APRIL 17, 2025 – DRINK OFFERING

READ: Phil. 2:17,18: Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.

Now that Paul has spoken about the future in verse 16, he turns to his own death. He compares his death to an offering—a drink or thanksgiving offering. This is how he sees his life and death in service to the Lord.

In verse 16, he already mentioned that his life was one of running a race and enduring great effort for the cause of Christ. Ultimately, he will have to give his life.. But that does not stop him from calmly accepting trials.

Paul has faced such moments before. In 1 Cor. 15:31, he writes:
“I die daily.” And in 2 Cor. 4:8-11: “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then, death is working in us, but life in you.”

Paul now explains that through his demanding apostolic work—which will eventually cost him his life—he has contributed to the church serving the Lord in faith with the thanksgiving offering of their lives. This is an offering brought in faith, resting on God’s mercies in Christ (Rom. 12:1).

Such an offering will certainly require much self-denial from the church, but it is possible through the power of the Spirit.

All of this makes Paul especially grateful and joyful—joyful with the church in Philippi and all its members. He urges them to rejoice with him because of the immeasurably rich blessing of God’s mercy that has come to them through the apostle.

Do you recognize self-denial in yourself?          

Sing: Ps. 119:42