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A Few Good Men, Philippians 2:19-30, Pt.2

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On Sunday we worked through what is anticipated to be the second of three engagements with Philippians 2:19-30, giving our attention this week primarily to verses twenty-two through twenty-six.

“Therefore I hope to send [Timothy] immediately, as soon as I evaluate my own circumstances, and I am confident in the Lord that I myself also will be coming shortly. But I regarded it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need; because he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick.” Philippians 2:22-26 LSB

After introducing the second portion’s major character, Epaphroditus, we worked to demonstrate how this passage, as a whole, fits within the book. And to help frame this, we briefly refreshed ourselves on the book’s major themes, giving special attention to the top three: joy, unity, thinking/mind… themes that coalesce in the heart of the letter (2:1-11).

But we were also reminded that this is a gospel-intensive book, and that within the larger scope of the New Testament, it has some of the densest or most concentrated engagements with the gospel, notably its progress and working within the church. And this can be most plainly observed in chapter one… but it informs the whole of the book. So much so that we should perhaps revise how we view our singular titles for each chapter.

So, whereas I titled chapter one: Progress, it could be viewed as “Gospel Progress.” Chapter two, Examples, would be “Gospel Examples.” Chapter Three, Resurrection, would be something to the effect of “Gospel Power.” And Chapter Four, Fellowship, would be “Gospel Fellowship.”

With these gospel focused modifications in view, we saw more plainly why it was that Paul seemingly paused to give personal updates for his plans to send Timothy, plans to come himself, and the rationale for already having sent back Epaphroditus. 

These men were fleshing out personal examples of what was perfectly exemplified by Christ, namely that of having a humble others-oriented view, of concerning themselves with the interests of Christ over the interests of self, and of exemplifying the gospel through their lives.

So… again, we have seen in chapter one, “Gospel Progress,” a section that gave way to chapter two, “Gospel Examples,” a section which opens with the heart of the letter and the exemplary example of Christ (2:1-11); followed by a call to work hard in these matters (2:12-13); then a view to being governed by The Day of Christ and with this, sacrificial service (2:14-18); and then finishes with these three “Gospel Examples” of Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus (2:19-30).

We also recognized that examining “Gospel Examples” carries with it a measure of weightiness to it… not to the exclusion of joy but in concert with joy. Even so, there are burdens that are brought more plainly to light in such engagements… namely righteous burdens that naturally accompany the care of Christ’s Church. Righteous burdens that all believers bear in their love for one another but that in some measure pastors carry a bit more by the nature of their charge to shepherd the flock.

This additional burden carried by pastors could perhaps be expressed with a question they would be wise to challenge themselves with considering, namely: “Does it work?”

“Does what I labor and struggle to see, hear, understand, put to action, apply, and declare to others from the Scriptures work?” And as we have seen, “Gospel Examples” make clear that yes, yes it does work. It works when we heed the gospel charge to live and walk with a humble, others-oriented joyful unity of mind in The Lord.

A work that the whole body engages in – not just the leadership and not just those who are aside for special works of service… but the whole of the body, just as we observed in this precise moment in which Paul, Timothy, Epaphroditus, and the Philippians were all working in loving deference to one another.

Now, with all such matters in view, we returned to our engagement with Paul’s plans to dispatch Timothy. And having already worked through verse twenty-one, we picked back up with verse twenty-two where Paul esteems his faithful friend and co-laborer.

“But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father.” Philippians 2:22 LSB

Timothy was a man of proven worth, who, like Paul, carried a righteous burden of care for the church; therefore, Timothy was more like a son than an apprentice and more like a son that a protégé. He was like a young man watching and working with his father… learning his craf and honing his skills… but even more than this, he was cultivating a humble, others-oriented heart prepared to spend itself fully in gospel service.

And this reputation held true throughout Timothy’s life: “But you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, persecutions, and sufferings….” 2 Timothy 3:10-11 LSB

Timothy was not just a good man, he was a gospel man, and therefore a gospel example, which is why Paul went on to express his strong expectations to send him to Philippi soon, even before his own anticipated arrival. “Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I evaluate my own circumstances, and I am confident in the Lord that I myself also will be coming shortly.” Philippians 2:23-24 LSB

Now, while not a matter of tremendous attention, it was nevertheless interesting to note that while Paul had a very clear desire and expectation to send Timothy soon – this decision was in some measure contingent on evaluating his own circumstances. Paul was plainly not governed by superficial matters, but he was aware of present realities and expectations and knew that even good decisions are best made when submitted to a wise valuation of present and projected circumstances.

