Philippians 4

We've come to the end to this little book. It's small but mighty.

Philippians 4

• v 1 tells us to stand firm!
• v 4 again tells us to rejoice. Chapter 3 has already told us the sort of things we should be rejoicing in.
• v 6-7 tells us how we should be continuously praying rather than getting anxious. Then we will receive the peace of God!
• v 8 is a real tricky one. We need to think about good things. I don’t think this verse is thinking about pretty dresses and cupcakes. Hebrews 12:1-2 tells us we need to focus on Jesus, so perhaps it’s more about that.
• Get on with it! v 9 tells us to put into practice what we have learnt.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
(James 1:22-24)

• Sometimes it’s hard to be happy with what we have. Paul has learnt to in v 11-13

Implications for Mosaic

• We can encourage one another in standing firm (Hebrews 3:13)
• We need to rejoice together. Give each other things to give thanks for and tell each other what God is doing so we can praise him for it.
• We need to encourage one another to put what we learn into practice

Summary

• Love one another! Romans 12:10 tells us we need to “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honour one another above yourselves.” Sorry, all those commitment-phobes out there!
• Loving one another keeps us pure and righteous. Have a look at what Jesus says in John 15:1-17. Loving one another seems the way to get and remain plugged into Jesus.
• Jesus is our confidence and reason to rejoice.
• Rejoice some more.
• Get on with it! Paul constantly reminds us to put what we know into practice. 

Quick Questions

• Don't you just love Philippians?
• What do you do to avoid being anxious? (I have a prayer book, so when I'm worried I write it all down in there)
• Do you feel like your life is missing something or are you happy with what you have?

Philippians 3

This is a Bible Study on the third part of Philippians. I hope you're starting to love this book as much as I do.

Philippians 3

• v 1 Rejoice! In the Lord: not in any human efforts
• v 1-6 Where have we misplaced our confidence? Do we put too much in store in our own abilities, or when we do "nice things" for others?
• v 7-10 Knowing Jesus is where we should put our confidence! Everything else is "rubbish".
• Our righteousness comes from knowing the power of Jesus' resurrection and sharing in his sufferings.
• v 12. We're not perfect. This is quite liberating, but doesn't give us an excuse to rest on our laurels. Paul tells us to press on towards the goal.
• v 13. We can't be stuck in the past! Forget about it. Focus on what is ahead.
• v 14 Our goal is heaven! Verse 20 tells us that we're already citizens of heaven.
• v 18 Paul is deeply distressed about those who reject Jesus and live for their own desires.

Implications for Mosaic

• Put all our confidence and reasons to rejoice in Jesus.
• We need a "heaven-focused" view on life.
• We need to live in a way that reflects we are citizens of heaven

 Quick Questions

• What things are you rejoicing about at the moment?
• Where do you sometimes misplace your confidence?
• Are you a past/present/future focused person? 

Philippians 2

This is my second Bible study on Philippians. We've been doing it in Mosaic, and I just love this book. It's short but has a major impact factor. It's like well good, innit.

Philippians 2

• v 1-4 Humility, like that of Christ
• As Christians we are:
• United with Jesus
• Loved
• Tender and compassionate with each other
• United in purpose, love and attitude: that of Jesus (v 5)
• We have a fantastic passage about Jesus (perhaps an early hymn)
• This tells us about humility and the lack of ranks in the church.

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 28:25-28)

• v 14 & 15 again emphasises the importance of our relationships. It results in being blameless and shining out like stars (what a lovely image!)
• v 12-13 interestingly tells us to ‘continue to work out your salvation’. Hasn’t Jesus done that for us? Here Paul is writing about the fact that having a faith in Jesus, which results in salvation, will have a response in how we live our lives. Have a look at James 2:14-19.

Implications for Mosaic

• Love, love, love, love one another
• Unity in purpose and attitude. We are ultimately united by a love of Jesus (not our age!)
• We need to serve each other and all that come into Mosaic’s midst before the needs of ourselves.
• We cannot have a faith that isn’t outworked somehow. Otherwise it is dead.

 Quick Questions

• What parts of the Bible have you been studying recently? What did you learn from it?
• Is humility something you've either got or you've not? Is it something that can be worked at?
• Isn't that a fantastic passage about Jesus? What are your favourite passages about him? 

  

Philippians 1

I've recently been leading a Bible Study on Philippians. I have seriously fallen in love with this book. In order to help you do the same I thought I'd post my notes up here. Read Philippians 1 before reading the rest.

Background

• A thank you letter from Paul to the church in Philippi; the sort you write to your nan after Christmas.
• Lots of gratitude going on.
• Theme of unity in Christian community, and rejoicing.

Philippians 1

• v 3-6 Paul gives thanks for the Philippians, due to what Jesus has been doing in them and what is being worked to completion. Who are you thankful to God for?
• Paul’s prayer is fascinating (v 9-11). He prays for an increase in love, which has more knowledge and insight. This leads to discernement; being blameless and pure; having the fruit of righteousness and all for the praise and glory of God.

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13)

• Paul’s chains advance the gospel, which is awesome.
• v 18 is perhaps surprising: as long as Christ is being preached, the motives are unimportant.
• End of chapter has some challenging truths about facing opposition: that we are to stand firm in unity and in one spirit, and we are to be without fear.
• v 29 suggests that we treat suffering for the gospel as an equal gift as faith in the gospel (see Acts 5:41).

Implications for Mosaic/others

• We need to love one another in order to have discernment and to be blameless
• We need to rejoice due to one another
• We are to face opposition together and without fear

Quick questions

• Do you have a favourite book of the Bible? Why do you love it so much?
• Who are you thankful for?
• Is it possible to treat suffering as a gift? How do you do it?