Free Bible Commentary
Philippians
Philippians 4:15-23
Wednesday, October 10, 2018“You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”
---End of Scripture verses---
When churches and individual Christians help support preachers and the spread of the Gospel it is “a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God” (verse 18). Paul used familiar Old Testament language associated with the former system of animal sacrifices to show that God is pleased with us when we give up something of value in order to support the most important cause that will ever exist. It appears to me that Paul viewed this congregational contribution to be a form of worship offered to the Lord in heaven.
We will never lose when we give sacrificially to the Lord, and there is no way that we can ever possibly out-give Him. “God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (verse 19). The true, spiritual, lasting riches can only be found in a covenant relationship with God through the atoning sacrifice and mediation of Jesus Christ. “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).
Christ temporarily gave up the riches and glories of heaven so that we could enjoy them with Him for all eternity. If we seek first the kingdom of God He will take care of all our needs on earth and crown us with eternal glory in heaven.
We will have some introductory remarks about Paul’s letter to the Colossians tomorrow Lord willing.
Have a super day!
- Louie Taylor
Philippians 4:10-14
Tuesday, October 09, 2018“But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.”
---End of Scripture verses---
The brethren in Philippi had sent Paul some money to help with his financial needs while he was in prison. He really appreciated that gift because it showed him how much they cared for him (verse 10), and it helped to ease some of his burdens during his time of “affliction” (verse 14). The money really was a blessing to him and he eagerly accepted it and was able to put it to good use.
But an even greater blessing is having the ability “to be content in whatever circumstances” that a person may find himself in (verse 11). Paul was happy with his gift but he knew he would have been alright even if they would not have had the “opportunity” to send it to him. Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:6-8, “But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.”
Paul is not condemning having wealth or an abundance of material goods in today’s verses. He had learned to be content when he lived in “prosperity” and when he only had “humble means” (verse 12). I am of the opinion that prosperity is much better than poverty! But, if we have faith in the Lord Jesus, and all of our NEEDS are being met, we can be spiritually rich even if we are fiscally poor. If we keep our mind focused on Jesus, we can pull off being either wealthy or needy with our faith and salvation intact.
Paul called the ability to do this a “secret” (verse 12) because the majority of the people in the world have not acquired the skill of being content in all situations. The secret of being able to do “all things” (verse 3) is Jesus Christ. When we turn to Him for our strength, He will equip us to do every good thing that is in accordance with His will for us. When we are faithfully devoted to Christ, even when we are physically or monetarily “weak” we can be mentally and spiritually “strong” (2 Corinthians 12:12).
Ok the secret is out! The key to having and doing everything blessed and good is Jesus Christ! Now let’s get the word out, and let’s put all our trust in and focus on the Lord and His will for us!
Please read Philippians 4:15-23 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
Philippians 4:4-9
Monday, October 08, 2018“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
In a nutshell, Paul is telling us here to not worry about anything but to pray about everything (verse 6). Worrying never helped a single soul solve their problems. Worry and anxiety only make things worse. When we stress and fret over our problems our physical and spiritual health suffer, and we are quite often paralyzed by fear and rendered incapable of doing anything to help ourselves.
On the other hand, if prayer is our habitual practice and our first impulse, we take the weight of our burdens and troubles, and cast them upon the Creator of the Universe who can actually handle them (1 Peter 5:7). The effective fervent prayer of a righteous person accomplishes much (James 5:16), but the foolish fretting of a faithless person fails to accomplish a thing.
God loves you and He is ready, willing and completely able to bless you in your times of distress. Stop worrying long enough to start praying. Cast your cares and your prayers upon God, “WITH THANKSGIVING,” and He will give you the strength to endure. Don’t forget to thank God for all the good things that He has given you! That will help to take your focus off things that are going wrong in your life.
Then, redirect your focus. “Dwell on” things that are “true” and “honorable” and “right” and “pure” and “lovely” (verse 8). Focus on the excellent and praiseworthy things, and “the God of peace will be with you” (verse 9). As a matter of fact, God will grant you the peace of mind that “surpasses all comprehension” that will “guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (verse 7).
God doesn’t always promise to remove the storm, but He will help you to have peace in the midst of the storm if you will only turn outward and upward to Him instead of inward to yourself. Get out of your own head and turn to the One who has all the power to help you with your problems!
Please read Philippians 4:10-14 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed and peaceful day!
- Louie Taylor
Philippians 4:1-3
Sunday, October 07, 2018“Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved. I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord. Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
Paul refers to his brethren in Christ as his “beloved” (verse 2). He had a heart full of love for his fellow Christians who brought much “joy” to his life and the delight of a much-prized victory “crown”. So it obviously troubled him when two sisters in Christ were having a tough time getting along and expressing the love of Christ to one another. Paul asked the brethren in the church at Philippi to do two things for these rivalling siblings in Christ: “urge” them and “help” them.