From these anticipated plans, we transitioned to the executed plans, which not only presented a shift in persons but also tone. Paul transitioned from: “I hope to send Timothy” (2:19), “I hope to send Timothy” (2:23) and “I am confident I will be coming” (2:24), to “I regarded it necessary to send Epaphroditus” (2:25).

And while this may appear peculiar at first… namely the urgency of necessity to send a good man home, it was actually a beautiful expression of a concert of persons having a humble, others-oriented love for one another. 

This was a “gospel example” of the church operating in the righteous shadow of the heart of this letter (2:1-11), and this in the common experiences that accompany our natural lives, thereby demonstrating that what we labor and struggle to see, hear, understand, put to action, apply, and declare to others from the Scriptures works. It really works.

And here we observed that Paul sent back Epaphroditus not just with his blessing but with a unique measure of commendation – one unlike any other person received in the New Testament. Paul provided an intensive clustering of esteemed affirmations of title and service for Epaphroditus – three of which were in relation to him and two in relation to the Philippians.

In relation to Paul, Epaphroditus was a brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier.

In relation to the Philippians, Epaphroditus was their messenger and minister.

Brother: An affectionate expression of familial identity shared by those who are believers in Christ. A redeemed child of God is one’s fellow brother or sister in The Lord, and as such they are beloved.

Fellow Worker: One who was a co-laborer in the work of applying their strength, time, and resources to the strengthening of The Church and advancement of the gospel. They were those who were known for faithfully engaging in sacrificial service.

Fellow Soldier: One who was singular in their devotion – having an awareness that there are things worthy of giving oneself for and as such are worthy of risking personal loss and comforts for too.

Messenger/Apostle: One who was specially commissioned as an authoritative representative to speak and work on behalf of another – notably one sent out by a local church for special missional work. To send out a messenger/apostle was often to dispatch one of your very best so as to extend one’s reach, service, and influence beyond where the corporate body or others could themselves go.

Minister: One who was committed to a given work of service – often ranging in application from civic services to those exercising priestly services. Here the application is more plainly with a view to priestly services as Epaphroditus participated in the sacrificial service of the Philippians (2:17) and was the one entrusted with delivering their offering to God in service to Paul (4:18).

Epaphroditus was a remarkable and highly honored man who, in Paul’s judgment, needed to go home even at the expense of his continued value in Rome. This, “…because he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick.” Philippians 2:26 LSB

Like Paul (1:8), Epaphroditus longed for the Philippians – he desired not only their presence but their best as he exemplified a humble, others-oriented affection for them.

Epaphroditus was also distressed because word of his severe illness had gotten back to Philippi. Therefore, he was not simply homesick, but mindful of the righteous burden of concern that the church carried for him – a matter he would have urgently wanted to see relieved.

So, while it may appear that this portion of the letter was just one filling in details about present and forthcoming plans for various ministers traveling from Rome to Philippi. it was something quite more. It was a demonstration of the gospel at work and a range of persons striving to outdo one another in showing love for one another. It was an example of sacrificial love exercised in wisdom for the greatest benefit for all persons involved: Paul, Timothy, Epaphroditus, and the Philippians.

Grace and Peace,

David B. Crowe

 For access to the full message please click HERE.

A Few Good Men, Philippians 2:19-30, Pt.1

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“But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be in good spirits when I learn of your circumstances. For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned about your circumstances. For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father. Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I evaluate my own circumstances, and I am confident in the Lord that I myself also will be coming shortly.” Philippians 2:19-24

Sunday we began our engagement with Philippians 2:19-30, a passage that I titled “A Few Good Men.” However, we limited the scope of our attention to the passage’s first half, verses nineteen through twenty-four, which focuses on the anticipated dispatching of Timothy to Philippi. A portion of the text that if it stood alone I would have titled, “A Poured Out Protégé” as Timothy exemplified the heart and sacrificial service of his mentor, Paul, who was himself being poured out as a drink offering upon the Philippians’ own sacrificial service to The Lord. 

