HoHum:
In 1904 William Borden graduated from a Chicago high school. As heir to the Borden Dairy estate, he was already a millionaire. For his high school graduation present, his parents gave him a trip around the world. Now William’s mother had a profound influence on his life. In fact, she had become a Christian when William was 8 years old and she often took him to church. By the time William graduated he had given his life to Christ. Now, as a 16 year old, traveling through Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, he felt a growing burden for the lost. During that trip, Borden wrote home to say, “I have decided to give my life for the mission field.” At the same time, he wrote 2 words in the back of his Bible: “No reserve.”
Many thought it was youthful zeal and that it would pass with time. It didn’t. He began his college studies at Yale University with the desire to openly live for Jesus Christ. He became a leader for Christ on that campus. During his time at Yale, Borden started a small prayer group that would eventually transform the whole university. His Bible study group began a movement that spread across the campus and by the end of his first year, 150 freshman were meeting for weekly Bible study and prayer. By the time Borden was a senior, 1,000 of Yale’s 1,300 students were meeting in weely Bible studies and prayer groups. Borden’s drive, however, never let up on going overseas to uncharted areas with the gospel.
Upon graduation from Yale, his father offered him a position in the Borden company. William turned him down and his father said that he would never offer him a position in the company again. At this time Borden wrote in his Bible, “No Retreat.”
In keeping with his commitments, William turned down every lucrative position offered to him and he enrolled in seminary. After completing his studies, he immediately went to Egypt to learn Arabic to prepare for a lifetime ministry with the Muslims of China. But he would never make it to China. To the shock of the western world that had witnessed his decision to leave his inheritance and his wealth and connections behind, William became ill. While he was in Egypt learning the Arabic language, he contracted spinal meningitis and within a month, William Borden died- at the age of 25.
Newpapers headlined the unfortunate news of Yale’s famous graduate and the heir to the Borden inheritance. Many speculated on the value of his sacrifice and concluded that it was such a waste. Secular sources said it was a waste because he had such promise as a businessperson and could have made more money, instead he died in agony in a foreign country for a useless cause. Christian sources said it was a waste because he could have been such a force for missions for years to come but he died a senseless death. Imagine what he could have done if he had gone to China and started the mission to the Muslims
When William Borden’s parents were given his Bible, they found these words, “No reserve, No Retreat” and another phrase. William Borden had written these words shortly before his death in Egypt, “No Regret”- No reserve, no retreat and no regret
WBTU:
As a hospice chaplain I hear many people’s regrets. There are things that everyone would like to do over and do differently. However, dedicating our life to Jesus Christ and being involved in his work is never regretted.
Thinking of 2 individuals who died in our hospice service. One retired from Ford company and dedicated his remaining years to Christ by preaching and ministering wherever and whenever he could. The other retired from the military and from GM company and he did the same, dedicated his life to preaching and singing wherever and whenever he could. Both of these individuals did this work without payment and they had no regrets about serving in this way.
No one will ever say on their deathbed:
I wish I’d put in more hours at the job- I wish I’d landed that contract
I wish I had caught that 10 pound bass- I wish my golf handicap had been lower
I wish I would have spent more time watching TV- I wish I could have gone to Disney Land
In Philippians 2:14-18 (read Scripture) we hear from an aging Apostle who lived his life with no reserve, no retreat and no regret (no regret in his service to Jesus Christ)
Paul has just finished urging the Christians in Philippi to hold out the word of life to their sin darkened world; to stop complaining, but to shine like stars in the nigh sky to show the way home to Christ. In vs. 16 Paul starts to get personal- In other words, I want you to live out the gospel, because if you do, as far as I’m concerned, my life will not have been in vain- there will be no feeling of regrets in my ministry or in my life.
3 different metaphors used in this text to describe his life and ministry
Thesis: Let’s discuss these 3 metaphors
For instances:
1. A runner
Paul often uses metaphors from the world of sports and athletics. Philippi would be familiar with this because often had Olympic games in that area.
Paul talks here about an athlete that has given his best efforst to prepare to run a race and this athlete hopes that his efforts are not in vain. Tried running and my efforts were in vain
In the Christian race how do we run? “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,...” Hebrews 12:1, 2, NIV.
If the Philippian Christian will hold out the light of the gospel, then Paul says that he will not have run his race in vain, no regrets in running his race.
2. A Laborer
The word used for labouring here is working hard- intense, difficult, painfully strenous work
Becoming weary from exerting oneself physically, mentally and even spiritually
Both these images- run and toil- relate to exertion and exhaustion; work filled with sweat, stress
Paul says this is worth it if we get along in unity and display the light of the gospel
Preaching and teaching can be full of sweat and stress. “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honour, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.” 1 Timothy 5:17, NIV.
Listen, this is opposite of pride. A proud parent wants praise for raising chilren who are civilized and successful. A humble parent is simply thrilled to see their chilren walking with Christ.
A proud businessperson wants all the credit for a job well done. A humble businessperson wants to share the credit with his entire staff
A proud teacher wants acknowledgment from every graduate for his/her efforts. A humble teacher is just thrilled to know the students graduated and are better prepared for life.
Paul isn’t going to consider his race well run just because he’s an apostle and started all of these churches and he awaits from God the awards he’s got coming but does not care what happens to the Philippians. Oh no, not Paul. Like the Apostle John, Paul’s greatest joy is in seeing his children walking in the truth (3 John vs. 4). It’s all about the mission and the gospel.
Paul is saying that their success in following Christ makes his life worth all the effort and all the sweat and all the stress. May all who come behind us find us faithful...
3. A Sacrifice
Look at vs. 17
Paul has talked about the gymnasium and the sweat shop, now he talks about OT sacrifices
Could divide the OT sacrifices into 2 categories: the non sweet savor sacrifices and the sweet savor sacrifices
The non sweet sacrifices have to do with guilt and sin. Called burnt or guilt offerings. They ultimately pointed to the sacrifice of Christ and His atonment for our sins.
The sacrifices that were sweet savor sacrifices point to the loveliness of Christ- sacrifices of praise and worship for the goodness of God. Called fellowship or peace offerings. Wine sometimes included in these
“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name.” Hebrews 13:15, NIV.
Paul is saying, “If I lose my life it won’t be wasted- there will be no regrets, because my sacrifice will be a sweet smelling sacrifice to God.”
Paul is saying that the Philippians are offering the main thing- and Paul is thrilled to be a little offering added to theirs. This is the way to live with no reserve, no retreat and no regret.
So what? Living without regret means:
Relishing in the accomplishments of others
For Paul, one of the greatest prizes in life was to know that somehow his efforts were used by God to bring others to know and love and serve Jesus Christ- just to play a little part in that...
Longing for the applause of Christ
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.” Romans 12:1, NIV.
One well known preacher imagined that he woke up each morning, and while he was still lying in bed; imagined his bed to be the top of an altar; and he dedicated himself every morning as a living sacrifice to God. Well done good and faithful servant
William Borden’s sacrifice was a waste. No, not from God’s perspective. God used his life and death to call thousands and thousands of young men and women to leave all they had and give their lives to reach the nations with the Gospel. God did greater things through Borden’s sacrifice that He may have ever done with his life if he made it to China.
“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret” 2 Corinthians 7:10