The love of the brethren and the unity of the church are so vital to the wellbeing of everyone involved that they literally needed to “urge” or “beseech” or “beg” these sisters to “live in harmony in the Lord” (verse 2). This literally means “to be of the same mind,” just as Paul had urged the whole congregation to be in chapter 2 verse 2. He then went on to show them that adopting the “mind” or “attitude” of Christ was the only way to succeed harmoniously in this spiritual venture together (2:5-8). The best way to “live in harmony in the Lord” is to try our best to be like the Lord. Paul called upon his brethren to “help these women” (verse 3) by encouraging them and teaching them and intervening on each of their behalves.
These were faithful Christians who allowed their differences to cause a rift between the two of them. That is very disappointing but it sometimes happens. The church is made up of a diversity of people from a variety of backgrounds, having different temperaments, personalities and viewpoints. But on the flipside, these ladies were both hard workers for Christ who had “shared” in Paul’s “struggle in the cause of the gospel,” and their names were written “in the book of life” (verse 3). Never give up on Christians who have compatibility problems. Urge them. Help them. And if necessary, separate them (Acts 15:36-41).
Even if we sometimes have a hard time standing side-by-side with an individual soldier in the Lord’s army, that doesn’t necessarily make us bad people. Sometimes we just have to love someone from a distance. Let’s just make sure that we do our very best to love everyone and hate no one. And we must make certain that we are personally standing “firm in the Lord” (verse 1) no matter what!
Please read Philippians 4:4-9 for tomorrow.
You are invited to assemble with us to worship the Lord in Spirit and truth today at the Taylorsville Road church of Christ. We are located at 3741 Taylorsville Road in Louisville.
9:30 AM Bible study. 10:30 AM and 5:00 PM worship services.
Hoping and praying you all have a blessed and faithful Lord’s Day!
- Louie Taylor
Philippians 3:17-21
Saturday, October 06, 2018“Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
Paul was not just tooting his own horn when he talked about all the power, privilege and prestige that he had once possessed (verses 1-6), and that he willingly gave the sum of it up because he knew that it was all rubbish in comparison to the excellency of knowing Christ Jesus and walking in His footsteps (verses 7-10). Paul was setting himself up as an “example” and a “pattern” to follow (verse 17) all the way to a glorious resurrection and an eternity in heaven (verses 12-19).
Today’s passage speaks to the power of example, whether it be a good one or a bad one. Paul and his companions led lives of dedication to “the cross of Christ,” and they demonstrated their love for the Lord by accepting the “fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,” in order that they “may attain to the resurrection of the dead” (verse 10). Any time people are willing to lay their lives on the line for a cause, and subject themselves to ridicule and suffering, that makes a powerful impression on the minds of others and can stimulate similar feelings of devotion within them.
But still, there were others who walked as “enemies of the cross of Christ” (verse 18). And it seems that Paul was “weeping” over these people because they were once purified by the blood that freely flowed upon that old rugged cross. These were people who were controlled by their base, fleshly appetites and not by the Holy Spirit’s direction to live lives of holiness and self-control. They gloried in shameful things and “set their minds on earthly things” (verse 19). They walked according to the pattern and path of destructions, and, undoubtedly people followed after their horrid example, and they did so to eternal destruction.
So what is the impetus to follow a righteous pattern and not a wicked one? The answer is a home in heaven (verse 20)! Paul counted his earthly home and fortune as rubbish because he had been promised a glorious mansion and eternal treasure in heaven above! Paul believed with all his heart that it didn’t matter how men might abuse his body on earth as he dedicated it to the service of the Lord in heaven because Christ would one day “transform” his week and feeble body after the image of His glorious, resurrected body (verse 21). One suitable for living an eternity in the presence of the Lord who had redeemed him.
Be careful of the example you set. People are watching.
Be careful of the example you follow. It will determine your destiny.
Please read Philippians 4:1-3 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day!
- Louie Taylor
Philippians 3:12-16
Friday, October 05, 2018“Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
Paul was thrilled that he had given up the rubbish of world in order to gain the excellency of Christ (verses 7-8), but he was sobered by the fact that he was not yet in heaven (verse 11). He had still not laid hold of the eternal prize that was promised to him when he was first apprehended by Christ (verse 12). When Paul received and obeyed “the upward call of God” (verse 14) his mind was renewed and his spirit redeemed, and he was placed on the narrow track that leads to heaven. But the “goal” line where the ultimate “prize” is won cannot be found on this side of eternity.
Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 4:7-8 that this prize is promised to all Christians who faithfully finish the race. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” When our time on earth is done, and when the Lord returns to gather His own, it will truly be a glorious day for His faithful runners! But, until we cross that finish line, we still have work to do and a race to run.
Let’s keep reminding ourselves that the race lies ahead of us and not behind us (verse 13). One of the hardest things for me to do is to keep running forward without looking back. I allow too many things that have been said and done in the past to hinder my progress in the race of faith. This is a passage that I should read with frequency—maybe every day but at least every week. I need frequent reminders that, as my brother used to say, “there ain’t no future in the past!” The Apostle Paul didn’t live in the past. He never forgot the lessons that he learned from his past mistakes, but he didn’t “dwell on” them. As a matter of fact he didn’t focus on his past failures or successes. He was all about future thinking and forward progress.
