Christ Himself Is the Treasure Which He Laid Hold of Us to Give to Us [Family Worship lesson in Philippians 3:7–4:1]

What is the most valuable treasure?Philippians 3:7–4:1 looks forward to the public reading of Scripture in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these sixteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the most valuable treasure is that for which Christ has laid hold of us: that we would be His own and have Him as our own. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2023.06.07 Hopewell @Home ▫ Philippians 3:7–4:1

Philippians 3:7–4:1

Questions from the Scripture text: What has the apostle counted as loss (Philippians 3:7)? For Whom? What else does He count as loss (Philippians 3:8)? For what? Who is Christ Jesus to Him? What has the apostle suffered for his Lord? As what does he count them? In order to gain what (Whom)? What else does the apostle want to do with Christ (Philippians 3:9a)? Of what does the apostle have none of his own? What is the only righteousness that he can have? From Whom is this righteousness? By what is this righteousness? What three things does the apostle come to know/have through the knowledge of Christ (Philippians 3:10)? Of what is the knowledge of Christ the only means to the attaining (Philippians 3:11)? What hasn’t the apostle already done (Philippians 3:12)? What hasn’t already been done to him? So what does he do? In order to lay hold of what? What doesn’t he count himself to have done (Philippians 3:13)? Upon how many things does he focus? What does he forget? In order to reach for what? Toward what does he press (Philippians 3:14)? What is the prize? Whom does the apostle now address (Philippians 3:15)? Whom does he include in this group? What are they to have? Who will do what if they think otherwise? What are they to do with whatever they have already attained (Philippians 3:16)? By what should they walk? What should they be? Now whom does the apostle address in Philippians 3:17? What does he tell them to do? And at whom else to look? For what purpose has God given the apostle and such other men? Who walk (Philippians 3:18)? When has the apostle told them? What is he doing as he writes this now? As what do they walk? What is their end (Philippians 3:19)? What is their god? What is the true nature of that in which they glory? Upon what do they set their mind? Where is our citizenship (Philippians 3:20)? What else is in heaven? For what are we eagerly waiting? Who is that Savior? What will He do to what (Philippians 3:21)? What will He make our body like? What is He using the same power to do? How many things is He subduing to Himself? What four things does the apostle call them in Philippians 4:1? What does he command them to do?

What is the most valuable treasure? Philippians 3:7–4:1 looks forward to the public reading of Scripture in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these sixteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the most valuable treasure is that for which Christ has laid hold of us: that we would be His own and have Him as our own. 

The things that “were gain” in Philippians 3:7 and the “all things” that are loss but counted as rubbish in Philippians 3:8 are the religious things of Philippians 3:5-6. Some of them were gifts/commands of God, but there is just no spiritual value apart from Christ Jesus. Whatever we must lose in order to gain Him is worth it. And only those things which God commands, by which to look to Christ for life, are worth doing.

The greatest spiritual treasure is knowing Christ (Philippians 3:8), because it is through faith in Him that we get righteousness from God (Philippians 3:9). Whatever superficial spirituality or religiosity is lost in order to gain this is worth it in order to have Him. Even with respect to physical/material blessing, Christ is all. 

Christ is the greatest thing that we can have even in a physical sense because we will be conformed to His resurrection and enjoy the new heavens and new earth—emphasis here on “earthy”—in resurrected bodies that are glorious like unto His (Philippians 3:10-11). Certainly, an eternity of that enjoyment is an almost infinite physical/material treasure compared to whatever we might lose, or whatever we might suffer, in this world. Christ prevailed by suffering and prevailed by dying. The believer should be glad to do the same.

The apostle is determined to lay hold of that all that is in Christ (Philippians 3:12-14). Why so urgent? Certainly not for the possibility of failing to obtain it. This is what Christ has laid hold of him for (end of Philippians 3:12). Who can take him out of Christ's hand? Was it not Jesus himself Who said that no one could take us out of His Father's hand or His own hand (cf. John 10:28–29)? No, he is not “pressing on to lay hold” because the outcome is in doubt.

Instead, the greatness of the urgency is because of the incalculably glorious value of this outcome that has been assured by Christ. If it is what Christ wants for him, then it is something that he wants for himself, and he is eager to give himself entirely to the process of coming into possession of it.

Not just the apostle, but all mature believers, have this mindset (Philippians 3:15). And all genuine believers, even if they are immature, God will reveal to them whether they are valuing what he values (end of verse 15). What a great encouragement to us who know that we are not going after it as much as we should or valuing it as much as we should! And how humble the mature ought to be, since it is God Who gives maturity. But this determination should be the mindset of all believers (Philippians 3:16). 

