Philippians, A Conclusion, Finally my Brethren, REJOICE In The Lord!!(Phil.3:1)

The Kingdom Corner with Matt Geib

Philippians : Conclusion …(10/01/21)

Introduction:

Philippians carries a simple yet profound Message, emphasizing the concepts of Joy & Rejoicing in a community of Saints knit together in unity through a lifestyle of humility. These are traits of God’s Character that cannot be manufactured in our own strength

Philippians teaches us what it is to Live a Powerful, Joy-filled & grateful life every day no matter the circumstances we find ourselves in.

This Epistle challenges us to aspire to a greater level of Joy & Rejoicing, which comes through having a greater awareness of God’s Goodness.

Five THEMES:

• Joy & Rejoicing In every circumstance : Joy is mentioned 5 times(1:4,25, 2:2,29, 4:1) Rejoicing is mentioned 11 times…(1:18,2:17, 2:18,2:28,4:4, 3:1,4:10)
• Jesus Christ & His Availability for coping with the problems of life (Chpt 4)
• Christ pictured as the goal & center of our lives (Chpt. 3)
• Unity comes through the bond of Humility & Joy (Chpt. 2)
• A Primer for Living a Joy-Filled Life

Chapter 1: THEME: ‘Christ our LIFE’ (vs. 21)

Authentic Joy & Rejoicing Is Birthed in an AWARENESS of God’s Goodness, in your life which leads to gratitude

Phil. 1:3-6 3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Phil. 1:12-14 Paul was in chains for Christ, which actually ADVANCED the Gospel

Phil. 1:21 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Chapter 2: THEME: ‘Christ Our Mind’ (vs. 5)

Phil. 2:1-4 So by whatever [appeal to you there is in our mutual dwelling in Christ, by whatever] strengthening and consoling and encouraging [our relationship] in Him [affords], by whatever persuasive [a]incentive there is in love, by whatever participation in the [Holy] Spirit [we share], and by whatever depth of affection and compassionate sympathy2 Fill up and complete my joy by living in harmony and being of the same mind and one in purpose, having the same love, being in full accord and of one harmonious mind and intention.3 Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves].

4 Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others.

Chapter 2: : THEME: ‘Christ Our Mind’ (vs. 5)

Having a ‘Kenosis Encounter’

Phil. 2:5-11 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it [b]robbery to be equal with God, 7 but [c]made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

God at Work

work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Chapter 3: Christ Our Goal

PHIL. 3:7-14 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain[b] to the resurrection from the dead.

Pressing Toward the Goal

12 Not that I have already attained,[c] or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have [d]apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Chapter 4: Christ Our Strength

Rejoice:.

Phil. 4:4 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

Mandates for Meditation:

Phil. 4:6-9

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Meditate on These Things

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

Phil. 4:13 13 I can do all things through [f]Christ who strengthens me.

Four-Eight ThinkingJ (The 4:8 Principle~Tommy Newberry)

6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise—dwell on these things.

A 4:8 Thought life is one that is full of Gratitude & JOY!( SEE: Mind Traffic )

Joy IS an outward sign of inward Faith in the Promises of GOD…a symptom of Faith

Your thought Life multiplies or shrinks your talents

If you dwell on your strengths, your blessings, your goals , & all the people who love you , then you will attract even more blessings, even more love, & even more accomplishments

God has designed you to be able to bring your thinking into the domain of your conscious , creative control, through which you will begin to discover an enormous advantage to begin to sculpt the conditions of your life.

Proverbs 3:5-6.. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.[a]

Psalm 37:1-6 Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; 2 for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.

3 Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.

Romans 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened

Joy & Rejoicing are Cousins of GRATITUDEJ!!(You can NEVER have one without the other)…see ‘The 10 Lepers’

GRATITUDE is a conviction, a practice, & a discipline.

GRATITUDE is an essential nutrient , a kind of amino-acid for Growth in God, His creativity & His Joy

GRATITUDE involves channeling your energy & attention toward what is present & working rather than what is absent & ineffective

GRATITUDE is like a mental gearshift that takes you from turbulence to peacefulness, from stagnation to creativity

GRATITUDE is the CORNERSTONE OF AN UNTOPPABLE FAITH

GRATITUDE can be cultivated& experienced at ever deepening levels

GRATITUDE is an effective antidote to most negative emotions…you cannot experience Hostility & Gratitude at the same time…you must choose!

GRATITUDE is BOTH a skill & a feeling …the more you appreciate today, the more things you will notice tomorrow to be Grateful for!

An Awesome companion Book to get when you study this Epistle is "The 4:8 Principle"~Tommy Newberry...also his workbook will aid you in working out & applying Philippians Concepts to your life..."40 Days To a Joy-Filled Life"