Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Carbondale, together with the pastors and elders: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:1-6 May 2,3, 2009

The most important thing about God for you to remember: This you’re doing well. Way to go! This you need to work on. Encouragement for your Christian life. Warnings. Anything else? May 2,3, 2009

New Testament letters were written to Christians with: – General information about who God is and what God has done for us in Jesus Christ. – Specific praise and correction. – How what Jesus has done for us is to work in us and through us. – Specific application of what Jesus has done to life situations.

“He is the image of the invisible God... “ 1:15 “But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight.” 1:22 “Christ in you the hope of glory.” 1:27 “Put to death therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature....since you have taken off your old self and have put on the new self.” 3:5, 10 “Wives submit to your husbands as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands love your wives and do not be harsh with them.” 3:18 and Colosse

A notable feature of early Christianity was the transition from: externally motivated religious behavior towards an indifferent or hostile diety to an implanted new Divine nature from a loving Heavenly Father, that empowers internal transformation of thoughts, attitudes and behavior and Ephesus

Since, as a new Christian, you start off born again, like a baby in the faith relationship, a spiritual infant, don’t lose heart when you soil your diaper or fall down when you’re trying to learn to walk. If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. Galatians 5:18-26 and Philippi