Discipleship 12 Major Themes The Love of God lesson 1

Discipleship is more than a class it is a lifestyle. for 13 weeks we will cover 12 major themes of the gospel. Theme 1 "The Love Of God"

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Luke 24:32  And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?"

Discipleship is to become a student of Jesus Christ.  He becomes the master teacher and we become the disciple with an eager open heart to learn.  Setting at Jesus feet will bring us to our hearts burning within us; Jesus will open our eyes to comprehend His Word!

Disciples: Students of Jesus Christ who have a heart to follow Jesus at all cost

Matthew 28:18  And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  19  "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  20  "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

After Jesus resurrection He declared all authority has been given to Him both in heaven and on earth.  We are the disciples of the One who has promised to always be with us, even to the end of the age!  The one with all authority commands us to go and make disciples of all the nation.  We must immersed the believer in the teaching of Jesus, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit!  Men have sinned against the Father, Jesus came as the remedy of the sin, and the Holy Spirit is the gift to every believer!

Luke 14:26  "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.  27  "And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.  28  "For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it;  29  "lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him,  30  "saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.‘  31  "Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?  32  "Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace.  33  "So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.  34  "Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned?  35  "It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!“ 

Jesus set the standard high!  D o you see in this passage how Jesus repeats those who cannot be His disciples.  We must love Jesus first and most, nothing can come before Jesus!  If He is not first you cannot be His disciple!  Jesus words not mine!  Will you pick up the cross and follow Him?  Will you count the cost?  Will you come and surrender under the conditions that Jesus has laid out?  This is what it takes to be His disciple.  He who has an ear to hear, let him hear!!

 THEME 1 THE LOVE OF GO D

John 3:16  "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Jesus did not come just to save us from our sin!  God desires to save you from your sin and for you to have everlasting life!  Not future tense but now live with abundant life.

1 John 4:9  In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.

The love of God was manifested that we might live through Jesus!  The intent of God is for you and I to live!  Not the mundane but the everlasting and abundant life.

1 John 4:10  In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Here is the bible definition of love.  Not that we loved God; but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. This is such a powerful scripture!  We must understand the greatness of the love of God toward us. When Jesus came to earth, His earthly ministry was started after the Father spoke from heaven and declared this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.  We need to receive the truth to the degree with which the Father loves us!  Before we can love we must have the revelation we are loved.

1 John 4:11  Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12  No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.  13  By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.   

We can’t love others without the revelation of the depth of the love of God toward us!  He loved us so much He spent the most valuable asset of heaven; the beloved Son!  His love toward us is the motive for our love for others.  If the believer has love for one another it evidences His love perfected in us.

Ephesians 3:17  that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,  18  may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height;  19  to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

We need strengthened in our inner man so we might know the love of God.  We become strong when we are rooted and grounded in the love God has for us!  Not the intellectual knowing but the intimacy between Jesus and the believer “knowing”!  To know the love of God is to be filled with the fullness of God.

1John 4:14  And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world.  15  Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 

Jesus is indeed the Savior of the world!  Those steeped in false doctrine deny verse 15; the truth of verse 15 is clear, whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God!  What a powerful truth.  Life is found exclusively in Jesus Christ alone!

1John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.  17  Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.  18  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.  19  We love Him because He first loved us.

It is not that you have loved God; it is that God has loved you.  Knowing and believing the love that God has for us enables us to live in His benefits.  God is love and we can abide in His love.  The love that has been perfected among us is our knowing and believing the love God has for us.  Knowing and believing His love cast out all fear.  Notice verse 17.  The love that God has for us has been so perfected we can have boldness on the day of judgment!  What??  Love is so perfected we can have boldness on the day of judgment, because as Jesus is, so are we in this world.  This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.  You believer are beloved by God!  No need for fear His love for us is perfect; we love Him because He first loved us.

1 Corinthians 13:1  Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.  2  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. 

Operating in this love is imperative!  Our accomplishment are nothing if done outside of His love operating through us!

1 Corinthians 13: 4  Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;  5  does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;  6  does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;  7  bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  8  Love never fails. …

Loves operation is identified well here in 1 Corinthians 13. Love suffers long, is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked thinks no evil.  … the promise of love is that it cannot fail!!

