May 31 2026

Sunday May 31

“Holding Forth the Word of Life”

Philippians 2:16

Welcome to Pastor's Chat. Today we are looking at verse 16 of Philippians 2, which says: "Holding fast the word of life, that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain or labored in vain." The phrase "holding fast" can also mean "holding forth." It paints a picture of something being extended outward for others to see. What are we holding forth? We are holding forth the Word of Life. This refers to the gospel, the life-giving message of Jesus Christ. The world around us is spiritually dying, and it needs the lifeline of the gospel.

Picture someone drowning. They are about to go under for the last time. You happen to have the only lifeline on the whole ship. You are standing there with the ability to hold it forth and throw it to the individual who is drowning, rescuing them from certain death. That is exactly what we are called to do. We are in the rescue business, rescuing precious souls—souls for whom Jesus Christ died—from entering eternity without Him.

People today are searching for meaning, peace, forgiveness, and hope. We possess the only message of eternal life. Jesus said in John 6:63: "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." We are not called merely to believe the gospel privately. We are called to proclaim it boldly. Jesus said: "You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and ordained you that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain." (John 15:16)

A lighthouse does not hide its light. It shines outward to guide others safely home. Every believer is called to hold forth the Word of Life through both speech and conduct. Our message and our lifestyle need to match each other. When believers constantly complain, fight, or live inconsistently, the gospel message becomes clouded. But when our lives reflect Jesus Christ, the gospel becomes visible through our very lives.

Then Paul says something very personal in this passage. He speaks about rejoicing: "That I may rejoice in the day of Christ." The Day of Christ refers to the time when believers will stand before Christ for reward. It is also called “the Judgment Seat of Christ”, and is also referred to in the epistles as "the Day of Jesus Christ," or simply as "that Day". It refers to the time when you and I will give an account of how we held forth the Word of Life and what we did to bring others to Jesus Christ.

Paul referred to this Day of Christ twice in Philippians 1. Philippians 1:6: "Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." And then in Philippians 1:10: "That you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ." In 1 Corinthians 1:7–8, Paul wrote: "Waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." That Day refers to the time when Jesus Christ returns for His church, and believers stand before Him to be rewarded. It is not a judgment for our sins. That was taken care of at the cross.

Faithful pastors do not simply want large crowds; they want transformed lives. Paul said: "…that I have not run in vain or labored in vain." In other words, he desired that his life and ministry would not be empty or fruitless. There is no greater joy than hearing that those we have influenced are walking in the truth. 3 John 4 says: "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." Can you imagine the joy in heaven when we see those who were impacted by our witness?

Every conversation about Christ matters. Every gospel tract matters. Every prayer matters. Every act of kindness matters. We should never underestimate what God can do through simple faithfulness. So today, hold forth the Word of Life. Speak about Jesus. Live for Jesus. Point others to Jesus. The world desperately needs the hope that only Jesus Christ can give.

Let’s pray. Father, thank You for entrusting us with the Word of Life. Help us to hold it forth boldly and lovingly. Use our words and our testimony to point people to Jesus Christ. May we live in such a way that our labor will not be in vain. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

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