THE GOSPEL OF JOY IN ADVERSE CIRCUMSTANCES - PHILIPPIANS - OUR SECURITY IN CHRIST - PART 1

TEXT:  Philippians 1:3-11 (CSB) – “I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you,  always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Indeed, it is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that you may approve the things that are superior and may be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.”

Have you ever wanted something to last forever? Have you ever come across something that breaks down – or falls apart?

We are constantly bombarded with the “temporary” in this life. That is why this story of a light bulb in Livermore, California caught my eye. The light bulb was turned on in 1902 at the Livermore, CA Fire Department. 71 years later it was still burning. By today’s standards, it should have burned out 852 times. But you see, this light bulb was made by Shelby Electric Co. They are now out of business for an obvious reason. Their bulbs lasted, and nobody reordered.

God gives us something that will last forever – and Paul talks about it in verse 6. The Amplified Version reads – “And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ – right up to the time of His return – developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.”

We are going to ponder on the unending security that we have.  We will establish 4 principles from this passage over the next couple of days. Ready?

FIRST, LET US SEE THE PERSON OF OUR SECURITY.

Our security is not in ourselves. No matter how good, no matter how strong, no matter how sure of ourselves we are – we are incapable to hold onto our salvation.

In fact, if we seek to be the one to hold on to our salvation, we open ourselves up to all sorts of doubts, fears, and insecurities.

There is one and only one who is able to hold on – that is our precious savior, Jesus Christ.

o   Heb. 7:25 –“Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”

o   Jude 24 – “To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy - ”

We must learn to place our trust in the Secure One.  “Being confident of this, that HE…”

o   Not in ourselves

o   Not in a preacher

o   Not in a church

o   Not in a creed

But in that Holy One, the One who said – “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (Jn.14:6)

The person of our security is Jesus – the precious Lamb of God!

So, let us develop Principle #1. That principle teaches us – The degree of our security is directly proportional to the degree we trust Christ – and Him alone to hold us.

Tomorrow, we will seek Principle #2. Ponder and grasp the first principle today.

THE GOSPEL OF JOY IN ADVERSE CIRCUMSTANCES - PHILIPPIANS - A CATALOG OF THANKSGIVING - PART 3

TEXT:  Psalm 103:1- 22 (CSB) – “My soul, bless the Lord, and all that is within me, bless his   

   holy name.
² My soul, bless the Lord, and do not forget all his benefits.

³ He forgives all your iniquity; he heals all your diseases.
⁴ He redeems your life from the Pit; he crowns you with faithful love and compassion.
⁵ He satisfies you with good things; your youth is renewed like the eagle.

⁶ The Lord executes acts of righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
⁷ He revealed his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel.
⁸ The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love.
⁹ He will not always accuse us or be angry forever.
¹⁰ He has not dealt with us as our sins deserve or repaid us according to our iniquities.

¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his faithful love toward those who  

    fear him.
¹² As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
¹³ As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear

   him.
¹⁴ For he knows what we are made of, remembering that we are dust.

¹⁵ As for man, his days are like grass— he blooms like a flower of the field;
¹⁶ when the wind passes over it, it vanishes, and its place is no longer known.
¹⁷ But from eternity to eternity the Lord’s faithful love is toward those who fear him, and his

    righteousness toward the grandchildren
¹⁸ of those who keep his covenant, who remember to observe his precepts.
¹⁹ The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.

²⁰ Bless the Lord, all his angels of great strength, who do his word, obedient to his command.
²¹ Bless the Lord, all his armies, his servants who do his will.
²² Bless the Lord, all his works in all the places where he rules. My soul, bless the Lord!”

David and the Apostle Paul gives us a Call to give Prayers of Thanksgiving. Paul said in Philippians 1:3-4 (CSB) “ I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you, always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer….” Going into Psalm 103, we are seeing that the Bible gives us a catalog of Thanksgiving topics to pray about.  David lists 6 main topics or areas to offer thanks to God. We saw yesterday to give thanks for our salvation, our healing, our protection, and our joys. Today, we will add the last two in David’s list.

 

Along with those thoughts, the fifth area that David lists is that He gives us the ability to Soar over Circumstances. David wrote that “your youth is renewed like the eagle” (Verse 5b). Eagles soar higher than any other bird. This gives them a clear vision. They rise above the crowd. In fact, they use the turbulence around them to be able to rise to greater heights. As Christians, we should never be “under the circumstances,” We need to thank Him for helping us to rise above and beyond our circumstances.