Colossians 3:12  Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;  13  bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.  14  But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

The love of God in our hearts brings constraints to our actions.  Love is the bond of perfection causing us to operate in mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, and forgiveness! 

Ephesians 1:2  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,  4  just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,  5  having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,  6  to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved.

The Father’s love is so great He blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ!  He chose us with His good pleasure and made us accepted in the Beloved!

John 15:10  "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.  11  "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.  12  "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  13  "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.

Receiving the Father’s love empowers us to walk in His commandments.  Jesus commanded us to love one another like Jesus loved us!  It is not within the human realm to love like that.  It is because we have a supernatural birth of the Spirit that we can love like that.  Quit behaving like mere men; walk in love because you are a newly created being in Christ Jesus.

John 13:34  "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.  35  "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

True discipleship is demonstrated and will be recognized by the love we have one for another!  Let the Father’s love compel you!

The Joy Of Philippians lesson # 10

Words to the mature in Christ is the closing words of Philippians

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Philippians 4:8  Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy; meditate on these things.

A key element of walking in victory all of the time is learning to meditate as the word of God has defined it.  God desires to change our mindset.  Mindsets are changed by submitting to the word of God, one thought at a time.  Remember the theme of Philippians is rejoice.  The source of rejoicing is found in the truth of who Jesus  Christ is!

Psalm 19:14  Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.

Put a praise in your mouth and thanksgiving in your heart.

Psalm 104:33  I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.  34  May my meditation be sweet to Him; I will be glad in the LORD.

May my meditation be sweet to God.  It comes from renewing our mind with His word.  More specifically, it comes from meditation on the new and better covenant found exclusively in Jesus Christ.

Philippians 4:9  The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. 

Paul was rejoicing from the jail cell.  Rejoicing in the faith of the believers and Christ being formed in them; God working in the body of Christ superseded all the circumstances Paul found himself facing.  Paul rejoicing in a jail cell lead to the salvation of the warden of the jail and the warden’s family.  Paul rejoicing in a jail cell brought great revelation of the goodness of God to the palace guard of Caesar’s.  Follow godly examples that shows the heartbeat of God by the example of their lives. 

Philippians 4:10  But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity.

The church of Philippi was truly partners in ministry with Paul.  As stated several times in this series, Philippians is for the mature.  Walking in selflessness makes way for the joy of the Lord to flow.  Where a man’s heart is so will his treasure be; the Philippians showed their heart for the gospel by their giving to the apostle Paul.

Philippians 4:11  Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:

Contentment with godliness is great gain.  Paul's relationship with Jesus was great, his heart could be content in any and in all situations; yes, a word of maturity.

Philippians 4:12  I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  13  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Truly the 12^th and 13^th verse go together.  Everyone love the 13^th verse by itself.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  However the 12^th verse brings clarity to the 13^th verse.  In the good and in the bad Paul  could walk in the contentment found in Jesus Christ alone.  In abundance or suffering in need or being full or going hungry; Paul could face it all knowing the spirit of Christ would be there in any and all situations.  It speaks of intimacy with God.  Paul was not moved by the circumstance because He consider the greatness of His God.  Paul counted his gain but loss when compared to the greatness of knowing Jesus in intimacy; I want to know Christ.

Philippians 4:14  Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress.  15  Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia , no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only.

Paul praised God that the Philippi church sharing in giving into his ministry.  I have in the last few weeks warned of men asking for your money and they will pray a blessing that can only be had from their prayer after you give to them.  The warning stands, yet there is a giving that God calls His children to!  Giving into fruitful ministry is important; that ministry will be marked by men of God serving as bondservants to God.

Philippians 4:16  For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.  17  Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.

Do you see the heart of Paul as he taught on giving?  He was not seeking the gift, his desire was to see the believer be found in the fruit that abounds to their account.  Christ formed in the believer even in the grace of giving. 

Philippians 4:18  Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.

Giving with a heart of thanksgiving and rejoicing comes before God as a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.  Giving with a cheerful heart is more importance than the gift itself. 

2 Corinthians 8:9  For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

This passage is the only right motivation for giving into the work of ministry.  Jesus became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.  Oh that the love of Christ would be the only compelling factor for our giving into the ministry.  It is the heart of God revealed!

Philippians 4:19  And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

We need to leave the verse in context that the apostle Paul wrote it in, we must declare that the Philippians were partners into the ministry of Christ Jesus and that is why  Paul declared this blessing over them.  Put God first with your giving and God will add into your life all that you need according to His riches in glory!  That is blessed!

