814. PHP 4:1. MINISTERIAL SOLICITUDE

Php_4:1. Ministerial Solicitude

"Therefore, my brethren, dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved."’97Php_4:1.

The church of Christ at Philippi could trace its origin, and the beginning of the gospel among them, to the labors of the apostle Paul. Of course there would be mutual recollections of love, and endearing sympathy between them. It appears, too, that the disciples in Philippi were distinguished for their sincerity in the truth, and for a greater regard both to the primitive doctrines and practical duties of Christianity, than most of the other churches. So that this epistle is free from reprehension; and the most unqualified tokens of confidence and approbation are reiterated by the apostle. But the very best Christians stand in need of caution, admonition, and exhortation; and with these the epistle abounds. He exhorts them to a consistent walk and conversation. "Only let your conversation," &c. Php_2:27. To lowliness and humility of spirit, Php_2:3. "Let nothing be done through strife or vain-glory," &c. To great diligence in attending to the interests of personal religion. "Work out," &c., Php_2:12. The third chapter refers very greatly to his own experience, and the glorious hope the saints possessed of a blissful resurrection to eternal life. "For our conversation," &c., Php_3:20. Then follows the affectionate exhortation of the text, "Therefore," &c.

I. The endearing appellations by which the saints at Philippi are designated. And,

II. The important exhortation which is addressed to them.

I. The endearing appellations by which the saints at Philippi are designated.

1. The first term exhibits the spiritual affinity which exists among Christians.

"My brethren." There is a human brotherhood which is based on the one blood of which God has made all the families of the earth. There is a relative brotherhood existing among the immediate kindred of the same domestic circle. But there is a spiritual brotherhood, in which all believers are allied by the gracious ties of a spiritual nature one to another. In this they are all the children of God by regeneration, adoption, and grace. This affinity extends to all offices, ages, &c., of the Christian character. All are. brethren,’97one is your Master, &c. The second term exhibits,

2. The reciprocated affection which should be manifested among the disciples of Christ.

"Dearly beloved." Believers are dearly beloved of the Father, of the Son, of the Holy Spirit. But they are called to love one another with pure hearts fervently. All Christians are under the law of Christian love. This is Christ’s new, and last, and greatest commandment, "That ye love one another." Beloved, if so God loved us, we ought also to love one another. This is the sign of our renewed state, &c.

3. The third term denotes the anxious solicitude of the Christian minister for his people.

"And longed for." The faithful minister when absent longs for fellowship with his flock; and when present he longs for their spiritual welfare, improvement, and happiness. As a faithful shepherd he longs for the security and comfort of his flock. As a conscientious instructor or teacher, he longs for their progress in the truth, and all spiritual understanding. As a father in the gospel, he longs to see his children rising up in spiritual health and vigor, and becoming young men and mature Christians in all the graces and virtues of the gospel. In his study they are his "longed for," and he reads, and meditates, and prepares his discourses for their edification and profit. In his closet they are his "longed for." Here he bears them on his arms of faith and prayer, and entreats the richest blessings of heaven to descend upon them. In his public labors they are his "longed for;" and when he appears before them, it is to seek their profit; and hence he comes unto them in the fulness of the blessings of the gospel of Christ. See Col_1:28. "Whom we preach," &c. Observe,

4. The fourth class of expressions denote the satisfaction and felicity the faithful minister derives from his charge. "My joy and crown." Now a people are only the joy and crown of the minister, when, like the Philippians, they are united in the faith and hope of the gospel, and are bearing the fruit of righteousness to the glory of the divine name. The backsliding and Judaizing Galatians caused great grief and distress of mind in the apostle. No joy can arise to Christian ministers from the wavering, from the formal members of their churches. But they are both their joy and crown, the cause both of honor and satisfaction to their ministers, when they are living to show forth the praises of him who hath called them out of darkness to light, &c. It is the joy of benevolence arising from success. The crown of honor as the attainment of the minister’s holy ambition. Look at the fisherman, toiling hard and taking nothing. How depressed, &c. But when the net is cast on the right side of the vessel, and bears its fulness to the shore, it is then he exults and evinces the joy of his heart. Look at the builder, who designs the erection of a superb and costly structure. As he beholds its walls rising in symmetry and beauty, his heart rejoices; and when the whole is finished, it reflects the honor of the builder, as it regards both his wisdom and perseverance. Look at that ambassador sent to treat with a rebellious colony. His mission is successful; revolt subsides; order and loyalty is effected. Is it not both his joy and crown? So when the Christian minister sees around him those who, though once afar off, are now nigh to God, and loyal in heart and life to King Jesus, they become his joy and crown. In the people being the joy and crown of ministers, we see,

(1.) What is the end the true servants of Christ set before them. They seek the good of the people, not theirs. They aim at the salvation of their hearers. They labor for souls as those who must give an account.

(2.) We see in this how the ministers of Christ are identified with Christ. Christ lived and died that he might see of the travail of his soul. Converted souls are the joy of Jesus,’97the crown of the Saviour.

(3.) The full joy and honor of the Saviour and his servants will not be completed until the last day. Then will Christ have seen all the desire of his heart, and he will be satisfied. Then, too, shall every pastor of the Lord Jesus present his charge, and say, "Here, Lord, am I, and the children thou hast given me." Then they that have turned many to righteousness, shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, &c. This leads us to consider,

II. The important exhortation which is addressed to them.

"Stand fast in the Lord." Christian stability is that which is urged. It is important,

1. That you stand fast in the truth of Christian doctrines.

The faith of the gospel. Not to be borne away by every wind of doctrine. In all ages the church has been exposed to heretical teachers. Thus the Galatians went back to half Judaism. How needful for Christians to hold fast the truth. To abide by the voice of the lively oracles. "To the law," &c.

2. That you stand fast in the enjoyment of experimental religion.

Not to dwindle down into formality, but to have the grace of God within us of a truth. To know and feel it, and not to abandon the happy conscious possessions of joy and peace in the Holy Ghost, &c.; the assurance that all is committed into Christ’s hands, &c.

3. Stand fast in the exercise of practical godliness.

As ye have received the Lord Jesus Christ, so walk in him. Having Christ’s mind, and walking in his steps. Let your light so shine, Col_1:8, Col_1:9.

4. That you can stand fast only in the Lord.

Now two remarks here. Our steadfastness depends on our abiding in Christ. See Joh_15:4. Also our steadfastness must be secured by the grace and blessings which he communicates. Our attainments, and experience, and resolutions, are worth nothing without him. "My grace," &c. Here is our security. "Kept by the power of God."

Application

1. Learn the peril to which the best of Christians are exposed.

From their own weaknesses, temptations, &c. "Let him that thinketh he standeth," &c. "Take heed lest there be in any of you an evil heart," &c.

2. How comforted and encouraged we should be that all sufficient comfort and strength are provided.

Our resources are ample, infinite, and exhaustless.

3. How desirable that minister and people should be a mutual joy to each other.

Your joy is closely connected with the labors of the word. Thus feel, and pray for, and encourage those who labor, &c.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS