Free to Sacrifice Prayer Booklet by ChurchRez

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TABLE OF CONTENTS OCTOBER 22 COURAGE TO SACRIFICE

PHILIPPIANS 1:18B—30

OCTOBER 29 THE BEAUTY OF SACRIFICE

PHILIPPIANS 2:1—13

NOVEMBER 12 TWO SONS OF SACRIFICE

PHILIPPIANS 2:14—30

NOVEMBER 19

Copyeditor: Timothy Gulsvig

THE GAIN OF SACRIFICE Scripture quotations are from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard ®

PHILIPPIANS 3:1—14

“I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” PHILIPPIANS 3:8

This four-week series is designed to help us recapture the joy and freedom of Christ-like sacrifice, especially as it relates to our generosity. Since it is a generosity series, it will focus on how we respond to God’s Word with our money and possessions. But unlike some of our previous generosity series, we will not be seeking specific, measurable outputs—dollar amounts, giving percentages, etc. Instead, the sermons from Philippians will place generosity in the larger story of God the Father’s initiative, Jesus’ sacrificial life, and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit—the Triune God “who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13). Our ultimate goal for this series is to encounter Jesus so he can free us to live a life of joyful sacrifice.

On September 11, 2001, Captain Billy Burke, a firefighter from Engine Company 21 in Manhattan, led a band of his fellow firefighters into the North Tower as it started to erupt in flames. Billy had a clear mission: to bring people out before the building collapsed. After reaching the 27th floor, Burke ordered his men to evacuate, promising to meet them “at the rig.” His men made it out alive, but Billy laid down his life trying to rescue others. People still say things like, “Billy paid the ultimate sacrifice.” That’s true. But as much as this story still moves us today, it could create the 4

misconception that the call to true sacrifice, sacrifice that really matters, involves only extraordinary people in exceptional circumstances. Of course there is something special about Billy’s heroism, but in the biblical worldview, Christ has called every Christian into a life of often quiet, hidden, but also heroic sacrifice. That theme is especially prominent in Paul’s little epistle to the Philippians. Most people rank Philippians as Paul’s most joyful letter. Indeed, it exudes joy. But we often miss another undercurrent that flows through this letter: Christ’s call to sacrifice. He frees us to live with sacrificial generosity, love, and affection. That’s the story behind Paul’s exuberant commands to “rejoice in the Lord always” (Phil. 4:4). As he penned this letter, Paul was sitting in a prison cell, possibly awaiting his execution, because he had sacrificed to share the gospel. Meanwhile, a young church plant back in the city of Philippi, launched by Paul himself, had also sacrificed by sending him out from their tight-knit community to plant other churches. When they heard about Paul’s imprisonment, they collected a generous financial gift to support his gospel work. Then they sacrificed again by sending one of their best young leaders, Epaphroditus, who risked his life to bring the gift to Paul. But this story of affection between a church and its spiritual father is grounded in an even deeper story of sacrifice—Christ’s birth, death, resurrection, and ultimate glorification. The one who “was in the form of God” (Phil. 2:6), “emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant” (Phil. 2:7), “becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Phil. 2:8). Truly, this is the “ultimate sacrifice.” Jesus is the beautiful pathway and the liberating power who frees us to live a sacrificial life. With love, Bishop Stewart Ruch III Deacon Matt Woodley

WEEK 1 CONTEXT FOR PHILIPPIANS 1:18B–30 As Paul sits in a Roman prison, his life hangs in the balance. He doesn’t know if he’ll live or die. But he tells his friends back in Philippi that he’s “hard pressed” between the two possibilities because he could find joy in living or dying (Phil. 1:23). So even in the midst of profound uncertainty, facing circumstances out of his control, Paul gives his friends a clarion call to live for Christ with the “full courage” (Phil. 1:20) to sacrifice. Do not be “frightened in anything by your opponents,” he says (Phil. 1:28). Why? Because whether you live or die, Paul writes, you can honor and trust Jesus with your courageous faith (Phil. 1:21). It’s almost impossible to read Philippians and think, How did Paul live with such courage? How did he look honestly at a potentially tragic situation and respond with joy? He gives us a clue in verse 19: it is only “through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus.” Things haven’t changed in the 2,000 years since the epistle to the Philippians. Life in a fallen world still confronts us with the need to live with full courage. But the Spirit of Jesus and the prayers of God’s people can still help us respond to our fears with “full courage”, and the Spirit of Jesus can still free us to live with sacrificial generosity.

OCTOBER 22

PHILIPPIANS 1:18Bâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;30

COURAGE TO SACRIFICE BISHOP STEWART RUCH III

Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

NOTES

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have. 27

FREE TO SACRIFICE

OCTOBER 22

REFLECTION What are the “opponents” (the people, life circumstances, internal fears)

Paul was able to live with “full courage” through three spiritual

that frighten you, or that prevent you from living with courage?

practices: asking others to pray for him, living in the power of the Holy Spirit, and developing an eternal perspective on life. How could one of these practices help you grow in the courage to sacrifice?

Related to generosity, what fears do you have about money, financial security, or your possessions? Confess them and bring them into the presence of Jesus.

