From Gary.... "supercomplication"

Link: Most Expensive Auction Watches

(http://www.businessinsider.com/most-expensive-watches-sold-at-auction-2013-5?op=1)

Today, as a looked at facebook, I saw a list of the twenty four most expensive watches ever sold at auction.  This list was mind-blowing!!!  Who has millions to spend on watches, anyway???  The above picture is the most expensive, complicated watch ever sold at auction; but what do you do with it and what real utilitarianism does it have???  Really- you can't carry this around with you; it would be like hanging a bulls-eye around your neck and your life would be worth nothing.  If humans will kill one another for a mere pittance, then what would someone do for something worth $11 million dollars??  This is just a possession that carries with it more baggage, responsibility and danger.  But, what if you could add something to your life that improved it, but DID NOT have any "baggage"???  Consider, for a moment the following passage from the book of 2nd Peter...

2nd Peter, Chapter 1

 1 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained a like precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:  2 Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,  3 seeing that his divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and virtue;  4 by which he has granted to us his precious and exceedingly great promises; that through these you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust.  5 Yes, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence; and in moral excellence, knowledge;  6 and in knowledge, self-control; and in self-control patience; and in patience godliness;  7 and in godliness brotherly affection; and in brotherly affection, love.  8 For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to be not idle nor unfruitful to the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  9 For he who lacks these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins.  10 Therefore, brothers, be more diligent to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.  11 For thus you will be richly supplied with the entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

When you add more functions to a watch (called complications in horology [watch-making and the study of time] parlance) it is worth more.  But these complications create human complications in that the watch becomes so involved that it is no longer fun to use. Spirituality, on the other hand becomes more valuable AND MORE ENJOYABLE as you develop!!!  Adding diligence, faith, moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, patience, godliness, brotherly affection and love perfect you and are elements of your character which make you a better person.  How much is that worth?  In terms of money- nothing!!! But, as far as getting to heaven- well, everything!!!  God has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness- so work with that!!!  Faithful committed Christian?  Great!!!  Add more of the things mentioned in the highlighted verses and verse ten will apply to you.  Oh, yes- and you will never be put on the auction block either- Jesus has already paid the price for your soul!!!

From Jim McGuiggan... Of Gods & Lords

Of Gods & Lords

It's all about "power" isn't it? If you're a "god" it's about how much power you have and if you're a king it's about how many people you have under you. As unsettling as that can be and as little as we may like the notion, I suppose there has to be that element in godship and lordship. The "power" thing I mean.

What kind of a god is God? Well he has more "power" than we do because he can will and speak universes into existence. The last time I looked not even my Ethel could do that. But maybe it's not the existence of power that's the real question. Maybe it's the way we think power should be exercised.

Paul says (2:3), "Do nothing out of selfish ambition." Which assumes they had some "power" with which to do some things. He goes on to say that if they have entered into what it means to be in Christ certain things should follow, will follow. There'd be self-giving, humility, the bridling of ambition and the like. The test of Christ-likeness is having his attitude, his way of seeing things. And what way was that?

He thought Godhood should result in self-giving. The attitude and actions ascribed to Christ in 2:5-8 were not what he felt and did after the incarnation they are what led to the incarnation. The incarnation was the result of what he thought and felt before he became incarnate. He who was God thought about Godhood in such a way that he became a servant and gave himself for creation. That entire movement, from pre-incarnation to incarnation is what Paul means by "he emptied himself". He doesn't mean that God emptied himself of something that was part of God's nature (say, omnipotence or omniscience); Jesus wasn't God "minus something" being a man; he was fully God being a man. No, that move, from pre-incarnate God to incarnate God as a servant, is what the phrase "he emptied himself" means.

And the Father saw that and agreed that this was the truth of his own heart. In raising Jesus from the dead and making him Lord of all God was stamping this way of seeing things with his own approval. God exalts that kind of Jesus? Astonishing thought, but it's a God who is like Jesus Christ.

But is such an attitude the attitude a God should take? It's the one that the only true God takes. But does this not cheapen God? The one true God didn't think so. But does this not lessen his power; does it not somehow weaken him? No, it doesn't! But it lets us know what true Godhood is and it teaches us that in a world in need of rescue, power should be exercised from a position of weakness.

If we're impressed at all by what we have found in Jesus Christ, Paul says (2:1-4), then we are to think and feel the way he did. And God will see and stamp our lives with his own stamp of approval. He will say, "There's a heart like my own heart."

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Ben Fronczek... Take Courage!

Take Courage!

The Lord Said, “Take Courage”

In Acts chapter 22, after being arrested in the Temple area on false charges, the Apostle Paul is given an opportunity to talk about how at one time he was just as zealous as these Jews were but how things changes when he met the Lord on the road to Damascus. He told how he was blinded by the light, how the Lord spoke to him and how he was directed to go into Damascus to wait for instructions. He told them how Ananias came to him, restored his sight and then told him that God had chosen him to see the Righteous One (the Messiah) and hear words from His mouth. Ananias told him that he was now to be a witness (or the Lord’s spokesman), and then instructed him to get up and be baptized to wash his sins away calling on His name. He proceeded to tell the Jews that after he returned to Jerusalem he was rejected because of his message and so the Lord instructed him to leave Jerusalem and to go off and preach to the Gentiles. (Read Acts 22) After Paul had told them this, the Jews in the Temple again went crazy shouting and screaming to get rid of him. The Romans proceeded to haul him off into the barracks. The next day we have an interesting story in ch. 23 when is brought out before the Jewish Sanhedrin and they begin to interrogate him. In all honesty Paul knew he couldn’t reason with these men and so after noticing that some of them were Sadducees and some were Pharisees Paul says something that would take their attention off him. 

Read Acts 23:6-10

“6 Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, descended from Pharisees. I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead.” 7 When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 (The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees believe all these things.)

9 There was a great uproar, and some of the teachers of the law who were Pharisees stood up and argued vigorously. “We find nothing wrong with this man,” they said. “What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” 10 The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks.”

Can you imagine being in Paul’s shoes? Here he is in jailed, and it seem like the whole city hated him. And why? For doing what the Lord told Him to do. What would you be thinking if it was you sitting there in jail? What would be your attitude? Confused, hurt, disappointed, abandoned, depressed? From here on out Paul was a prisoner. During this time he wrote several books of the Bible by inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God. We call them the ‘prison epistles’ because of this. We can get an idea of what was going through his mind by what he wrote in these letters while in prison. Now in this lesson we don’t have enough time to look at all the positive encouraging things Paul wrote in these letters. The letters were not only filled with awesome instruction, they were also filled encouragement. Just by reading them it doesn’t take long to realize that Paul was not a broken man. Rather, he himself learned the secret of how to be joy-filled even during the most difficult times.

It was in one of these letters from prison he wrote, 

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”   He wrote this to those in Philippi in chapter 4:4-7

As we read in our text this morning, he is in jail…Now this is before he wrote all those other encouraging. I wonder what was he thinking that night? Paul was a great man, but he was still just a man. He had real feelings and got discouraged like the rest of us. I believe he needed to feel God’s presence. He needed to know he wasn’t all alone. Did you ever feel like that? And so God shows up in his cell…just when he needed Him the most. 

Read Acts 23:11 

“The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

We see 2 things that happened in the jail cell that night and then something else the following day.

#1 The Lord stood by Paul 

#2. The Lord spoke to Paul #3. & Then the Lord protects Paul

Let’s look at these a little closer.

#1. The Lord stood by Paul

What a beautiful phrase! In the church, we like to talk about the importance of making a commitment to Jesus and then keeping it…but let’s not forget that when we make a commitment to Jesus, He makes a commitment to us!

In Hebrews 13:5b-6 the author writes 

“God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” 6 So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

We need to understand that Jesus knows what we go through..

Just a few years earlier Jesus was in the same city as Paul, before the same council as Paul was in this text. He was also being tried for things which were not a crime, but rather for doing God’s will besides other good things. He may have been in the same jail. Both were called a blasphemer, heretic, and troublemaker. Both were physically abuse.
Jesus knew what Paul was going through. He’d been there!

We have a Savior who knows and understands what we are going thru, because He has been there, and He’s here with us today knowing what it feels like to be lonely, and rejected He knows what it feels like to grieve, even disappointed and discouraged & abused. He knows what it feels like to go hungry and to want. He’s been there! Here we read that the Lord stood by Paul as the sympathizing Christ…

 In:  Philip. 4, Paul wrote...

“The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” 

Do you believe this? I hope that you do because it will make the difference when it comes to how well you handle difficult situations in your life. You can find peace or just get angry!

