Philippians 3:7-11; NKJV
7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.
8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ
9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;
10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,
11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
“…that I may know Him…” (Philippians 3:10; NKJV)
Paul, led by the Spirit, uses the Greek word (ginooskoo) that means to know by experience.
The entire focus of Paul’s life was to experience more of Jesus.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Hidden in My Heart
And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me,
and also of the king's words that he had spoken to me. So they said,
"Let us rise up and build." Then they set their hands to this good
work. (Nehemiah 2:18; NKJV)
Friday, February 22, 2013
Epaphroditus
Philippians 2:25-30; NKJV
25 Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need;
26 since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick.
27 For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
28 Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful.
29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem;
30 because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me.
Epaphroditus was a member of the church in Philippi. He was sent by the Philippians to Paul to minister to his needs while he was in prison. While in Rome he became so sick he nearly died. As soon as he was well Paul sent him back to Philippi to ease the minds of his brethren.
Epaphroditus was a man who was to be held in high esteem because of work and heart. He loved the Lord and the Lord's people. He worked to glorify God and to edify his brethren. Follow his example and be held in high esteem among your brethren to the glory of God.
25 Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need;
26 since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick.
27 For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
28 Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful.
29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem;
30 because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me.
Epaphroditus was a member of the church in Philippi. He was sent by the Philippians to Paul to minister to his needs while he was in prison. While in Rome he became so sick he nearly died. As soon as he was well Paul sent him back to Philippi to ease the minds of his brethren.
Epaphroditus was a man who was to be held in high esteem because of work and heart. He loved the Lord and the Lord's people. He worked to glorify God and to edify his brethren. Follow his example and be held in high esteem among your brethren to the glory of God.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Work Out, Works In
Philippians 2:12-13; NKJV
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
My Part - Work out - katergazomai - work fully, accomplish, finish (Strong's)
God's Part - Works in - energeo - to be active (Strong's)
Do your part. He'll do His part. You will experience salvation.
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
My Part - Work out - katergazomai - work fully, accomplish, finish (Strong's)
God's Part - Works in - energeo - to be active (Strong's)
Do your part. He'll do His part. You will experience salvation.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Exalted
Philippians 2:5-11; NKJV
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,
7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,
11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
“Behold, My Servant shall deal prudently; He shall be exalted and extolled and be very high” (Isaiah 52:13; NKJV).
Made a Little Lower. In eternity, the Word submitted to the will of the Father. In the first century, the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. He "was made a little lower than the angels" (Hebrews 2:9; NKJV). Angels are spirit beings of a higher order than physical men and women. The Word lowered Himself. A body was prepared for Him (Hebrews 10:5). The One who inhabits eternity inhabited a body for some thirty-three and a half years. He became flesh and blood. He was a baby, a young man, a teenager, a twenty-something. He was made a little lower.
Lifted Up. The Word became flesh for the purpose of being "lifted up" (John 3:14). The process of crucifixion was efficient. A hole was dug in the Earth. The cross was laid on the ground. The victim was laid on the cross where he was then nailed to it. The cross was then "lifted up" and dropped into the Earth. The Word "was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death" (Hebrews 2:9; NKJV). GOD in the form of GOD cannot die. The Word made Himself lower than the angels so He could die. He became flesh “so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone” (Hebrews 2:9; NASBU). He was made a little lower so He could be lifted up.
Exalted. The death of Jesus on the cross is not the end of the story. It was never intended to be the end of the story. Isaiah prophesied the story from beginning to end over seven hundred years before the Word lowered Himself. “Behold, My servant will prosper, He will be high and lifted up and greatly exalted” (Isaiah 52:13; NASBU). The I AM raised up His Servant and "Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins" (Acts 5:30-31; NKJV). When He, "by Himself purged our sins," He then "sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high," exalted (Hebrews 1:3; NKJV). Jesus is worthy of exaltation because He lowered Himself, He sacrificed Himself, and He loved us without end. With the “myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands” around the throne, let us say with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing” (Revelation 5:11-12; NASBU).
Is He exalted in your life?
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,
7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,
11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
“Behold, My Servant shall deal prudently; He shall be exalted and extolled and be very high” (Isaiah 52:13; NKJV).
Made a Little Lower. In eternity, the Word submitted to the will of the Father. In the first century, the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. He "was made a little lower than the angels" (Hebrews 2:9; NKJV). Angels are spirit beings of a higher order than physical men and women. The Word lowered Himself. A body was prepared for Him (Hebrews 10:5). The One who inhabits eternity inhabited a body for some thirty-three and a half years. He became flesh and blood. He was a baby, a young man, a teenager, a twenty-something. He was made a little lower.
Lifted Up. The Word became flesh for the purpose of being "lifted up" (John 3:14). The process of crucifixion was efficient. A hole was dug in the Earth. The cross was laid on the ground. The victim was laid on the cross where he was then nailed to it. The cross was then "lifted up" and dropped into the Earth. The Word "was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death" (Hebrews 2:9; NKJV). GOD in the form of GOD cannot die. The Word made Himself lower than the angels so He could die. He became flesh “so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone” (Hebrews 2:9; NASBU). He was made a little lower so He could be lifted up.
Exalted. The death of Jesus on the cross is not the end of the story. It was never intended to be the end of the story. Isaiah prophesied the story from beginning to end over seven hundred years before the Word lowered Himself. “Behold, My servant will prosper, He will be high and lifted up and greatly exalted” (Isaiah 52:13; NASBU). The I AM raised up His Servant and "Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins" (Acts 5:30-31; NKJV). When He, "by Himself purged our sins," He then "sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high," exalted (Hebrews 1:3; NKJV). Jesus is worthy of exaltation because He lowered Himself, He sacrificed Himself, and He loved us without end. With the “myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands” around the throne, let us say with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing” (Revelation 5:11-12; NASBU).
Is He exalted in your life?
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Striving Together for the Faith
“Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel…” (Philippians 1:27; NKJV)
Striving Together for the Faith
“…in one spirit…” – pneuma – 5. universally, the disposition or influence which fills and governs the soul of anyone; the efficient source of any power, affection, emotion, desire (Thayer’s)
- “And the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul…” (Acts 4:32; NKJV)
“…with one mind…” – psuchee – the seat of the feelings, desires, affections, aversions (Thayer’s)
–“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 2:5; NKJV)
–“But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:16; NKJV)
“…striving together…” – sunathleo - to wrestle in company with, i.e. (figuratively) to seek jointly (Strong’s); to strive at the same time with another (Thayer’s).
“…for the faith of the gospel…”
–The facts to believe, the commands to obey and the promises to receive of the gospel of Christ.
–The faith (the conviction) we have in the gospel (the good news of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ).
Question: Who are we?
Answer: We are a team!
Together
Everybody
Accomplishes
More
Components of Teamwork
1.Good Leadership – Our Eldership!
2.Common Purpose – seek & save the lost!
3.Plan of Action – plant, water, pray!
4.Well-defined Roles – know your role!
5.Execution – use your gifts!
Monday, February 18, 2013
To Live is Christ
Philippians 1:19-26; NKJV
19 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.
21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell.
23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.
24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.
25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith,
26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.
To be this Man's disciple is to think about life and death from a spiritual perspective. To live is to become like Him. To die is to be with him.
19 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.
21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell.
23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.
24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.
25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith,
26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.
To be this Man's disciple is to think about life and death from a spiritual perspective. To live is to become like Him. To die is to be with him.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)