Podcasts about lord christ

“Greet all God's people in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings. All God's people here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar's household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen” (Philippians 4:21-23). Well, friends, a summer of slow and steady attention has brought us to the end of Paul's letter to the church in Philippi. Today's devotional will be the last installment of Wilderness Wanderings for the summer, as we have reached a natural conclusion with these last verses of Philippians. There will not be a podcast tomorrow, nor throughout the month of August. However, Pastor Michael is making plans for a new version of Wilderness Wanderings in the fall. More information on that to come, so stay tuned.  For now, let's take a look at these last verses of Philippians 4. As we discussed with the opening of the letter, to close with greetings such as these that we read in today's verses would have been a convention of letter-writing in the ancient world. But as with all of Paul's letters, he uses the conventions of the genre to make particular theological points. Verse 21 is translated in the NIV “Greet all God's people in Christ Jesus.” However, scholars point out that this could also be translated “Greet every saint [or] holy person in Christ Jesus.” Not only does this indicate his personal affection for members of this community, it also has the rhetorical effect of building on his council to the church at other points in the letter about living in unity with one another.  To a church experiencing conflict, as we discussed earlier in chapter 4, Paul's encouragement to “greet every saint in Christ Jesus” was a challenge. And the command to do so “in Christ Jesus” is a reminder again of the fact that their unity is not in their agreement, but in their shared identity in Christ. Paul then offers greetings on behalf of “all God's people here.” Paul has spoken frequently in the letter of the challenges of persecution and false teaching faced by the church in Philippi, along with their internal division. Offering greetings from others who are in his company, perhaps those nearer him also providing support in the midst of his imprisonment, was a reminder to the Philippian church that they were not alone in their difficulties. They were part of a broader movement of Christ-followers also experiencing joys and sorrows, honour and shame, God's provision and persecution by those around them. This small church was part of something much bigger than themselves, and Paul thought it important in all his letters to remind the churches of this reality. On this note, as Paul offers his farewell to the Philippian church, perhaps this is an appropriate moment for me to offer my own word of farewell to you, my friends at Immanuel CRC. This is my last Wilderness Wanderings podcast as your pastoral intern, and my last day with you will be this Sunday, August 3. In my first Wilderness Wanderings devotional back at the beginning of my time with you, I quoted New Testament scholar NT Wright, who described the letter to the Philippian church as “overflowing with effervescent joy” and “sparkling with the delight of family affection.” As I reflect now at the end of my last week with you, I find in myself a similar sentiment, a deep joy and affection for my time with you this summer. While I would not claim to have nearly the same travel or missional resume as Paul, as I read his letters, and have paid particular attention to his letter to the Philippian church this summer, I see the longing in his words for the communities that he travels to and from throughout his career, and it resonates with my own spirit and the travelling to and fro nature of my own ministry over the last number of years. That Immanuel has been the most recent stop on this journey is something for which I am deeply grateful to God. I will miss you all.  And yet, I will carry you with me. It's one of the greatest gifts of the way in which God has formed his church, that we belong to each other. And so as I continue to travel and discern what God has next for me, I will take your greetings to your siblings in Christ in the places that I go with me. And I will hope to return to you with similar greetings from them should God give me the opportunity to do so in the future. Know that you will be held in my heart and before the throne of God in prayer. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to see how God is at work among you this summer. May “the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.” And as you journey on, go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.  

