Planting Seeds

December Passage: Philippians 4:21-23

Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. 

The brothers who are with me greet you.

All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.  (ESV)

If you are new to this reading plan, follow the instructions on the right side of this page or click here to read the "Why Just One Letter" introduction article.

Throughout each month, we have posted short articles to give some depth of understanding regarding our text. Today we will COMPLETE our One Year One Letter series with…

Planting Seeds by God’s Grace

There is nothing so amazing as to see a not-yet-believer turn to Christ in repentance and faith. To see the conversion from death to life, from enemy to beloved family member, from blind to seeing, from heart of stone to heart of flesh. 

It is awesome. It is addictive. There is nothing like it in the world. It is a gift that God gives to Christians. It is a powerful incentive to keep up the mission. We live and breathe to see this happen again and again.

We pray as we encounter our neighbors, and co-workers and family and friends and even our enemies. “One more, please Lord? And another? Father, will you save her? Lord, will you save Him? Father, give me the right words about Jesus. Holy Spirit move in their heart. Adopt them today.”

The life of a Christian is only boring or unfulfilling IF we are not living for the Mission. On mission, there’s always excitement. There’s a thrilling excitement when we think about our closeness to our Father. There’s a thrill when we move in the darkness — protected by the light — to rescue someone who is the same as we were before God drew us to Himself.

Paul remembers. He wrote and talked about it all the time. He had been on the road, heading out to take down this “movement” that followed a crucified teacher. Full of pride and self-righteousness, he was on a mission to stamp out these “little-Christ” followers. 

BUT! Then it happened. Jesus happened. On the road to Damascus, everything that Paul thought he knew about God and about himself and about others and about the universe was turned upside down. The author of The Story came down and filled Paul in on The Truth. 

Then, after Paul was able to process all that had happened, his former passion to destroy the Church was transformed into a passion to grow the Church. For the rest of Paul’s life he would be all about spreading this Good News of Christ and Him crucified; of Jesus raised again on the third day; and of Jesus reigning and ruling the universe at the right hand of the Father.

Now in prison, Paul writes to some of the people that God rescued in Philippi. And in Paul’s closing remarks, it is as if Paul is whispering to Lydia and her household (Acts 16:11-15), and whispering to the Jailer and his household (Acts 16:25-34) and whispering to Syntyche and to Euodia and to the many other Christians whose names are written in the Book of Life (Philippians 4:2-3), “What Jesus did for me and then did for you…Jesus is still opening eyes! Even under the nose of the emperor! We serve an unstoppable God!”

That’s what we are reminded of when he writes, 

“All the saints greet you, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF CAESAR’S HOUSEHOLD.”

Caesar, the enemy emperor. And Rome, the empire of repression to the Jews and to the early church are beginning to be infiltrated from the inside out, from the ground up and they will not stand. The growth of the Kingdom will be slow. But it will remain.
The great hope of Philippians is the foreshadowing of this short sentence. Paul will eventually die. The first believers in Philippi will eventually go to be with the Lord. You and I, Christians of the 21st century, are like a mist. We are only here for a moment. 

BUT! God will continue to build His Church and the gates of Hell cannot stop His work. 

The Roman empire eventually fell, The Church remains. 

The Pope tried to stop the message of salvation by Faith Alone and yet we are planning to celebrate the 500-year anniversary of the Reformation next year. 

The tight grip of Communism in China is beginning to show signs of weakness and disintegration, but the growth of Christian faith continues to explode there.  

I, Pastor Ken, used to mock Christians, and turn a defiant tone toward the God of the universe. But now I am a committed (yet still-not-perfected) follower of Jesus. 

You, Christian reader, were at odds with the God of the universe. But now, you are with Him. 

We were, by nature deserving of wrath, and now we are objects of His affection shown through, and bought by, Jesus. 

And now, YOU and I, WE - the church, get to continue His work. Paul continued the work, The Philippians continued the work, The prosecuted church in the Middle East today continues the work the same way we continue the work here — by planting another seed.

Plant a seed, Christian. 

Plant a seed by living a life transformed by the Word. 

Plant a seed by living a life that shows off the fruit of the Spirit in your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 

Plant a seed by admitting when you have been wrong - confessing your sin and asking for forgiveness. 

Plant a seed by loving your neighbor and forgiving those who have hurt you. 

Plant a seed by returning love for evil. 

Plant a seed by remaining calm and steadfast in the midst of adversity. 

Plant a seed by identifying yourself by whom you are in Christ instead of identifying yourself by a former sin you committed or by sins done against you.

Plant a seed by being unified in Christ with other believers and by setting aside the worldly things that divide us. 

And plant a seed by proclaiming the Good News with a humble boldness to everyone you can - everywhere you go. And, when you write to other Christians, you may be able to say, “All the saints greet you, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF…” 

There is no limit to where God can move. We are the means to His end. Plant a seed.

And finally, Paul reminds us again that, although we do put forth effort, God gets the glory. In the beginning, throughout history and in the end, Grace, grace, and more grace. 

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”

His grace will motivate and sustain you and will bring all that He has set in motion to come to pass. May God be forever praised. 

We will end this 1 Year One Letter endeavor with a few sustaining thoughts from Jesus and from The Holy Spirit inspired New Testament.

“With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.” ~ Jesus (Mark 4:30-32)

“To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened.” ~Jesus (Luke 13:20-21)

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building. ~ The Apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 3:6-9)

Every Saint Matters

December Passage: Philippians 4:21-23

Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. 

The brothers who are with me greet you.

All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.  (ESV)

If you are new to this reading plan, follow the instructions on the right side of this page or click here to read the "Why Just One Letter" introduction article.

Throughout each month, we will post short articles to give some depth of understanding regarding our text. Today we will discuss...

