Turn to the book of Acts. If it be the Lord's will, I'd
like to begin a series of messages this morning from the letter
Paul wrote to the saints in Philippi. And just to lay a bit of historical
fact with it, Philippi was a Roman colony in the province of Macedonia. You may recall the story of the
Philippian jailer, one of God's children who was to hear the
gospel preached. There was also another. Her name
was Lydia, the seller of purple. Paul had received a vision with
divine instructions to go to this very city, and that's why
I asked you to turn to Acts first. I'd like you to see where Paul
receives his instructions. If you would, look with me at
chapter 16, beginning at verse 6. Now, when they had gone throughout,
and I apologize for these names, I'm just not a Greek theologian
that has the ability to pronounce this, so forgive me. Now when
they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia and
were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the Word in Asia, notice
what they were, they were forbidden, not by the people, not because
of some rule, but by the Holy Ghost. And I'm setting up something
for you here, so I want you to pay close attention to how this
goes for the next few verses here. They were forbidden of
the Holy Ghost to preach the Word in Asia. And they were come
to Messiah, they were essayed, in other words, they tried to
go into Bithynia, but the Spirit, once again we see the Spirit,
suffered them not, permitted them not to go to Bithynia. And
a passing from Mysaiah came down to Troas, and a vision appeared
to Paul in the night. There stood a man of Macedonia
and prayed him, saying, come over into Macedonia and help
us. And after he had seen the vision,
immediately we endeavored to go to Macedonia, assuredly gathering
that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel unto them.
Therefore, loosing or leaving from Troas, we came with a straight
course to Samarthuricia, and the next day to Napolis, and
from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of the part
of Macedonia and a colony, and we were in that city abiding
certain days." Before we can begin this book in Philippians,
We needed to see what Paul is addressing here when he speaks
to these dear, beloved brothers and sisters in Christ. And we
see this important thing that Paul's travels were not just
a willy-nilly thing. They weren't just, oh, you know,
I like it over in Hawaii. I think I'll go over there and
preach over there for a while. Or, you know, maybe I'll go down
here. No, the Lord was guiding every step. And I pause for this reason.
The Lord hasn't changed, folks. He's the same as He is with every
one of His people and everything that He's created. God's purpose was being fulfilled
just as it was when Christ said, must go through Samaria. God
has a chosen people, more than just one, who must hear the good
news over in Philippi. Now if you would please turn
your Bibles to the epistle that Paul had written to the Philippians.
As we saw in what we just read, God the Holy Spirit closes doors
and opens doors as it fits his purpose. Our Lord, God Almighty,
the Creator of everything, does not change. The Trinity is of
one mind, in perfect harmony with each other, perfect agreement
with each other, and perfect purpose, the three distinct persons,
yet one God. And what God has purposed shall
come to pass. So let's begin, if you would,
at verse 1 and read through verse 6 of this epistle. Paul and Timotheus, the servants
of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus, which are at
Philippi with bishops and deacons, grace be unto you and peace from
God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God
upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine
for you all making requests with joy. for your fellowship in the
gospel and from the first day until now, being confident of
this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you
will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." Paul was in prison in Rome when
he wrote this epistle. He mentioned his chains in Caesar's
palace and some of Caesar's household, sending their greetings to the
church. He was especially dear to these folks at Philippi. He
was the preacher who had brought them the gospel the first time.
Oh, how I think about how special Pastor Gene is to me. I am so blessed with today's
technology that a man over 2,000 miles away from me, I can talk
to him every day. And trust me, folks, he is still
my pastor. He still pastors this poor lost
sinner. What a joy it is to be able to
speak to him and remember him. This is what it was for Paul.
This is what it is for Pastor Gene. Not only does he bless
me in being able to pastor me, the Lord uses me to bless him,
to keep up to date on what's going on here at Rescue. 38 years
he spent his time pastoring the people here at Rescue, and he
loves each and every one of you today just as much as he did
when he first met you all. Every time I speak to him, we
close with this, give my brothers and sisters at rescue my love.
Every time. I'm praying for them. He says, I love you dearly. And
I know he means it. This is how Paul feels for the
church at Philippi. They were especially dear folks
to him. When they had heard that he was
a prisoner in Rome, they sent one called Epipharotus. And I know I didn't say that
right, but they sent him to visit Paul. And they sent him with
presents and good wishes. That's when Paul sent this epistle
back to them. When he'd gotten those gifts
and he realized, he saw the love that they had put into putting
things together for him and sending this one to him. I've got to
write back to him and tell him how much I love to them. Our
subject for today is this wonderful statement that Paul makes in
verse 1. He says, Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ.
