Verse of the Day

Sunday, December 16, 2018

Pastor's Sermon Notes: Philippians (series), Part 23: "The Way of the Cross Leads Home" (Phil. 3:15-21), Part 3 (3:20-21), "Heavenly Conversation and the Great Change"


Sermon Series: Philippians, Part 23
Philippians 3:15-21
The Way of the Cross Leads Home,
Part 3 (3:20–21)
Heavenly Conversation and the Great Change


[Audio file on Internet Archive at https://archive.org/details/Philippians315-21Part3]

15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. 17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Outline:

I. The Same Rule, The Same Mind (3:15-16)
II. Following and Marking (3:17-19)
III. The Heavenly Conversation and the Great Change (3:20-21)

III. Heavenly Conversation and the Great Change (3:20-21)

20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

The content of the final two verses in this chapter of the epistle must be seen as in direct contrast and opposition to what preceded these words in the immediate context regarding the enemies of the cross of Christ. This is found in the parenthetical verses 18-19. The present and future realities presented in verses 20-21 are what makes the difference between those enemies we are to mark, and the exemplars we are commanded by the Apostle to follow in verses 15-17.

1. Our Heavenly Conversation (3:20)
2. The Great Change (3:21)

1. Our Heavenly Conversation (3:20)

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

Some may sneeringly refer to this as “pie in the sky by and by,” but we might triumphantly reply, “This ain’t no pie, and it’s way beyond the sky!”

In this verse the future is directly linked to the present. We might speak of this as “Living with the last things in view.” We may also conclude from this that living the Christian life is an “eschatological enterprise”! Eschatology is defined as “the study of the eschaton,” which is the end times, or the last things. However, to the believer in Jesus Christ, this study is not about things, but about a Person. This is not about academic enterprises, curiosity about the future, or the construction of charts. Living the Christian life “eschatologically” is a realistic anticipation of His imminent appearance that is life altering.

1) Identification: For our conversation is in heaven
2) Expectation: from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ

1) Identification: For our conversation is in heaven

To speak of it this way requires us to consider just what is meant by “our conversation is in heaven.” We may well ask, “How is it that “our conversation is in heaven” when we are not actually yet in heaven? If we rightly understand what is meant by “conversation” here, and face the reality that we are not there, but yet on this earth, then the question is a good one.

What is it about heaven that might explain this? What might we speak of concerning heaven that might adequately answer these questions?

Where are you from? You are a stranger. You are an alien. If you are Irish you may speak of the homeland of your ancestors as the “Old Sod.” If we check out our Ancestry.com in the Scriptures we learn that heaven is our “Old Sod.” Heaven is our homeland. No Christian can be at home in this world. It is not possible. “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” (James 4:4)

This is what has been done:
Eph. 2:6, 19 — And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:…. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

This is where we have come:
Heb. 12:22-24 — 22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

This is what we should seek:
Col. 3:1 — If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2) Expectation: from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ [1]

All that matters, all that we care about, all that has any eternal value is there. That is where believers look. We are looking for not a something from heaven, but a Someone. We live with an eschatological expectation. We anticipate the fulfillment of all things, every promise, and every prophecy, in the appearing of our Savior, who is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. Many years ago (37!) my wife and I heard Dr. Eric Alexander preach at the Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology (1980). His message was titled, “Glorification: Attaining the Goal.” [2] I have a vivid memory of him preaching this sermon on Romans 8, and in the middle of it (23:39) describing from verse 19 the entire creation in eager anticipation of the coming redemption. “It’s the picture of a man standing on tiptoe.”

I preached on the five words, “we look for the Saviour,” on 21 APR 2013 as Part Fourteen in the series, Five Words You Must Understand.

(1)  This is a Corporate Look!  This is not a lonely look.  WE look for the Savior!
(2)  This is a Hopeful Look!  This is not a hopeless look.  We EAGERLY AWAIT the return of the Savior!
(3)  This is a Personal Look!  This is not an impersonal look.  We look for THE SAVIOR!

(1)  This is a Corporate Look!  This is not a lonely look.  WE look for the Savior!

You are not alone or isolated in this activity of looking for the Savior.  This is not something that sets you apart as an individual believer.  You are part of His Bride, the Body of Christ!  Every member of the Body does this.  This is a corporate look!  We do this together.  We are united with all other believers in this activity.  This is something that all of God's people unite in doing.  This is what defines us as the Bride of Christ!  This is what distinguishes us from the world! 

