Why Is Christmas Joy so Important?
Philippians 3:7-11
In Luke chapter 2 we hear directly from an angel sent from God about what Christmas is all about. Here’s what Luke tells us happened in Luke 2:8-11 –
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.
10 And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
So Christmas is all about a great joy which can be experienced by all the people of the earth, because Jesus, the Messiah, our Savior was born.
Sunday mornings we have been preaching through the book of Philippians. And conveniently, the focus of Philippians chapter 3 is on the joy we have in Christ. So last week and this week we are doing a two-week Christmas series on Christmas joy based on Philippians 3. Then next week we will take a break from Philippians and focus on the Christmas story. So let’s turn to Philippians 3. If you need a Bible, please raise your hand and we will bring one to you. Philippians 3 is on page 981 in the Bibles we are passing out.
Last week we saw that Paul calls his readers to rejoice in the Lord. And that’s also the theme in today’s passage. So let me give you an illustration of what it means to rejoice in the Lord from the life of Henry Martyn.
Henry Martyn was a missionary in India in the early 1800s. And here is a description of the joy he had in Christ as he prayed one day –
In prayer I had a most precious view of Christ, as a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Oh, how sweet was it to pray to him! I hardly knew how to contemplate with praise enough his adorable Excellencies. Who can show forth all his praise! I can conceive it to be a theme long enough for eternity. I want no other happiness – no other heaven. (The Life and Letters of Henry Martin, page 142)
Jesus Christ gave him so much joy that he was completely satisfied and needed nothing else. That’s why, in Philippians 3, Paul calls us to seek our joy in Christ and not in anything else. This does not mean that we don’t experience joy in anything else. God does give us wonderful gifts to enjoy -- like sun shining on your face, the smell of lasagna, conversation with a good friend. And there is nothing wrong with experiencing joy in these gifts from God.
But experiencing joy in something is different from seeking our joy in something. When we seek our joy in something that means we are looking to that thing to satisfy our hearts.
Let’s say you’ve had a very frustrating day at work, or with your kids. The only way your heart is going to find the comfort and satisfaction it longs for is in Jesus Christ – pouring out your soul before him, fighting to trust his promises, beholding his glory and majesty and beauty.
But if instead of turning to Christ, you seek your comfort in complaining to a friend, you will be disappointed. Friends are gifts from God, which he wants us to enjoy. But your friend will not be able to give you the comfort you crave. Not only that, you’ve just made your friend into your Savior, your Idol, your God. Because whatever you seek your joy and satisfaction in is your God.
So that’s why Paul calls us to seek our joy in the Lord and not in anything else. But why is that so important? Paul tells us in Philippians 3.
Remember that Paul’s readers were being tempted to seek their joy and salvation in the status of circumcision. That might sound strange, because that’s not a temptation in today. Today we might be tempted to seek our joy and salvation in the status of running a marathon, or getting a job at a high-tech firm, or having a certain image. But Paul’s readers were being tempted to seek their joy and salvation in the status of circumcision.
In the Old Testament the purpose of circumcision was to show how, when God saves us, he cuts sin off our hearts so we worship Jesus Christ. So look at what Paul says, starting in verse 3 --
3 For we are the circumcision [those who have experienced what circumcision portrays], who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh [that is, who do not seek their joy and salvation in anything but Christ] --
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 …
In verses 7-8 Paul describes a decision he had made. So what decision had Paul made? Read verses 7-8 again –
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
Paul had great status in the Jewish religion. But when he was saved he counted that as loss. Not only that, Paul says he counted all things as loss so he could gain Christ.
But what does that mean? How did he count being Jewish as loss? He didn’t stop being Jewish. So how did he count being Jewish as loss?
It’s because he stopped seeking his joy in being Jewish. When he had a bad day, he used to think well, at least I’m Jewish – and better than other people. That’s what he used to do. But now, when he has a bad day, he does not seek his comfort in being Jewish, or in being circumcised, or in anything else besides Jesus Christ.