That's my title for today's message. Servants of Jesus Christ. Now we must open with this in
mind. All of creation Some will read that first thing
as the servants of Jesus Christ. What can I do to be a servant
of Jesus Christ? I'm here to tell you this morning,
folks, that all of creation, everything, serves our Lord. He's Lord of all. He's not just
Lord of Christians, those who come to Him. He's Lord of everything.
He rules everything. Turn over, if you will, to the
book of Colossians. Just a couple of pages to the
right. All creation serves the Lord
Jesus Christ. Look at verse 1 with me, if you
would. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and
Timotheus, our brother. To the saints and the faithful
brethren in Christ which are at Colossae, grace be unto you
and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We
give thanks to God and to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ
Jesus and of the love which ye have to all the saints. For the
hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before
the word of the truth of the gospel, which is come unto you
as it is in all the world, and bringeth forth fruit as it doeth
also in you since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace
of God in truth. As you also learned of Ephraim,
our dear fellow servant, who is for you a faithful minister
to Christ, who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit,
For this cause, we also, since the day we heard of it, do not
cease to pray for you and to desire that ye might be filled
with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. That ye might walk worthy of
the Lord unto the all-pleasing, being fruitful in every good
work and increasing in the knowledge of God. Strengthened with all
might according to His glorious power unto all patience, longsuffering,
and with joyfulness. giving thanks unto the Father
which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance
of the saints in light, who hath delivered us from the power of
the darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear
Son, in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness
of sins. And here's what I want you to
see. Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn
of every creature, For by Him were all things created that
are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible,
whether they be thrones or dominions or principalities or powers,
all things were created by Him and for Him." That's God's Word. You can't argue that, can you?
That's the Word of Truth right there before us. For by Him,
for by the Son of God, for by God manifest in the flesh, the
very One, look at verse 15, who is the image of the invisible
God, the firstborn of every creature. We're talking about the very
One who we read about in verse 14, in whom we have redemption
through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins. We're talking about
the very One who we read about in verse 13, who has delivered
us from the power of darkness and has translated us under the
kingdom of His dear Son. This is the One who all thrones,
dominions, and principalities and powers, they were created
by Him and for Him. So as I said a moment ago, to
consider these words that we just read back in our text in
Philippians chapter 1, what is Paul telling us here? The servants
of Jesus Christ. Everything is a servant to Jesus
Christ. He's God Almighty. This virus
is a servant to the Lord Jesus Christ. People may hate this, but Hitler
was a servant to the Lord Jesus Christ. Pharaoh sure was, and
I'll tell you what, Pharaoh was a lot worse than Hitler was. Look at verse 16 through 20. Wait a minute. I'm sorry, back in Colossae again.
I left that a little bit too quickly. Sorry about that. Look
at verse 16 through 20 with me if you would. were all things created that
were in heaven and that are in the earth, visible and invisible,
whether they be thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.
All things were created by Him and for Him. And He is before
all things, and by Him all things consist. And He is the head of
the body of the church, who is the beginning and the firstborn
from the dead, that in all things He might have preeminence. For it pleased the Father that
in Him should all the fullness dwell, and having made peace
through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things
unto Himself. By Him, I say, whether they be
things in earth or things in heaven." This One, this One who
all things exist and all things serve. So what is Paul telling
us here in our text in verse 1 back in Philippians? Paul knew that all things serve
the Lord. He already knew this. He also
knew that not all are willing servants. In fact, very few are. The nature of man is to rebel
against God. Look, if you will, into the book
of Isaiah for a moment. Turn over to Isaiah chapter 30.
We'll come back to our text. Isaiah chapter 30. What is Paul telling us in chapter
1 verse 1? Knowing these things, that all
things serve the Lord. Knowing that some do not serve
Him willingly. The nature of man is to rebel
against God. Look at verse 1-3 first. Woe
to the rebellious children, sayeth the Lord, Isaiah 30 verse 1,
that take counsel, but not of me. and that cover with a covering,
but not with my spirit, that they may add sin to sin, that
walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth to
strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust
in the shadow of Egypt. Therefore shall the strength
of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust of the shadow of Egypt
be your confusion." Now, turn over to verse 8. He says, now go write it before
them, speaking to Isaiah in a table, and note it in a book, that it
may be for thine to come forever and ever, that this is a rebellious
people. This is God's chosen own people
right here, God's Israel. Isaiah is writing to the people
of God. This is a rebellious people,
lying children, children that will not hear the law of the
Lord. which say to the seers, See not, and to the prophets,
prophesy not unto us right things. Speak not, speak unto us smooth
things, prophesy deceit." That's what the world is doing around
us, folks. They're telling the preachers, don't talk to us about
this God of wrath, talk to us about a God of love, about the
God of love only. Tell us about this One who loves
us that He's waiting for us to come down to see Him. Tell us
of the One that we can do something to save ourselves with. Don't
tell us about the One who rules over everything, including the
wicked. Don't tell us about the One who
rules over us, whether we want Him to or not. prophesy deceits, they say. Verse
11, get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause
the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us, they say. Wherefore, thus saith the Holy
One of Israel, because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression
and perverseness, and stay thereon, therefore this iniquity shall
be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out of the high
wall whose breaking cometh suddenly in an instant. We come into this
world speaking lies, for it is our very nature. Who here was
taught how to lie? And don't tell me you don't.
