Thirsting Souls Bible Teaching

DAILY DROP OF WATER

THE BOOK OF PHILIPPIANS

CHAPTER ONE

(Php 1:1) “Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:”  A servant is one who serves at the beck and call of their Lord, their Master. Few have a true servant’s heart. We are willing and glad to be called a Child of God, one of the Redeemed, Members of Such and Such Church, etc.. But are we servants? This is certainly something I must consider before my Lord. “Do I serve Your at Your beck and call.”  

(Php 1:1) “Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:”   The word, “saint”, comes from the word “sanctified”, which means to be separated unto God. That which is separated unto God always is seen to become holy, for it now is to be used exclusively for or by God. The Bible has this to say regarding you and your body, (1Co_6:20) “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”  How will you allow the Lord to use you and your body today.

(Php 1:1) “Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:”    A misuse by denominations of the term “bishop” has robbed us of its Scriptural usage.  Instead of a hierarchy,  it was a reference to the position we know today as “pastor”. Another such example is the word, “elder”, also referring to a “pastor”. Each term speaks of a responsibility of the office. The meaning of the word, “bishop”: superintendant, overseer.  The pastor’s responsibility is over the church and its activities as a whole, from finances to preaching that comes from the pulpit. He can delegate jobs, but not his responsibility. The church is not a club, nor a democracy. It is to be under the God-called and led pastor.

(Php 1:2) “Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.” Our Father and our Savior, to this church and every church (a church being the Born Again)  bestows the blessings of grace (favor to be given but not deserved) and peace (between us and God). We rob ourselves of these blessings by choosing our own will and sin over His revealed Word and plan for each of us through being united in the body of local beleivers. We rob ourselves of peace by the same method. You need to be an active part of the local God obedient church near you. Remember, He is writing to the assembled, revealed by the direct terms bishop and deacons. You must be an active every Sunday attendee, for you cannot have an unassembled assembly which is the term for church (a called together assembly).

(Php 1:3) “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,”  As I look back over the years and ponder believers that were a part of my life, there are mixed feelings. Yes, I ask the Lord this day to make me remember the good, and not the bad. To think, as the chapter 2, verse 3b says, “…to esteem other better than….” ourselves. I have been blessed over the years with many, many hours of fellowship with loving, good individuals who expressed great love for me as I prayerfully have done the same to them. Thank God for each of you and may the Lord bless you in every way! May we always remember the good! (Php 1:4) “Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, (1:5) For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;” 

(Php 1:6) “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”  The word, “confident”, there, means “fully convinced.” By what? By the many promises of God Who cannot lie nor fail! He is not “hopeful” as we today use that word. No, those who are truly saved will arrive in the next life as surely as Jesus is alive today! That “good work” of salvation is an accomplished fact!

(Php 1:6) “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: (7)  Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.”  The word “meet” there means “right” or “right to do”. Paul was in prison because of giving himself publicly to bring others to the saving knowledge of Christ Jesus. He included that word, meet, as a qualification. You see, “you” means all who profess to be saved. Yet, he could not truly know the heart of the individual. Not all who profess to be saved are saved. There are those who will not humble themselves to ask forgiveness and give Him their life in order to receive the rebirth. They desire heaven without giving up the earth. I come alongside the desire of the Apostle Paul today. I hope you are what you profess to be. 

(Php 1:9) “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;”  Love for the Lord leads to a desire to please Him. We begin to seek the knowledge held in the pages of Scripture, asking Him to open our eyes to see. We begin to ask for wisdom to apply what we have learned so that He might be glorified. Do you love Him?

(Php 1:9) “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; (10)That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;”  Should not the heart of the Child of God, those saved through the very sufferings and blood of Christ Jesus, long to please Him? This is why the Holy Spirit wishes us to grow in knowledge and judgment. We need to know the Word of God to discern what pleases the Lord.

(Php 1:11) “Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.”  Since our righteousness is the clothing provided us of Christ’s Own righteousness, the fruits are the results of it; His prompting our souls to seek His face, to please Him. The glory and the praise all belong to Him. When given praise by men, we should deflect that praise to where it rightly belongs. Don’t steal the praise which belongs to the Lord!

(Php 1:12) “But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;”  I wonder what would happen if we had the spiritual insight displayed here before us. A man in prison seeing it as an unique opportunity to give the gospel. We find ourselves in an emergency room, hospital bed, doctor’s office, repair shop, etc. and see it as the place God would have us this moment to witness!

(Php 1:14) “And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.”  Consider the thinking: “Paul is there because he is obedience to the Lord. The least I can do is join him and proclaim the gospel also.”  Interesting: no one spoke of gun rights until they sought to take that right away. Now we hear it everywhere. Will we wait to speak of the gospel until they seek to take away the privilege?

(Php 1:19) “For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, (20) According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.”  Here the word “salvation” is used for both physical or spiritual deliverance. Through their prayers he would be either delivered from prison or delivered from the prison of this old sinful body. Nor matter which, he would be the winner! True salvation saves; period! If it doesn’t end up saving you from hell, then what you possessed was not salvation at all! I was entirely saved, given a new desire through my spirit, given the Holy Ghost, made a child of Heaven, my name written down, and a home reserved for me all in that moment. My prayer is that I will magnify in both this life and in my death that truth!

(Php 1:21) “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”  There is only one true purpose for this life – to glorify our heavenly Father through the Lord Jesus Christ. To die as a Born Again Child of God is to be the gainer, to end up with more than one ever dreamed. “This world is not my home; I’m just a passin through. My treasures are laid up, somewhere beyond the blue.”  That is the attitude of the child of God looking forward to heaven!

(Php 1:21) “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (22)  But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour:”  What is “the fruit”? That Christ live through me and is glorified by the actions of His Temple, my body. So, when I am at work, conscientiously seeking to do the best I can for my employer, I will as such do at the same time for my Lord. The same will I seek to do at home and at play. The old saying is, “What you do in the closest defines who and what you really are.” May Jesus be glorified!

(Phil 1:22b) “…yet what I shall choose I wot not. (23) For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: (24) Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.”  I dare say that few have found themselves with this particular spiritual dilemma. Most cling to this life tenaciously! May our love for God grow and grow until such feelings occupy our own hearts!

(Php 1:25) “And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;”  Paul through the Holy Spirit knew his work upon this earth was not over. He would continue to seek to grow the saved in the things of God. The Words he penned are for that very purpose. If you wish to grow closer to the Lord,  you will have to spend time in His Bible. How serious you are about doing so will reflect in how you structure your daily life. Will it center around Him or you?

(Php 1:27) “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ:”  This Old English word is not restricted to our verbalization. It includes the very way we live among men. So often we “get in the flesh”, or “live in the flesh” and save our religiousness for those around us who are religious. That is not Christianity. We are what we are all the time. If you are fleshly, then chances are you are still lost in sin. Salvation makes us new, “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature….”  What does your “conversation” reveal about you? ?

(Php 1:27) “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;”  That which is fitting for those who profess the gospel is that they hold to the truths of God’s Word, “stand fast in one spirit”. In other words, they as God’s children would be in agreement. Among God’s local assembly, they are to walk together in unity. I say, “Among God’s local assembly”, first of all because this book was written to a local church. Some would wrongly pronounce, doctrine should not divide God’s people. They would be wrong. We are to stand for the truths of God’s Word. Doing so will divide among good meaning brethren. That does not mean we are to be rude nor mistreat one another. How could those possessing the love of Christ rightly do so? Yet, we are to stand.

(Phil 1:27c) “….that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;  (28) And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.”  For one to stand against the gospel for which we seek to hold forth and stand behind, gives evidence to the fact of the condemnation of their soul. They stand in a terrible position, as to fight against God Himself. Pray. Pray for such a soul. Pray for God’s mercy. Pray for Him to open blind eyes that they might see.

(Phil 1:27c) “….that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;  (28) And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.”  The Lord Jesus said, (Joh_16:33) “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Such tribulation, or troubles, for standing for or sharing the gospel of Christ Jesus, is a sure sign of the genuineness of one’s profession. Who would suffer persecution for what they did not believe? Rejoice, when standing brings your Lord such glory through your sacrifice.

(Php 1:29) “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;”  Suffering! Anathema to the average American Child of God. We think we are suffering if we are asked to attend church more than a Sunday Morning. We think we have suffered if the building is too cold or hot, if the preacher preaches too long or is too boring! God help us! Our actions reflect little of the love we profess for Him with our lips.

CHAPTER TWO

(Php 2:1) “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, (2)Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.”  If we needed any proof the Lord thoroughly knows us, this should be it. It should be enough that He saved us, for Him to demand of us (v.2) and we respond, “Whatever you desire, Lord.” Instead, He has to appeal to us with the precious things gained through the salvation experience (v.1). Merciful, merciful God!”

(Php 2:1) “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, (2)Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.” IF you have discerned the Lord’s moving in your life; IF you have been comforted over your sins through His love in forgiveness; IF you have discerned the presence of the Holy Spirit within you; If you have experienced the mercy of Almighty God, then bring joy to your Lord by, as a church, being in agreement, loving one another, getting along as brothers and sisters, having one focus – the glorification of God!

(Php 2:3) “Let nothing be done through strife….”  Oh, how often we find we have done something through strife! To do so means we have reacted in the wrong way! We are to examine ourselves before the Lord. His church and His work comes first in all things. That means we are to seek to ALWAYS react the right way whether in church, at work, in the world, or at home. There are times when we even seek the do the right thing “the wrong way”! God help us! We are not to be “self-will” but “God-willed”.  

