Philippians: Responding to Your Circumstances Be the Church Philippians: Responding to Your Circumstances

Review: Our context: Paul is suffering...his circumstances are terrible Phil 1:29-30 ““For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.” Paul isn’t suffering for nothing though… Why do we suffer?

Suffering for what? Because our suffering pictures Christ; therefore, our suffering glorifies Christ. 1 Peter 4:14 “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.”

What else? Because God wants to use that to spread grow you and make you faithful….to what end? THE GOSPEL! 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

Paul asking for some comfort...but challenging the church... 2:1 “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, ” What is consolation though?....

What is consolation? Watch the Bible define itself… Any comfort of love Any fellowship of the Spirit Any bowels and mercies

Our Turn Psalm 119:9 “BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.”

Do we have comfort of love? Are we pursuing our own comfort and pleasure? Or are we pursuing opportunities to comfort one another? 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; 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.”

Do we have fellowship of the Spirit? Are our hearts and lives knit to non-believers? Or are our hearts knit to one another’s? 1 Peter 1:22-23 “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.”

Do we have bowels and mercies? Are we looking at one another with criticism and cynicism? Or are we looking at each other like Christ sees us? 2 Corinthians 5:15-17 “And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

Paul charges the church... 2:2 “Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.” What is likeminded though?...

What is likeminded? Watch the Bible define itself… Having the same love Being of one accord Of one mind

Our Turn Again...

What do you love? Are you in love with entertainment, yourself, being on the edge, being in charge and in control, being away from your parents, being with your friends? Or are you in love with Jesus? Psalm 62:8 “Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.”

What is your purpose? Is your existence wrapped up in being mediocre and cool; being the best ball player, the best actor, the athlete, the most responsible, mature person, the smartest? Or is your purpose to impact eternity future by being used by God to see souls saved?

Luke 9:57-62 “57And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 58And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. 59And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 60Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. 61And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. 62And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

What is the state of your mind? Are you filling your mind with social media non-stop, using your mind power on vain carnal things? Or do you have the mind of Christ and a mind to work and pursue the mission? Proverbs 11:30 “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.”

K Awesome..I’m convicted. Now what? 2:3-4 “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”

The Answer…? HUMILITY

1 Peter 5:5-6 “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

Practical Def. of Humility Humility isn’t looking at yourself too highly or looking at too lowly… It’s not looking at yourself so much... And looking at the Lord Jesus.