Philippians

Reader 8: Cred

Reading: Philippians 3:1-11, 2 Corinthians 11:16-30; Romans 6 

In Philippians 3, Paul reminds the church he planted to watch out for those who would claim that in order to be a Christ follower you must follow the Law of Moses. He calls these Judaizers "dogs" and points out that their only interest is the external, legalistic requirements of the Law and their confidence is in "the flesh." Paul then establishes himself as an authority on the subject, reciting his human credentials as a descendant of Abraham, Pharisee, and former persecutor of the Church of Jesus.

But compared to knowing Jesus, Paul says, all of these credentials are worthless. Rubbish. In one translation "dung." He reminds the Philippians that the true sons and daughters of God put no confidence in the outward signs of human righteousness, but have faith in Jesus. This truth has become the core of his existence, his singular pursuit, and his supreme credential: "I want to know Christ."

Philippians

Reader 6: Grasping, Giving and Last Words

Reading: Philippians 2:5-11, Isaiah 45:23

In Paul’s day the most powerful leaders and heroes were often believed to be gods.  In Rome where Caesar used every bit of his authority, might, military force and wealth to spread his empire, it became clear that only a god could exercise and maintain such force.  Therefore, Caesar is Lord.  By grasping, stealing, exploiting…anything to get ahead of everyone else he and other leaders before and after took for themselves the title of god. 
When we read Philippians we see that Paul is suffering in a jail far, far away because he believes in an entirely different way.  He claims that the resurrected Jesus is the true messiah and HE is the true Lord.  Paul is risking everything for the sake of this radical Gospel message that says God sent his son as a gift for sins and his son showed us that the true reality isn’t about grasping, exploiting, and trying to get ahead of others…but rather it’s a reality centered in serving, giving, forgiveness and compassion.  You can see why Paul was in a world of trouble!

Philippians Weekly Reader 5: Like-Minded
Reading: Philippians 2:1-4; John 17:1-26; Ephesians 4:1-14

In American culture, one of our highest values is individuality. We prize our uniqueness. Many in the Christian church subculture, however, have preached a doctrine of sameness – we must look the same, act the same, make the same entertainment choices, and have the same political beliefs.

Paul (in Philippians and throughout his other letters) emphasized the importance that the church be “like-minded” – one in spirit and purpose. Jesus prayed that we would all be “one” so the world would believe in Him. So what does “like-mindedness” and being “one” look like on a practical level?

Philippians

Weekly Reader 4: Devoted to the Proper Gains
 

Reading: Philippians 1:20-27, Galatians 2:20, 1 Timothy 1:12-16

I was recently asked by a friend who doesn’t believe in the possibility of a loving, good and all-knowing God, where I believe people go when they die.  The quick and simple answer is Heaven or Hell, but I knew that wouldn’t help him in anyway come closer to believing in Jesus.  So I said, “I believe we’ll all either be with Jesus or we won’t”.  You see, the hope we have because of Christ’s resurrection shouldn’t be centered in believing we go to Heaven,  but that we’ll live eternally with our father and savior.  One is simply about a place while the other is about a deep and eternal connection to the God who created us for the sole purpose of living in relationship with him.  True, the joys of Heaven will be something we cannot comprehend until we’re there…but Heaven wasn’t the point of the cross.  In fact, Heaven isn’t even mentioned in the New Testament (Jesus refers to paradise once in Luke 23:43).