Really I don’t feel like I need to write much at all for these verses this week. Paul is very straight forward, and throws some very heavy stuff at us. Many times while reading through these verses I have felt a weight attached to them – a burden, if you will, to be perfect like Christ – if you feel like that at all skip ahead to verse 13 and take solace in that. But I want us to focus on one thing for this study. I want us to look at a command that Paul gives us: “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus”.
Before we start looking at the next few verses, or trying to think of things we can do to make this happen, we need to look at what affects our attitude. Obviously there are a number of things that make us feel a certain way and have a particular attitude. Some simple examples are: the weather, people around us, our family upbringing, and our thoughts. If you think about these or other examples you can come to the conclusion that some of the factors cannot be changed by us, but others we can do something about. For example, I can’t change the weather, but I can choose the friends I spend time with. I can’t change who my parents are, but I can choose what I fill my mind with. So to conclude, our attitude is directly affected by the decisions we make in our everyday life. Take a moment to think about some things that you can easily change in your life to help you have a more Christ like attitude right now.
These things are all great ways to take steps toward bettering our attitude; steps towards having the same attitude as Christ. Every day we need to strive to make good choices that will lead us to a more Christ like attitude – one that serves others and is less selfish. We need to do everything we can to push forward and train ourselves to seek perfection.
But although these small steps and small actions can help a little, we still need to face the hard reality of truth . . . you can’t do it. No matter what you change, no matter how many good friends you have, no matter how hard you try, you will never have the same attitude that Christ had. You can’t do it. You were born with a very selfish nature, and as much as you’d like to think you can be selfless and change the world, you can’t. So if you haven’t already, I need you to read a little further in Philippians 2 and look at verses 12 and 13. “Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.” Here Paul tells us that we need to continue to seek out the Lord. But he also gives us comfort by telling us that God works in us to produce results. It’s hard to think that we are unable, but it is amazing to remember that He is doing all the hard work for us.
Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place
and gave Him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
--Seth Gordon, Recreation Director
Monday, September 29, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Philippians 1:12-30
This is a big passage. It contains lots of phrases that sound familiar and that we have all heard in sermons… ‘preaching Christ out of envy’, ‘to live is Christ and to die is gain’, ‘conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ’… I decided that instead of trying to cover it all, we’d look at one verse that jumped out at me.
Philippians 1:23 – But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better.
Paul is writing from prison and has been talking about how he wins either way – by continuing in fruitful labor for the cause of Christ, or by dying in prison and going to be with the Lord. At least on the surface we would all agree with the thought that leaving this life and being in the presence of God is going to be a good deal… when it happens. We think of it as an eventuality, as something that is so far off, it’s not really worth thinking about. But Paul was genuinely torn.
Let’s conduct a little experiment. What’s the best thing that could happen in your life right now? Don’t hold back, don’t even be realistic – the BEST thing – the dream job, the engagement ring, the approval of a parent, a vision of a happy, healthy future… whatever it is, think on it for a minute. Let yourself feel some of the emotion that would come with the realization that the BEST thing that you could dream of has happened. Now, go back and read verse 23 – and be with Christ, for that is very much better. I like how the New American Standard even uses language that sounds like a little kid. It’s not just better, it is very much better. Yes, Paul was talking about physical death and seeing Christ face-to-face (which he had already gotten to do once on the road to Damascus), but let’s apply the concept to our daily lives. Are there things of this world that we look so forward to or work so hard on that we lose sight of what is very much better? Being with Christ ought to be the thing that just does it for us – it should move us out of bed and into His presence each morning and the effects of being with Him should motivate our actions and permeate our conversations – for HE is very much better than anything in this world.
--Natalie West, Summer Camp Director
Philippians 1:23 – But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better.
Paul is writing from prison and has been talking about how he wins either way – by continuing in fruitful labor for the cause of Christ, or by dying in prison and going to be with the Lord. At least on the surface we would all agree with the thought that leaving this life and being in the presence of God is going to be a good deal… when it happens. We think of it as an eventuality, as something that is so far off, it’s not really worth thinking about. But Paul was genuinely torn.
Let’s conduct a little experiment. What’s the best thing that could happen in your life right now? Don’t hold back, don’t even be realistic – the BEST thing – the dream job, the engagement ring, the approval of a parent, a vision of a happy, healthy future… whatever it is, think on it for a minute. Let yourself feel some of the emotion that would come with the realization that the BEST thing that you could dream of has happened. Now, go back and read verse 23 – and be with Christ, for that is very much better. I like how the New American Standard even uses language that sounds like a little kid. It’s not just better, it is very much better. Yes, Paul was talking about physical death and seeing Christ face-to-face (which he had already gotten to do once on the road to Damascus), but let’s apply the concept to our daily lives. Are there things of this world that we look so forward to or work so hard on that we lose sight of what is very much better? Being with Christ ought to be the thing that just does it for us – it should move us out of bed and into His presence each morning and the effects of being with Him should motivate our actions and permeate our conversations – for HE is very much better than anything in this world.
--Natalie West, Summer Camp Director
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Philippians 1:1-11
We are covering the book of Philippians and Malachi this semester. I am looking forward to our study together. Today, we will look at Philippians 1:1-11. After an initial reading, we may think this is only the introduction to the book and not take much time to mediate on what God has to say to us. We know that scripture is God breathed, so God has a reason for each word that was written. I encourage you to read through this passage several times and ask God to show you what He wants to teach you.