In introducing Timothy’s unique service to Paul and the Philippians we looked back to the introduction of the letter where Paul effectively extends a shared crediting of the letter to Timothy. An act of humility and affirmation he extends to him and others in various letters. Even so, I pressed here that I am persuaded that Paul was helping the Philippians appreciate that to read the words of Paul in this letter was also to hear the heart of Timothy. Because… as we read in verse twenty, Timothy was a kindred spirit to Paul, notably in his pastoral burden for the joy and progress of the Philippians.

And it was this pastoral burden and affection that so clearly established the tone of this letter… elements that operated in concert not to foster a morose shadow over Paul’s words, but an affectionate and sacrificial joy. Matters that we took time to develop by way of refreshing our attention on various passages earlier in the letter. Passages that we appreciated when working through them but that are heard even more clearly as one progresses through the letter hearing, understanding, and even feeling their cumulative impact as truths build upon and engage with one another. 

And all of these relational elements and expectations were coming to bear on Paul’s anticipated and executed plans. Such was why he wanted so badly to come soon but would first send Timothy, and this, after Epaphroditus had first been dispatched with this letter in hand. 

Again, all such matters inform how we hear the weight behind these decisions, notably the urgency to send his dearest friend and ministry companion, because no one else shared his profound pastoral burden for the Philippians. “For I have no one else, other than Timothy, of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned about your circumstances.”

Now, here we noted how the plans were expressed, with a hopeful confidence  in The Lord, “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly….” A hope that was grounded in reasonable expectations and a proper submission to God’s good pleasure to the directing of His sovereign care for all involved. This was effectively Paul’s way of stating, “God willing.”

But in view of these plans we proposed the question of why? Why was Paul so motivated to see Timothy be dispatched from Rome to Philippi and then back again? A decision that would have come at no small cost to himself, Timothy, and others. And this in view of Epaphroditus having already arrived and Paul’s own plans to be there soon himself.

Well, this is a question that has a clear answer: Paul desired to be encouraged by a good report of their progress and joy in the faith. An answer that I found to be quite intriguing in view of not only the costs/demands of sending his dearest friend and ministry companion… but sending him for his own comfort. And this immediately after expressing that he was being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial service of their faith – an experience in which he reported to find tremendous and overflowing joy. 

Now, such observations may press one to ask whether or not Paul’s joy in service was not enough? That is, was his joy in service not enough so as to need such a measure of personal encouragement? But such a line of inquiry fails to take a range of matters into consideration – not least of them being that we are complex persons and that joy does not diminish the value of being encouraged by the good reports of another’s welfare. So, yes, he was rich in overflowing joy… but in his great and even burdensome affectionate care for this beloved church he wanted to hear of their own progress, their own joy, and likely their favorable response to his exhortations and commands from the Lord for them.

Further, this is a reciprocating encouragement as he stated, “…so that I also may be in good spirits….” Just as there was an expectation, even a command, for reciprocating joy so also there was an expectant hope for a reciprocating encouragement. Paul had and continued to pour himself out in service to the Philippians… therefore it is most natural that he would find encouragement in hearing of their continued progress and joy. All of which was another plain expression of his righteous affection for them.

But from this refreshing expression of expectation for reciprocating encouragement comes perhaps the lowest and hardest portion of the whole letter, the necessity to send Timothy. A necessity not rooted in the need for his unique skillsets or gifting… but because he alone shared the weight of righteous affection for this beloved church. Therefore he had no choice but to send Timothy because as he so plainly stated: “For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned about your circumstances. For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.”

I wonder how long Paul dwelled on those words as he wrote them. “I have no else. I have no one other than Timothy that I can send to you… because they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.”

Again, perhaps the most painful words in this book… especially coming from a man who loved so generously and who gave himself so completely. 

But here we need not overlook that there was also a kind light shining through this dark moment. Paul had Timothy. A man who was a kindred spirit, of like mind, of like soul with himself… and in such who also had a heart rich in righteous affection for the Philippians. Therefore he could speak directly to the matter at hand and look beyond it to the hopeful expectation of him bringing back a report that will encourage him even as he anticipates to soon join them himself.

Now… we took some time here to speak to the nature of the weight of affection that Paul and Timothy shared for the Philippians. A weight of affection that is expressed by way of a term that is translated here as “concern” but as “anxiety” later in the book reminding us of the scope of application for such strong feelings. A scope that when applied with a humble others-oriented view is expressed as a righteous concern or burden carrying love… but when fixed on self and governed by fear is a prohibited anxiety.

