people for ordination in 2021 and this Saturday will be spent ordaining the 2020 ministers by zoom!

It is so moving to see people who have completed a ministerial training programme and embark on the next chapter of their life. They have and will probably continue to ask about God’s purpose for their life over the coming years. As do we all, whether a minister or a member of a Church, we want to know what is the purpose of God for my life.

If we take the attention away from what we do (our jobs, relationships, the stuff we possess) and focus more on who we are then we will be getting nearer to the answer.

The Apostle has told the Philippians to have the same attitude as Christ who demonstrated perfect obedience and self-sacrifice and now he goes on to explain how to apply that model to our lives:

“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil his good purpose. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labour in vain. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me. (Philippians 2: 12-18)

So here is what I think God’s purpose for our life is according to the Apostle:

Be the same person.

In this year of zoom I have been confined to our small bedroom. I had an office when I worked from my headquarters but since changing my job my office has been on my computer/phone/car, until lockdown. Now the thing is this bedroom still has a bed propped up in the corner and the rest of the space is a fold up table (my desk) and lots of files and some books scattered around the rest of the room. I have to position my computer camera so that when my colleagues are zooming in with their beautiful backgrounds of bookshelves and office type furniture they don’t see my mess. One day maybe I will have an office again. Until then no one will know (unless they read this blog!) that on zoom I am not the same person as I am if you walked into my ‘unconventional office’.

My first preach many months ago in lockdown given to the camera was taken in the conservatory. I had a beautiful shirt on and the sermon went quite well. I sent it off to the church to be edited and then broadcast. All was fine except my son texted me to let me know that the reflection from the conservatory doors revealed that though my shirt was indeed lovely that I was also wearing shorts!

Paul compliments then and encourages them to continue to be the same person whether he is there with them or as he is now away from them in prison.

God’s purpose for our life is to be the same person whether on show or not.

Co-operate with the work of God within us.

We become like Christ: the working out of your salvation is not us but Him who works it out in all circumstances, even the bad, see Romans 8:28-30.

We bow to His presence: create awe again in your life. God is not our buddy. He is our GOD. The Jews wouldn’t even write His name because of their fear and trembling of His presence.

We remain positive: How we all like to grumble. If we delete all social media feeds that are negative, complaining and grumbling about something then there would be hardly anything on there. Some days we just have to put social media down because the negativity invades our mind. Stop it. Be positive.

Submitting to the work of God in our lives is His purpose for us.

Be examples of order.

Stars show us a plan of created order: Paul tells them to shine to the world brightly telling a message that even in a disorderly circumstance God is in total control. All things are well. You are created and ordered to be here right now.

Stars show us a plan of strategic order: Further to this, you are going forward. The stars were the guidance for so many being directed from one place to another. You are not aimlessly journeying. He is taking you forward. There is a plan. A strategy. Sometimes we have to trust Him when we don’t see the way but we shine to a world that even in the darkness there is a plan and everything will be alright for you.

The world needs to see our ordered lives and that is the purpose of God.

Be joyful in the worst of times.

Yesterday a retired minister died after a long struggle in hospital. I lost touch with him over the years but I remember how he took me from Bible College and gave me a church plant to pastor in 1992. I wrote on the social media feed yesterday 2 simple words, ‘sad news’. I was sad. But I reflected on that later and realised again that actually it was sad for his wife and those who loved him but actually it was ‘happy news’ for him.

Paul says basically if you hear I have died do not be sad but rejoice because I am in my eternal home.

In the worst of times be joyful is the purpose of God for our life.

May we live our lives in the purpose of God today.

Our fascination with the Royal family has continued throughout the generations. Since The Crown started showing on Netflix in 2016, 73 million households have watched it. Every year countless books have become best sellers as we avidly want to know the people behind the throne. In 2019 such a book was published called, “The Other Side of the Coin” by Angela Kelly who as the exalted title of Personal Advisor to Her Majesty (jewellery, insignias, and wardrobe). Of course if you are looking for some sordid gossip it won’t be found in this book as I presume Kelly likes her job. Unlike Marion Crawford the Scottish governess of the Queen and her sister Margaret who moved from confidante to villain, losing everything, because she was too frank in her descriptions of life behind the throne. Sadly after her article and book ‘Little Princesses’ published in 1950 her life was never the same. She tried to commit suicide twice and died in as nursing home in 1988. A Channel 4 documentary of her story was told in 2000 titled, The Nanny Who Wouldn’t Keep Mum. A sad ending to someone who tried to tell the other side of the coin.

Let’s go to someone way beyond the Queen and the Royal Family. Let’s go to Jesus. The Apostle continues this ultimate and supreme mission of our Royal Divine King:

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2: 9-11`)

Therefore.

