Impact

Thank you for tuning into the radio ministry of community church had clear our focus is making Christ visible providing an atmosphere, worship, community come check us out at 3485 Oxford Rd. in Henderson or visit us online activities. He.org join us for this week's message by Pastor Albert on shop.

Have you been to restaurants where the food may be great or not so great but the service is wonderful and friendly. Have you been to restaurants like that is okay but they're so nice so friendly. Come on, it is good to see you there.

Almost like family. How do you feel you feel you can go back you feel like inviting other people to go with you because this is your family restaurant now how about restaurants whether service is horrible and their unfriendly, how do you feel them, so also the charges they can make a positive impact or they can make a negative impact. You can walk away feeling, and it was a blessing to be such a joy to be around people like this, or you can walk away feeling negatively impacted living in a sea the Philippian church made a very positive impact on Paul's life.

He is sitting in a Roman prison under house arrest but he said every time I think a few it's like my heart just bursts into gratefulness and thankfulness to God and I'm filled with joy as I'm praying for you. You have made such a positive impact on my life and this morning, if you ask me what kind of a charge. Do you want clearly to be. I want it to be like the Philippian church word brings feelings of joy, trust and hope in others and not just the church individually. I want to be. I want us to be the kind of people that make a positive impact in others. So if you have your Bibles with you were not serious through the book of Philippians.

Paul's letter to the Philippians. It's called grateful and the message today is called impact Philippians chapter 1 and I'm actually going to read this passage from Philippi. Philippians 1 verse three I thank my God upon every remembrance of you always in every prayer of mine, making request for you all with joy for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now being confident of this very thing, that he who has begun a good work and you will completed until the day of Jesus Christ.

Think back again to verse three Paul says I thank my God upon every remembrance of you. In other words, every time I think of you every time a part passes in my mind about the Philippians is like I begin to praise God I have feelings of joy that come over me. The question I want us to contemplate. As we walked with this message is what emotions come upon people when they think of you and my message this morning is not pointed like this to you. I'm asking the same question to myself what emotions come in people's mind with the think about me Paul says really see that in just a moment but he says you are the saints in Christ Jesus.

The reason the Philippians were such people is because they were saints in Christ Jesus. They were identified with Christ. The question this morning is not just are you Christian the question is are you in Christ Jesus will see what that means but it means that you are identified with Jesus Christ in his death and his burial and his resurrection are you saved you truly know Jesus as your Savior as I mentioned to you, unlike the Galatians in the Corinthians.

The Philippians had made a very positive impact on Paul and his ministry.

In fact, he says his heart is filled with joy when he thinks about them.

In fact, he says I am just so grateful for you, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now. What a beautiful complement that he gives to the Philippians analysis seen three things in this passage and you have to read between the lines. Those three things that stand out in Paul's opening words to the Philippians 3 things that I believe made a positive impact on Paul's life. Number one is trust. Paul's relationship with the Philippians was based on trust.

He trusted them and they trusted him. Listen to what is says in Philippians chapter 1 and verse one.

He says Paul and Timothy, bond servants of Jesus Christ. Paul describes himself and his son in the ministry as a bondservant bondservant means we are slaves.

But that's not how. Typically, Paul opens his letters typically if you read Romans, Corinthians, or Galatians or Ephesians or Colossians Paul refers to himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ, but in Philippians, he says I'm just a slave and Timothy as well were just slaves of Jesus Christ. Why you think Paul did that I was to look at how he talked to the Galatians 1st in Galatians chapter 1 verse one. Paul says Paul and apostle their ego.

He begins by saying apostle, not from men nor through man.

But through Jesus Christ and God the father who raised him from the dead.

Paul begins his letter to the Galatians by saying hey don't forget I am an apostle, and guess what, you didn't pick me.

No one picked me God himself, pick me. I'm an apostle who has been ordained by God. Listen again to what he says in verse six he says I marvel.

I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from him. He is referring to himself from him who called you in the grace of Christ to a different gospel.

Paul says to the Galatians.