Philippians 4:20  Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.  21  Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you.  22  All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar's household.  23  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

To God be the glory for every prison epistle Paul wrote.  Such beautiful truths declared about the goodness of God.  Paul was imprisoned and it bore fruit finding saints of God in the household of Caesar’s household!  Paul bearing the fruit of the kingdom in the worst of circumstances of life.  Grace (divine influence of God upon the believer’s heart) is the only power that could bear such great fruit.  Any wonder Paul closes with “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.  AMEN!

The Joy Of Philippians Lesson # 9

Learning to live as a citizen of heaven is a secret to walking in the joy of the Lord. Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice!

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Philippians 3:15  Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.  16  Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.

Philippians reveals the way to walk in the joy of the Lord; it is a book for those believers who desire to walk in maturity.  Paul had just finished declaring he counted all things as rubbish to have the greatest prize of knowing Jesus Christ.  Paul selflessness is an shining example of  the pathway of walking in joy.  Remember from the jail cell his desire was for Christ to be formed in every believer.  Let us live in the intimacy that is found exclusively in Jesus Christ

Philippians 3:17  Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.  18  For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:  19  whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame; who set their mind on earthly things.

Paul was calling the body of Christ to follow his example of selfless faith.  We should be warned of those who want to affect your faith for their own good.  Those who try to set your attention upon your doing and not your trusting in Jesus Christ are called the enemies of the cross.  Beware of those who bring your attention and mindset to dwell upon the earthly things.  Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness all the other things will be added unto you.

Philippians 3:20  For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,  21  who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

The believers are called to walk with the mindset that our citizenship is in heaven and live from that perspective.  So glad to be an American citizen; however, for gaining the knowledge of Christ it is but rubbish.  1^st and foremost I am a citizen of heaven.  The Father has bestowed upon us great divine influence and we want to live from that influence by giving Jesus preeminence in our lives.  God is in the transforming business and He will transform each of our lowly bodies that they may be conformed to His glorious body.  We surrender to His working in us; Christ in me the hope of glory! 

Philippians 4:1  Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.

Hear God’s heartbeat through the apostle Paul.  Addressing the saints as the beloved twice in this one verse.  Rise up and believe you are the beloved.  Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us that we might be called the children of God.  If we are seeking the love of the Father it is hard to stand fast; however as the beloved children of God we can stand fast.  In the shadow of His love, acceptance, qualification, and reconciliation we can stand fast.  It is no longer standing fast for approval; it is standing fast in the strength of the approval already given.

Philippians 4:2  I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3  And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.

God is once again rolling back the curtain on the new testament church.  So many were laboring in the love of God to see the body of Christ encouraged and strengthened in the faith.

Philippians 4:4  Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

This is truly a command of grace.  Because of the goodness of God you can rejoice in the Lord!  Indeed the major theme of Philippians is rejoicing.  Paul from the jail cell is encouraging the church to rejoice!  It was Paul’s rejoicing in God in a jail cell that brought salvation to a jailer and his family.  Your rejoicing in the Lord will affect those around you.  Have you ever had someone full of complaint affect you.  Walking in the joy of the Lord has the opposite affect.  We don’t want to hear the complaint because it is not life giving; we can affect peoples lives with the spirit of rejoicing in the Lord and it will bring life.  Proof positive this is true.  2,000 years after Paul wrote “rejoice in the Lord” we the believer are affected by it! REJOICE.

Philippians 4:5  Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.  6  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

Grace instructions is life giving and Paul is sharing the commands of this grace covenant.  Let your gentleness be known to all men; the Lord is at hand.  Our rejoicing has a basis; our rejoicing is firmly established upon the truth  that the Lord is at hand.  Jesus has promised not to ever leave us or forsake us.  Be anxious for nothing.  One of the most repeated phrases in the new testament is “fear not”  The heart of God is for us to live anxious free without fear!  If we will come with thanksgiving and rejoicing we have come under and into divine order.  Take your cares, prayer request, and supplication and make them known to God!