(Php 2:3) “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory;….”  “Vainglory” – the worthless glory of self! So often conflict occurs within the church simply because our minds are fleshly, wrapped up in self – me, myself, and mine! Our pride is hurt (pride is never used in a positive way in Scripture, yet we mimic the world in our verbiage, ‘I am so proud of my children”). The first thing we should look at when our feeling are hurt is “why”? Am I in “need” of the compliments or thankfulness of others. Truth is, if it is given to God, then it is He and He alone we will look for a response!   

(Php 2:3) “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”  Simply put – if you and I would practice this, then all our conflict would cease! “So and So offended me! I can’t believe they said that!” If our reaction would be,  “Oh, but I know he (or she) would not have done that on purpose; or maybe something is going on their life; or they simply didn’t think that statement out.” That is esteeming other better than ourselves. Think highly of others! Put them before yourself! Put your hurts aside and love them! Life will be much better for you and me if we practice this precept of Scripture!  

(Php 2:5) “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”  The previous verses have appealed to us on a fleshly level, to move to a great spiritual level of conduct! We might find ourselves balking at this. Before us, we find that as these verses proceed, our Lord is not asking anything of us He has not done Himself on a far greater level than most of us will ever be called upon to practice or endure. May the Lord give us such a heart as is asked of us!

(Php 2:6) “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:”  This speaks to the pre-existence of Jesus Christ. The form of God refers to the Godhead, a triune Being Who exists as One God, manifest to us in three distinct personalities – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Plainly the Bible tells us that He is one and equal with the persons of the Godhead. Again and again Isaiah speaks of the one God. There He goes so far as telling us there has never been another God nor would He ever create another. So, the conclusion is plain and obvious: Jesus Christ is God in human flesh!

(Php 2:6) “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: (7)  But made himself of no reputation,….”  Here we see demonstrated humility in every sense. As God, He rightly could have come to this earth, even as clothed in human flesh, and demanded our love, devotion, sacrifice, and servitude. He did none of those things! In fact, He didn’t even come identifying Himself as one to be served. His flesh disguised His Person. He sought not to receive, but to give! Remember, verse 5 says to you and me, “Let this mind be in you….” May it be so! 

(Php 2:5) “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (6)  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: (7)  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant,….”   Jesus Himself once said, (Mat 20:28)  “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”   Truth is, when we walk into church, most of us are thinking of receiving, not giving of ourselves. “I’m going to be fed in the Word, going to enjoy the singing, and bask in the fellowship.” That’s a wonderful by-product. But first, let this mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, “Let me give of myself to others sacrificially. Let me serve in the Name of the Lord.” 

(Php 2:5) “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (6)  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: (7)  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:”  God was “made” in the likeness of man. He was not that before hand, but took such upon Himself to live as we should have in order to be able to die in our place! What a precious, wonderful, merciful God He is!

(Php 2:6) “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: (7)  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: (8)  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”  If the God of the universe would humble Himself as a man to die for you and me, shouldn’t we be willing to humble ourselves in order to live right, do right, put others first, think well of others, love them as much as we can in the Name of the Lord? Am I wrong to think me and you love ourselves much too much when it comes to these things?

(Php 2:9)  “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,….”  He Who died and then came back to life the third day bearing a resurrected, gloried body; He Who gave Himself freely for the sake of unworthy sinners; He Who bore in humility a robe of flesh; has been publicly and eternally recognized by the Father! Words fail me to rightly express this! The Lord Jesus Christ now sits where no man has ever sat before, at the right hand of Almighty God, and……..He……..deserves it!!!!! 

 (Php 2:9)  “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:”  There are religions and people of this world that seek to exalt some other name over that of Jesus, but it is in vain! His Name, Jesus (salvation), stand supreme. We are plainly told in Scripture, “Neither is salvation in any other; for there is none other name, given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12). May more and more people come and bow in this life before that Name seeking the gift of everlasting life through turning their hearts away from their sin and embracing His payment for that sin with His Own blood on Calvary’s Cross!

(Php2:9) “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: (10)  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;”  Here the text reads, “every knee should bow”, and Isaiah plus Romans tells us there will come a day when every knee “shall” do so. Our Lord Jesus is so worthy that whenever we hear His Name, our hearts should bow before Him, which in reality should be followed by our knees – He is THAT worthy! I long for the day when all men shall literally do so! I will glory in that for His Name’s sake! 

(Php 2:9)  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: (10)  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; (11)  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  God the Father to this very day is glorified in Jesus Christ. One can only come to God through the Lord Jesus Christ. The bowing of the knee is not simply a physical act – it must be an act of the heart! The Lord Jesus Himself spoke of those in the Day of Judgment who would say, “Lord, Lord, have we not done Such and Such in Thy Name” and He said He would respond with the Words, “Behold, I never knew you.”  Does the Lord Jesus really know you?

