Title Philippians 1:19~30 (2011.2.16)
Contents
Title: Living to Honor Christ
Text: (Philippians 1:19~30)
Hymns: 285. The day the word of the Lord was received
Date: February 16, 2011 (Wednesday) 5:00 am
Venue: Jeonju Yebut Church Small Worship Room
There are people who are persecuted to keep their faith, or who are willing to suffer disadvantages to keep the holy water on Sunday. When we face various kinds of hardships, we sometimes feel discouraged or want to give up our faith. But Paul exhorts us to rejoice in the midst of suffering. Through this text, we will learn the benefits of suffering to the saints.
1. My death (verse 21)
Paul did not consider external circumstances such as imprisonment and exclusion as important. He put his hopes elsewhere. He only wanted the gospel of Christ to be witnessed through him and the honor of Christ (v. 20). He was not at all ashamed of his present condition of being imprisoned in Rome because of the gospel, and no matter what punishment he suffered, Christ The focus was only on being honored.
What are we focusing on? We need to check ourselves often. Meditate on the fact that the exaltation of Christ above life and death was Paul's primary concern. We live too much concerned with things other than the gospel. This is not pleasing to God. Life is of true value when we only put our hearts and minds on Christ Jesus.
2. The means of life supply (verses 25-26)
Paul wanted to stay in the flesh for the Philippian church and live close to Christ. In verses 25-26, Paul was convinced that by dwelling with the Philippian church, their boasting would abound in Jesus, and there would be growth in their faith and joy. In order for the saints to experience Jesus, they need a channel of the gospel like Paul. We too are called to be channels of the gospel through which others experience Christ and grow. Paul knew that his perishable body could be a means of supplying life to the members of the church. We pray that we will have the blessing of becoming a link between the world and the church. I pray that God will have the grace to return lost souls.
3. Suffering for the witness of the gospel (verse 29)
God's grace and blessings include faith and suffering. Because to believe in Christ is to trust Him personally, and to follow in His footsteps. Therefore, believers must endure and overcome the hardships of the world of unbelief. It is not explained in detail what the suffering the Philippians suffered, but they also suffered. Paul equates the suffering they suffered for the sake of the gospel with the suffering he suffered while witnessing the gospel in Philippi, and urges them to face it boldly. The same message Paul preached is given to us now. Are you suffering for the gospel? I hope that you will win with patience, confident that it is the greatest confirmation of the faith you have given to the saints.
The key to Paul's experience of salvation is the help of the Holy Spirit. You need the help of the Holy Spirit to experience the salvation God has given you in all circumstances. Just as Paul enjoyed the kingdom of God through the help of the Holy Spirit even after being imprisoned, I pray that with the help of the Holy Spirit you will have the strength to overcome the world and the peace that salvation gives.
<Prayer>
1. May Christ alone be honored through me!
2. Let the anointing of the Holy Spirit fill the ‘Wednesday Spiritual Assembly’!
3. For Church Events
- Middle and High School Officers Retreat: 17th (Thu) ~ 18th (Fri), Seoul Haeoreum Church, etc.
- Children's Club Experience Activities: 19th (Sat), Ice Rink
- Saebom Word Festival: 22nd (Tuesday)-23rd (Wednesday) evening 7:30, Grand Worship Room