And to this some may say: ‘Well… I sufficiently care for the church…but need I be burdened for its care, progress, and joy?’

Yes, because this is not simply caring about your community… it is caring about your family. And, as we were reminded, we cannot work our way through the heart of this letter (2:1-11) and then just walk away content with a generic affection for Christ’s bride.

So whereas concerns can be morbid when they drift to fear-governing anxiety so also can they be made morbid when they are but a diluted curiosity of someone’s general welfare. We have been called to more. We have been called to a sincere and affectionate others-oriented interest in one another’s welfare in Christ. And the moment we subscribe to less we have joined that broad company of persons that swept through Paul’s mind as he penned those most painful sentences, “For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned about your circumstances. For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.”

Here Warren Wiersbe gave a provoking statement, “In a very real sense, all of us live either in Philippians 1:21 or Philippians 2:21!” 

I think he has a valid point for consideration and I am sure he would agree in this matter that there is likely a spectrum between these two verses as few are so completely selfish or so completely submitted to Christ but his point is well taken and we need not find some artificial consolation on being more one than the other because the objective of having a humble others-oriented joyful unity of mind in the Lord does not console itself with not being as selfish as one could be… but being as Christ-like as possible.

Finally, in view of our engagement with these first few verses of our text I exhorted the church to consider two questions for personal reflection and self-examination.

  1. Is the progress and joy of others something that weighs on my heart and does it invigorate my joy? 
  1. Might I be found fit for sacrificial service when the need or opportunity arises, or am I too consumed with matters of my own concern? 

May we all have the grace to examine our hearts honestly and in turn eagerly seek to be among the few and faithful co-laborers ready to be dispatched to invigorate joy and forfeit ourselves in lives poured out in sacrificial service to The Lord and His Church.

Grace and Peace,

David B. Crowe

For access to the full message please click HERE.

A Call to Righteous Boasting & Shared Joy, Philippians 2:14-18

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“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, so that you will be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to boast because I did not run in vain nor labor in vain. But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. And you also, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.” Philippians 2:14-18 LSB

On the final Sunday of 2023 we continued our studies in Philippians with our third and final engagement in chapter two, verses fourteen through eighteen, giving special attention to the passage’s final commands to rejoice and share our joy. Commands that are a contrasting complement to the passage’s opening command to not grumble or dispute (offenses that are wholly antithetical to rejoicing in sacrificial service to Christ).

Now, while giving our attention to this final portion of the text and its commands to rejoice and share joy amidst our sacrificial service to Christ we reviewed what preceded it: the opening command, its build out, and The Day of Christ.

First we noted that the command to do all things without grumbling or disputing is very clear in its scope. All things means all things. A simple concept but one that we commonly struggle to apply – hoping for and/or chasing after exceptions. And whether or not such exceptions may be found – their pursuit is the wrong application of our efforts. And this interest in exceptions usually reflects our failed appreciation of just how ugly these offenses truly are before God and man. 

Therefore we reviewed working definitions of grumbling and disputing and what such conduct expresses of our theology.

For our definitions we chose to use John MacArthur’s explanations as they provided a good representation of how many others have expressed these terms and what can be observed of them in the Scriptures.

Grumbling: “It is a negative response to something unpleasant, inconvenient, or disappointing, arising from the self-centered notion that it is undeserved.”

Disputing: “It has the basic meaning of inner reasoning…. But it soon developed the more specific ideas of questioning, doubting, or disputing the truth of a matter.” 

When seeing these matters for what they are it is curious that we so often pursue exceptions to give ourselves an allowance to preserve and exercise them in our day to day lives. Especially when we consider what such conduct expresses of our Theology too. Namely, that grumbling and disputing, by their very nature, represent and express a failure to recognize that God is good, that God is just, that God is sovereign, and that God is working out His plans, which, by design, use a diversity of persons and avail themselves of the suffering and disappointments that accompany this life.

So, it is peculiar when we have to admit to ourselves and one another that even when seeing these offenses for what they are… it is still hard to forsake them. Indeed, it is hard work to walk in the obedience that God has called us to in this life which is why it is good to also remember what immediately preceded this passage. 

“So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13

Here we observed that we were not only commanded to work out our salvation with fear and trembling but were reminded that it is God who is at work in us both willing and working for His good pleasure. Therefore while we work hard in all areas of sanctification, including the mortification of those offenses that so tenaciously cling to our hearts, we are encouraged that God has provided both the desire and means to obey.

