Paul called a spade a spade! He noted that the majority of Roman Christians cared more for their own comfort and safety ( my words) than they did for what is important to Christ. This was not only a first century problem it’s the same today, what is it that keeps most of us from leaving our comfort zone? and do you think it possible to win souls and make disciples for Christ with such an attitude? 2:20-21

Timothy had a good teacher in Paul they were like father and son,. We are not all like Paul but we can all encourage and be mentors to younger Christians, Jesus said we are to go and make disciples of all nations Mathew 28:19 this responsibility falls on every Christian 2:22

Epaphroditus was entrusted with gifts for Paul from the church at Philippi while Paul was a prisoner of Rome. He displayed reckless courage ( S. F. L. footnote) Have you ever asked yourself how far you’d be prepared to go for the sake of the gospel and those imprisoned for their faith? 2:30

Paul revealed the saviours heart of love when he sent Epaphroditis back to his home church. He wanted to spare Epaphraditus from becoming home sick, and the Philippians from distress after hearing that Epaphraditus had been near death with sickness. This was not simply Paul being loving and sympathetic but revealed the heart of love that Christ has for each of us in whatever difficult situation we find ourselves in 2:27-28

Memory verse

Don’t think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing. Philippians 2:4

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Unity through Humility

Although separated by Roman prison bars Paul enjoyed fellowship with the Holy Spirit and with his fellow believers in Philippi, there being no distance in the Spirit! We all need one another in fact unless we get together with other Christians in fellowship it would seem impossible to put 2:2 into action.

It is a danger signal when we think we can live “life in the Spirit” yet neglect having fellowship with other Christians 2:4

Where there is disunity in the church there is the very real possibility of grieving the Holy Spirit, and so we make it our aim to work together with one heart and purpose 2:2.

We should have the same attitude thatJesus did, “He chose to make Himself nothing” We can approach life expecting to be served, or look for opportunities to serve others 2:3-4

The humility and Exaltation of Jesus

The nature and work of Christ. 1 Jesus Christ has always existed with God. 2 Jesus Christ is equal with God because He is God. 3 He became a man in order to fulfil God’s plan. 4 He became a man to identify with sinful human beings. 5 Jesus Christ chose to lay aside His divine rights out of love for His Father. 6 Jesus died on the cross for our sins so we wouldn’t have to face death. 7 God glorified Jesus Christ because of His obedience. 8 God raised Jesus Christ to His original position at His right hand. N.L.T. Life application Bible.

Although Jesus limited Himself, He did not Lessen Himself 2:7

memory verse

Though Jesus was God, He did not demand and cling to His rights as God. Philippians 2:6 N.L.T.

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Paul had confidence that his situation would turn out for good which caused him to rejoice ! He was confident that his co-workers in the gospel (the Philippians) knew how to pray in line with Gods will. How important that we know how to pray when we pray for each other, what if they had prayed for Paul’s early deliverance from prison because of wrong ideas about the will of God regards suffering? It’s interesting that Paul emphasises the partnership between their prayers of faith and the work of the Holy Spirit 1:19.

Paul’s confidence in God to complete the good work He had started in his life 1:6 meant that he knew in his heart that whatever happened he would remain in the will of God, Paul had assurance that he would continue in his ministry until God said “come up here” When God calls a person into ministry he will always equip them for the work and give them the time to complete what they have been called to do 1:25 We may run out of time but God never does !

The residents of Philippi enjoyed all the benefits of Roman citizenship. As Christians we have dual citizenship we are citizens of an earthly country, we are also citizenship of a heavenly Kingdom through our faith in Jesus Christ. How we conduct ourselves in the community may well influence those around us to seek after God or confirm them in their unbelief and chosen destiny.1:27-28

Jesus suffered for us in His death on the cross, in fact when He died we were united with Him in His death Romans 6:4-11. The hold that the devil had upon us has been broken! We now longer suffer because we were sinners instead we have been given the honour to suffer for Jesus 1:29

Memory verse

For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for Him. Philippians 1:29 N.L.T.

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Pause for thought

Rather than allowing his situation to get the better of him, Paul did not get bitter or give up. He had faith that God was in control and even though his circumstances were far from good he saw them as another opportunity for the spreading of the gospel 1:12.

