Category: Philippians

Re:Verse passage – Philippians 1:12-19 (day two) 

Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, vs. 18

In reading this text again I was reminded how often I allow circumstances to determine my value, my effectiveness, and my outlook. I would venture to say that I am not alone in this. I would like to believe that in whatever situation I can find a way to rise above the circumstances, but I am often deterred by current climate, poor resources, lack of motivation, or a myriad of other reasons why my particular task can’t be accomplished to the degree I had hoped. I need to hang out with Paul more. In that case I will likely find myself in more dire situations that I have ever imagined, but I will also come to understand that it is Jesus who had defined my worth, not my circumstance. This shift in focus in attitude is essential for each of us. Paul isn’t grousing, he’s witnessing. He’s not complaining about things not being fair, he’s looking for ways to share the gospel. Let’s be like Paul.

Re:Verse passage – Philippians 1:1-11 (day seven)

“always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.” vs 4-5

Joy was in every prayer that Paul prayed for this church. Why? Because they were faithful to the call of spreading the gospel. Paul recognized something that every minister knows so well: it is so rewarding to watch someone you have discipled begin to disciple others. This is the mission of the church and the call that Jesus has placed on every one us; to go and make disciples who go and make disciples. This participatory work brings joy and energy. This is not a one man show. It is not just the pastor’s job. Nor is it the work of only a few people. Everyone is called to make disciples. This is why Pastor Chris has called our church to Repent, Witness, and Disciple.

If you want to feel this same type of joy that Paul has been given by serving with the Phillipians, answer these questions Pastor Danny often asks in Logos: Who are you doing life with? Where are you serving?

Re:Verse passage – Philippians 1:1-11 (day six)

This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:1

Many translations translate douloi as servant, while its most literal translation is slave. I imagine slave rails against our most basic American sensitivities-our inalienable rights, independence, freedom. Servant just feels better; on the surface it even seems more noble, but it doesn’t really capture Paul’s intent.

It was Paul’s desire to convey their captivity. They were held captive by Christ, in much the same was the Earth is held captive by the Sun. The gravitational pull of the Sun forces the Earth into its orbit. The Sun is literally center to the earth’s existence; it could not pull away even if it had the desire. Furthermore, it is the Sun that provides the energy for life to thrive on Earth. So, it is not only held captive by the Sun, it absolutely needs the Sun.

Paul lives in relation to the Son in much the same way; He can’t help himself. He’s a slave to the gravitational pull of the Son, and it is there, and ONLY there, that He will thrive.

Are you a servant of Christ, or a slave?

Re:Verse passage – Philippians 1:1-11 (day five)

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”

There is a great promise found in Philippians 1:6.  God will bring His work to completion. He will get us there. Such hope, such assurance, such help.  Yet, there’s another side to this verse.  Remember when traveling with family, the question that gets asked a thousand times from the children?  “Are we there yet?”  The short answer was, “NO”.  The long answer was a little more complicated.  More miles to be traveled. More time in the car was necessary. More scenery to view. More patience required. The process of traveling was not over.  Some parts of the trip were easy, some were more difficult.
Same thing is happening in verse six. We are not “there” yet.  The work- His work- is not finished. Our faith journey is not complete. We are not finished learning, growing, refining, maturing, loving, trusting, and serving. Some parts of our faith journey are easier and others.  The great promise is that God will get us there. We will need humility, courage, patience, and trust (to name a few) as we travel!

Re:Verse passage – Philippians 1:1-11 (day four)

“…that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion…”

Our church has been surrounded by construction for the past few years. It seems that everywhere you look from a church parking lot, you can see cranes or construction tape and cones in just about every direction. Some of that construction has even been in our own building. There are times that the effects of construction can be difficult or troublesome as it makes us change our routines or rethink how we go about doing things.

Now, imagine if construction on our West Hall had never been completed and was just stuck in a state of being “under construction.” There would be no joyous celebration when it was finished. There would be no ministry from that building if the doors couldn’t be opened. There would be no laughter and life in the halls. It would be just an empty building stuck in a state of disuse.

I’m grateful that God works in us to completion. Sure, the “working on us” part may be difficult at times, but God will finish the job. God will bring the work on us to completion every time so that we can be useful and ready to share the Gospel. God is faithful in our lives in what He has done, what is currently doing, and what He will do in the future. He will always be with us, working us to completion.

What are the ways in which God is currently doing construction in your life?

Jimmy Gunn
Associate Pastor, Preschool & Elementary

Re:Verse passage – Philippians 1:1-11 (day three)

“You all are partakers of grace with me.”

Paul began to see that the kinship of those awakened by Christ from the sleep of folly and illusion created something far greater than a crowd or a faction or a caucus or a movement. Here was a new kind of life which saw people nurture one another, honor the least among themselves, and which was perfectly suited for its environment. This kind of existence found expression in the metaphor of body – every part functioning for the good of all other parts. Therefore Paul, while acknowledging the profound hardships he endures in incarceration, doesn’t fail to notice that he is not the only one suffering: Paul has been deprived of his civil freedoms, and the church has been deprived of the presence of someone it loves. They suffer as one because they are one.

Re:Verse passage – Philippiand 1:1-11 (day two)

…in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. Vs. 5

Paul’s salutation to the believers at Philippi had some common elements that we see in his other letters, but it was this statement in the fifth verse that struck me today as I re-read it. Paul is not only addressing and greeting the church, but he is reminded of their no nonsense, elbows deep living out of their faith. He may remember how they gave time that they didn’t really have to pack a box of food for a hungry family in their neighborhood. Perhaps it was his memory of how they opened there homes for prayer meetings and area fellowships. He might have been buoyed by remembering their generosity to a mission work even when their giving was more than they could afford. Paul knew the cost of following Christ, and his affirmation to other believers was not lip service. It was genuine gratitude for fellow co-laborers in the work of the Gospel. Who are those people in your life. Send them some encouragement today.