Philippians 4:7  and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

When we come in the strength of this new covenant we have this blessed assurance from his word.  The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  What a precious promise that God Himself will guard our hearts and minds.  This truth is so great yet to many believers it is still hidden.  May a spirit of wisdom and revelation knowledge come upon the body of Christ so we walk in an awareness of God’s abiding presence and peace.  Sometimes we have let our soul rule instead of  the peace of God.  Our soul rules when we allow the raging emotions dictate our actions and our responses to the circumstances of our lives.  Another way to allow our soul to rule instead of God’s abiding peace is leaning on our own understanding.  We get caught up in how are we going to get this fixed, or how shall I react to this situation.  Rejoicing in the Lord can bring our emotions and intellect under the reign of God.  Without the rejoicing in the Lord the chaos of life rules in our life.  Rejoicing in the Lord brings the divine order of God causing a peace that surpassing our understanding.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your steps.    

Philippians 4:8  Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy; meditate on these things.

This precious grace covenant teaches us to meditate.  Our meditation is so important!  What we meditate upon will determine if we will walk in victory or in defeat.  Let the word of our mouth and the meditation of our heart be acceptable in the sight of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Here is a Holy Spirit breathed list of what we shall meditate upon.  The truth, the noble, the just, the pure, the lovely, the good report, the virtuous, and the praise worthy. 

Victory is brought by what we meditate upon; defeat is brought by what we meditate upon.  What you meditate upon will be that which you speak; that which you speak is a reflection of what is in your heart.  However, brethren “we chose” to meditate on the good, the truths of  God’s word, the noble… 

Proverbs 18:20  A man's stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth, From the produce of his lips he shall be filled.  21  Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

How dangerous is complaint in our mouth; it brings death to our lives, circumstances, and people around us.

How precious is the harvest of our mouth speaking life?  It will bring us the God expected end.  Yes, it begins with meditating by the influence of the Holy Spirit; it will produce life giving words flowing through us.  The joy of the Lord will abound!

Walking In Liberty

He who the Son set free is free indeed. "Walking In Liberty"

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Luke 4:17  And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:  18  "The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;  19  To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD."

Jesus came to set at liberty those who are oppressed; it is time to proclaim this is the acceptable year of the Lord!  Now is your time; this is the acceptable day of salvation.

John 8:31  Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32  "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."  The word that Jesus speaks bring freedom.

Jesus said “If you abide in My word you are My disciples indeed.  Jesus said “you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.  It is a specific truth that will set you free!

John 8:33  They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can you say, 'You will be made free'?"  34  Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.

Jesus said it was a specific truth that would set free; Jesus pointed the those who commits sin is a slave to sin!

John 8:35  "And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.  36  "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

Slaves in the household can be sold out of the house; however a son abides forever.  There if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.  Jesus proclaimed truth that bring liberty and freedom; the Son will set you free.

Galatians 4:4  But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5  to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 

Jesus came to bring redemption to such a degree we be come adopted children of God.

Galatians 4:6  And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!"  7  Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

At faith in Jesus Christ the Spirit of His Son comes into your heart.  You now have the ability to cry out “Abba Father!”  No longer a slave to sin but we are now adopted children free from sin.

Romans 6:6  knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.  7  For he who has died has been freed from sin.

If we did not die from sin we did not get born again!  When you die to sin you are joined to Jesus!

Romans 6:8  Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,  9  knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him.

Death no longer has dominion over Jesus!  If we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him!

Romans 6:10  For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.  11  Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Jesus died to sin one time and it is good for all time!  Likewise, in the same way, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Colossians 3:12  Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13  bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.  14  But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

Because we are alive unto God we can walk in these grace commands.  Not the old dead you better behaved.  As the elect of God, holy and beloved we can walk in mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, forbearance, and forgiveness.  It comes from the love God shed abroad in your heart.

Galatians 5:1  Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

Learn to walk as the newly created being God has made us.  Quit behaving like mere men and live in the liberty Jesus Christ has provided; never get entangled with bondage again.

The Joy of Philippians Lesson # 8

Taking on the mindset of Jesus Christ; a bondservant

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Philippians 2:5  Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,  6  who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,  7  but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

Living in God’s joy is His intended purpose for His children.  Jesus came with the heart of a bondservant.  The instruction is to let this mind set be in you!  Jesus did not come to be served but he came to serve.  A bondservant indeed!  The bondservant is a volunteer servant; one who loves the master and wants to live out his days in service to him.  Jesus was the bondservant of God the Father; Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost.  Jesus was divine but laid it aside and walked in humanity; He robed Himself in flesh.