#2. Then the Lord spoke to Paul
What a blessing to have a God who speaks to us. Throughout history the Lord has spoken to His people. Whether audibly thru a bush, or on a wall, thru a prophet, or by means of ink on paper or by the Holy Spirit in one’s heart…He speaks, and often!

Hebrews 1:1-3 says  “1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”
a. And what does the Lord say to Paul? “Take courage”. The Greek word used here can also be translated ‘be of good cheer, or cheer up), or take comfort or take heart’. 

Jesus said same thing many times during his earthly ministry:
 

- He said it to the man who was a paralytic before He healed Him in Mt 9:2,
 

- And to the woman subject to on-going bleeding in Mt 9:22
 

- He said it when the disciples were frightened when they saw him walking on the water and thought He was some kind of ghost in Mt. 14:27
 

- And He told his disciples the same thing when He told them that He about to leave them but would not leave them alone. John 16:33

And He does the same for us; in our hearts, or thru a sermon, or thru an encouraging brother or sister in church, or sometimes in our own private times of devotion. Maybe even as we read scripture or a good spiritual book just the right message leaps off the page and speaks to us from God. How many of you know of someone right now that could use some encouragement? People love encouraging, uplifting, positive people. In my opinion, when you set out to encourage someone, you are allowing God to use you to do His bidding.

The Lord also told Paul to cheer up and take courage because his next stop was Rome. Paul probably thought, “Wow Rome!” That’s what he wanted all along and was starting to wonder if he’d ever get a chance. But now all doubts are erased because God has said it. Just when he needed it the most, the Lord stood by Paul, and spoke him.

3. The next thing we see is how the Lord protects Paul Read 23:12-24 The next day these 40 men enter into a death pact together against Paul. The Lord had said “you’re going to Rome”, but these 40 say, “nah, you’re not going anywhere”. I wonder how long their oath not to eat or drink lasted? 

It’s amazing how God works. You know, God isn’t mentioned any more in this story. And yet you can see His hand at work throughout the rest of this chapter. And probably God worked in a way that Paul never imagined.

God didn’t smite the 40 with leprosy or blindness, or swallow them up in a fiery hole in the earth? No, He didn’t do anything that dramatic…instead, God used a little boy to foil their plans…

We read in v. 23-24 a small army of 470 trained soldiers were put to together to escort Paul away from these 40 lunatics. And it was all because one little boy eavesdropped and then had courage to go to the commander.

You may be going thru circumstances where you don’t see or feel like God is anywhere around…but don’t think for one second that He’s isn’t here… watching. 

In Matthew 10 Jesus told His disciples

“29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

You need to remember that He loves you. He wants to encourage you not to give up, to be of good cheer, to take courage, because He personally knows how hard this live can be. Maybe He’s using me this day to let you know that. Listen and look for His encouragement. Even better yet, be the source of his encouragement to others. He loves you, and He will protect you. 

(Closing Story) 

Just after WWII, American soldiers found a little cellar where Jews had hid out. Written on the wall one had written, “I believe in the sun, even when it does not shine. I believe in love, even when it is not shown. And I believe in God even when I cannot see Him work.”

May we be as faithful!

From Mark Copeland... Conduct Worthy Of The Gospel (Philippians 1:27-30)

                    "THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS"

                 Conduct Worthy Of The Gospel (1:27-30)

INTRODUCTION

1. Up to this point in his epistle, Paul has been informing the church at
   Philippi concerning his situation

2. We have seen that his attitude was one of joy and confidence

3. With verse 27, Paul begins a series of practical exhortations
   concerning the Christian life

4. The first exhortation is found in verses 27-30, and it pertains to
   "Conduct Worthy Of The Gospel" (please read)

[As we examine these verses, let's first notice some...]

I. GENERAL OBSERVATIONS CONCERNING OUR "CONDUCT"

   A. LOOKING AT THE WORD "CONDUCT" ITSELF...
      1. The KJV translates this word as "conversation"
      2. In the Greek, it literally means "behave as citizens"
      3. To those at Philippi, this word would likely have special
         meaning...
         a. For the city at Philippi was a Roman colony
         b. Most of its citizens were actually transplanted citizens of
            Rome, retired soldiers who had been encouraged to settle
            there
         c. So though they were living in Philippi, they were expected to
            "behave as citizens" of Rome
      4. Paul applies this term to the life of a Christian...
         a. Whose "citizenship" is actually in heaven - cf. Php 3:20
         b. So though we may live on earth, we are to "behave as
            citizens" of heaven!
      5. This leads us to our next observation...