Every Saint Matters

God loves you. God loves each of His former enemies who have turned to Him in repentance and faith. 

No matter where we have come from, no matter what our level of education, no matter our God-given gender, no matter what our race, no matter what our nation of origin is, no matter what ministerial work we have done, no matter how long we have been believers, no matter how many people we have brought into the family — NO MATTER WHAT — you (we) are loved by God equally with every other saint. 

No more, no less. 

We need to be reminded of this as we close out our time together in the letter to the Philippians. This letter is about the unity of the faith. This letter is an encouragement to believers who - compared to other churches from the time - were fairly healthy in their life of worship, their life in community and their life on mission. But that doesn’t mean that they do not need to be reminded about the importance of unity in the Family of God. 

Every church needs this reminder. Some need the reminder because they are in error, some need the reminder to protect from the possibility of future error. 

For example, the Corinthians were in error when it came to unity. They needed to be reminded not to show favoritism. They were elevating people with particular Spiritual gifts above others, they elevated particular church leaders over other leaders, and those Corinthian Christians who were wealthy were sometimes acting in ways that showed a lack of interest or concern for their poorer brethren. 

Jesus knew and taught that one of the most convincing traits of our faith - one of the most powerful tools for evangelism was unity. That is why He prayed:

“Holy Father, keep them in your name…that they may be one, evan as we are one…” John 17:11

“I do no ask for these (12 disciples) only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, SO THAT THE WORLD MAY BELIEVE that you sent me.” John 17:20-21

“I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, SO THAT THE WORLD MAY KNOW THAT YOU SENT ME AND LOVED THEM EVEN AS YOU LOVED ME.” John 17:23

And Jesus understood that disunity and favoritism would cause the church to self destruct and be like every other broken worldly system. When the soon to be leaders of the church began to let status cause disunity, Jesus taught them not to believe they were more important than any other saint, but to submit to one another:

“A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. And Jesus said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.’”  Luke 22:24-26

With the importance of unity, and the destructive power of pride understood, Paul begins closing out his letter with a subtle reminder:

Greet every saint in Christ Jesus

The local church and the Church worldwide does not have room for favoritism or ranking. We are all equal at the cross. We are all equally worthy of dignity as image bearers of God. We are are equally loved by God and lovable to and by each other because of Jesus. 

This teaching can eliminate cliques that form in a local body of believers because of age, or the amount of time a person has been in the local church, or social or economic or educational status, or level of apparent sin that we have been saved from. 

All of those former dividing lines have been erased and we have been united under the umbrella of our Savior. That’s why Paul writes to "greet every saint IN CHRIST JESUS." Jesus is our unifier. Praise His name! Who or what else could bring such a diverse group together?

And, Paul also cuts off any hero-worship or elevation of particular church leaders to a higher class of Christianity.

The brothers who are with me greet you.

Remember Paul and who was with him. Paul and Timothy are certainly notable Christians. But, even they who have their names scattered multiple times throughout the New Testament; and even the “big names” in Christianity who are known throughout history; and even the “celebrity” pastors, Christian authors, musicians and leaders of our day; they are all equal to the unknown Christian stay at home mom, the unknown Christian soldier, the unknown Christian fry cook, and the unknown Christian paper pushing supervisor. 

We “unknowns” and “un-notables” are equal with the Super-Apostles, because even the unknowns of this world are KNOWN BY GOD. 

You Christian, are known by God, and so is the newcomer sharing the pew with you on Sunday, and so is the Christian from another church who lives in your neighborhood. Greet them. Make them feel welcome. Unify yourselves under the umbrella of Christ. Our unity is our most powerful tool to reach the not-yet-believer.

God Provides

November Passage: Philippians 4:10-20

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 

And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the Gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs again and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 

I have received full payment and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. (ESV)

If you are new to this reading plan, follow the instructions on the right side of this page or click here to read the "Why Just One Letter" introduction article.

Throughout each month, we will post short articles to give some depth of understanding regarding our text. Today we will discuss...

God Provides

We will end this section by glorifying God for His provision to us. We will also give Him the glory for the times when we can provide for others. 

Paul writes in 4:18

“I have received full payment and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.”

It would be easy to praise the Philippians for providing for Paul. It would be easy and it wouldn’t be wrong. But, we are careful to keep going and allow what the Christians at Philippi did for Paul to lead us to worship Christ who has done so much more. We will get to that, but let us first look at the gifts. 

“I have received full payment and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent…”

As we said in another article, Paul is mainly talking about financial and material provision. Epaphroditus likely brought a collection of funds from the church, but it is also likely that he brought other items that the church family knew would be a comfort or would be helpful to the Apostle. In another letter, to his pupil, Timothy, Paul asks to have a warm cloak and his books and parchments sent to him (2 Timothy 4:13). The churches who cared for Paul took care of his physical needs and also gave him the writings - probably scriptures - that aided him spiritually, intellectually and evangelistically. 

I may be reaching here but when Paul writes that he has received full payment AND MORE, I think it is safe to think that the “and more” may include the lifting of his spirits that came as he saw that he had not been forgotten by the church family that he so dearly loved. Many of us who are reading this article, are reading it as the Christmas season approaches, it might be a good idea to take some inspiration form the Philippians and lift the spirits of some of our homebound seniors from the church with a visit this month, and to send a card of encouragement to former members or pastors from the church who have moved away from the area. 

Why are the Philippian gifts “a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God”?

Whenever you get to an odd or unfamiliar wording like this in the Bible, it is good to compare it with other passages that share the language. You can do so by using most bible apps or an old-school concordance. 

The fragrant offering points us back to the Old Testament, where God’s people had a series of sacrifices and offerings that they made to cover their sin debt and as acts of worship to God. Specifically, burnt offerings sent up - in their smoke - a pleasing aroma to God. 