Philippians 2:8  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 

Jesus was destined for the cross.  It was the only way redemption could be brought to sinful man.  For the joy set before Him He endured the shame of the cross.  When Jesus died on the cross He had you and me on His mind!

Philippians 2:9  Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,  10  that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11  and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

There is no greater name than the name of Jesus!  Those who accept Jesus as Messiah have bowed their knee to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  At the name of Jesus is salvation, provision, healing, and all that you will ever need.  Jesus has been given authority over all and we the body can rest and operate in that authority.

Philippians 2:12  Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;  13  for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

God has called us to work out our salvation in fear and trembling.  The two verse have a semicolon between them.  That is these two sentences are incomplete without one another.  My surrender is my working out my salvation.  For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasures.  My work is to surrender to the work He is doing in me!  God delights to work in His children with their surrender!

Philippians 2:14  Do all things without complaining and disputing,

Complaining and disputing is one of the greatest tools of satan; complaining and disputing is a joy disrupter!  It is God’s word that should flow from our lips; complaint and disputing rob us from the opportunity to praise and lift up the name of Jesus.

Philippians 2:15  that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,  16  holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

The complaint and disputing disrupt the glory of God showing up in our lives.  People cannot see that we have become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation.  Complaint and murmuring makes our light not shine!  What you put in your mouth matters so much; it determines if you will fulfill your God given destiny or live just outside of victory’s grasp.

Philippians 2:17  Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18  For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.

Paul was happy to serve from the jail cell to service the faith of the believer and bring the saints to living in the joy of the Lord.

Philippians 2:19  But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state.  20  For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state.  21  For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.  22  But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel.  23  Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me.  24  But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly.  25  Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need;  26  since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick.  27  For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.  28  Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful.  29  Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; 30  because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me.

The last half of this chapter is opening the windows of the new testament Church showing how Paul was working as a bondservant and his fellow ministers also were working as bondservants, that Christ might be formed in the church.  Their selfless service brought them joyful fruit in the kingdom of God. Paul sent the ministers, his assistances, away to minister to the body of Christ instead of being ministered to himself.

Philippians 3:1  Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe. 2  Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation!

Rejoice is the theme that is repeated over and over in Philippians.  Walking in joy keeps you from the schemes of the enemy of your soul.  Beware of those who have called you to walk in the strength of your own flesh.  Trust exclusively in Jesus Christ and Him crucified; it is the only source of Joy.  It is in what Christ has done in us.  Remember we have been circumcised by God; not in the flesh but becoming a newly created being in JESUS.

Philippians 3:3  For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, 4  though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so:

It is relationship with Jesus, put no confidence in the flesh.  It not what you can do or how great your standing is.  We worship God in the Spirit, rejoicing in Christ Jesus!  Paul begins to make a human argument.  If it is about what you do, Paul said he could boast.

Philippians 3:5  circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6  concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

7  But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.

So boast he does.  He was circumcised in the flesh, he was a pure Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrews of Hebrew.  Concerning the law of Moses, a Pharisee.  Concerning religious zeal, it was so great he persecuted the church.  In regards to the law of Moses and the righteousness it provided, he was blameless.  BUT…  He counted all these things loss for Christ.  It not found in your great performance, or your position in society, or in your great religious works; it is found exclusively in knowing intimately Jesus Christ.

Philippians 3:8  Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ

Paul counted all things as rubbish in comparison to knowing the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord.  Jesus is the truth that sets men free.

Philippians 3:9  and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;

It is the righteousness found exclusively in Jesus Christ.  It cannot be about the good performance of the law or trust in any other thing; it must be faith in Jesus Christ alone!

Philippians 3:10  that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11  if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.  This is a faith in Jesus Christ issue and there is no other way.

Philippians 3:12  Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.

I want to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me!  Press in saint of God!

Philippians 3:13  Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,

What are we pressing for?  Relationship with Jesus!!  Pursuit of stuff behind me; I want to know Jesus Christ!

Philippians 3:14  I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 

The goal of the prize is intimacy with Jesus Christ and the revelation He bring about the goodness of God!  God is calling us upward to intimacies we have never known before!

The Joy Of Philippians lesson # 7

Paul rejoiced in the jail cell; in his rejoicing there was an overflow of ministry to many!

