Thoughts & Questions About The Sacrifice & Service Of Your Faith

[Michael37]

Php 2:17  Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.

Paul liked his metaphors. So do I.

Leading up to his thought of being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of the faith of the Philippians to whom he was writing, Paul speaks to them about what they should be working out now that they have God working in them.   

Php 2:12-13  Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;  (13)  for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Paul expected to be martyred for his faith so he wanted it known that it should be a cause for rejoicing, both for him and for those he had laboured in service to, which it would be if they lived up to his expectations. 

Php 2:14-16  Do all things without complaining and disputing,  (15)  that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,  (16)  holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

Php 2:18  For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.

Pondering Paul's life and ministry and wondering how to apply his instructions it occurs to me that my sacrifice and service of faith is minor compared to his, but nevertheless I find myself willing to work out whatever God works in me.

Php 2:17  Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service (leitourgia) of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.

Strong G3009
λειτουργία
leitourgia
li-toorg-ee'-ah
From G3008; public function (as priest [“liturgy”] or almsgiver): - ministration (-try), service.
Total KJV occurrences: 6

Questions For Us All:

• What is the sacrifice and service of faith that, God-willing, we will be willing to do? 
• Is the pouring out of others in ministry something we rejoice about?

[Michael37]

Note the example of Epaphroditus, an apostle whom Paul speaks highly of, especially mentioning how sacrificially he worked in the service of Christ during a time of great necessity, this being reason for gladness that he survived such sacrificial service, and to hold him and those like him in honour.  

Php 2:25-30  But I counted it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, and your apostle and servant of my need;  (26)  since he longed for you all, and was very troubled, because you had heard that he was sick.  (27)  For indeed he was sick, nearly to death, but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow on sorrow.  (28)  I have sent him therefore the more diligently, that, when you see him again, you may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.  (29)  Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy, and hold such people in honor,  (30)  because for the work of Christ he came near to death, risking his life to supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.

[Ray12614]

OMG: Are you suggesting that I can't just mumble a prayer of salvation, keep to myself, refuse to assemble with other believers, have an 'my-four-and-no-more' attitude, refusing to support other brothers and sisters in Christ, work with other members to further the Kingdom, and take an 'I'm ok ' attitude of selfishness???? 

LOL, kidding . . . ok, really bad joke . . . HOWEVER . . . it does describe a few of worthy members who might read this who are content to stay in their own little world  where 'I myself and me' always agree with each other. Always desiring to receive, and never giving anything to the Body of Christ, let alone showing the love of God to the lost and hurting. If there is not a good church in your area (I have learned since joining Worthy that sometimes there is not), then find a small group for Bible study and service. Still cannot find that? Ok, then start your own small group, OR, help at a food distribution group, OR, salvation army, OR, crisis pregnancy center, OR, minister at retirement homes to the people who are many times abandoned there.

My point is that we are not saved by our good works, but, we are saved to do good works for our King. When He comes may He find us busy with the things that matter to Him, loving our brothers and sisters in Christ, and not staying in our little safe world waiting for Jesus to come and take us back with Him (parable of the Talents).

Hope this helps somehow . . . Ray . . . 

 

 

[Michael37]

9 hours ago, Ray12614 said:

OMG: Are you suggesting that I can't just mumble a prayer of salvation, keep to myself, refuse to assemble with other believers, have an 'my-four-and-no-more' attitude, refusing to support other brothers and sisters in Christ, work with other members to further the Kingdom, and take an 'I'm ok ' attitude of selfishness???? 

LOL, kidding . . . ok, really bad joke . . . HOWEVER . . . it does describe a few of worthy members who might read this who are content to stay in their own little world  where 'I myself and me' always agree with each other. Always desiring to receive, and never giving anything to the Body of Christ, let alone showing the love of God to the lost and hurting. If there is not a good church in your area (I have learned since joining Worthy that sometimes there is not), then find a small group for Bible study and service. Still cannot find that? Ok, then start your own small group, OR, help at a food distribution group, OR, salvation army, OR, crisis pregnancy center, OR, minister at retirement homes to the people who are many times abandoned there.

My point is that we are not saved by our good works, but, we are saved to do good works for our King. When He comes may He find us busy with the things that matter to Him, loving our brothers and sisters in Christ, and not staying in our little safe world waiting for Jesus to come and take us back with Him (parable of the Talents).