Finally, but one of the most important is found in verses 6-18 – He discloses Himself to us!

o   He is merciful

o   “He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities” Verse 10 – doesn’t give us what we deserve.

o   Verse 13 – “As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him” – Pity is given us as a loving Father to a Child.

o   Verse 17 – “But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children” – lasts from everlasting to everlasting means eternally forever!

o   Verse 18 – “with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts” – Mercy will continue through a family that is faithful to obey God.

o   He is gracious – life is short, brief – but God gives us what we don’t deserve – verses 15,16 – “As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.”

o   He is slow to anger – verse 14 – “for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.” –He remembers that we are frail and do fail.

o   He doesn’t hold grudges – verse 9 – “He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever”

Thank Him for the disclosing of Who He is.

Consider this Summary of Thanksgiving in verse 19-22.

o   Verse 19 “The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his   

§  kingdom rules over all.” – The throne is settled in Heaven – God reigns.

o   Verse 20 – “Praise the LORD, you His angels, you mighty ones who do his   

§  bidding, who obey his word. The Archangels praise, bless, and thank Him.

o   Verse 21 – “Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, you His servants who

§  do his will.”  The created angels thank Him

o   Verse 22 – “Praise the LORD, all his works everywhere in his dominion”

§  ALL CREATION!

Take time today to Thank God for all His wonderful benefits and blessings.

Tomorrow, let us consider our security in Christ – as Paul writes to the Philippian believers.

THE GOSPEL OF JOY IN ADVERSE CIRCUMSTANCES - PHILIPPIANS - A CATALOG OF THANKSGIVING - PART 2

TEXT:  Psalm 103:1- 22 (CSB) – “My soul, bless the Lord, and all that is within me, bless his   

   holy name.
² My soul, bless the Lord, and do not forget all his benefits.

³ He forgives all your iniquity; he heals all your diseases.
⁴ He redeems your life from the Pit; he crowns you with faithful love and compassion.
⁵ He satisfies you with good things; your youth is renewed like the eagle.

⁶ The Lord executes acts of righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
⁷ He revealed his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel.
⁸ The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love.
⁹ He will not always accuse us or be angry forever.
¹⁰ He has not dealt with us as our sins deserve or repaid us according to our iniquities.

¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his faithful love toward those who  

    fear him.
¹² As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
¹³ As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear

   him.
¹⁴ For he knows what we are made of, remembering that we are dust.

¹⁵ As for man, his days are like grass— he blooms like a flower of the field;
¹⁶ when the wind passes over it, it vanishes, and its place is no longer known.
¹⁷ But from eternity to eternity the Lord’s faithful love is toward those who fear him, and his

    righteousness toward the grandchildren
¹⁸ of those who keep his covenant, who remember to observe his precepts.
¹⁹ The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.

²⁰ Bless the Lord, all his angels of great strength, who do his word, obedient to his command.
²¹ Bless the Lord, all his armies, his servants who do his will.
²² Bless the Lord, all his works in all the places where he rules. My soul, bless the Lord!”

David and the Apostle Paul gives us a Call to give Prayers of Thanksgiving. Paul said in Philippians 1:3-4 (CSB) “ I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you, always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer….” Going into Psalm 103, we are seeing that the Bible gives us a catalog of Thanksgiving topics to pray about.  David lists 6 main topics or areas to offer thanks to God. We saw yesterday to give thanks for our salvation and healing. Today, we will add two more.

 

The third area that David lists for us is that He redeems us from danger., or protects us. “He redeems your life from the Pit” verse 4a. One translation says, “Who redeems your life from the grave”

Are you alive right now?  Did you wake up this morning?  Thank God for it! We are alive – and are kept alive by Him. The day holds promise and greatness – if we don’t wake up under a blanket of sod. He protects us from and/or through danger. Thank Him for your life and protection.

The fourth area is that He gives us joy and happiness. “He crowns you with faithful love and compassion. He satisfies you with good things” Verses 4b and 5a. The Living Bible translates it this way, “He surrounds me with loving-kindness and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things.” We should thank God for every good and wonderful thing He does.

Today, continue to Thank God for your salvation and health and add thanking Him for your protection and joy.

Tomorrow we will add the final two areas to this list.