Walk As He Walked (audio) David Eells – 7/30/25 Use It or Lose It Saints, don't miss any opportunity to eat your Bread of Life from heaven every day. Partaking of the Word of God and fellowship with those who share it is of utmost importance. We're told in Exo.16:4 Then said Jehovah unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or not. The Israelites didn't obey God in this, and they murmured and fell in the wilderness. When, because of worldly pursuits we pass up the chance to eat our manna today with the excuse that we will do it tomorrow, we miss the only chance we had that day to eat that manna and prepare our soul for the wilderness. 19 And Moses said unto them, Let no man leave of it till the morning. 20 Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and became foul: and Moses was wroth with them. All excuses aside, people do what is important to them. Our spiritual man must be fed or he dies. If the kingdom is not first in a person's life, God will find someone else who values what He has to offer. Let's read Mat.22:4 Again he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them that are bidden, Behold, I have made ready my dinner; my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come to the marriage feast. 5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his merchandise. 8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they that were bidden were not worthy. 9 Go ye therefore unto the partings of the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage feast. And it will happen just like this. And in Luk.14:15 And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. 16 But he said unto him, A certain man made a great supper; and he bade many: 17 and he sent forth his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for [all] things are now ready. 18 And they all with one [consent] began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a field, and I must needs go out and see it; I pray thee have me excused. 19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them; I pray thee have me excused. 20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. 21 And the servant came, and told his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor and maimed and blind and lame. 22 And the servant said, Lord, what thou didst command is done, and yet there is room. 23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and constrain [them] to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I say unto you, that none of those men that were bidden shall taste of my supper. 25 Now there went with him great multitudes: and he turned, and said unto them, 26 If any man cometh unto me, and hateth not his own father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, (We are to hate the Psuche or soulish life that separates us from the God life of Zoe, which is provided in the manna.) he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whosoever doth not bear his own cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. I pray for you that God will be first in your life. You have the opportunity now to prepare for the wilderness. Without taking advantage of this, you will fall away and someone will take your place. Hence the warning: “Let no man take thy crown”.   Time in the Word Sanctifies https://youtu.be/wNWvxexMri0?si=WclLLtgQFUfXLynY December 27, 2019 (Davids notes in red) The following is a transcript of this short video: There was a recent study by the Center for Bible Engagement where they pulled 40,000 of the general population in the U.S. from [ages] 8- 80, and they just wanted to see how we are engaging with Scripture. They discovered something that actually became the profound discovery of the entire study. They were not even looking for this, but it became the highlight of the study. They found that when we are in the Scriptures one time a week, and that could be in church on a Sunday, where the pastor says to open your Bible, and we hear the message. One time a week had a negligible effect on some key areas of the peoples lives, which I'm going to spell out more here in a moment. Two times a week also had a negligible effect. At three times a week, there was a “blip” on the map, like there was a heartbeat; something happened. Then there was a profound discovery. When we're in the Scriptures four times a week, it literally spikes off the chart. You would expect that it would be like 1, 2, 3…. I mean that there would be a gradual incline on the effect and impact that would have in your life, but it was literally, 1, 2, 3, 4 – then something radical happens. (How much more powerful it is to obey the Word and get your portion of the Manna every day like the bride.) What kind of behavior is being affected to this extent? At four times a week in the Scriptures, feeling lonely dropped 30%. Anger issues dropped 32%. Bitterness in relationships, such as the marriage relationship, and that with your kids, and so on, drops 40%. Alcoholism drops 57%. Feeling spiritually stagnant—you know, if there was one area when I'm talking with people, that they'll be honest about, is they just feel spiritually stagnant when I ask them the question: “How much time do you spend in the Scriptures?” If they're in the Scriptures four times a week or more, that dropped 60%. Viewing pornography drops 61%. Now, look at this: sharing your faith jumps 200% because you have confidence in God's Word. And discipling others jumps 230%. Wow! That's Amazing! (So, what happens when you get your manna every day since the Word is our manna? Christ in you! And if we seek first the Kingdom everything else will be taken care of.)   Let No One Take Thy Crown David Eells Rev.3:10 Because thou didst keep the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of trial, that [hour] which is to come upon the whole world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 11 I come quickly: hold fast that which thou hast, that no one take thy crown. Once, for the purpose of crucifixion, I was being judged by some people who had not gone through the suffering, nor had they made the sacrifices that I had made to serve the Lord. I asked the Lord why He was not chastening these people as He had clearly done in the past with others who had done the same thing. He told me that He had chastened them. Then He showed me several ways He had done this. Not wanting to think or say something that was also false judgment, I asked the Lord to give me a sign that what I heard was truly from Him. He gave me the sign as confirmation. One thing that He showed me was that He gives the opportunity for many to walk in the light that they are given. Then, after a trial period, if they refuse to walk in this light, God takes it away, and they walk in a lesser glory, a lower position in the Kingdom. The deeper discernment they once had is taken from them, and they go back, deeper into Babylon and walk less in His temple and more in the world. Verse 12 He that overcometh, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out thence no more: and I will write upon him the name (Greek word meaning nature, character and authority) of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem (the Bride), which cometh down out of heaven from my God, and mine own new name. God pointed out to me several people whom I had taught deeper things. They rejoiced to see these things. Yet, after continuing to walk in willful disobedience in areas that were shown to them, the deeper understanding was taken out of their minds. They fell back into foolish Babylonish churches and doctrines that they would not have considered before. The same happened to Jesus' disciples in John 6:66, although the 12 stayed saying “thou hast the Words of life”. Over the years, I have watched as some people in this situation have left my care, and others have come to take their place in order to be tried by the Word in the same way. Again, verse 11 I come quickly: hold fast that which thou hast, that no one take thy crown. We are always being tried to prove whether we are worthy to walk in greater glory, which of course, is walking in more light and purity. Those who walk by faith will find power to obey and will grow from glory to glory. We have this by faith in 2Co.3:18 But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit. All of the people of God are at this time manifesting one of these glories. Joseph shared a dream that clearly showed this. Starting as a star glory, he went to his cross in Egypt and was promoted in glory above his brethren, the children of Israel. We grow from star glory to moon glory and then to sun glory as we continue to walk in the light that God continues to give us. Joseph shared a dream in Gen.37:9 ... behold, the sun and the moon and eleven stars made obeisance to me. 10 And he told it to his father, and to his brethren; and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth? The answer was, Yes. As we walk in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, we manifest more and more glory. This is true of physical death, burial, and resurrection. It is also true of spiritual death, burial, and resurrection as we walk in this world and come into the Zoe life of Christ. Paul gives this revelation in 1Co.15:41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differeth from another star in glory. 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43 it is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: (And so it was with Jesus and the saints raised at the out resurrection.) 44 it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual [body]. 49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall (Greek; “Let us”) also bear the image of the heavenly. So by faith we reckon ourselves to be dead unto sin and alive unto God. But the glory of our resurrection bodies will be different as he says. Friends, to whom much is given much is expected, as Jesus said in Luk.12:48 ... And to whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required: and to whom they commit much, of him will they ask the more. The moral of this story is that if you want to keep the light you have, or if you want to receive more light, you must walk in the light you have. The time always comes when those who have eyes to perceive and ears to understand have abundance and restoration. Those who do not value this perception and understanding enough to walk in it will lose even what they have. Jesus teaches this in Mat.13:10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? 11 And he answered and said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 12 For whosoever hath (understanding), to him shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that which he hath. 13 Therefore speak I to them in parables; because seeing they see not, and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. 14 And unto them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall in no wise understand; And seeing ye shall see, and shall in no wise perceive. Because Israel did not walk in the light given to them, God took it away and gave it to the Gentiles. In the coming days, the reverse of this will happen. We read this in Rom.11:15 For if the casting away of them [is] the reconciling of the world, what [shall] the receiving [of them be], but life from the dead? 16 And if the firstfruit is holy, so is the lump: and if the root is holy, so are the branches. 17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and thou, being a wild olive, wast grafted in among them, and didst become partaker with them of the root of the fatness of the olive tree; 18 glory not over the branches: but if thou gloriest, it is not thou that bearest the root, but the root thee. 19 Thou wilt say then, Branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. 20 Well; by their unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by thy faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 for if God spared not the natural branches, neither will he spare thee. Uh, oh! No unconditional security. 22 Behold then the goodness and severity of God: toward them that fell, severity; but toward thee, God's goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 23 And they also, if they continue not in their unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if thou wast cut out of that which is by nature a wild olive tree, and wast grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree; how much more shall these, which are the natural [branches], be grafted into their own olive tree? 25 For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant of this mystery, lest ye be wise in your own conceits, that a hardening in part hath befallen Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in; 26 and so all Israel shall be saved (Meaning the physical Jews and the spiritual Jews who are circumcised in heart.): even as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer (Jesus in the Man-child Reformers); He shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob. On an individual basis this happens too. So, as we have seen, let “no one take thy crown.”   Overcome Evil with Good “Warriors of Truth” Victoria Boyson - 10/26/2008 (David's notes in red) (Keep in mind that Victoria's revelation is true of the elect only.) While in prayer, I was shown a vision. I saw misguided people who were the enemies of Truth, rallying together to deceive the saints; they were being guided by demonic forces that used them like toys. Great effort was being made by the realms of darkness to bring confusion and to stir up strife among the brethren to break up friendships that gave strength and encouragement to the saints. (From God's perspective, this is to test the strength of the body and remove the spots and blemishes.) I saw the enemies of Truth entering the lives of those who have been wounded by rejection and held in bondage by fear. (These spirits must be removed, many times through faction, for this makes one unstable and a danger to the body.) They spoke demonically induced lies with great power to deceive them in their weakened condition. (slander) Ironically, the lies of darkness actually seemed like “real truth” to them, and the enemies of Truth seemed like great saints. They appeared as though they were God's answer for the loneliness and pain they were feeling, so they opened their hearts to them. Because they came into agreement with their lies and their love grew painfully cold, they began to attack their brothers and sisters in Christ with accusation and judgment. (The spirit of faction moves in them.) Consequently, their attacks against them unleashed powers of destruction on the Church. Just when it seemed that the saints would falter under the heavy assault, I saw the great warriors of heaven rally their armies in preparation to invade Earth and dispel the enemies of Truth. (Including the wicked among men) They only awaited the command to do so by the saints -- for their cry for help. Under the weight of accusation, the saints began to weep. Their tears unleashed the army of heaven to attack the realms of darkness. (The warriors born of heaven are the Man-child reformers who bring both judgment and grace. And also the mighty angels.) It was then that I saw a heavenly warrior filled with great power, radiating a glorious light, entering the home of my enemy. This man had been used by the realms of darkness to rain down curses on my head; he was very jealous and filled with hatred toward me. However, even though I knew his dislike for me was great, I feared for him because the power of the heavenly warrior was great. I saw the warrior standing before him and drawing his sword, which was enormous and gave off a great light. I wondered at the sight of what was about to occur and thought, “Can it be God's will to destroy my enemy?” I heard the warrior speak in answer to the question of my heart and say, “I have been given authority to execute the judgments of the Lord”. Then the warrior, standing over my enemy, raised the sword and thrust it into his heart. It was difficult for me to watch because I truly loved my enemy and had prayed for him for a long time. I did not want to see him destroyed. Indeed, I had wept and prayed that he would completely surrender his life to the Lord and not allow the enemy to use him any longer. The warrior knew the thoughts of my heart and spoke again to me saying, “This sword is the Sword of Truth, and will dispel the lies of darkness that have taken over his heart”. (Ultimately, this will only work for the elect as we have seen for God himself sends delusion to some. 2Th 2:10-12 and with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God sendeth them a working of error, that they should believe a lie: 12 that they all might be judged who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.) Then I looked at the sword and saw that, in its radiance, it seemed to be alive and pulsating. As its large blade rested in my enemy's heart, the Light it held began to fill his body; like melting gold, the Light seeped into his chest. At first, he lay motionless as if the sword had no effect on him, but then I saw his face cringe as if in pain, and I sensed brokenness enter his heart. Sorrow was invading his soul as the truth of his actions was shown to him. The spirit of repentance was dispelling the demonic lies, and darkness was fleeing from him as tears ran down his face. I looked again to watch the heavenly warrior who had come to execute the judgments of the Lord on my enemy. He watched with determined anticipation as the sword did its work on the man. (This will work for the elect, but no one had this sword more than Jesus and Judas had rejection, yet Jesus said, “One of you is a devil.” I have heard the Lord say to me that certain persons were not elect also. In this case the body was cleansed of Judas' who was not saved.) Turning to me, the warrior told me, “Your love for this man made this possible for him. I came to him only because you chose to love him despite his attacks against you and your family. You chose to love him, and because your Father loves you, He was compelled to touch the man for your sake”. (If a person has faction and witchcraft, which always comes with slander that is supernatural to deceive, you must obey scripture or you will be taken out. Tit 3:10-11 A factious man after a first and second admonition refuse; 11 knowing that such a one is perverted, and sinneth, being self-condemned. Rom 16:17-18 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them that are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which ye learned: and turn away from them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and fair speech they beguile the hearts of the innocent.) I was shocked! I wept at the words the warrior spoke because I knew that it was only because of my love for Christ that I loved my enemy. In myself, I wanted to hate him. Indeed, I wanted him to suffer as he had made me suffer. My first thoughts at the onslaught of his attacks against me were to call upon God to execute vengeance against the man. But I saw that the longer I clung to thoughts of judgment toward him, the more distant Christ became to me. It was only because of my desperate need and love for Christ that I forced myself to pray for him. I asked God to give me love for him because I simply had none of my own. I had no desire to forgive, but I asked God to give me that as well. And when He had changed my heart, I could honestly say, “I love him” and mean it. (Jesus said that We must forgive from the heart or be tormented.) It scared me to remember how easy it would have been for me to condemn the man and how close I came to doing it. It was truly only because Christ loved me that I felt the need to love this man. Could that one small decision to love and forgive him have brought about his redemption and activated the armies of heaven to fight for him? (Yes!) I was astonished to think that his deliverance at this moment came only because of that one small choice I made to stand with Christ. Now, I stand in awe as I see the transformation of someone I thought was unredeemable. (Even though Judas was not elect he was treated with Love by Jesus who was innocent. We are commanded to love our enemies whether they become friends or not. Psa 109:3-5 They have compassed me about also with words of hatred, and fought against me without a cause. 4 For my love they are my adversaries: But I give myself unto prayer. 5 And they have rewarded me evil for good, And hatred for my love. As Jesus said, “Many are called but few are chosen” [Greek - elect]. Pro 29:1 He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck Shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.) I had, in the past, desperately pleaded with God to remove him from my life, so he would no longer have the power to hurt me. I couldn't understand why He wouldn't do it. It was, however, because He wanted to use me to change this man's life, and in the process of helping him, my own heart was transformed as well. (Yes, true) Yes, his redemption has truly changed us both. My earthly enemy was not my enemy after all; he was the treasure that the Lord had longed to uncover, if only I were willing to help Him. Now I see the warriors of Truth have invaded other lives across the earth as the hearts of the saints have cried out for the souls of men. They are liberating the lost from the darkness that bound them as these saints of Christ cling to the cross of love and hold it high above them in a defiant reply to the attacks of the accuser of the brethren. The treasured friendships among the saints that seemed hopelessly broken are being miraculously restored, and they have received a greater level of appreciation for one another. The cold love that had tried to force them to fear one another has been flung aside and radical, selfless love has become their war cry! Darkness had them bound, but THE TRUTH Himself has set them free, and whom the SON sets free is free indeed! (When a person has rejection and fear of rejection, they can be saved by love, but when faction grows to a level that they cannot resist it even deliverance usually does not last as it was with Jesus dealing with Judas and the Pharisees.)   Spiritual Warfare for Souls David Eells - 08/21/2016 Salt is known as a preservative, which we should be to mankind. What Jesus is to us, we should be to others, but He said, Mat.5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men. (Because Christians have not been salt, they are now being trampled under the feet of the Beast army. This is what happens to those who don't seek to bring salvation in all its forms to mankind. For such a time as this have we come to the Kingdom. Let us intercede to the King and do His warfare against His enemies.) We can see a time of war in these verses, which represents the David ministry. Then we see a time of peace under the Soloman ministry. Jer.48:10 Cursed be he that doeth the work of Jehovah negligently; and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood. Heb.4:12 For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Unless we swing the sword of the Word, our enemy will win against us. We must do this on the personal front against the enemies of our souls and the souls of others. We must do this on the political front against the DS satanists who would take us and the nation we live in into captivity physically. We must do this on a personal front against those principalities who would poison our bodies with their chemtrails, plagues, or diseases, or send other curses upon us.) Here is a Sword. Isa.54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of Jehovah, and their righteousness which is of me, saith Jehovah. Luk.9:1 And he called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. And 10:19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall in any wise hurt you. 2Co.2:14 But thanks be unto God, who always leadeth us in triumph (meaning celebration of the victory) in Christ, and maketh manifest through us the savor of his knowledge in every place. Mar.11:22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. (Greek: Have the faith of God.) 23 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou taken up and cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that what he saith cometh to pass; he shall have it. 24 Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye received them, and ye shall have them. 25 And whensoever ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any one; that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. Psa.103:20 Bless Jehovah, ye his angels, That are mighty in strength, that fulfil his word, Hearkening unto the voice of his word. 21 Bless Jehovah, all ye his hosts, Ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. Psa 2:1 Why do the nations rage, And the peoples meditate a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord, and against his anointed, … (Who is the Lord's anointed? 2Co.1:21 Now he that establisheth us with you in Christ, and anointed us, is God; 22 who also sealed us, and gave us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.) Back to our text: saying Psa.2:3 Let us break their bonds asunder, And cast away their cords from us. 4 He that sitteth in the heavens will laugh: The Lord will have them in derision. 5 Then will he speak unto them in his wrath, And vex them in his sore displeasure: 6 Yet I have set my king Upon my holy hill of Zion. 7 I will tell of the decree: the Lord said unto me, Thou art my son; This day have I begotten thee. 8 Ask of me, and I will give thee the nations for thine inheritance, And the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. 9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. 10 Now therefore be wise, O ye kings: Be instructed, ye judges of the earth. 11 Serve the Lord with fear, And rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the son, lest he be angry, and ye perish in the way, For his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all they that take refuge in him. Eph.6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. Psa.144:1 A Psalm of David. Blessed be Jehovah my rock, Who teacheth my hands to war, And my fingers to fight: 2 My lovingkindness, and my fortress, My high tower, and my deliverer; My shield, and he in whom I take refuge; Who subdueth my people under me.  