So Paul had stopped seeking his joy in everything other than Christ. He had turned from whatever he used to trust for his joy – circumcision, racial pedigree, reputation as a Pharisee -- he turned from everything else he trusted to satisfy him, and trusted Jesus Christ alone to satisfy him.
But why? Why did Paul make this decision? Paul tells us in verses 8-11 –
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.
So why does Paul stop seeking his joy in anything but Christ? In versus 8-11 Paul gives five different reasons. They overlap, but they each have their own emphasis.
First, in verse 8, it’s because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus. Jesus Christ is not just a doctrine to be believed or an authority to obey. Jesus Christ is a person to be known. And the worth of knowing Christ surpassing everything else. When we trust him, worship him, fellowship with him – he will give us times when he fills us with his presence and glory.
Second, at the end of verse 8, it is so he might gain Christ. What does that mean? In chapter 1 Paul said “to live is Christ, to die is gain.” So as much joy as Paul had in knowing Christ now, he knew he would gain even more when he was face to face with Christ in heaven.
Third, it is so he will be found in him. Read verse 9 again –
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--
At the end of history we will all be judged. And if the only righteousness we can show God is the righteousness produced by our own efforts – then we will face judgment, because we can’t be righteous by our own efforts. But the good news is that by faith in Jesus Christ we can be found in him, clothed in his righteousness, when we stand before God. Which means we will be saved from God’s judgment against sin.
John Piper says God’s judgment is like a fire that burns up whatever is before it, but Jesus Christ is like a massive asbestos shield which, if we are in him, will protect us from that fire.
Fourth, it is so he will know Christ and his power and his sufferings. That’s in verse 10 –
10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
Here Paul explains more of what it means to know Christ. As we trust and obey Christ we will have times when we experience the power of his resurrection changing our hearts, strengthening us to love, working miracles, answering prayers, healing the sick -- and that will bring us great joy.
But we will also share in his sufferings – being persecuted for the gospel, broken hearted over the wayward, battling our own sin, and suffering trials. But this will be sharing in his sufferings, which means we will have sweet fellowship with him as we suffer. And his presence makes all the suffering worth it.
And fifth, it is so he will be raised from the dead. That’s verse 11 –
11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
Two weeks from today, Lord willing, we will talk more about what Paul means when he says “by any means possible.” But for now, let’s focus on this: another reason Paul turns from everything else, to trust Christ alone to satisfy him, is so that he will be raised from the dead and welcomed into heaven to worship and glorify Jesus Christ with all the redeemed forever and ever.
There’s a lot we could talk about from this passage. I think one of the most important questions is – what does this passage teach us about saving faith?
In verse 9 Paul says that we are found in Christ and clothed with his perfect righteousness through faith. But in verse 8 he says that to be found in Christ we must count everything as loss. To see that read verses 8 and 9 together –
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--
So to be found in Christ and clothed with Christ’s righteousness we must we must have faith in Christ, and we must count everything else as loss. But that’s not two different things; it’s one thing. Because saving faith involves turning from everything else we used to trust satisfy us, and trusting Jesus Christ alone to satisfy us.
So saving faith does not just mean trusting Jesus to forgive our sins. It is that. But it also means having faith in everything Jesus says. And in John 6:35 he promises that as the bread of life he will satisfy the heart-hungers of everyone who comes to him.
So a crucial part of saving faith is turning from everything else we used to trust to satisfy us, and turning to trust Jesus Christ alone to satisfy us.
And why should we turn from everything else to trust Christ alone to satisfy us? It’s because only Christ will satisfy us. So identify the biggest competitor with Christ in your life. Maybe it’s money, or having a certain image. Maybe it’s career, or exercise. Maybe it’s food, or entertainment. Hold it up and compare it honestly with Jesus Christ -- knowing him, beholding him, worshiping him.
There is no comparison. So in a fresh way turn from that, and trust Christ to satisfy you. Ask him to forgive you. Ask him to change your heart. Ask him to completely satisfy you in himself. He will.