(Php 2:9)  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: (10)  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; (11)  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”   Every Sunday is a Sunday in which we rejoice and glory in the resurrection of He Who suffered Calvary’s Cross for (take this to heart) “my” individual sins! My actions or lack of them this day and every Sunday is a reflection of the heart that is either bowed before Him or not! Today either it will be His will or my will!

(Php 2:12)  “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye 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.”  “My beloved” – the New Testament epistles speaks again and again about loving the brethren. This love is not the natural love one feels for those one is especially drawn unto, but the supernatural love of God through the Holy Spirit. If we allow Him to do so, the Lord loves through us! This love is pure in motive, not looking for gain for self, but the good of the other. May God help us to love in this way!

(Php 2:12)  “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye 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.”   The idea of “working out your own salvation” here is not “to earn”, but living what has been wrought inside the born again. Proof would be Eph 2:8 – 10:  “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God (given and received): (9)  Not of works, lest any man should boast. (10)  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”  In other words, live this salvation in your heart in obedience to that which you have received (the Word of God) and quit seeking to add to it, for nothing could possibly be added to the perfection of the offering – Jesus Christ!

(Php 2:12)  “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye 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.”   For most people, reconciling the words, “fear and trembling” with being a “child of God” poses problems. The key is not to forget that He is God, our God, no matter the relationship. As God He is to be revered; as God He is to be obeyed; as God He holds our next breath in His hands; as God He is still the Judge of the Universe; as God He is the Judge to Whom we will someday give an account unto. To those who would handle His Word loosely or in any way deceitfully- be warned – He is still God!

(Php 2:13)  “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”  Remember, this verse follows the statement “….work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”   The Lord does not use, for the most part, prideful people (not all we see “accomplished” for God are actually spiritual accomplishments. We judge by the flesh, what we see; His works are things we do not always see or recognize.). He works through those who will yield unto, humble themselves, before Him! Then He works in them to will (desire) and then do (accomplish that desire). All the glory goes to God!

(Php 2:13) “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. (14)  Do all things without murmurings and disputings:”  If we desire (worketh, motivated by the Lord in us) to do His work, then why would be murmur while doing it! Strange. We always seem to think everyone should do what we do! Example: if we diet, we think everyone should be dieting. The same comes in serving. We wouldn’t murmur is we practiced Rom 14:3&4 “Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not;…..for God hath received him. (4)  Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant (God’s servant)? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.”  Don’t murmur – thank the Lord for what YOU get to do for Him.

(Php 2:13) “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. (14)  Do all things without murmurings and disputings:”   Most disputes are caused when we think we should have our way about something. It comes from the focus being on self instead of He Who saved us. Instead of putting the other person first – we focus on ourselves – what we want or what we think should happen. Murmurings and disputings NEVER come as the result of “His good pleasure”.

(Php 2:13)  “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. (14) Do all things without murmurings and disputings: (15)  That ye may be blameless and harmless….”   Blameless towards God; harmless toward mankind. Sure, as a saved man, I am “in” Christ Jesus and thus accepted in the beloved. Yet, that does not mean I am blameless in action and will not be judged for what I have done “in Christ”. Our old nature whispers, “Don’t worry about such things. At least you are going to heaven.” But there, you will no longer have that old nature, so you will “very much” care what the Lord thinks! Heed the warning! Listen to the Spirit of God speaking to your spirit and do right before Him! 

(Php 2:13)  “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. (14)  Do all things without murmurings and disputings: (15)  That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke,…”  Oh the glory of being – get this – a son of God! That’s my true position now that I am saved! So, I am to conduct myself as such. As my Father is holy, I am to seek to be holy. As my Jesus lived, I am to seek to live, “holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners” (Heb 7:26). So often we get among God’s people and “we”, our will and desires, and put before anyone and everything. Let us live as true sons of God.  

(Php 2:14) “Do all things without murmurings and disputings: (15)  That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;”  When God’s people allow Christ to live through them, they stand out from the world as truly different, as different as light from darkness. Sad that we seem to desire to be “like” the world rather than different from it! We even desire our church’s services to be “like the world”. Yes, we may attract the lost, but in doing so have we said to them they don’t have to be “light” – different? Really, the question in this case becomes, why are we having the service? If it is to truly worship the Lord, then we must be different from the world. If it is to entertain the lost and our flesh, then we will be like the world. No, we cannot have both: (1Jn_2:15)  “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

(Phil 2: 15)  “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation,….”   It is hard for us to get our minds around the fact that this world is “crooked and perverse”. It is because we do not see things as God sees them. For example, we look at certain unsaved individuals and think how good they are. They are good by human standards. But not by God’s. By God’s all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. That’s why every Saved Child of God needs to reprogram this mind (Romans 12:1-2) so that we begin to see this world as our Lord sees it. How much time do you spend reprogramming?