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). Yesterday, Kyra reflected on the gifts the Philippians had given to Paul. Today's text is a promise that the young church in Philippi will be cared for; cared for by God. These two things belong together; they follow each other. The way Paul writes, it sounds like God will care for them because they have cared for Paul. But is that right? Yes and no. Because we believe so firmly in ‘saved by grace alone' we have a difficult time with certain texts in the New Testament. Jesus tells us to lay up treasures in heaven and Paul adds that we will receive a crown of glory. Are these rewards for good behaviour? Sort of. There are rewards for the life of Christian faith that go above and beyond just our salvation in Christ. Should we want these rewards? Of course, but why should we want them? It's a thing we should wrestle with. It's our desires that we need to wrestle with. Paul's reflections are helpful. Paul's desire was not for gifts, even though he is blessed by them and receives them gratefully. His desire is not stuff. His desire is the place from which these gifts come. These are gifts of love from the Philippians as a response of faith to God. These gifts mean that God's Word is bearing good fruit through the Philippians. And that is enough. There's abundance in the Kingdom of God even when he goes without, because he is strengthened not by the stuff of this world but by Christ. The economy of the kingdom is a gift economy. Its not one of balance sheets. The things that the Philippians give are “a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice” given in response to all that God has given. The Philippians were living Romans 12. They are “living sacrifices,” giving all in the service of God—all that you have and all that you are. When we do that, we store up treasures for ourselves in heaven, a crown of reward. We do it, of course, not to get that reward per say, but as a response of faith—to be pleasing to God, recognizing as Paul had said already, that our contentment—our rest—is in Christ. We can say with Paul that “our God will meet all our needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Whether he does so in this world or the next, it does not change the calculus: God has given much. We are amply supplied in Christ and therefore we give as a response of faith.  It's a joyful storing up not in this life and according to the rules of this world, but rather according to the Kingdom principles of the world to come. As the Heidelberg Catechism says, true faith is a “also a deep-rooted assurance, created in me by the Holy Spirit through the gospel, that, out of sheer grace earned for us by Christ, I have had my sins forgiven, have been made forever right with God, and have been granted salvation” (A 21). But it opens with this, “Because I belong to him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit, assures me of eternal life and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him” (A 1). We don't live generous lives to get rewards. We do so to give him glory, to please him, believing that he is more than able to provide for us. As you journey on, go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

“Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God” (Philippians 4:15-18). Paul, in our verses today, continues his reflection on the Philippian church's generosity toward him. He reflects on their gifts in the “early days” of their acquaintance with the gospel. They had, it seems, experienced the generosity of God's grace and responded, as many new Christ-followers do, with passion and eagerness to serve.  But Paul assures the Philippian church that the situation is not one where he “desired” their gifts. While he was grateful for their support, Paul was not financially desperate, believing that God's mission was dependent on the Philippian church. He did not see them as simply business partners. Rather, he desired their generosity so that they themselves would experience the grace of giving, that “more [would] be credited to [their] account.”  There are two things we have to be careful of here. First, as Paul's comment indicates, we cannot treat our generosity as something upon which God's mission is dependent. Christians and Christian ministries have, at times, exploited well-intentioned people because of a lack of care given to language around calls to generosity. We give, not because God is impotent without our doing so, not because people will not be saved if we don't, but because we are given the gift of participating in what God is doing in the world. We also have to be careful not to think of generosity as transactional. That was a common way of thinking in the Greco-Roman world, and is, if we are honest, often the way we think about giving too. But neither we nor the Philippian church are called to give and then wait around expecting to receive blessing because of a sense of our own righteousness. Rather, we are to understand that our generosity is, as Paul describes in today's verses, “a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.”  Recall Paul's words earlier, in chapter 2:17: “But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.” Here, Paul also uses the language of sacrifice to refer to the potential for his own impending death. And for Paul, as we've seen throughout the letter, his own death was an opportunity for him to imitate Christ, who poured himself out knowing that those his sacrifice was for could never afford to pay him back.  And this is the ultimate gift of generosity–that in being generous, we participate with Christ. The same gift of grace that allows us to freely receive–without guilt or shame, as Pastor Michael described yesterday–allows us to give. We, like Paul, can be assured that we are “amply supplied” by what already belongs to us in Christ Jesus. So as you journey on, go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.  

I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles (Philippines 4:13-14). We continue with the theme of contentment. Paul learned contentment in all things through his reliance on Christ. But this was not a simple two-way street between Paul and Jesus. Our Lord used other people to provide for Paul, as he does for us. Paul knew this and was glad for the gifts from the Philippian church. But this is a difficult teaching. Many of us are rather stoic when it comes to receiving support from others. We decline when someone offers to pay for or give us something. We feel a certain kind of guilt or shame. Maybe we think we are deficient because we needed help. Or we feel that our relationship is now out of balance – we owe them. People who need help are often looked down on, despite Jesus' comment that the poor we will always have with us. Our society is organized towards personal self-sufficiency. Most of us rent or own our own property, living detached from other households. We work jobs to support ourselves and our households. We own vehicles to drive ourselves where we want to go. We build up savings and portfolios to ensure that we will remain independent after retirement. These things are constructed so that we do not need to rely on the hospitality of another. All these things are not bad or wrong. But something is amiss when we implicitly believe that all people should be able to do life this way: on their own, without burdening anyone else. Somewhere deep in our heart of hearts, we suspect such people to be weak, lazy, lesser, or at fault for it. “They did it to themselves,” we think: “they deserve what they get.” One should be able to do life on one's own, without the support or intervention of others. To do less than this is to fail at life somehow. Such attitudes are dangerous. We translate Jesus words, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” into, “stand on your own two feet and give to the needy who can't.” Here is the problem: if we can do it all ourselves—what need do we have of a saviour? Many have come to the very logical conclusion that we don't. “We've managed this life just fine on our own, thank you.  We don't need help from anyone else—including God.” Feelings of guilt and shame when we have need or when we receive something work against our receiving the one and only thing we need but can't get on our own: God's grace in Jesus. Our relatively wealthy, peaceful, and independent society actively works against the logic of the faith. Contentment in Christ includes the willingness and the ability to receive with gratitude and thanksgiving—recognizing, once again, that our lives are not our own creation and that we are not the ones who hold on. It is Christ who holds on to us. Christ who provides for us. Receiving gracefully is a necessary spiritual discipline to counteract impulse towards self-sufficiency of our culture. As you journey on, go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

“I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:10-13). Throughout much of this letter, Paul has spoken of his joy in the Philippian church. Here, nearing the end of the letter, he returns to one of the reasons for his joy, also reflected in the beginning of his letter: The generous financial support of the Philippian church while he is in chains for the gospel.  Paul's comment about the Philippian's inability to show their concern initially suggests that they may not, at first, have been willing or able to provide support. Their own financial limitations, or the reality of their persecution we have discussed previously, may have inhibited their ability to aid Paul. Or perhaps they did not initially have a messenger like Epaphroditus, discussed in chapter 2, willing to risk caring for someone imprisoned by the empire. This further emphasizes the significance of their communal sacrifice which prompted this joy-filled letter from Paul. It may also explain Paul's comments about learning to be content in all circumstances.  This Greek word used for “content” in these verses is a word that appears only in this single context in the New Testament. However, it was a well-known philosophical concept in the Greco-Roman world, connected with groups like the Stoics and Cynics, which spoke of contentment as an ideal state resulting from supreme self-sufficiency.  Paul's use of this word, however, conveys a contentment that comes, not from self-sufficiency, but from God's sufficiency. Both poverty and plenty are states in which he is comfortable, not because they are a result of his choices or effort, but because his economic circumstances do not reflect his status before God. Paul's “secret” of contentment, a contrast to the Greco-Roman ideal, is further stated in verse 13: “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”  Now, this verse has often been taken out of context to exaggerate human capacity. But it is important that we retain a distinctly Christian anthropology (or, in other words, view of what it means to be human). This verse does not imply any change in what it means to be human creatures. God does not give people super-human capabilities. What Scripture testifies about humans–that we are finite and fallen, that God is God and we are not, remains true. But Paul's testimony is that accepting the reality of human finitude yields a contentment that grasping for control over one's circumstances could never produce.  This is perhaps why Paul speaks of contentment in the context of his joy at the gift he has received from the Philippians–and why, as many scholars have pointed out about this letter, he never actually directly thanks the Philippians for what they have given him. Perhaps it is because he knows that, in their generous giving out of what little they have, they are in turn being gifted the possibility of learning contentment. A contentment dependent entirely on who God is, and not what they have. So where are you striving for self-sufficiency today? What might you relinquish to find contentment in God's sufficiency?  So as you journey on, go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.  

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you (Philippians 4:8-9). This letter has two key concerns: persecution that the church is suffering from the outside, and, under that stress, forms of conflict that threaten to tear this church apart from the inside (like the conflict between Euodia and Syntyche). Similar dynamics have been repeated frequently. Recent stats suggest the church in North America is shrinking and some believe that our decline is the result of persecution from a decadent society peeling away our members. Under this stress, we easily fall into forms of conflict that threaten to tear the church apart from the inside. As the writer of Ecclesiastes says: “there is nothing new under the sun.” In the face of such pressures, Paul invited us to seek the Lord's presence with joy discovering the peace of Christ. Now he asks us to contemplate better things. We shouldn't let our minds mull endlessly over the problems, pressures, and sins that threaten us from without and within. Rather, Paul invites us to feed our minds with virtuous things that are excellent and praiseworthy. “You are what you eat,” the saying goes. If we feed our minds a constant stream of junk—ruminations on sin, climate disasters, loathing of the government, gun violence, persecution, mistrust of fellow Christians, despair about the future, and whatever else is wrong—if that's what our minds constantly chew on, we're going to get indigestion. And we may very well descend into becoming more and more these things that occupy our minds the most. Thinking too much about sin may inadvertently tempt us into it; mistrusting others, we may become less trustworthy; loathing the government, we may become loathsome; despairing about the future, clouds of despair may haunt our days and nights. As an antidote, Paul invites us to feed our minds with better things. “Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”  That is, chew them over, ponder them carefully, let our minds run wild for a while on the best of what virtue has to offer. Such vegetables are far better fare to feed our minds than the empty, sugar-rush calories of bad news. As we ponder these things we may find that we become increasingly what we ingest: thinking of what is true, we align our lives to it. Pondering what is lovely or beautiful, we seek to become more lovely in character. Pondering the right, we become more righteous. This list of virtues that Paul offers are not explicitly Christian virtues. It is a morality list drawn from the work of the pagan philosophers of the day. The subtle point appears to be this: all that is good and true in this world belongs to God and is a gift of God—no matter who came up with it. And so, as you chew over these virtues, your capacity to see God and His Spirit abundantly at work as the Sovereign King over all creation and creatures is expanded. Slowly it may dawn on us the God, whose Spirit is everywhere present and at work, even in a secular world and in the atheist philosopher, is also here with me—and how much more so through Jesus!  May that notion give you peace. As you journey on, go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). “Do not be anxious about anything,” Paul begins. Well, that's quite a start. I must confess that I don't know that there is ever a moment in my life where I am anxious about absolutely nothing. There are maybe, just maybe, about 5 minutes after I read a verse like this, where I am in a devotional space, and I read this text, I pray a prayer of surrender for whatever it is that has just jumped into my head as an example of how bad I am at being obedient to this command… And maybe for those 5 minutes after I can maintain the kind of non-anxiety Paul is talking about here. But once I've left that quiet devotional space, all of reality comes rushing back in to disrupt my nice pious resolution of mere moments before. Possibly you can relate. I suspect we are not alone. Jesus offers a similar teaching as part of his Sermon on the Mount in Matthew's Gospel. Many of us are likely familiar with the text of Matthew 6 that begins “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life…” It continues to reflect on the birds of the air and the flowers of the field, God's provision for them and for us.  In both passages, the Greek word for worry or anxiety is the same. And I don't think either, in spite of how they are often read, is a judgment against worry or anxiety. As we have reflected previously this summer, Scripture's commands against fear do not express finger-wagging disapproval, but rather God's desire for his people. The command Paul gives in this passage is not “Do not be anxious about anything, you irrational and untrusting fools. Do you not know God at all?” No, Paul says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Paul is offering a way of transferring our anxiety and fear to our God, who promises to respond with his peace, so we don't have to carry it alone. Paul also calls the church to offer prayers with thanksgiving. This builds on the theme of joy which Pastor Michael reflected on yesterday. There are times when, as he described, thanksgiving is not a natural reflection of our circumstances, which may be tremendously painful. However, with the intimacy with God that comes through prayer, we can become people of joy and thanksgiving because of who God is–and who he has been and promises he will be–regardless of our present reality.  “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Jesus Christ for you,” Paul reflects similarly in 1 Thess. 5:18. Thanksgiving and joy, not fear and anxiety, are God's will for his people. But we don't have to carry the burden of willing or working our circumstances into alignment. In the midst of trials and suffering, we don't have to add the burden of positive thinking. Expressions of grief at what is wrong in our lives and the world is no less holy a form of prayer than joyful prayers in response to what is good, true, and beautiful. Prayer is not first about what we feel, say, or do; it is about who God is and what he can do. We may simply come before him, presenting our requests, and he will guard our minds and our hearts in Christ Jesus.  So as you journey on, go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.  

