Focus - Phillipians 3:1-10

HEY!!! FOCUS!!! This is what is being taught here by Paul. This dude was a maniac for God, he was on fire. I guarantee that is why God picked him for the ministry he was called to because he was a psycho for the things of God and in his heart just wanted to live for God. God just had to give Paul the wake up call, which he did on the road to Damascus. 

Are you crazy for the things of God? Does the desire overwhelm you? Is your passion for the Holy One the force that moves you? If not, then you havnt met my Jesus. I'm talking about the things of God, not the things of man. Man makes relegious rules " no drinking, smoking, dancing or having fun". God makes you Holy and changes your character. 

Pastor Patrick

The Agenda - Phillipians 2:19-30

Trust and honor is the theme here. Paul had a couple guys he knew he could trust and worked closely with them. Mentoring and discipleing these guys so that they would be a blessing to the ministry of the gospel. The priority here is to further the kingdom agenda not thier own.. I have to ask myself if I am working on my agenda or Gods agenda. The answer lies in the results. Are people drawing into a closer relationship with Jesus because of how I live my life? If not, it's not Gods agenda.

Pastor Patrick

Be United in Christ - Phillipians 2:14-18

Unity within the Christian church is important. Paul is stressing this here. To many times we put unbiblical rules on people because we are uncomfortable with something and are unable to deal with it in a Godly fashion. Look at alcohol for example. Abstinence from alcohol is best in ones life but not required and those that insist it is are only putting their man made burden on the body of Christ, not Gods. As usual there is always the other side of the coin in the kingdom where the Holy Spirit helps us to understand that if we can't live without something like alcohol then we have an idol in our life and that is not kosher with God. We should not argue and be divided on the semantics but be united in love that comes from the Father. Shake off your own ideals and misconceptions that you have developed through the world and its relegious institutions and renew your mind with the Word of Life.

Pastor Patrick

Action = Obedience - Phillipians 2:12-13

You have been given the desire by God to be obedient. Why do you struggle with worldly passions and desire? Obedience is the evidence of faith. You are to "work out" your salvation, in other words act on it. Not with your power but with Gods power he has given you to work out your salvation in obedience. 

Pastor Patrick

Even sinners have to shout! - Phillipians 2:9-11

You know, it dosnt matter what anyone says or what anyone thinks. There will come a day when even the unbelievers have to shout. JESUS!!! That's it!

Pastor Patrick

The Cross - Phillipians 2:8

While the cross was a symbol of power to the Romans back in the day, to the Jews it was a sign of Gods disapproval. But Christ to this Roman symbol of authority and turned it into a symbol of Gods liberation.. The Phillipians were Roman citizens and were not dealing with the different forms of punishment that other bodies were. As a roman citizen they didn't have to suffer the kinds of punishment that others did, even our Lord. 

Those of us here in America can relate to that privilege. While we are here all comfy in our homes and with full bellies our brothers and sisters in other parts of the world are being beaten and killed because they confess the name of Jesus. The Roman Empire fell, so don't get to cocky and prideful about this nation. It will only stand as long as God allows it to.

Pastor Patrick

No Chest Puffing - Phillipians 2:5-7

Why do you puff out your chest? What makes you glow with pride? When my son played basketball and made a basket I would glow with pride and puff out my chest. Jesus had every reason to puff out his chest right? He is God! But he didn't instead he took the place of a servant and this is the mind we should have.

Pastor Patrick

Unity of the Heart - Phillipians 2:1-4

Being like minded and putting others first before yourself is the instruction here. I don't find it difficult to put those first that are like minded with me. It's those that aren't that pose the problem. Right? You know my wife and I are like minded. We may not always agree with eachother but we have the same heart. Paul is addressing this here. Have the same heart as Jesus which is like minded. That is unity.

Pastor Patrick

Suffering is Sovereign - Phillipians 1:27-30

"Hey come and suffer for my name" is not exactly the best strategy for building a church. Yet, this is exactly what the church of Christ is built on. Paul encourages us to be united in our hearts as we will suffer for the gospel of Christ. You should not be fearful in the face of adversity either, that is where we must be united and working together so we don't become fearful to the point of inaction. 

Pastor Patrick

My Gospel Your Gospel - Phillipians 1:12-26

This blows my mind.. This missionary dude Paul is in prison and gives an update to his supporters. That's what this letter is in part, a newsletter. Sharing what God is doing through him despite the circumstances. I love how he shares that even people that are preaching the gospel of Jesus for selfish reasons, he just rejoices because the Gospel is being taught.. Wow! 

It's so easy today with our wide spread media to be so critical of others because their Gospel message does not line up with ours. Yet we are unable to see the biases in our Gospel version. The way we twist the message of Christ to conform to our personal desires and convictions. Shame on us for corrupting the holy and pure gospel of our Jesus and putting our burdens on others. Don't they have enough of their own burdens to carry before the Lord? 

This is where the Apostle simply states that he is not focused on these other people but the opportunity to continue with the work that has been appointed him to do..

Pastor Patrick

Who is Your Paul - Phillipians 1:3-11

Paul the Apostle has a great love for the people in Phillipi. This is because they were partnered up with him in the defense of the Gospel. The Phillipians provided support financially to Paul so he could continue the work of God.

Who is your Paul? Who are you supporting financially that is out there in the trenches of society, bringing the gospel message to a lost and dying people? Not only are we to carry the burden of the message but support others as well.. Take a moment and pray for that missionary or church planter and ask God to help you evaluate your commitment to support them.

Pastor Patrick

Humble Example - Philippians 1:1-2

I love the first two verses. There is so much here that sheds light on the heart of Paul and the maturing of the church. Paul being an apostle honors Timothy, his younger protege, with equal billing. This is a great example of how to give legitimacy to a disciples calling and ministry that you are mentoring. I also appreciate how Paul places his greeting to the church body, Saints, first before the deacons and leaders. The leadership never comes before the church body, they are there to serve this body. This is also a historical account of the fact that the church is developing some structure of leadership and accountability in its infancy. 

The message for me here is one of humility. Humility in leadership. Submitting ourselves to serve the body of Christ is an honor.

Pastor Patrick

I Will Wait - Micah 7

The prophet tells us not to look for anyone good or righteous because we will not find them. Wow, what a reality check when there are no good people in the whole country. So what does Micah do? Turns to prayer. 

We should follow this example and turn to the Lord in prayer and wait upon him to discipline and answer us.. 

Pastor Patrick

All God Ask's

I trip out on this stuff. God is reminding the people of all he has done for them and giving them the basics of what he is asking from them in verse 8. Then because of their refusal to listen to Him he brings the paddle out and gives them a spanking. 

It reminds me of when I was a kid and my parents would tell me "if you break the door, you will get a spanking" so what do I do? I break the door. The results were a red behind. I just wonder if God is using this today as a warning for us. You can tell it breaks Gods heart that we refuse his help and direction. Are you breaking Gods heart today? What area of your life have you held back from God even though you know he has asked you for submission in that area? 

Pastor Patrick