   B. OUR "BEHAVIOR AS CITIZENS" IS TO BE "WORTHY" OF THE GOSPEL...
      1. This implies that there is behavior that is NOT worthy of the
         gospel!
      2. And to act unworthy of the gospel would bring shame upon the
         gospel!
         a. Just as an American citizen who misbehaves in a foreign
            country sheds a bad reflection on his home country
         b. The apostle Peter would have us remember the importance of
            proper conduct as we "sojourn" here in a country not our own
            - 1Pe 2:11-12
      3. If we are NOT "behaving as citizens" in a manner "worthy" of the
         gospel, then the only alternative is behaving in an "UNworthy"
         manner!

   C. OUR "BEHAVIOR AS CITIZENS" IS TO BE WORTHY "WITH OR WITHOUT" THE
      PRESENCE OF OTHER CHRISTIANS...
      1. Note that Paul said "whether I come and see you or am absent"
      2. Paul evidently did not want their faith to be simply an
         "environmental faith"
      3. What is an "environmental faith?"
         a. A faith totally dependent upon the environment
            1) E.g., remaining faithful while under the positive
               influences of one's home, church, or "Christian" college
            2) But take that person out of such an environment, and his
               or her faith is lost!
         b. Some signs of an "environmental" faith
            1) Praying in public, but not in private
            2) Studying the Bible when at church, but not in private
            3) A lack of personal closeness and dependence upon God and
               Jesus Christ
      4. Paul's hope was that the Philippians' "behavior as citizens" was
         not dependent upon his presence
      5. Likewise, our behavior should not be dependent upon the presence
         of other Christians, but upon the presence of Christ alone!

[Having considered these "general" observations about "Conduct Worthy Of
The Gospel", let's now look at...]

II. SPECIFIC OBSERVATIONS CONCERNING OUR "CONDUCT"

   A. IT INVOLVES "STANDING FAST IN ONE SPIRIT" (27)
      1. "Behaving as citizens" involves "standing fast" against those
         things which would beset us:
         a. The lure of the world in which we live, with its immorality
            and materialism
         b. The sin of unbelief, which can strike at even the most mature
            Christians, during crises of doubt
         c. The deceitfulness of false doctrines, showing great promise
            but leading us away from Christ
         -- All such things we must "stand fast" against!
      2. Note also that we must stand fast "in one spirit"
         a. We are not to stand strong by ourselves, in isolation from
            one another, but in UNITY!
         b. Unworthy conduct usually begins when we neglect the blessings
            of fellowship and togetherness
         c. The importance of UNITY in our conduct will be developed
            further in this epistle

   B. IT INVOLVES "WITH ONE MIND STRIVING TOGETHER FOR THE FAITH OF THE
      GOSPEL" (27)
      1. "Behaving as citizens" includes:
         a. Aggressively promoting the gospel of Jesus Christ ("striving")
         b. Doing this in unity with other Christians ("together with one
            mind")
      2. Our conduct is unbecoming the gospel if we are:
         a. NOT striving for the faith of the gospel
         b. NOT doing it in unity with other brethren
      3. Do we not see here the need for "identifying with a
         congregation" and closely working together with them?
      4. Are those who drift around from church to church, never "placing
         membership", truly behaving in a conduct worthy of the gospel?

   C. IT INVOLVES "NOT IN ANY WAY TERRIFIED BY YOUR ADVERSARIES" (28-30)
      1. Christians walking in a manner worthy of the gospel will not be
         troubled by those who may ridicule or even persecute them!
         a. For even though the world may consider such "fearlessness" as
            evidence that we are crazy...
         b. Such courage is actually evidence of our salvation! - cf. Mt 5:10-12
      2. There may come times when we who have been "granted to believe
         in Jesus" are also "privileged to suffer for His sake"
         a. Such was the case with Paul, and evidently the Philippians as
            well
         b. Should it ever be our "lot" to suffer for Christ, remember
            that it will be a "privilege"
         c. Therefore our attitude should be like that of the apostles in
            Ac 5:41-42

CONCLUSION

1. So here are some of the things involved as "behaving as citizens"
   of the kingdom of heaven, and having a "conduct worthy of the gospel
   of Christ":
   a. Standing fast in one spirit
   b. With one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel
   c. Not in any way terrified by our adversaries
   -- And this being the case, no matter what the "environment" (moral
      climate) might be!