So, stay on track and don’t look back! Sometimes we might get stuck a little bit, but let’s hold on to what we’ve attained in Christ, and not throw our eternity away because of a few snags along the path (verses 15-16). Stay the course no matter what, even if the road gets a bit rocky from time to time. None of the rubbish of the world we left behind is ever worth giving up heaven to go back to!
Please read Philippians 3:17-21 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
Philippians 3:8-11
Thursday, October 04, 2018“More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”
---End of Scripture verses---
Absolutely nothing was more important or more valuable to Paul than “knowing Christ Jesus” (verse 8). After Jesus had entered into Paul’s life he began to look at life through a completely different set of lenses. He came to realize that most of the things that he had treasured prior to coming to the Lord were actually trivial in comparison to the “surpassing value” of discovering true knowledge. Paul knew about Jesus but his knowledge ran much deeper than mere awareness. When he came to truly know the eternal nature and essence of the Word that became flesh, and how He lived on earth and what He expected of and promised to His faithful followers, Paul knew he had learned the pinnacle of human purpose.
Nothing is more important than a deeper knowledge of, a closer walk with, a greater love for Jesus. In Paul’s mind, everything else, relatively speaking, was pure “rubbish”. The combined total of that which he was willing to throw away in no way compared to that which he gained from his complete devotion to Christ. He would let nothing or no one stand between him and his relationship with his Lord. No defunct system of religion, or his position in it; no vain, human philosophy; no monetary wealth or worldly possession. Paul was all in for the Lord because he knew that he had found the one, priceless treasure that he could not live without.
If we want to one day realize “the power of His resurrection” to eternal life (verse 11), we must commit our minds and hearts to Him and entrust our lives to Him on earth. We must be willing to live for Jesus and die for Jesus if we want to reign with Jesus eternally in heaven.
Please read Philippians 3:12-16 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day!
- Louie Taylor
Philippians 3:1-7
Wednesday, October 03, 2018“Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you. Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh, although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.”
---End of Scripture verses---
The “same things” that Paul wrote about again in verse one likely harken back to his admonition for them to stand “firm in one spirit together for the faith of the gospel” against their “opponents” (1:27-28). Here he actually identified their common “adversaries” as “the dogs,” “the evil workers,” “the false circumcision” (verse 2). This was the element among the church that had professed belief in Christ but tried to bind circumcision and other aspects of the Law of Moses upon the brotherhood. Paul wrote in Galatians 6:12 that their motivation for doing this was to avoid being “persecuted for the cross of Christ.”
Paul referred to these “evil workers” as “false brethren” in Galatians 2:4. Even though we do not experience this particular form pressure to conform to religious error in the church today, we still must be on our guard against anyone who would try to teach us false doctrine or attempt to coerce us into doing something that we know is wrong or not commanded by God. We are responsible for serving and worshiping God “in the Spirit” (verse 3), or according to the truth of the Holy Spirit’s revelation, and for glorifying Christ Jesus in all that we do.
Paul gave up all of his privilege and power in the Jewish community in order to believe and obey the truth, and glorify Christ in his life and in his death (1:20). He had much more to put “confidence” (verse 4) in than the false brethren did, so his influence for good should have overridden the evil influence of the false circumcision in the minds of the Philippians. Paul was actually at the very “top of the food chain” in Judaism (verses 5-6). But he willingly forsook everything that was coveted and esteemed by the pride and lust of mankind in order to gain Christ and please God.
Paul weighed the whole world in the balances against the “surpassing value of knowing Christ” (verse 8), and the world came up lacking. He willing suffered the “loss” of everything that he had once held dear, but he really didn’t lose anything of lasting value in the deal. He wisely exchanged an eternal crown of life for some brief and fleeting earthly possessions and prestige. What do you need to turn loose of for Christ that you have yet to give up? Whatever it is, it is not worth it!
Please read Philippians 3:8-11 for tomorrow.
Blessings!
- Louie Taylor
Philippians 2:25-29
Tuesday, October 02, 2018“But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need; because he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I have sent him all the more eagerly so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may be less concerned about you. Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard; because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was deficient in your service to me.”
---End of Scripture verses---
The Apostle Paul considered Epaphroditus to be his “brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier” (verse 25). These two had worked hard together and had fought arm-in-arm with one another against the enemy of all that is good and holy. Their common adversary, common goals and common struggles had bound them closer together in brotherly love in the Lord. Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” When we know that we can count on someone to guard our flanks and cover our back in the heat of the battle, we come to love and appreciate a brother or sister like that in ways that words cannot fully describe.
Paul also referred to his friend and brother as a “messenger and minister.” The word “messenger” is actually the Greek word for “apostle,” which literally means “one sent” to deliver a message or accomplish a work. The church in Philippi had sent Epaphroditus to Paul for the purpose of delivering their monetary gift to him, and for personally ministering to Paul’s needs in any way that was beneficial to him. Paul was sending his helper back to his brethren in Philippi, but it was not because he had not been extremely useful to him. It was just that Epaphroditus was worried about them because they had been so worried about him and his poor health (verse 28).
