The Book of Philippians Pt. 7 God's Holy Spirit: The Master Choreographer for Our Lives.

The Supply of the Spirit of Christ.

Philippians 1:19  For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 

Paul continued expounding on his prayers and desires for the believers at Philippi. He also expressed his thankfulness for their prayers on his behalf. It appears from the text that Paul was thinking about his upcoming Roman trial and their fervent prayers for his release. 

The word "salvation" is the word most often  referring to being redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ. However, this same word can also mean being granted deliverance, safety or preservation from your enemies. 

The context indicates the latter meaning is how we understand the word "salvation" in this text. Paul's conversion to Christ on the road to Damascus was a historical event many years in the past, and could not be what he was hoping for at this point in time. Rather, he was hoping that God would deliver him from any additional imprisonment so that he could pursue gospel ministry.  

What is remarkable in this text is Paul mentioning the "supply of the Spirit of Christ." What is he speaking of? When we think about "supply" we generally tend to think in economic terms like supply chain management or supply and demand related to goods and services. 

However, the Greek word "epichorēgia" is translated "supply" and it has a fascinating meaning. The root of this word is found in the word "choreography" which is  connected with putting on a play, drama or a ballet. 

How did the Greeks use this word? This is an example of the Spirit of God taking a secular Greek word and infusing it with spiritual meaning. An ancient Greek knew that an "epichorēgia" was responsible to lead the dramatic production or chorus with great intensity. 

However, this man was responsible to do a lot more than choreograph the dramatic production.  He had to rent a performing venue like a stadium or amphitheater and he had to obtain or make all of the costumes for the actors. In addition he had to train all the actors so that they knew what to do, what to say and where to move on the stage. Finally, the "epichorēgia" promoted the event. He completed all of these various tasks while remaining in the background as the actors, singers and dancers performed for an audience.

In other words, the Greek  "epichorēgia" was  someone who provided or supplied all necessary resources required for a successful production. This is the very word that the Spirit of God applied to His ministry in the life of each believer. 

The Spirit of God supplies everything that a child of God needs to successfully live for the glory of God while we are here on earth. 

He wants to lead us and direct our steps. 

Romans 8:14  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Like a Greek choreographer, the Spirit of God seeks to lead us through this life. We cannot lead ourselves because our "old man" will struggle against our efforts to follow hard after Christ. God sent His Spirit to live in us (indwell) in order to lead us on the path of righteousness. We are commanded to "walk in the Spirit" because only He knows the path that we must follow and He will help us stay on course (Galatians 5:25). 

He strengthens our inner man and elevates Christ. 

Ephesians 3:16-19  That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17) That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18) May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19) And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 

Like a Greek choreographer training the actors or dancers, the Spirit of God stays out of sight, working behind the scenes in our inner man. He wants to train us (discipleship) about the love of God and the wonderful things of God. He wants to teach us all the dimensions of spiritual blessings that we have been granted in Christ. He wants to strengthen our inner man so that we can live victoriously for our Lord. He stays in the background by always glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ (John 16:14). 

He comes alongside us to help us when we pray. 

Romans 8:26-27  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27) And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

The Spirit of God comes alongside of each believer to help us in prayer because we do not often pray aright or with proper knowledge. He will intercede for us with soundless groanings on our behalf, seeking what is best for us according to God's will. 

He gives us a desire to obey God.

Ezekiel 36:27  And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. 

Jehovah promised to put His Spirit in us so that we could continually stay on track and follow Him. He will cause us to walk in the holy statutes of God and teach us to keep or observe His judgments. When we drive a car we must obey the traffic laws. In a dramatic production you must stand on your mark and follow your cues. Similarly, when we are born again, there are spiritual laws that we must learn to follow and the Spirit of God is our great Helper. 

He teaches us God's Word. 

John 14:26  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Just as a choreographer helps a drama team remember their lines, so the Spirit of God teaches us the Word of God and He helps us remember truth from our Lord. Jesus told His disciples not to think about their replies to their accusers beforehand, because the Spirit of God would give them what they ought to say (Mark 13:11; Luke 12:12). 

He places believers into the universal body of Christ as He pleases. 