Exodus 29:18 says:

“…burn the entire ram on the altar. It is a burnt offering to the LORD, a pleasing aroma, a food offering presented to the LORD.”

And, Numbers 15:3 tells the people to:

“…present to the LORD food offerings from the herd or the flock, as an aroma pleasing to the LORD--whether burnt offerings or sacrifices, for special vows or freewill offerings or festival offerings…”

These sacrifices are only pleasing to God when they are done with a heart of humble obedience and joy. But, the pleasing aroma didn’t stop when the sacrificial system was fulfilled in Jesus. Now, because we give ourselves and our stuff to others as a picture of what Jesus did for us, our provision to others becomes a picture of sacrifice, which is pleasing and acceptable to God. 

In the New Testament, it is stated like this:

The angel answered, “(Cornelius) Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.” (Acts 10:4)

The prayers were offered in humility and the gifts to the poor reflected Christ’s gift of salvation to us poor sinners.

Further, The aroma is not only noticeable to God, but to all people, 2 Corinthians 2:15-16 says,

“…We are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life.”

With all of that background, Paul writes that the Philippian provision to him, which was sacrificial, is a fragrant offering, a sacrifice pleasing to God. 

Just to chase this rabbit a little bit more through the Scriptures, Paul writes to the Romans that a Christian’s generous giving should not be the ONLY thing that embodies the offering to God. Truly, our whole life - lived as worship - should point to the fact that we have been changed by Jesus. 

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:1-2)

So the gifts from the Philippians are good on a few different theological and personal levels. And ultimately, God gets the glory. 

And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. 

If you had only read this portion of the letter, it would seem that Paul is saying that, since the Philippians gave to Paul, then God will give to them. Many crooked false teachers have taught this way. They say things like, “Support my ministry and every dollar you sew here will reap you a hundredfold financial harvest.”

Sometimes they teach in a way that makes it sound like God is obligated to give to us, like He owes us.

Don’t listen to that. It’s bunk. It’s bogus. 

First, Paul says God will supply every NEED of yours. Jesus promises food and clothing, not a luxury car and fat bank account. 

Second, we have a lot more than this verse to go by. Paul started the letter by telling us that God has provided for our true need of grace and peace by salvation through Jesus Christ. Then we see that the Philippians provided for Paul as a response to God’s grace and generosity. Paul then simply reminds them of the fact that already enlivens the church and keeps the church’s hands open to generously give. 

The fact is, you can’t out-give God. Remember that. 

- God has given to all people, believers and not-yet-believers, through common grace. 

- God is giving not-yet-believers time to repent and believer right now, before the coming judgement. 

- God has given us, His former enemies, salvation by His grace through faith in Jesus’ perfect life and sacrificial death in our place.

- God gives believers continual guidance and empowerment and helps us overcome sin in this life.

- God is preparing to give a place of eternal joy with Him. 

- God will come and give us a future that is completely free of the power and presence of sin (free of our sins and the sins of others against us).

- God will give provision for our every need in this life and the life to come. 

Praise His name. 

Faith Leads to Contentment and Peace

November Passage: Philippians 4:10-20

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 

And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the Gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs again and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 

I have received full payment and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. (ESV)

If you are new to this reading plan, follow the instructions on the right side of this page or click here to read the "Why Just One Letter" introduction article.

Throughout each month, we will post short articles to give some depth of understanding regarding our text. Today we will discuss...

Faith Leads to Contentment and Peace

Contentment is not a trait with which we are born. Corrupted by the Fall, every person since Adam and Eve has a default setting in our hearts that screams, MORE! and NOW! and WHY CAN’T I HAVE WHAT THEY HAVE?! 

In the Old Testament, we are warned not to covet (or wish to desire) our neighbor’s home, spouse, wealth, or stuff. And we are instructed not to be impatient or to seek after fast money, instead we are to work hard and wait on the Lord. These are all instructions designed to chisel discontentment out of our hearts. Yet we see people in the Scriptures weep as they wait for children, we see kings rush into sin because of impatience, we see people hastily and sinfully decide to take action instead of waiting to ask what God would have them do. 

And in this culture, our generation has NOT tried to repent of discontentment, but has answered it by striving to always deliver more product (food, information, electronic gadgets, etc…), and to deliver it quicker, and by providing enough credit to enable most of us to “Keep up with the Jones’” (at least until the bill comes due). 

But, just as with any sin, discontentment only grows when you feed it. After a short period of satisfaction, the MORE, QUICKER monster shows up stronger, louder and hungrier than before. For example, we have an unlimited amount of information on nearly every topic, but we complain and fuss because want it faster than the 5 seconds that it takes to search for it and open up a webpage on our cell phone or tablet. 

We are happy to get the newest gadget, sometimes waiting in line for hours to buy it, only to be told several months later by advertisers that our device is not as good as version _________, that’s coming out next month. 

We drive some of the most advanced and reliable cars ever made and can’t stop longing for the sleek sedan or big truck or efficient hybrid that our neighbor just bought. 

This is not only a problem for the not-yet-believer. Christian’s struggle with it too. We fall for the traps listed above, and then some. Your Bible is great, but this one has better study notes, our friend says. 

Pastor, why don’t we have a building like that church uptown, a regular visitor asks. 

I wish my kids acted as well behaved during worship as theirs, a couple thinks. 

We’d really be doing well if we could get more people in the pews, one pastor says to another. the other pastor answers, I used to say the same thing, now I wish our church was small and intimate like yours. 

Discontentment is a beast. And like any other sin, it needs to be slain. 

Paul is very helpful here. It was easy for me (Pastor Ken) to really beat myself up over my discontentment when I was a new believer. I really thought it would just go away after I embraced the faith. But, with Paul, I see it is a process. 