Epaphroditus had risked his life in order to serve the church and to minister to Paul’s needs. But Paul made it clear that Epaphroditus had come close to death “for the work of Christ” (verse 30). He was primarily and ultimately serving the Lord when he was putting his life on the line to serve the Lord’s people. This is another testimony to the “unsung heroes” of the faith. The Lord knows the lives that belong to Him and He greatly esteems the Christians who serve Him with all their heart and soul. We should “hold men like him in high regard” (verse 29) because God surely does. Let the hard workers of the Lord’s vineyard know how much you appreciate them!
Please read Philippians 3:1-7 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
Philippians 2:19-24
Monday, October 01, 2018“But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father. Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I see how things go with me; and I trust in the Lord that I myself also will be coming shortly.”
---End of Scripture verses---
A couple of Paul’s fellow workers who had “the mind of Christ” (verse 5) were Timothy (verses 19-24) and Epaphroditus (verses 25-29). These two men had dedicated their lives to Jesus and put their lives on the line every day in service to their brethren and fellowman. Paul said that Timothy was “of kindred spirt” with him (verse 20). This term literally means “equal-souled”. Both Paul and Timothy shared a deep and genuine “concern” for the brethren in Philippi, and the Apostle was confident that when he sent Timothy to help them out spiritually, they would be getting the next best thing to a visit from Paul himself.
Timothy did not seek after his own interests but the interests of Christ Jesus (verse 21). This means that, just like His Savior, Timothy did “nothing from selfishness or empty conceit,” but with humility of mind he regarded other people as “more important than” himself” (verse 3). He did not merely look out for his “own personal interests, but also for the interests of others” (verse 4). Timothy had “proven worth” because he consistently displayed a Christ-like attitude as he faithfully carried out his duties as a servant of Christ. He could be trusted and depended upon to do the will of God because he had a proven track record that stood the test of time.
These two men were not superhuman heroes. They were regular people like you and me who gave their very best to the Lord because of their deep gratitude for all that He had done for them. God recognizes and rewards the efforts of the dedicated workers in His kingdom and soldiers in His army, even if no one else ever does. Keep fighting! Keep working! Keep serving! The Lord knows your worth! If you have been sitting idly by, get into the fracas! There is no time like the present to surrender your will and life to your Lord!
We’ll read about Epaphroditus in verses 25-29 for tomorrow Lord willing.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
Philippians 2:14-18
Sunday, September 30, 2018“Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
“Grumbling and disputing” are indicators of dissatisfaction and selfishness. We must understand that God will hold us accountable for a worldly and unholy attitude as we endeavor to go about working out our own salvation with fear and trembling (verse 12). We will never “appear as lights” (verse 15) if we participate in the gloom that pervades this dark world. If the people living outside of the light of Christ cannot see something desirably different in us, then they will see no reason to want what He has to offer them.
“There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:9-13)
The majority of the people that Jesus walked among “did not comprehend the light” that He came to shine into their lives (John 1:5). And yet there were precious few who appreciated and absorbed His grace and glory, and He transformed and translated them into the kingdom of heaven. If we reflect the light of the Son as we walk amid the gloom of the world, we have wonderful opportunity to help pull aimless and lost souls out of the midst of this “crooked and perverse generation.”
Please read Philippians 2:19-24 for tomorrow.
If you have no plans to worship God today, please come visit us at the Taylorsville Road church of Christ.
3741 Taylorsville Road. 9:30 AM Bible class.
10:30 AM worship service. 5:00 PM worship service.
Have a safe and blessed Lord’s Day!
- Louie Taylor
Philippians 2:12-13
Saturday, September 29, 2018“So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
I love this passage because it demonstrates clearly that salvation is a two-way street. Salvation required work on God’s part, and it requires work on our part. When Paul wrote that we were saved by grace, not as a result of works in Ephesians 2:8-9, He was writing about the “system” of grace that saves as opposed to the “system” of legal works that attempts to make God indebted to us. It should be obvious by passages like today’s that works of righteousness are absolutely required if we are to “work out,” or “bring to completion” our own salvation.
Even in Ephesians chapter 2 Paul wrote that we are saved by grace “through faith” (Ephesians 2:8). Faithfulness unto death is a lifelong work that brings salvation to its final and ultimate fruition (John 6:29; Revelation 2:10). Paul went on to write in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Peter wrote that “the outcome of your faith” is “the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:9). Jesus became “to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation” (Hebrews 5:9).
Here is just a small sampling of the kinds of obedient works that God demands of His faithful followers while they serve Him in faith and love with the earthly lives He entrusts to them. The journey of faith begins when we are convicted of our sins, and repent of them and are baptized to have them forgiven (Acts 2:38). All faithful Christians must regularly assemble with people of like, precious faith (Hebrews 10:25), and must worship God in spirit and in truth (John 2:24). Individually, we are expected to live righteous lives (Titus 2:1-12), and to help the needy as our own abilities allow us (Matthew 25:31-46; James 1:27).