Even a little white lie is as big as a big lie. Are we any
surprised that the leaders of this country, who know not God,
lie about so much? Is it any surprise to God's children
to see where this world is going? It shouldn't be. Look at verse 16. But ye said, No, for we will
flee upon horses, therefore shall ye flee. And we will ride upon
the swift, therefore shall they that pursue you be swift. One
thousand shall flee at the rebuke of one, and at the rebuke of
five shall ye flee, till ye be left as a beacon upon the top
of a mountain, and as an ensign on a hill. We come into this world speaking
lies, for it is our nature. No one taught us how to deny
the truth, and that's what telling a lie is. When you deny God Almighty,
the ruler of all that is, you deny a truth, and that is a lie.
And we all had this conversation in us at one time or another.
It says in Ephesians 2.2, where in times past ye walked according
to the course of this world, according to the prince of the
power, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience,
among whom also we all had our conversation. In times past,
in the lust of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and
of the mind, and were by nature. There you go. We were all by
nature the children of wrath, even as others. Folks, it takes
something more. It takes something more than
what we have. It takes the power of creation
to change the leper's spots, the leper's stripes. Our Lord
told Nicodemus this. He said, you must be born again.
And as he tried to grapple, as Nicodemus tried to grapple with
what the Lord was speaking of in making that statement, our
great God in the flesh made this. He said, verily, verily, I say
unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he
cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of
the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is
the Spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, you must be born again.
For the wind bloweth where it listeneth, and thou hearest the
sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither
it goeth. So is every one that is born
of the Spirit." Paul wrote these words in verse
1, the servant of Jesus Christ, the servants of Jesus Christ,
for two reasons. First, he was with Timothy. He
was with Timothy when he first preached in Philippi. And Timothy
was with Paul when he was writing this very letter. So Paul addressing
himself here as an apostle might have been a little bit more than
he should. Paul, an apostle of Christ. Oh,
and Timothy with me. No, that's not what he said at
all. What did he say? Look back at our text again in
Philippians 1. He said, Paul and Timotheus the
servants of Jesus Christ. If Paul would have mentioned
himself as an apostle, and he did in other places, but in this
one instance he did not because he wanted them to understand
that Timotheus, Timothy, was on the same playing field, on
the same level as Paul himself. You see, we're all sinners. We're
all saved by grace. Oh, how often we have seen, over
the years, men and women put the pastor on a pedestal. Pastor
Gene has experienced that. Pastor Fortin has experienced
that. Many have. Don't ever. put a man on any
pedestal, ever. We're just sinners. You put us
on a pedestal, and we're going to fall off right before you,
and your heart will be broken. We're sinners, saved by grace,
just as you are. That's what Paul is trying to
tell us here. Timotheus, Timothy, was exactly where Paul was, a
servant of Christ. Paul did not want to belittle
Timothy. So addressing them both as servants puts both of them
on the same level as co-workers. Either we're willing or we're unwilling servants to
be to the most high. We are all of the same playing
field. All have sinned and come short
of the glory of God. Secondly, Paul is declaring himself
and Timothy willing servants. We come into this world unwilling
to serve the Almighty. We come into this world dead
in trespasses and sin. And Paul knew this as well as
anyone. He was ashamed of what he was before his conversion.
