King James Bible Study – [Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.]
Date: Saturday, December 17, 2022
Chapters: THE BOOK OF PHILIPPIANS
Study: Christ Manifested
Hello My Brother/Sister/Friend,
Yesterday was not a very good day at work, it was very busy on the phones on top of people sending me messages and trying to make me think that I did not know what I was doing. When it all came down to an apology that I know had to be just as hard on her to say as it was for me not to say, “I told you so”, I realized something, there is no joy in the ‘I told you so” moments. When we as Christians just do our jobs with Christ in mind, there is no pride involved, for everything that we do reflects Jesus Christ, [Philippians 1:20-21 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.]
The Book of Philippians is the eleventh book of the New Testament, the fiftieth book of the Bible, and contains four chapters. The author of this epistle (letter) is Paul and it was written and transcribed by Epaphroditus from a prison in Rome, to the church of Philippi, in approximately 64AD. The purpose of the letter was to bring unity to the church and encourage them to keep going for the gospel of Christ, and to express gratitude for their Christian liberty. What we are to learn from the book is that unity with Jesus brings us joy in all that we do, [Philippians 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.]
The Church at Philippi in Macedonia was planted by the Apostle Paul about 53AD, The Philippians were greatly dedicated to Paul, and showed their affection by sending him supplies when he was planting other churches. When they heard that he was in prison in Rome, they sent Epaphroditus, one of their pastors, to check on him, who then sent him back with this letter to thank them for their compassion.
[Philippians 1:1-6 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, 5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; 6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:]
[Being confident of this very thing,] Do you know what I realized yesterday? The devil is constantly trying to make us second guess ourselves. And I will tell you this, if the devil is messing with you then you can be sure that God is doing a good work in you. Never let anyone tell you that your faith is in vain, that you are not saved, or that you are a fool for believing in Christ as it is much better to be a fool for Christ than one who has nothing to live for. Paul, truly believed that he was put in prison so that he could be used of God there, and he was.
[Philippians 1:9-13 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; 11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. 12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; 13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;]
[So that my bonds in Christ are manifest] [Manifest; Plain, open, clearly visible to the eye or obvious to the understanding; apparent; not obscure or difficult to be seen or understood.] Everywhere that we go, Christ is seen in us, they may not realize that it is Jesus living inside of us, but they know that we are different. Everything that we go through serves a purpose, whether it is good, bad, or down right ugly sometimes in order for Christ to manifest in us. In fact, every place that God puts us, whether it be in a prison, hospital, or grocery store, is an opportunity to witness to someone. And this is actually our confidence.
[Philippians 1:25-29 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; 26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again. 27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; 28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. 29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;]
[not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;] There is this saying, “If you have not suffered is your walk with Christ, it is coming.” I have also heard preachers say that if you never have suffered as a Christian, then your walk with Christ is questionable because all Christians suffer for Christ’s sake at least once in their lives. I know that sounds weird, but it really is not, and quite understandable once you come to realize that we are not of this world nor can we be one with the world.
[Philippians 2:1-4,9-11 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.]
[through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind] [Lowliness; Freedom from pride; humility; humbleness of mind.] True Christians, while we all do have a little bit of pride in us from time to time, are quite humble, we do not seek the limelight, and if we are in it, we tend to shy away from it as it is not us, but Christ who did the work in us. People come and go in our lives for a reason, things come and go for a reason. Sometimes God puts us in some strange circumstances in order to bring others to Christ. It is through the Holy Spirit that Christ begins the good work in us, and it is Christ who ultimately holds the words of life in us.
[Philippians 2:13-16,19,25,28 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. 19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. 25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. 28 I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.]
[among whom ye shine as lights in the world;] There it is, we are the lights of the world, especially through the pain and suffering that we endure. The more we endure with Christ the more He shines through us, and believe it or not, we are blessed with the things of the world.
[Philippians 3:1-4,7-8 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. 2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. 3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. 4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,]
[and have no confidence in the flesh.] Meaning that we are not trusting in the works of our own flesh to save us, even if we happen to have done things that were written in the Law after we got saved. There is absolutely nothing that we have done in the flesh before we got saved that was recognized and nothing we do for Christ now is required, therefore to live through Christ really is to our own gain as we will receive something much more valuable than anything this earth has, eternal life.
[Philippians 3:12-17 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. 17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.]
[whereto we have already attained,] [Attain; To reach; to come to or arrive at, by motion, bodily exertion, or efforts towards a place or object.] Whatever knowledge we have of Christ, and the truths of His Gospel, let it be retained until we reach the promised land. We must never let go of our faith in Christ, and if we have truly and sincerely accepted Christ as our Saviour, then Christ will manifest in us as we walk with Him.
[Philippians 4:1,4-8 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. 4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.]
[Rejoice in the Lord alway:] We may not agree with all the things that God places in our lives, but it is never a cause to forsake Him and go against everything He stands for. The truth is, God is always going to use us for His purpose, we might as well let Him use us in a way that is pleasing to Him rather than to make an example of what not to do, [Romans 9:21-22 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? 22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:]
[think on these things.] Honesty, virtue, purity, all of these things amount to something called integrity, meditate upon them, revolve them in your minds, seriously consider them, and reason within yourselves about them in order to put them into practice so that others can see them and consider them as well. It is not about us, we are already saved and know where we are going, it about reaching the lost while we are still here, [2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.]
Christ, lives inside of us, the more we grow, the more we see Him working in our lives, and the more He is seen through us, the stronger we become and are able to not only withstand those challenges, but see great blessings from God. There is absolutely nothing that we lack when we walk with Christ.
[Philippians 4:11-14,17-19 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. 14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. 17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. 18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. 19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.]
[Notwithstanding ye have well done,] Perhaps one of the biggest burdens that we as Christians is that we try to handle our own burdens by ourselves, we do not want to bother people or ask for help when they have their own burdens. Yes, it is one thing to give it all over to God, but we must also realize that God is using people while we do give it over to Him. We are to never deny the assistance or help of someone who God sincerely is using to take care of us. We are here for each other, and God will use us all to help and encourage each other, [2 Timothy 2:9-11 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. 10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:]
[But I have all, and abound:] Let me tell you, nothing gained or taken from our lives is counted for lost when Christ is involved, in fact, nothing we get on earth is more valuable than Christ. As long as we trust God and remain faithful to Him, He will see us through every challenge, even when we fuss and cry about how unfair He is. Remember, God is always with us, we just need to take the good with the bad, and I know that is hard, but we can do all things through Christ, [2 Corinthians 12:9-10 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.]
Today’s Prayer: God, As much as I know that You always work things out, I get tired of constantly being on the receiving end of the suffering. Nevertheless, I will Rejoice in the Lord always. Lord, Give me the peace that passes all understanding. Give me wisdom and guidance, help me see the light of Christ that shines in me when all I can see is darkness. Give me Your strength, mercy, and grace to see through every challenge, and let me never forget that You work everything out for good and in Your time. I love You, Lord, and pray in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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