Not everyone in the church who thinks that he is mature is actually mature. Some, like in Philippians 3:17, are given to us as examples like the apostle; they do not think that they have attained to anything yet. 

Ironically, the self-satisfaction of those whom he describes in Philippians 3:18-19 itself exposes that they are not mature in Christ. For they are satisfied enough, though they are not yet resurrected (“their god is their belly”), and they are proud enough, though they are not yet sinless (“they glory in their shame”). This is all the satisfaction and glory they will have. “Their end is destruction.” Not only do they show that they are too easily satisfied with their fools’ gold in spiritual things, but also that they have an inordinate love for the things of this world. Rather than receiving them as good gifts from God, Who will give them so much better, these enemies of the cross of Christ (Philippians 3:18) too happily settle for less than Christ earned on that cross.

Those who are mature in Christ identify not with earth, but with heaven (Philippians 3:20). In heaven, saints are already sinless and enjoy the immediate presence of the Redeemer. And they are no more satisfied with physical imperfection than they are with spiritual perfection. They are eager not just to be sinless but for Christ’s return (verse 20b), and for the physical perfection that comes on that day (Philippians 3:21).

And what treasures will we then be able to take from this life, besides our sanctification? Besides Christ Whom we have by His spirit? We will take with us only other believers, and the fruit which God gave them through our edification and fellowship in the Lord… not carnal fellowship, but gracious fellowship that is actually aimed at edification. This is why the apostle calls them his “joy and crown,” and this is why in this life, our greatest investment ought to be in serving God in the gathering and building up of His saints.

Upon what do you spend discretionary time? Upon what do you spend discretionary funds? At what do you aim in fellowship? What is the Lord showing you about your mindset by comparison to His?

Sample prayer:  Lord, forgive us for being puffed up about ourselves or satisfied with this world. And forgive us for when our effect upon others is to bring them down to such things. Make us to press toward the goal for the prize of Your upward call, and to be examples and helpers to others, that they may be our joy and crown with You in glory, which we ask in Your Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP73C “Yet Constantly, I Am with You” or TPH446 “Be Thou My Vision”

Don't Be the Guarantee of Someone Else's Promises [Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 6:1–5]

Pastor teaches his family a selection from “the Proverb of the day.” In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us not to become (or stay!) the guarantor for someone else’s promises(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Priceless Provision for Interfacing with God [2023.06.04 Evening Sermon in Exodus 37:1–38:20]

The richness of the provision for constructing the furnishings and hangings corresponded to the richest provision: interaction with the living God Himself.

(click here to DOWNLOAD video/mp3/pdf files of this sermon)

The Necessity, Centrality, and Duty of Family Worship [2023.06.04 Morning Sermon in Ephesians 5:1–6:20]

Family worship is necessary as means of being strengthened by God's grace; central to life on the battlefield in the conflict between light and darkness; and, ordained as a duty by God to punctuate believers' lives.

(click here to DOWNLOAD video/mp3/pdf files of this sermon)

Following Christ in Serving One Another [Biblical Theology of the Diaconate #37, 2023.06.04 Sabbath School]

Just as Christ humbled Himself and gave Himself for us, so we respond to Him by humbling ourselves and serving others—in dependence upon His grace and demonstration of His grace—even (and in some cases, especially) in material things.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Effective Hearing of the Word as Instructed by Him Who Makes the Word Effectual [Shorter Catechism #90 Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Westminster Shorter Catechism question 90—especially explaining that the Spirit Who makes the Word effectual has taught us to come to it—before, during, and after reading and hearing it—as unto the worship of God.

Q90. How is the Word to be read and heard, that it may become effectual to salvation? That the Word may become effectual to salvation, we must attend thereunto with diligence, preparation and prayer; receive it with faith and love, lay it up in our hearts, and practice it in our lives. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

True Worship Reorients the Heart [Family Worship lesson in Psalm 73:23–28]

What does worship lead a believer to conclude about his life? Psalm 73:23–28 looks forward to the public reading of Scripture in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that when worship reminds the believer that God has all blessedness in Himself, the believer realizes that any good in him has already come from God, and that having God Himself means that the believer already has all blessedness in this life and the next.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2023.06.06 Hopewell @Home ▫ Psalm 73:23–28

Read Psalm 73:23–28

Questions from the Scripture text: At what times does Asaph believe the Lord has been with him (Psalm 73:23a)? What has the Lord been doing (verse 23b)? What will the Lord continue to do (Psalm 73:24a)? And then what (Psalm 73:24b)? Who will receive Asaph to glory? What does Asaph ask, about what place, in verse Psalm 73:25a? What is the implied answer? What does he declare about what place in verse 25b? What is the condition of his physical strength (Psalm 73:26a)? What is the condition of his spiritual strength? What is his heart’s rock of strength (verse 26b)? What else is God to him? For how long? What will happen to whom (Psalm 73:27a)? Who does this to them (verse 27b)? What have they done to the Lord? What does Asaph now define as good (Psalm 73:28a)? What has Asaph done (verseb28b)? To be able to do what (verse 28c)?