THE GOSPEL OF JOY IN ADVERSE CIRCUMSTANCES - PHILIPPIANS - A CATALOG OF THANKSGIVING - PART 1

TEXT:  Psalm 103:1- 22 (CSB) – “My soul, bless the Lord, and all that is within me, bless his   

   holy name.
² My soul, bless the Lord, and do not forget all his benefits.

³ He forgives all your iniquity; he heals all your diseases.
⁴ He redeems your life from the Pit; he crowns you with faithful love and compassion.
⁵ He satisfies you with good things; your youth is renewed like the eagle.

⁶ The Lord executes acts of righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
⁷ He revealed his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel.
⁸ The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love.
⁹ He will not always accuse us or be angry forever.
¹⁰ He has not dealt with us as our sins deserve or repaid us according to our iniquities.

¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his faithful love toward those who  

    fear him.
¹² As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
¹³ As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear

   him.
¹⁴ For he knows what we are made of, remembering that we are dust.

¹⁵ As for man, his days are like grass— he blooms like a flower of the field;
¹⁶ when the wind passes over it, it vanishes, and its place is no longer known.
¹⁷ But from eternity to eternity the Lord’s faithful love is toward those who fear him, and his

    righteousness toward the grandchildren
¹⁸ of those who keep his covenant, who remember to observe his precepts.
¹⁹ The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.

²⁰ Bless the Lord, all his angels of great strength, who do his word, obedient to his command.
²¹ Bless the Lord, all his armies, his servants who do his will.
²² Bless the Lord, all his works in all the places where he rules. My soul, bless the Lord!”

David and the Apostle Paul give us a Call to give Prayers of Thanksgiving. Paul said in Philippians 1:3-4 (CSB) “ I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you, always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer….” Going into Psalm 103, the Bible gives us a catalog of Thanksgiving topics to pray about.  David lists 6 main topics or areas to offer thanks to God. So over the next three days, we will divide them into 3 sections – 2 topics in a section.

 

The first thing that David reminds us of to Thank God for is that God pardons our sins. I can’t think of a better way to start thanking God than with this.

“He forgives all your iniquity” (vs. 3). This alone should be worth our giving thanks. If we believe in Hell – and we do. If we believe in eternity – and we do. Then – our thanks for His pardon by the blood of Christ should shake Heaven and Earth!!! Our praise for this should raise the roof and shake the foundations!

Notice in verse 11 – how great that love and mercy is – “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his faithful love toward those who fear him.”

Notice in verse 12 – how far removed our sins are – when they are placed upon Christ.  “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”

Can you thank Him today for your Salvation? If not, what better time to get right with Him than now.

David also calls us to Thank God because He heals us when we are sick. “He heals all your diseases,” verse 3.

God is the ultimate source of all healing.

Sickness came because of the fall of man. Doctors follow the natural, logical sequence of dealing with all disease – but it is ultimately God who heals. He is the Creator – the source of logic behind man. He is the Creator – controller of what happens.

Every time we think of our health – we should give thanks.

Today, take time to practice giving God thanks in these two areas, and tomorrow we will add two more.

THE GOSPEL OF JOY IN ADVERSE CIRCUMSTANCES - PHILIPPIANS - A CALL TO THANKSGIVING

TEXT:  Psalm 103:1- 22 (CSB) – “My soul, bless the Lord, and all that is within me, bless his   

   holy name.
² My soul, bless the Lord, and do not forget all his benefits.

³ He forgives all your iniquity; he heals all your diseases.
⁴ He redeems your life from the Pit; he crowns you with faithful love and compassion.
⁵ He satisfies you with good things; your youth is renewed like the eagle.

⁶ The Lord executes acts of righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
⁷ He revealed his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel.
⁸ The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love.
⁹ He will not always accuse us or be angry forever.
¹⁰ He has not dealt with us as our sins deserve or repaid us according to our iniquities.

¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his faithful love toward those who  

    fear him.
¹² As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
¹³ As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear

   him.
¹⁴ For he knows what we are made of, remembering that we are dust.

¹⁵ As for man, his days are like grass— he blooms like a flower of the field;
¹⁶ when the wind passes over it, it vanishes, and its place is no longer known.
¹⁷ But from eternity to eternity the Lord’s faithful love is toward those who fear him, and his

    righteousness toward the grandchildren
¹⁸ of those who keep his covenant, who remember to observe his precepts.
¹⁹ The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.