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near (Philippians 4:4-5). Paul begins to wind down his letter to the Christians in Philippi by returning to his opening theme. In the first few chapters, he has told us of the mindset of Jesus (i.e. humbling himself to the cross and submitting himself to the Father alone rather than his own recourse). Paul wrote how he sought to live out of this mindset of Jesus. He also included how the Philippian church and those within it experiencing fights and division (like Euodia and Syntyche) should live out that Jesus-mindset, as Kyra elaborated on yesterday. Having said all this, Paul returns to the theme of joy. This is where he began by mentioning his joyful prayers for the Philippian Christians. He was thankful for their partnership in the Gospel and for God's work in them that God would see to completion. Now he invites the Philippians into the same prayer saturated with joy. Today let's reflect on the joy. An antidote to the mistrust of fellow Christians that breeds division like that between Euodia and Syntyche is a healthy joy in the Lord. In the angel's Christmas announcement to the shepherds, they said, the Gospel is “good news of great joy for all people”. When our joy evaporates or is replaced by fear, doubts, or suspicions, it is an indicator that our own heart needs tending in the presence of God. Only then can we engage fruitfully again with fellow Christians.  We need to receive again the good news of great joy in our hearts. Then, as we encounter others, what spills out of us is a joyful, Gospel word. How do we do that? Let me suggest a few ways. One is simply by practicing. If we don't feel joyful, we should rejoice and giving thanks to God anyway. It's often the case that working a habit like rejoicing, even when we aren't in the mood for it, can serve to usher our emotions gently along until we do begin to feel it. We can use the last few Psalms to get started. Another way to find joy in the Lord is to remember that “the Lord is near.” Even when everything else might feel like its coming undone or when it feels like there are enemies all around—a recognition of the presence of God in that place can change things.  Even valleys of death's shadow can be transformed into an experience of God's care and provision when we remember that he is there, too. Meditation on Psalms 23 or 121 are helpful here. A third way to renew our joy is simply by talking to God.  We call that prayer. But that's for tomorrow. This kind of joy in Christ enables us to make known the mind of Christ to those around us. The Greek word translated as gentleness can also mean forbearance or tolerance. A willingness to let things go or to delay our reaction or desire for retribution. Doing so offers a gracious, merciful forbearance as God has done for us.  Again, we can do this because the Lord, who has displayed his gentle forbearance with us, is near.  It's a cause of joy. A cause for taking on the same mindset. So, rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! As you journey on, go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

“Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends! I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life” (Philippians 4:1-3). Paul begins this last section of the letter with a final encouragement to the community to stand firm in the Lord. Like many of Paul's other commands, this is rooted in his love for them.  The remainder of today's verses are interesting because they involve mention of a number of people found nowhere else in Scripture, and there isn't a lot of detail given about the inciting incident prompting Paul's response in the letter. Likely, the two women Paul speaks of are leaders in the Philippian church, and Paul is addressing a disagreement between the two of them. The fact that he chooses the public forum of a letter which would be read to the whole community to address this concern suggests that it is not merely a personal matter, but something affecting the whole community. His plea that these two women be “of the same mind” is significant in several ways. It recalls Paul's command to the whole church in chapter 2:2, where he called the whole community to also be of one mind. As we discussed with regard to that verse, Paul's command is not that these two women come to perfect agreement, but rather that they prioritize a single-minded focus on the gospel and dedication to working out God's mission in their context.  Paul also stresses the importance of these women in the community and their work for the cause of the gospel, demonstrating that, even in the midst of conflict, the community is to respect these leaders and recall the cause that they share as the foundation of their relationship and leadership.  Paul then notes other figures, including someone he calls “my true companion,” and a man named Clement, and other co-workers. The true companion may be a figure known to the community like Epaphroditus, Silas, or Timothy, or another church leader, called on to serve as a mediator in Paul's place to deal with the conflict. The other figures may also be involved in the conflict or called to serve as additional mediators. Paul reminds the community that all their names are “in the book of life.” This may function as another reminder of what they all share in common even in the midst of differences. Throughout these verses, then, Paul is encouraging the community and its leaders on toward unity by showing them the various ways in which they are already united–having a common cause in the advance of the gospel and their identity as those who have been given life in Christ. Paul's way of dealing with conflict in the church is instructive for us as well. In our own conflicts with our siblings in Christ, whether historically or currently, there is a temptation to highlight differences, to seek unity only with those with whom we agree. But Paul's example, and his instructions to the Philippian church, ask more of us than that. We cannot afford to limit unity to a foundation lesser than the gospel. We are called to work harder at unity than is often comfortable. This requires humility, sacrifice, maturity–all the things we've highlighted as we've walked through this letter. But when we truly believe that our same mind is in the Lord, our identity is in Christ, and our shared cause worth contending for is the gospel, God will have his way in us.  So as you journey on, go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.  

Key #1 - He will guide you through your SubmissionJeremiah 29:11 (NIV)“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Key #2 - He will empower you through your ServiceColossians 3:23-24 (NASB)“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people, knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” Key #3 - He will change you through your Surrender Philippians 2:5-8 (BSB)“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross.”

Colossians 3:22-4:1 Slaves, obey your human masters in everything. Don't work only while being watched, as people-pleasers, but work wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for whatever wrong he has done, and there is no favoritism. Masters, deal with your slaves justly and fairly, since you know that you too have a Master in heaven. English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body (Philippians 3:20-21). As we conclude this chapter, we build on Kyra's reflections from yesterday. Paul writes with tears. Was some of the ink blotched because those tears had fallen while he wrote? His heart is grieved for all those who insist on opposing the cross of Christ. Recall also that he does not name them ‘my enemies'. We do well to diligently follow his example. People are not the enemy. No matter how deep our disagreements, our struggle is against powers and principalities, not people. Regarding these ‘enemies of the cross', he says, ‘their god is their stomach'. Stomach stands in for all the desires of the body, the lusts of the flesh. Their chief concern is personal satisfaction. Their appetites dictate their lives; their minds focussed solely on this earth and this life; their vision to please the self in the moment. His warning is not against specific sins, but against the underlying sin of pandering to self. On that score, are any of us innocent? Which of us Christ followers do not, at least on occasion, fall to a temptation of the ‘stomach', pandering to self? Paul is reminding his readers that they themselves must remain vigilant. We do well to heed his warning; his tears fall for us as well. We must test our desires. In themselves, they are not necessarily bad. Desires for food, for friendship, for a healthy marriage or for rest are normally good. However, we can overindulge in food. Sometimes we can use friends to climb the ladder. Sometimes our desire for rest is just laziness. Thus, Paul reminds us that our citizenship is in heaven. Our treasures, our desires, our goals for life are determined not by the desires of our bodies, but by the values of God himself. Philippi was a Roman colony, ruled by Roman law not by its own customs; its citizens were Roman citizens. Likewise, Christians live in this world, among human cultures and value systems, but our citizenship is in heaven. We derive our values from the cross. When the truths of the cross and the return of Christ are grasped, a certain way of life naturally follows. What we believe changes our behaviour. We imitate Christ while longing for full redemption. When he returns, our Saviour will transform us so that our lowly bodies, often difficult to control, will then be subject to Christ giving glory to God. Ours are lowly bodies because they are subject to sin. The body itself, as God's creation, is good. But because of sin, we are frail and weak, easily seduced to engage in selfish activity. While our bodies remain ‘lowly', we have not arrived at our goal. But one day, our lowly bodies will give way to the new spiritual body. Eagerly we await Christ's appearance and full conformity to his resurrection body, forever in union with our God. We live in this world pressing on towards that day. At that final day he will, from his exalted position where all things are subject to him, draw our lowly bodies up into his glorious existence. He identified with our humility so that we might in turn be identified with his resurrected body. Maranatha, come Lord Jesus. As you journey on, go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

“For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:18-20a). In today's verses, Paul is building off of those previous. Having encouraged the Philippians to find models to imitate, they must also be warned against those in whose footsteps they ought not to follow.  The challenge is who these people are. You may recall that in our exploration of this letter, there have been several passages where Paul makes accusations and warns the Philippian church against groups of people. So is he referring to one of these already mentioned groups? Those preaching out of rivalry from 1:15-17? Those who oppose and persecute believers from 1:28? Those “judaizers” we discussed in the early verses of chapter 3, who advocated for circumcision among Gentile converts? Or maybe even those Paul briefly alludes to in 2:21, who seek their own self-interest? The truth is that we really don't know. And so we have to be careful about using this text to extrapolate into our context and pronounce our own judgment on those we consider to be “enemies of the cross of Christ.” In a divided culture, verses like this can be used in pretty self-serving and antagonistic ways, but that's not the posture that the rest of this letter has been teaching us to take. So if we seek to avoid this error, what do these verses teach, even warn us, about? The first thing we see is that Paul grieves for enemies of the cross of Christ. He is not making a triumphalistic declaration that those with whom he disagrees are enemies of Christ doomed for destruction. Rather, he grieves for those who are misguided, who do not know Christ, whose “mind is set on earthly things.” Paul's is not a posture of hostility, resentment, or self-righteousness. He has the same kind of compassion for these enemies of the cross that Jesus had weeping over Jerusalem in Luke 19. A heart broken, not hardened, by the disobedience of others.  But what is it exactly that causes Paul to lament for this group of people? What do these verses say constitutes being an enemy of the cross of Christ? It is first necessary to highlight that he calls this group enemies of the cross of Christ, not just enemies of Christ. Some scholars suggest this may mean that those Paul is referring to are not pagan tormentors of the church, or those with lifestyles and belief systems diametrically opposed to followers of Christ. Rather, these may be believers, people who, as Pastor Michael described yesterday, maybe believe some of the right truths about Christ, but are opposed to the way of the cross as a way of life. They may claim salvation, but are unwilling to undergo the path of discipleship we have talked about over the last couple of days, and really throughout the whole letter to the Philippians.  The cross, for Paul, is the emblem of salvation, of knowledge of and participation in Christ. Cross-centred discipleship is the call of the Christian life. To crucify all privileges, status, wealth, perceived self-sufficiency in order to participate in Christ's suffering and death is to affirm one's heavenly citizenship. This is not a preoccupation with heaven to the neglect of life on earth, but a willingness to surrender all that is of perceived earthly value for the sake of Christ and his kingdom. So where might you be resisting the call of the cross-shaped life? For whom might you intercede, even through tears, that they would come to know only Christ, and him crucified (1 Cor. 2:2)?  So as you journey on, go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.  