Paul says in our passage today, “I have LEARNED in whatever situation I am to be content.” 

The word LEARNED tells us that even for a “super-Apostle” like Paul, contentment wasn’t instantaneous. God trained it into Paul. And Paul was likely still being trained out of a discontent heart until the end of his earthly life. Notice the words, “I AM TO BE content.” Paul doesn’t say, I’ve learned and so now I am content, he says I’ve learned that I am TO BE content, or I should be content. 

God is at work throughout our lives in a process called sanctification. It is the process of conforming us to be more and more like our King, Jesus. Jesus was the most perfectly content man ever. He never complained about suffering. He dealt with not having a nice place to call home. He didn’t speak up for better treatment when He was beaten. He carried on through it all, knowing that every step of His journey played a part in God’s plan for His life. 

God wants us to learn contentment as well. And as a loving Father, He will use what ever means it takes to get us there. For Paul, God used trials and triumphs to heal his heart. Paul writes, “I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.”

The old saying is that you never learn patience by getting what you want when you want it. The same is true for contentment. God allowed Paul to be “brought low” to “face hunger” and “need” in order to allow Paul to deal with those things in a faith-filled way. 

Being content doesn’t mean you have to be happy that things are not going well. It means that you aren’t defeated our hopeless about it. Being content doesn’t mean that you don’t ask God to deliver you out of the circumstance, but it does mean that you don’t curse God or complain to others about the problem. 

Interestingly, Paul also had to learn contentment by having to deal with “abounding” and having “plenty” and “abundance.” 

You may say, that’s no test at all. But look again at our state of frustration, impatience, covetousness, lust and other signs of discontentment in our culture today. The more we get, the more “Abundance” and "Plenty" of food, money, materials, time, etc, the more unhappy we seem to be. It could be argued that the real test of our contentment comes about five minutes after we get what we have always wanted. 

Sports stars have been quoted as saying they didn’t know what to do after winning the Super Bowl or other championships, because, that was all they’d hoped for, and once they reached their goal, they had nothing left to look to. Many actors and singers crash and burn and make a shipwreck of their lives AFTER finally making it big for the same reason. 

Here in the regular world, it is no different. How many of you were sure you would be happy once you had a car, then you got a car and thought, I’ll be happy once I finish high school, then you graduated and thought, once I get married, then you got married and thought, I’ll really be happy if I can just have some kids, then you had kids and you thought, once they are out of diapers, then doing good in school, then done with school, then off to college, then out on their own… and now you think, I’ll really be happy if they would just call more. 

It’s a seemingly endless cycle. But, if you and I can learn what Paul learned, we can escape the cycle. We can be content. Paul finally found his contentment, NOT in more financial support from a church. NOT by finally getting everyone to agree with him and for the church to function at 100% health. No, He found his contentment in Jesus Christ. (If you’ve been reading these articles, I am sure you knew we were going to get to Jesus, right)

Paul writes, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” I can face trials without complaining or losing hope. I can accept triumphs without going crazy. I can face any storm, because I am building my life on the foundation of Jesus’ grace-filled life and death on the cross for me and in the hope of Jesus’ return. 

You see, when you focus your heart and mind DAILY on the fact that Jesus loved you in spite of your sin. — And when you remind yourself DAILY that you DESERVED Death and Hell, but you instead get eternal life with God himself — then no earthly struggle is too much to destroy your hope. You can say, with C.J. Mahaney, “I’m doing better than I deserve.”

And, when we focus our hearts and our minds DAILY on the fact that Jesus Christ will one day return and make a final end to sin, suffering and death — And that He will give us resurrection bodies to eternally dwell with Him in Heaven, than in the midst of our best day or our worst day here, we can say with John Piper, “The best is ALWAYS yet to come for the Christian.”

Have you learned that you are to be content in every situation? Where do you still struggle with contentment the most? Who are you going to tell and what are you going to do to overcome it? You can overcome it.

Resourcing the Mission

November Passage: Philippians 4:10-20

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 

And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the Gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs again and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 

I have received full payment and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. (ESV)

If you are new to this reading plan, follow the instructions on the right side of this page or click here to read the "Why Just One Letter" introduction article.

Throughout each month, we will post short articles to give some depth of understanding regarding our text. Today we will discuss...

Resourcing the Mission

As we wind down our walk through the letter to the Philippians, Paul broaches a subject that most Christians don’t talk about very much. But it is something the Bible talks about all the time. Money. 

We often talk about the Mission: Go and make disciples who make disciples with a love and trust in Jesus and a love for others.

We often talk about Methods for the Mission: Teaching Styles; Music choices; When and where and how to fellowship, serve the community and reach out to the not-yet-believers.

We often talk about the Messengers who are on Mission: Our Character and Theology matter since we are speaking on behalf of our King Jesus.

We also need to talk about Money and Resourcing the Mission. 

In the Scriptures we see that Jesus came to preach the Good News of the Kingdom. He was fully God throughout His time on Earth. He was also fully man and had human needs for food and sustenance like any other man. 

Luke 8:1-3 tells us that The Father provided for these needs through the means of women who had followed along with Jesus:

Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means. (Luke 8:1-3 ESV)

In Acts, a woman named Lydia responded to the Gospel and immediately made provision for the missionaries to Philippi:

And after she (Lydia) was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us. (Acts 16:15 ESV)

Further, Jesus tells His Disciples to expect to be provided for by others when they are on mission:

Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. (Matthew 10:9-10 ESV)

And Paul instructs the church to provide for their leaders:

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” (1 Timothy 5:17-18 ESV)

Finally, we see that, God’s messengers have sometimes had to take time off of the mission in order to tend to the physical needs of themselves and their families when God’s people did not come through and resource the mission: 

I also found out that the portions of the Levites had not been given to them, so that the Levites and the singers, who did the work, had fled each to his field. (Nehemiah 13:10 ESV)

The Philippians are praised at the end of Paul’s letter because of their ever present desire to Help him in the mission. That’s why Paul REJOICED (Again). 