The devil thinks that by bringing difficulties, or by putting sicknesses on Christians he can stop us spreading the good news and sharing our personal testimony of “what Jesus has done for me”, the church will always increase when it is under pressure! The same applies to every Christian who doesn’t allow unbelief or bitterness about their circumstances to take their eyes off Jesus, Keeping our eyes on Jesus means we will see the bigger picture and realise we were in Gods will all along 1:13-14.

Not everyone who preaches the gospel preaches from the same pure motives as Paul, some preach to build their own reputations. In Paul’s day some ridiculed Paul as they preached Christ hoping to cause Paul extra pain. But because Paul was certain that he was in the centre of Gods will even though in prison he was able to give praise for however and by who ever the gospel was preached. Paul was “Mr Great Heart” like him we should be equally pleased when the gospel is successfully preached by ourselves or others of a different church 1 Corinthians 1:12.

Thought for the week

We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations. Chuck Swindoll

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Pause for thought

Paul wrote this letter to the Philippian church from prison in Rome in about A.D. 61, having previously preached the Gospel and established the church in Philippi in about A.D. 51. It soon becomes apparent as we read this epistle that Paul had a very special attachment to these believers 1:3 and Acts 16

Although they were not in prison with Paul they were standing with him in prayer and material support as they had done throughout the previous ten years right up to and during Paul’s Roman imprisonment. They didn’t let his imprisonment deter them they really understood what it meant to share with Paul in the ministry of Christ.To them remembering Paul “in the spirit” was no empty phrase! 1:7

Perhaps you sometimes think that your not making progress in your journey as a christian? But you can be certain that what God began in you when you accepted Christ He will finish! It started when Jesus died for you and will finish when Jesus returns for you! You are saved, you are being saved, and you will be saved, the process of growing as a Christian continues until Jesus returns 1:6

Our love for one another should be based on what Christ has done for us not on feelings, this was the love that bound Paul and the believers at Philippi together. I believe that just as our born again experience is supernatural so is the birth and the growth of the local church, we are brought together by God. This is another reason why Paul lays so much importance in 1:9-10 that we seek with the Spirits help knowledge and discernment about the things that really matter so that we continue to grow in our love for each other. As Paul says so that we can live sincere and without offence until Jesus returns.

Paul had faith that his prayers were being answered 1:8-9. The best way to influence others for Christ is to keep them before the Lord in prayer 1:10

memory verse

And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again. Philippians 1:6 N.L.T.

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Pause for thought

Like every local Church the church at Philippi had been called out by Jesus Christ Himself from the pagan society that surrounded them. Each of the characters that we read about in Acts 16 had a very personal miraculous encounter with Jesus Christ. But the same life changing power is working in us just as it did in them. We are all one body we all have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future. Ephesians 4:4

Gods plan has always been to bring every believer together into one body that God calls the Church. The Bible knows only two expressions of Church, the universal Church and the local church. Every believer becomes a member of the Universal Church at the time of their new birth 1 Corinthians 12:13. The local church is called together by God himself as a dwelling place in the Spirit Ephesians 2:22 We are only able to “gather together unto Him” because the Lord draws us, But it is possible to refuse to gather ourselves unto Him and resist His drawing. Hebrews 10:24-25

Lydia’s household and the jailers household believed in Jesus and were all baptised, we need to understand that this meant every member of each household had each made their own decision to trust in Jesus Acts 16:15,33

What the slave girl said was true, but the source of what she said was demonic. Some commentators think that the message was spoken in a mocking way which may of course be true, but this was not the only reason why Paul cast the spirit of divination out. Paul was not about to receive validation for his message by a demon so by casting it out he silenced the demon and brought deliverance to the slave girl.

Never fall into any trap of the devil by allowing the Gospel to become linked with demon related activities. Don’t be deceived Truth and evil never mix.

Memory verse

They replied ,” Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, along with your entire household. Acts 16:31 N.L.T.

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I was once approached by a lovely Christian gentleman who told me he had no intention of getting involved in spiritual warfare! he had probably been put off by some of the strange antics he had witnessed by some who claimed to be “doing” a stint of spiritual warfare! I told him he had no choice because the devil will bring spiritual warfare to us, in fact every Christian is a target for the enemy because of our relationship with Jesus.

