Tag Archive - Philippians

From the Bible this week: Philippians 1

December 19, 2009 in Bible with 3 Comments

Church as of late has been really encouraging. This week was the last week from one of our ministers (who is moving on to a new church). He spoke on Philippians 1, and specifically on being spurred on by other Christians faith, as well as being partners in the gospel.

I found it great to think about the fact that all Christians need to work for God, and that everyone is a full time minister. Being a minister means serving God, and every Christian should do this. He told a story of one minister that received an order for all ministers in his area to wear full robes. So that minister sent an order for 400 robes, as he said everyone at his church was a minister.

Through serving God together, we can all benefit each other through encouraging each other in our service. In Philippians, Paul speaks of how the church was encouraged due to the fact that he was in gaol.

Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly. Philippians 1:14

I hope that Christians everywhere can work together in ministry serving God, so that he may be glorified in everything!

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From the Bible this week: Philippians 3

July 23, 2009 in Bible with 0 Comments

Flipping pagesPhilippians is my favourite book of the Bible.

Philippians 3 has some great encouragements concerning the new creation.

In the first half of the chapter, Paul slams down anyone who thinks that what they can do can save themselves. Paul says that he above anyone else has reason for this (Phil 3:4-6), but then he says

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord

Phil 3:7-8

Paul then goes on, arguing that it is only through what Jesus has done that we can be right with God.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

Phil 3:12

Paul then finishes with what I see to be an excellent eternal perspective. He says “our citizenship is in heaven” (Phil 3:20). We do not belong to this world, we belong to God. And this is not through anything that we can do, but only through what God has already done for us. Whatever we can do here is a loss compared to knowing Christ.

So let’s set our hearts on what we cannot see, and look forward to the day when Jesus returns.

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From the Bible this week: Philippians 1

July 9, 2009 in Bible with 0 Comments

A short reflection for the week on what I have been reading recently in Quiet Times.
To die is gain

To die is gain

Philippians is one of my favourite books in the Bible, and in chapter one he poses the question of whether it is better to live or die.

If we die, we get to be with God. Simple and sounds like the best option. But…

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.

Philippians 1:21-26

Verse 21 sums up his argument. Living means that we can continue to be fruitful in all that we do, and as Jesus’ return is delayed, more people can be saved.

This is ultimate patience, that Jesus Christ has not yet returned, so that more can be saved.

What a great God we have!

To live is Christ and to die is gain.

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From the bible this week: The Trinity

May 14, 2009 in Bible with 2 Comments

Three coloursSo I thought that it would be good to have some standard things to blog about, and one of those things is the bible. So here is the first “from the bible this week”.

Recently in bible study we had a week where we talked about the trinity. It was an awesome week and really solidified in my mind the perfect relationships within God. The Father perfectly serves and loves the Son and the Spirit. The Son brings glory to God. The Spirit points to Jesus and the Father. It’s all so awesome and selfless!

This made me think about my own relationships with regards to being humble and thinking of others as better than myself (Phil 2:3). So recently I have been trying to live with perfectly selfless relationships, because they can work!

PS: the picture isn’t actually meant to represent the trinity, more there to look pretty. As I know the trinity cannot really be explained through analogies.