Philippians 2:11-30
Read Philippians 2:11-30 .
Today I was thinking how important it is that we talk to each other about specific ways that God has taught us something. So I shared one specific way that God has taught me how I can recognize His voice and another member shared a devotional entry that she read on humiliation. Every week as we study Philippians some one in our study is going to share about a specific lesson or encouragement that they have felt came straight from God, won't you join us and either leave your story on this blog for others to be encouraged by or share your story with someone else in your life. It really is strengthening.
We will see in this passage that faithful friends are hard to come by and we need to encourage them when we have them.
Last week we looked at the words that Paul uses of Jesus as He describes His humility. Someone in our group said that word kind of bothered/puzzled her because it reminded her of "humiliation" and none of us want to suffer that. We discussed how Christ did suffer humiliation as He was rejected and tortured. The very place of His cruxifixion outside the city wall meant to the Jew that Jesus had been placed outside God's covenant. How humiliating was that?! Yet Paul encourages the Philippians to look at the example of Jesus' humility as a spring board for their own.
You see there was disunity in the church and Paul was saying, take a break from your fighting, look to Jesus and then go back and start acting like He did. Don't you think that it would make a difference for all of us to do that?
Paul probably helped start this church and he encourages the Philippians by telling them that they were obedient to start the church and as far as he knew they had always been obedient and he did not want them to get side tracked. He says, be obedient to your church and to each other by "working out" their salvation. What does it mean to "work out your salvation". First we have to realize that salvation is not earned but is a free gift from God.
Read: Ephesians 2:5-10, John 15:4 and I Corinthians 15:10.
Our faith is not based on our works. It is a relationship. We can not work out if nothing has been worked in (within). In other words, working out our salvation is an outward expression of what has taken place in our hearts and minds. It filters outwardly in our attitudes and responses toward one another.
Paul goes on to say to work out that salvation with "fear and trembling". I found this particularly interesting because in chapter one Paul had said to be bold or have no fear. I think it is a contrast of no fear verses a healthy fear. We do not have to fear anything when we know that God's spirit dwells within us because He is always with us. On the other hand, it is healthy to fear a life without God. A fear that places us with total reliance on God is good because then He can work in and through us. You have no power if you just say, "I am a Christian and I am just going to do this or that and help God out," we need to say, "Lord, this morning fill me with your spirit and give me wisdom, strength and power to do whatever you place before me today." God does not need us (surprise) but we have to have Him. He will use us as we rely on Him in ways we never thought possible. He will as the passage states, "will and work within us for His good pleasure. "
Paul also says to do EVERYTHING without grumbling or disputing. The picture for grumbling is of a "plague spot." Now, I know you know that as true. Just think of a city that has been taken over by some sort of plague and they are paralyzed. We lived in Pennsylvannia when my children were little and an outbreak of polio occured. I have to say that no one thought about or talked about anything else for weeks until it was over. Complaining can be just like a plague.
It causes an immovable situation and may bring about deterioration in relationships and personally. It weakens!
Paul says to do these things so the Philippians may prove themselves which means to show themselves...to be blameless which means to live a life that a finger of criticism can not be pointed toward and to be innocent...which means as metal with no impurities. To do ALL that in a crooked a perverse generation. He is saying instead of being distracted by the perversions of the day, set your eyes on Jesus and to be lights. Someone once told me that this meant to be the healthy child in the midst of sick ones. You only have to turn on the TV, ie Survivor, to see the depravity of our society and what has became so easily tolerated. We are called to stand firm in our faith and to be lights in the midst of the present society.
Finally, Paul is sending his dearest friends that have hung with Him and been faithful to him even risking there life for Him. May we be that kind of friend to someone.
Today I was thinking how important it is that we talk to each other about specific ways that God has taught us something. So I shared one specific way that God has taught me how I can recognize His voice and another member shared a devotional entry that she read on humiliation. Every week as we study Philippians some one in our study is going to share about a specific lesson or encouragement that they have felt came straight from God, won't you join us and either leave your story on this blog for others to be encouraged by or share your story with someone else in your life. It really is strengthening.
We will see in this passage that faithful friends are hard to come by and we need to encourage them when we have them.
Last week we looked at the words that Paul uses of Jesus as He describes His humility. Someone in our group said that word kind of bothered/puzzled her because it reminded her of "humiliation" and none of us want to suffer that. We discussed how Christ did suffer humiliation as He was rejected and tortured. The very place of His cruxifixion outside the city wall meant to the Jew that Jesus had been placed outside God's covenant. How humiliating was that?! Yet Paul encourages the Philippians to look at the example of Jesus' humility as a spring board for their own.
You see there was disunity in the church and Paul was saying, take a break from your fighting, look to Jesus and then go back and start acting like He did. Don't you think that it would make a difference for all of us to do that?
Paul probably helped start this church and he encourages the Philippians by telling them that they were obedient to start the church and as far as he knew they had always been obedient and he did not want them to get side tracked. He says, be obedient to your church and to each other by "working out" their salvation. What does it mean to "work out your salvation". First we have to realize that salvation is not earned but is a free gift from God.
Read: Ephesians 2:5-10, John 15:4 and I Corinthians 15:10.
Our faith is not based on our works. It is a relationship. We can not work out if nothing has been worked in (within). In other words, working out our salvation is an outward expression of what has taken place in our hearts and minds. It filters outwardly in our attitudes and responses toward one another.
Paul goes on to say to work out that salvation with "fear and trembling". I found this particularly interesting because in chapter one Paul had said to be bold or have no fear. I think it is a contrast of no fear verses a healthy fear. We do not have to fear anything when we know that God's spirit dwells within us because He is always with us. On the other hand, it is healthy to fear a life without God. A fear that places us with total reliance on God is good because then He can work in and through us. You have no power if you just say, "I am a Christian and I am just going to do this or that and help God out," we need to say, "Lord, this morning fill me with your spirit and give me wisdom, strength and power to do whatever you place before me today." God does not need us (surprise) but we have to have Him. He will use us as we rely on Him in ways we never thought possible. He will as the passage states, "will and work within us for His good pleasure. "
Paul also says to do EVERYTHING without grumbling or disputing. The picture for grumbling is of a "plague spot." Now, I know you know that as true. Just think of a city that has been taken over by some sort of plague and they are paralyzed. We lived in Pennsylvannia when my children were little and an outbreak of polio occured. I have to say that no one thought about or talked about anything else for weeks until it was over. Complaining can be just like a plague.
It causes an immovable situation and may bring about deterioration in relationships and personally. It weakens!
Paul says to do these things so the Philippians may prove themselves which means to show themselves...to be blameless which means to live a life that a finger of criticism can not be pointed toward and to be innocent...which means as metal with no impurities. To do ALL that in a crooked a perverse generation. He is saying instead of being distracted by the perversions of the day, set your eyes on Jesus and to be lights. Someone once told me that this meant to be the healthy child in the midst of sick ones. You only have to turn on the TV, ie Survivor, to see the depravity of our society and what has became so easily tolerated. We are called to stand firm in our faith and to be lights in the midst of the present society.
Finally, Paul is sending his dearest friends that have hung with Him and been faithful to him even risking there life for Him. May we be that kind of friend to someone.
I leave you with three questions based upon the scripture study above. Feel free to share your answers.
Who has been the godly examples in your life? Why?
Who would you lay your life down for?
Can you think of a present circumstance where your light needs to shine?
posted by Glenda at
2:10 PM
8 Comments:
Each week, I think "Now THAT was the best week so far!" and this week was no exception. It gets better every time. This was ALL excellent and I cherish the intimate (settle down girls) time this morning.
I'll answer the first question without a blink of an eye: Who is a godly example for your life (like Timothy and Ephrawhatshisface)...
My Daddy and Mom!
WHY? Because, without waver, they've served the Lord their God for my whole life with all of their heart and soul and mind, with reckless abandon, desiring to be in His perfect will without once questioning that will or arguing what it required (ex. our infamous surprise moves...LOL). They've taught me that Jesus is the baseline-PERIOD and that HE is the only one that will ever be enough regardless the circumstance, no matter the convenience. I value that they showed me LONG ago that Jesus' way is never practical but ALWAYS sovereign. I could go on and on but their lives together and individually have always been a "story of Him."
P.S. the Lord tested me on what we learned today almost straight outta the hatch! Don't know how I did. I think the refining process is still in the beginning stages. :)
It's funny how my life here in Lynchburg is almost parallel to what you're talking about here in your post. I just sent someone that same exact devo from "My Utmost for His Highest" and was discussing it with them. And now to read you talking more about it is encouraging and a great reminder again.
I'm with Hannah...regarding the first question without a blink of an eye...My two parents are the main godly examples in my life as well. And for a lot of the same reasons you mentioned HPS. I have NEVER seen my parents waver in their faith and committment to the Lord and each other. Because of that, they have taught my sisters and I the same by their example. Even when times got rough they clenched on to the Lord more than ever to get them through each crisis. They've also taught me that no matter how much or how little you have, you are poor if you don't have Jesus in your life. HE is your true happiness and richness in life. All material things pass away and are never lasting. Just another practial tiny example that just came to my mind but in our house growing up, we would always eat together around the table for breakfast and dinner. As you can imagine with 5 girls, many times people would come up in our conversations. My dad would NEVER let us talk bad about someone even if we weren't trying to be mean. He would always interupt our conversation with his fork tapping the side of his glass saying, "is that one of God's children?" Talk about conviction. I'm so thankful for the godly exmaple and things they've instilled in us. To whom much is given much is required and because some of us have been blessed with parents like we have we have more responsibility to be salt in this world.
As far as the question regarding a way to shine in this world. I'm laughing to myself thinking about something. When Leland and are I in a restaurant or public place to eat, when we bow our heads to pray before a meal he tends to get a little louder when we pray causing people to look at us. At first, I felt myself feeling embarrased and almost said something to him about being softer but then I realized what I was thinking and how great it was that he didn't think twice about letting people know who he was praying to. It convicted me a little. What a great way to be a shining light!
Oh, my goodness how you have encouragement my heart and strengthened others with your sharing. I am so humbled to know you both. I love ya.
Excellent, DRS, excellent! I sure wish you could be w/ us at BS. You would add so much!
I'm most impressed and encouraged by the spiritual insight God has given to you young mothers here. Your spouses and children and many others will be blessed through you, and Christ will be magnified as you live out your relationship with Him in the rough and tumble of life. I'm proud of you.
Much love.
P.S. Your teacher is a babe.
I wish I could be there for your Bible study. I'm sure it's an encouragement each week.
By the way...I read my comment about Leland praying to him last night and he said, "I didn't know I did that." I wanted to clarify that he doesn't pray louder just to get attention. That's just how his voice gets when he prays.
Preston; pdiddy; boogie, you're right...the teacher is a babe and I can't believe she's a shuggie too!
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