1 Corinthians 12:11-14  11) But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 12) For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13)  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 14) For the body is not one member, but many.

A Greek "epichorēgia" had to figure out which actors, actresses, singers and dancers were the best fit for the various roles of a dramatic production. He had to assess their strengths and weakness, talents and shortcomings and put each person into a role where they could succeed. 

The Spirit of God puts each believer into the body of Christ as He sees fit. He gives gifts, talents or skills to each one of us as he deems best. The words "dividing severally" means distributing spiritual gifts to each individual in a local church body with a deliberate purpose according to His will. 

The idea is that the Spirit of God connects us to the body of Christ in such a way that we each have a role, a function to do for the good of our church. For example, you would not want a church to have only people who are teachers, or accountants. Diversity in the body is needed because it reflects the wide array of people who are saved by God. Diversity is needed because there is a vast array of needs within the body of Christ and a vast array of people with different likes, dislikes, talents, gifts and calling. 

Paul used some preposterous ideas such as, if the whole church were an "eye" then it would not properly function. The "eye" needs the hands, feet, exoskeleton, the internal organs and the nervous system in order to do its job, which is to see. 

Some of us will serve like feet by visiting believers who are shut in. Some may prepare a meal for a believer who has been ill or suffered an injury. Others may take a senior saint to a doctor appointment.  Some may participate in a church work day to meet the needs of the church family.  

Some of us will function like hands, working in the nursery in a church. Some may come alongside of a struggling brother and sister to help "pick up" their spirit or spend time praying with them. 

For example, Acts 6:1 tells us that the office of a deacon was formed in response to Grecian widows not being served food when the daily meal was shared together. 

Others will serve as the eyes and ears and will see or hear of something that needs to be done and quietly go and meet that need. 

Some will be responsible for what some may think are more prominent or important duties like preaching a sermon, teaching a Sunday School class or leading choir. 

Believers may complete necessary behind the scenes tasks, like cleaning the church, or working in the bus ministry to maintain the vehicles. Some may also help maintain and distribute items from a food pantry to help the poor. 

Yet, the Spirit of God placed us all into the body according to what pleases Him. This means that there is no room for pride in our abilities or our gifts. It also means that no job in the church body is unimportant (1 Corinthians 12:12-26). 

The body of Christ is one, organic whole, unit masterfully orchestrated by the Spirit of God who indwells each one of us. 

Yet, we are individual members with specific roles, duties or functions to complete. We all need each other and rely upon each other. When one member of the body suffers, the whole body suffers. If one member is blessed in some way, the whole body is blessed (1 Corinthians 12:26). 

Paul had great hope because the Spirit of God was shaping the church of Jesus Christ. 

Philippians 1:20  According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. 

Because these things are true about the abundant  ministry of the Spirit of God, Paul had an earnest expectation. His thoughts were lifted toward heaven and filled with anticipation that Christ would work all things out for Paul's good and God's glory. Paul had no reason to be ashamed because God was working in him and through him, even as He worked in and through other believers.

The apostle planned to continue being a bold preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ because whether he lived or died, he wanted Jesus Christ to be magnified. 

Galatians 6:9-10   And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10) As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. 

In the context of teaching us about sowing to the flesh compared to sowing in the Spirit, Paul reminded us not to grow weary in well doing. A strong guiding ministry principle should be to do good unto all men but specifically to those who are born again. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

You see that we are greatly urged to remain faithful in our service to the body of Christ, and to our local church family. If we fail to exercise the gift or talent given to us by the Spirit of God, then the church body will suffer. The Holy Spirit put us into the body of Christ for a reason and He alone can see the big picture of how each individual believer fits into the body of Christ. 

Are we "walking in the Spirit?"

Are we yielding and being "led by the Spirit?

Are we seeking to "be filled" by the Spirit?

Are we allowing Him to "teach" us truth from the Bible?

Are we doing "good" to all men as we have opportunities to do so?

Do we love God and others before ourselves?

I submit to you that the Spirit of God will orchestrate our lives in a way that leads to glorifying God, if we yield to His leadership in our heart. 

May the Lord of glory continue to purge out any remnant of selfishness and self centeredness from our hearts, that our love for Christ might be more intense and pure.

Bob