Loving Jesus Style

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-18 12  Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but 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 work for his good pleasure. 14  Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15  that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16  holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17  Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18  Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me. [1] Devotion             Here Paul begins by calling the Philippians “beloved”. A term of endearment for a church he dearly loved. Why were they beloved? Because t

Scripture Philippians 2:5-11 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped. 7  but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9  Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10  so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11  and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. [1] Devotion             This scripture passage is one of the most beautiful passages Paul ever wrote. Some people believe this passage is a hymn that Paul used here in Philippians. That is a subject for scholarly debate. For us it is important only to note that it praises Jesus in the highest way poss

Scripture Philippians 2:1-5 Devotion:             So, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2  complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3  Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. [1]             “Paul begins this chapter with a call to unity in Christ for the Philippians church. The reality of our oneness in Christ is based on being encouraged by: 1.    comfort from his love 2.    fellowship with the Spirit 3.    tenderness and compassion [2] ”       Paul instructs his readers to “make my joy complete by “1. being like-minded 2.    having the same love 3.    being one in spirit and purpose” [3]                         These are to be viewed as normal s

We begin tonight by looking at how Jesus was a shepherd for his followers. When Jesus called the first of his disciples, they were fishermen who had been out on the sea of Galilee fishing he invited them to come and follow him. And they gave up fishing and followed Jesus. He found some of his disciples with John the Baptist he likewise asked them to come and follow him. He found another at a tax collection booth of all places, but he invites Matthew to follow him and Matthew gives up his occupation as a tax collector and invites Jesus to his house for dinner and Jesus accepts. This eating with tax collectors and “sinners” gets Jesus in a lot of trouble with the religious establishment. We read in lk15:3-7 3  So Jesus told them this parable: 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5  And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoic

Scripture: Philippians 1:21 21  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. [1] Devotion             With all the talk of the corona virus and all the fear that has been instilled in the peoples of the world you might wonder what to think or do next. As I see it Paul’s words from Philippians really hit home. They speak to Paul’s faith and his certainty that regardless of the results of his upcoming trial in Rome he would come out a winner no matter what. My prayer is that we all come to see life as he did.             What would you fill in these blanks with? For me to live is ___________ and to die is ______________. Take a moment to consider how you would fill in those blanks. Would it be something like this: “ For to me to live is money and to die is to leave it all behind.” “For to me to live is fame and to die is to be forgotten.” “For to me to live is power and to die is to lose it all.” [2]                         As Christians we should be able to sa

Scripture Philippians 1:12-18 12  I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13  so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14  And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 15  Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16  The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17  The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18  What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. [1] Devotion             In these verses Paul seeks to calm the anxiety of his readers. What most people would see as adversity. His being locked up in jail. Paul uses to witness to the

Scripture 1:3-11 3  I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4  always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5  because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6  And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 7  It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8  For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9  And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10  so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11  filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. [1] Devotion             Paul opens this letter with a prayer