(Php 2:14)  “Do all things without murmurings and disputings: (15)  That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;  (16  Holding forth the word of life;…..”  Not only do we have how “not” to conduct ourselves here, but how “to” conduct ourselves. We are to “hold forth the Word of Life”. In other words, we are to communicate it to the lost world around us. It is not enough for me to be “better” than the lost, for that does them no good. I must be willing to seek their souls through the communication of God’s Word. This world is not my home, it is theirs. My job while here is to seek to see them saved so that their home will also be with God for eternity!  

(Php 2:15) “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; (16)  Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.”  The Holy Spirit is the Apostle Paul did not just want to see people saved, but also growing in their spirit, maturing to the point of desiring to take others with them to heaven. Babies think only of themselves – the world in their minds revolve around them. Mature people understand that it does not. Mature Believers understand their purpose is everyone around them.  If we never grow, then in a very real sense the Lord’s servants have labored for us in vain. 

(Php 2:17)  “Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.”  To have lived one’s earthly life and win one soul for the Lord, is to have not lived in vain. But to have enjoyed this life’s love, earthly things, along with good health and yet only save yourself, you have lived in vain – a worthless life; you have failed in your life’s purpose.

(Php 2:17)  “Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. (18) For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.”  Here the Holy Spirit is working in the Apostle Paul to bring about the teaching of  Verse 3,  “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves”. In other words, he is giving them the benefit of the doubt: they will reach out to others; they will do all things without murmurings and disputing; they live as much as humanly possible harmless and blameless. God help us to live up to this wonderful spiritual standard!

(Php 2:19) “But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. (20)  For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.”  This insight into Paul’s carefulness regarding who is sent to them, “likeminded, who will naturally care for your state”, is significant. Souls are entrusted by God to certain individuals, such as missionaries (Paul and Timothy) and pastors of today. This is a sacred responsibility not taken lightly. Responsibility cannot be given or passed away. It can be delegated to another, but the delegator must still answer to He Who gave them. Like it or not, child of God, your pastor must answer for your actions  and thus may at times seem to “meddle” in your life!

(Php 2:21) “For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.” Remember, the context here is “who” Paul had to send for the purpose of finding out about the Philippians’ spiritual welfare. Sad, there were few “ministers” of whom could be entrusted to put those body of believers “first” in the matter of concern. Is this where we find ourselves today? Is it the physical and spiritual welfare of the sheep that is of foremost concern in the life of the local pastor? Only the Lord knows for sure.

CHAPTER THREE

(Php 3:1)  “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord.”  When one beholds the many troubles and fears in this world, we have a tendency to become mentally down. Yet, if we just stopped and began to count our blessings: the Lord Jesus dying for my sin; forgiveness; a home in heaven; the blessings of home, family, friends, food, etc.., we cannot help but rejoice in the Lord!

(Php 3:1)  “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.”  The “same things” – things you have been told before. Friends, through these 44 years of my salvation experience, I have read the same Bible over and over and over again. Yet, I am always afraid I will forget something. There is nothing more important than the knowledge of what our God has imparted unto us. It troubles me every time I read some book where a person says something like, “John wrote what he remembered….” Garbage! My Bible’s author is God Himself, and thus beyond accurate. Since God gave it, every Word should be taken, believed, and held dear: “Such knowledge is too great for me”!  

(Php 3:3) “For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.”  As a pastor I have said many times over the years, “If I thought salvation had anything to do with me and my goodness, I would quit and find another job.”  I have no confidence in my flesh. I could not merit salvation in the first place and certainly don’t today since I see spiritual things much more clearly. My Savior, the sinless Son of God’s blood, was sufficient to purchase my completeness of salvation!  

(Php 3:3)  “For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.”   “…in the spirit”: if one is not “spirit” as well as body and soul, then they cannot worship God Who IS spirit. Jesus very plainly said in John Chapter 3 that the “spirit” of man needed to be “birthed”, made alive. You can sing gospel songs until your voice is hoarse, strained, played out; yet, if you have not been born spiritually you have not worshipped! Jesus added this, in John Chapter 4, “spirit and in truth”. You must act upon the truth of Jesus’ Words or die in your sins.

(Php 3:4)  “Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: …. (2 whole verses list what he once had confidence in; then) …..(7)  But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.”  To comparison Paul’s background to ours, I dare say none of us can do so. Yet, the standard for salvation is not each other, or to the Apostle Paul; it is our life compared to Christ’s. There…..we fall far short. It is that life, Jesus’ life, that was offered on Calvary as substitution for our just penalty of death! Jesus paid it “all”! 

