by
CrossWayShare this post on:
ListenSubscribe in iTunes
Why are we obsessed with a passion for Christ’s glory? Why do we make much of him? Because it really is all about him. Life. Marriage. Work. Education. Everything is from him, through, for him and to him.
To “gain” him (v 8.) To “be found” in him (v. 9.) To “know” him (v. 10.) This is the key to unshakable joy and unstoppable courage. Not white-knuckle religion, but intimacy with Christ, fellowship in his sufferings and sharing in his resurrection… this is where we find the universe’s greatest pleasure.
Philippians 3:7-11 NIV
7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 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 and is by faith. 10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
by
CrossWayShare this post on: ListenSubscribe in iTunes
Religion vs. the Gospel. The Bible paints a vivid and devastating picture of our good deeds and our attempts to be moral enough to climb the stairway to heaven. As Paul and Isaiah show us, our self righteousness is like sewage and soiled undergarments. If that describes the best of us, then what hope do we have? Enter the glory of the Gospel and the breath-taking, soul-cleansing, all-sufficient splendor of grace.
Those who add to Christ’s finished work are called dogs. Those who abandon their religion and trust wholly on him are called his.
Philippians 3:1-9 NIV
1 Finally, my brothers, 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. 2 Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. 3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh– 4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 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; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. 7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 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 and is by faith.
by
CrossWayShare this post on: Listen
Burnout and frustration can cause agitation and self-pity. The tempation is to become toxic. Paul shows us a better way by calling us to service and self-sacrifice and introduces two real-life examples: Timothy, whose service was unlike anyone else Paul had and Epaphroditus, whose sacrifice almost cost him his own life. These men were models of what it meant to live fearlessly and fully.
Philippians 2:14-29 NIV
14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16 as you hold out the word of life–in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. 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.18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 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. 23 I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me.24 And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon. 25 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26 For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27 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. 28Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. 29 Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him,30 because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.
by
CrossWayShare this post on: Download
The descent into greatness: God’s people are to act like family, be united over what matters and considerate of others as they live their live on mission together.
Philippians 2:12-13 NIV
12 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, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
by
CrossWayShare this post on: Download
Is Jesus God? Does he share attributes and equality with the Father, or is he a created being who became divine? What does the Scripture say and why does it matter?
Philippians 2:1-7 NIV
1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
Follow us on Twitter
Join us on Facebook
