Tue, Apr 23, 2019
Paul's barn was fuller than the rich man of Luke 18 because his sufficiency was in the Lord. He rejoiced in their fellowship in the gospel, the fruit seen in their lives, the heavenly reward they will receive for their investment.
Tue, Mar 19, 2019
Duration: 34 mins 30 secs
Paul had rejoiced greatly in the Lord for they had sent a gift, but his contentment had not depended on their gift, because his confidence was in the Lord. Now Paul is careful to make clear that their gift is valuable. There is a balance here. He delicately makes clear that both points are true and the explanation is about priorities. Paul is clear that his trust and confidence is in Christ, being in a difficult situation had not caused him to long for a gift from Philippi, his joy is not (for example) because he has been able to eat properly. Their gift is so much more significant than that solely personal matter. It was a morally good action, a noble one on their part.
Tue, Feb 26, 2019
Duration: 38 mins 25 secs
Paul has urged them to rejoice, to be thankful, now he turns to a particular reason he has for personal joy. How he approaches this is very important. He received a gift from them that may have made a significant difference to his situation. Roman prisoners were responsible for their own food. As you read the words of our text what is his main point? He doesn't tell them how their gift has made his day complete, that he was starving but can now eat, instead, he uses it as an object lesson in thoughtfulness and faith.
Mon, Jan 21, 2019
Duration: 38 mins 35 secs
Life is often hard, difficult things come on you suddenly. When this happens how is it possible to pray with thanksgiving? To not be overcome with anxiety? Every hour of every day is to be a time of preparation, of living out new life in Christ. In verse 4 the call is to rejoice in the Lord always. As a disciple of Jesus, you are called upon to take action. You are to make a conscious decision about how you think about things, to not dwell upon anxiety, but instead to fill your mind with good things and then put into practice what you have learnt. Rejoice & Pray, Think & Live.
Tue, Dec 11, 2018
Duration: 33 mins 45 secs
The apostle Paul is setting out the secret of Christian living, we are vs 1, to stand fast in the Lord, vs 2 to be of one mind in the Lord and vs 4, to rejoice in the Lord. Based on our knowledge of him from his revelation to us (scripture), we need not be anxious but, vs 7 know the peace of God.
Wed, Nov 21, 2018
Sometimes there is a danger of over familiarity with certain verses. It is good to try and hear them afresh, to take care to understand them, to see their immediate context and to view them in the light of the whole of scripture. What does it mean to rejoice? To be joyful, to welcome with pleasure. The call to rejoice is often repeated in scripture.
Tue, Oct 23, 2018
Amidst errors which destroy the prospect of joy, the apostle turned their thoughts to the Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ and his glorious body and the wonderful prospect of our resurrection bodies. These great truths must have a practical outworking. Doctrine is never theoretical, there must be a, therefore, a consequence, a response. The more understanding we have of God’s revelation to us, so the more it should affect our thoughts and actions. Whenever you find a 'therefore' in scripture look back and see why it is there and then see the consequence.
Tue, Sep 18, 2018
Paul began this section with a call to rejoice in the Lord, 3:1. In the verses before us now we reach the summit of his case. On the way he has warned of dangers, firstly the self-righteous legalists and then the self serving libertarians, contrasted with the wonderful truth of justification 3:9 and the desire for sanctification 3:10-17, the desire to progress 3:12 and his declaration, vs 14 “I press towards the mark of the high calling of God in Jesus Christ.” In verse 17 he calls on us to “be followers of me.” This is in stark contrast to the enemies of the cross of Christ who are going in the opposite direction.
Tue, Jul 17, 2018
Duration: 36 mins 54 secs
The Christian faith is not a fuzzy niceness. There is a straight line, a standard, a rule of faith. In this passage, it is characterised by 3:14 “the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Paul states this clearly in Gal 6:16 “And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.”
Tue, Jun 19, 2018
Duration: 42 mins 18 secs
Paul is urging the saints at Philippi to “rejoice in the Lord,” he has warned of evil workers and highlighted his wasted years seeking righteousness through heritage and ritual, but true joy is in the Lord, by the Spirit serving God and glorifying in Christ Jesus, the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. He desired to gain Christ and be found in him, how is this possible? Because he has righteousness through faith in Christ.