But even though God has given us works to do, He has not left us alone in the working out of our salvation. “It is God who is at work in” us (verse 13). When we place our faith and trust in our Creator, He becomes the driving force behind our efforts. And let’s be honest, He is the one who has done, and continues to do, all the “heavy lifting” and carries the brunt of workload. And our just God would never require more than any of us is capable of giving. The Parable of the Talents is a great illustration of how God only expects a person to give “according to his own ability” (Matthew 25:14-30).
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)
“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)
Please read Philippians 2:14-18 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
Philippians 2:9-11
Friday, September 28, 2018“For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
The result of Christ humbling himself, even to the point of death on the cross (verse 8), is that “God highly exalted Him” (verse 9). Jesus taught this very principle to His followers as He lived it by perfect example. “Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.” (Matthew 23:9-12)
If you want to be exalted in God’s eyes, you must lower yourself in your own eyes. Of course, Christ was elevated and exalted to the utmost degree. He has “the name which is above every name.” No one has been or can ever be His equal. He arose from the grave and ascended to the right hand of the Father in heaven, and rules as King supernal over all the universe. Jesus, “is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him” (1 Peter 3:22).
“Every knee will bow” to Jesus (verse 10). We mentioned yesterday that His “love for His creation allowed him to (temporarily) lay aside any insistence for the reverence and honor and glory that was due Him.” Christ’s love for mankind is eternal, but it is important to stress the “temporary” nature of His tolerance and patience for the rebellion of His creation. Every knee WILL bow to Him and “every tongue WILL confess that Jesus Chris is Lord” (verse 11). All people have the free will to choose to honor The King on earth. But the gravity and reality of Christ as Lord will finally hit those who refused to bow, and it will drive them to their knees when it is too late to make things right in eternity.
There are no second chances after death friends. Today is the day to give your life to Jesus and start glorifying God and living your life for Him.
Please read Philippians 2:12-13 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
Philippians 2:5-8
Thursday, September 27, 2018“ Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
---End of Scripture verses---
If we are going to “strive together for the faith of the gospel” (1:27), we must learn to “do nothing from selfishness and empty conceit,” humbly regard one another as more important than ourselves (2:3), and look out for the interests of other people (2:4). If we want to learn how best to achieve this difficult task, we must look to the perfect example of Christ Jesus, and adopt His “mind” or “attitude” as our very own (verse 5).
Jesus had all the privileges of deity. He “existed in the form of God” (verse 6). The meaning of the word “form” has been a much debated subject, and there are varying opinions on what it means in this context. But, the true meaning must be viewed in light of the fact that Jesus has always possessed “equality with God”. Existing in the form of God, Jesus possesses all of the nature, essence and attributes of deity.
But, Jesus did not regard his equality with God “a thing to be grasped.” Even though He had all the prerogatives of deity, He chose to not fully exercise them when He came to this earth in “the form of a bond-servant” (verse 7). Instead, Jesus “emptied himself” or “made himself of no reputation.” Yet another hotly debated subject is just what did Jesus empty himself of. The short answer is that He emptied himself of “self”. He did not stop being God. He did not divest himself of His divinity. He chose to not pursue the course of self-interest.
Jesus came to serve and not to be served. Many people think that they would like to be God, at least for a day. Well, that might not be exactly what they expect it to be. In Jesus “all the fullness of deity dwells in bodily form” (Colossians 2:9). And yet He was often hungry, thirsty, sleepless, friendless, unappreciated, hated. It is not that He didn’t have the power to remedy these situations. It’s just that, as God, His love for His creation allowed him to (temporarily) lay aside any insistence for the reverence and honor and glory that was due Him.
It all boils down to this: Jesus “humbled Himself” (verse 8). If anyone had the right to be demanding and arrogant, it was Jesus. But He pursued the undesirable course (from purely human reasoning and standards) of humble submission instead. God came to the earth in the “form” of a man (which means that He was every bit as much man as He was God, simultaneously), and He lived for and served the people He created. And He served all the way “to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
If Jesus willingly sacrificed His rights and privileges and ego and life for sinful, inconsistent, ungrateful people like you and me, certainly we can take it on the chin for our brothers and sisters in Christ in order to be more like our Savior, and promote grace, love and unity in the church He died to purchase.
Please read Philippians 2:9-11 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day.
- Louie Taylor
Philippians 2:1-4
Wednesday, September 26, 2018“Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”
---End of Scripture verses---
If we find encouragement in Christ and are consoled by His love, if we appreciate the affection, compassion and fellowship that God blesses us with through His Holy Spirit (verse 1), then we should share that love and unity with our Christian brethren (verse 2). Brothers and sisters in Christ should set their minds on the same spiritual purposes and goals. We should strive to have the “same love” for one another.
So often brethren have their best friends and only associate with a small group within their larger church network. It is very difficult to love everybody exactly the “same” way since we all have our unique interests, personalities and temperaments. But we should make the effort to branch out and extend our “affection and compassion” to people outside of our comfortable little circles. There are people in our spiritual family that feel left out, overlooked and unimportant. That is not a good feeling.