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 

When Paul says the Philippians “revived” their concern, he doesn’t mean that they remembered all of a sudden, “Oh! We are supposed to be helping Paul!” 

He means that they were concerned but were limited in their ability to get their help to him. Once Epaphroditus was able to serve as a deliverer, they were able to revive their help to Paul. 

Today, we do not have the same obstacles to giving that the Philippians had. When it comes to support of the local church, and support of Church Planters throughout North America, and support of Missionaries across the globe, and support of Church Equippers, and support of Para-church Ministries - We have opportunities to give in person each week, or to give online anytime. (see links below for links to support the local church, church planters, global missionaries, church equippers and Para-church ministries)

Also, Paul doesn’t mean that the Philippians finally had some extra funds and other resources to give. In another letter, Paul talks up the Philippians and other Macedonian Christians, because of their willingness to give sacrificially, despite their poverty (2 Corinthians 8:1-5).

Unfortunately, many ministries and ministers go unfunded today, even though we live (in America) in one of the richest places on earth and even though most (American) Christians are more wealthy than people have been throughout history. 

Paul doesn’t mean any disrespect to those who haven’t helped, but he is quick to show gratitude to those who did without, so that others could hear the Good News. 

And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the Gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs again and again. 

If you are a Christian reading this portion of Philippians, a few things should be noted:

1) You are not saved by giving to the church. You are saved by what Jesus has given. His life - lived for you. His blood - shed for you. 

2) God doesn’t love his children based on how many dollars they have given. You are loved. End of story. God showed His love for us while we were still truly impoverished in Spiritual Poverty. He Gives His Love without expecting to be paid back (How could we pay Him back?!) 

3) When we give - which we should - it is not because God needs our money. He spoke the universe into existence, He can complete His purposes in spite of our greed or our fear, which stop us from giving. 

We don’t give to benefit God. Giving is His gift to us. Our giving is for our own benefit. Or as Paul says:

Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 

The Apostle is pointing us back to what Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount:

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21 ESV)

Our giving is for our future benefit. In some way, we are storing up treasures for ourselves in Heaven. One way that Paul talks about people who have come to faith through his ministry is to call those people his “crown.” It is possible that the “fruit that continues to our credit” and our “treasures in Heaven” are the joy we will have in the future. Joy experienced as we encircle the throne with those who came to faith because of the monetary and physical support we gave to the mission. 

Our giving is for our right-now benefit. Many of us have been blessed when we have been able to hear how ministries we’ve supported have been harvested for the Glory of God and His Kingdom. In our own church, we have seen the fruit of faith and repentance, the harvest of people rescued from Hell. And it happened - in part - because of the monetary support from God’s people. It is a fruit that increases to your credit. 

Thank you for what you have done and what you continue to do to support God’s work. 

Click on any category to give financial support online to:

Local Church 

Church Planters

Global Missionaries 

Church Equippers 

Para-Church Ministries

Walk What You Talk

October Passage: Philippians 4:2-9

I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the Gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.

Rejoice in the Lord Always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be know to everyone. 

The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.   (ESV)

If you are new to this reading plan, follow the instructions on the right side of this page or click here to read the "Why Just One Letter" introduction article.

Throughout each month, we will post short articles to give some depth of understanding regarding our text. Today we will discuss...

Walk What You Talk

The old adage for parenting is that “What’s CAUGHT is as important as what’s TAUGHT.” If you wisely teach your children the dangers of drunkenness, gluttony, gossip or sexual sin, but then they see you getting drunk, or overdoing your visits to the buffet, or talking about people behind their backs or living a sexually promiscuous life with a person other than your spouse, then your  teaching will be worthless. 

Paul continues on a theme in this passage that he has hit on before. Earlier Paul said, 

“Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.” (3:17)

And, in today’s passage, he writes:

“What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” (4:9)

Paul is reminding us not to just follow anyone who can speak well. He doesn’t only say, “What you have learned and received and heard from me - practice these things” 

No, He importantly adds, “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me - practice these things”  He wants to make sure that we follow those who walk the talk. 

This idea is at the root of discipleship. It is what Jesus confronted when He saw the abuses and the hypocrisy of the Jewish leaders of His day. They knew the right things to say, but they didn’t live it out. Jesus warned people: 

“The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice.” (Matthew 23:2-3)

And, Jesus’ brother James followed along with the warning to 

“Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only…” (James 1:22)

But, Paul’s instruction should not only be heeded by those in the congregation. Leaders must be the first to heed the instruction. 

Pastors, elders and deacons must be the first to ask themselves and one another, “Are we living what we teach?” 

Why?

Because holy living is caught more than it is taught. 

Just as a parent needs to set an example by their life, so too, do leaders in every other realm - especially in the Church. 

How many times have we seen corrupt, hypocritical living drive a wedge in between parents and their children? 

How many times have nations fallen because of this problem within the leadership of the empire?

How many churches have split or closed the doors completely because of a moral failing in the office of an elder or deacon. 

This passage is a reminder to everyone of us, no matter where you are as part of the Church Body. Let’s lovingly hold one another accountable and give correction when it is needed. 

And as you, even a new Christian, begin walking out your purpose as a disciple maker, make sure YOUR walk matches your talk. 

Do you talk JOY while living sullenly? 

           Do you preach REST, while toiling by your own strength? 

                      Do you teach FEARLESSNESS while wringing your hands in worry? 
Do you say you trust the Bible, yet always go to the culture for direction in your life or for guidance on how to think on social issues?