DID YOU MISS THE SERMON, OR WANT TO LISTEN AGAIN? VISIT CHURCHREZ.ORG/SACRIFICE 10

WEEK 2 CONTEXT FOR PHILIPPIANS 2:1—13 What does sacrifice look like in one human life? What does it mean to pour yourself out in generosity for God and others? In a beautiful work of art (possibly a very early hymn), Paul points to one model, one example, one source for what sacrifice looks like when it’s woven into a human life—Jesus. In some ways, this passage serves as a vivid, miniature expression of the whole gospel. One Bible scholar writes, “Here is one of Paul’s finest hours, which serves both to exalt Christ and to prod [all Christians] to emulation, while reassuring them of Christ’s exalted position—including over Caesar himself.” Here’s what the poetry means: If you want to live a beautiful life, if you want to find freedom and joy in sacrificing for others, then look to Jesus. Remember his story. Be filled with his Spirit. Read his Word on a daily basis. Feed on him in your hearts by faith and thanksgiving during the Eucharist. Experience his life through Christian community. And then with slow and halting steps you will be transformed into his image, “by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself” (Phil. 3:21).

OCTOBER 29

PHILIPPIANS 2:1â&#x20AC;&#x201D;13

THE BEAUTY OF SACRIFICE DEACON MATT WOODLEY

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

NOTES

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but 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 work for his good pleasure. 12

FREE TO SACRIFICE

OCTOBER 29

REFLECTION Read Philippians 2:6—11 prayerfully three or four times. Read it out loud.

How is God calling you to relinquish safety, security, money,

Try to memorize it (or at least a few verses). Say it back to the Lord Jesus

possessions, or privilege in order to walk with Jesus and identify with

as a prayer: ”Thank you, Lord Jesus, that though you were in the form

a suffering world?

of God . . .”

DID YOU MISS THE SERMON, OR WANT TO LISTEN AGAIN? VISIT CHURCHREZ.ORG/SACRIFICE 16

WEEK 3 CONTEXT FOR PHILIPPIANS 2:14–30 After Paul’s beautiful hymn of praise to Jesus’ life, he focuses on two more models of sacrificial living. Timothy, his dearly loved “son in the faith,” had “proven worth” as a servant of Jesus. Paul sacrificed by sending him back to the church in Philippi. But the church in Philippi also had a call to sacrifice by sending a young leader named Epaphroditus to visit Paul in prison. The Philippians had collected a generous monetary offering for Paul’s gospel work. Epaphroditus answered the call to bring it to Paul. During the risky journey, he got sick and almost died. Paul wants to assure his friends back in Philippi that Epaphroditus will be home soon, but he also uses him to highlight the cost of the gospel. Both of these men’s lives demonstrate that you can’t serve Jesus without risks and dangers. You could end up crossing cultures, giving away money or possessions, getting thrown in prison, or even dying for your faith. Or you could stay in your hometown and live a life of quiet, hidden sacrifice and generosity. Every Christian life is costly. Every Christian life involves danger. Every Christian life leads to sacrifice and radical generosity.

NOVEMBER 12

PHILIPPIANS 2:14–30

TWO SONS OF SACRIFICE BISHOP STEWART RUCH III

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

NOTES

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also. 19

I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, 26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me. 25

FREE TO SACRIFICE

NOVEMBER 12

REFLECTION What risks have you taken or what dangers have you encountered for

What is one way that you feel led to take a risk in your financial

following Jesus? (Do not just focus on big, dramatic risks. Some of the

generosity?

risks may seem small, but they are big to you).

What is one way that Jesus is calling you to take a risk for your faith in him?

DID YOU MISS THE SERMON, OR WANT TO LISTEN AGAIN? VISIT CHURCHREZ.ORG/SACRIFICE 22

WEEK 4 CONTEXT FOR PHILIPPIANS 3:1—14 In one sense, sacrifice implies a descent, a loss, a defeat, and even a death. We are giving up something we value. And because there is a cost to sacrifice, many people in our culture resist or even despise the practice of sacrifice. Free to sacrifice? No, people say, I’m free to do what I want. Paul (and the rest of the Bible) has a radically different outlook. Sacrifice and joy are tied together. You can’t separate the two. In other words, if you want to know true joy, the kind of joy that erupts even in a prison cell, then follow Jesus’ pattern of sacrifice (see Phil. 2:6—11). In Philippians 3, Paul gives a moving personal testimony to this theme, a key theme from Jesus as well: we gain by losing, we possess by giving away, we ascend through a descent. Paul comes to a startling conclusion: everything he was chasing after to find satisfaction and security is “rubbish.” Not because it was all inherently evil, but because of the “surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:8). Knowing Jesus is the real key behind the freedom to sacrifice. Without Jesus our acts of sacrifice lead to loss and grief—and that’s the end of the story. With Jesus, it’s still painful, but we know where it leads: to deep joy, affection, love, and union with God and others.

NOVEMBER 19

PHILIPPIANS 3:1—14

THE GAIN OF SACRIFICE DEACON MATT WOODLEY

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. 1

Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. 2

NOTES

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 12

FREE TO SACRIFICE

NOVEMBER 19

REFLECTION How have you experienced or how are you experiencing the “descent,

Is God calling you to send something or someone to be a messenger

loss, defeat, or death” that comes with sacrifice? In other words, what

of the gospel?

have you sacrificed for following Jesus?

Take another look at Paul’s testimony of loss and gain for Jesus’ sake. Notice what he lost but especially focus on what he gained. What have you gained for following Jesus? At this point in your journey with Jesus, how is he calling you to experience the gain of following him?

DID YOU MISS THE SERMON, OR WANT TO LISTEN AGAIN? VISIT CHURCHREZ.ORG/SACRIFICE 28

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