PHILIPPIANS 3 STUDY & BREAKDOWN
BEWARE OF THE JUDAIZERS
PHILIPPIANS 3:1-11
3:2-3: The Judaizers were teaching that Christians needed to submit themselves to the Law of Moses, especially emphasizing the rite of CIRCUMCISION- (v. 3): Paul boldly tags them with the name they gave to the Gentiles- DOGS- (v. 2)- and compare their circumcision to the self-inflicted MUTILATION- (v. 3) of some pagan cults: True Israel, the Church, does not rely on outward observance of the law: She is the mystical body of CHRIST JESUS, composed of those WHO WORSHIP GOD IN SPIRIT- (v. 3):
3:4-6: Though Paul could boast concerning his ancestry, his circumcision, his keeping THE LAW- (v. 5)- he is a more zealous Jew than they are- he knows this is not true righteousness:
3:7-9: True righteousness is THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST JESUS- (v. 8): He is the "pearl of great price" and eternal life- (John 17:3): A faith that obeys Christ is the very content and meaning of life, and it is for this that we suffer THE LOSS OF ALL THINGS- (v. 8) and deny ourselves: everything about us must be subordinated to Christ and His Kingdom- (see also- Matthew 6:19-34; and Matthew 24:36-25:46):
3:9-11: Faith is the name of the relationship that gives us full participation in the life of Christ and in HIS RESURRECTION- (v. 10): Faith includes our assent to articles of belief, but it is also our openness to God's action in our lives: The meaning of our suffering comes in sharing in Christ's sufferings and death, becoming more like Him- (deification): Why??? So that we may be with Him in glory forever unto the ages of ages Amen!!!
PRESS TOWARD TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS
PHILIPPIANS 3:12-21
3:12-16: What is the goal- (v. 14) of the maturing of Christians??? For Paul he says that we are to be engaged in the struggle of faith, confident that Christ has made us His Own, but knowing we are not yet PERFECTED: We are to be zealous to PRESS ON- (v. 12) toward the completion of our salvation, THE PRIZE OF THE UPWARD CALL OF GOD- (v. 14)- the resurrection to eternal life:
3:17: St. Paul and other saints set an EXAMPLE for us, A PATTERN for us to follow, we do follow in their steps- (more in tradition now it seems) and honor them in the process- (veneration):
3:18-21: THE ENEMIES OF THE CROSS- (v. 18) is a reference to those made captive to dietary laws, circumcision, and discipline: Christian spirituality, by contrast, is based in the age to come, knowing we have no glory in this age: This passage from humiliation to exaltation that Christ experienced- (Philippians 2:5-11) is promised to those Christians who follow Him in perseverance: TRANSFORM OUR LOWLY BOBY- (v. 21) implies a change not in substance but to HIS GLORIOUS BODY, a change from corruption to incorruption:
PHILIPPIANS 4 STUDY & BREAKDOWN
EXHORTATION FOR DAILY LIVING
PHILIPPIANS 4:1-9
4:2: Euodia and Syntyche are two women who assisted Paul in his ministry in Philippi:
4:3: It is most likely this CLEMENT, a disciple of Paul, who later became bishop of Rome: A long letter. still in existence, to the Corinthian church is attributed to him:
4:4-6: Paul often uses the word ALWAYS in relation to prayer: Rejoicing always is a fruit of perseverance in daily prayers- (see- 1 Thessalonians 5:16):
4:5-9: How do we handle the daily pressures of life??? By (1): faith that THE LORD IS AT HAND, present with us -(v. 5); (2): refusing to worry, being ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING- (v. 6); (3): PRAYER- (v. 6); (4): THANKSGIVING...TO GOD- (v. 6); (5): meditation on that which is virtuous- (v. 8); and (6): imitating the godly- (v. 9):
GRATITUDE FOR ASSISTANCE- GREETINGS AND BENEDICTION
PHILIPPIANS 4:10-23
4:11-13: Here is the secret of contentment: Without Christ things are impossible but with Christ all things are possible and gives us a life of peace, humility, mercy, and the greatest is love!!!
PSALM 40 (41) STUDY & BREAKDOWN
PSALM 40 (41): Is a prophecy of Christ- (THE END) and of Hos death and Resurrection, which brings healing to the Church- (FROM SICKNESS TO WHOLENESS, v. 4, and HEAL MY SOUL, v. 5): When the Lord Jesus says, FOR I HAVE SINNED AGAINST YOU- (v. 5), He is taking part, although He Himself is sinless- (INNOCENCE, v. 13; see also Hebrews 7:25-26):
Verse 10 of the betrayal by Judas- (see also John 13:18)- vv. 6, 9 of Christ's sufferings and death; and vv. 2, 3, 11-14 of His Resurrection:
Philippians 4:11-13
Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to [a]be abased, and I know how to [b]abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through [c]Christ who strengthens me.
Be content in the Lord, be content in your faith, be content knowing we must endure all things even in trials and tribulations...Remember the path of Christ isn't an easy one, but in the end is the most rewarding because not only we receive eternal life, we receive our new glorified bodies, most importantly we get to spend eternity with our Lord, Christ our God-King of the Universe...In the meantime continue to good and shun evil- love the Lord with all of your hearts, and love everyone including our enemies!!!
END WITH THE LORD'S PRAYER
WE DEAPRT IN PEACE IN THE NAME OF THE LORD
JPCE SPIRITUAL TALK
NEVERHOLD BACK
MAY THE LORD FORGIVE THOSE WHO HATE US AND THOSE WHO LOVE US
PEACE BE WITH YOU ALL!!!