(Php 3:8) “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,”  Remember, the subject here is how one is saved and whether the sacrifice of the cross is sufficient to save. Does one need something on top of what Jesus has provided, a measure of quality of life? Since Paul counts all things loss, including “…touching the righteousness which is in the law….”, shouldn’t we conclude the same when it comes to ‘our obedience to the Word of God? Once again, we must conclude, Jesus paid it all!

(Php 3:9) “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:”   No doublespeak, folks. It is Jesus’ righteousness that saves the soul. Salvation is not salvation if it doesn’t take you to heaven, for that is what salvation is; it is being saved from hell. So one cannot say, “I was saved and lost it”, for it didn’t save you from anything if it was lost. To say you “lost it”, says you didn’t do something right which speaks of your righteousness, not the righteousness of Christ. So, such a person is basing their salvation upon the cross plus….self. That is not what these verses are teaching!

(Php 3:9) “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: (10)  That I may know him,…”   Friend, you cannot “know Him” until your faith is “only” in Him, in His righteousness alone! Paul wanted only to know the One Who gave Himself for Him. His thoughts were past self in every way. But that is “why” He longed to know Him, for Paul knew he could not save himself. Jesus loved him (you and me) that much!

(Php 3:9) “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: (10)  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection,…..”  The fact that the grave did not hold our Lord is evidence that He was accepted as substitute in our place. For death to have held Him would have said He had sin, for “the wages of sin is death”. The power of His resurrection is eternal life bestowed upon those who turn from their sinful lives and embrace the Lord Jesus’ payment on the cross for them!

(Php 3:9) “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: (10) That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings,….”  In context, the fellowship of His sufferings is not our willingness to suffer for His Name (which we should be willing), but instead the fact that His suffering on the cross was the bearing of our individual sins – the acknowledging of that fact.

(Php 3:9) “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: (10)  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;”  This is a Bible truth so many have yet to enter into; God the Judge of all flesh sees the Born Again Child of God as having been crucified with Christ. The person who committed those sins has died in the mind of God and made new, alive in His Son: (Gal_2:20) “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”  The skeptic asks, “How can that be?” Answer: once you say “God” all things become possible.

(Php 3:10) “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; (11) If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.”  Sometimes we come across phrases in the KJV that throw us off, like, “If by any means….”. It is being used in an interrogative manner, “how the resurrection is achieved”! It is achieved by having a time and place where I embraced salvation through faith in His dying for me!

(Php 3:12) “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.”  Here the Holy Spirit is not having Paul say, “I’m not sure I am saved”. He is saying, “I’m still here in this flesh. As long as I am in this flesh I will seek always to live the life my Savior wants me to live! Period.

(Php 3:12) “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.”  The key to this verse are the words, “….I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.”  There is a sweet little girl in our church whom I have befriended. When she sees me, she runs to me and gives me a hug (that’s Christ apprehending us). I immediately hug her back (that’s “…but I follow after, if that I may apprehend…” ). Paul is saying, “I hug the Lord back. I’m not there yet, but the Lord has hold of me and I seek to hold, to hug Him back!”

(Php 3:13)  “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,”  It seems very few of professing believers in our churches get this far in their Christian walk. They are satisfied with the knowledge their soul is secure in Christ so sit back enjoying the ride towards heaven. Paul knew he was in the Lord’s hands, but still lived each day as one who sought to achieve, as the next verse says, (Php 3:14) “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” 

(Php 3:15) “Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.”  You can equate the word “perfect” with “saved”, for to be saved to have completely all we need, clothed in Christ’s perfection. So, as a saved person we are to (v13) forget the past and reach forward in mind and heart to all the things the Lord has bestowed upon us in eternity!

(Php 3:15) “Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.”   The Holy Spirit reveals to the saved their shortcomings as well as how their thinking might be wrong. As James pictures it, it is a mirror upon the soul. Don’t look away in pride or hurt; instead embrace humbly what is revealed, asking the Lord to aid you in improving (looking better).

(Php 3:16)  “Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.”   How can this be attained? In reality it is easy: put aside what you think and embrace what the Bible says. Such statements as, “I know what the Bible says but I think” should never be a part of the speech of a Born Again Child of God. God is God and the standard for holy living is given by Him without consulting man in any way. “Who art thou, o man, that repliest against God?” (Rom 9:20)

(Php 3:17)  “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.”  Praise God for the completed Bible, the very Word of God from beginning to end. We can follow the walk of Paul by reading the Epistles over and over and over again! It is possible through the power of the Spirit of God within the saved, to be better men and women than we are today; to be conformed more and more into the image of Christ as we endure this life.

(Php 3:18) “(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: (19)  Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)”   How can you identify these wolves in sheep’s clothing? Two things are vital: firstly, to be sure you are saved. Be sure you have repented of your sins, asking forgiveness through the blood of Jesus; put your faith in Him alone for your salvation, asking Him for the gift of everlasting life. Many have done the second part (asking) without the first (repenting). It is your sin that needs to be dealt with. I know, I did the second without the first and was still lost. Then, secondly, protect yourself through a growing knowledge of God’s Word.