This look is not unique to you.  It did not and does not begin and end with you.  In this activity of looking for the Savior you stand in a long line believers throughout all ages who have gone before you.

Jn. 12:20-21 - 20 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: 21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.

(2)  This is a Hopeful Look!  This is not a hopeless look.  We EAGERLY AWAIT the return of the Savior!

In the verse where these five words set they constitute a clause which is part of the sentence.  However, these five words by themselves may be expressed as a complete sentence.  You will notice that the verb in this clause has been translated fairly consistently in modern versions of the Bible as “eagerly wait” or “eagerly await.”  They are doing this, i.e., using two English words to render one word in the original language, in an attempt to communicate something of the force of this compounded verb.  Two prepositions are prefixed to this verb, and one of them is a duplication of a preposition already present in the full clause in the sentence. What all of this grammatical information does for us is to alert us to the emphasis that is inherent in this word, the force that is implicit in this verb. When we are aware of this we can appreciate what the translators are striving to bring out.  This verb is the emphatic portion of this expression, “We look for the Savior.”

Gal. 5:5 - For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

Another “3:20”!!! 1 Pet. 3:20 - 18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

Most usages in one chapter!!! Rom. 8:19, 23, 25 - 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

The two most closely related usages to Phil. 3:20 in the New Testament are:

1 Co. 1:7 - So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:  (cp. 1:1-9)

Heb. 9:28 - So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

The same root word with a different prepositional prefix is found in Tit. 2:11-14 - 11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

This is not “Waiting for Godot”! 

Waiting for Godot...is an absurdist play by Samuel Beckett, in which two characters, Vladimir and Estragon, wait endlessly and in vain for the arrival of someone named Godot. Godot's absence, as well as numerous other aspects of the play, have led to many different interpretations since the play's premiere. It was voted “the most significant English language play of the 20th century”. Waiting for Godot is Beckett's translation of his own original French version, En attendant Godot, and is subtitled (in English only) “a tragicomedy in two acts”.”

Waiting for Godot follows a pair of men who divert themselves while waiting expectantly, vainly for someone named Godot to arrive. They claim he's an acquaintance but in fact hardly know him, admitting that they would not recognize him when they do see him. To occupy the time they eat, sleep, converse, argue, sing, play games, exercise, swap hats, and contemplate suicide – anything “to hold the terrible silence at bay”.” [3]

Becket wrote in his introduction:

I don't know who Godot is. I don't even know (above all don't know) if he exists. And I don't know if they believe in him or not – those two who are waiting for him.” [4]

This play has been often performed since it first appeared in 1952 in various languages and countries, on stage, in several prisons, on television, and in film.  Performances continue this year.  In the United States it has been performed at the Coconut Grove Playhouse (Coconut Grove, FL: 1956), the John Golden Theater (New York, 1956), at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (Brooklyn, NY: 1978), Lincoln Center (New York, 1988), and the Roudabout Theater (New York, 2009).

We are not Becket's characters Vladimir and Estragon, and we are not “waiting for Godot”!  We are not vainly waiting for someone who does not arrive, and there is no “terrible silence” for us to hold “at bay”.  I say again, we are not “waiting for Godot”!  Let the rest of the world in its unbelief continue to despair in the face of silence concerning its expectation of someone they do not know who never arrives.  We look for the Savior!

You are not doubting or despairing in this activity of looking for the Savior.  He is coming, and He is coming soon, just as He said He would.  We can't wait, but we must wait, and so we eagerly wait!  Our waiting moments are moments filled with anticipation.  We who wait for the Savior must live life on tiptoe!  His call, the sound of the trumpet, the voice of the archangel, any moment!  Houston, we have a launch!  Off we go! 

This is not like waiting for class to be dismissed, or for a bus to come, or a red light to change.  This is an anticipation that embraces the entirety of our being, our thinking, our believing, and our living.

What will He find you doing when He comes?  What would you prefer?  The phrase that precedes this one should make clear to us how this looking works out in our living.  Our conversation is in heaven.  So long as whatever you are engaged in involves eagerly anticipating His coming from heaven for you it is consistent with the fact spelled out here that our manner of life must be heavenly.  When we walk on this earth as citizens of heaven, when we live here and move through this life as strangers and pilgrims, then our lives will be lives of looking for the Savior, of eagerly waiting for His soon return.