²⁰ Bless the Lord, all his angels of great strength, who do his word, obedient to his command.
²¹ Bless the Lord, all his armies, his servants who do his will.
²² Bless the Lord, all his works in all the places where he rules. My soul, bless the Lord!”

We have been challenged by Paul in the area of remembering those we are a part of the Body of Christ with. Today, we are going to be challenged to focus on Prayers of Thanksgiving.

I read a story about 3-year old Marie Paule Thielle of Metz, France. She received a Bronze Medal for “an act of courage and dangerous sacrifice.” However, the one she rescued does not like her. So, what’s the story? A playmate fell into the pool who was only 2 years old. Marie grabbed by the hair and held head above water until screams brought help. When asked how her rescued friend felt, Marie said: “He doesn’t like me now because it hurt when I pulled his hair.”

Or, how about this story – A man writing at the Post Office Desk when an elderly gentleman approaches. He asks the first man, “Would he address a postcard?” “Would he write a message on it?” Finally, he asked “Would he add a P.S.? – Please excuse the handwriting.

How quick we are to ask and receive – how slow we are to speak the magic word – thanks.

One final story – about two angels. They were sent to earth to gather the prayers of men. Orders were for the One to fill his basket with petitions – the other to fill his basket with thanks. When they return to Father -- One basket full and running over with petitions, while the other basket was almost empty – the angel sad and heavy-hearted after a diligent search for prayers of thanks.

As we think of Paul’s letter of thanks to the Philippian saints – he challenges us with his prayer of thanksgiving to also give prayers of thanks. He, being a devout Jew was very familiar with the Psalms. I am sure he may have had the prayers of King David in his mind and heart.

The Psalmist David gives us a list of things to be thankful to God for. We can find these in Psalm 103. In verses 1 and 2 above, we read of a Call to Prayer. The Hebrew word – Barak –  means to kneel, to praise, to offer thanks. It is translated as “Bless.”

The key or theme of this Psalm is to thank the Lord for all the wonderful things he had received. He calls for us to do this with all our soul. The word soul speaks of our mind, our will, and our emotions.

How do we do this? With “all that is within me….” We are challenged to “Forget not all His benefits….”

 

In other words – “Count Your Blessings, Name them one by one….”

Over the next couple of days, we will look at this catalog of Thanksgiving Prayers David (and Paul) challenges us to go through.

THE GOSPEL OF JOY IN ADVERSE CIRCUMSTANCES - PHILIPPIANS - REMEMBERING OUR FRIENDS IN PRAYER AT THE THRONE WILL BUILD FELLOWSHIP

TEXT:  Philippians 1:3-11 (CSB) – “I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you,  always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Indeed, it is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that you may approve the things that are superior and may be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.”

We have been challenged by Paul’s example to  Remember our Friends AT the throne, and remember by praying FOR them at the throne, and today we will close this short study by realizing

Remembrance IN Prayer will lead to and build fellowship one with another.

Paul gave thanks for the fellowship that he had with the Philippians. He called it Koinonia – fellowship, communion, partnership (vs. 5). Webster defines fellowship as – companionship, mutual sharing, a group of people with the same interests.

This makes me think of the old saying – “The family that prays together – stays together.”

As we begin to pray in earnest for one another – one of two things will happen. We will pull apart because we do not wish to be open and transparent with others, or we will draw closer and closer together.

Fellowship is not just a get-together over a meal, you know a good old evening fellowship – it is a deep coming together of our souls and spirits. Because Paul prayed with gratitude and confidence for these Philippian Christians – even though a wide distance separated them, there was a special fellowship between them.

May God challenge us to pray for one another – to build this intimate relationship with each other.

Consider this – “The people that pray together – grow to love each other.”

We might catch ourselves thinking, “Boy, if only I had the Apostle Paul to pray for me – what a difference that would make in my life.”

Remember – we are all saints – we can and must pray for one another.

I remember to this day shortly before his death, my Uncle Bud prayed a prayer over me for being used by God. I will never forget that prayer. I have felt it often over the years. I believe he is still at the Throne today praying for me.

We do have one who is praying for us, interceding for us before God – Jesus Christ.

Let us be challenged by Paul’s example. 

o   First, let us remember our friends at the throne of God;

o   And, let us pray for them every time we think of them;

o   Because this remembrance in prayer will build our fellowship together

Tomorrow, we will start to look at Paul’s Prayers of Thanksgiving.

