Sacrificial Joy and Intimacy with Christ (Philippians 2:17-18)
This sermon examines how the Apostle Paul found profound joy not in comfortable circumstances, but in the ultimate sacrifice of his life for Christ. It invites listeners to consider the deep connection between selfless devotion and spiritual exhilaration.
Paul serves as a model of sacrificial joy, finding his deepest happiness in fully offering his life to Christ. This joy stems from profound intimacy with Jesus, not favorable circumstances.
Overview
The sermon introduces Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus from Philippians 2:17-30 as “Model Spiritual Servants,” with Paul being the focus for this specific message. It connects their lives to the chapter's earlier emphasis on humility, working out salvation, and serving without grumbling.
Paul presents himself as a “sacrificial rejoicer,” viewing his entire life as a “drink offering” poured out upon the “sacrifice and service” of the Philippians’ faith. This imagery of ancient sacrifice emphasizes his willing, present, and complete dedication to Christ, humbly seeing their sacrifice as the greater one.
Crucially, Paul finds joy *because of* his sacrifice, not in spite of it. The sermon emphasizes that the greater the sacrifice made for God, the deeper the spiritual exhilaration experienced, a concept often foreign to those who seek happiness in worldly things.
The sermon concludes by stressing that this level of sacrificial joy and service flows directly from a deep, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. It warns against superficial approaches to spiritual growth, instead advocating for constant union with Christ through prayer, the Word, and obedient love.
Key points
- Philippians 2:17-30 presents Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus as models of spiritual service.
- Paul’s life, particularly in Philippians 2:17-18, illustrates what the preacher calls the “sacrificial rejoicer.”
- Paul views his current life and ministry, even in imprisonment, as a “drink offering” being continuously poured out.
- He humbly regards the Philippians’ faithful service as the primary sacrifice, upon which his own offering is made.
- Paul’s joy is found directly *because of* his sacrificial living, not in spite of difficult circumstances.
- The sermon argues that ultimate sacrifice for Christ leads to ultimate spiritual joy.
- The strength and capacity for such sacrificial joy come from deep, intimate fellowship with Jesus Christ.
In John MacArthur's words
“I have only one ambition, to be God's errand boy.”
“It is not joy in spite of, it is joy because of.”
“I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction.”
Outline
- I. Introduction: Model Spiritual Servants (Philippians 2:17-30)
- A. Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus as patterns for godly living
- B. F.B. Meyer as a modern example of a humble servant
- 1. His life's ambition: "to be God's errand boy"
- 2. Understanding that greatness rises out of sacrifice
- C. Context of Philippians 2: Humility and working out salvation without grumbling
- D. Three model servants: Paul, Timothy, Epaphroditus
- 1. Shared characteristics: selfless, humble, sacrificial service; non-grumbling attitude
- 2. Unique characteristics: Paul (sacrificial rejoicer), Timothy (single-minded sympathizer), Epaphroditus (loving gambler)
- E. The passion and zeal of these men
- 1. Driven by love for Christ and a healthy fear of failure
- 2. F.B. Meyer on service saturated with "heart's blood"
- II. Paul: The Sacrificial Rejoicer (Philippians 2:17-18)
- A. Paul's humility in using himself as an illustration
- B. Paul's glad offering and joy in sacrifice
- C. The imagery of the drink offering
- 1. A final topping-off of a sacrifice, predominantly wine
- 2. Paul's entire life, not just his death, is the present drink offering
- D. Paul's humility in seeing the Philippians' sacrifice as greater
- 1. Their suffering for Christ's sake (Philippians 1:29-30)
- 2. Their "sacred service" or "leitourgia"
- 3. Their sacrificial generosity (Philippians 4:18)
- E. The nature of Paul's joy: "Joy *because of* sacrifice"
- 1. The highest expression of life leads to the greatest experience of joy
- 2. Unrelated to circumstances, unlike earthly joy
- 3. The ultimate sacrifice produces ultimate spiritual joy
- 4. Historical examples of martyrs rejoicing in suffering
- F. The source of sacrificial joy: Intimacy with Christ
- 1. Jesus endured the cross "for the joy set before Him" (Hebrews 12:2)
- 2. Paul's desire to "know Him... and the fellowship of His sufferings" (Philippians 3:10)
- 3. Strength in Christ: "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13)
- 4. All treasures, strength, and needs are in Christ (Colossians 2:3)
- 5. Warning against sanctification without Christ and worldly solutions
Scripture references
- Philippians 2:17-30
- Philippians 2:3
- Philippians 2:8
- Philippians 2:12-13
- Philippians 2:14
- Philippians 1:16
- 2 Corinthians 5
- 1 Corinthians 3
- 1 Corinthians 9:27
- Matthew 20
- 2 Kings 16:13
- Jeremiah 7:18
- Hosea 9:4
- Philippians 1:24
- Philippians 2:24
- Philippians 1:28-30
- Philippians 4:18
- 1 Peter 2
- Philippians 4:1
- Philippians 4:10
- 2 Corinthians 7:4
- Colossians 1:24
- 1 Thessalonians 3:7
- 1 Thessalonians 3:9
- Hebrews 12:2
- Philippians 3:10
- Philippians 4:13
- Philippians 4:19
- Colossians 2:3
- Colossians 2:4
- Colossians 2:5
- Colossians 2:6
- Colossians 2:8
17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
18 For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.
19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.
20 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye 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 which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
1 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.
2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
13 And he burnt his burnt offering and his meat offering, and poured his drink offering, and sprinkled the blood of his peace offerings, upon the altar.
18 The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger.
4 They shall not offer wine offerings to the Lord, neither shall they be pleasing unto him: their sacrifices shall be unto them as the bread of mourners; all that eat thereof shall be polluted: for their bread for their soul shall not come into the house of the Lord.
24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.
24 But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.
28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.
29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.
24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:
7 Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:
9 For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.
5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.
6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Insights
True service to God flows from a heart saturated with deep affection.
Humility sees the spiritual value in others' devotion before its own.
Spiritual joy arises not from comfort, but from heartfelt sacrifice.
Questions & answers
What is the main theme of this sermon?
The sermon highlights Paul as a “sacrificial rejoicer,” demonstrating how deep spiritual joy is found in a life of humble, selfless sacrifice for Christ.
What does Paul mean by being “poured out as a drink offering”?
Paul sees his entire life, including his present imprisonment and suffering, as a willing sacrifice being continuously offered to God, not just a future martyrdom.
How does Paul demonstrate humility in Philippians 2:17-18?
Paul regards the Philippians’ faithful service as the “sacrifice” and his own life as merely a “drink offering” poured on top, valuing their offering above his own.
What is the relationship between sacrifice and joy in this sermon?
The sermon argues that true spiritual joy is found *because of* sacrifice, not in spite of it. The greater the sacrifice for Christ, the greater the exhilaration and joy experienced.
Where does the sermon say a Christian finds strength for sacrificial living?
Strength and the capacity for sacrificial joy come directly from a deep, abiding, and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, cultivated through prayer and the study of God’s Word.
Why does the sermon refer to F.B. Meyer?
F.B. Meyer is presented as a modern example of a humble, selfless servant whose life ambition was “to be God's errand boy,” illustrating the principles Paul embodies.
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