Paul starts the book by describing himself and Timothy as servants of Christ. The Greek word for servant is doulos meaning bond slave. Paul recognized that God was His master and that he was totally dependent on Him. As we read in Acts 20:24, Paul counted his life worth nothing to himself. Paul only wanted to do what would please His master. Paul had a great deal of credentials that he could have reminded the Philippians of, but instead, he started this letter to all believers with humility.
Paul then continues to tell the Philippians how thankful he is to God for them. He remembers them and finds joy. This is truly remarkable as Paul was in a dire situation as he wrote the letter to the Philippians. He was in prison where he had little food and the conditions where very dirty. Paul and the other prisoners had to use the restroom on the ground of their prison cells. He probably had chains around his ankles and maybe even wrists that were rubbing his skin and causing sores. These sores were not likely treated with medicine. Paul’s circumstances were very difficult yet Paul speaks of joy. He made the choice to focus not on the challenges around him but on those things that brought him joy.
The Philippians brought joy to Paul for several reasons. He was driven to pray for the Philippians, so this brought him before the throne of God. Paul knew that he could always find joy there. Also, Paul could see God’s work in the Philippians. The Holy Spirit prompted Paul to focus on the goodness and success of others. This does not mean that Paul overlooked those things in others that were drawing them away from their relationship with Christ. He was not hesitant to correct others when needed, but he chose to recognize how God’s amazing grace is sufficient. He knew God would complete His work in them. He was not jealous of other believer’s victories. He praised God for the victories. Further, Paul simply enjoyed other believers. He longed for them with the affection of Christ. Paul truly loved God, so he loved his brothers and sisters in Christ. The fellowship that he remembered with the Philippians warmed his heart.
Paul not only found joy in the Philippians and all believers, but he desired for them to grow in their relationship with Christ. Paul’s passion for their spiritual development is evident as we look at Paul’s prayer for the Philippians. He prayed for five things that we should also desire in our lives. These qualities also seem to build upon themselves. Paul prays for love, spiritual excellence, blameless lives, fruitful lives, and God to be glorified in them. Paul prays for believer’s love to abound because as we are filled with God’s love we are driven to obedience and a life of spiritual excellence. When we follow God’s will then we will live a blameless and pure life. When we are without stumbling or offense, then our lives will be characterized by good works. John 15:8 says that God is glorified when we bear much fruit.
Paul sets an amazing example for us in humility, joy, and prayer. May we also recognize our dependence on God, so that we can find joy in the midst of any circumstance. We need to choose to remember those things that are loving, excellent, and praise worthy. Let us also pray for this spiritual development in our lives and other believer’s lives for the glory of God.
--Jennifer Jones, Discipleship Manager
Paul starts the book by describing himself and Timothy as servants of Christ. The Greek word for servant is doulos meaning bond slave. Paul recognized that God was His master and that he was totally dependent on Him. As we read in Acts 20:24, Paul counted his life worth nothing to himself. Paul only wanted to do what would please His master. Paul had a great deal of credentials that he could have reminded the Philippians of, but instead, he started this letter to all believers with humility.
Paul then continues to tell the Philippians how thankful he is to God for them. He remembers them and finds joy. This is truly remarkable as Paul was in a dire situation as he wrote the letter to the Philippians. He was in prison where he had little food and the conditions where very dirty. Paul and the other prisoners had to use the restroom on the ground of their prison cells. He probably had chains around his ankles and maybe even wrists that were rubbing his skin and causing sores. These sores were not likely treated with medicine. Paul’s circumstances were very difficult yet Paul speaks of joy. He made the choice to focus not on the challenges around him but on those things that brought him joy.
The Philippians brought joy to Paul for several reasons. He was driven to pray for the Philippians, so this brought him before the throne of God. Paul knew that he could always find joy there. Also, Paul could see God’s work in the Philippians. The Holy Spirit prompted Paul to focus on the goodness and success of others. This does not mean that Paul overlooked those things in others that were drawing them away from their relationship with Christ. He was not hesitant to correct others when needed, but he chose to recognize how God’s amazing grace is sufficient. He knew God would complete His work in them. He was not jealous of other believer’s victories. He praised God for the victories. Further, Paul simply enjoyed other believers. He longed for them with the affection of Christ. Paul truly loved God, so he loved his brothers and sisters in Christ. The fellowship that he remembered with the Philippians warmed his heart.
Paul not only found joy in the Philippians and all believers, but he desired for them to grow in their relationship with Christ. Paul’s passion for their spiritual development is evident as we look at Paul’s prayer for the Philippians. He prayed for five things that we should also desire in our lives. These qualities also seem to build upon themselves. Paul prays for love, spiritual excellence, blameless lives, fruitful lives, and God to be glorified in them. Paul prays for believer’s love to abound because as we are filled with God’s love we are driven to obedience and a life of spiritual excellence. When we follow God’s will then we will live a blameless and pure life. When we are without stumbling or offense, then our lives will be characterized by good works. John 15:8 says that God is glorified when we bear much fruit.
Paul sets an amazing example for us in humility, joy, and prayer. May we also recognize our dependence on God, so that we can find joy in the midst of any circumstance. We need to choose to remember those things that are loving, excellent, and praise worthy. Let us also pray for this spiritual development in our lives and other believer’s lives for the glory of God.
--Jennifer Jones, Discipleship Manager
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