I cannot believe it. I cannot believe that you are turning away from me. I brought you the gospel I told you the truth about Jesus Christ and how he saves us in. You don't have to go back to legalism or to the law is only to the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. You can be safe and you are turning away from me and you're going to a different gospel limited listening to all these people that listen to what he says in Galatians chapter 3 verse one. Listen how you dresses that he says oh foolish Galatians. You can read Philippians chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4. He never says oh foolish Philippians he says oh foolish Galatians who has bewitched you bewitched me as who has put a spell on you, who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified any sense and hear the frustration in his tone foolish people. How can you turn your back on Jesus Christ. How can you turn your back on me. I brought you the gospel I clearly explain to you how Jesus Christ was crucified for your sins. And now you're running here and there and everywhere folks.

When you compare Galatians with Philippians. It's a whole different tone.

There is no frustration there is no stress. There is no how could you do this to me there is Paul and Timothy slaves together of Christ. Maybe one more example I think this one is worse. Paul had a very turbulent relationship with the Corinthians. If you read first and second Corinthians. You can see and read between the lines.

It was a bad relationship. He loved them. He started the church there, but they were not so nice to Paul.

Listen to what how he begins first when his chapter 1 verse one is is Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ. How does Paul begin Philippians, Paul and Timothy bondservant's were slaves when it comes to Corinthians. He invokes his authority. He said Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God. What is a will of God because he is saying is not true. You is not by your will, you have no authority over me. God is the one who is called me to listen to chapter 4 verse 15 first Corinthians 4 door you might have 10,000 instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers here were the Corinthians were doing going around saying we like Paul and all, but I love this preacher better there so much better than Paul. Paul heard about it. He said I know that you have. How does he said you have 10,000 instructors in Christ, but do you have any father's what he saying to them is this you might have all these great Bible teachers, but do you have someone who loves you like a dad for in Christ Jesus, I have begotten you through the gospel means I have actually given birth to you.

That's how I have to been to you, but not listen to second Corinthians chapter 10 verse 10.

He actually quotes the Corinthians as to what they were saying about him. Second Corinthians chapter 10 verse 10 he says his letters they say are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak in his speech contemptible. Translated, it means this is not much to look at and you can preach how how mean can you get Paul a man who give up his life, who was beaten for the gospel. There saying that every time he gets up there to preach to and when he preaches Mandy's horrible his voice like grates on your nerves and and he gets up there and tries to open the scroll in all our Greek our Greek speakers and orators made there so much better than this sin and are my favorite preachers are so much better than this it hard Paul to the court that I know what you say about me. You see, this was not his relationship with the Philippians with the Philippians he knew that they respected him the respect of his office. The respect in his ministry, so he begins with Paul and Timothy bondservant's he trusted them and they trusted Miller beautiful religion how if you love to be in a charger people and trust each other. Listen to how Paul addresses them.

He says to all the saints, and the beautiful that he called the Corinthian saints to what he did for a different reason.

He did to tell them act like it but to the Philippians he says you are truly saints in Christ Jesus means you are united with Christ in his death and his resurrection and in his new life means when you see a Philippian Christian you see Jesus levels is very convicting to me is not convicting to you. Do people really see Christ in me how I speak how I think how I treat people. Paul says you are saints in Christ Jesus, who are in Philippi with the bishops and the deacons are there something deep here. I don't want to spend too much time on this, but Sissy Paul did not write a letter to the church and in a secret letter to the Bishop Bishop by the way, fiscal parts means an overseer is the same as a presbyter, which is a press blue terrace which means an elder is the same as the shepherd is a how do you know that read Peter's letter is the same office. What aspect of the pastor is to oversee the vision the direction of the church. Another aspect of the pastor is to give spiritual maturity in spiritual direction. Another aspect of the pastor's is to feed the shepherd to protect the sheep in our church. We have a finance committee to handle the finances, we have a property committee to handle the buildings we have trustees when it comes to the leadership the direction of the church. We have three pastors Marcel John and Ryan, that's our job. That's what God has called us to do. You soak it in churches where I grew up there and had a Deacon board and Deacon will read everything everything you why the did that you're still with me everything he wanted that because in many of the smaller churches pastors come and go.

And that's understandable because small church is a training ground they come. The Lord is almost a ministry to these pastors because there is the place you can learn you can make mistakes and then you can move on.

God has other things in store for you. So there's a group of men who end up having to do the overseeing the end up having to do the spiritual leadership. The end up having to play the role of the pastors until they get a guy in the pulpit but when you have pastors were called to a church there is a longevity to it.

There is a direction that were going I been here 18 years.

