Mammamel
06-20-2008, 06:05 PM
Philippians
Before I begin describing why this is my favorite book in the NT, let me introduce it's author, Paul. Paul was the crème de la crème of the Jews. The “IT” boy of the Pharisees the poster boy of his religion. His zeal for God was unsurpassed. His obedience to the Jewish law unparalleled. Then, at the pinnacle of his career as a pharisee, he got stuffed. In the blink of an eye, he left Judaism and followed Christ. Ok it took 3 days of blindness, but you get the idea. His change was sudden and immense. Basically Christ came to him and said, Paul you who are my enemy, are now my defender. Paul became the 13th Apostle, and he is the one I identify with most. Here is why. Paul was the only Apostle to not walk with Christ during His ministry. He was an outsider. Like us, Christ simply plucked him from the abyss of sin.
In Philippians we see the intimate power of God. God is awesome, God is grand. He is there for the big stuff, like oh curing cancer, floods and so one. What we oft times forget is God is also God of the small stuff. Small details, mending a rift between friends or loved ones, helping us through a day when everything seems to go wrong. No he doesn't always give us what we want, He gives us what we need and helps us to do with out the rest. He is always there whether we need big help or little help.
In chapter one we see Paul encouraging the church to let love be seen with their knowledge and judgment. We see that some, in an effort ot hurt Paul began preaching Christ. Paul's opinion was, either way, Christ's message was reaching people! Paul further encourages them to speak as Christ's people. Speaking truth, in love, not harsh criticism or untruths. He told the church not to fear her adversaries, as a token of perdition to them. Perdition is eternal ****ation. Not being afraid of them, shows the strength of our salvation.
He also says we will suffer persecution. This doesn't mean just massive issues. Persecution comes in all sizes, from some one lying about you to burning your house down. In the end we will win. God is bedside us, else where we are told not to fear him that can harm our bodies, but him that can destroy our soul.
Chapter 2 begins telling us how NOT to teach and act as Christian. Do not teach with strife or for vanity. “look at me I know more than you, I am better, more mature” and such like. All teaching should be done with love and care, not harshness or condemnation. Yes call sin sin, but not with harsh words, for that also is sin! We are to care for and look after one another. In all things be humble, as Christ was humble. So many preachers today act like they are something. Until they become like Christ, the ultimate servant, their messages ring hollow. There should be no pedestals, no high and mighty, no man worship or reverence for men. No matter what a man's title, it is not THE CHRIST. That is where our worship, our devotion belongs, only to God.
Paul tells the church also to do all things with out murmuring or disputes. He says this is so we can be blameless and harmless, the sons (daughters ) of God. Without rebuke in the midst of a crooked nation, being a light to the world. Think about that for a moment. Do you act as a light to others, or do you follow the “if I can't be a good example let me be a horrible warning” model? Do you calmly discuss in plain speech the Word? Do you gussie it up with flowery or wordy phrases? Do you finger point or otherwise attempt to intimidate or our talk those who disagree? Is that what a light to the world needs to do?
Chapter 3 begins with the admonition to rejoice! My favorite hymn is a simple one, “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice!”. No matter what, if our focus is on Christ we WILL rejoice. Even death has no power over us other than to free us (and our loved ones) to spend eternity with our Lord! Rejoice for them!
Paul also lists his pedigree in this chapter. He uses it to remind us not to brag on ourselves or trust in our rightness. None of us will EVER measure up, he didn't! He goes on to remind us to leave the past in the past, focusing on what is to come and strive for our goal.
Then we arrive at chapter 4, the crux of the matter! Tehre is so much in this chapter. We are told: 1) To stand fast on the Lord. 2) Strife is not good, help others avoid it. 3) help each other to understand. 4) Rejoice in the Lord always. 5) Be moderate. 6)Ask the Lord for what ever you need. 7) To not concentrate on negatives in life (which is why PH is such an up beat place normally) 8) Focus on what is good, pure, honest and praiseworthy. 9) Learn to be content with what you have 10) Learn to handle it when you have plenty as well, this lesson is often over looked. 11) As long as you lean on Christ, He will help you with what needs doing! 12)God will supply all our needs from His own riches. Not our wants, but what we truly need.
Philippians to me sums up what the church should be, how it should act. It tells us how to care for each other. How to be an example to the world. How to handle discussions and how not to! It tells us where our focus should be. There are so many lessons in this short book, it would take weeks to get them all dug out. It took me a week just to get this far, and this is my favorite book, I read it any time I loose site of what matters. When life or people get me down, I read this book and readjust my focus, refreshed and comforted. I hope you too can use this book as a help in times of stress or worry.