We’ve all fallen short, but we can redeem our failures. Even as parents. Don’t gloss over the hypocrisy. See it, confess it, repent and believe.

Repent with us and believe with us. Do it for the church, for your children and for the community - walk the talk. 

Turn Your Mind Upon Jesus

October Passage: Philippians 4:2-9

I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the Gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.

Rejoice in the Lord Always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be know to everyone. 

The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.   (ESV)

If you are new to this reading plan, follow the instructions on the right side of this page or click here to read the "Why Just One Letter" introduction article.

Throughout each month, we will post short articles to give some depth of understanding regarding our text. Today we will discuss...

Turn Your Mind Upon Jesus

There is a wonderful old hymn written by Helen Howarth Lemmel, called “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” 

The chorus of the hymn goes:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

  In the light of His glory and grace.

That chorus helps tune our hearts into the portion of Philippians that we will look at in this article. Paul writes:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 

In the prior portion of this chapter, Paul gives us instructions for the Christian life that are nearly impossible in our broken world. He wants us to agree and avoid conflict. When there is conflict, he urges us as a whole church family to help one another find restoration. He calls us to rejoice - ALWAYS! 

And, as we’ve said, Paul roots all of the directions in Gospel truth. The Gospel is our guide in all things, to the praise and glory of God. 

Now, to put a finer point on it, Paul helps us re-center our minds, which helps our hearts, which guides our words, actions and life. Paul simply tells us to think about Jesus. 

You may read the text and say, “No, Paul never mentions Jesus. Paul says think about what is honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and praise-worthy.”

Yes, we would respond, and all of those things find their clearest definition when we look to Jesus. Is anything or anyone more honorable than Jesus? Has anyone fulfilled the justice of God more than Jesus? Has anyone been more pure or blameless than our perfect, spotless Lamb, Jesus? Who or what deserves to be commended for their efforts and their love and their power more than Jesus? Has anyone or anything ever done ANYTHING with more excellence or been more excellent in and of themselves more than Jesus (even the “excellent” things that we look at in awe like stars, oceans and mountains are “excellent” because they were created and are sustained so excellently by Jesus)? Who is more worthy of praise than Jesus?!

Paul is jealous to keep our thoughts, and hearts on Jesus at all times, and in all of his writings. Why? Because in this broken world, there will be times - dark times - when people will be far from you, when money will be tight, when meals will be sparse, and on and on… But, even in the most dark and desperate times, no Christian will be without hope; no Christian will lack a cause for joy; no Christian will be left powerless and defeated if — IF! — we can keep our mind set on the imperishable, unbreakable, unshakable, beauty and perfection and future promise of Jesus. 

Jesus lived the perfect life in your place and Jesus died the sacrificial death to save you from the wrath to come and Jesus is preparing a place for you RIGHT NOW so that one day you can join Him in ETERNITY. What is more true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent or praise worthy than that? 

Have you been distracted and dragged down by the things of this world? Have politics, bad health, loneliness, financial struggles, relational strife, job woes, school stress or other troubles sapped away your joy and power and missional effectiveness? Have the little, temporary things of this life become the only thing on your mind instead of the Glory to be revealed? 

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, TODAY

Look full in His wonderful face, TODAY

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, TODAY

  In the light of His glory and grace.

Don’t wait. Look to Jesus today. When someone around you has a problem. Don’t run their gaze to a worldly “fix” TURN THEIR EYES UPON JESUS. He really is THE solution. 

Anything and Everything

October Passage: Philippians 4:2-9

I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the Gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.

Rejoice in the Lord Always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be know to everyone. 

The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.   (ESV)

If you are new to this reading plan, follow the instructions on the right side of this page or click here to read the "Why Just One Letter" introduction article.

Throughout each month, we will post short articles to give some depth of understanding regarding our text. Today we will discuss...

Anything and Everything

Most of us can nod in agreement and say “Amen,” when we hear a preacher tell us that the best is yet to come for you if you are a Christian. 

We have all heard and - to one degree or another - we have all understood that ALL THINGS work for the good of those who love God and are call according to His purposes. 

But, almost all of us have a “Yes, except for ___________.” or a "Yeah, but..." argument in the back of our minds or buried deep in our hearts. 

Yes, I can give everything up to God, except for my kids. I gotta hold onto that stress. If I don’t hover and keep the danger away, who knows what evil could happen…

Yes, I trust Jesus for my salvation, and I need to release things to Him, except for this political mess in Washington. I’m gonna’ fight to make it right and vote for a savior (politician or political party) for our country…

Yes, I believe God can save anyone, except for my friend. He’s too rebellious and proud. I fear for his eternal destiny…

Yes, everything WILL work out eventually, but I’m hurting right now!

Paul is greatly concerned for us. He knows that, if we are to live in freedom, we must NOT waste our time and emotion on worry.

At best, worry is a useless way to let our hearts and minds wander without ever moving toward action for a solution. 

At worst, worry points our hearts to a faithless action to solve a problem, which dishonors God, empowers Satan and usually creates bigger problems that we end up worrying about even more. 

In Genesis, we see Abraham and Sarah worrying about not having a child. Their worry led to a disastrous choice to have a child through adultery. The child spawned from this sinful fruit of worry is at the root of world tensions that are still around today. 

In the book of Isaiah, God judges His people because, when worried about a worldly enemy, they looked for worldly solutions to the problem. He said to them:

“Ah, stubborn children declares the LORD, 

who carry out a plan, but not mine,

who make an alliance, but not of my Spirit,

that they may add sin to sin…” (Isa. 30:1)

We are just as likely to follow the same road as our ancestors. Knowing that, Paul says, Don’t Worry!

But, Paul doesn’t say, like Bobby McFerrin, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.”