He persecuted the people of the church. And he counted all that
religious stuff that he was doing, all those things that he thought
was bringing him righteousness, as dung. when the Lord opened
his eyes to the truth there on that road to Emmaus. It was a
waste. It was nothing more than to be
cast off. But he also understood by revelation
the conversion of an unwilling soul to a willing one is only
by the grace of God and by God alone. It's not something that
we decide to do. It is by the grace of God that
we can be born again. Who here had anything to do with
their birth? In Psalms 110 verse 3, we read
this, Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power. Turn now, if you would, over
to the 9th chapter of Romans. By the grace of God, we are what
we are. Yet it pleased God that some
would be set to be vessels of mercy. He is the potter. All have walked as vessels of
wrath. But as we read in Ephesians 2, we were, as we read in Ephesians
2, and we're by the nature of the children of wrath, even as
others. But God in his mercy chose a people unto himself.
of people to be the recipients of His grace and to ensure their
presence with Him in all eternity, He sent His only begotten Son
for our sakes. Because He has loved us with
an eternal love from before the world was, He gave Himself for
us to bear our sins in His body, to shed His own blood for us. He who knew no sin was sent to
die the death that these chosen deserved. He was sent to be in
a propitiation, a payment. Not just a partial payment, but
a complete payment. He said, it is finished from
that cross. The payment is done. Those are my children now. I
bought and paid for them as we agreed before the world was. He was sent to reconcile them
unto Himself, to sanctify them, to make them holy, to set them
apart, to establish a righteousness for them. For we can only be
in the presence of God if we are perfectly righteous as the
Lord Jesus Christ. And because He took our sins,
every single one, every single sin that we'll ever commit, every
sin that we've ever committed, Because He took every single
one upon Himself and bore it in His own body, we are as righteous
as He is right now. The righteousness blood of God
Himself was shed for our cause. God the Father chose us. God
the Son gave Himself as our substitute. And God the Spirit quickens us
when we were yet dead, giving us life through the preaching
of His Word, the preaching of His Gospel, giving us ears to
hear His voice. It says in Ephesians 2.8, For
by grace are ye saved through faith, and then not of yourselves.
It is a gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast. Folks,
when one has been brought Tell me if this doesn't apply to you.
If this does not apply to you, God give you the ability to see
these truths in His Word. When one has been brought to
know the truths of God, to know the truths of His Words, that
we all at one time were of the world and unwilling Now we are made willing by His
works, by His power, by His love for us. When one has been brought
to know these truths, oh, how we praise our Savior. Oh, how we praise Him for His
grace in not leaving us to ourselves. Oh, how we praise Him for loving
us from before the foundation of the world. Oh, how we praise Him for choosing
us in His Son, not leaving us to our own choice, to our own
decision. Oh, how we praise Him for imputing
His righteousness to us by being made sin for us, providing us
with Himself as our sacrifice. Oh, how we praise Him for raising
Himself from that grave. He says, I lay down my life and
I pick it up again. No man taketh it from me. raising Himself from that grave,
putting our sins away, leaving them there to be seen no more. Oh, how we can praise Him for
watching over us now, for providing all of our needs, not just the
physical needs, but spiritual needs, for keeping us as we walk
in this valley of the shadow of death, for keeping us in His
Word, in His truths, Oh, how we praise Him, for salvation
is of the Lord. Are you with me in Romans? Chapter 9, verse 9. For this is the word of promise. This is a promise that God is
making to each and every one of His children. The children of promises we have
heard Pastor Gene preach on. He says, at this time will I
come and Sarah shall have a son. And not only this, but when Rebecca
also hath conceived by one, even by our father Isaac, for the
children being not yet born, having done any good or evil,
that the purpose of God, according to election, might stand not
of works, but of him that calleth." You see, it was said under her,
verse 12, the elder shall serve the younger. As it is written,
Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. What shall we say
then? Is there unrighteousness with
God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will
have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion
on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that
willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy.
For the Scripture saith unto Pharaoh, even for this same purpose
have I raised thee up, that I might show my power in thee, and that
my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath
he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will, he hardeneth.
Thou wilt say then unto me, why doth he yet find fault, for who
hath resisted his will? Nay, O man, Nay, but O man, who
art thou that replyest against God? Shall the thing formed say
to him that formed it, why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the
potter power over the clay the same lump to make one vessel
unto honor and another unto dishonor? What if God willing to show his
wrath and to make his power known endured the much long suffering
of the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction? and that he might
know the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which
he hath afore prepared unto glory, even us, whom he hath called
not the Jews only, but also the Gentiles." Willing servants. That's what Paul is saying in
the very beginning to the saints at Philippi. Timothy and I are
willing servants. Not willing by anything we have
done, but willing because He has made us willing in the day
of His power. And He did it because of His
love for us from before the world was. We praise Him for making
us willing servants. That's what Paul is saying. I'm
a willing servant. I'm willing to serve the Most
High because He is the Most High. What about you? If you're made
willing by the Lord God Almighty, then you will sing these words
in our closing song. Praise Him, praise Him with a
great joy in your heart.