We are wrapping up this year with one last Bible study. I think it is a timely message that we discuss today. If you have not been working through the book of Philippians with me, you can go back to Philippians Chapter One here, Philippians Chapter Two here, and Philippians Chapter Three here. If you are ready for today's study, grab a notebook and pen or pencil, and your Bible and we will begin. As always, I encourage you to read the entire chapter before we get started. I will share some insight into this final chapter of this book but I will not go verse by verse.
Verses 1-9 The God of Peace
We have heard a lot about peace on earth with the celebration of Jesus' birth. Jesus calls all of His followers to a life of peace and love and harmony. Sometimes we get upset with one another and argue over things that should not matter so much. Two women of great faith, involved in building up the church in Philippi found themselves in a dispute. In verse two, Paul encourages these two women to be like minded. He is encouraging them to come together in unity. He calls them by name in this letter and throughout the letter it tends to hint at how he expects these women, and all believers, to behave. He encourages others to help these women come together in humility and harmony. The entire church felt the tension and discord of these two individuals. Paul said they labored in ministry with him. They were hard workers for the Kingdom of God. Knowing that a quarrel led to this portion of the letter, if not the entire letter, we see that Paul tells them to rejoice in the Lord always and he even repeats the command to rejoice. When we rejoice we do not have tension and ill-feelings toward others because our mind is on God. When we are hyper-focused on being right or being validated we lose sight of the work Jesus did on the cross and there is no rejoicing done. In verse five, Paul says let them reasonable so everyone will see it because the Lord is coming back soon and we simply have no time for this kind of arguing and division in the church. There is too much work to be done. Paul goes on to urge them to not worry about anything, but rather pray about everything with thanksgiving. Paul is reminding them that a heart of gratitude has no room for this kind of divisiveness. Rather by both women, and all believers, to get their minds on God and doing His work and His will, they will come into agreement and the disputing will be put to rest. When they have their mind on God then in verse seven, we are told the peace of God that doesn't even make sense will come and guard their hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. They will have protection from warring in the flesh. And then he gives them a checklist of things to think about. What should they have on their minds? Paul says we should all think about things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, things of virtue and praise worthy. If our minds are filled on those things it is much harder for the enemy to sow seeds of discord among the brethren. Paul finishes this segment of scriptures by saying that he has already given them an example of how to live in a manner pleasing to God. He tells them all that what they learned from him and heard him say, watched him do, that if they will do that too, they will have the peace of God with them.
Verses 10-20 An Acceptable Sacrifice
Paul begins this section of his letter with gratitude. He had just touched on that briefly, admonishing them to be grateful and we see him modeling it for them yet again. He is thankful for their help and kindness to him. He begins to share a secret with them about how to remain joyful. The secret is that our circumstances do not dictate whether we are grateful to God or not. Paul's life was hard, especially after his conversion. He was battled daily because of his faithfulness to Jesus Christ. Paul learned how to be content regardless of where he found himself. We do not immediately know how to be content, it is something we must learn through time and trials in this life. Paul said he knew how to overflow with God's goodness and he knew how to humble himself. He says no matter what the situation is, he has learned to be hungry and to feel full; to have anything he desired and to suffer great need. And the key to all of this is found in verse 13. You can never unlock the secret to living in contentment and joy without realizing you can do all things through Christ Jesus who is the One strengthening you. There is no other way that taking hold of that nail scarred hand of Jesus's and walking with Him. If you are in unity and humility with your walk with Jesus, you will not feel the effects of suffering need or walking through lonely, deep valleys. He is with us and so we are never walking alone.
Paul once again is thankful for the giving this church has done toward him. He speaks highly of the things they sent by Epaphroditus and called it a sweet smelling odor, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. What a wonderful compliment that had to be. Not just to exalt them or make them feel prideful, but to remind them to keep doing those good things because it pleases God. And then to wrap up this portion of his letter he says to them, no matter what their need is, God will supply all of it according to His riches in glory, which we know is so wonderful that He used gold for pavement. God does not check our bank account before He helps us, instead He meets our needs with His own riches in glory and it is all done by Jesus Christ, His Son. Then Paul glorifies God now and forever. Amen.
Verses 21-23 A Salute to the Saints
Paul's final thoughts in this book are to salute and greet each saint. It was a sign of respect, an expression of kind wishes, courtesy, and honor. He wanted to praise them and encourage them as believers of Jesus and then He gives them a blessing. He says, "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." What a tremendous way to close the letter that in some ways had some heaviness and sternness, but seasoned with love and grace.
I hope that you have enjoyed studying the book of Philippians with me. It has been an incredible year of trusting God, not understanding His plan at times, and then lots of hope. My word to reflect on throughout 2021 has been JOY. God has given me great joy despite several trying circumstances, losing two cousins to cancer, and my father-in-law to cancer and now his brother has passed away. My husband mourns the loss of another uncle. We continue to pray that God gives us a house. Monday was one full year since we have been back to Indiana and no home of our own yet. It has been stressful and hard but God has given His peace and grace and filled me with joy that circumstances could never take away from me.
I hope you'll come back tomorrow to see what I am truly thankful for and then again on Friday for a little Fuel For The Weekend. I have a couple of end-of-year messages I want to share and blessing to impart to each of you. I am grateful to have this opportunity to share my faith with other believers. Thank you for coming alongside me on this journey! God bless you!
~Bridgett Owens
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