He doesn’t steer us toward ignoring our concerns or just closing out eyes, and whistling in the dark - hoping our concerns just go away somehow. 

No. Just like everything else, Paul soaks us in Gospel truth as an antidote for our worry. 

The Lord is at hand…

There is never a time in the Christian life when we are alone or abandoned. The longer we try to do things on our own, the more it may feel like we are alone, but the Lord is not far off. 

This is true for the not-yet-believer as well. If you are not a Christian yet, please call out to Jesus now. He is at hand, he will come to you. Receive Him now. You don’t have to go it alone.

With God’s presence established, Paul continues. Since Jesus is near, so…

…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God…

Every word in the Bible is important, but sometimes we zero in on the “spiritual words” like holy and grace and propitiation while missing the other important words. 

To the point of this article: Don’t miss the words “anything” and “everything.”

There is no room for a “Yeah, but…” kind of faith. Either God is sovereign and in complete control of everything, or He is not sovereign at all. Which is it? If you are in Christ, you cannot be conquered. You cannot be defeated. That’s good for you. But His control of the universe also lets you off the hook for the responsibility of everyone else. 

World leaders may be out of their minds. Your children may not do what you think is wise or best. Your enemies may seem to have the upper hand. 

But you can breathe easy and lay your cares at the feet of Jesus. The Father defeated your worst problem of sin and death in Hell. Everything else is child’s play. God isn’t weak. God isn’t unaware. God is more powerful than whatever you are worried about. God is smarter than you. God has a better plan for the outcome of every single thing that is going on. The Lord is at hand, so don’t be anxious about ANYTHING…

…but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God…

Paul doesn’t say, "Don’t do anything about your concerns." 

He doesn’t tell us to just twiddle our thumbs until Jesus returns. He doesn’t tell us to numb our minds with the distractions of this world. He tells us to Pray. Pray about EVERYTHING.  

Prayer is the opposite of worry. 

Worry keeps us at the center of the problem. Prayer puts God in the center.

Worry drives us to sinful solutions to sin problems. Prayer drives us to faith-filled faith-fueled solutions to problems. 

Worry is impotent. Prayer is powerful. 

In everything pray. Pray, ask and thank God…

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Notice that Paul doesn’t say that if you pray, then your money problems will all go away; your dog will come back home; your kids will stop acting foolish and the government will run smoothly for the people. He does say that as you submit all of your life - including your concerns - to God in prayer, then you will have a peace that can only be explained by a deep-rooted faith in Jesus Christ. 

It’s not just some calming worldview that shakes up when things really get tough. It is power. It is a strong fortress to protect our hearts from going astray. It’s a mighty guard to keep our minds reasonable instead of looking for easy-outs from the brokenness of the world. It is a gift of God. 

Will you receive the gift?

Will you use it today on that “Yeah, but…” concern? 

He’s waiting to give you peace.

Rejoicing in Evangelism and Discipleship

October Passage: Philippians 4:2-9

I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the Gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.

Rejoice in the Lord Always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be know to everyone. 

The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.   (ESV)

If you are new to this reading plan, follow the instructions on the right side of this page or click here to read the "Why Just One Letter" introduction article.

Throughout each month, we will post short articles to give some depth of understanding regarding our text. Today we will discuss...

Rejoicing in Evangelism and Discipleship

In our last article, we saw how important it is to lean into relationships within the church. We talked about helping to prevent and deal with conflicts between ourselves. We need to do this so that conflict won’t knock us off the course of mission and personal growth in the Gospel. To sum up that entire article in one sentence: Don’t allow conflict between Christians to hurt our chances for evangelism and discipleship.

The next section in this month’s passage gives us the flip side of the same coin. 

If Christians in conflict with each other HURTS evangelism and discipleship, 

then the flip side of the coin is that

Christians rejoicing with reason HELPS evangelism and discipleship.

Let’s unpack that. 

Rejoicing is a tried and true topic for Paul in the Letter to the Philippians. 

Paul prays with with JOY (1:4)…he REJOICES when Jesus is proclaimed (even when the proclaimers are full of themselves) (1:18)…Paul REJOICES because the church is praying and the Holy Spirit is helping to insure that even bad things will be used for Paul’s deliverance (1:18-19)…he says his JOY will be complete when the Philippian church is unified in Jesus (2:2)…he teaches that your and other Christians’ obedience to Jesus gives a cause to REJOICE (2:17-18)…we can REJOICE when God returns someone to health (apply that to physical, emotional or spiritual health) (2:28)… we can receive godly example setters or “heroes in the faith” with JOY (2:29)… And, Paul shows us the grand reason for JOY. We rejoice in the Lord (3:1).

After dealing with a conflict, Paul jumps right back to the main theme. Rejoice! Rejoice in the Lord! Then he repeats himself (in case you haven’t caught on to how important this really is) REJOICE!

And, not only should we rejoice, but we should give a clear reason for our joy. We should be so saturated in a Gospel life, and we should speak about Jesus’ perfect life in our place; His death to pay our sin-debt; His upcoming return; and our eternal life with Him - We should speak those things and live in that truth so deeply that ANYONE who sees our joy should respond, “Their JOY makes sense IF the Jesus they talk about is real.”

In this way, Our rejoicing is a God-given tool for evangelism. It will lead to opportunities that the Apostle Peter talks about when he tells us to: 

“...always be prepared to make a defense to ANYONE WHO ASKS YOU FOR A REASON for the hope that is in you…” (1 Peter 3:15) 

Do you live with so much joy and hope in Christ that people have to ask you for an explanation?

Could people ask you: 

When politicians fail to deliver on their promises, how can you still hold fast and rejoice in Christ? When the newest and best medicine still can’t save the people we love, how can you still hold fast and rejoice in Christ? 

