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The Book Of Philippians
Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 10, 2022 (message contributor)
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1. The Road To Heaven - Philippians 3:12-14
Contributed on Feb 10, 2022
After speaking against legalism in the first half of the chapter, Paul now warns against the opposite error: quietism. Not even Paul has gotten to a place where he can coast. The race goes until you die.
Philippians 3:12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining ...read more
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2. Power For Pain - Philippians 3:10-11
Contributed on Feb 3, 2022
Paul's quest for power, partnership with Christ in the work of redemption by suffering with him, and being conformed to the pattern of his death
Philippians 3:10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Introduction It stands to reason that if you are living in God’s universe, ...read more
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3. Better Than Anything - Philippians 3:7-9
Contributed on Feb 3, 2022
Why is it so evil for a person to try to make himself righteous?
Philippians 3:7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them filth, that I may gain Christ 9 and be ...read more
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4. In Christ Alone - Philippians 3:3b-8
Contributed on Feb 3, 2022
The true people of God are those who serve God by means of the Holy Spirit (living the Christian life by exposing ourselves to the Spirit’s influence and cooperating with what he does) and who glory in Christ alone, rather than putting any confidence in the flesh.
The true people of God are those who serve God by means of the Holy Spirit (living the Christian life by exposing ourselves to the Spirit’s influence and cooperating with what he does) and who glory in (rely on, hope in, rejoice in, count on, run after, regard as supremely important) Christ alone, ...read more
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5. Your Place In His Plan - Philippians 3:1b-3a
Contributed on Feb 3, 2022
Paul gives yet another strong warning about the Judaizers because they are a major threat to the most important thing – knowing Christ.
Philippians 3:1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. 2 Watch out for those dogs, watch out for those men who do evil, watch out for the mutilation. 3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who ...read more
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6. The Wrong Way To Be Right - Philippians 3:1-10
Contributed on Jan 27, 2022
The question of how to be a good person is one of the (few) essentials of Christianity. It begins with rejoicing.
Philippians 3:1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. 2 Watch out for those dogs, watch out for those men who do evil, watch out for the mutilation. 3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who ...read more
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7. The Gambler - Philippians 2:25-30
Contributed on Jan 27, 2022
We are to celebrate and honor people like Epaphroditus, who risked his life for his (support) ministry.
Philippians 2:25 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs (lit: and your apostle and minister of my needs). 26 For he longs for all of you and is distressed because ...read more
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8. Why Go On Living? - Philippians 1:21-26
Contributed on Dec 29, 2021
Those who contemplate suicide often hesitate because they fear what may be on the other side. Paul also wrestled with whether it would be better to live or die. But his reasoning was far different from most people's.
Philippians 1:20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will ...read more
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9. Unassailable Joy - Philippians 1:12-18
Contributed on Dec 29, 2021
Does God want us to pretend to be joyful when we're miserable?
Philippians 1:12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the ...read more
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10. Smart Love - Philippians 1:9-11
Contributed on Dec 29, 2021
Are you ready for the Day of Christ?
Philippians 1:9 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 until the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to ...read more
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11. We Are Doing A Great Work! - Philippians 1:4-8
Contributed on Dec 16, 2021
The Philippians’ gospel partnership/fellowship (koinonia) with Paul was like the Fellowship of the Ring (band of unlikely comrades who would lay down their lives for one another and the cause of the Fellowship).
Philippians 1:3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day ...read more
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12. The Joy Of Gospel Partnership - Philippians 1:1-5
Contributed on Dec 16, 2021
The solution to disunity caused by suffering is joy from gospel partnership
Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, ...read more
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13. How Much Agreement Should We Have? Philippians 3:15-16
Contributed on Mar 25, 2022
Paul teaches us about when we must all agree in the church, and what to do about disagreements.
One of the amazing things about modern technology is how all our various devices sync up with each other. You’ve got programs or settings or preferences on your phone, and you can put that down and pick up your tablet two seconds later and there they are, and it’s the same on your computer - ...read more
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14. The Cross-Friendly Life - Philippians 3:17-19
Contributed on Mar 25, 2022
Your lifestyle can improve ... or corrupt your beliefs.
