Hello to everyone!
Let's get started with this wonderful Book of Philippians. I trust that you will have your Bible open beside your computer...OR you can go to my favorite online Bible at blueletterbible.org. (Click on link to go to blueletterbible.org).
Just type in "Philippians 1" and away you go! You can minimize both the Bible study and the online Bible (either by touching the 2 intersected squares, usually in the upper rt. hand corner or by taking your mouse/left click button and touching the bottom rt. hand portion of your screen and moving it up and to the left) and put them side-by-side (by touching the top "banner" of your screen/mouse's left click button/ and moving it where you want it) and there you will have it!! :O)
This precious Book of the Bible is called affectionately, "The Book of Joy". The whole atmosphere of this epistle...
- Epistle: a book in the New Testament in the form of a letter from an Apostle.
- Apostle: an important early Christian teacher derived from the Latin and Greek words meaning "messenger sent forth".
The words "sin and sins" are not found in this Epistle. The words "joy" and "rejoicing" are used 18 times! We find no murmuring or complaining.
The Book of Philippians shows us what the true Christianity experience is in our daily walk with Him.
Outline: (watch for the pattern of "P's"...:O)
I. Rejoicing in Christ as the Principle of Life (Chapter 1:1-11)
II. Rejoicing in Christ as the Pattern of Life (Chapter 2:1-30)
III. Rejoicing in Christ as the Prize of Life (Chapter 3:1-21)
IV. Rejoicing in Christ as the Power of Life (Chapter 4:1-23 )
Chapter 1, verse 1:
Paul does not flaunt his title of "Apostle", instead he calls himself a servant ~ he and Timothy. Timothy is not the co-author of this Book, but a co-laborer with Paul. A servant is one who gives him/herself up wholly to another's will. They have no agenda of their own, no controlling of their own destiny. We were all at one time a servant to sin, but because of Christ's death on the cross, we no longer are bound to a life of sin. Yes, we make mistakes or sin after we ask Jesus to take over our life, but because Jesus BECAME OUR servant and gave His life for ours, we can ask for forgiveness and be made new!!
Paul addresses the letter to three groups:
- To all the saints in Christ Jesus
- To the bishops: In a general sense, this speaks of those with leadership responsibilities
- To the deacons: Those who have recognized positions of service
Verse 5: Paul was thankful for the Philippians because of their fellowship in the gospel. The idea is that the Philippians "partnered" with Paul in his spreading of the gospel through their friendship and financial support, and they did so from the first day until now. They didn't wait to see if Paul was a "winner" before they supported him. They got behind Paul and his ministry early!
Life Application:
For me, what stood out this time is that Paul did not dwell on his title. He walked in humbleness and that is probably one of the reasons he had joy in all circumstances. Now, you may say...if I am a servant to those around me, I will get tromped on. In God's eyes, when we have a servant's heart to those around us, that is when He can use us the most. That is when He can pour more of Himself into us, because we are not relying in our own strength, but His strength. Yes, there were times that He stood his ground and forcibly said powerful statements. We need to know when and how to do this in our own life by listening to the Holy Spirit inside of us, directing us.
What stood out for you? Or what comment would you like to add?
Now, for some "After Bible Study Chit-Chat"...
I have this great recipe that I found on kraftfoods.com for chicken...here it is...it is simple and the chicken is very moist!
Easy Tomato Baked Chicken 
Prep Time:
10 min
10 min
Total Time:
40 min
40 min
Makes:
4 servings
4 servings
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
4 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves (1 lb.)
1 can (14-1/2 oz.) diced tomatoes, drained
1/4 cup KRAFT Light Balsamic Vinaigrette Reduced Fat Dressing
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 cup KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese
PREHEAT oven to 425ºF. Place onions in bottom of 13x9-inch baking dish; top with chicken.
COMBINE tomatoes, dressing and garlic powder; pour over chicken. Sprinkle with cheese.
BAKE 30 min. or until chicken is cooked through (165ºF).
Creative Leftovers:
Store drained liquid from tomatoes in the freezer to use in soups and stews at a later date.
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A Church Bulletin Announcement:
"For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs."
Debbie Gerstenberger
http://www.crossgenerations.org/
I heard a great thing on the radio today. Dr. Gary Chapman defined humility as: Stepping down so someone else can step up. If you think about it, that is what Jesus did, when he left heaven to come to earth. He stepped down to earth and humbled himself to become a man and humbled himself even lower to be placed on a cross, so we could step up to heaven. What a wonderful gift He gave us!!!
ReplyDeleteBob G.
Thank you for sharing the definition of humility by Dr. Gary Chapman. I want to try to remember it.
ReplyDeleteI'm getting ready to study Philippians with you. I liked all your Pattern of P's for all the chapters, and your explantions of Chapter 1 and the first few verses.
Also, thank you for the baked chicken recipe. It sounds easy and delicious.
I have a question about your Church Bulletin Blip. I didn't know there was a downstairs at the place you have your church services.
Dear Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments. I appreciate them!
Please email me at debra.gerstenberger@gmail.com and I will explain the Church Bulletin Blip sentence. You may remain anonymous and not use your name, if you so choose. This is not a ploy to receive that information. I respect your privacy.
Debbie G.
Hi Debbie,
ReplyDeleteI wanted to share what the footnote in my bible says about joy.
Joy flows from God as one aspect of the Spirit's fruit(Ps 16:11;Ro 15:13;Gal 5:22). It does not come automatically, but is experienced only as we maintain an abiding relationship with Christ. Also it said joy as a delight in God's nearness and his redemptive gifts can not be destroyed by pain, suffering, weakness or difficult circumstances(Mt 5:12;Ac 16:23-25;2
Co 12:9).
I can truely say this is true, because there has been many times I've went through some very rough times, but God has helped me keep my joy, and has given me a deep settled peace that only he can give.
Love you,
Darlene
Thanks, Darlene for your great comment!
ReplyDeleteJust FYI, Darlene was using the Life in the Spirit Study Bible notes on Philippians 1:4. Anyone who has heard me talk about Bible Study, will have usually heard a "commercial" for this Bible. I truly recommend it if you are in the market for a new Bible. The author of the study notes was a missionary in Brazil when he started the notes. During this process, he developed cancer. He died after the notes were finished, but did not live long enough to see them published. This man, Donald C. Stamps has left us a lasting legacy of his comments. When he talks about suffering, peace, JOY, etc...he is being real and knows from what he speaks of. (Original name of this study Bible was the Full Life Study Bible.)
I am so glad that you used this comment, Darlene, because it will lead right into our next verse, which is verse 6, talking about how God will carry onto completion the good work He has started in us until the day of Christ Jesus. When you said...
"Also it said joy as a delight in God's nearness and his redemptive gifts can not be destroyed by pain, suffering, weakness or difficult circumstances..." brought to my mind that our joy will be complete in heaven and nothing here on earth can take that away from us, unless we allow it to!
Joy is one of the many things that God will "carry onto completion"...but that is my next blog that I am working on now as we speak!
Debbie G.
I just wanted to let you know that I am also following the Bible study. I'm a fellow home schooler here in Franklin, I heard about your study on the mthea-chat email. I am enjoying it, and I thank you for taking the time to post this online study. It is a blessing to me.
ReplyDeleteTeresa
Dear Teresa,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your encouragement! I am working on the post for Friday, August 8 as we speak and am excited to share what God is teaching me.
Debbie G.