Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, (vs. 19)
“my deliverance” - σωτηρία: (sōtēria - so-tay-ree'-ah) rescue or safety (physically or morally): deliver, health, salvation, save, saving. The Greek word has four possible meanings: 1) it could mean Paul’s ultimate salvation or glorification, 2) deliverance from the threatened persecution, 3) a vindication from the Emperor’s ruling, or 4) Paul’s release from prison.
as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.(vs. 20)
Lesson Focus: The whole of our life is in Christ and purposed for His glory.
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.(vs. 21-23)
Could Paul be considering suicide?
"Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell." (v s.22)
But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again. (vs. 24-26)
“But to remain in the flesh”
In this text Paul is not talking about sin, but just the physical life, which he knows is the Lord’s and is purposed for the saving and discipleship of men. In this instance Philippi.
“Convinced of this”
Paul’s honest and heart-wrenching lament with God has clarified his purpose, the progress of the Gospel.
Note: At no time did Paul love God any less. Paul knew, and we should know, that in questioning God the Lord would not, could not, love him any less. It is not a sin to question God.
“so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus”
Paul makes it very clear here that his clarity of purpose and renewed motivation and perseverance came from Christ. It is no different for us today. In our trials we must work out our fears and anger with God in raw honesty. Our direction will come from the indwelling Christ, our fresh wind from pneuma (pneuma) the Holy Spirit.
Impression: Jesus will accomplish His purposes for us through His perseverance and clarity worked out in us.
Personal Time: It what ways can you glorify Jesus by surrendering to His perseverance and clarity?
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Great Opportunity for Knowledge
Check out the Greer Heard Dialogue on the campus of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. I am going Friday night if anyone is interested. www.greer-heard.com
Look for comments on Saturday.
Look for comments on Saturday.
Impressions from Philippians 1:12-18
First, thanks go out to the Bowens for hosting the Metairie branch in their home. The Brisket was awesome. The Harahan branch is anxiously awaiting Caleb Hyman and his family to worship with them. Fantastic! Here's the week's study.
Impressions: From the book of Philippians
Impression - a: a characteristic, trait, or feature resulting from some influence. b: an effect of alteration or improvement. c: a telling image impressed on the senses or the mind.
Philippians 1:12-18 (ESV)
I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. (12-14)
Lesson Focus: Trials can be a magnifying glass that allows people to see Jesus in us.
Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.(15-17)
“envy and rivalry” Paul had a contingency of “preachers” who were jealous of his apostolic power and authority. Made up mostly of Judaizers ("Judaizers" refers to Jewish Christians who sought to induce Gentiles to observe Jewish religious customs) they opposed Paul and Barnabas at the Jerusalem Council and pressured the Galatians to observe circumcision.
Who are the Judaizers of our day?
What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. (18)
Impression: Jesus will reveal His simple truth through us even in circumstances that test our ability to surrender to His plan for us and those around us.
When you explain surrendering to Jesus, how do you describe this surrender?
Personal time:
Are there circumstances in your life that are drawing your attention away from Christ?
How is the Holy Spirit directing you to make the most of your tough situation?
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
Impressions: From the book of Philippians
Impression - a: a characteristic, trait, or feature resulting from some influence. b: an effect of alteration or improvement. c: a telling image impressed on the senses or the mind.
Philippians 1:12-18 (ESV)
I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. (12-14)
Lesson Focus: Trials can be a magnifying glass that allows people to see Jesus in us.
Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.(15-17)
“envy and rivalry” Paul had a contingency of “preachers” who were jealous of his apostolic power and authority. Made up mostly of Judaizers ("Judaizers" refers to Jewish Christians who sought to induce Gentiles to observe Jewish religious customs) they opposed Paul and Barnabas at the Jerusalem Council and pressured the Galatians to observe circumcision.
Who are the Judaizers of our day?
What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. (18)
Impression: Jesus will reveal His simple truth through us even in circumstances that test our ability to surrender to His plan for us and those around us.
When you explain surrendering to Jesus, how do you describe this surrender?
Personal time:
Are there circumstances in your life that are drawing your attention away from Christ?
How is the Holy Spirit directing you to make the most of your tough situation?
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Impressions from the Metairie Branch
Mardi Gras weekend and family activities made for a particularly intimate setting at the opening worship gathering for the Metairie branch. We discussed the significant challenge involved in accepting our identity as saints. Our dialogue focused on those who are tough to treat with forgiveness and thankfulness. Realization was discovered that we are not the one to decide who deserves God's touch through us.
"Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
We'll be praying throughout the week about the answer to this question.
"How does knowing you are a saint change the way you live day in, and day out?" What are your thoughts?
We also grappled with the idea of righteousness, one of the characteristics of a saint.
"And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (Phil 1:9-11)"
What does "the fruit of righteousness" look like in your life?
Please add your comments.
Impression: God has redeemed us as saints and is perfecting us as servants.
"Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Phil 1:1-2)"
We'll be praying throughout the week about the answer to this question.
"How does knowing you are a saint change the way you live day in, and day out?" What are your thoughts?
We also grappled with the idea of righteousness, one of the characteristics of a saint.
"And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (Phil 1:9-11)"
What does "the fruit of righteousness" look like in your life?
Please add your comments.
Impression: God has redeemed us as saints and is perfecting us as servants.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Congratulations Dwayne & Becky Hyman!
Caleb has arrived! (5 lbs. 5oz. and 18") The spirit of creation is no more alive than in the birth of a child. Join with us as we celebrate the first birth in the Origins family. Becky is doing so well, and Dwayne, Mackenzie, and Levi are diving into their God given roles as father and sister and brother. Praise God for His abundance in our lives.
Creation, Relationship and Multiplication
Origins was created as a few of God's faithful sought after the root of His love, His simple truth. We prayed for a vision of relationship from the root, or origin of God's love. "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)" We have been growing in relationship to Jesus and to each other. The bright shoots of new growth are clearly visible. The promise of abundance to the glory of God is budding out.
In the divine intricacy that is creation there are no fruit bearing vines that consist of a single branch. The life support of even a modest harvest would eventually overwhelm a lone branch. A healthy vine has deep roots and produces multiple branches teaming with fruit. Origins is rooted with the expectation of multiplication. Through relationships that stem directly from Christ the time for multiplication has arrived. To the glory of God the Father, February 14th Origins will branch off into a network of simple churches. Please pray for us and come celebrate with us at either 3008 Kent Ave. in Metairie, or 703 Woodward Ave. in Harahan.
In the divine intricacy that is creation there are no fruit bearing vines that consist of a single branch. The life support of even a modest harvest would eventually overwhelm a lone branch. A healthy vine has deep roots and produces multiple branches teaming with fruit. Origins is rooted with the expectation of multiplication. Through relationships that stem directly from Christ the time for multiplication has arrived. To the glory of God the Father, February 14th Origins will branch off into a network of simple churches. Please pray for us and come celebrate with us at either 3008 Kent Ave. in Metairie, or 703 Woodward Ave. in Harahan.
Origins: Statement of Faith
We believe:
1. The Bible to be the inspired, infallible, divinely preserved Word of God, the supreme and final authority for all faith and life.
2. That there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
3. In the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, His sinless life, His miracles, His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood on the cross, His bodily resurrection, His ascension, and His imminent return in power and glory.
4. That man was created in the image of God, but fell into sin and is therefore lost, and only those who put their faith in Jesus Christ alone, not trusting in any personal works whatsoever, can be saved.
5. That salvation is the free gift of God brought to the sinner by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Whose substitutionary death on the cross paid the penalty for man's sin.
6. That the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to convict mankind; indwell, guide, instruct and empower the believer for godly living and service.
7. In the spiritual unity of believers through our common faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and that individual doctrinal differences which may exist, outside of the aforementioned (1-6), should not hinder the unity of Origins simple church network
1. The Bible to be the inspired, infallible, divinely preserved Word of God, the supreme and final authority for all faith and life.
2. That there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
3. In the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, His sinless life, His miracles, His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood on the cross, His bodily resurrection, His ascension, and His imminent return in power and glory.
4. That man was created in the image of God, but fell into sin and is therefore lost, and only those who put their faith in Jesus Christ alone, not trusting in any personal works whatsoever, can be saved.
5. That salvation is the free gift of God brought to the sinner by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Whose substitutionary death on the cross paid the penalty for man's sin.
6. That the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to convict mankind; indwell, guide, instruct and empower the believer for godly living and service.
7. In the spiritual unity of believers through our common faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and that individual doctrinal differences which may exist, outside of the aforementioned (1-6), should not hinder the unity of Origins simple church network
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