What does worship lead a believer to conclude about his life? Psalm 73:23–28 looks forward to the public reading of Scripture in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that when worship reminds the believer that God has all blessedness in Himself, the believer realizes that any good in him has already come from God, and that having God Himself means that the believer already has all blessedness in this life and the next.  

One of the benefits of beholding God’s holiness in worship (Psalm 73:17) is the realization that He is just as holy, and He is just as present, even when we don’t perceive Him. When we add to that the fact that we have been foolish and beastly toward Him (Psalm 73:22), but that He has still granted that we would perceive His holiness (Psalm 73:17), we realize how great His mercy and patience toward us have been. This presents a very different view of ourselves and our circumstances than Asaph had in Psalm 73:13-14.

A reassessment of our past and present, Psalm 73:23-24a. Previously, Asaph spoke as if he had washed his own heart and hands (Psalm 73:13). Now, his explanation for why his foolishness and beastliness (Psalm 73:22) were not complete (cf. Psalm 73:2) is that the Lord was with him (Psalm 73:23a), holding him by the right hand (verse 23b). He has gone from thinking of himself as a good man (Psalm 73:13) being undeservedly punished (Psalm 73:14) to seeing himself as a sinful man (Psalm 73:21-22) being undeservedly helped and blessed (Psalm 73:23-24a).

What a wonderful word “nevertheless” can be. The believer may bring it into every circumstance: “Nevertheless, I am with You.” Note how much more personal “You” is than “Him” or “the Lord.” He’s not just thinking about the Lord. He’s interacting with the Lord. The believer can add to every failing: “Nevertheless, You hold me by my right hand.” The believer can add to every foolishness: “Nevertheless, You guide me with Your counsel.” May the Spirit train our hearts to say, “Nevertheless, You…”

A personal definition of heaven, Psalm 73:24-28. When we say “personal” definition of heaven, we do not mean that every person gets to make their own definition of goodness (Psalm 73:28a), but that the proper definition of goodness or blessing is that it is found in a Person: God Himself. 

When the believer is received into glory (Psalm 73:24b), he finds that the One Who receives him there is the One Who has been with him all along (cf. Psalm 73:23-24a). And having glimpsed God’s holiness in worship (Psalm 73:17), the believer has come to see that whatever else there is in heaven cannot make it any more glorious than God’s display of Himself has made it (Psalm 73:25a).

The wonderful corollary to this is that if God Himself is all of the heavenliness of heaven, then a believer already has heaven on earth (Psalm 73:25b). His failings (Psalm 73:26a) cannot take away what the believer has in the Lord Himself (verse 26b). And when he “fails” in the ultimate sense of expiring from this world (verse 26a), the believer finds that he still has the Lord Himself forever (verse 26b).

What, then, do the wicked have? Certainly not enviable prosperity like Asaph had foolishly thought (Psalm 73:4-12). Rather, they have death and destruction (Psalm 73:27). They had boasted in themselves, but a proper definition of goodness brings the believer to the conclusion that even more than the enjoyment of God, his purpose is to glorify God. No longer is he drawing near to God to obtain something else as a blessing, but in order to declare the great works of God (Psalm 73:28c) Who has in Himself all blessedness!

When is the Lord with you? When is He helping you? What are you looking forward to in heaven? What things do you desire that compete with a desire for the Lord Himself? What is your purpose?

Sample prayer:  Lord, we are continually with You. You hold us by the right hand, and You guide us with Your counsel. It is You Yourself Who will receive us to glory, and You Yourself are all the gloriousness of heaven. Make us to know Your presence with us as a heaven on earth. Don’t let our hearts go after anything apart from You. Grant that You would be our strength and portion, even now. So, when our flesh and heart fail, we will still have You Yourself. Grant to us to enjoy You and trust You and praise You, now and forever, in Jesus’s Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP73C “Yet Constantly, I Am with You” or TPH73C “In Sweet Communion, Lord, with Thee”

Heeding Wisdom to Teach Others [Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 5:1–2]

Pastor teaches his family a selection from “the Proverb of the day.” In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us how to attend upon the wisdom-teachers that the Lord has given us, so that we may be well-equipped for Him to use us to teach others.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)