(Php 3:18) “(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: (19)  Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)”   Notice it is the unsaved, and in this case, false brethren, who “mind earthly things”. In other words, their heart is upon the “things” of this earth. We have been admonished to, (Col_3:2)  “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth”. Jesus told us (Mat 6:19) “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth,…. (20) But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,…. (21) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”  Could it be that the reason we are not actively looking forward to our heavenly home and are clinging to this earth is because we “mind earthly things”?

(Php 3:20)  “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:”  Whenever we see the word “conversation”, most times we think “manner of life”. That is correct. It means that because it speaks of being part of a community, a group of people. The truly saved are not of the community of God’s children. We are to live as such, children of light among children of darkness. This is for the purpose of drawing them to the Savior. Can a unsaved person distinguish you as different from themselves?

(Php 3:20)  “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:”   We look for the Savior! Every believer is to spiritually have his or her face turned towards heaven today, looking for the Lord Jesus to come for us! We need not be concerned about what tomorrow may bring, for the Lord’s hand is upon His children should that day even come. Today is the day we are to anticipate and live for Him to come! Glory!

(Php 3:21) “Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”   This is very much a part of the salvation the Lord Jesus purchased for us on the cross, which He was the first to enjoy through His resurrection from the dead. Lying around on clouds is not the promise for the saved. It is a new body, a new earth, a new home, physical life not marred by sinful thoughts, warped character, the ugliness of pride, or the frailty of our bodies. What awaits the Born Again is an eternity of activity and fellowship! I say, “Even so Lord Jesus come quickly”!

(Php 3:21) “Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”    The second part of this verse reminds me that nothing is beyond the ability of God except that which He has decreed. One such decree is the free will of man. My Lord does not force a person to be saved and does not force them to obey Him. His desire is that we will love Him and be thankful enough for the cross to surrender our earthly desires to Him.

CHAPTER FOUR

(Php 4:1)  “Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.”  “Stand fast in the Lord”: to stand means that you put the Lord before yourself and others. Do not let anything or anyone move you away from holding to the teaching of Scripture. Some wrongly conclude family should come first before the work of God. Wrong: (Mat_10:37) “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”

(Php 4:2) “I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.”   How often do brethren break off fellowship over opinions rather than doctrine! Doctrine, we are to stand for, even if we have to stand by ourselves: (Rom_16:17) “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” On the other hand, thinking one’s opinion is so important as to divide brethren is simple pride of which God hates: (Rom 14:19) “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.”

(Php 4:3) “And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.”  “Yokefellow”: those who are yoked together with me in the ministry of the Gospel. The word “true” speaks of the spiritual reality of it. True born again children of God are bound together in the work of the church, reaching souls and building up each other to stand strong in the faith.

(Php 4:3)  “And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.”  “Book of Life”. There are those who choose to believe this as speaking figuratively as well as those at the Great White Throne, “and the books were opened”. Think: you mean God left it up to sinful man to determine what He meant by figurative language? No way! Our God, the creator of language, is perfectly capable of speaking in such a way that even simple minded people like myself can comprehend.

(Php 4:3)  “And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.”  The Book of Life is different in the New Testament than in the Old. In the Old, determination of salvation was received by dying in faith (Ez 33:10-20). In the New Testament, our names are written and kept in the Lamb’s Book of Life upon our salvation experience of being Born Again.

(Php 4:4)  “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.”  If we look at life from the view of the flesh, we will only rejoice when we think things are good. If we view them from the spirit, we stand firm in the belief that God is in control and can rejoice. This is the only way one can “rejoice alway”. Each day, each step, each circumstance, moves us closer to eternity. Rejoice!

(Php 4:5) “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.”  The restrain you place upon your life because of your love, reverence and thankfulness to God should be communicated to those around you. “The Lord is at hand” speaks not only of being ready to stand before Him, but also to remind us that others need have knowledge of this event. They need to know “why” you live in moderation, restrain while they do not.

(Php 4:6) “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”   “Careful”: full of care; worry. Prayer is not to be a “hope for an outcome” exercise. It is to be a “faith” exercise based these Words, (1Jn 5:14) “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:  (15)  And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” I’m afraid the reason Believers still worry is because they are afraid of what God’s will might be for themselves. Except God’s right over you and then your worry will go away.

(Php 4:7) “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Notice this peace is not “an inner peace whose source is you”; no, it is the “peace of God”. This “peace” is the blessing of grace as a result of one’s faith. Friend, there is no “merit” in faith, for one should naturally trust our God. He does not and cannot lie or fail, therefore loves, cares for, and blesses His child by adoption.  So, trust Him and He will bestow upon you “peace”.