Next we refreshed our attention to the fact that while challenging… when we do these things well we show ourselves to be: “…blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom [we] shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life….”

And with this we recalled that the language here was a reflection of Paul beautifully inverting Moses’ prophetic rebuke of Israel who was notorious for their grumbling and disputing. And in both this inversion of Moses’ rebuke and the incorporation of Daniel’s final prophetic message Paul drew out the nature and character of the children of God who shine as lights while negotiating a dark and unbelieving world. A people who persevere in their holding fast the word of life and who are winsomely evangelistic in their holding forth the word of life. All of which provided Paul confidence that he will have reason for boasting or grounds for eruptions of joyful and worshipful pride in The Day of Christ.

The Day of Christ that not only centered this passage’s commands but also the totality of Paul’s life and the joy that accompanied his sacrificial service to Christ. 

The Day of Christ being that moment in history in which Christ gloriously returns and takes His people to Himself and then goes on to righteously evaluate and reward them. 

A day that, when kept in view, strips away a desire for finding exceptions to the prohibitions against grumbling and disputing and that is rich in a rejoicing that is eager to be shared.

So, it is with a view to The Day of Christ that Paul frames and then expresses both his sacrificial service and his final commands of joy in this passage.

“But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. And you also, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.” Philippians 2:17-18 LSB

Now, we noted here that, while Paul employs the language of sacrifice in other places, references to drink offerings are quite limited – only appearing twice in the New Testament. The second reference is also by Paul and once more expresses the image of being poured out or being fully spent. However, the second reference comes at the end of his life and is explicitly an image of his final pouring of himself out… the season in which the man who died daily would soon die.

Here, however, the image is that of his complimentary accompaniment of the Philippians’ own sacrificial service, albeit by way of a full and final pouring out of himself in service to Christ. He expresses this by way of a first class conditional clause: “But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith… and I am….”

Paul was expressing that he was being fully spent in sacrificial service… but by the nature of the language and the role of a drink offering, this was not an act of solitary service but service in concert with the Philippians. Therefore Paul’s spending of himself was a shared work among faithful gospel co-laborers.

This was the language of complementary service being executed among mutually sacrificing friends. The Philippians were not bystanders to Paul’s work but were themselves commended for their sacrificial service of which Paul himself comes alongside with the giving of himself as an accompanying offering to their own offering. And in this he found tremendous joy! So much joy that he wished to see it spilled over to others and he then in turn directs them to like action too. “And you also, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.”

Therefore, while Paul gave of himself we need not overlook that the Philippians sacrificially served Christ too. The Philippians gave of their time, their resources, their people, their prayers, and their strength in service to Christ – all with joy and a view to The Day of Christ.

So, how might we evaluate the sacrificial service of Paul and the Philippians? Here are seven points of action from our passage, Philippians 2:14-18.

  1. Do not grumble or dispute. It not only makes you ugly, but it is dishonoring to God, and it gravely diminishes your usefulness.
  2. Cultivate holiness in your thoughts, speech, and conduct. Be blameless, innocent, and unblemished sacrifices. The Lord is not only worthy of such sacrifices, He expects them.
  3. Let your light shine in this dark world.
  4. Hold fast and hold forth the word of life. There are innumerable people in your sphere of influence and experience that need the hope of the gospel.
  5. Keep The Day of Christ ever before as you run and labor well… never may it be said that we ran or labored in vain.
  6. Spend yourself in service… leave it all on the field as it were… and do not worry about what that will require of you… after all… when it is all said and done you get a new body anyway.
  7. Rejoice… rejoice and share your joy.

Seven points of action that, if framed with a view to The Day of Christ, will prove to be grounds for great boasting as we have not labored nor run in vain.

Grace and Peace,

David B. Crowe

For access to the full message please click HERE.

“The remembrance of the righteous is blessed….” Proverbs 10:7

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On October 6, 2023 I had the weighty privilege of preaching my grandmother’s funeral. She was a faithful woman who died in Christ.

“The remembrance of the righteous is blessed….” Proverbs 10:7

Myrtice Eugene Wheeler, February 22, 1930 – October 3, 2023

An Audio Recording of the Message Is Available Here: Little House of Bread: “The memory of the righteous is a blessing.” Proverbs 10:7

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As many of you know these last two weeks were both unique and challenging… though they also proved to be an extended opportunity for more goodbyes too.

