“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus…” or “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus…” (Phil. 2:5) Have you ever tried putting together a puzzle without having the box cover to show you what the finished product is supposed to look like? Without the cover picture we … More PHILIPPIANS 16: Puzzle Pieces & Box Covers (Phil 2:5)
Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or cheap boasting, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself. Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well.”(Phil 2:3-4) As a basketball coach I know full … More PHILIPPIANS 15: Getting Along in a Get-Ahead World (Phil 2:3-4)
“Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort provided by love, any fellowship in the Spirit, any affection or mercy, complete my joy and be of the same mind, by having the same love, being united in spirit, and having one purpose” (Phil 2:1-2). My teenage years were spent concert-hopping, and participating in that … More PHILIPPIANS 14: Dancing in a Mosh-Pit World (Phil 2:1-2)
“For it has been granted to you not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for him, since you are encountering the same conflict that you saw me face and now hear that I am facing.” (Phil 1:29-30) In today’s passage Paul says something that I have stressed a lot lately — namely, … More PHILIPPIANS 13: Suffering for Christ (Phil 1:29-30)
“Whatever happens, as citizens of heaven live in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ so that — whether I come and see you or whether I remain absent — I should hear that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, by contending side by side for the faith of the … More PHILIPPIANS 12: Resident Aliens (1:27-28)
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as … More PHILIPPIANS 11: To Die is Gain (1:19-26)
It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am … More PHILIPPIANS 10: The Message & the Medium (Phil 1:15-18)
I want to report to you, friends, that my imprisonment here has had the opposite of its intended effect. Instead of being squelched, the Message has actually prospered. All the soldiers here, and everyone else too, found out that I’m in jail because of this Messiah. That piqued their curiosity, and now they’ve learned … More PHILIPPIANS 9: Obstacle or Opportunity? (Phil 1:12-14
“For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until Christ returns. May you produce the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God” (Phil 1:10-11). Farming went out of style a while ago — at least in my neck … More PHILIPPIANS 8: Soul Farming (Phil 1:10-11)
And I pray that your love may abound even more and more in knowledge and every kind of insight so that you can decide what is best… (Phi 1:9-10) We all know the famous Beatles refrain: “Love, love, love, all you need is love.” There is a lot of truth to this statement, but it has … More PHILIPPIANS 7: Praying With Paul II (Phil 1:9-10)
Pull up a slab of rock, light a candle and grab a quill, ink and a scrap of papyrus to take notes. We’re journeying together back to the year AD 58 to a Roman prison cell to listen in as Paul pens his letter to the Philippians. What can his letter speak to us some … More PHILIPPIANS 6: Praying with Paul I (Phil 1:9a)
Pull up a slab of rock, light a candle and grab a quill, ink and a scrap of papyrus to take notes. We’re journeying together back to the year AD 58 to a Roman prison cell to listen in as Paul pens his letter to the Philippians. What can his letter speak to us some … More PHILIPPIANS 5: “A Gut Feeling” (Phil 1:8)
Pull up a slab of rock, light a candle and grab a quill, ink and a scrap of papyrus to take notes. We’re journeying together back to the year AD 58 to a Roman prison cell to listen in as Paul pens his letter to his Christian brothers and sisters in the city of Philippi. … More PHILIPPIANS 4: Burning Huts & Islands of Despair (Phil 1:7)
Pull up a slab of rock, light a candle and grab a quill, ink and a scrap of papyrus to take notes. We’re journeying together back to the year AD 58 to a Roman prison cell to listen in as Paul pens his letter to his Christian brothers and sisters in the city of Philippi. … More PHILIPPIANS 3: God is a Perfectionist (Phil 1:6)
Pull up a slab of rock, light a candle and grab a quill, ink and a scrap of papyrus to take notes. We’re journeying together back to the year AD 58 to a Roman prison cell to listen in as Paul pens his letter to his Christian brothers and sisters in the city of Philippi. … More PHILIPPIANS 2: The Fellowship of the King (1:3-5)
Pull up a slab of rock, light a candle and grab a quill, ink and a scrap of papyrus to take notes. We’re journeying together back to the year AD 58 to a Roman prison cell to listen in as Paul pens his letter to his Christian brothers and sisters in the city of Philippi. … More PHILIPPIANS 1: Servants & Saints (1:1-2)
Jeremy L. Berg 