Always remember, Rejoice in the Lord Always!
Before I begin describing why this is my favorite book in the NT, let me introduce it's author, Paul. Paul was the crème de la crème of the Jews. The “IT” boy of the Pharisees the poster boy of his religion. His zeal for God was unsurpassed. His obedience to the Jewish law unparalleled. Then, at the pinnacle of his career as a pharisee, he got stuffed. In the blink of an eye, he left Judaism and followed Christ. Ok it took 3 days of blindness, but you get the idea. His change was sudden and immense. Basically Christ came to him and said, Paul you who are my enemy, are now my defender. Paul became the 13th Apostle, and he is the one I identify with most. Here is why. Paul was the only Apostle to not walk with Christ during His ministry. He was an outsider. Like us, Christ simply plucked him from the abyss of sin.
In Philippians we see the intimate power of God. God is awesome, God is grand. He is there for the big stuff, like oh curing cancer, floods and so one. What we oft times forget is God is also God of the small stuff. Small details, mending a rift between friends or loved ones, helping us through a day when everything seems to go wrong. No he doesn't always give us what we want, He gives us what we need and helps us to do with out the rest. He is always there whether we need big help or little help.
In chapter one we see Paul encouraging the church to let love be seen with their knowledge and judgment. We see that some, in an effort ot hurt Paul began preaching Christ. Paul's opinion was, either way, Christ's message was reaching people! Paul further encourages them to speak as Christ's people. Speaking truth, in love, not harsh criticism or untruths. He told the church not to fear her adversaries, as a token of perdition to them. Perdition is eternal ****ation. Not being afraid of them, shows the strength of our salvation.
He also says we will suffer persecution. This doesn't mean just massive issues. Persecution comes in all sizes, from some one lying about you to burning your house down. In the end we will win. God is bedside us, else where we are told not to fear him that can harm our bodies, but him that can destroy our soul.
Chapter 2 begins telling us how NOT to teach and act as Christian. Do not teach with strife or for vanity. “look at me I know more than you, I am better, more mature” and such like. All teaching should be done with love and care, not harshness or condemnation. Yes call sin sin, but not with harsh words, for that also is sin! We are to care for and look after one another. In all things be humble, as Christ was humble. So many preachers today act like they are something. Until they become like Christ, the ultimate servant, their messages ring hollow. There should be no pedestals, no high and mighty, no man worship or reverence for men. No matter what a man's title, it is not THE CHRIST. That is where our worship, our devotion belongs, only to God.
Paul tells the church also to do all things with out murmuring or disputes. He says this is so we can be blameless and harmless, the sons (daughters ) of God. Without rebuke in the midst of a crooked nation, being a light to the world. Think about that for a moment. Do you act as a light to others, or do you follow the “if I can't be a good example let me be a horrible warning” model? Do you calmly discuss in plain speech the Word? Do you gussie it up with flowery or wordy phrases? Do you finger point or otherwise attempt to intimidate or our talk those who disagree? Is that what a light to the world needs to do?
Chapter 3 begins with the admonition to rejoice! My favorite hymn is a simple one, “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice!”. No matter what, if our focus is on Christ we WILL rejoice. Even death has no power over us other than to free us (and our loved ones) to spend eternity with our Lord! Rejoice for them!
Paul also lists his pedigree in this chapter. He uses it to remind us not to brag on ourselves or trust in our rightness. None of us will EVER measure up, he didn't! He goes on to remind us to leave the past in the past, focusing on what is to come and strive for our goal.
Then we arrive at chapter 4, the crux of the matter! Tehre is so much in this chapter. We are told: 1) To stand fast on the Lord. 2) Strife is not good, help others avoid it. 3) help each other to understand. 4) Rejoice in the Lord always. 5) Be moderate. 6)Ask the Lord for what ever you need. 7) To not concentrate on negatives in life (which is why PH is such an up beat place normally) 8) Focus on what is good, pure, honest and praiseworthy. 9) Learn to be content with what you have 10) Learn to handle it when you have plenty as well, this lesson is often over looked. 11) As long as you lean on Christ, He will help you with what needs doing! 12)God will supply all our needs from His own riches. Not our wants, but what we truly need.
Philippians to me sums up what the church should be, how it should act. It tells us how to care for each other. How to be an example to the world. How to handle discussions and how not to! It tells us where our focus should be. There are so many lessons in this short book, it would take weeks to get them all dug out. It took me a week just to get this far, and this is my favorite book, I read it any time I loose site of what matters. When life or people get me down, I read this book and readjust my focus, refreshed and comforted. I hope you too can use this book as a help in times of stress or worry.
Always remember, Rejoice in the Lord Always!