Sunday, February 26, 2012

Philippians 1:27-30

Worthy Conduct

Report Card – Behavior - Conduct

(Politeuomai). It means literally "to live as a citizen." This word was especially appropriate to use in a letter to people who took great pride in their Roman citizenship.

How do people who’s citizenship is in Heaven conduct themselves? Unity – Love – Caring
What do un-believers expect to see in us?
Paul wanted them to conduct themselves the same, whether he was there or not. Does it make a difference in a person’s behavior when someone is watching?
Who do you think Paul was talking about when he used the word “Opponents” (v28) to the Philippians?
Do you have opponents? Who are they?
What does he mean by encouraging them to “not be alarmed” by their opponents? – How is not being alarmed a “sign” of salvation?
Sufffering
Paul talks about being granted “to suffer for His sake”. Do Christians suffer for Christ’ sake? Do we suffer for Christ’ sake?

Few Christians view suffering for their testimony as a blessing, but that is really what it is. Suffering is one of the tools God uses to mold his children into vessels that bring glory to His Son (cf. James 1:3-4; 1 Pet. 1:6-7).  Suffering even perfected the Lord Jesus.

Heb. 2:9-10

9 But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings.


Sunday, February 19, 2012

Philippians 1:19-26

Paul, in prison, continues to rejoice. His priority is his mission in Christ.

What priorities in our life compete for our time and energy?
Family, Job, Marriage, Friends, reputation, hobbies, church, …

Do you feel hard-pressed sometimes to juggle all these priorities?

What has God called you to do?

How can we adjust our priorities to move our personal mission for Christ UP?

In V25 Paul says that he is convinced that he will remain alive.
What does he expect his remaining alive to produce?
            Progress and Joy in the faith
            Confidence in Paul
            Paul’s return to the Philippians.

*IF your personal mission for Christ was on the top of your list, what would those results be?

What were the competing priorities Paul mentions in these verses?
Life and Death

What is so great about departing to be with Christ? Doesn’t that mean to die?
Paul’s view of death did not include suffering and pain, nor did it include separation from his friends, or leaving behind his wealth. He focused on being with Christ in life and in death.


By thinking about what God has called us to do and be, and choosing to set that as a high priority, we can lead others to progress in their faith, fulfill our calling, and experience the joy that comes with being obedient and productive in our life’s mission.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Philippians 1:12-18


I – Circumstantial Evidence
12-14 – Paul is telling the Philippians that his imprisonment has been a good thing for the cause of Christ.
Why was it a good thing?-  Because Paul used the opportunity to witness to others
One of my favorite Bible characters is King David. David had a lot of trouble in his life. Based on David’s responses to trials in Psalms, what do you think David would have done in Paul’s circumstances?

Psalm 3:7-8
7 Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God! For You have smitten all my enemies on the cheek;
You  have shattered the teeth of the wicked. 8Salvation belongs to the LORD;
Your blessing be upon Your people!

When you face trouble, do you respond more like Paul or more like David?

I think we sometimes put too much emphasis on our circumstances and less focus on the eternal consequences of live events. (this is easy to say when things are going well, harder when we are in a prison of difficult circumstances)

II- Those self serving Preachers!

In verses 15-18 Paul talks about some who were preaching the gospel from less than pure motives.

What happens in a church when people in the congregation begin to question the motives of the Pastor?

Paul was rejoicing in the fact that Christ was preached. Does this tell us anything about how to respond to imperfect people who are sharing the message of the gospel?

"The power of the gospel, therefore, does not depend on the character of the preacher."
Gerald Hawthorne (Commentary)


That is good news – That means that even we can share the gospel with others!

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Philippians 1:8-11

Paul’s prayer for the Philippians
NASB
8 For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; 11 having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
NIV
8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
In these verses, Paul prays that the love of the Philippians would abound in knowledge and insight.
Love abounding more and more – Marriage (newlyweds vs. 30 years)

Paul did not specify the object of the love he talks about here.

Can love abound more and more among believers? How does that happen?
How does our love for one another increase our knowledge and depth of insight?
Does our love for one another help us discern what is best?
Does our love for one another contribute to our being pure?

Blameless - "Aproskopos has to do with being 'blameless' in the sense of 'not offending' or not causing someone else to stumble."

We need to love in harmony with God's revelation and with His Spirit's guidance (v. 9) so we will choose the best over the good (v. 10a). This will result in our being without flaw (sincere) and without blame (blameless) when we stand before God to give  an account of the stewardship of our lives at the judgment seat of Christ (v. 10b; 2 Cor. 5:10; cf. 1 John 3:3).

What is the fruit of righteousness? Galations5:22-2322 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.


How does righteousness (that comes through Jesus) glorify God?