So, all of us who are mature in the faith should see things this way. Maybe you think differently about something. But God will make it clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already reached. Brothers and sisters, join together in following my example. You have us as a model. So, pay close attention to those who live as we do (Philippians 3:15-17). What is Paul getting at in these verses? It's helpful to recognize that Paul is picking up ideas from the beginning of chapter 2. There he says: “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” The Greek word translated as “mindset” lies behind the phrase “such a view of things” and the word “think.”  In other words, Paul is saying: “All of us who are mature should take on the same mindset as that of Christ Jesus, even as you have witnessed me doing while I was with you.” Further, in considering everything a loss for the gain of knowing Christ, becoming like him in his death, Paul was practicing this mindset. In other words: to be mature in Christ is to have the mindset of Christ, as Kyra said yesterday. Paul offers his own life and experience as a witness and pattern of this mindset. It humbly submits to God and gives up everything as loss. Maturing Christians are learning to say yes to Christ in every area of our lives every day – at home, at work, at school, in our leisure, in our finances, in our friendships. The task of the Christian life is to say, “Christ is my all in all, seeking him as a precious jewel.” This had become Paul's life, full submission to Christ. And now he tells the Philippians: imitate me as I imitate Christ. Or imitate someone else whose life imitates mine or that of Christ. If we know Christ, we will mature into living the life of Christ—that life of humble submission. If believing the right truths about Christ is as far as we get, then we have not yet grown up. This is an immature Christian life. Yet, as Kyra also mentioned yesterday, Paul remains “confident… that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). Indeed, as he says: wherever your mindset differs from that of Christ Jesus, Paul trusts that God will make it clear to you.  Paul also encourages us not to go backwards. “Let us live up to what we have already attained,” he says. The goal is always to be straining forwards, looking ahead, keeping one's eyes fixed on Christ—or at least on those ahead of you who are following Christ—so that all of us might increasingly run the race of growing up into Christ until we become mature.  Who are you following into this mindset and way of Christ—this way of the cross: of humility, submission, and loss? Who is following you? And what is God clarifying to you? What is the next step of submission for you? How is God calling you to go deeper into the mindset of Christ? Where do you need to mature in your Christian faith? As you seek Christian maturity, go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12-14). Yesterday, Pastor Michael described the “upward spiral” of the Christian life, the continual dying and rising with Christ by which we are transformed more fully into his likeness. Today's verses continue to unpack what this process looks like. The letter to the Philippians talks a fair bit about having the same mindset as Christ. This, it seems for Paul, is the measure of Christian maturity, and we've seen some examples of his teaching in this regard already in our exploration of the letter. In today's verses, he uses athletic language to describe this effort: “straining toward what is ahead” and “press[ing] on toward the goal to win the prize.” Just as an athlete trains for a grueling race, so too striving after union with Christ requires a single-mindedness and self-denial.  But is striving for perfection in every step the goal Paul is describing? I'm not sure that's quite it. Paul notes that as he strives toward the prize, he must forget what is behind him. Think about Paul's history. In an earlier chapter of his life, he had been a lead persecutor of followers of Christ. He certainly had been the antithesis of what he is describing in this passage. And yet he knows himself to have been taken hold of by Christ. Were he to dwell forever on the mistakes of his past, living a life of perpetual regret, he would not have been able to do the work God had for him to do. And the challenges don't only seem to be in the past; the language of “straining” or “pressing” implies the kind of daily present hardships that Pastor Michael described yesterday. So if Christian maturity Paul describes here is not past or present perfection, what is it? Paul locates the fullness of Christian maturity in the future–a divinely appointed goal to press toward. A goal toward which God has called, and thus for which Christ followers can expect to be supported by the Spirit.  What is perhaps most significant about what Paul says here is that, because Christian maturity is a future prize toward which a believer and believing community strains together with the Spirit's help, Christian maturity is not, at least in this life, a final destination. If a believer is pretty confident that they've already reached the fullest extent of Christian maturity, that's probably not a good sign.  If your past is full of failures or sins, or you consider yourself in a position now where you are still struggling, desiring faithfulness, but falling short–you're not a liability to Christ. Because Paul teaches that Christian maturity is not confidence of full attainment already, but a desire to grow, to admit past failures but not allow them to compromise our present or future witness, and to trust in God's calling and follow it with a single-minded focus and fervour. Like Paul, we do not consider ourselves having taken hold of all that is ours. Rather, we trust that our God is accompanying us on the journey, and there is much goodness that lies ahead. So as you journey on, go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.  

I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:10-11). There are many little tangents one could take out of these beautiful verses. We'll stick with just one: our union as Christians with the death and resurrection of Jesus. But here Paul throws an odd twist into it. It does not show up in the usual order of death, then resurrection. Instead, Paul begins with resurrection—then talks about suffering and death before returning to resurrection again. The Christian life is to be an upward spiral. Every day we begin in the resurrection life of Jesus. A new day: a gift of life to be thankful for. Not simply because we woke up on the right side of the ground—but because we have life in Jesus!  We wake up into a sure hope that gives purpose and direction to our giving and our grieving, our working and our washing, our studying and our suffering. What we wake up into is a life in Christ, a Christian life—a new life filled with new mercies every morning. If we wake up in the morning and think, “What can I get out of this day? How much can I make? What urges can I satisfy?” If we start there, we do not enter this upward spiral. However, if we start with this, “How can I serve God today? What is he calling me to? Who is he calling me to love today and what form will that love take?” With such questions we enter the upward spiral Paul is reflecting on. As we move through each new day—this Christian life calls us to take up our cross and follow Jesus in his humble, self-giving, submissive way. On this side of eternity, resurrection life is not ours in its fullness.  We still must die to ourselves and to our sins and all these other things that fall away in the all-surpassing glory of knowing Jesus. We must reckon with and die to our rage at the bad driver in front of us. We must loosen our grip on our status, accomplishments, and wealth that we have. Or on our desires to have them. We must confront and suffer our way through a still sin-broken world where nothing is as God intended. But, as we do: suffering with Jesus and letting our ambitions and sins die in his death, the Spirit forms the new, resurrection life of Christ ever more fully within us. Sometimes this happens slowly over years and decades. And sometimes we can see the full course of this rhythm of life-suffering-death-life all in one day or moment. Round and round it goes, down through the years—a continuing spiral of rising and dying and rising again until Christ is formed in us. Sometimes we slip downward. But Christ will find us and continue his work.  This is how we come to know Christ and the power of his resurrection at work in us and come to believe more fully that yes: this Christ who is bringing us to life in the little, daily things, can also be trusted to keep his promise to raise us to life at the end of all things. So, while there is much suffering still to be endured and many things in our lives that we still must die to, it is worth remembering as Paul does that the first and final word of the journey with Jesus is life. As you journey on, go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

July 13 2025 Sunday Your Words Matter / Week 23 / T. Stacy Hayes #findoutwhoyouare My Vision My vision is to teach the world Who They Are In Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior! To Teach them what the Bible says about them and who they have been made to be in the promises of God's Word. This changed my life years ago and completely transformed me from a person full of doubt, fear and unbelief to a strong confident Christian that knows I can do anything through Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. And I'm determined to teach the world what God has taught and commissioned me to teach and that is His Word.  That commission takes me to jails and detention centers weekly along with other open doors at many churches and ministries that are wanting to teach these important truths to the world. My podcast goes out 6 days a week to help the people I am ministering to grow in the truths that God has taught me for many years now. This podcast is free to all that want to listen and grow strong in who God has made them to be in Christ Jesus their Lord and Savior. Isaiah 53:5  Healing… Matthew 18:19  Agree with God's Word… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Acts 10:34  God is no respecter of persons “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.” Philippians 3:12 KJV “I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.” Philippians 3:12 NLT “Not that I have now attained [this ideal], or have already been made perfect, but I press on to lay hold of (grasp) and make my own, that for which Christ Jesus (the Messiah) has laid hold of me and made me His own.” Philippians 3:12 AMPC “which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.” Colossians 2:17 KJV “For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality.” Colossians 2:17 NLT “Such [things] are only the shadow of things that are to come, and they have only a symbolic value. But the reality (the substance, the solid fact of what is foreshadowed, the body of it) belongs to Christ.” Colossians 2:17 AMPC “knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:24 KJV “Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.” Colossians 3:24 NLT “Knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [and not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [real] reward. [The One Whom] you are actually serving [is] the Lord Christ (the Messiah).” Colossians 3:24 AMPC “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:5 KJV “This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.” 1 John 1:5 NLT “And this is the message [the message of promise] which we have heard from Him and now are reporting to you: God is Light, and there is no darkness in Him at all [no, not in any way].” 1 John 1:5 AMPC “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.” 1 John 2:27 KJV “But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don't need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.” 1 John 2:27 NLT “But as for you, the anointing (the sacred appointment, the unction) which you received from Him abides [permanently] in you; [so] then you have no need that anyone should instruct you. But just as His anointing teaches you concerning everything and is true and is no falsehood, so you must abide in (live in, never depart from) Him [being rooted in Him, knit to Him], just as [His anointing] has taught you [to do].” 1 John 2:27 AMPC Romans 10:9-10  Salvation… Romans 10:17  Faith in God comes from hearing His Word… Matthew 11:28-30  Jesus'Yoke is Easy… John 3:16  God gave Jesus to pay for our Salvation… God Loves The abortion dr As Much As He Loves The Babies They Are Killing… Philippians 12:2  Work out your own Salvation… Romans 8:1  No condemnation in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior…  Luke Chapter 15 The Story Of The Prodigal Son… Philippians 4:19  God will supply all your needs let Him… Romans 4:20  Don't Stagger at What God Is Saying In His Word… John 15:5 We can't do anything aside from Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… 2 Corinthians 5:17  We are new creatures in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… 2 Corinthians 5:21  We are The Righteousness of God In Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Ephesians 2:8  We are Saved by Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… Believe God's Word Above All Opinions God Loves The abortion dr's As Much As He Loves The Babies They Are Killing… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Share This Podcast On Your Social Media… Website https://the-prodigalson.com Email tstacyhayes@gmail.com  YouVersion Bible App https://my.bible.comi iOS App https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/prodigal-son/id1450529518?mt=8 …  Android App https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.prodical  Social Media https://www.facebook.com/The-Prodigal-SON-209069136315959/ https://www.facebook.com/noreligion1511/ https://twitter.com/noreligion1511 https://www.instagram.com/noreligion1511/ https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCPx4s1CLkSYef6mp4dSuU4w/featured

July 12th, 2025:  St John Gualbert - Sanctify the Lord Christ in Your Hearts; St John Gualbert - Forgiveness is Key; Ss Louis & Zelie Martin - Sanctification in the Married State; St John Gualbert - Forgiveness Through the Cross

“What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith” (Philippians 3:8-9). In the verses for today, along with those from yesterday, Paul reflects on the salvation that comes, as Pastor Michael talked about yesterday, exclusively through Christ. The verses for today continue that reflection and look back to earlier in the letter, to the poem about Christ in chapter 2:5-11.  This poem, and Paul's words in yesterday and today's verses, talk about two people who begin with elevated status. Jesus, being in very nature God. And to a far lesser degree, of course, but still of religious and cultural significance, Paul who, as Pastor Michael described yesterday, had a strong Jewish pedigree. He was righteous, well-educated, and zealous for the law.  But Paul has come to understand, and expresses in today's verses, that his version of superiority was never actually any such thing. How does he know that? He looks at Christ and recalls his poetic description in chapter 2. Christ's adoption of the form of a slave, his obedience to God and willingness to take on the humiliation of the cross, required his willful self-emptying of what was a genuine superiority. Paul, on the other hand, comes to understand that to follow Christ in his own self-emptying requires a change in his self-perception. This kind of reversal is critical for we who are Christ's followers to grasp. Certainly, as Pastor Michael described yesterday, because we have to rightly understand the source of our salvation. And also because, when we have recognized the grace of our salvation, we respond by becoming increasingly like Christ by the work of the Spirit. And to follow the one who took on human likeness, who was obedient to death–even death on a cross–requires, as the Christ poem reveals to us, deep humility. This is not the kind of humility that says, "Although, in reality, I am superior because [fill in the blank], I will follow Christ and humble myself.” If we are honest with ourselves, this is often how we practice humility. But Paul says there is nothing we have that can fill in that blank. It's all garbage. All we have is Christ, and the privilege to follow in his footsteps and mirror his downward motion for our sake.  So the gift of faith leads to humility, and humility leads to Christ's service, not to earn our salvation, but as a response to grace. As we undergo a change in our self-perception, a change in understanding where our value is from, because we no longer consider any of our privilege, power, intelligence, money–you name it–as valuable in themselves, they can be transformed into tools used in service of the faith we profess, in service of Christ. And this is the “righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.”  So as you journey on, go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.  