The Amplified helps us if we happened not to have read the verses before, “For this reason also [because He obeyed and so completely humbled Himself], “

This side of the coin is:

The highest place.

The name above every other name.

Every knee from every place will bow before Him.

Every tongue will acknowledge Him as Lord.

This is the glory of God the Father.

But it is only so because of what is on the other side of the coin. God doesn’t shield that from us. We know what is there. We know what happened.

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross! (v8)

This side of the coin we see:

A man.

In humility.

In death.

A criminal’s death not a hero’s.

The other side of the coin.

It applies to our lives too.

Today may be hardship. You may have grief and struggle. Pain may be all around you. For you, life may be one of experiencing failure in the eyes of others. But turn the coin over and you will see Christ wins. Turn the coin over and you will see what He has done for you meaning that you win also. This life isn’t all there is. This world will end and the new world will begin. Our life as we know it will close but our real life will begin. It’s time to flip the coin. In a year quite like no other. When you have perhaps been sick, lost your job, grieved over loved ones, known a despair like never before, you must remind yourselves it is just one side of the coin.
A humble man/woman obedient throughout their life to the path of God who dies even in a pathetic state, if they die in God, they rise with Christ. It will be worth it. Don’t remain fixated on one side of the coin. Keep flipping it. The other side of the coin is important.

We are either the victors or the victims of pour attitudes. We get to choose that.

These next few verses are the ultimate passage in this wonderful letter to the Philippians. However, in the introduction to this letter I reminded us that Paul was addressing a church with problems from those who insist on extra rules such as circumcision but also 2 ladies that have caused a war in the church through their arguing. That’s the context.

The next time you are in an argument. The next time you are thinking of storming out of the church door because ‘there’s no love here’, the next time pride rises within you so that you will not back down because you are right; the next time you are about to write someone off; the next time that you are about to win and someone is about to lose think of these verses:

“In your relationships with one another, have the same attitude as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very natureGod, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very natureof a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2: 5-8)

This is the ultimate passage because it reveals a decision made by Jesus in His pre-earthly state. That decision said, “Today, it is not about me.”

Of all that is in heaven, Jesus, Son of God, part of the Godhead, is hearing cries day and night, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty who was and is and is to come.” Beings are laying prostrate, “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being. “ (Revelation 4)

From this position of power and of who He really is said, “Today it’s not about me.”

A Servant (noun) one who serves, or does services, voluntarily or on compulsion; a person who is employed by another for menial offices, or for other labour, and is subject to his command;

A person who labours or exerts himself for the benefit of another, his master or employer; a subordinate helper

A devoted and helpful follower or supporter.

Now what’s the argument, really?

From Saul Bellow’s collection of traditional Jewish tales comes this story:

In a small Jewish town of Russia, there is a rabbi who disappears each Friday morning for several hours. His devoted disciples boast that during those hours their rabbi goes up to heaven and talks to God.

A stranger moves into town and he’s sceptical about all this, so he decides to check things out. He hides and watches. The rabbi gets up in the morning, says his prayers, and then dresses in peasant clothes. He grabs an axe, goes off into the woods and cuts some firewood, which he then hauls to a shack on the outskirts of the village. There an old woman and her sick son love. He leaves them the wood, enough for a week, and then sneaks back home.

Having observed the rabbi’s actions, the newcomer stays on in the village and becomes his disciple. And whenever he hears one of the villagers say, “On Friday morning our rabbi ascends all the way to heaven, “the newcomer quietly adds, “If not higher.”

Have we forgotten the way to heaven?

As a proud parent I watched with intrigue my children’s sports day and in particular the bike race. Anyone would have imagined that the way to win this race was to pedal faster than anyone else. But that wasn’t the rule to the race. If you finished first you actually lost. The rule was to stay on your bike but cycle the slowest and be the last person to cross the line without putting your foot on the floor or indeed falling off the bike!

It’s a beautiful illustration of the Christian race. Though some misunderstand it. The aim is to have the same thinking as Jesus in relation to other people.

I’m not interested in charming personalities, charismatic gifting and theological minds. That’s not what impresses me anymore. Those heroes died disappointingly a while ago. However what gets my attention is the mental outlook on how a person thinks and feels about themselves in relation to others, their circumstances and life itself.

The Message translation of Philippians 2: 3-4 says:

Don’t push your way to the front;

Don’t sweet-talk your way to the top.

Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead.

Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage.

Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.

Our best example, the Apostle will say is of course Christ Jesus and we will see this in the next few days. But let’s read the whole 5 verses.