(Php 4:8) “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”  The source of our success or failure in this Christian walk is our mind – whether it is reprogrammed (Rom 12:1-2) and God’s Word therefore followed. Friend, you are either spiritually minded or earthly minded. To set your heart on the wrong thing is to rob yourself of the peace offered in verse 7.

(Php 4:8) “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, …..think on these things.”

Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?” (Jn 18:38). The answer is given through a prayer of Jesus, (Joh 17:17)  “Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy Word is truth.”   A truly saved person is to work at renewing their minds (Rom 12:1-2) through the “washing of water by the Word” (Eph 5:26). Consider that we spend whole days flooded with information we cannot know for sure is the truth. How much time do you spend seeking to think what you know to be right thoughts through digesting God’s Word?

(Php 4:8) “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, …..think on these things.” We live in a world of dishonesty where we cannot count on man “speaking truth to his neighbor”, not even professing believers. Consider where this comes from: lies are of the devil who is the author of it (Jn 8:44). Worse is that we even lie to ourselves regarding our intentions and thus lie to God Who sees and knows every thought. We need to “think” truth and as a result we will speak truth.

(Php 4:8) “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

(Php 4:9)  “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”  Paul managed to practice what he preached (taught). The Holy Spirit taught him: (Gal 2:20)  “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”  Seek to do the same and also can have the “peace of God” bestowed upon you.

(Php 4:10) “But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.”  In Chapter 2 Verse 3, we were taught, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” That means if  Paul would have done his best to meet the needs of one like him, then he believed others would have done the same: “…ye were also careful (full of care), but ye lacked opportunity.” . You and I are quick to condemn others because we do “not” esteem them better than ourselves.

(Php 4:11 ) “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”  It wasn’t that Paul expected others to meet his needs, as if they owed him. He looked to the Lord to meet his needs, and therefore waited upon the Lord. Remember our Lord, tempted of Satan forty days, came to the place of fasting where He was famished, in need of immediate nourishment. Satan  demanded Jesus to turn stones into bread as proof of Who He was and is. Jesus’ response: (Mat 4:4)  “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”  In other words, man is to live with the peace of mind God will meet his needs when He is deems it time.

(Php 4:11)  “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”   How unlike the average Believer this is! We are so fleshly our time, thoughts, activity, and energy is spent seeking to gratify our flesh. Paul said, “I am content”. How can this be? His focus was where our’s is supposed to be – heaven – eternity. (Mat 6:20) “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: (21)  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”  Are you content?

(Php 4:12) “I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. (13)  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”  We must not overlook the words, “I am instructed”. Not all believers are called to the same lives and enjoyments nor trials. Some are entrusted with great riches, others with just their needs provided. Some are ill all their lives; some enjoy seldom a sickness. Some death strikes again and again around them; others hardly ever so. We each have our calling (instruction) from God. Only God knows the why. But we do know this: (1Co 7:20) “Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. (21 ) Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. (22)  For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant. (23)  Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. (24)  Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.”  It is not our place to judge our circumstances against others, nor to complain about what the Lord has not done. We are to praise God for what He has done!

(Php 4:13)  “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”  Chapter context tells us the “I can do all things” is a direct reference to service for God. So many turn down service to the Lord saying, “I can’t or couldn’t do that!” The Lord enables the submitted child to glory Himself. You can do it!

(Php 4:13)  “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” I have found hurts and heartaches come with active service to the Lord. Those who profess to know and love Him often act more like a child of Satan than a child of God. We think, “How can I love these who have chose to be an enemy?” Answer: the Spirit of God strengthens the heart to bear it, gives wisdom in the face of it, and enables the heart to fulfill His Word.

(Php 4:14)  “Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.”  By choosing to give aid to this blessed saint of God, they were being used of God, fulfilling the previous verse:  “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

(Php 4:15) “Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. (16) For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.  (17)  Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.” Restated – you cannot out-give God. Paul is not being insincere. Sure, he is thankful and probably hopes they will continue now and again, but….it is a spiritual truth – the Lord rewards all efforts to please Him.

(Php 4:18 ) “But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.”   Although the true sacrifice upon the altar to remove our sins was the blood of Jesus, the saved are called upon to be human sacrifices (Rom 12:1). This action of the giving was seen as such a sacrifice of self. Love motivates us to make sacrifices for God. 

(Php 4:19)  “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”  This verse can be disappointing for the fleshly babes among us. God has not promised to meet our desires which many times are harmful to our souls. He has promised to meet our needs.

(Php 4:20)  “Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Though Paul is thankful to the individuals who gave, he never lost focus of the true source meeting his needs. It was the Lord God who moved their hearts. It was He Who supplied his need and would in true repay and supply theirs! Don’t let the physical blind you to what is really happening. The saved live in this old physical world, yet walk with the invisible God Who inhabits their bodies.