2. This is certainly not all that is involved, for in chapter two we will
   learn more of what is expected of Christians

3. But in view of these things...
   a. Is our conduct worthy of the gospel of Christ?
   b. Are we behaving as citizens of heaven while sojourning on this
      earth?

If not...could it be that we have forgotten the privileges we enjoy by
"believing in Jesus" and even "suffering for Jesus"?

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

From Gary... Hymns, humor and inspirational singing

This past Lord's day I actually led singing, and much to my surprise, it wasn't too bad.  However, I have no illusions, I only "read" music a very little and sometimes my voice gives out (too many thyroid operations) and at other times I just don't hit the right key. But, on a positive note, sometimes things work out- and Sunday; it did.  The picture is somewhat humorous and made me think of all the times songleaders mess up; in all the various ways that can happen.  Sunday evening our Preacher-in-training (who just happens to have a degree in music and is our main song-leader) and I had a small discussion about our favorite hymns (which is all I am capable of leading) and I asked him if the congregation could try "The New Song", which is very difficult indeed.  I can't wait to see if he will try, as it is very beautiful due to its intertwining harmonies. This song is inspired by many Scriptures, here are but a few of them...

Isaiah, Chapter 42

10 Sing to Yahweh a new song,
and his praise from the end of the earth,
you who go down to the sea,
and all that is therein,
the islands and their inhabitants.

Revelation, Chapter 5

9 They sang a new song, saying, 
“You are worthy to take the book,
and to open its seals:
for you were killed,
and bought us for God with your blood,
out of every tribe, language, people, and nation,  10 and made us kings and priests to our God,
and we will reign on earth.”
 

Revelation, Chapter 15

3 They sang the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, 
“Great and marvelous are your works, Lord God, the Almighty!
Righteous and true are your ways, you King of the nations.  4 Who wouldn’t fear you, Lord,
and glorify your name?
For you only are holy.
For all the nations will come and worship before you.
For your righteous acts have been revealed.”

I have no idea what your favorite hymn might be; mine is Ivory Palaces by Henry Barraclough (page 356 in the hymnal "songs of the church" Howard Publishing Company).

Here are the Lyrics:

1. My Lord has garments so wondrous fine,
   And myrrh their texture fills;
   Its fragrance reached to this heart of mine
   With joy my being thrills.
   • Refrain:
     Out of the ivory palaces,
     Into a world of woe,
     Only His great eternal love
     Made my Savior go.
2. His life had also its sorrows sore,
   For aloes had a part;
   And when I think of the cross He bore,
   My eyes with teardrops start.
3. His garments, too, were in cassia dipped,
   With healing in a touch;
   In paths of sin had my feet e’er slipped—
   He’s saved me from its clutch.
4. In garments glorious He will come,
   To open wide the door;
   And I shall enter my heav’nly home,
   To dwell forevermore.

For those of you who might like to hear it sung by a congregation....

Ivory Palaces

Since all our tastes differ, send me your favorite hymn title-- I would love to hear from you!!!!

From Jim McGuiggan... Now you see it, now you don't—Phil 4.13

Now you see it, now you don't—Phil 4.13

Frustration and all that goes with it and can grow out of it (including depression and resentment) comes when our eager expectations are consistently not met. You see this in Christians a lot when you would think that they’d be the happiest people in the world. Well...that’s saying too much—is it not?

But look at this. In Philippians 4:13 Paul says, "I can do all things in him who strengthens me." And then in 4:19 he says, "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."

What are we to think of such claims? I know what we’ve done with them for ages. Let’s see, we make "all things" all things (why wouldn’t we?) and we make "can do" of immediate effect (why wouldn’t we?) so that there’s nothing the believer can’t do. Sensibly we don’t apply "all things" to matters outside of living for God and furthering his purpose. I can’t turn scrap iron into gold, for example, or sprout wings and fly. We rightly sniff at such nonsense and feel sure that Paul’s experience, while it’s unlimited in its area, should be restricted to life before God. That makes sense. But in what way does it make sense? God would rather that I did not sin and since he is in me to enable me to do "all things" then it should follow that I can be sinless. No? Why not?

