1/5/18 Reflections

Summary:

  • Encourages Philippian Church for maintaining the faith; spurs them on to continue strong by:
    1. Enduring persecution 
    2. Maintaining unity by serving others ahead of yourself
    3. Obeying God without complaining 
    4. Resisting works-based righteousness 
    5. Placing knowledge of Christ as highest priority 
    6. Getting along
    7. Praying constantly
    8. …and, a major theme: enjoying and rejoicing in the Lord at all times (even from a dingy Roman prison)

Insights:

  • Phil 1:9 – love must mix with knowledge and discernment
  • Phil 2 – we are to treat others higher than ourselves to some degree 
  • Phil 4 – pray always, while maintaining contentment

For Brian to obey:

  • Phil 1 – Paul willing to repeat himself: I need to be willing to offer the same teachings multiple times
  • Phil 3 – continually press on further with the Lord (don’t judge based on other Christians but based on the Lord)
  • Phil 4 – pray about everything I could possibly become anxious about (before I do get anxious)