Clarity is on the way!

Join June 6th us at either branch for the kick-off of "Clarity" an in-depth look at the book of Colossians.

Impressions from Philippians 4:14-23

Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and
Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers 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.

Lesson Focus: Live sent!

1. God’s Provision (14-23)
share my trouble – This was Paul’s way of letting the Philippians know he was not being ungrateful for their most recent gift. He assured them that he considered them partners in ministry. “I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (vs. 12-13)
in the beginning of the gospel –10 years earlier Paul preached to a group of women in Philippi and Lydia started a house church. (Acts 16:11-15)

I seek the fruit that increases to your credit - Paul thanks the Philippians for their gifts and assures them that the spiritual meaning of their gifts is far more important to him than the gifts themselves.
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt. 6:19-21) Sermon on the Mount

a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God - What a blessing it is to know that our gifts are looked upon as spiritual sacrifices to the Lord that rejoice His heart!

And my God will supply every need of yours - Paul believed in the providence of God, that God was in control of events and that He was able to meet every need. "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Rom. 8:28).

Vision always precedes provision.

Impression: Paul knew, without a doubt, that he was blessed with God’s presence, peace, power, and provision.

(Outline heavily influenced by Warren Weirsbe)

Impressions from Philippians 4:10-13

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Lesson Focus: Live empowered!

God’s Power (10-13)

How do you know when you are content?

I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content – (content) The Greek, literally expresses “independent of others, and having sufficiency in one’s self.” But Christianity has raised the term above the haughty self-sufficiency of the heathen Stoic to the contentment of the Christian, whose sufficiency is not in self, but in God (Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary)

Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. (2 Cor 3:5-6)

I have learned the secret – Paul liked to present this life changing truth as a secret revealed.

To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Col. 1:27)

through him – The most unique thing about Christianity is our living union with the living God.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Gal. 2:20)

strengthens me – pour power in

ἐνδυναμόω - endunamoō - en-doo-nam-o'-o
to empower: - enable, (increase in) strength (-en), be (make) strong.

I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. (1 Tim. 1:12-14)

What part do I play in what I achieve?

Impression: Because of the indwelling power of Christ, Paul was never distracted or devastated by circumstances.

Impressions from Philippians 4:2-9

I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, 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 understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
    
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (ESV)

Lesson Focus: Live like you know who you are!

1. God’s Presence (2-5)

women, who have labored side by side with me – Most of the time the teaching of this passage focuses on the fact that these two women were arguing.  Paul had been writing about unity for 3 chapters now. However, don’t overlook the careful way Paul framed his appeal to his true companion. He wanted this person to know these women were of great value to him. Doing anything, side by side, with women was not a common practice. Origins is very blessed with godly women who have been called to present the Gospel, and an environment in which to do so freely.

reasonableness - ἐπιεικής, epieikēs, ep-ee-i-kace': appropriate, that is, (by implication) mild: - gentle, moderation, patient.

Why would Paul highlight moderation, and patience?

do not be anxious about anything – Worry indicates a lack of trust in God’s wisdom, sovereignty and power.

2. God’s Peace (6-9)

A. Desirable Prayer (6-7)
by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving – these actions are only available to a true believer.

let your requests be made known to God. – Is it even possible to surprise God with your need? This is where you begin to understand that you are in a relationship with the Father. You are a child of the Living God. Live like you know who you are!  Worry and fear do not reflect who you are. His peace will guard heart and your mind.

B. Desirable Thinking (8)
whatever is . . . – Almost every destructive emotional trial can be traced back to actions or self-talk that is based on untrue beliefs.

C. Desirable Living (9)
learned and received and heard and seen – Paul is saying “Live like you know who you are!”

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)

Impression: Paul’s awareness of the security in the presence of Christ allowed him to serve without being anxious about anything.

(Outline heavily influenced by Warren Weirsbe)

Impressions from Philippians 3:17-4:1

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

Lesson Focus: Live like you know you’ve won!

join in imitating me – This could be a troublesome verse if taken out of context.

• Should we ever imitate a man, even if it’s Paul?

• For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh (Philippians 3:3)

• As we “keep our eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us” (v. 17) we are challenged to live in the Spirit.

• Paul followed up with a stark comparison and heartache he felt for those who do not live in the Spirit. He wasn’t focusing the Philippians on any specific destructive behaviors, but with minds set on heavenly things.

• Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. (Colossians 3:2)

• For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:5-8) 

Glorification (vv.20,21) The Christian’s Future: 

our citizenship is in heaven – Paul was so good at using words that were particularly meaningful to his audience. Citizenship was a unique concept to the Philippians. They were in Macedonia but they were an official Roman colony.

• The people in Philippi were governed not by Macedonian laws, but by Roman laws; likewise, the church lives by heaven’s laws. Philippi was a colony of Rome in Macedonia, and Christians make up a colony of heaven on earth. Many times the laws of heaven conflict with the laws of earth, but our responsibility is to obey God, not men. (Weirsbe)

transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body – Paul reminded the Philippians of the ultimate reward of a life lived in the Spirit.

• For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

• I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:
  “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
  “O death, where is your victory?
  O death, where is your sting?”
  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
  Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:50-58)

Impression: The promise of being in the presence of Christ in a glorified body made it possible for Paul to persevere the challenges of persecution.