Morning Moments

PHILIPPIANS DEVOTIONAL OUTLINE AND NOTES

HAVE A GREAT DAY!
Key Verse: Philippians 4:8

Happiness is a choice!  That choice however is not based upon a superficial and temporary conversion, but upon an unreserved and unquestioned life commitment to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  Becoming a Christian means you exchange your life for Christ's.  You die and He lives IN you and His presence IN you brings peace, purpose, and praise.  THAT is what it means to become a Christian.  THAT is what the GRACE of God that brings salvation brings.  Anything else is "cheap grace" or "soft peddling" the gospel of Christ.  Jesus said "If you hold on to YOUR life you will lose it, but if you loose your life (for MINE), you will find it."  THAT is the Gospel Paul preached and THAT is what will enable you to HAVE A GREAT DAY!

I.   THE LIFE OF CHRIST 1:1-30

This chapter focuses upon relationships in which the apostle was involved and which impacted his life in such a magnificent manner.  I love his openness in this letter, and it is a letter.  With all of our skills of interpretation and hermeneutics, this is a simple letter from a man who loved to a people he loved about the mutual basis of that love.  What he shares with them, what he thinks of them, what he feels for them, and what he wants for them is all based upon that love which is being poured out in the hearts of all true believers and that as he write to the Corinthians, "wants the best for others."

A.  RELATIONSHIPS 1:1-2

No man lives alone and survives.  He may live by himself, but memories of others linger in his mind whether bad or good.  When Christ enters one's life relationships begin to change.  They do so because the person in whom Christ now dwells, whether consciously or subconsciously views others from a different perspective.  Those who are fellow believers are brothers and sisters who are either encouraging or who need encouragement.  Those who are not Christians become the objects of prayer for the salvation we have received in Christ.  It is all relational.

1.  SERVANTS "Paul and Timothy"

Paul was a man who had been someone but who had discover that the someone he thought he was was not who God had desired him to be, but he could not change without the God he thought he had fought for, but actually had fought against, making His residence in him and designing him (Saul of Tarsus) to reflect His (Jesus) life (through the new birth).

Now Paul (preciously Saul), saw himself as simply a drainpipe through which the Water of Life could flow.  He saw himself as nothing and Jesus as EVERYTHING.  He saw himself as a SLAVE (bondslave) with no rights, only privileges and Jesus as his SOVEREIGN LORD.

Timothy was obviously converted to faith in Christ through the ministry of Paul who refers to him elsewhere as his "son in the faith".  They apparently were very close and were of one mind (like-minded).  Timothy was young and what he may have lacked in knowledge he made up for in compassion.  That is so important.  Far too many of today's seminary students come out so filled with knowledge they will split a church over some petty doctrine and divide sheep and destroy souls because someone doesn't see things their way.  BOTH Paul and Timothy were servants, AND SO ARE WE.

BLESSINGS!