Now imagine some poor soul that’s plagued by a particular sin. Let’s make it one of the ones we usually zero in on. He repeatedly falls to sexual temptation or maybe he can’t keep his gossiping mouth shut. He reads Philippians 4:13, or more probably, he hears the preacher going on about it, and he thinks, "there’s nothing I cannot do because God strengthens me so I ought to be able to control my mouth or my desires." But he continues to fail when he tries to get control of his blabbering mouth or keep his hands to himself. How does he explain that? How does the preacher or teacher explain it?

Well certainly God offers the strength to overcome the sin but we must want it. [Hmmm. That sounds like a bit of fine print that you have to use a magnifying glass to see in Philippians 4.] What is our failing sinner to think? If he wants the strength to overcome the sin, then he gets it. But the fact is that he’s been wanting this overcoming strength for years so why doesn’t he have it? The answer’s obvious, isn’t it? He mustn’t really want it. [Ah, I see. The fine print has fine print.] Yes, but our struggler has always thought he really wanted it; he’s wept sore over it and prayed fervently against the sin, as he pursued purity or mouth-control. Perhaps, but it takes more than prayer to access the overcoming power of God. You must purpose and act on preventing the reoccurrence, maybe even set up a protective network of friends. [So, the text isn’t nearly as simple as it looks. In fact, it’s a bit of a scam to quote it as if it were that simple—"It’s simply a matter of trusting that it’s true."] Well naturally it’s not that simple. But our struggler didn’t just trust and pray, he purposed and set up hurdles against the usurper, even went for counselling and such like—all to no avail. What now? More fine print?

Well, God doesn’t always answer prayers in an instant. How about within a week or a month or a decade, or what about half a life time? And so we add caveats to qualifiers and "buts" to plain affirmations. Before we know it Philippians 4:13 is hardly recognisable as the passage we smilingly (and glibly?) quote; the passage we quote with something of an implied demand in it (since Philippians 4:13’s true, you need to behave and make no excuses!).

Sometimes we think that biblical texts are spoken/written in a vacuum. But this simply isn’t true. Existential realities are assumed as Paul and people like him speak or write. They know very well that there’s no such thing as moral "magic" and they know very well that acts of sin are all tangled up in the vast network of a human’s experiences, fears, shaping, emotional pre-dispositions, habits and felt needs. They know very well that a recurring sin isn’t cured without a change in the struggler’s inner structure. The act may be effectively blocked by numerous hurdles built against it (a good thing too) but it’s hardly a cure. Since they know all these things and assume them all as true even while they write, we mustn’t quote them as if they were stupid or sheerly simplistic. We need to stop promising instant transformation. Instant coffee, instant oats, tanning creams, maybe—but not instant transformation.

So does Philippians 4:13,19 mean nothing? No, that can never be true, but it’s time we stopped dabbling with texts; it’s time we stopped quoted verses that are rooted in other rich complex truths as if the verses stood alone. Stop promising things God didn’t promise! We lead masses to think that God has promised this or that and when he doesn’t come up with it serious self-doubt is generated in the believer who begins to think he doesn’t truly want God’s will. Or resentment is provoked against God who, it appears, won’t keep his word.

So does Philippians 4:13,19 mean nothing? Certainly not! What does it mean then? Work with it!

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Mark Copeland... Magnifying Christ In Life And Death (Philippians 1:19-26)

                    "THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS"

              Magnifying Christ In Life And Death (1:19-26)

INTRODUCTION

1. As we continue to look into the heart of the apostle Paul, we find a
   man who despite difficult circumstances still maintained a strong
   expectation, hope, and confidence concerning the future.

2. In our text for this study, we find Paul expressing that strong hope
   and confidence (read Php 1:19-26)

3. Many lessons can be gleaned from this passage, but we will "zero in"
   on Paul's expectation and hope that "Christ will be magnified in my
   body, whether by life or by death." (1:20)
   a. Why would Paul desire to "magnify Christ" with his life?
   b. Why would he want to "magnify Christ" by his death?
   c. How would he do it?

[These are some of the questions we'll look at in this lesson.  To begin,
let's consider the idea of Paul...]