It takes a great deal of selflessness and humility to regard other people and their “interests” as more important than ourselves and our own “personal interests” (verses 3-4). But if you think about it, that’s the best way to behave in our own nuclear families. When we put the interests and needs of our spouses and children before our own, our households are more loving and enriching and peaceful. The same principles hold true with our spiritual family.
We will see in tomorrow’s reading that the best (if not the only) way to pull this off is to look to Jesus and follow His perfect example of humility, love and selflessness to the best of our abilities.
Please read Philippians 2:5-8 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
Philippians 1:27-30
Tuesday, September 25, 2018“Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.”
---End of Scripture verses---
When brethren in Christ stand “firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (verse 27), there is no good thing that the “opponents” (verse 28) can stop them from doing. The word translated “mind” in verse 27 is the Greek word “psuchē” which is nearly always rendered “soul” in the New Testament. When Paul writes about standing firm in one spirt and one soul, he is talking about the deepest kind of united devotion to “the faith of the gospel.” That kind of dedication to “the faith” is giving everything you’ve got to not only “stand” in the truth, but to also actively push forward its “progress” (verse 12).
The term “striving together” is deeply meaningful as well. The NIV renders the phrase “contending as one,” and the RSV, “striving side by side.” The image that comes to my mind is the Greek phalanx. This was a close-rank military formation that consisted of a tight clustering of soldiers armed with long spears and interlocking shields. The phalanx was a formidable force for both defensive and offensive proficiency. When Christians lock their shields of faith together and adroitly wield their swords of truth, that spells “destruction” for God’s enemies and “salvation” for His warriors (verse 28).
Struggle and hardship are a part of any war, so we will have occasion to “suffer” as we fight for the Lord (verse 29). “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance” (James 1:2-3). The Apostle Peter wrote that “even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed” (1 Peter 3:14). It is a blessing to suffer for the cause of righteousness because if we suffer with Him “we will also be glorified with Him” (Romans 8:17).
So, if you are going through a rough patch while serving God, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you are doing something wrong or that the Lord has forgotten you. It might just mean that you are suffering the setbacks of spiritual warfare. “To the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation” (1 Peter 4:13).
Please read Philippians 2:1-4 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day!
- Louie Taylor
Philippians 1:22-26
Monday, September 24, 2018“But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.”
---End of Scripture verses---
The Apostle Paul was kind of stuck between a rock and a hard place (verse 23). He wanted to leave all of his toil, trouble and strife behind, and go home to heaven to live with Jesus forever. But, he also wanted to stay on earth in order to serve and help his brethren in Christ and all of humankind (verse 24). Being the selfless person that he was, he knew that the immediate needs of his brethren and friends were more important than his future hopes and desires (verse 25).
The truth be told, the choice was really not Paul’s to make. To be or not to be (to live or to die) is the not the right of any child of God to decide. Paul knew that going home to heaven was “very much better” for him (verse 23), but he also knew that the Lord still had work for him to do. We should all adopt Paul’s attitude when it comes to balancing the pressures of our life on earth with our desires to be at home with Jesus. While we are in our earthly tabernacles, we have the glorious opportunity to serve the Lord with all our strength. If we do that, when the time comes for our spirits depart for fairer lands beyond, we will share in His glory forever.
Work, serve, wait, believe, hope. Press on toward the goal with patience and with the confidence that Christ has an eternal reward waiting for you (3:14).
Please read Philippians 1:27-30 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day!
- Louie Taylor
Philippians 1:19-21
Sunday, September 23, 2018“for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
Paul was convinced that he would be “delivered” from his current circumstances (verse 19). He expressed confidence in the effectiveness of human intervention through the potent power of the prayers of righteous people (James 5:16). He knew that he had a chorus of human hearts and voices lifting petitions and supplications to heaven on his behalf, and that God hears and heeds the prayers of his holy ones.
Paul was also confident of the “provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.” He had taken to heart the encouraging words that Jesus had spoken to the Apostles, even though Paul was not among those original Twelve: “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues; and you will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.” (Matthew 10:16-20)
Paul’s “hope” was not flimsy wishful thinking but an “earnest expectation” (verse 20). He was completely confident that God would make this and every circumstance work out for his own good and God’s own glory. Paul was not ashamed of the Gospel (Romans 1:16), and he knew he had no reason to be ashamed about being imprisoned for preaching it. And he knew that, one way or another, God would deliver him. And even if that deliverance was brought about through his death, to Paul, “to live is Christ and do die is gain” (verse 21).
Paul “exalted” Christ by the way that he lived. Therefore he had no reason whatsoever to be afraid even if he died. As a matter of fact, he knew that things would only get better for him on the other side of eternity, as long as he lived faithfully until death. If he went on living, it would be to serve Christ. If he passed from this realm of existence, it would be to live eternally with Christ. Which is “very much better” (verse 23)! Another win-win situation!
Live for the Lord. Die for the Lord. Reign with the Lord!
Please read Philippians 1:22-26 for tomorrow.
If you have no plans to worship God today, please come visit us at the Taylorsville Road church of Christ.