And while there may well be a range of opinions, thoughts, and conclusions about Granny effectively sleeping for some two weeks – what came to mind for me was her often sharing with me that she struggled to sleep well… she often did not have good rest.

And here she was sleeping soundly… and long… and seeing this I would think about Psalm 127 where Solomon wrote, “The Lord gives sleep to His beloved.”

And it reminded me that while life has many struggles… and many trials… the Lord withheld no good thing from Granny….

Now… it is only fitting that we take an opportunity in our time together to remember more than her last two weeks…. 

And in her nine plus decades she secured quite a legacy.

And I would submit that Granny’s legacy affirms some very important things.

Granny’s legacy affirms that: The Scriptures are God’s inspired Words and are therefore powerful and effective. 

Granny’s legacy affirms that: The Gospel is true and works itself out in the full complexities of life.

And Granny’s legacy affirms that: Christ will keep and complete His work in His beloved.

And she was and forever will be in Christ… forever His beloved… and such is why it was fitting to include Proverbs 10:7 in her tribute video that you may have observed during visitation this morning.

Proverbs 10:7, which states, “The remembrance of the righteous is blessed….” 

Or as others have worded it, “The memory of the righteous is a blessing….” (ESV)

And to flesh that out a bit we had a number of statements peppered among the many pictures… statements affirming the blessing of her remembrance.

  • That she was saved by grace.
  • That she feared The Lord.
  • That she modeled faithfulness.
  • That she served through prayer.
  • That she struggled and smiled.
  • That she graciously sacrificed.
  • That she loved The Lord.
  • That she loved her family.
  • That she stayed the course.

And… I know many of you could add more and more to such a list too…. 

And such is the nature of one who experienced not only a long life… but a well lived and faithful life.

But… if I might add one more… a more personal one… I would add that she was a hero to me.

Heroes are hard to come by… but Granny was one of mine.

Now… some persons are better heroes at a distance and it is an unfortunately common experience that if you get close enough to some heroes you realize they are all too regular… too common… and as such will often disappoint you.

But that was not the nature of Granny… she was a hero not because of notoriety but because of proximity.

And many heroes have their stories written…. 

But truthfully she and I both would be more than shocked to hear of anyone ever writing her story… as that was just not the nature of her life or experience….

But her story of influence and impact has been written… it has been written in a like nature as Paul expressed in Second Corinthians two where he states of the Corinthians, “You are our letter, having been written in our hearts, known and read by all men….” (2Cor.3.2)

And so the story of her impact and influence has and continues to be written as it were….

So… why was she a hero?

  • She stayed the course.
  • She was faithful.
  • She helped me and many of you in a range of tangible and intangible ways.
  • She was kind and yet sensible.
  • She prayed for me, my family, the church, and those in need of Christ.
  • And she finished well – she finished in a way that is to be envied… because there was not a charge to be brought against her… only a genuine loss in her being gone.

Now… Granny knew she was my hero. I had the opportunity to share this with her.

But… because we are at a funeral… I want to be clear about this matter of who are heroes….

Not everyone gets to die a hero any more than not everyone should be lauded as a righteous man or woman.

Dying doesn’t make you a hero and it does not artificially impute the identity of being righteous upon you either. 

Granny was a hero of mine because she lived a Psalm One life.

Now… some of you may be curious as to what I mean by a “Psalm One Life” and the best place to make this plain is to look to Psalm One.

“How blessed is the man (or the woman) who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But [their] delight is in the law of Yahweh, and in His law [they] meditate day and night. And [they] will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever [they] do, [they] prosper. The wicked are not so, but they are like chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not rise in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For Yahweh knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.”

A Psalm One man… a Psalm One woman….

And how might I describe such a person….

  • As a righteous person whose memory is a blessing…
  • As one who was saved by grace.
  • As one who feared The Lord.
  • As one who modeled faithfulness.
  • As one who served through prayer.
  • As one who struggled and smiled.
  • As one who graciously sacrificed.
  • As one who loved The Lord.
  • As one who loved their family.
  • As one who stayed the course.

And perhaps also a Philippians One man… or a Philippians One woman.

