OUR FATHER WHO HAS MERCY ON THOSE WHO SERVE HIM

2 Philippians chapter 2 verses 25 - 30,

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, [h]not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me.

Amen.

OUR FATHER WHOM WE TRUST

Philippians chapter 2 verses 19 - 24.

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.

Amen.

OUR FATHER WHO

Philippians chapter 2 verses 12 - 18, the apostle Paul, having decribed to the Philippians the culture of purity and humility that characterizes the kingdom to which they are now joined, he encourages them to independently continue pressing forward in fear and trembling knowing that it is God Himself who is investing in them to achieve his purposes.

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.

14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 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.

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 tells  the Philippians to avoid discontentment and acrimony so that they would be beyond reproach and would be seen as faultless even while they existed in a corrupt  generation. Their good conduct would shine as lights in the dark world.

The apostle urges them rigorously align themselves to the word of life that he had worked so hard to bring to teach them so that all his efforts would not add up to nothing.

Using a libation metaphor where scripture references a drink being poured out for the worship and glory of God, Paul describes his own life as one that was being poured out for the establishment of the faith of the Philippians and in this transaction, Paul rejoices with them all and likewise, the Philippians could rejoice with him.

Amen.

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OUR FATHER WHO GAVE HIS SON A NAME ABOVE EVERY OTHER NAME

The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Philippians chapter 2 verses 1  - 11, having encouraged them to comport themselves in ways worthy of the gospel, declares to them that his joy would be fulfilled if they remained united in purpose by having the same love, being in agreement and sharing the same common intent. 

In the life in Christ, Paul urges the Philippians to be lowly and humble where they regarded each other as higher than themselves and cared for each others well being as they did their own.

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. 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.

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. 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. 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.

The apostle reminded the recipients of his letter that the Lord Jesus Christ, while being in the lofty position of being equal to God, humbled Himself and yielded every privilege of divinity and yielded Himself to be obedient even to the point of being sujected to an ignominious death on a cross.

From this humble position, God highly exalted Him such that every creature in every realm would be under His authority and every being would acknowledge the absolute supremacy of Christ to the glory of God the Father.

Amen.

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OUR FATHER WHOSE SON IS WORTHY OF HONOR 

The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Philipians chapter 1 verses 27 - 30, advises the recipients of his letter to remain steadfast through the sufferings that they were experiencing even as he did as an example for them.

He reminded them to ensure that their conduct was exemplary even in his absence so that they would be known for their unity and bravery.

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. 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.

Paul re-assures them that their privilege of believing in Christ came with the hazards of suffering for Jesus' sake but that this was something that he had already endured as a prisoner.

Amen.

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OUR FATHER WHO WANTS US TO PROGRESS IN FAITH

The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Philippians in chapter 1 verses 19 - 26, discusses the quandary he struggled with where he realized that his living was strictly an expression of Christ while at the same time, it would be an advantage for Him to die because he would be with Jesus.

Paul mentioned that he counted on his audience for their prayers that God would use the circumstances he was in for his deliverance in that he would continue to demonstrate courage so that christ would be exalted in his living or his dying. 

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. 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. 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. 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.

The apostle Paul told those to whom he wrote that he felt it was needful for their well being that he continue to live even though he would prefer to depart. 

Paul seems to have sensed as he was writing, that his path was to stay with the Philippians for longer so that they could joyfully progress along their spiritual travels and that they could boast in Christ on account of Paul's work in their midst.

Amen.

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OUR FATHER WHO TURNS ALL THINGS FOR GOOD FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM AND ARE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSES.

In the first chapter of the apostle Paulˋs letter to the Philippians in  verses 12 - 18, he describes his experience of being imprisoned and the effect that his imprisonment has had on the gospel.

His incarceration had the effect of making the story of Christ widely known even among the security staff who guarded him and in fact, other people who spoke of the gospel of Jesus, instead of being intimidated by Paulˋs imprisonment, became bolder in presenting the good news of Christ.

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; 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.

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

Paul also pointed out a phenomenon that emerged from his imprisonment where some people, out of envy of him, began to insincerly preach the gospel to inflame the political sentiments against Paul so that he would be in more jeopardy while in prison. Other people, in solidarity with Paul, sincerely preached the gospel to extend its reach because Paul, its main proponent, was in custody.

To Paul, preaching the gospel in insincerity or in sincerity has the same effect of spreading the good news of the Christ and because of this, he was gratified.

As the book of Romans chapter 2 verse 28 says; ˋAnd we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.ˋ

Amen.

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