“All these things Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed, he said nothing to them without a parable. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet: 'I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world.' Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, 'Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.' He answered, 'The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear. The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 'Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls...'"  Matthew 13:34-45

“Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh — For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”  Philippians 3:1-3, 18-21 

If I am to move towards an attitude of generosity as a disciple of Christ, I must continually taste and see all that the Lord has given me in the person and work of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit.

“You awaken us to delight in your praise; for you (O Father) have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in you.”  The Confessions of Augustine, 1-1

Therefore, because God has made us for himself we will never find true rest, peace, and meaning in other pursuits that are divorced from the changeless, triune God.

Two approaches (Philippians 3):

1. The Pharisees (vv. 1-3) who were feverishly trying to earn the favor of God by their self efforts, and their twisting of the law for their own purposes. This led to ego-laded living.

2. The sensualist (vv. 18-21) who were individuals who denied themselves no passion or inclination. This led to radical, egocentric living and a total disregard for other people. 

The road to beholding the goodness of the Lord:

1. We continually ponder to seek to understand the absolute goodness and mercy of God in such a way as "I treasure Jesus." (1-3)

“How sweet all at once it was for me to be rid of those fruitless joys that I once had feared to lose! You drove them from me, you who are the true, the sovereign joy. You drove them from me and took their place, you who are sweeter than all pleasure.”  The Confessions of Augustine, 9-1

2. We must press against the “wind and tide” of the cultural moment.

“If you will go with us (Christian and Hopeful), you must go against Wind and Tide; which I perceive you are unwilling to do. you must also own Religion in his Rags, as well as when in his Silver Slippers; and stand by him, too, when bound in irons, as well as when he walketh the streets with applause.” John Bunyan, Pilgrim's Progress (112-113)

3. We must go against the "wind and tide" of indwelling sin.

“For what am I to myself without you, but a guide to my own downfall? Or what am I even at the best, but an infant sucking the milk you give and feeding on you the food that perishes not.”  Confessions of Augustine, 4-1

“Who can disentangle that twisted and integrate mass of knots (which I find within myself)?... With you is rest and tire and life imperturbable (peaceful). Whoever enters into you, enters into the joy of his Lord; and shall not fear, and shall do excellently in the Supreme Good." Confessions of Augustine, 2-14

4. The glad and blessed pursuit of knowing the Lord.

“Behold, O Lord, my heart is turned to you; open my ears and say to my soul, I am your salvation and after this voice let me run, and take hold of thee, hide not your face from me. I’d rather die than not see your face.”  Confessions of Augustine, 1-5

QUESTIONS:

1. Why did the Pharisee and the sensualist in Philippines 3 end up in the same place of being ego driven?

2. What is a one-sentence summation of Proverbs 8:36-38?

3. What does it mean to continuously behold the goodness and power of the risen and reigning Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit?

4. What is the difference between looking within, as advocated by Stoicism and Buddhism, and looking without, by glorying in the greatness of the cross (Colossians 3:1-4)?

5. What is the difference between saying “no, no, no, no” to ________ versus taking on the freeing and gloriously good yoke of Christ?

6. Why does the gospel push us towards generosity?