A MEMORIAL DAY PRAYER

Gracious Father, Sovereign God, Lord of all nations,

On this Memorial Day, we pause to reflect upon our blessings as a nation and the high cost of those blessings for many.  Thank you for the freedom we enjoy in this country, for opportunities to flourish, and for the security of our land.

Thank you for those who have served in the Armed Services of our country, risking their lives for our liberty. It is a sacrifice that is easy to forget. For those who have it, freedom is like oxygen. It’s something we just have. Many will not understand just how precious either is until they are at risk of being taken away. Father, thank you for those who have given their lives in service to our country, sacrificing in such a costly way for the sake of others, including me.

Thank you for a day set apart, not just for celebration, but also for solemn remembrance as we consider the sacrifices of so many in our military. O Lord, may we be more aware of just how blessed we are as a nation. May we be more grateful for our blessings, more faithful in stewarding them well, more eager to share them with others.

We also pray today for the families and friends of those who have given their lives in service to our nation. May they be comforted in their sadness. May they be reassured that the sacrifice of their loved ones contributes to a worthy cause. May they be proud of those they have lost, entrusting their ultimate fate into your gracious hands.

Even as we remember those who have given their lives in the past, we also think of those whose lives are on the line today. We think especially of the men and women who are serving overseas in places of conflict and violence. Protect them. Encourage them. Bring them home safely.

Give wisdom to the leaders of our Armed Services, that they might know how best to deploy the troops in the cause of freedom. May their efforts be successful, so that true peace with justice might be established in our world.

God of peace, stir in the hearts of the leaders of all nations and in all who would use violence to further their cause. Change their hearts and minds. Give them a passion for peace. Bring an end to the pain, suffering, injustice, and violence in our world.

We know, dear Lord, that ultimate peace will not come until your kingdom is here in all of its fullness. Nevertheless, we pray for a foretaste of the future. We ask for the growth of peace throughout our world today so that fewer and fewer men and women will have to risk and even sacrifice their lives. We long for the day when people will “beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more” (Isaiah 2:4).

May Your kingdom come, Lord, and Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven! All praise be to you, God of grace, God of mercy, God of justice, God of peace!

In Your Son’s Name, I Pray, Amen.

THE GOSPEL OF JOY IN ADVERSE CIRCUMSTANCES - PHILIPPIANS - REMEMBERING OUR FRIENDS FOR THEM AT THE THRONE

TEXT:  Philippians 1:3-11 (CSB) – “I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you,  always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Indeed, it is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that you may approve the things that are superior and may be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.”

We were challenged by Paul yesterday to remember our friends at the Throne of God. Today, let us consider  --

With our every remembrance, we must direct our prayers FOR them to the throne

Paul is saying that every time he thought of them – he took them with thanksgiving and joy before the throne of God. He constantly sought from God, the living, strengthening, established, comforting grace of God on their behalf.

He prayed specifically for them. God wants us to be specific in our prayers. “bless all the people” is a nice sentiment, but it is not a specific request to God. In fact, it is not Biblical. God cannot and will not bless all people – He is still a God of judgment to those who are not in a relationship with Him.

Paul prayed specifically here for the people at Philippi --

·      That they may be a “loving” people – “that your love may abound more and more…” (Vs. 9)

·      That they might be a “knowledgeable” people – (vs. 9)

o   Love to abound in “knowledge and depth of insight”

o   Not a blind love

o   Love God because of Who He is

o   Love men because of the love of God flowing through us

·      That they might be a “discerning” people – “so that you might be able to discern what is best” (vs. 10)

·      That they might be “honest, upright” people – “and may be pure” (vs. 10)

·      That they might be an “inoffensive” people – “blameless until the day of Christ” (vs.10)

·      That they might be “fruitful, useful” – “filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God.” (Vs.11)

Can you think of a better catalog of things to pray for each other?

Consider today, how is our prayer life for those we know? Do we pray specifically for the needs of our friends? Do we hold our Body of Christ up in general or in particular prayer? Are we truly praying FOR them at the throne?

Tomorrow, we will finish this concept by considering that remembering our friends IN prayer will lead to strengthening our fellowship together.

