Choose to Live for Others and for Christ's Sake

August 3, 2019

Text: Philippians 1:22-30

Title: Living in the Body

Christ is both for me to live and to die

Principle: To live not for one self but for the sake of others (v24)

Command: Live for others (v24); Live according to the Gospel (v27)

Reflection:

• To live for the sake of others needs sacrifice (v24)

• It is a joy to see others progressing and rejoicing in the faith (v25)

• I believe Jesus Christ therefore I will also suffer for His sake (v29)

Prayer: To live for others and suffer for Christ's sake

Observation:

• To believe is not from the person but is being granted (v29)

• Believing go hand in hand with Suffering (v29)

Unbelievers do not want to die because they love to live and enjoy the pleasures of this world. On the other hand, believers want to die knowing that it is much better because Jesus is their hope and pleasure not this world. However, Christians must choose to live not seeking their own pleasures but the welfare of others (v24).

This is a call especially for the pastors to choose to live for the sake of the brethren. Paul mentioned a fruitful labor which means it will never be in vain. The goal to live, as far as brethren are concerned is to labor for their sake in terms of their faith.

To those under the care of a pastor, Paul admonished them to conduct according to the gospel. He wanted to hear a report that they stand in one spirit and strive for the faith with one mind. Here Paul wanted them to be one in spirit and mind. This gives the idea the very cause of the problem in terms of their service. They were divided in spirit and mind.

Another problem is their opponents in verse 28. Paul comforted them by saying not to be afraid of them. What their opponents were doing to them is a sign of their destruction and for the brethren it would be salvation. Another comforting word from the apostle is that not only to believe is what God has granted but also to suffer. This means that it is in God's plan that Christians will suffer in the hands of their enemies like what Paul was experiencing by that time. Therefore, if there is any suffering, God is in control of everything. Just choose to live for others and for Christ's sake.

ANG MGA NANLIBAK

Ang pagmamahal ng mga mangangaral sa Diyos at sa Kanyang kaluwalhatian ay hindi mapapasubalian. Ngunit hindi lang doon nagtatapos iyon. Kakabit ng pag-ibig sa Diyos ay pag-ibig sa mga taong wala pa kay Kristo kaya ganun na lamang ang kanilang pagsusumigasig na maiparating ang Mabuting Balita ng kaligtasan sa mga naliligaw. 

Sa kabila ng lahat ng ito, ang nararanasan ng mga mangangaral maging mga sumasaksi sa Mabuting Balita ay nakakaranas ng panlilibak kasama ang Kristo. Si Festo na kapalit ni Felix sa posisyon at si Haring Agripa ay manlilibak ni Pablo at ng Mabuting Balita. Sinabihan siya ni Festo pagkatapos ng pangangaral na siya ay nawawala na sa sarili sa sobrang karunungan. Tulad ni Hesus na nilibak na may sa demonyo. Si Haring Agripa naman ay nilibak hindi lamang si Pablo kundi ang Kristiyanismo na siya ay kailanman na hindi siya mahihikayat. Ang pananalitang iyon ay pagturing na ang Kristiyanismo ay isang kahangalan. 

Ang paglilibak ng marami sa mga mangangaral at sa Kristiyanismo ay paglilibak sa Diyos. Ang ginawa ng isa sa mga magnanakaw na pangungutya kay Kristo, at ang pag-ngisi ng mga taga-Atenas kay Pablo ay ilan lamang sa mga paraan ng panlilibak. Ngunit ang panlilibak ay hindi dapat maging hadlang na ipangaral ang Mabuting Balita kundi dapat lalo pang magtulak sa pagpupursige na maisulong ang Kaharian ng Diyos. Sapagkat pinauna na ni Hesus sa mga magiging taga-pagdala ng Kanyang pangalan ay makakaranas (Juan 15;18-19).

Basahin : Acts 26:1-32

THE REMINDERS FOR THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING

Text: Job 1:8-12  


           Every believers will suffer on some degrees because the Lord Jesus told this before that the world will hate everyone who is identified with Him (Mark 13:13). But this will be of great advantage. Those are persecuted are blessed (Matthew 5:10-11). The Lord is reminding us to trust Him in the midst of suffering or whatever suffering will be encountered because of His Name.

THE REMINDERS FOR THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING 

1. The Divine Proclamation - God proclaims that you are righteous (v.8)
2. The Divine Protection - God put a hedge for His people (v.9-10)
3. The Divine Permission - God permits suffering to happen for His glory and for His people as well (v.11-12)