Philippians 3:17 Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their ...read more
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15. Different Home; Different Hope - Philippians 3:20-4:1
Contributed on Mar 25, 2022
Paul teaches us by example how to live as citizens of heaven with an urgent longing for the return of Christ and the exertion of his power in our resurrection.
longing noun strong, persistent desire or craving, especially for something distant: What do you long for? Most people just long for their current trial to be over. When you go somewhere, you expect some discomfort, but when you finish whatever it is you are doing, you want to be able to just ...read more
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16. Unity Of Attitudes - Philippians 4:1-2
Contributed on Mar 25, 2022
How do you reconcile a broken relationship when it's the other person's fault?
Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends! 2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who ...read more
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17. Bringing Brothers Together - Philippians 4:1-3
Contributed on Mar 25, 2022
Paul models peacemaking by expressing his love, which involves family warmth, heartfelt affection, desire, joy, and satisfaction.
Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends! 2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who ...read more
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18. Harmony Through Happiness (Eat Some Peaches) - Philippians 4:4
Contributed on Apr 2, 2022
To have unity we must overcome joylessness, lack of reasonableness, and anxiety. We have to be told to rejoice because we naturally resist it, and because we tend to seek joy in earthly things instead of in (not just from) the Lord. Find happiness by enjoying God throughout the day.
Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends! 2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who ...read more
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19. Controlling Your Tongue - Philippians 4:5a
Contributed on Apr 3, 2022
The virtues that lead to unity
Philippians 4:5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. Introduction David’s brothers were all at the front lines of the battle, fighting for King Saul against the Philistines, and David gets sent to bring some food to his brothers. When he arrives, he asks what’s going on, and his brother ...read more
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20. Stress-Powered Prayer - Philippians 4:5b-6a
Contributed on Apr 16, 2022
There is good anxiety and bad anxiety. Eliminate the bad kind, and make good use of hte good kind.
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which ...read more
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21. Thankful Prayer - Philippians 4:5-7
Contributed on Apr 16, 2022
Three strategies for fighting the bad kind of anxiety
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which ...read more
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22. Controlling Runaway Thoughts - Philippians 4:8
Contributed on Apr 16, 2022
Get control of obsessive thoughts by forcing them through each of these 8 standards one at a time.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it ...read more
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23. Putting Truth Into Practice - Philippians 4:9
Contributed on Apr 16, 2022
How to put what you know into practice and find protection, success, peace, and prosperity.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it ...read more
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24. How To Be Content With A Lot - Philippians 4:10-12
Contributed on Apr 16, 2022
Contentment has nothing to do with your circumstances. Discontent fights against providence. This message how to enjoy God's love expressed through his blessings.
Philippians 4:10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is ...read more
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25. Giving For Love - Philippians 4:10-14
Contributed on Apr 16, 2022
How to become generous by learning contentment
Philippians 4:10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is ...read more
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26. How To Be Content With A Little - Philippians 4:11-13
Contributed on Apr 16, 2022
We all know there are countless things we can't do. So when God says you can do all things through Christ, what does that include?
Contentment is priceless, because it is needed for putting all the main principles of Philippians into practice. Let privation humble you (submit to providence), look to God for strength to let go of discontent (you’ll need it!), and count on the promise that you can perform any feat of contentment ...read more
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27. Acceptable Worship - Philippians 4:15-18
Contributed on Apr 23, 2022
Paul exposes the beauty of the Philippians' giving ministry
Philippians 4:10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is ...read more
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28. Giving To Get - Philippians 4:15-19
Contributed on Apr 23, 2022
There is a sinful kind of selfish giving. But the Bible does call us to seek reward for our giving. What's the difference?
Philippians 4:15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again ...read more
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29. His, Theirs & Yours - Philippians 4:21-23
Contributed on Apr 23, 2022
Do you think of greetings as an important part of your Christian life? The Bible places greater emphasis on the importance of how we greet one another than you might guess.
Philippians 4:20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 21 Greet all the saints in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send greetings. 22 All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household. 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your ...read more
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30. Make Me A Telescope - Philippians 1:19-21a
Contributed on Dec 29, 2021
How to fill your life with more meaning and greater joy
Philippians 1:17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I ...read more