3741 Taylorsville Road. 9:30 AM Bible class. 10:30 AM worship service. 5:00 PM worship service.
Have a safe and blessed Lord’s Day!
- Louie Taylor
Philippians 1:12-18
Saturday, September 22, 2018“Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
The Apostle Paul looked at his “imprisonment in the cause of Christ” (verse 13) as a win-win situation. The driving purpose of his life after having been blinded by Christ on the Damascus Road and his subsequent conversion to the Lord was to propel the “progress of the gospel” (verse 12). And, while I feel confident that being wrongfully imprisoned was upsetting and not always a pleasant situation, it actually accommodated the Gospel’s “greater progress”.
You have to admire Paul’s positive attitude in obviously difficult “circumstances”. Paul makes it clear near the end of this letter that he had learned the “secret” of being “content” in whatever circumstances that he found himself in (4:11-12). “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (4:13). The “secret” is strong faith in Christ Jesus. The Lord will be with us and carry us through any and all of life’s difficult situations as long as we keep our faith and focus on Him, and draw our strength from His infinite supply in heaven. Through Jesus, even when we are physically weak, we can be spiritually strong (2 Corinthians 12:10).
And even though Paul was “content,” he most certainly was not idle! Even in prison he took advantage of his opportunities to do the Lord’s work! That’s the reason why the Gospel progressed. It was not a miraculous thing. To be certain, the Lord gave the increase, but Paul was actively planting and watering (1 Corinthians 3:6-7)! It was a determined disciple of Christ getting busy with the work that the Lord had assigned to him no matter where he was or who he was with. When Paul was a free man, he knew he was the Lord’s prisoner. When he was a prisoner he knew he was the Lord’s free man. His heart, mind and life were all wrapped up in Christ so Christ was all the focus of his thoughts and conversation!
Now back to the win-win situation. The whole “praetorian guard” who stood watch over the prisoners and “everyone else” who was involved in the affairs of operating a prison, knew that Paul had been imprisoned for “the cause of Christ,” and not for any criminal activity. And, not only was the Good News spreading throughout the prison, “most of the brethren” were emboldened to “speak the word of God without fear” (verse 14). Because of Paul’s arrest, the Gospel was proliferating inside and outside of the prison. WIN-WIN!
Some people were preaching the Gospel from a heart filled with “envy and strife” (verse 15) and “selfish ambition” (verse 17), but Paul still rejoiced about that (verse 18). Even though their motives were wrong their teaching was right. They were still teaching the truth! They would have to personally answer to the Lord for their sins of envy, strife and selfishness, but people were still learning the truth and being saved, so that was reason to rejoice! But most of the brethren who loved Paul found the “courage to speak the word of God without fear” (verse 14) because they were emboldened by the fact that Paul had a great attitude and had kept preaching the word, even in prison, and the Lord was taking very good care of him.
The Lord can use you right where you have been stationed friend. He can strengthen and encourage you no matter what situation you may find yourself in. He can lift you up and brighten your attitude in the darkest of times. Have you given your life to Him? There is no better, happier, safer place to be!
Please read Philippians 1:19-21 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day!
- Louie Taylor
Philippians 1:8-11
Friday, September 21, 2018“For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
You won’t find a more beautiful or meaningful prayer packed in such few words. Paul prayed that the love of these Christians would “abound” in real “knowledge and all discernment” (verse 8). Biblical love is knowledge based. New Testament love is intellectual as well as emotional. Paul wanted them to grow in the understanding and knowledge of what TO love and what NOT to love.
God’s people are to NOT love the world nor the things in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life (1 John 2:15). We must be careful to not love money because it is a root of all kinds of evil, and when we chase after money it can pierce us through with many sorrows (1 Timothy 6:10).
Instead we must strive TO love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:30). As true disciples of Christ are to love our brethren (Hebrews 13:1), and even love and pray for those who hate us (our enemies) (Matthew 5:44). We must love the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10) because we are going to be judged by the perfect word of God (John 12:48).
In short, we must learn to hate what God hates and love what God loves. And, we should aspire to “abound still more and more” in this knowledge based love, and also apply what we know and love in all wisdom and “discernment”.
Paul also prayed that they would “approve the things that are excellent” (verse 10). This phrase literally reads, “to prove the things that differ.” We are to “prove” or “scrutinize” all aspects of our lives so that we can distinguish between what is good and bad, and even between what is better and best, so that we can chose the things of the most superior quality. God wants us to grow spiritually so that we can make the best choices in life.
The Lord desires us to choose excellence so that we can be “sincere and blameless until the day of Christ.” To be “blameless” is to produce no cause for “offense” or “stumbling” in ourselves or in other people through our poor examples. To be “sincere” literally means to be “proven by sunlight”. We really want to pass the “sunshine test” as God examines our lives on earth and on the day of Judgment.
Sometimes a window looks clean and spotless when you glance at it, until the sun’s rays pass through the glass at a certain angle. Then you can see all the smudges and fingerprints more clearly. When our lives are held up to the glorious light of the Gospel, we want to make certain that there are not spiritual blemishes or defects that have not been washed away by the precious blood of the Lamb.