I. MAGNIFYING CHRIST BY HIS LIFE

   A. WHY WOULD PAUL WANT TO MAGNIFY CHRIST BY HIS LIFE?
      1. Because of Christ's love for him - 2Co 5:14-15
      2. Because of the strength Christ gave him for daily living - Ph
         4:13
      3. Because of what Christ would one day do for him - Php 3:20-21

   B. HOW DID PAUL MAGNIFY CHRIST BY HIS LIFE?
      1. By his attitude toward Christ
         a. Which was "to live is Christ" (21)
         b. He made Jesus the preeminent focus of his life - Php 3:7-8
      2. By devoting his life to serving Christ - cf. Ga 2:20
         a. As long as he lived, he would offer fruitful service to Jesus
            Christ - Php 1:22
         b. As long as he lived, he would so live as to promote the
            progress of his brethren in Christ - Php 1:25-26
            1) For he knew that what one did for his brethren, he did for
               Christ!
            2) Cf. Ac 9:4-5; 1Co 8:12; Mt 25:40,45

   C. WHAT OF OURSELVES?
      1. Do we desire to magnify Christ with our lives?
      2. Are we living in a manner that magnifies Christ?
         a. I.e., letting Christ live in us, and we living for Him
         b. I.e., so living as to promote progress and joy in the cause
            of Christ among His brethren who are also our own
            1) Do we encourage or discourage the brethren?
            2) E.g., do we discourage the brethren by our apathy, our
               negligence of the assemblies? - cf. Pr 18:9
      3. Does not Christ provide sufficient motive to do so?
         a. He loved us, and gave HIS life for us!
         b. He promises to help us!
         c. He will greatly bless us if we do!

[Every Christian has reason to magnify Christ in his or her life!  May we
all seek to make better use of our lives in this area.

But remember that Paul was also concerned about...]

II. MAGNIFYING CHRIST BY HIS DEATH

   A. WHY WOULD PAUL WANT TO MAGNIFY CHRIST IN HIS DEATH?
      1. Certainly for some of the reasons already noted
      2. But also because of what death would mean to Paul because of
         Christ!
         a. Because of Christ, "to die is gain" (21)
         b. To die means to "be with Christ, which is far better" (23)
            1) Paul understood that when a Christian dies, they go to be
               with the Lord! - cf. 2Co 5:6-8; 1Th 5:9-10
            2) So Jesus Himself promised to the churches of Asia - cf.
               Re 2:10,26-27; 3:21
            3) This appears to the point of the vision seen by John and
               recorded in Re 7:9-17
      3. In view of this wonderful hope, Paul would gladly magnify
         Christ, even by his death!

   B. HOW WAS PAUL WILLING TO MAGNIFY CHRIST BY HIS DEATH?
      1. By his willingness to die in service to Christ and his brethren
         - Php 2:17-18
         a. He was determined to serve them, even if it killed him!
         b. But then, what better way to die, in the service of the Lord?
      2. Of course, this is how Paul eventually did magnify Christ by
         his death - cf. 2Ti 4:6-8
         a. He faithfully served His Lord and his brethren
         b. And he died because of his service to them (tradition says
            that he was beheaded by Nero)

   C. WHAT ABOUT US?
      1. We have the same motives to magnify Christ by our deaths
         a. The assurance of eternal life
         b. The assurance of being with our Lord
      2. Will we magnify Christ by our deaths?
         a. Unless the Lord returns first, we will all die anyway
         b. What better way to die, in a manner which magnifies the One
            who makes even death a blessing!
      3. How can we magnify Christ today by our deaths?
         a. It is unlikely we will suffer "martyrdom" for our faith
         b. But we can still determine to "wear out" in our service
            to the Lord, rather than "rust out"!
            1) Too many Christians "retire" in their service to God when
               they retire from their secular jobs
            2) They allow the infirmities of age or sickness to render
               them virtually fruitless
            3) Or they allow the fear of death to be overly cautious
               about what they do
               a) E.g., fear of an accident keeps many aged Christians
                  from coming to services
               b) But wouldn't be better to die in service to the Lord,
                  than to just "rust" away, sitting at home?
         c. More Christians need to have the attitude of Paul and other
            Christians I have known - cf. Ac 20:22-24; 21:13
            1) Who would rather be "poured out" in their service to 
               Christ, rather than become a "stagnant pool"
            2) They are those described in Re 12:11
            3) And they are also like those described in Ps 92:12-15
      4. Indeed, the way we face impending death, whether young or old,
         can be a means of magnifying Christ!

CONCLUSION

1. If we are going to be able to say with Paul, "To live is Christ, to
   die is gain", we have to magnify Christ both in life and in death!

2. Jesus has certainly given us every motive for doing so!

3. So let's encourage one another in both word and deed to so live, and
   to so die, that we magnify Jesus Christ!

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011