When the stock market crashes, how can you still hold fast and rejoice in Christ? 

When education systems break down because of financial or political or philosophical barriers, how can you still hold fast and rejoice in Christ? 

When the next gadget (or what ever else advertisers tell our culture will make their life better) doesn’t make life better, how can you still hold fast and rejoice in Christ? 

When your community’s fan-favorite sports team drops the ball in the last moments of the playoffs, how can you still hold fast and rejoice in Christ?

When you keep trying to do the next right thing, but the world keeps knocking you back down, how can you still hold fast and rejoice in Christ?

Would anyone ask you a question like that? Or do those kinds of things steal your joy just like everyone else in the world? 

If we will follow this repeated command from Paul and be people of Joy because of JESUS, we can start to plant seeds in the hearts of those who are currently struggling to try to find joy in the lesser things. And, one day, those seeds may bring forth a harvest when it clicks in their brain and in their heart, “Hey, that Christian I know is always at peace when I’m freaking out.” 

But wait, our reasonable, unshakable joy will also be a benefit to our Christian brothers and sisters. 

Remember, conversions to Christ are AWESOME! But, Jesus’ command is not to just convert unbelievers, His command is to “…go and make DISCIPLES….”

Jeff Vanderstelt says Discipleship is the ongoing process of leading others to increasingly submit all of their life to the lordship and empowering presence of Jesus Christ. When we show new or immature believers that the Joy in Jesus REALLY IS BETTER than what the World tries to woo them back with, then it becomes easier and easier to turn away from the lesser idols of our culture for the true source of JOY, our risen and returning Savior. 

This article is done, but please stop and reflect for a minute: Where are you still having trouble rejoicing? Ask your closest friend or family member, if you seem like a joyous person. Where you see an area of lack, God wants to help you and grow you out of that so that you can be at peace and so you can be more faithful as an evangelist and disciple maker. 

Life Together with Gospel Unity

October Passage: Philippians 4:2-9

I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the Gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.

Rejoice in the Lord Always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be know to everyone. 

The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.   (ESV)

If you are new to this reading plan, follow the instructions on the right side of this page or click here to read the "Why Just One Letter" introduction article.

Throughout each month, we will post short articles to give some depth of understanding regarding our text. Today we will discuss...

Life Together with Gospel Unity

In the last article, we read that, “There is hardly anything as easy, yet neglected in our lives to help keep us from falling than Life Together.” 

It is vital that we find ways to stay close and involved with one another throughout the week — not, just on Sunday mornings.

But, just like our families at home, time together with broken people like us will sometimes lead to tension and conflict between one another. We are eventually going to be a perfected family, but right now we all still struggle with sin and sinfully respond to each other from time to time. 

Paul is not unconcerned with this and he is not surprised. As with every other obstacle in this broken world, Paul gives a Gospel solution when he sees conflict between to members of the Church family. Let’s unpack verses two and three to see how the Gospel helps here. 

“I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord.”

First, Paul “entreats” the two women. That means he pleads or humbly begs them to end their disputing. Begging is not out of line here. To call people to a new way of life while still living in the old sinful ways breeds the hypocrisy badge that so many not-yet-believers put on Christians. 

We cannot claim to be Christians, whom the Bible calls agents of reconciliation, while at the same time, arguing, holding grudges, gossiping and slandering one another, or refusing to break bread with one another. 

And Paul doesn’t beg the two women to agree about the conflict. At least one of them may be wrong. Paul is saying don’t let a trivial, forgivable matter derail a fruitful and effective life on mission. 

You may not agree with everyone in the church about politics, or worship music, or how to raise children, or what sports team to like or how to manage your money. But, please don’t defame the name of Christ with such little things. People are going to Hell and it is our life lived with love, grace and mercy to one another that broadcasts the message of Hope in Christ. 

You may not agree on everything, but for the sake of your souls and the sake of the lost community around you, put your conflicts to the side and “agree in the Lord.”

“Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women…”

Reconciliation is not only up to the two Christians, or the two families or the two groups involved in the conflict. In the Church, reconciliation is all of our business. If we are part of a local church and we see conflict, we aren’t supposed to turn a blind eye to it. We are not supposed to hope it goes away or hope that someone else deals with it. And, we are not EVER supposed to join in the conflict. 

If God allows you to see the conflict, God has positioned you to help resolve it. There’s too much at stake to let it continue to smolder or to burn out of control. 

If you don’t feel equipped for the task, ask for help (without gossiping). Pray for wisdom and gentleness in the way you approach the situation. Work with both sides at the same time. And bathe the entire confrontation in Gospel truth. 

“…these women…have labored side by side with me in the Gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.”

Finally, whether you are part of the dispute or if you are trying to help resolve it, remember who you were, what Christ has done and who you are now. At the beginning of the letter to the Philippians, Paul reminded us that we are NOW a “partnership in the Gospel.”

We used to live for ourselves. We used to live as enemies of Jesus and His Bride. We used to love hearing and spreading gossip. We used to love living an “Us verses Them” life. 

But, God, in His rich mercy, rich grace and rich kindness, has taken us from all of that and made us into a distinct and beautiful family. We now have the same power that raised Jesus from the dead working in us. There is nothing that is impossible for us. We can forgive anyone of anything, because Jesus has forgiven us for so much more, so many times. 

And now as sinners turned to saints, we are also now missionaries. We labor side by side, in the way of those who labored before us, working to reach others who do not yet know that their names are written in the Book of Life. 

There is nothing more important than that, and those who are His know it. 

I beg you, Christian brothers and sisters, no matter what the conflict is, agree together in the Lord. People are going to Hell today and there’s no time to lose with unnecessary conflict. And I beg you, true companions, help those brothers and sisters in Christ who are struggling.