June 01 2026

Monday June 01

“Poured Out for Christ”

Philippians 2:17

Welcome to Pastor's Chat. Today we're continuing in Philippians 2, looking at verse 17, where the Apostle Paul says: "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." Paul is using an Old Testament picture of sacrifice. In those days, wine would often be poured out upon a sacrifice as an offering to God. Paul says that his own life is being poured out like that drink offering. What a picture of surrender!

Paul was in prison as he wrote these words. He faced uncertainty, suffering, and possible execution. Yet he did not speak with bitterness. He spoke with joy. Why was that? Because he had totally and absolutely surrendered his life to Jesus Christ. He saw his suffering as an act of worship. Romans 12:1 tells us that we are to “present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, which is only our reasonable service” after all that God has done for us. Christianity is not merely believing certain truths. It is the offering of ourselves fully to God.

Paul's joy did not depend upon comfortable circumstances. His joy came from knowing that his life was being used for the glory of God. Oh, my friend, what a difference it makes when we begin to understand that! This is the secret of lasting joy. The world says today that joy or happiness comes from getting. But the Bible, and Jesus Himself, teach us that joy and true blessedness come from giving. In Acts 20:35, we read these words that Jesus said: "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

So many of us today struggle with joy because we are focused mainly on ourselves—what we want, what we feel, and what we are going through—instead of focusing on God and His glory. Joy grows when we pour out our lives in serving Christ and others. Have you ever poured out your life? The Scriptures tell us that Jesus Christ poured out His blood on the cross, and He became broken bread. That is what the Lord's Supper is about: broken bread and poured-out wine. Today that is what we can become in the hands of our Lord Jesus Christ by the grace of God.

As we do, we begin to nourish others until they can learn to nourish themselves. We might even become a doormat. Yes, people may wipe their feet on us. Yet we rejoice when that happens, just as Paul did in prison. What joy we have inside because we know that the feet of those who wipe their feet on us are cleaner now. Perhaps, as a result of our response rather than our reaction, they too will glorify Christ and come to know Him.

Paul rejoiced even while suffering because sacrifice for Christ is never wasted. Missionaries understand this great truth. Faithful pastors understand this truth. Godly parents understand this truth. Godly Christians—believers who give their lives in service through the ministry of their local church—understand this truth. Sometimes serving Christ is costly. It may cost comfort, convenience, popularity, and even relationships. But nothing given to Christ is ever lost. Jim Elliot, the great missionary martyr, once said: "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."

No less than six times, Jesus said in the Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—that when you try to save your life, you will lose it. But if you lose your life for His sake and the gospel's, you will find it. So today, ask yourself: Am I living sacrificially for Christ? Am I holding back areas of my life from God? Am I willing to be poured out for His glory? The greatest life is not the comfortable life. It is the surrendered life. I pray that this is your heart today.

Let's pray together. Father, thank You for the example of Paul, and above all, the example of Jesus Christ. Teach us to live sacrificially and joyfully for Your glory. Help us to absolutely surrender all of our lives completely into Your hands. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

God bless and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!