Now… the association here may not be as direct for some of you… and others may conclude that my relating these matters to Philippians One is a bit contrived as I have been teaching through Philippians since late this summer – so perhaps I am artificially pressing its influence here.

But one of my favorite expressions of pastoral ministry for some time now has been to write Granny a letter almost every Monday of my week. 

And I have to qualify… almost every Monday because sometimes my Monday letters turned into Tuesday or Wednesday letters… and some weeks I had to catch up… but there was a measure of consistency to this work.

And the majority of these letter’s consisted of my walking her through the text of Scripture I had taught that Sunday. 

So… until her long rest these last few weeks Granny has walked with me through almost the entirety of Philippians chapter one… and mom dutifully played her the final two messages that were not shared with her in written form – bringing her to the conclusion of Philippians one with me.

So, with our remaining time I would like to softly highlight how Granny was not only a Psalm One Woman, but also a Philippians One Woman too. 

And while there is much to be said… both of her legacy and from the text… we will only be drawing out a few points of relation and principle as we work our way through the chapter together.

Philippians 1:1-2, “Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Here we can note two identities and a blessing.

Paul and Timothy are referred to as slaves of Christ Jesus and the believers in Philippi as saints in Christ Jesus.

So, we have two identities both rooted in their association to Christ Jesus.

One identity perhaps brings you to a pause as the title of slave or servant is not commonly expressed in our common experiences and could even be considered as having some measure of baggage with it when viewed through recent history… or perhaps even any length of history as men often make terrible masters and lords.

Men and women are often not even especially good at governing each other or serving as employers. 

But this expression of servitude is not with a view to natural man, but to Christ Jesus, The Incarnate Son of God. The One who as Paul later states in chapter two, “…who, although existing in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a slave, by being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God also highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that EVERY TONGUE WILL CONFESS that Jesus Christ is LORD, to the glory of God the Father.”

So… this is no natural Lord or Master… but the humbled and now exalted Son of God who righteously rules and graciously cares for His beloved. 

We could have no better master… no better lord… and Granny knew this and was herself a slave or servant of Christ Jesus who she also knew as her Redeemer – He who delivered her from another form of servitude… namely that of her sin.

And then there is a more welcoming identity, saints. 

But there is perhaps some measure of confusion over this title too… so I want to be clear.

A saint is not a nice, polite, or gracious person… nor are they someone who met some imposed criteria for a canonized status.

A saint is simply a holy person… a person who has been set apart from this world and to God.

Granny was a saint… not for having the patience to raise my dad… but because she submitted to Christ in faith and repentance… and Christ taking on the debt and penalty of her sin applied His righteousness to her (just as we heard in our last song this morning). That great exchange made her a saint….

And then there was the blessing of “Grace and Peace.” 

A well known expression within the New Testament Letters but one that is packed with rich truths….

But for our purposes we can rejoice that Granny knew the grace of God in Christ and therefore also had Peace with God… and in her soul.

She did wrestle with things… and she did carry various burdens… but she wrestled and carried burdens well because under all such trials and difficulties was a foundation of peace.

Philippians 1:3-5, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, because of your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now.”

Paul was able to make such a beautiful statement about this church that he participated in establishing and that walked with him in the fellowship of the gospel from the time of its founding through the time of his writing because of the enduring faithfulness of the Lord and their service to Him.

Granny had walked in faith and faithfulness longer than almost every one of us have been alive… and for a season of her life I had the joy of being one of her pastors. And while I was not with her from the beginning of her walk with Christ I was with her for many of her final years and through the end. And so I can appreciate Paul’s beautiful statement here as I joined her in her fellowship in the gospel and because of her faithful walk could thank my God in all my remembrance of her… always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for her.

Philippians 1:6, “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Christ began a good work in Granny and because it was Christ who began this work it was Christ who saw it through…. 

Any of us with any number of years ourself know that life has challenges… people have weaknesses… and being conformed to Christ is hard.

But… if Christ began His good work in you He will bring it to completion… and now while Granny’s body is with us her spirit is with the Lord. Her work of sanctification is completed and she only awaits The Day of Christ when this body is resurrected, reunited with her spirit, and made fit for eternity in glory.

Philippians 1:7-8, “For it is only right for me to think this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are fellow partakers with me in this grace. For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.”

Here Paul expresses a profound measure of affection for the Philippians and does this while affirming their shared participation in the work of gospel ministry.

