Scripture:
Philippians 1:15-18 NKJV
[15] Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: [16] The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; [17] but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. [18] What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.
Observation:
I’m just going to be honest it took me a little bit to land on this scripture. Over the past several years. I have seen a lot of approaches by the enemy. Sometimes, it’s the same approach, just repackaged. Like the man I met a short time ago. I won’t mention his name because I’m not trying to be that guy. But I am familiar with the spirit behind his motivation. I have seen it several times, and honestly, it doesn’t change. The enemy just gets more clever about his, shall I say, Charlatan. But what does that word mean? Well, as we look at the scripture and what it says this morning, it’s described pretty well in what Paul wrote to the church in Philippi. A church that Paul loved. So his decision to warn them was more than appreciated. He knew that not everyone was on the level. In fact, some who would preach Christ would use the name for self-promotion. They would use the name as a way to put themselves over or make themselves feel important. Causing contention and strife wherever they went. Like I said, I have seen this spirit before. I was looking at verse 16 and thinking about the words “not sincerely” and “selfish ambition,” not to mention the phrase, ” supposing to add to my chains.” Paul’s attack from the enemy came from the Pharisees. A group of men who wanted to be seen as though they were somebody. They were the kind of men who would take the most important seat in the place, thinking that it was meant for them elevating themselves over everyone else. They would preach, but only if there was some recognition coming from it. As Paul continues to bring his warning to the church. He wants them to be able to identify this kind of person so he does what he always seems to do. Giving his readers a way to see the difference. Verse 17 explains some ways to identify the person whose heart is in the right place. What they say is out of love. They are not hiding the truth, nor are they sugar coating it, but their motives are not self-promotion but the spiritual growth of those to whom they are speaking. Paul’s attention is always to the fact that the name of Christ is preached. He knew that even his afflictions were so that Christ would be proclaimed. Not for personal gain. He didn’t use his situations to line his pocket. Or get likes on Facebook. He used them to bring glory to the one who had changed his life. Paul had a selfless life. He gave it up to further the gospel. Not himself. You would have never seen him looking for sympathy.
Application:
I remember when I first broke into ministry. Boy, I thought I was something. I became a youth pastor… and I was going to turn the world upside down. The youth group I was given had only 4 kids in it, and 2 of them were mine. Of course, it didn’t take long for GOD to bring the increase. In fact, before 3 months had up, the group had grown to about 3 times what I had started with. 6 months down the line, it had doubled again. But o found pretty quickly that I was not called to youth ministry. I think it took about a year or so. But when I stepped into the pulpit at that same church. GOD revealed my calling. I was too preach about Christ. At one point, a pulpit was given to me on Sunday night at a small church, but I had big ambitions. Again, I was going to turn the world upside down. As the attacks from the enemy came, I was not prepared, and I quickly fell apart. I knew I was called, but I started too early. You see, I thought it was about me, and when sickness fell on my family. I pointed my fingers at GOD like he had done something to me. In fact, my response was something like…. all these things I’m doing for you, and this is what I get. I honestly hate to admit that that’s what it took to identify that my motives were not right. I was not preaching Christ for the right reason. I was seeking self-promotion. It was all about me. That fall was hard. But it taught me something. It’s not about me. I don’t need to be on Facebook posting videos or saying Look at me in any way. It’s all about HIM. Antisocial media has done a few things for society. It has made us narcissistic self-promoters who think it’s all about us, our message, our lunch, and what we are doing. My life is just not about me, and honestly, your life is not about you. If you know Jesus Christ as your savior. You have been bought with a price that can never be repaid. Serve HIM, not you. Self-promotion is dangerous. It’s rooted in pride, and pride always precedes a fall. Our lives are not about us. They are just not.
Prayer:
Father, help us to see that it’s just not about. It’s about Jesus Christ and what he did for us. Help us not to seek fame or recognition. But to be recognized by the one who lives inside of us. We do not want to seek attention. But we make our ambition to live a quiet life. All we really want to do is show others your love. Help us to see that our voice is found in you. You are all-knowing and all around us. You are in everything. Let us see that the impact is not made in our name but in yours. We want to fade into the shadows as you step into the light. Let’s us seek to disappear as you show yourself in our lives. We want more of you and less of us. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus we pray, amen.