Philippians - Joy In All Seasons
Week 16 - The Joy of Pouring

Today we will focus on Paul’s words in Philippians 2:17-18, being “poured out like a drink offering,” as well as how we are to “shine like lights” in the world. Paul likens the darkness of the world to what we witness at night; we—with Christ in us—are to shine brightly amidst the brokenness all around us. When sailors were lost at sea, they used the stars to orient themselves and know their place in the world. In the same way, we, as God’s people, are to shine into this dark world.

Spilled or Poured? Phil 2:17-18 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Would we rather be spilled or poured? Most of us spill our lives, rather than pour our lives out. By trusting Jesus, we can intentionally pour our lives out for Him and one another—and not haphazardly spill them. Historically speaking, the image Paul is invoking is a sacrificial one. It was common practice in both pagan and Jewish sacrifices that the priest would offer a sacrifice and then later pour out a sacrificial “libation” to complement it. Paul is using this image of working together—calling the Philippians to bless their city with an offering of faith, like Paul poured his own life into the building up of the Church. Paul viewed his own service as a complement, or contribution, to their service.

Our lives are broken up, whether we realize it or not, into two parts; the parts people can see and the internal parts that no one sees. Paul calls it “living by faith.” When our lives are spilled, they’re wasted on meaningless pursuits, but when poured out intentionally for Christ, they gain profound purpose and joy.

“Poured Out” walks by faith – Faith means to trust; it is not a nebulous stirring up of emotions to convince yourself something is true that isn’t. Faith does not mean there is never any doubt/uncertainty in our circumstances—there is a difference between doubt and unbelief. Unbelief dismisses God, while doubt trusts God amidst the uncertainty.

No one chooses to live in doubt, but if we wait until all doubt is removed to make a decision, we will never make one. Every human being lives by faith whether we/they realize it or not. We spill our lives all the time by focusing on meaningless things, but following Jesus is never for nothing.

Spilled vs. Poured – Cultivate a faith that matters in THIS life. The Gospel is not, “When I die, I’ll be asked a series of questions and if I get them right I go to heaven.” The Gospel is the proclamation of what Jesus did to save us, and our lives should reflect that in the now. The Gospel DOES NOT promise an easy life.

3 types of convictions:
1. Public convictions – Convictions that we want other people to think we believe.
2. Private convictions – Convictions that we think we believe, but it turns out we may not.
3. Core convictions – Are revealed in our daily actions, by what we actually do. These are the ones that really matter.

Alvin Plantinga writes, “Public conviction may be bogus, private conviction might be fickle, but we do not violate our core beliefs about the way things are.” Jesus is interested in changing our public, private, and core convictions, but it starts with core convictions.

We each have to decide: Do I want to be poured out or spilled out? Element’s prayer is that we all get poured out for Jesus and we collectively rejoice in that shared experience.

CONVERSATION GUIDE:

Opening Questions:
• Can you distinguish between doubt and unbelief. How are they different, and why is this distinction important?

• How can we live faithfully even when we experience doubt?

• Can you explain the differences between public, private, and core convictions? Can you identify an example of each type of conviction in your own life?

• Why are core convictions the most important?

• Every human being lives by faith whether they realize it or not. How do you see this playing out in our world?

Personal Application:
• Identify one area of your life where you feel you might be “spilling” rather than “pouring” your time, energy, or resources. What would it look like to reframe this as a pouring out for Christ?

• Consider your own core convictions. What do your daily actions and choices reveal about what you truly believe? Are there any disconnects between your stated beliefs and your lived reality?

Group Focus:
• Consider how your community itself might be “poured out” rather than “spilled.” Are we investing our collective time, gifts, and resources in ways that have eternal significance?

• Pray together, asking God to help you (plural) be a community that pours itself out for Him and for others.