If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ (Philippians 3:4-7). No confidence in the flesh, Paul says, speaking firmly against any sort of “Jesus-and” faith. Like a faith that says salvation comes by Jesus, and circumcision; or Jesus and following the law; or Jesus and good worship; or Jesus and good kid's programs; or Jesus and good ethics. Certainly, these things are important in the life of the church and the life of the Christian—but they have no place in securing our salvation. In the shifting sands of culture and technology, we tend to reach for something more than Jesus—something tangible we can hold on to, to know we're safe and secure. We build up walls of policy and doctrine, or of research and knowledge, or of wealth and possessions, or of whatever. Something tangible that we can control so that we can keep the sky from falling on us. This has been going on since the beginning of the church—like it does here in Philippians. There's nothing new under the sun. But the Christian faith is not a “Jesus-and” faith. It's just Jesus that saves us. Him alone. We put no confidence in the flesh. No confidence in any of the things that we can see, achieve, hold on to, or control. Paul gives an example. As far as Judaism goes: Paul was at the top of the class. Not only was he born into the privilege of a strong, practicing Jewish pedigree—but he also had the smarts and the drive to pursue that Jewish faith to the Nth degree—not content with the achievements of joining the legally righteous Pharisaical sect, but also pursuing an absolutely faultless life and a zealous persecution of all those who stepped outside it—like Christians. But now: all these things he once considered gain he counts as loss. Paul does not see his previous privilege and achievements as garbage—they were gains!  But considering the surpassing greatness and sufficiency of Jesus and him alone—he considers all else loss. Even what he had previously considered as gains. So it is for our wealth and our institutions, our success and our knowledge—they may very well be gains in any other sense. But they don't save us. There's nothing there to put confidence in. In fact, compared to the surpassing sufficiency of Christ, they are a loss. Or perhaps better said, they are to be lost. Our need for them must die, such that we hold on to nothing else but Jesus. This is what Paul's getting at. What gains in the world of the flesh do you rest your spiritual security upon? That is, your salvation? Does it rest on nothing but Jesus? Do you hold onto Jesus and some other things? What do you need to lose? How do we go about losing those things? Two things to start: as Kyra said yesterday, worship the triune God, including within the context of public worship. Second, get to know Jesus. You will discover that he is up to the task of saving you.  As you journey on, go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

“Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reasons for such confidence" (Philippians 3:1-4a). Having spent some time commending partners in the gospel to the Philippian church, Paul now turns to another subject somewhat abruptly, and his tone changes with it. He has described those who are exemplary models for the community, but he now does the opposite, warning against those he calls “dogs, evildoers, mutilators of the flesh.” This is very strong language coming from a letter which, up to this point, has been full of joy and encouragement even in the midst of suffering.  Paul's warning here might be familiar to you if you've read some of his other writings. In his letter to the Galatian church, Paul warns against a group of people that scholars of Paul's letters call “Judaizers.” These were people who would follow along the path of Paul's missionary journeys, teaching that groups of Gentile converts (like the church in Philippi) had to be circumcised in order to join Jewish Christ-followers as a community of faith. In Galatians, Paul writes a pretty strongly worded letter to those tempted to heed the false teaching of this group of people, rather than recognizing and teaching that the grace of Christ meant that to be included in the family of God no longer required the physical symbol of circumcision. To preach the opposite, Paul said, was to “pervert the gospel of Christ” (Gal. 1:7). It is these teachers and their message that most scholars believe is being addressed in today's verses as well. For the believers in Philippi, and for all believers, the thing which unites them is not a sign in the flesh like circumcision, but a unity achieved by God's presence among them and working through them by the Holy Spirit.  The exhortations that Paul gives the Philippian church just before and after his warning against false teachers begins to give us an indicator of the practices Paul encourages the community to pursue which will shape them to be resilient to false teaching. He encourages them both to “rejoice in the Lord” (v. 1) and “boast in Jesus Christ” (v. 3). In essence, he's encouraging them to worship and to testify to the truth of who God has revealed himself to be in Christ.  These are practices that believers like us today can also trust to help us as we encounter false teachings, whether those that come from within the church or outside of it. We don't necessarily always think of worship as an antidote to false teaching. We may first think of doctrinal debate or apologetics as the right approach. Perhaps we wonder, or have heard others wonder, why regular worship practices, including attendance at weekly services, are important. In this passage, Paul indicates that communal practices of rejoicing and testifying about who Christ is–things the church does weekly in Christian worship–orient believers repeatedly to what is true and what is not. Being saturated in the word, active in praise and worship, and joined with a community of faith in fellowship–these provide us with the knowledge, the posture, and the accountability structures of community to help shape our minds and our hearts for discernment. And most importantly, of course, worship fosters relationship with God, and in so doing, makes it only natural that we would rejoice. So as you journey on, go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.  

But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. Indeed, he was ill and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore, I am even more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad, and I may have less anxiety. So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me. (Philippians 2:25-30). After commending Timothy to the Philippians, Paul turns his attention to Epaphroditus who gets even more space than Timothy and a commendation even grander than Timothy's because of the things he endured for the sake of the gospel. He was probably a convert since he was named for the goddess Aphrodite. Roman prisons made little, if any, provision for the prisoner's food, clothing, bedding, or hygiene. Such things would need to be brought into the prison by family and friends. The church at Philippi, having heard that Paul was imprisoned in Rome, sent Epaphroditus with money and other gifts and charged him to remain and tend to all of Paul's needs on their behalf. As he was fulfilling this service, Epaphroditus became deathly ill. But through God's grace he recovered. Paul now wants to return him to Philippi, an act which will relieve the anxiety of the church (which has heard of Epaphroditus' illness), and of Epaphroditus himself (who has been distressed that the church was distressed). No doubt much of the church's anxiety was not only concern for the health of the messenger but also frustration over what seemed a failed mission. Epaphroditus was sent to serve Paul, but as it turned out, Paul ended up caring for a deathly ill co-worker. Paul wants to relieve all such anxieties and to pave the way for a joyful return. The mission had not failed. Epaphroditus became a servant to Paul in his need, and just as Christ Jesus “became obedient to death—even death on a cross”, so Epaphroditus came near death in faithful service for Christ. Just as God, in response to Christ's obedience, exalted him to the highest place, so Epaphroditus should be welcomed back to Philippi with joy and honor because of his obedience and sacrifice. In relation to Paul, he is a brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier; in relation to the church, he is their messenger and servant. As to his performance while with Paul, Epaphroditus almost died for the work of Christ. In a hostile environment he did not retreat but risked his life to minister to Paul. The church should not doubt him but follow his example of willing sacrifice. Therefore, says Paul, let no cloud of doubt or disappointment spoil his home coming. Welcome him with the joy and honor appropriate to his selfless and sacrificial ministry. Epaphroditus risked his life for the sake of Christ. He is to be respected for this. Who do you know who risked or risks much for the sake of the gospel and the coming kingdom? We should all know such a person, whether they have already passed into glory or still here on this earth. They inspire our faith. They inspire our sacrifice. In the early church, there was a society known as ‘the gamblers', who risked their lives to care for the sick and imprisoned and to give martyrs and even enemies an honourable burial. The work of the indwelling God changed both Timothy and Epaphroditus into the likeness of the great Servant, the Lord Jesus Christ. They were varied characters, with varying gifts and diverse temperaments; their backgrounds could not have been more dissimilar; but they were each coming to resemble the Saviour; they loved him and followed his example. What was true of them can be true of us; God has not changed. As you journey on go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.  

“I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon” (Philippians 2:19-24). In our text for today, Paul is doing something very practical. He is commending to the church in Philippi one of his co-workers in the gospel, a young man named Timothy, in anticipation of his visit, and the hope that Paul himself will also eventually return to them. But Paul's commendation of Timothy isn't only practical. It is an indication of the ways in which Timothy serves as an example to the church of the kinds of things Paul has been exhorting them toward in the first part of his letter. Paul had encouraged the believers to look “not only to their own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Phil. 2:3-4). In our text for today, he speaks of Timothy as showing “genuine concern for [the church's] welfare.” As we have seen repeatedly, Paul emphasizes the importance of relationships among believers as key to demonstrating the gospel message of grace. Paul also indicates that the Philippian church is aware of Timothy's character in the context of his relationship to Paul, which he compares to a son with his father. Again, think of earlier in Philippians 2 and the way that Jesus is described as obedient to the will of his Father, being humbled and then exalted. Paul's description of Timothy as a son is an indication of Timothy's own Christ-like character. So Paul sends Timothy with encouragement and, in doing so, invites the Philippian church to welcome him with gratitude and graciousness and to imitate his example. He identifies himself with Timothy, speaking of him as a co-labourer. While he hopes he can visit the community again one day, he entrusts their welfare to Timothy in the event he cannot.  This kind of sending and receiving is part of the way that churches continue to do kingdom work today. It's one of the ways we embody the mission of God that we are committed to as a church.  Immanuel has its own relationships with people it sends and receives, including various Faith Promise and missionary partners we believe are advancing the kingdom alongside us, but in other contexts. As a church committed to this work, we have a similar responsibility to Paul: To send these people with encouragement, and to cheerfully and prayerfully receive their reports about the work we have commissioned them to do. We are called to identify ourselves with them as co-labourers, and with the local and global church communities to which we send them, whether or not (like Paul) we get a chance to visit ourselves. We are one body, all of us together, and to tangibly live that out is part of the commitment a sending and supporting church makes.  So when is the last time you prayed for or intentionally encouraged those this church has committed to sending and receiving, or the communities to which you have sent them? Perhaps consider doing so today. This is part of the missional task God has given to the church, and I can speak from personal experience about how meaningful it is to receive this kind of support as a missional worker. And, as Paul himself anticipates, you may find yourself cheered by this effort too! So as you journey on, go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.  

And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So, you too should be glad and rejoice with me (Philippians 2:16b-18). We are still following Paul's reflections on ‘working out our salvation with fear and trembling'. This phrase does not mean nervous apprehension with which the guilty face a judge. Rather, it expresses the awe that we experience in the presence of God. Now we discover that this fear and trembling includes joy; the deep, foundational joy of the Christian life. The salvation process in which we participate along with the Holy Spirit is worked out in all circumstances, even in pain, suffering, loss, death, prison, uncertainty, perplexity. It is not that we are glad for the pain, but we know the suffering is temporary and God is at work within it. So, even during unpleasant circumstances we know the ‘joy of our salvation' (Psalm 51:12). This joy does not ignore the suffering of loss or the darkness of depression. It does not suggest that every Christian should be happy every day. Rather, it comes with the sacrifices we willingly make for the sake of the gospel. It is the joy that comes when our sacrifices result in others entering the shalom of God's kingdom. In Hebrews we read, “For the joy set before him, [Jesus] endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (12:2). Our salvation was wrought through the shame and suffering of this cross. Christ's suffering also stands as an example for us to follow. He endured the torture, at least in part, because he knew the joy salvation would bring to us. Likewise, we are called to suffer for the sake of the gospel because of the joy it will bring to others. Here is an element of the Christian faith that we may resist. My parents speak of the sacrifices they made to establish churches and Christian schools and to send out missionaries. They would go without for the sake of the kingdom. Have you made such a sacrifice? Take some time to reflect on this. Let the Holy Spirit speak truth to you. The Philippians have done much and sacrificed much to aid Paul in his proclamation of the gospel; he names this “the sacrifice and service coming from your faith”.   In Leviticus, there are several passing references to a ‘drink offering', commonly understood as a small and final offering. It was still common practice in pagan rituals in Paul's day. He alludes to his potential death as but ‘a drink offering' added to all the sacrifices the Philippian Christians have made for the gospel in the process of “working out their salvation with fear and trembling”. He will be glad to give his life for the sake of the gospel in addition to all that the Philippians have given. Paul views the Philippians' continued obedience and steadfastness amid persecution as an offering to God of greater worth than the offering of his own apostolic labors—labors that may end in his death. We have no animals to bring but we do have a sacrifice acceptable to God. The gift of a life of obedience—character-building, holiness and witness—the life to which our faith prompts us. This is our priestly service to God. May we all joyfully offer it to him. As you contiue to work out your salvation, go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

"Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.' Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life" (Philippians 2:14-16a). There are times I wonder–and maybe some of you have too–whether God might not have picked a more effective strategy for building his kingdom than this rag tag group of people called the church. Whenever I ask this question, I return to the writing of one of my favourite theologians–a missiologist and missionary in India for much of his life by the name of Lesslie Newbigin–because he answers it. Here's one of the quotes from his book The Gospel in a Pluralistic Society which helps me when I wonder about the church: “I have come to feel that the primary reality of which we have to take account in seeking for a Christian impact on public life is the Christian congregation. How is it possible for the gospel to be credible, that people should come to believe that the power which has the last word in human affairs is represented by a man hanging on a cross? I am suggesting that the only answer, the only hermeneutic of the gospel, is a congregation of men and women who believe it and live by it.”  This, I think, might be something similar to what Paul is getting at in our passage for today. “Do everything without grumbling or arguing” is quite a command. As is the expectation that his audience could become “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Why would he set such a high bar for struggling people? The reason, I think, has to do with what Lesslie Newbigin is articulating–that no matter what a church professes to believe, if it doesn't change the way they live, the gospel isn't going to seem all that convincing.  To live out what we profess, or to “shine” in a context Paul describes as “warped and crooked” means, for the Philippian church and for us, to acknowledge the way in which we ourselves are warped and crooked. We don't get to be self-righteous and assume that the warping and crookedness is only in the people around us. That's often where we get in our own way as Christians interacting with others outside of the church. If we are going to be effective witnesses, we're going to have to acknowledge our own failures first. This is part of the working out of our salvation “with fear and trembling” that Pastor Michael talked about yesterday, and the humility we talked about last week.  But then, as Newbigin points out, when we have acknowledged our warping and crookedness, and have received grace through Christ, the Spirit uses what we profess to work reconciliation and make an actual tangible difference in the relationships and actions of members of the church as they interact with each other and go out into the world. It makes the church, as Newbigin says, “the only hermeneutic of the gospel,” or, in other words, the way people understand and interpret what the gospel is all about. Neither Paul nor Newbigin makes this transformation optional for the Christian community. Paul insists it is part of the church becoming “blameless and pure” and Newbigin suggests that for a community of people who seek to make the gospel credible, it's the only way. As Pastor Michael pointed out yesterday, “Sometimes it appears that Christians reduce the godly life to the gathering of correct information.” Paul and Newbigin tell us that's not enough. Our lives need to reflect what we believe. But this isn't just another rule to follow. When we live this way, we ourselves will be blessed as we both receive and extend the grace and love of Christ. It's the beauty of the gospel; it really is good news. So as you journey on, go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.  

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Philippians 2:12-13). This is a text I cherish. For three reasons. One, it does not place responsibility for the spiritual growth of the congregation on the pastor. Certainly, pastors have a responsibility, but it is not primary, it is not even secondary. At best our responsibility is tertiary. This helps me sleep. Two, and more to the point, it gives us pastors permission to nudge and encourage the people under our spiritual care to get busy. Salvation is not just something received. It is received, of course, but it is also worked out. It is a matter of obedience to work out the consequences of salvation in our individual and communal lives. Christians must exert themselves, put effort in. Paul has in mind continuous, sustained, and strenuous effort. The kind of workout where the muscles get tired and want to quit, but one pushes through the pain to increase muscle strength and endurance. As Christians, people redeemed in Christ, we are to walk in step with the Spirit as the Spirit grows his fruit in us. Or to use the words of this chapter, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (2:3,4). The grace of God does more than get us into heaven. It also teaches us to say no to ungodly activity and to live righteous lives (Titus 2:11-12). But this is not easily done. Sometimes it appears that Christians reduce the godly life to the gathering of correct information. The most exertion required is that which gets us out of bed and to church on Sunday morning. If we have a preacher that preaches the truth, all will be well. Truth is important, but it is insufficient. If we do not apply that truth in our lives, we remain disobedient. We must allow the Spirit to identity patterns of sinfulness in our lives and to use various means to root them out. In classic Christian literature, we face three strong and wily enemies: the world, the flesh, and the devil. Paul calls us to make full use of every God-appointed means to defeat the evil so that the good has room to grow. Spiritual disciplines are not simply to gain knowledge or ‘do time'. Such discipline should always be about this: working out our salvation. We pastors are sometimes invited to walk alongside people as they work this out. It is a tremendous privilege and often full of joy. However, at times it can be discouraging. Progress is slow. First gear is a frustratingly sluggish pace. Sometimes, we witness people stuck in reverse. At those times, it is important to remember that these verses place no responsibility on pastors or others who walk alongside. Rather, it says, “for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose”. That, my friends, is good news indeed and the third reason I cherish this text. We are not on our own against our formidable enemies. God himself is at work. The God who exalted Jesus from death to the highest place is himself at work in you and me labouring out our salvation. We work with fear and trembling, not in despair, but in hope, in expectation, in certainty that progress is being made. The Holy Spirit is the chief teacher and worker after all. As you journey on, go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

"Therefore God exalted him to the highest place     and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,     in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,     to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:9-11).   One of the reasons I love the Christ poem that we have been looking at in Philippians 2:6-11 over the past couple of days is the way that it draws together ideas from across Scripture to demonstrate the significance of who Christ is and what he has done. One such example is the allusion that many Bible scholars find in the verses for today to an Old Testament text, Isaiah 45:23-24, where the prophet delivers these words from God: “By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear. They will say of me, ‘In the Lord alone are deliverance and strength.' All who have raged against him will come to him and be put to shame.” This passage in Isaiah comes from the middle part of the book, which is a dramatic announcement, while the Israelites are in exile in Babylon, that the time of exile has ended, that God has a plan to release them from foreign domination and return them to their land.  In Philippians 2, the verses we've read for today, the same claim is made with implications for the church–in Philippi and around the Roman empire–that the oppressive power which rules them will be subdued. God the Father has, by the obedient death of the Son, brought about the redemption of his people. He has exalted the Son to the “highest place” giving him the “name that is above every name” and all will bow before him and confess that he is Lord, “to the glory of God the Father.” Just as God promised in Isaiah 45, despite the fact that the people were still in exile, that the time of exile had ended and God had acted redemptively on their behalf, in Christ, God has acted redemptively again on behalf of his people. In spite of the fact that the Philippian church still experienced the daily realities of suffering under a foreign empire, just as the Israelites had in Babylon, the work that was accomplished in Christ's incarnation, death, and resurrection, meant that the empire of Rome was already defeated. Their fate was sealed; their power would give way to the one whose name is above every name.  But it wasn't just Rome; every other power across time and space would give way. Every knee would bow and every tongue confess Christ's lordship. The church, whether in Philippi or among us today, is called to live as those who believe that the Son has been exalted, that he already rules over all things, in spite of any evidence to the contrary. For those of us who do not live under oppressive powers, we can easily lose sight of the significance of this. But for our siblings in Christ around the world who suffer for their testimony that Christ rules, this changes everything. So perhaps the question for us today is this: What difference does Christ's lordship make for you and your community here and now? So as you journey on, go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.  

This royal psalm sets out the blessings God bestows on his King and the service the King renders to the Lord. Divine strength is at the beginning and the end of the whole, which points far beyond David to the Lord Christ, the King of kings. In concluding the psalm, we find a good desire for the saints to possess: "Be exalted, O Lord!" There is a good dependence for saints to profess: "in your own strength," at once a confession of our own weakness and an expectation of God's power. There is a good delight for saints to pursue: "we will sing and praise your power!" This is a good response to the wickedness of the world and the weakness of the church, which we should cultivate now and which will be fully realised at the coming of Christ.

Your Nightly Prayer

Second Samuel 19 Take Aways:1. While David eventually made his return as the rightful king of Israel, so Jesus Christ will make His return as the Messianic Lion of Judah, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords—“Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him.” Revelation 1:72. Mephibosheth experienced reconciliation with David as he genuinely sought a restored relationship with his king above all else; may our relationship with King Jesus be the ultimate goal and priority in our lives—“Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face evermore!” 1 Chronicles 16:113. As King David sought to reward the faithful Barzillai for his generous service to the king and his people, so King Jesus will reward those who have faithfully served Him with a genuine and sincere heart—“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24

John 15: I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (NIV) John 15:8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (NIV) 1. Bear Fruit by How You Live John 15:8-10 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. 9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love (NIV) Psalm 1:1–2 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. (ESV) Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (NKJV) Galatians 5:19-21 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. (NLT) Psalm 1:3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. (ESV) 
 2. Bear Fruit by How You Love John 15:10-12 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. (NIV) Proverbs 11:25 A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. (NIV)
 3. Bear Fruit by How You Last John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. (NIV) Colossians 3:23-24 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (NIV)

Today's Passage: Colossians 3:22–4:1Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality. Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.Today's Prayer: Father you despise slavery and bondage. May we be reminded in this passage of how you parted the Red Sea for Your people to escape from slavery in Egypt. Even more, may we be reminded of how you defeated death on the Cross that we may escape from the ultimate slavery of sin.  Father, many today are still enslaved or labor in menial or humiliating arenas. Would you give any of us who are trapped by others or by our own circumstances to live transcendent above those circumstances knowing that any work we do for You stores into an eternal account that can never be stolen. Lord, help us work for You as our only audience. Whether our plight is from others who have abused power or by our own hands of enslaving debt, give us sincere hearts to know work was given to us before evil entered the world. It is a glorious thing to work with our hands and minds as you've created us to in Your image.  Lord, additionally, help any of us who manage or lead others to do so in a manner that builds them up versus tears them down. Help us to love those under our authority in a way that doesn't promote ourselves or abuse any power we've been given. Rather, help us see our role as helping each of them flourish in God's mission for their lives. NOTES & LINKS:Information about the Women's Summer StudyInformation about the Men's Summer StudyReach out to the Center for Spiritual Formation

Marketplace Entrepreneur for the Kingdom of God • Sunday Service Website: www.PastorTodd.org Please help us fight back and take a stand: www.ToddCoconato.com/give We are in a critical hour where the lines between sacred and secular are blurring—not because we're compromising the Gospel, but because God is invading every sphere of society through His people. The Church is not confined to the four walls of a building. In fact, many of the greatest battles and victories of this generation will not take place in pulpits, but in boardrooms, offices, construction sites, online platforms, and homes. You don't have to be a pulpit preacher to be in full-time ministry. If you're called to the marketplace, then you're on the frontlines of spiritual warfare, influence, and kingdom advancement. 1. Matthew 5:14-16 (NKJV) “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” 2. Colossians 3:23-24 (NKJV) “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” 3. Proverbs 13:22 (NKJV) “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.” 4. Deuteronomy 8:18 (NKJV) “And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” 5. Acts 18:1-3 (NKJV) “After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a certain Jew named Aquila… with his wife Priscilla… because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers.” 6. Proverbs 22:29 (NKJV) “Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men.” 7. Isaiah 60:1-3 (NKJV) “Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.” 8. Luke 19:13 (NKJV) “So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.'” 9. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (NKJV) “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.” 10. Ecclesiastes 11:1-2 (NKJV) “Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. Give a serving to seven, and also to eight, for you do not know what evil will be on the earth.” 11. Romans 12:6-8 (NKJV) “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy… or he who gives, with liberality… he who leads, with diligence…” God is raising up Josephs, Daniels, Deborahs, and Esthers in the marketplace—leaders who can manage resources, interpret dreams, influence kings, and save nations. You may not stand in a pulpit, but your calling is no less holy. Your business is a platform for truth, your clients are a mission field, and your profits can fund revival. This is the hour to rise up as a kingdom entrepreneur—set apart, filled with the Spirit, and unashamed of the Gospel in the business world. CCLI: 21943673

Series Title: Ready For Mondays Subtitle: Finding Purpose in the Work You Dread “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23–24 (NIV) There is already purpose in what we all do, but we have to choose to live it out Work Is Not A Curse, But A Purpose “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” Genesis 2:15 God works through the attitude we bring to our workplace God Cares About The How, Not Just The What “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…” Colossians 3:23 (NIV) Work becomes worship when you do it for God. Your Workplace Is A Mission-Field “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:13-14 (NIV) How Can I Reflect Jesus In My Workplace? 3 Ways To Live Out Your Faith Tomorrow: 1) Pray Before You Clock In 2) Encourage Someone at Work 3) Look For Moments For Jesus To Shine Through You “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58

Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Matthew 20:26-27 NIV Whoever, wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

So deplorable a state! Charles Spurgeon1 Corinthians 2:1, "When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God." Many pastors have grown 'professional' in their service, and preach like automatons, wound up for a sermon, to run down when the discourse is over. They have little more care for the souls of men, than if they were so much dirt! Too many pastors are fascinated with . . . technical trifles about words, fancies of speculation, or fopperies of oratory. God forgive us if we have fallen into so deplorable a state! "For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people." Romans 16:18

A new MP3 sermon from Grace Baptist Church of Waterford is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Follow the Lord Christ Subtitle: Mark: Devotionals Speaker: Tim Davis Broadcaster: Grace Baptist Church of Waterford Event: Devotional Date: 4/28/2025 Bible: Mark 8:34-38 Length: 35 min.

Lord, use me as thou wilt, Do with me what thou wilt; Promote thy cause, let thy kingdom come,Let thy blessed interest be advanced in this world!O do thou bring in great numbers to Jesus! Let me see that glorious day, and give me to grasp for multitudes of souls; Let me be willing to die to that end; While I live let me labour for thee to the utmost of my strength, Spending time profitably in this work, both in health and in weakness. It is thy cause and kingdom I long for, not my own. WHAT PREVENTS RISK TAKING?BARRIERS TO ENTRYFEAR OF FAILURE & LOSSFEAR OF UNKNOWNLACK VISION & TARGETED MISSION “Where there is no vision, the people perish; but happy is he who keeps the teaching.”‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭29‬:‭18‬ ‭WHY PEOPLE LACK PASSION FOR PURSUIT?APATHYCOMPLACENCY & LAZINESSDEFEATED & DEFLATED BY PAST“The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway.”‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭15‬:‭19‬ ‭HONEST SELF-ASSESSMENT PURPOSEWHAT DEFINES YOUWHAT FULFILLS YOUWHAT DRIVES YOUPERSPECTIVE WHO'S MOST IMPORTANT WHO'S MOST IMPACTED WHO'S MOST EMPOWEREDPLANHOW IS GOD HONOREDHOW ARE PEOPLE SERVEDHOW DOES IT EXPAND KINGDOMSTEPS TO PURPOSEFUL SOVEREIGNTY 1. Don't Just Wait—Take Action2. Work Hard and Be Bold3. Don't Be Ashamed to Pursue What You Want4. God Blesses Those Who Take Initiative1. Don't Just Wait—Take Action    •    James 2:17 – “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”    •    Proverbs 14:23 – “In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.”    •    Ecclesiastes 11:4 – “He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap.”→ If you wait for the perfect conditions, you'll never act.2. Work Hard and Be Bold    •    Colossians 3:23-24 – “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”    •    Proverbs 10:4 – “A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.”    •    2 Thessalonians 3:10 – “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.”3. Don't Be Ashamed to Pursue What You Want    •    Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”    •    Romans 1:16 – “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.”    •    2 Timothy 1:7 – “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”4. God Blesses Those Who Take Initiative    •    Matthew 7:7-8 – “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”    •    Deuteronomy 8:18 – “You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.”

Colossians 3:23-24 - And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

The God who saves is the God who keeps his people for the glory to come. The everlasting life he bestows cannot be conquered even by death. The Lord Christ fully understands and entirely embraces the Father's will—it is his delight to glorify God and to bless men.Here we see the Father's will acknowledged, that salvation is in accordance with the divine purpose from before the foundation of the world. Then we trace the Father's will expressed, described both in terms of divine purpose and human experience—the Father's purposeful gift to the Son, and the beholding of and believing in the Son on the part of those who are given. Finally, we notice the Father's will accomplished, for the Father intends that the Son should raise up those given to him at the last day, and the Son intends that he will raise up all who trust in him. All this leads to great confidence and willing service to the Lord who saves and keeps, who is to be trusted with the beginning, the continuing, and the completing of our salvation.

Colossians 3:23-24 - And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

SEQUENCE HYMN # 435 At the Name of JesusAll stand. GOSPEL READING Luke 19:28-40PriestThe Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.PeopleGlory to you, Lord Christ.After telling a parable to the crowd at Jericho, Jesus went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, "Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' just say this, 'The Lord needs it.'" So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?" They said, "The Lord needs it." Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying,"Blessed is the kingwho comes in the name of the Lord!Peace in heaven,and glory in the highest heaven!"Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, order your disciples to stop." He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out."PriestThe Gospel of the Lord.PeoplePraise to you, Lord Christ. THE SERMON

Aly McCroskey, wedding photographer and host of the Oh Happy Day Podcast, shares a powerful perspective of what it means to live out your faith behind the camera. With over a decade in the wedding industry, she shares how beauty, service, and the Holy Spirit collide on event days. From unexpected rainstorms to soul-deep reflections on identity and calling, Aly's story is equal parts inspiring and practical. This episode is a vibrant reminder that even in high-pressure, creative work, Jesus shows up. HIGHLIGHTS On Obedience:  "How many times have I not been obedient to the Lord when he was nudging me to do something like that? Because I was afraid, afraid of how my client would act, afraid, you know, would happen forget, you know, that something in or seem inappropriate. And so that was such a good reminder to me to pay attention when the Holy Spirit is nudging you to do something. Because not only is that affecting you and your spiritual life, but it had an effect in my client, who was not a particularly religious person and showed her a glimpse that God cares about her and even small things about the weather on her wedding day." On the character of God: "God reveals aspects of his character to people in their various industries. Like people in medicine know different things about God than I might know as a photographer. And it really takes doing our redemptive work in the world, whatever that is, and sharing about it with others to sort of give humanity a full picture of God is really like and the things that he cares about."   RESOURCES Download the episode transcript Learn more about Aly & her work Wild Cotton Photography  Wild Cotton Photography Instagram Oh Happy Day Podcast Every Good Endeavor - Tim Keller Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect by Will Guidara Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Colossians 3:23-24) And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” (Revelation 19:9)  

Get Your House in Order: Living Prepared and Righteously • Friday Service Website: www.PastorTodd.org To give: www.toddcoconato.com/give   1. Isaiah 38:1 (NKJV) “In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Set your house in order, for you shall die, and not live.”'”   2. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (NKJV) “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”   3. Proverbs 3:9-10 (NKJV) “Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.”   4. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NKJV) “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.”   5. Romans 13:11-12 (NKJV) “And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.”   6. Matthew 6:33 (NKJV) “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”   7. 1 Timothy 3:4-5 (NKJV) “One who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?)”   8. Colossians 3:23-24 (NKJV) “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.”   9. Hebrews 12:1 (NKJV) “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”   10. James 1:22 (NKJV) “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” CCLI: 21943673  

Colossians 3:23-24 - And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

To become a follower of Jesus, visit: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/MeetJesus (NOT a Morning Mindset resource) ⇒ BECOME A MONTHLY PARTNER: (not tax-deductible) You can find out how to become a monthly partner including how to receive your "thank you" gift - our bonus podcast called "Digging Deeper." God t: https://mm-gfk-partners.supercast.com/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Romans 16:17–20 - [17] I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. [18] For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. [19] For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. [20] The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. (ESV) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FINANCIALLY SUPPORT THE MORNING MINDSET: (not tax-deductible) -- Become a monthly partner: https://mm-gfk-partners.supercast.com/ -- Support a daily episode: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/daily-sponsor/ -- Give one-time: https://give.cornerstone.cc/careygreen -- Venmo: @CareyNGreen -- Support our SPANISH TRANSLATION podcast: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/supportSpanish -- Support our HINDI TRANSLATION podcast: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/supportHindi ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FOREIGN LANGUAGE VERSIONS OF THIS PODCAST: Subscribe to the SPANISH version: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/Spanish Subscribe to the HINDI version: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/Hindi ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CONTACT: Carey@careygreen.com  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THEME MUSIC: “King’s Trailer” – Creative Commons 0 | Provided by https://freepd.com/ ***All NON-ENGLISH versions of the Morning Mindset are translated using A.I. Dubbing and Translation tools from DubFormer.ai ***All NON-ENGLISH text content (descriptions and titles) are translated using the A.I. functionality of Google Translate.    

A true confession is not simply a matter of speaking a truth; rather, it is a matter of speaking the truth that is demanded under the circumstances. In fact, it is entirely possible to lie or to deceive with the truth. To say that it was the Romans who crucified Christ is entirely true, but to advance that particular truth in order to deny the truth that the Jews murdered the Lord Christ would be to lie with a truth. This is a tactic that Satan has employed from the very beginning. Today, we most often see this playing out with Christians who run to their doctrinal statements or confessions when faced with novel problems. The battles of the Reformation era were important (and remain important), but they are not the things that Satan is attacking today. The man who holds up his confession and denies that he could ever be wrong because he has Abraham (his doctrinal statement) as his father has become a pharisee who follows after Satan's footsteps in lying with the truth. Confessions must not become idols, and the battles of centuries ago are not the battles of today. To look upon the bronze serpent because God commanded it is one thing; to worship the bronze serpent because you have distorted what it was is another matter entirely. Satan is rightly called a serpent — do not give him the opening he needs. Show Notes See Also Further Reading Parental Warnings None.