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Philippians 1:12  But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel,13  so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ;

Paul’s selfless service to the kingdom brought him a life of joy!  That life of joy had affect on everyone around him.  Paul’s hardships turned out for the furtherance of the gospel.  This did not happen by accident; Paul allowed the transformation of his soul, mind, emotions to get in line with the truth of the gospel.  Joy from the jail cell changed the lives of those living in the palace guard system.  The whole palace guard seen the evidence that Paul’s incarceration had brought a life giving flow.  Paul continued to declare the words of life from the jail cell; what a difference that life giving flow made.

Philippians 1:14  and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

It was not just those surrounded by Paul that were affected by his selfless joyful service to God and the body of Christ.  Those brethren outside the jail cell gained a confidence to speak the word with boldness.  What Paul spoke brought life and encouraged others to speak the words of life. 

Philippians 1:15  Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from good will: 16  The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains;

Oh what we can learn from the apostle Paul’s attitude of heart.  The palace guard knew, the brethren knew and Paul’s imprisonment affected those who were not among his supporters.  They preached Christ from envy and strife supposing they would add to afflictions of Paul’s chains.

Philippians 1:17  but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.  18  What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.

Instead of his enemies adding affliction Paul found a way to rejoice in spite of their bad attitudes.  Paul said no matter what happens I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.  There is truly the abiding joy of the Lord that abide in every believer; Paul had learned to walk in this abiding joy no matter how hard the circumstance grew.  Paul keep his eyes on the goodness of God.

Philippians 1:19  For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20  according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.

Even in the worst of circumstances Paul put his expectation in the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.  Paul had an earnest expectation and hope that in nothing would he be ashamed.  He believed walking in the kingdom mindset!  Paul walked with such a confidence in His God that he believed by life, or by his own death, Jesus would be magnified.  Oh, that the body of Christ would gain such a confident expectation; no matter the circumstances Jesus will be magnified in our lives.

Philippians 1:21  For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.  22  But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell.

Paul seen himself on the winning side no matter what happened.  If he died he knew he entered the presence of God.  If he lived he would have fruitful labor to help further the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Now that is sold out to Jesus and His goodness!

Philippians 1:23  For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.  24  Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 

Paul desired the will of God be done that Jesus would be honored and glorified.  No wonder he was able to declare the joy of the Lord from that damp, dark, filthy jail cell.

Philippians 1:25  And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, 26  that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.

Paul had such a heart for the church and for the people of God.  He was moved with a passion for the progress and joy of faith to be fulfilled in the body of Christ.

Philippians 1:27  Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, 28  and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God.

I like the KJV version of this verse, let your conversation be worthy of the gospel of Christ.  If you have been qualified by the Father, if He has taken you out of darkness, if by the blood of His Son your sins are washed away, rise up and walk in who you are in Christ.  Stand fast in the faith striving together with one mind for the faith of the gospel.  Never forget you have fellowship with the gospel; you have been made to partake in the divine influence of God.  Walking in the joy of the Lord brings immunity to the affects and actions of your enemies

Philippians 1:29  For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30  having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.

While suffering brings no comfort for the soul, God will use it to form Christ in us.  Jesus walked through the baptism of suffering and told his disciples they too would be tried by the fire.  Jesus told us we would have trouble in this life but to cheer up, He has overcome the world and has gifted us with his eternal peace!  The psalmist told us many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers us out of them all!  God intend for us to walk in abundant life even from the valley of our lives.

Philippians 2:1  Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,  2  fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

Has God brought you consolation in a rough time?  Has God ever wrapped you in the comfort of His sure love?  Have you had fellowship with the Spirit of God?  How about being touched by His affections toward you and His great mercy?  If you can say yes to even one of these questions this word of grace instruction is for you.  Be like minded having the same love, being of one accord and one mind.  The love received from Christ is the strength to love others.

Philippians 2:3  Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.  4  Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

As Jesus Christ, and the apostle Paul lived a selfless life we have been called.  The Sunday school lesson from my childhood is still good.  JOY:

Jesus

Others

Yourself

Our wrong attitudes can rob us of the joy of the Lord; our right attitudes can bring fulfillment to the joy of the Lord in our lives.  God calls us to walk in a lowliness of mind

considering others.  Paul demonstrated this with his life and was able to write this book about the joy of the Lord ruling in his own life.  Next lesson we will pick up with the heart of Jesus Christ and His selflessness.