THE GOSPEL OF JOY IN ADVERSE CIRCUMSTANCES - PHILIPPIANS - SANCTIFICATION DESCRIPTION

THE GOSPEL OF JOY IN ADVERSE CIRCUMSTANCES - PHILIPPIANS - SANCTIFICATION DEFINITION

THE GOSPEL OF JOY IN ADVERSE CIRCUMSTANCES - PHILIPPIANS - SANCTIFICATION DEFINITION

THE GOSPEL OF JOY IN ADVERSE CIRCUMSTANCES - PHILIPPIANS - REMEMBER OUR FRIENDS AT THE THRONE

TEXT:  Philippians 1:3-11 (CSB) – “I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you,  always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Indeed, it is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that you may approve the things that are superior and may be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.”

This section could be called Paul’s Prayer of Thanksgiving. Remember, Paul is in severe affliction. His life was hanging in the balances. Yet, he was a prayer warrior:

·      For others

·      In praise to God

·      In thanksgiving for everything he had.

It has been said that when you come to the point that all you have is God – that is when you find that God is enough.

Jesus isn’t necessary – He is enough!

One with God is a majority.

Philippians is the letter of joy and encouragement in the midst of adverse circumstances. Paul could have held some great pity-parties! But he said, “I can through Christ.”

Life got you down?  Are things depressing, discouraging, tumultuous, confusing, conflicting?

“I can through Christ”

Peace is yours – by the grace of God.

These verses that we will begin to dissect today, we will look at them a few more times before moving on. Today, we will start a short study on giving Thanksgiving in Remembrance.

First, The best remembrance of our friends is to remember them AT the Throne.

Paul was in a very poor situation. He could have pleaded for them to pray for him – beg for him at the throne of God. Instead – he spent much time praying – interceding for others.

As we observe here:

·      Paul remembered them

·      Paul remembered them with joy

·      Paul remembered them in prayer

·      Paul remembered them with thanksgiving.

There is something in the economy of God, that as we seek to be concerned with others, God takes care of our needs.

What comfort that gives us. As we pray for our friends, and they pray for us, we find encouragement and comfort in this. As we pray for one another – God produces a fellowship that we can’t know any other way. For our unsaved friends – to remember and plead for them before the throne is our greatest work. Pity the one who cries – “No man cared for my soul.”

Let us never, never, never leave our friends and loved ones forgotten before God.

Tomorrow, we will consider remembering them FOR THEM at the throne.

THE GOSPEL OF JOY IN ADVERSE CIRCUMSTANCES - PHILIPPIANS - PEACE IN ADVERSE CIRCUMSTANCES

TEXT:  Philippians 1:1-2 (CSB) – “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus: To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Are you searching for peace in your life?  Is your world in turmoil?  Uncertain?  Tormented?  Confusion? Heartaches? That is sort of a rhetorical question. Anyone alive would answer a definite  YES!

Paul here is telling us that we CAN have peace at heart.  However, notice the order to truly receive Peace.

He tells us that first, we need GRACE.

Every letter he wrote has this order:

·      Rom. 1:7 – “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.”

·      1 Cor. 1:3 – “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

·      2 Cor. 1:2 – “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

·      Gal. 1:3 – “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”

·      Eph. 1:2 – “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”

·      Col. 1:2 – “Grace and peace to you from God our Father”

·      1 Thess. 1:1 – “Grace and peace to you”

·      2 Thess. 1:2 – “Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”

·      1 Tim. 1:2 – “Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.”

·      2 Tim. 1:2 – “Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.”

·      Titus 1:4 – “Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.”

·      Philemon 3 – “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

13 times his letters start this way.  Maybe God is trying to make a point.

Peace – true peace – only comes when we have received the Grace of God. So, what is this Grace:

·      Getting what we don’t deserve

·      God’s unmerited favor

·      God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.

The world is striving for the end result – without the cause! Peace from God.  God is THE cause. We receive; we only know that elusive entity – peace – when God gives it to us. Remember the bumper sticker that read – “NO God, NO Peace; KNOW God, KNOW Peace.” Truth on a narrow strip of vinyl.

Peace is only found in the Savior. Jesus said: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  (Jn. 14:27) “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. However, take heart! I have overcome the world.” (Jn. 16:33)

These are troublesome times.  These are uncertain, turbulent, confusing, terrifying times that we live in. But, we can have peace.  While everything is falling apart – we can be at peace.  How?

Through Jesus Christ. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:7)

The peace of God comes only through Jesus Christ.

Tomorrow we will begin to delve into how Paul instructs us to have Joy in the Midst of Adverse Circumstances.