(3)  This is a Personal Look!  This is not an impersonal look.  We look for THE SAVIOR!

You are not staring into space, hoping for something vague and intangible.  We look for a Person, the greatest Person who ever walked this earth.  We look for the Savior, the Savior who is the Son of God who came here from glory to seek and to save that which was lost.  We look for the One who finished His Work, and then returned to glory to prepare a place for us.  The entire focus of our eschatological attention, the totality of our hope for the future, centers on Him, on the Lord Jesus Christ.  The last phrase of the sentence that these five words sets in defines the identity of our Savior.  He is the Lord Jesus Christ!  He is both Savior and Lord!  He is the Messiah, the Anointed One, the Christ, and Immanuel, Jesus, the salvation of God personified!

How would you answer the following questions?

What is it with you Christians?  We look for the Saviour!
What makes you Christians so different?  We look for the Saviour!
What “drives you” Christians?  We look for the Saviour!
What “turns you on” as a Christian?  We look for the Saviour!
What “floats your boat” as a Christian?  We look for the Saviour!
What is Christianity all about?  We look for the Saviour!
What does it mean to be a Christian?  We look for the Saviour!

1 Th. 1:10 - And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.  (cp. 1:6-10)

2 Pet. 3:11–14 - 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

2 Tim. 4:8 - Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.  (cp. 4:7)

This does not make us cloud-gazers:
Acts 1:11 — Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

This does make us Gospel-livers:
Phil. 1:27 — Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

2. The Great Change (3:21)

Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

1) Transformation: What is He going to do? Who shall change our vile body
2) Glorification: Why is He going to do this? that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body
3) Subjugation: How is He going to do this? according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself

1) Transformation: What is He going to do? Who shall change our vile body

Why are we looking for Him?

How are we to understand the vileness of our bodies?

What is “vile” about our bodies?

Notice how modern translations opt for words like “lowly” (NKJV, ESV, NIV) or “humble” (NASB, HCSB) here.
YLT: the body of our humiliation
The NLT employs two adjectives to bring out the force of this word as the translators’ understood ifthe weak mortal bodies

However, when contrasted with “glorious” in the next clause what translators must deal with are antonyms for that word, the opposite of “glorious,” i.e., “inglorious.” Included in such a list would be words like: horrible, ugly, dark, awful, contemptible, disgraceful, shameful, miserable, horrid, despicable, embarrassing, dishonorable, pathetic, unworthy, tawdry, squalid, sinful, unholy, loathsome, earthly, fallen, evil, cursed, wretched, etc. (for just two dozen examples!).

Dictionary definitions for the adjective “vile” include: of little value, held in little esteem, worthless, poor (James 2:2); morally base or impure, depraved, wicked, abject, villainous; etc.

The word is only used two other times in the King James translation in the New Testament, and each time it is for a different Greek word. Though this obscures these differences in the original language, the other two usages do give the sense of this word in the history of the English language.

Rom. 1:26 — For this cause God gave them up unto vile [5] affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

Jas. 2:2 — For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile [6] raiment;

There are four examples of this word group in Philippians, three besides the one in our verse:

2:3 — Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

2:8 — And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

4:12 — I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

This particular word from this word group is only found in the New Testament in:

Lk. 1:48 — For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

Ac. 8:33 — In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.

Jas. 1:10 — But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.

Perhaps the most important thing to understand about why our present body is “vile” is something that Paul wrote elsewhere:

1 Cor. 15:54 — So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

When we look back from glory, when we really understand the full and final effect of the resurrection, we will have absolutely no problem whatsoever using the adjective “vile” to describe this body. The other translations are not wrong, and the words that they opted for are definitely to be found in lists of antonyms for “glorious.” However, there is something to be said for the force of “vile.”

2) Glorification: Why is He going to do this? that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body

What is the nature of this change?

The structure of this verse calls on us to contrast “vile” and “glorious.”

Like Him!

Rom. 8:29 — For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Col. 3:4 — When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

1 Jn. 3:2 — Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

3) Subjugation: How is He going to do this? according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself

The basis for He will do to us lies in His absolute power and absolute sovereignty.

What working?

Eph. 1:17-23 — 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Phil. 3:10 — That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

What is meant by His subduing everything to Himself?