Our warfare is not against physical forces but against unseen powers and wicked spirits in the heavenly realms, These are out to reap havoc by tempting and lying to individual Christians and the church of Jesus Christ. Paul warns us that the devil can transform himself into an angel of light and his servants can easily fool the church by pretending to be godly ministers 2 Corinthians 11:12-14. The devils main target is and always will be Christians we must stand firm against all the strategies and tricks of the devil.

His strategy includes making mischief between Husband and Wife, Parent and child, in families, in the workplace and in the church. We need every piece of armour that God supplies to help in resisting the devil in the present time of evil we are living through. Satan is already a defeated foe. Therefore every piece of the armour reminds us of Christ’s victory on the cross for you and me that is the ground we take a stand on 6:11

Paul’s priority was being in the complete will of God for his life, Although in prison Paul knew he was where God wanted him. This is why his prayer request was particularly unselfish, he did not ask for release from prison but that the Ephesian Christians should agree with him in prayer that he would be able to continue to preach the gospel as he should! Paul knew that the secret of answered prayer is asking according to Gods will 16:20

The devil only derives his power through deception, he lies that he is as powerful as God he’s not. God and the devil are miles apart God is all powerful the devil in comparison is a worm. Although we have all Gods strong invincible armour available to us it’s up to us to use it! Notice Paul’s priority of prayer, we are to use every type of prayer as we pray to the Lord of the battle 6:18

memory verse

Pray at all times on ever occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere. Ephesians 6:18 N.L.T

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Ephesians is not only to to be read but if we believe what it’s author the Holy Spirit is saying then it demands action! This always has to start on the home front which not often easy! This is where we learn to be guided by the Holy Spirit 5:17.

The key principle in all our relationships be it in marriage, the family, or the workplace is this, in everything we do we are to do in a way that is always honouring to Christ 5:21.

Christian marriage is to be a mirror of the relationship of Jesus Christ the bridegroom and His bride the Church. Husbands and wives have both been given an assignment from the Lord (good works prepared in advance for us to do) 2:10 Husbands are to be loving and caring for their wives in the same way that Christ is for His bride the Church. As the church submits to God so wives can then readily submit to their own husbands. It is my conviction that much is expected from husbands because of the great love Jesus Christ has for His Church 5:24-25

Children should obey their parents while under their care, but to honour one’s parents is for life 6:2, Deut 5:16

If in any relationship demands are put upon us that are against Gods law we are to obey God rather than men Acts 5:29

Christian behaviour in the workplace means that both employee and employer are serving the same master. Christian employers must be scrupulously fair in their dealings with all their employees no matter if they are believers or not. Christian employees should work hard and not take advantage if their employer is a fellow Christian. Christian bosses should be the best to work for and Christian employees should be among the most industrious, this not only honours Christ but will be rewarded 6:8

memory verse

And further, you will submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:21 N.L.T.

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We are to walk, that is live our lives carefully being sensitive to the Holy Spirits direction. Much time has been squandered in following our own foolish ideas. I’m sure we all feel a sense of urgency, time is short, evil seems intense. But with the Lord the time we have wasted can be “redeemed” First we need to repent for the time we’ve squandered and seek wisdom from the Lord for what lies ahead making the most of every opportunity. Another way God redeems our time is that the time we devote to God seems to multiply. and becomes more productive, I firmly believe that God will give us every minute we need to fulfil our part in the great commission 5:16

Be filled with the Spirit this does not stop at a single experience. We must go on being filled with the Holy Spirit notice this is our responsibility. Also notice the importance worship and fellowship has in continuing to go on being filled with the Holy Spirit 5:18 -19

Giving thanks to God for all things means that we should give thanks for all that God gives us. James reminds us that nothing evil is a gift from God, There are some things that by nature are impossible for God to do. The apostle was not suggesting that God should be thanked for anything evil. However whatever the situation we find ourselves in we can be sure God is with us in it. this is why when writing to the Thessalonians Paul said we are to give thanks in every situation 5:20,James 1:13-17, 1Thessalonians 5:18.

Submission is always vertical before it can be horizontal 5:21

Memory verse

Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days Ephesians 5:16 N.L.T.

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