Throughout the book of Philippians, Paul has been calling on the Church to rejoice. And knowing that Paul is writing this letter while in chains for the gospel, we know that true joy is not dependent on our circumstances. This Sunday, as we enter the final chapter, Paul gives biblical advice on how to deal with bad circumstances, such as conflict and concerns, and still have joy and assurance in spite of them.
We are prone to focus our attention on things in this life that we think will give us peace, life, and happiness. The reality is that those things actually will lead to our destruction. Paul calls us to a heavenly perspective, focusing on laying hold of Christ, the one who has laid hold of us.
As we get to chapter 3 of Philippians, the Apostle Paul warns the Church of a threat. A threat that comes both from within and without. A threat that promotes confidence in the flesh, specifically confidence in our works as a means of salvation. Paul loved the Church too much to allow this treat to go unhindered. So, he points the Church to the only One in whom we can truly be confident.
As the new year begins, many people resolve to work out more. They make resolutions to eat better and exercise. In this week's text, Paul also encourages the Church to work out. But, rather than their physiques, Paul is calling the Church to work out their salvation. He uses Jesus' example of humility to show Christians how we are to work out and live out our faith - in humility and love for others.
The festivities of the Christmas season can make it hard for us to appreciate the true meaning of Christmas: That Jesus Christ was born. And although being the Creator of all things, God incarnate, Jesus appeared as a humble servant which led him to the cross for us. Even though this message is often confined to the “holiday season,” it ought not be so. For the true meaning of Christmas is for everyday of the year because it impacts how we live our lives as we wait for the future hope of glory.
At Christmas, we celebrate the coming of our Savior. The One who came to live for us and die for us. As Paul sits in Rome wearing chains and waiting for his trial, he isn't sure whether he is going to live or die. But, because of his trust in Christ, he knows that whether he lives or dies, God is going to use it for good. Come and be reminded this week that to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Throughout the Bible - and even in the Christmas story - God carried out his plan through people and circumstances that seem illogical to us. In our text, Paul tells the Philippian Church that his imprisonment, which seemed like a bad thing in their eyes, was actually being used by God to further the gospel. Come and be reminded this week that Christ is proclaimed in some of the most surprising ways.
This Sunday, we begin the second of Paul's Prison Letters - the Letter to the Philippians. And even as he writes this letter in chains, the theme of joy is prevalent throughout. Even though struggles and strife occur in our lives, we have the hope of Jesus' Second Coming - and the even greater hope that it is He who has prepared us for that day. Come and rejoice in that hope with us!
Just before closing his letter to the Ephesians, Paul gives one last practical exhortation. These practical exhortations have been his focus since Chapter 4, where, after calling the Ephesians (and us) to unity, to intentionally living "in the light," and to be people who submit to one another (in reverence to Christ)... Paul now says: "Be strong in the Lord" as he speaks of armor and spiritual forces of evil. Welcome to the battlefield, Christian soldiers!
This Sunday we enter the final chapter in Ephesians where Paul continues to discuss what our Christian walk looks like. Last week we saw how the Gospel impacts our marriage life.
This week we see how it affects our family life and our work life. And through this passage, we see that to be Christ-like in these areas of life, the Law can't truly change us. True change comes by the Holy Spirit changing us from the inside out, through the transforming work of the Gospel.