There's a purpose there's something happening in the biblical model is the pastors of the one were to give that leadership so Paul does not say, here's a letter to the church. Here's a separate letter to the pastor you separate one for the Deacon board know he's writing to all of them because this is a charge that trust each other. There is unity in this body I want to see how he addresses them in verse two, he says Grace to you and peace from God our father and the Lord Jesus Christ to words he uses number one is grace. Number two is peace what is grace grace is what you need to get saved, when you come before God and you say God I want to save me.

I'm a good person and you don't need grace that I want to save me and look what I do a charge. I want you to save me and look how I help people what you're saying is God take my works. Take my works and based on the work save me folks.

Salvation is by grace through faith not of works, what is peace peace is what you receive when you get saved, and what happens. Not only are you reconciled with God. But you're also reconciled with each other. Let God's unmerited favor rest upon you and let there be peace between you and God in you and each other.

Are you like the Galatians to whom Paul had to say you foolish Galatians, are you like the Corinthians who were nitpicking in and calling Paul names how hateful this hall is ugly and you can preach how how mean can you get are you like the Philippians are you a trustworthy person. Do you have trustworthy relationships are you full of grace and peace. We here's a second thing, not only was a Philippian church marked by trust. It was also marked by joy. Listen how Paul describes in verse three says I thank my God upon every remembrance of you not keep in mind Paul is sitting in a Roman prison. He is under house arrest is not a dungeon. We often think Paul is sitting in a dungeon is how do you know that acts chapter 28 tells us that Paul had visitors if he was in a dungeon, you would not have visitors something else. Paul was able to write letters. The one thing that is absent in a dungeon is light.

He is writing letters he is receiving letters he is receiving guests and he has Timothy his son in the faith with him.

This was a house arrest, not a dungeon prison and he is in a prison. Listen to what he says in Philippians 17 Paul says both in my change in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. Paul says I am in changes it handcuffs. More than likely shackles abuse under house arrest.

He is wearing shackles something else.

Verse 14 Paul says so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard and to all the rest of my chains are in Christ. As Paul is sitting in this Roman house arrest prison is like a federal prison. There's a praetorian. There is a palace guard all around and they come in the sea.

Paul and Paulino is a missionary is a soul winner and he's talking to them for guidance. We all headed today were well were headed to Acadia okay okay I'm praying for you all, you always say that you really pray for us. Of course, I'm praying that you will come to know Jesus Christ and be saved. Hall body believing this Jesus Christ menu you're locked up during change. Now, don't misunderstand this may be chained. Many shackled, but I'm free if I have any chains on chained to Jesus Christ. This praetorian the palace guards are just hearing Paul share the gospel with them. But don't misunderstand this does not mean that everything is hunky-dory does not mean that life is wonderful because Paul says in Philippians 120.

Listen carefully says is always so now also Christ will be magnified in my body whether by life or by death, which means this is an house arrest. He is in chains.

He is sharing the gospel. There's a good possibility that he will die any day in the door can fling open and they can come and say Paul decision has been made is time for your execution. How would you like to be in a situation like that any moment they can come and start chopping your head off you seen some of those beheadings imagine that. Imagine the fear.

Imagine the disappointment the stress the frustration and also guess what some people were saying the reason Paul is sitting in a prison.

He must've sin is a God would not let that happen to one of his own. So now Paul is dealing with all these hurtful and hateful feelings.

But then listen to what he says. I thank my God upon every remembrance of you in the midst of my fears, my doubts my pain my suffering the moment I think about the Philippians is like my heart just leaps my heart is just filled with gratefulness don't know what I'm talking about is it going over your head. Did you do you understand the feeling I'm referring to. You can be going to a very difficult time and then all of a sudden somehow someone comes to your mind is just the whole soldier's lives is likely are no I can call on them and I can call on them not know that I'm okay.

It will be all right. That's how the Philippians were there for him.

Listen to what else he says always in every prayer of mine, making request for you all with joy. I can imagine people telling Paul Parkey keep me in prayer. TDP was in prayer. Did he pray for us. Paul pauses sure sure sure also limited limiting something Philippians when I pray for you. My heart just fills with joy in a joyous is much more than happiness, joy is not dependent on our circumstances. Joy is something much deeper. Wise, Paul filled with joy, listen to verse five for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now he has so many memories of the Philippians from the very first day was the very first day.

The very first day of the very first conversions member how Lydia got saved member how the demon possessed slave girl got set free member how the Philippian jailer who had witnessed Paul being beaten and thrown into the prison and that night there was an earthquake and God set them free and Paul share the gospel with him and not only the Philippian jailer, but his whole household got saved and they are in the Philippian church positive.

I think about that management can tell you my heart just fills with joy and I know that jailer serving God and I know that demon possessed girl is is is singing in the choir and I use a how do you know that Bob doesn't say she got saved. Listen, God doesn't start a work he doesn't intend to finish and Lydia is over there her whole household. Her business is growing and flourishing and she is serving God in their planning charities in my heart is just filled with joy. Why for your fellowship in what fellowship is. Someone said little boy said fellowship is to fills in the ship at that's that's a good one fellowship is cooperation fellowship is not 50-50. I will go halfway if you come halfway sometimes folks I'm very disappointed in some people, their idea of fellowship is I'll do this for you. What we do for me. I'll do this and this. Now I'm expecting something in return, folks. Not that that's not scriptural that's not biblical as ungodly fellowship is I'm just on the Philippians were just there for Paul while Chris Paul was is there for them will get what I'm saying for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now he's at when I think about all this. My heart just fills with joy do you bring joy in the minds of others. Are you truly fellow shipping in the gospel that Clearview or is it a give-and-take relationship. So to think so far in quickly go to the third when the first is trust. Unlike the Galatians in the Corinthian there was trust number two is joy sitting in a Roman prison with the likelihood of death.

Death is imminent.

More than likely decapitation and Paul says what I think about you guys, man, my heart is filled with joy.

Here's number three. The last one verse six.

Hope is being confident being confident of this very thing, that he who has begun a good work in you will completed until the day of Jesus Christ.

What an awesome hope, the word in Greek is the word report toss which comes from Pato which means I am so sure.

I am so confident that the good stuff that is happening in the Philippian church is just gonna get better. Folks say this, I'm really excited for what God is doing next-door. You see the sanctuaries getting built in. Good things are happening. I'm excited just about a month or so to be able to go in the building but here's what I hear from some folks you're ready for this. I hear you do know that's going to be big enough. I was talking to my good friend and we stood up on the stage. He said you really think is big enough know. I guess guess not but I'm just happy to have. I'm just happy with what was he was happening as people are filled with hope and they're saying I think you going to have to expand again about whether that happens or not.

I'm just grateful for having a just a bigger building but is in that just a good demonstration of how were like the Philippian church. The people have this confidence that greater things are coming. Paul had hope and hope is not a maybe hope is the sure confidence that if God is behind this if God is behind the Philippian church. If God is working in the Philippian Christians that what is happened will be complete in the completion is not just it will finish it will get better. Are you a person that others can look at with hope. Are you a person who inspires hope in others this morning. As I mentioned to you, there is no better passage for us to study than this one. When it comes to the Lord's table because I think we need to examine our hearts today. First, as individuals, and then as a body am I a person that inspires trust in my a person who brings joy to your mind. Am I a person who brings hope and confidence that God has some greater things in store are we a church that when people think about Clearview, the hearts are filled with trust and joy and hope it would.

Clearview is made of all of us. If there is sin in your heart need to confess because is affecting the rest of us, and I'm the one who needs to be the first to confess my sins is anything in you that resembles the Galatians is anything in you that resembles the Corinthians.

The meanness of spirit that hatefulness that deceit is what you don't know what this person has done. You don't know what they have done to me. It doesn't matter what anybody is done if there is sin in your heart.

The only thing to do is to confess you cannot stand before God and make your case all you can say is God I'm guilty, damn is God good deal with that.

That's his business. You confess and you repent of your sentence and if you have confessed and repented of your sins about asking the Holy Spirit to fill your heart with his presence, asking the Holy Spirit fill your heart is not like pouring water in the glass. It's by turning over every part of you to the submission and control of the Holy Spirit. Your mind, your physical body you finances your relationships, your words, your parts. Your deeds everything submitted to the Holy Spirit, which means this unless he agrees, he allows that you don't make those decisions that you don't make those choices thank you so much for joining us for this message. Paul's relationship with Philippians was characterized by truth, joy and hope they left a profound impact on his life. What kind of impact. Are you having other people around July, characterized by truth, joy and hope give you like to Christ today, and allow him to use you to touch the lives of those around for more information visit us online@clearviewb.org for this sermon's notes. Check out Pastor Shah's block, but on Shah.com