Hope this helps somehow . . . Ray . . . 

Thanks for your comment @Ray12614 You nailed it with the satire.

Php 2:21  For they all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ.

One thing though, I have found sometimes it is hard to get alongside "super-servants" in the body of Christ since they are always on the go and very task oriented. I have learned to balance task-completion with people-appreciation, the dearth of the latter sometimes being a cause of discontent.

Not so with Paul in his experience with the Philippians, as we see . . .

Php 4:10-14  But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity.  (11)  Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:  (12)  I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  (13)  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  (14)  Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress.

 

 

Given that Paul continually instructs to rejoice and hold fellow-servants in high regard, this we should be content with as ultimately the sincere work of Christ benefits all members of the body of Christ  

[JohnR7]

On 7/31/2022 at 7:31 AM, Michael37 said:

Paul expected to be martyred for his faith

Because Paul was willing to give his live for the benefit of others. Just as Jesus did for us. This is one area I wholeheartedly agree with Paul that death, exp death of a loved one is a time to rejoice and celebrate. The drink offering represents the blood of Jesus pour out for us. 

[Starise]

Service seems to look different for different people depending on our calling.

If we aren't doing anything, I believe we can be sure we aren't doing nearly enough.

If we are doing something, is that something everything we can do?

These are personal questions we all need to answer for ourselves. One day we will stand before God to give an account.

I don't believe we should only look at our 'output' like a consolation to God or a measurable thing we can claim to have done since it falls short of the goal.

If we get caught up into service, into who we are, we loose track of keeping track and get caught up in the moment. 

Not to focus on an accomplishment, stringing a set of accomplishments and goals all together to keep track of something, rather adopt a lifestyle of service that is so busy it forgets to measure. 

Seeking God's leading in all we do is our sure rudder, then let's get to moving the ship.

[Michael37]

3 hours ago, Starise said:

Service seems to look different for different people depending on our calling.

If we aren't doing anything, I believe we can be sure we aren't doing nearly enough.

If we are doing something, is that something everything we can do?

These are personal questions we all need to answer for ourselves. One day we will stand before God to give an account.

I don't believe we should only look at our 'output' like a consolation to God or a measurable thing we can claim to have done since it falls short of the goal.

If we get caught up into service, into who we are, we loose track of keeping track and get caught up in the moment. 

Not to focus on an accomplishment, stringing a set of accomplishments and goals all together to keep track of something, rather adopt a lifestyle of service that is so busy it forgets to measure. 

Seeking God's leading in all we do is our sure rudder, then let's get to moving the ship.

Thanks for your comment @Starise I recall a number of ekklesias running teaching programs to help members identify their ministry strengths and gifts, some very clinical with pages of questions to be scored like a survey, and categories to determine what a person's temperament was and what type of ministry they would best be suited to.

On the flip side I have found that sometimes the circumstances the Lord puts us in through the promptings of the Holy Spirit are those for which we have no natural ability. In these cases I have known the anointing or unction of the Holy Spirit to make up for deficits of disposition and skill.  

Rom 12:3-8  For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.  (4)  For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function,  (5)  so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.  (6)  Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;  (7)  or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching;  (8)  he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

[JohnR7]

18 hours ago, Ray12614 said:

stay in their own little world 

I believe the atonement is two fold. We are reconciled with the father but we are also reconciled with each other. Jesus said we are to be least in that we are to be a servant to all. Love God first then we are to love our neighbor as ourself. This of course means we are to love ourself. 

[Michael37]

13 hours ago, JohnR7 said:

I believe the atonement is two fold. We are reconciled with the father but we are also reconciled with each other. Jesus said we are to be least in that we are to be a servant to all. Love God first then we are to love our neighbor as ourself. This of course means we are to love ourself. 

Yes, true @JohnR7 Also, using God's resources in faithful stewardship is a wonderful way to worship Him. 

1Pe 4:8-11  And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "LOVE WILL COVER A MULTITUDE OF SINS."  (9)  Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.  (10)  As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.  (11)  If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

[Starise]

On 8/9/2022 at 1:30 AM, Michael37 said:

On the flip side I have found that sometimes the circumstances the Lord puts us in through the promptings of the Holy Spirit are those for which we have no natural ability. In these cases I have known the anointing or unction of the Holy Spirit to make up for deficits of disposition and skill.  

How very true. In my world there is often no such thing as a comfort zone.