Joy Of Philippians Lesson #6

Last lesson we finished the intimacy of Colossians and now part two of the series is the Joy Of Philippians

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Philippians 1:1  Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi , with the bishops and deacons:  2  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

This is the fourth Pauline epistle we have studied.  The thing they have in common is all four of them Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians, and Philippians were written from a jail cell.  These four books contains some of the greatest revelations of the gospel of Jesus Christ we can find.   Paul declares himself to be a bondservant of Jesus Christ.  Philippians is know is the book of joy in the new testament.  It refers to joy, rejoice or some form of joy at least 17 times.  As Paul has written these four books from jail, we must say that Paul was selfless!  While he was in a miserable jail cell his heartbeat was to make the mystery of the gospel clear.  Christ in me the hope of glory, the Father blessed you, the Father chose you, the Father qualified you, and the Father justified you.  These were just of few of the intimacies we have learned going through these books.  One way Philippians stands out as different, Paul wrote to the saints but also included the bishops and deacons at Philippi .  This book of joy is for the mature who want to walk out the fullness of the grace message.

Philippians 1:3  I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,  4  always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,  5  for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,

Remember from a jail cell Paul is thinking of the churches.  It starts with thanksgiving for the church.  If we want to walk in the fullness of joy we will have to start with a thankful heart.  From imprisonment Paul was making request joyfully for the Philippi church.
What was he thanking God for?  That the church had fellowship with the gospel from the first day of their salvation to the moment he penned the letter.  Every believer needs a revelation that they have fellowship with the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ.  The greater the revelation of the gospel the greater the joy we  can walk in!

Philippians 1:6  being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

Paul was confident, that when God begins a new work in the believer He will finish the work in the believer.  Can you believe God is not done with you; whatever He has started He will finish it!  That is some great news.  Don't quit; God will finish what He has started.  Don’t quit, you can make it; God will complete it!

Philippians 1:7  just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.

We are standing on solid ground if we will walk in confidence that God will finish exactly what He has started in us.  Paul declared it is right to think that way.  God calls us to walk in the kingdom mindset.  The enemy of your soul may whisper God is done with you because of what you have done; however it is time to exalt the word of God above the lies the enemy is selling us!  He who has begun a good work in you will carry it to completion!  This my brothers and sisters is the mindset of the kingdom.   So many mindsets to change so we can walk in the strength of the truth of word of God.

Paul makes another mindset of the kingdom statement.  We are partakers of grace!  We indeed have the divine influence of God at work within us!  We have fellowship with this precious gospel and like Paul and the Philippians we are partakers of grace

Philippians 1:8  For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.

Remember from the jail cell Paul is writing, “I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.  Why was Paul able to speak life from such awful circumstance.  He was indeed influenced by the affections of Jesus Christ.   From that same affection of Jesus Christ He longed for their fellowship.  The mature can walk in a fullness of joy because they are driven by the affections of Christ.

The greater the revelation of the Father’s love for us the greater the joy we will walk in!  Behold what manner of the love the Father has bestowed upon us that we might be called the children of God!  In fact, John wrote of knowing the love of God to such a degree that we would have no fear of judgment on judgment day!  Oh that we might know the greatness of God’s love toward us and live life in the overflow of that love.

Philippians 1:9  And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10  that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,  11  being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

I pray that your love may abound still more and more.  More and more, and more and more…  May our love walk grow so strong that we gain our knowledge and all discernment from that very love.  Some have gained discernment minus the love.  It only results in a very critical spirit!  Discernment birthed out of love knows the fellowship of the gospel and partakes fully in the divine influence Jesus brings.  When the love factor has grown great enough we are able to approve the things that are excellent.  This love factor can grow so great we can be people who are without offense till the day of Christ.

Without offense is a true key for the joy factor in our lives.  Paul from the jail cell could have easily walked in offense and he would not have been the life speaker that he was.  The enemy of our soul would love for us to walk in offense.  Only the love of the Father compelling us can overcome the power of offense.  Surrendering to the affection of Christ will make us bear fruits of righteousness.  Walking offended prohibits fruit bearing.  Indeed walking free from offense is the will of God for every believer; this will bring God glory and praise.