To summarize, Paul prayed that they (we) would continually learn God's will, discerning between what is good and evil, so that they could (we can) approve (love) the excellent things—the things that are good, better, best—and choose the most excellent things; so that when they (we) stand before the glorious Son on the Day of Judgment they (we) will pass the test, and be found without offense and without defect.
Thanks to brother L.A. Stauffer for his excellent sermon on this prayer from which I lifted most of these ideas.
Please read Philippians 1:12-18 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day!
- Louie Taylor
Philippians 1:1-7
Thursday, September 20, 2018“Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 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. 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. For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me.”
---End of Scripture verses---
Paul wrote this spiritually substantive letter to the “saints,” “overseers and deacons” of the church of Christ in the city of Philippi (verse 1). This was, is and should be the constitution of every authorized congregation of the Lord’s people. Notice that in Christ’s church there are no offices of priest, assistant pastor, head pastor, associate minister, archbishop, archdeacon, etc. The word “saint” literally means “holy one,” and that designation is given to anyone who has been sanctified by faith and obedience to the Lord in a covenant relationship with Him. Today, a saint is a faithful Christian.
The word “overseer” is the Greek word “episkopos” and it is commonly translated “bishop”. This is a compound word where, according to Vine’s dictionary, “epi” means “over” and “skopeo” means “to look or watch”. The words “elder,” “overseer” and “shepherd” (pastor) are used interchangeably in the New Testament because they are different terms which apply to the same “office” (consider Acts 20:17, 28; 1 Peter 5:1-2). Vine’s also says this about overseers: “The term ‘elder’ indicates the mature spiritual experience and understanding of those so described; the term ‘bishop,’ or ‘overseer,’ indicates the character of the work undertaken. There was always a plurality (more than one) of overseers appointed in each local congregation (Acts 14:23; 20:17; Philippians 1:1; Titus 1:5; James 5:14). For their qualifications and responsibilities see 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9. Please notice that elders are always men.
The word “deacon” means “servant” in its generic sense, but in this passage it refers to the position of certain appointed men who function under the oversight of elders in an official capacity of service to a local congregation. The qualifications for deacon are set forth in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. Vine’s dictionary says of deacons that, “The so-called ‘seven deacons’ in Acts 6 are not there mentioned by that name, though the kind of service in which they were engaged was of the character of that committed to such.” It is the conclusion of many (and logically so I believe) that the function of these seven servants recorded in Acts 6:1-6, as they served the church in Jerusalem under the oversight of the 12 Apostles, mirrors the situation that exists in the church today with saints, elders and deacons. Deacons are always men as well.
Paul’s epistle to the Philippians is very much a thank you letter for the service that they had rendered to him while he was suffering imprisonment for the service that was rendering to the Lord. He thanked them for their “participation in the gospel” (verse 5), and that they were “partakers” with him in his “imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel” (verse 7). These brethren had helped to alleviate Paul’s “affliction” (4:14), by sending him a very generous “gift” (4:16-17) to support his needs while he was “getting along with humble means” (4:12) under house arrest in the city of Rome. As a matter of fact, they had contributed to Paul’s needs at his “first preaching of the gospel” (4:16), and they helped him plentifully and frequently (4:17) as he dedicated his life to the preaching of the word.
Paul loved these benevolent brethren deeply (verse 7) for their love for him and the Lord, and he wanted to encourage them and assure them that God would continue to be with them, and perfect them (verse 6), and supply their every need “according to His riches and glory in Christ Jesus” (4:19).
Please read Philippians 1:8-11 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
Introduction to Philippians
Wednesday, September 19, 2018The city of Philippi derived its name from the ancient Greek king, Philip II of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great. He rebuilt the city of Krenides in the 4th century B.C. and renamed it after himself. Under Roman control it was strategically located on the Via Egnatia (Egnatian Way), making it a very important city for both military and commercial purposes. In the 1st century A.D. Philippi was said to be “a leading city of the district of Macedonia, a Roman colony” (Acts 16:12).
“The characteristic of a colony was primarily that it was a miniature resemblance of Rome. The city itself was laid out in the same pattern of Rome, and even the style and architecture were copied extensively. Its government and customs were also like that of the imperial city. Roman law was used…and its constitution was modeled on the municipal constitution of Rome. The coins used in the city bore Roman inscriptions.” (Truth Commentary of Philippians by Walton Weaver, Guardian of Truth Foundation, Copyright 1996)
We read about Paul’s visit to the Macedonian city of Philippi on his second preaching journey in Acts 16:11-40. After Paul received the “Macedonian call” (Acts 16:9-10), he and his travelling companions set sail from Troas in Asia Minor, and crossed over the Aegean Sea. While in the city of Philippi Paul helped to convert Lydia and her family (Acts 16:14-15), and the Philippian jailer and his family (Acts 16:31-34). These constituted the first recorded converts to Christianity on European soil.
Please read Philippians 1:1-7 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day!
- Louie Taylor