1 Cor. 15:28 — And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.


Source: Eddie Eddings, “Headed for Glory” (18 MAY 2017), on Calvinistic Cartoons at http://calvinisticcartoons.blogspot.com/2017/05/headed-for-glory.html [accessed 16 DEC 2018].
“This is an amalgam quote from “A Quest for More: Living for Something Bigger Than You” from Ch 1 pgs 17 &18 by Paul Tripp.” — Jamie, comment on Calvinistic Cartoons.

Conclusion:

1 I must needs go home by the way of the cross,
There's no other way but this;
I shall ne'er get sight of the gates of light,
If the way of the cross I miss.

Chorus:
The way of the cross leads home, (leads home,)
The way of the cross leads home; (leads home;)
It is sweet to know as I onward go,
The way of cross leads home.

2 I must needs go on in the blood sprinkled way,
The path that the Savior trod,
If I ever climb to the heights sublime,
Where the soul is at home with God. [Chorus]

3 Then I bid farewell to the way of the world,
To walk in it nevermore,
For the Lord says, “Come,” and I seek my home
Where He waits at the open door. [Chorus] [7]

[Sermon preached 11 JUN 2017 by Pastor John T. “Jack” Jeffery at Wayside Gospel Chapel, Greentown, PA.]

Hymn Suggestions:

Lead On, O King Eternal

May the Mind of Christ, My Saviour

Take My Life and Let it Be

The Way of the Cross Leads Home

Follow on

Follow, I Will Follow Thee

Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken

Jesus Calls Us, o'er the Tumult

Where He Leads I'll Follow

Art Thou Weary, Art Thou Troubled?

We Would See Jesus

When We See Christ

Complete Outline:

I. The Same Rule, The Same Mind (3:15-16)

1. The Mind of the Mature (3:15)

1) The Challenge Introduced — Let us therefore

2) The Challenge Qualified — as many as be perfect

3) The Challenge Specified — be thus minded

4) A Consideration of Possible Exceptions — and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded

5) The Cure for Possible Exceptions — God shall reveal even this unto you

2. The Union of our Walk (3:16)

1) Different Levels of Maturity — Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained

2) One Rule — let us walk by the same rule

3) The Same Mind — let us mind the same thing

II. Following and Marking (3:17-19)

1. Followers of Gospel Loyalists (3:17)

1) Followers — Brethren, be followers together of me

2) Markers — and mark them which walk

3) Exemplars — so as ye have us for an ensample

2. The Reality of Gospel Enemies (3:18)

1) The Sad Seriousess of this Reality — (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping

2) The Supernatural Substance of this Reality — that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ

3. The Marks of Gospel Enemies (3:19)

1) The End of Gospel Enemies — Whose end is destruction

2) The God of Gospel Enemies — whose God is their belly

3) The Glory of Gospel Enemies — and whose glory is in their shame

4) The Mind of Gospel Enemies — who mind earthly things

III. The Heavenly Conversation and the Great Change (3:20-21)

1. Our Heavenly Conversation (3:20)

1) Identification: For our conversation is in heaven

2) Expectation: from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ

(1)  This is a Corporate Look!  This is not a lonely look. 
WE look for the Savior!

(2)  This is a Hopeful Look!  This is not a hopeless look. 
We EAGERLY AWAIT the return of the Savior!

(3)  This is a Personal Look!  This is not an impersonal look. 
We look for THE SAVIOR!

2. The Great Change (3:21)

1) Transformation: What is He going to do? Who shall change our vile body

2) Glorification: Why is He going to do this? that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body

3) Subjugation: How is He going to do this? according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself


End notes:

[1] See sermon notes from 21 APR 2013, Sermon Series:  Five Words You Must Understand, Part Fourteen:  Philippians 3:20, We look for the Saviour [“Jesus Christ is coming again.”].

[2] MP3 available from the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals at http://www.reformedresources.org/pcrt-1980/ [accessed 10 JUN 2017].

[3] “Waiting for Godot” on Wikipedia at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waiting_for_Godot [accessed 21 APR 2013].

[4] Ibid.

[5] Different word in the Koine. Strong’s #819, atimia.

[6] Different word in the Koine. Strong’s #4508, rhuparos.

[7] Jessie Brown Pounds (1906); on Hymnary at http://hymnary.org/text/i_must_needs_go_home_by_the_way_of_the_c [accessed 13 MAY 2017].

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