And Granny was an invaluable partner with me and many others in gospel ministry… but she did not always recognize such of herself.

I remember a hard conversation I had with her several years ago. I was writing Sunday School curriculum for the book of First Peter and when her class came to chapter four, verses ten and eleven, she was disappointed with herself.

She was disappointed because here Peter speaks of spiritual gifts and services within the church and she felt she had nothing to offer.

Somewhere between the identity of being a pastor and a grandson I reminded her that she had much to offer. 

She brought a testimony to the veracity and power of the gospel at work in the life of every day believers. 

She brought decades of influence, instruction, and help to me and many others. 

She was a living example of Paul’s reminding Timothy of the faith that had been with his grandmother and mother….

I reminded her that in my study I have books that once were on her shelf… resources that she had acquired, worked through, and passed on to me.

I reminded her and continued to remind her that she labored in prayer and that no measure of value could be placed upon such service.

I reminded her that if I bring any value in the service and care of others then it is always with a measure of her influence and help.

So… like Paul I had a great affection for Granny and her participation in gospel service with me.

I will be more concise moving forward… I do not ever recall her ever telling me to wrap up a lesson or a sermon but she very well may have thought it….

Philippians 1:9-11, “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in full knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and without fault until the day of Christ, having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”

Paul prayed for the Philippians progressive sanctification with a view to The Day of Christ.

Granny’s progress was evident… it was plain… and now it is finished.

Philippians 1:12-18, “Now I want you to know, brothers, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my chains in Christ have become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord because of my chains, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me affliction in my chains. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice.”

Paul esteemed the gospel over himself… 

and I do not possess a memory of Granny modeling anything less.

She loved The Lord… and dutifully esteemed the gospel in her faithful commitment to the local church and the straightening of its fellowship. 

She adorned the gospel well and while her story may have been tremendously different than Paul, the Philippians, and others… she too clearly rejoiced in Christ being preached and gave much of her time to seeing that she come under the gospel’s proclamation too.

Philippians 1:19-20, “Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that THIS WILL TURN OUT FOR MY SALVATION through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.”

Paul again affirmed his joy in the gospel while also expressing a clear confidence in The Lord’s care of him… to include his deliverance from those who acted with malice intent. 

Here he also laid the foundation for his forthcoming statement of how he viewed his life in submission to Christ.

So, with Paul’s view to deliverance I reminded Granny of her continued ministry to myself and many others… as Paul viewed the believers’ work of prayer as an invaluable element of service to him.

Granny prayed and in this strengthened my hand in service… 

and so my grief of loss is compounded as I lost not only a family member but a righteous co-laborer too.

A righteous co-laborer who like Paul aimed to magnify Christ… making Him near and close for others.

Philippians 1:21-26, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know what I will choose. But I am hard-pressed between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better, yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. And convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, so that your reason for boasting may abound in Christ Jesus in me, through my coming to you again.”

This was the final portion of Philippians that I had an opportunity to write to Granny about… and I shared with her of Paul’s great tension and its beautiful resolution. He knew it was by far superior to be with Christ… but in deference to the care and service of the Philippians he purposed to continue on in service to them.

Well… while Paul remained with the Philippians for a time his death did come… and the moment his natural life concluded he was with Christ and that was very much better….

Granny’s story was no different.

  • She lived well.
  • She served well.
  • And and she finished well.

And when her spirit left her body Tuesday morning she was with Christ and this was very much better for her….

Philippians 1:27-30, “Only live your lives in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear about your circumstances, that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind contending together for the faith of the gospel, in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, having the same struggle which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.”

I did not have an opportunity to write a letter for this last portion of chapter one but Granny did.

What took me two weeks to teach through she wrote on the pages of her own testimony… as she lived her life in a manner of worthy of the gospel of Christ. 

And for this reason she was my hero.

And with this I would once more remind you, 

“The memory of the righteous is a blessing….” Proverbs 10:7

And with gratitude to Christ we remember that

  • Granny was saved by grace.
  • Feared The Lord.
  • Modeled faithfulness.
  • Served through prayer.
  • Struggled and smiled.
  • Graciously sacrificed.
  • Loved The Lord.
  • Loved her family.
  • Stayed the course.
  • And was for many of us… a hero.

Close In Prayer

*All Scripture References/Citations: Legacy Standard Bible (Unless Otherwise Noted)