Living Out Loud

“and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:11)

Ever heard that often quoted line from St. Francis of Assisi? You probably know the one I’m talking about. “Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words when necessary.” There’s only one itty bitty problem with that little ditty. Frankie didn’t say it. It’s not in any of his writings. Nowhere. His first biographer quotes the monk as actually saying just the opposite. Words and actions go hand in hand. That’s the point Paul is trying to get across as he sings the closing line of lyrics to the worship song we read in Philippians 2:6-11. We not only live a life of obedience and worship of Jesus but look for opportunities to tell everybody who will listen that He is our Leader. We say it out loud. We live out loud.

From behind bars in Rome, the apostle writes a letter of incredible encouragement to his friends back in Philippi. Over the past couple of years, he’s had to send notes to put out theological fires in churches in Ephesus and Colossae. But this epistle is different. VERY different. Paul is so overwhelmed with the joy of Jesus while he’s in the joint that he’s got to share it with the amazing followers of we call the Philippians. A few years back, the man from Tarsus and his travel team rolled into the Macedonian port city with the message of Jesus. God used Paul to open the heart of a fashionista named Lydia, save a young woman from demon-possession and slavery, and convert a brutal prison warden and his entire family. You can read all about it in Dr. Luke’s sequel (Acts 16:12-40). 

Here in chapter 2 of his letter, the apostle can’t contain himself and bursts out into song. We’re not sure if Paul wrote it or if he was simply quoting one of the hot worship tunes of the time. But the structure is in the form of lyrics or poetry. Folks like Chris Tomlin and David Crowder compose some fantastic praise music, but this golden oldie is a classic. This little number is all about Jesus, who He is and what He’s done for us. Christ is 100% God and then added 100% humanity in order to serve and save us (Phil 2:6-7). He left His palatial home in heaven to live as one of us and then die in our place on the cross (Phil 2:8). Because of Jesus’ mind-blowing humility His heavenly Dad escorted His Son to the place of honor and gave Him a name greater than any other (Phil 2:9). The result of our Lord’s new name is the worship and submission of every person who has ever lived (Phil 2:10). We’ll not only humble ourselves before Him but tell everyone that the resurrected Rabbi from Nazareth is the ultimate authority in the universe (v11). All that leads us back to making His Father famous.

After painting a picture of how “every knee should bow” before our Savior, Paul writes, “every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (v11). The apostle is singing about the Who behind the why. Just about every Bible translator uses the word “confess.” This is from the Greek verb exomologeo, a word that describes the words proceed an inevitable action. It’s to openly and joyfully acknowledge, agree, profess, or affirm a fact to be the reason you’re about to do something. This particular song reminds me of one we sing at our church, “This Is Amazing Grace” by Phil Wickham. It goes a little something like this. “This is amazing grace, this is unfailing love. That You would take my place, that You would bear my cross. You would lay down Your life, that I could be set free. Oh, Jesus, I sing for all that You’ve done for me!” We can’t help but sing and shout about our Savior. We confess to everyone who will listen who He is and what He’s done. We say it out loud as we live out loud.

If you think this phrase “every tongue confess” looks familiar, there’s a reason. It’s sprinkled throughout the Bible. God announced to Isaiah, “To Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance” (Is 45:23). When you combine that with Paul’s words in Philippians, it connects the biblical dots between the resurrected Rabbi/Carpenter from Nazareth and the long-awaited Messiah of the Jews! In other words, Jesus isn’t just an awesome Teacher but the One God has promised would come to our rescue since our first parents listened to the lies of a satanic snake (Gen 3:15). The apostle sings about the Hero of the entire Bible! He sings about the Hero of the Big Story! All of the great movie heroes have a theme song. One day we’ll ALL sing Jesus’ song.

That tune is the a big part of the soundtrack of the New Testament as well. We’ll belt out that “Jesus Christ is Lord” (v11). It’s our acknowledgement that He is the rightful Ruler and unquestioned Boss of the Universe. When it’s all said and done, we will announce that Jesus is God and the sovereign authority of the whole shooting match. Some of you might have some doubts and are hedging your bets on this idea. Meet Thomas. You may remember him by his nickname Doubting Thomas. He had missed the meet-up with the resurrected Jesus and wasn’t buying what his buddies were selling about a resurrected Jesus. When Christ appears to His posse in the  bonus room, Tommy’s doubts disappear just as quickly. “My Lord and my God!” (Jn 21:28). He confesses with his tongue just exactly who Jesus is. Tommy and the rest of the apostle live the rest of their lives saying it out loud. They live the rest of their lives living out loud.

Telling others that Christ is in charge of your life is a sure sign that He’s come to your rescue. “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom 10:9). Chances are if my mouth is confessing Christ and my heart is trusting in what He’s done for me, I’ll be living out loud for Him. Let’s be clear about what Paul is NOT saying about being a tongue confessor. Chances are he’s not telling you to buy a bullhorn, wear a “Jesus is Lord” sandwich board, and go for a walk at the mall. But he IS saying we can’t be shy about Who we worship. You don’t have to force anyone to believe in the One who came to your rescue. On the other hand, our love for and trust in Jesus should be a regular part of our conversation. Paul’s buddy Peter says as followers of Jesus we’re “always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1Pet 3:15). Be ready. But NOT to pound your next victim into the kingdom with a 20 pound King Jimmy Bible. Be ready to share the Good News of Jesus (don’t miss this!) gently and respectfully. Put down the bullhorn. Take off the sandwich board. Simply say it out loud and live out loud.

But the worship of Jesus is NOT the last word of this worship song. This is all about “the glory of God the Father” (v11). All the Son has done shines the spotlight of praise back on the Father. As charter members of the Holy Trinity, there’s a incredible relationship there that’s hard to wrap our human minds around. During His time on our planet, Jesus continually made the supernatural connection between Him and His Dad. “All may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him” (Jn 5:23). There’s this crazy ricochet of glory that happens between the Father and Son. “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him. If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and glorify Him at once” (Jn 13:31-32). Yeah, it makes my head hurt when I try to figure it out. The bottom line is when we make the Father famous, we make the Son famous. And vice versa. So the glory doesn’t just pile up in front of Christ. I know what some of you are thinking right now. There’s all this talk about the Trinity but why are you talking about the Holy Spirit. Every Member of the Big Three is fully involved in the glory ricochet. Check out what Paul wrote to the Corinthians. “No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit” (1Cor 12:3). The Spirit is the One behind every confession that Jesus is Lord. This confession is “to the glory of God the Father” (v11). 

So what do we do with the truth found here in the last line of Paul’s first century worship song? Don’t be afraid to tell others that “Jesus is Lord” (v11). He’s the One who’s truly in charge of my life. He’s the ultimate authority. Put it this way, you’re one of His direct reports. Not begrudgingly. Not unwillingly. It’s an act of love and gratitude for all He’s done for you. We say it out loud. We live out loud.