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I feel to begin an expository series on the book of Philippians. It was written about 30 years after the resurrection of Jesus and about 10 years after the apostle first established a church in Philippi. Paul wrote to the church from prison, while awaiting trial and his ultimate martyrdom. The city of Philippi was established by Phillip II the father of Alexander the Great in 356 B.C. At the time of Paul’s writing, it was a garrison town for the Roman army. There were very few Jews in the city, so perhaps they didn’t have the constant battle with those who wanted to hold to the Mosaic law. It was also the first Christian church established in the continent of Europe. The church at Philippi was establish when Paul responded to the plea for help that he heard in his Macedonian vision. His first members probably were Lydia the seller of Purple, the servant girl whom Paul delivered from demonic possession and the Philippian jailer and his household (Ac. 16:17-40). The church was known for their generous giving even when they themselves were suffering want. They had some established order as the congregation was led by bishops (pastors) and deacons. They were free from doctrinal error, however like our churches today they were not totally free of strife and discord. In his book, Exploring the Book, Dr. J. Sidlow Baxter labels the four chapters of the book as: Chapter 1: Christ our Life, Chapter 2: Christ our Mind, Chapter 3: Christ our Goal, Chapter 4: Christ our Strength. We’ll do our best to keep to this format as we walk through the book of Philippians. 1 ¶ Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 ¶ I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, 5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; 6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Christ our Life, began His good work in us when He formed us from the dust of the earth and we became living souls, created in His image and for His purpose (Ge. 2:7). He wrote our names in His book of Life even as He was calling the world into existence (Lu. 10:20; Re. 17:8). Because of Adam’s fall, mankind was in need of a Savior and Redeemer, and Jesus gladly purchased our salvation by shedding His innocent blood on the cross of Calvary (Lu. 2:11, Php. 2:5-10). Our only requirement is to believe and accept His provision and to get out of His way as He finishes the work that He has started on our behalf. God’s word gives us the assurance that Jesus is living in us. We know this because: We have received Him (Jn. 1:10-12). We feel the prompting of His Spirit as He leads us (Jn. 14:17). We gladly love Him and keep His words (Jn. 14:23). He has made our mortal bodies alive by His Spirit (Ro. 8:11). We are a new creature in Him, old things have passed away and all things have become new (2 Co. 5:17; Ga. 6:15). Because of the above and much more, we can quote Galatians 2:20 with rejoicing. Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I love that verse but Galatians 2:21 is equally important. I don’t need to be frustrating the grace of God by my own willfulness and stubbornness. Jesus did it all on my behalf, and He desires to fulfill His righteousness in me, if only I will stop trying to manufacture my own. To do so, nullifies His death on the cross. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. When Jesus lives His life through my mortal body. He captures my thoughts and brings them into obedience to His will (2 Co. 5:10). His Holy Spirit brings all of His commandments to my remembrance (Jn. 14:26). I have love for His other disciples (Jn. 13:35) and I hate the things I once loved (Php. 3:7). I'm sure that you can add much more. Song: Wash Me and Cleanse Me “Tolerating a wrong attitude toward another person causes you to follow the spirit of the devil, no matter how saintly you are.” - Oswald Chambers Free Ebooks That You Can Download. An Expository Study on the Book of Colossians The I AMs of Jesus Thoughts on the Lord's Prayer Your thoughts and Inquiries Contact@About-Him.Com Subscribe to this devotional? Subscribe to About-Him Devotional Keep Looking Up! Don and Marie Spooner About Him! Ministries
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