“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mind set as Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2: 1-5)

Let your outlet mirror your inlet.

IF …

Christ has encouraged you.

Christ’s presence has been known by you.

Christ’s love has consoled you in your bad day.

The Spirit has partnered with you.

You have received tender compassion when you have either failed or been hurt.

IF that has been your inlet. Then your outlet should testify of it. How can it be different?

Did we achieve anything to qualify us for such an inlet of blessings?

Nothing at all.

Therefore, let it be the same. Our outlet of blessings is not to people we necessarily love to be with but in fact those who don’t qualify. It is hard to bless when your culture is one of blame. To be like Christ is counter-cultural to what we know and experience. Nevertheless our world needs to see Jesus. We can show Him today.

I’ve got some simple questions today:

“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.” (Philippians 1: 27-30)

Whatever happens…

Whether you are persecuted or sick, successful or failure, if things are for you or against you, happy or hurt, whatever happens ….

BEHAVE: How are you going to respond and react today? “conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.”

BELONG: Who are the people you stand with today? “I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel”

BRAVE: What will you not give up on today? “without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you.”

BELIEVE: Will you trust Jesus enough to suffer? “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him”

BENEFIT: Who will you look to in the struggle of today to learn and gain the positives of your experience? “since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have”

17^th September 2018 was a highlight for me as I led a service at the Elim International Centre for the families of our 12 Elim missionaries who were killed on the 23^rd June 1978 and a further died from the brutalities the day after their funeral. This traumatic event 40 years previously was at the Elim Mission station in the Vumba Mountains, Northern Zimbabwe. The sheer brutality of this massacre shocked the world. It was a privilege to be at the service alongside the families and in particular, the sister of one of the missionaries named Mary Fisher.

I cannot read these next verses of Philippians anymore without thinking of this missionary who had escaped from the macabre scene and was found unconscious. The severe head trauma had caused her heart and lungs to fail and she was buried in a simple quiet ceremony next to her friend Wendy.

(Philippians 1: 18-26)

Paul is in a quandary. What does God want for his life? If he survives the prison then he can see the good for others but if he dies it would be even better for him. That in itself is a challenge for us today.

To live is Christ:

• To make Him known, this is the most important thing

v18. “The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice”

• To see the purposes of God in the difficult things I go through

v19. “for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.”

• To display Christ in my life for others to see

v20. “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”

• To be an influence of others for the better,

v25-26 “Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.”

To die is gain:

• For people will see Christ in me as this life fades

v20. ““I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”

• I will depart the struggles of this earth, I will be free

v23. “I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far”

• I will be with Christ,

v23. “I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far”

• The next life is far better than this life

v23. “I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far”

This whole passage hangs on these words, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” v21.

Alistair Begg, a Scot, who now Pastors in Ohio and a well-known Christian author preached a message in January 2011 and during that sermon was describing his evangelistic endeavours in London as a student and a special friend he knew:

“1974 , I went in the evening with one of my friends and this girl to the Thames Embankment Mission in London. All the street people were more interested in the physical food than they were in the spiritual food that was on offer from my buddy and myself. I won’t take time now to give you the details—many of them humorous—which made perfectly clear to us that there was very little interest on the part of these men and some women that were there. Our preaching was no good, as far as they were concerned. The only time that they listened was when Mary sang. And Mary was a little girl from Wales. She looked a little bit like Mary Hopkin[s], actually—the girl of “Those were the days, my friend, we thought they’d never end.” And she had a lovely, lilting Welsh voice, and when she sang, the people put down their newspapers and began to listen. And it was a very humbling thing for myself and my colleague: this little slip of a girl—fairly plain, friendly eyes, long blonde hair, crystal clear voice. Wasn’t really a performance that she did; it was more of a sacrifice.”

Who was he speaking of? It was Mary Fisher.

An inquest into the deaths of the missionaries and their children was held in Umtali by the Rhodesian authorities on 21 August 1978.

On playing one of the cassette tapes retrieved from the kitbag of a dead guerrilla, Mary Fisher’s fine voice soared hauntingly from the machine, her song of worship momentarily filling the room. She was teaching young children to sing the words of the Apostle Paul:

For me to live is Christ, to die is gain,
To hold his hand and to walk his narrow way.
And there is no peace, no joy, no thrill
Like walking in his will;
For me to live is Christ and to die is gain

Mary Fisher and the other 12 missionaries and every missionary around the world today, the church in Northern Nigeria and the many terrible places in the world to live as a Christian, they all do the same thing: they put their whole life in the ring—and sometimes they pay the ultimate price. 

For everyone who has died in Christ whether in the persecuted fields or a struggling hospital bed, they gain.

They gain!