It’s about Losing
Read: Philippians 3:1-11 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. (v. 7) In the first six verses of this chapter Paul provides us with his spiritual resumé prior to embracing Jesus Christ as his Savior. In his former way of life, Paul was a pretty religious guy. If anyone […]
Deep Friendships
Read: Philippians 2:19-29 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier . . . and minister to my need. (v. 25) Epaphroditus likely did not come from a Christian family. He was actually named after the Greek goddess Aphrodite. He grew up in Philippi (or at some point […]
Deep Friendships
Read: Philippians 2:19-29 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon. . . . For I have no one like him. (vv. 19-20) Everyone needs friends, deep friends. In fact, there are three kinds of relationships we need in life: (1) a person who ministers to you and for whom you do not necessarily […]
Grumbling and Complaining
Read: Philippians 2:12-18 Do everything without grumbling or arguing. (v. 14 NIV) In this section of Philippians Paul describes Christians as those who “shine as lights in the world” (v. 15). In other words, obedient followers of Christ are to reflect the light of Christ to those living in spiritual darkness. The apostle gives some illustrations of […]
Humility and Obedience
Read: Hebrews 5:5-10 He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death. (Phil. 2:8) In his human existence, Jesus Christ chose, in obedience to God the Father, to take the lowest place. That is what the word “humbled” means. How long has it been since we did that—took a position of service out […]
Serving
Read: Philippians 2:6-11 But made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. (v. 7 ESVUK) The apostle Paul goes out of his way in these verses to emphasize the servant nature of Jesus Christ during his incarnation. Jesus actually entered our human history as a “slave”—that is literally […]
The Mind of Christ
Read: Philippians 2:5-7 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus. (v. 5) When the apostle writes these words about the Philippians’ “mind,” he is talking first of all about their mindset as a group—as a church, a community of faith. Additionally, he is focusing on the attitude they have as individuals toward […]
Rivalry, Conceit, or Humility?
Read: Romans 12:3-13 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. (Phil. 2:3) A person fueled by ambition is hard to get close to. Because they are regularly jockeying for position or influence, they stiff-arm any who get close or in their way. The chief obstacle to […]
The Same Love?
Read: 1 Corinthians 13 Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love. (Phil. 2:2) I read somewhere that “committed love is the power to surrender my right to get what I desire so that the person I love can get what he or she truly needs.” In other words, when […]