Verse of the Day

Sunday, December 16, 2018

Pastor's Sermon Notes: Philippians (series), Part 21: "The Way of the Cross Leads Home" (Phil. 3:15-21), Part 1 (3:15-16), "The Same Rule, The Same Mind"


Sermon Series: Philippians, Part 21
Philippians 3:15-21
The Way of the Cross Leads Home,
Part 1 (3:15–16), The Same Rule, The Same Mind


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

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)

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

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.

1. The Mind of the Mature (3:15)
2. The Union of our Walk (3:16)

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

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.

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

1) The Challenge Introduced — Let us therefore

There is a distinct shift in this passage of Scripture in the subjects of the verbs and the pronouns,  from the 3rd person plural in verse 3, to the 1st person singular throughout verses 4-14, and now back to the 3rd person plural again in verses 15-21.

2) The Challenge Qualified — as many as be perfect

“Perfect” — Doesn’t verse 15 seem to contradict verse 12, or is the beginning of verse 15 “tongue-in-cheek”? [1]

Mt. 5:48 — Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

1 Cor. 2:6 — Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

3) The Challenge Specified — be thus minded

What does the “thus” point back to?

“thus minded” vs. “otherwise minded”

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

Gal. 5:10 — I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.

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

Jn. 6:45 — It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

Jn. 7:17 — If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

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.

I Th. 4:9 — But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.

Hos. 6:3 — Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.

And He will!!!

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

Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

As noted in the margin of the New King James Version, [2] there is a textual issue in this verse that underlies the differences in the translations. This is another case where there is a very clear difference in the conclusions from the evidence between the editors fo the Byzantine and Majority texts, and the modern critics’ eclectic text found in the Nestle-Aland and United Bible Society editions that is the basis for most modern translations. [3]

Notice, however, that the NASB supplies the word “standard” in italics in their English translation of this verse: “however, let us keep aliving by that same standard to which we have attained.” [4]

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

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

Our progress in spiritual maturity is a very unique individual factor that varies from believer to believer like a spiritual fingerprint. However, in this context Paul is indicating that these personal differences in the experience of sanctification do not alter the unified applicability of what he is confronting the Philippian believers with.

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

Gal. 6:14-16 —14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. 15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. 16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

2 Cor. 10:12-18 — 12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. 13 But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you. 14 For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ: 15 Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men's labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly, 16 To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand. 17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 18 For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.

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

“thus minded” (3:15)

“otherwise minded” (3:15)

“same minded”?

Rom. 12:16 — Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

Rom. 15:15 — Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God,

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] [5]

[Sermon preached 14 MAY 2017 by Pastor John T. “Jack” Jeffery at Wayside Gospel Chapel, Greentown, PA.]



End notes:

[1] “The adjective perfect comes from the same root as the verb perfected in v. 12; Paul may well be employing a wordplay to draw in his opponents. Thus, perfect would then be in quotation marks and Paul would then argue that no one – neither they nor he – is in fact perfect. The thrust of vv. 1-16 is that human credentials can produce nothing that is pleasing to God (vv. 1-8). Instead of relying on such, Paul urges his readers to trust God for their righteousness (v. 9) rather than their own efforts, and at the same time to press on for the prize that awaits them (vv. 12-14). He argues further that perfection is unattainable in this life (v. 15), yet the level of maturity that one has reached should not for this reason be abandoned (v. 16).”
— “NET Notes” #23, on Lumina at https://lumina.bible.org/bible/Philippians+3 [accessed 13 MAY 2017].

[2] “NU omits rule and the rest of v. 16.”The New King James Version. (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982).

[3] Two examples of the reasonings and conclusions of modern textual critics who are supporters of the eclectic text: 

“The manuscript evidence overwhelmingly supports the WH NU reading, having witness from the papyri and א* A B I 33 1739 cop. Both variants are scribal expansions intended to elucidate the meaning of τω αυτω στοιχειν. Quite literally, this expression means “to keep step with the same”—as in military marching. In context it means that Christians should keep following those things that effectively work in their lives to promote spiritual transformation. The addition of κανονι (“rule”) in the first variant comes from Gal 6:16, where Paul encouraged the believers “to keep in line with the rule (principle)” that in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything—but a new creation.”
— P. W. Comfort, New Testament Text and Translation Commentary: Commentary on the Variant Readings of the Ancient New Testament Manuscripts and How They Relate to the Major English Translations (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House, 2008), pg. 614.

Although κανόνι (kanoni, “standard, rule”) is found in most witnesses, though in various locations in this verse (א D Ψ 075 Ï), it is almost surely a motivated reading, for it clarifies the cryptic τῷ αὐτῷ (tw autw, “the same”). Both the fact that the word floats, and that there are other variants which accomplish greater clarity by other means, strongly suggests the secondary nature of any of the longer readings here. Further, the shortest text has excellent and early support in Ì א* A B I 6 33 1739 co, rendering it decidedly the preferred reading. The translation adds “standard” because of English requirements, not because of textual basis.”
— “NET Notes,” Note 25 at https://lumina.bible.org/bible/Philippians+3  [accessed 13 MAY 2017].

[4] New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Php 3:16). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[5] 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].

No comments: