| Teacher: Rusty Kennedy Series: Philippians |
Rusty's Notes | |
What do you need to know? – You will not avoid temptation… Jesus said, “Satan comes to kill, steal, and destroy… I came that you might have life.”
- Even Jesus was tempted.
- He understands our temptation.
Temptation – Brain – stores behavior patterns that were established before you were redeemed and even after you have been redeemed.
- The power of sin sends thoughts to your mind based upon stimulus and behavior patterns that have been stored in your brain.
- Then the battle takes place in your mind. These thoughts versus the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16). The good news is that you do not generate these thoughts… you can’t.
Romans 6:12-14 - Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, so that you obey its desires. 13 And do not offer any parts of it to sin as weapons for unrighteousness. But as those who are alive from the dead, offer yourselves to God, and all the parts of yourselves to God as weapons for righteousness. 14 For sin will not rule over you, because you are not under the law but under grace.[1]
The church in Philippi is being tempted on losing their unity.
Philippians 4:2-3 - I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I also ask you, true partner, to help these women who have contended for the gospel at my side, along with Clement and the rest of my coworkers whose names are in the book of life.[2]
LIGHTS IN THE WORLD
PHILIPPIANS 2
12 Therefore, my dear friends (?... tough guy turned tender), just as you have always obeyed, (we live in a culture that it is cool to be disobedient… to be different… Greek: shut up and do what you are told… Obey them…. Requires humility) so now, not only in my presence but even more in my absence (been gone about 4 years), work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God who is working in you (Sabbath rest) both to will and to work according to his good purpose.
- Paul is writing to people who are already “saints” (Phil. 1:1), which means they have trusted Christ and have been set apart for Him.
- The verb “work out” carries the meaning of “work to full completion,” such as working out a problem in mathematics.
- In Paul’s day it was also used for “working a mine,” that is, getting out of the mine all the valuable ore possible; or “working a field” so as to get the greatest harvest possible.[3]
(The doctrine of regeneration… New Covenant is where God took out your heart of stone and replaces it with a heart of flesh… Changed from the inside out… new creation… new nature… new desires
Ezekiel 36:26 - I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.[4]
God does a good work in you… it is the indwelling Spirit that is working within you…
It is a joyous life… not you having to do something that you don’t want to do.
We don’t do anything… God makes a Christian… Jesus did that by being a sinless person who died for our sins… I didn’t do anything but trust… A gift of grace…
Sanctification…
God gives you a new nature so live according
God gives you new desires so feed them
God gives you new gifts so serve in ministry
God gives you the power of the Holy Spirit so live in accordance… not of your own strength
Colossians 1:10 (The Message) - We pray that you'll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work.
In humbleness I recognize my limitation and danger in knowing anything of Greek, but in looking at the text I think it is a far misrepresentation in this passage for one to interpret that God is proud of us.
It is amazing to see the liberty of the paraphrase here in Colossians 1:10. He is pleased in us...as we are in Christ. And it pleases Him when His children walk worthy of the family name in the Savior, yet there is no commendation to us! And in that good pleasure He has called us to 'walk worthy' and to prove His good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12: 2).
The emphasis here is certainly on us to walk, bear fruit and grow - thereby pleasing God as we live by faith.
- And the means by which we do that is completely impossible if it is not for the Spirit He placed in us.
- How marvelous are His works and His plan and the gift of His Spirit.
Pride/proud – 2 Corinthians 5:12 - We are not commending ourselves to you again, but giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, so that you may have a reply for those who take pride in outward appearance rather than in the heart.[5]
Christian life is not we need to stop doing certain things but we need to start learning what it means to be.
Because God is at work in us… it changes our will… which works its way out in our lives.
- Too many Christians obey God only because of pressure on the outside, and not power on the inside.[6]
14 Do everything without grumbling and arguing,
- Israelites… walking around the woods for 40 years… God is trying to teach them to quit grumbling… but they don’t ever get it.
- Questions… having questions is OK… questioning is doubting and not trusting… it is a heart issue… and sometimes we even do this with God.
15 so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world,
- People are watching your behavior
- and honestly, they are judging you… even on social networking
16 by holding firm to the word of life. Then I can boast in the day of Christ that I didn’t run or labor for nothing. 17 But even if I am poured out as a drink offering on the sacrificial service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 In the same way you should also be glad and rejoice with me.
- Tell others… notice it… encourage them… send notes… call them… be pleased about others
Give a chance for people to do encourage others right now.
Paul gives a great example of encouragement… this ministry was not in vain…
TIMOTHY AND EPAPHRODITUS
19 Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon so that I too may be encouraged by news about you. 20 For I have no one else like-minded who will genuinely care about your interests; 21 all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know his proven character, because he has served with me in the gospel ministry like a son with a father. 23 Therefore, I hope to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24 I am confident in the Lord that I myself will also come soon.
- Paul was mentor to Timothy (father and son like relationship).
- Timothy got saved under Paul’s ministry.
25 But I considered it necessary to send you Epaphroditus—my brother, coworker, and fellow soldier, as well as your messenger and minister to my need--26 since he has been longing for all of you and was distressed because you heard that he was sick. 27 Indeed, he was so sick that he nearly died. However, God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 For this reason, I am very eager to send him so that you may rejoice again when you see him and I may be less anxious. 29 Therefore, welcome him in the Lord with great joy and hold people like him in honor, 30 because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up what was lacking in your ministry to me.[7]
- Epaphroditus returned Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi.
“What is Jesus doing in you?” Stop trying to fix your life… and for that fact… other’s lives
“How is God working in you?”
“What grumbling and questioning do you need to repent of? What is the root of your bitterness?” Stop the questioning disposition.
“Who needs you to be like Paul?”
“Who needs you to be like Timothy or Epaphroditus?”
[1] Christian Standard Bible (Ro 6:12–14). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible (Php 4:2–3). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 77). Victor Books.
[4] Christian Standard Bible (Eze 36:26). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Christian Standard Bible (2 Co 5:12). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 78). Victor Books.
[7] Christian Standard Bible (Php 2:12–30). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
- Even Jesus was tempted.
- He understands our temptation.
Temptation – Brain – stores behavior patterns that were established before you were redeemed and even after you have been redeemed.
- The power of sin sends thoughts to your mind based upon stimulus and behavior patterns that have been stored in your brain.
- Then the battle takes place in your mind. These thoughts versus the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16). The good news is that you do not generate these thoughts… you can’t.
Romans 6:12-14 - Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, so that you obey its desires. 13 And do not offer any parts of it to sin as weapons for unrighteousness. But as those who are alive from the dead, offer yourselves to God, and all the parts of yourselves to God as weapons for righteousness. 14 For sin will not rule over you, because you are not under the law but under grace.[1]
The church in Philippi is being tempted on losing their unity.
Philippians 4:2-3 - I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I also ask you, true partner, to help these women who have contended for the gospel at my side, along with Clement and the rest of my coworkers whose names are in the book of life.[2]
LIGHTS IN THE WORLD
PHILIPPIANS 2
12 Therefore, my dear friends (?... tough guy turned tender), just as you have always obeyed, (we live in a culture that it is cool to be disobedient… to be different… Greek: shut up and do what you are told… Obey them…. Requires humility) so now, not only in my presence but even more in my absence (been gone about 4 years), work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God who is working in you (Sabbath rest) both to will and to work according to his good purpose.
- Paul is writing to people who are already “saints” (Phil. 1:1), which means they have trusted Christ and have been set apart for Him.
- The verb “work out” carries the meaning of “work to full completion,” such as working out a problem in mathematics.
- In Paul’s day it was also used for “working a mine,” that is, getting out of the mine all the valuable ore possible; or “working a field” so as to get the greatest harvest possible.[3]
(The doctrine of regeneration… New Covenant is where God took out your heart of stone and replaces it with a heart of flesh… Changed from the inside out… new creation… new nature… new desires
Ezekiel 36:26 - I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.[4]
God does a good work in you… it is the indwelling Spirit that is working within you…
It is a joyous life… not you having to do something that you don’t want to do.
We don’t do anything… God makes a Christian… Jesus did that by being a sinless person who died for our sins… I didn’t do anything but trust… A gift of grace…
Sanctification…
God gives you a new nature so live according
God gives you new desires so feed them
God gives you new gifts so serve in ministry
God gives you the power of the Holy Spirit so live in accordance… not of your own strength
Colossians 1:10 (The Message) - We pray that you'll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work.
In humbleness I recognize my limitation and danger in knowing anything of Greek, but in looking at the text I think it is a far misrepresentation in this passage for one to interpret that God is proud of us.
It is amazing to see the liberty of the paraphrase here in Colossians 1:10. He is pleased in us...as we are in Christ. And it pleases Him when His children walk worthy of the family name in the Savior, yet there is no commendation to us! And in that good pleasure He has called us to 'walk worthy' and to prove His good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12: 2).
The emphasis here is certainly on us to walk, bear fruit and grow - thereby pleasing God as we live by faith.
- And the means by which we do that is completely impossible if it is not for the Spirit He placed in us.
- How marvelous are His works and His plan and the gift of His Spirit.
Pride/proud – 2 Corinthians 5:12 - We are not commending ourselves to you again, but giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, so that you may have a reply for those who take pride in outward appearance rather than in the heart.[5]
Christian life is not we need to stop doing certain things but we need to start learning what it means to be.
Because God is at work in us… it changes our will… which works its way out in our lives.
- Too many Christians obey God only because of pressure on the outside, and not power on the inside.[6]
14 Do everything without grumbling and arguing,
- Israelites… walking around the woods for 40 years… God is trying to teach them to quit grumbling… but they don’t ever get it.
- Questions… having questions is OK… questioning is doubting and not trusting… it is a heart issue… and sometimes we even do this with God.
15 so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world,
- People are watching your behavior
- and honestly, they are judging you… even on social networking
16 by holding firm to the word of life. Then I can boast in the day of Christ that I didn’t run or labor for nothing. 17 But even if I am poured out as a drink offering on the sacrificial service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 In the same way you should also be glad and rejoice with me.
- Tell others… notice it… encourage them… send notes… call them… be pleased about others
Give a chance for people to do encourage others right now.
Paul gives a great example of encouragement… this ministry was not in vain…
TIMOTHY AND EPAPHRODITUS
19 Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon so that I too may be encouraged by news about you. 20 For I have no one else like-minded who will genuinely care about your interests; 21 all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know his proven character, because he has served with me in the gospel ministry like a son with a father. 23 Therefore, I hope to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24 I am confident in the Lord that I myself will also come soon.
- Paul was mentor to Timothy (father and son like relationship).
- Timothy got saved under Paul’s ministry.
25 But I considered it necessary to send you Epaphroditus—my brother, coworker, and fellow soldier, as well as your messenger and minister to my need--26 since he has been longing for all of you and was distressed because you heard that he was sick. 27 Indeed, he was so sick that he nearly died. However, God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 For this reason, I am very eager to send him so that you may rejoice again when you see him and I may be less anxious. 29 Therefore, welcome him in the Lord with great joy and hold people like him in honor, 30 because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up what was lacking in your ministry to me.[7]
- Epaphroditus returned Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi.
“What is Jesus doing in you?” Stop trying to fix your life… and for that fact… other’s lives
“How is God working in you?”
“What grumbling and questioning do you need to repent of? What is the root of your bitterness?” Stop the questioning disposition.
“Who needs you to be like Paul?”
“Who needs you to be like Timothy or Epaphroditus?”
[1] Christian Standard Bible (Ro 6:12–14). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible (Php 4:2–3). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 77). Victor Books.
[4] Christian Standard Bible (Eze 36:26). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Christian Standard Bible (2 Co 5:12). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 78). Victor Books.
[7] Christian Standard Bible (Php 2:12–30). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
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