OUR FATHER WHO IS GLORIFIED BY THE WORK HE DOES IN US

The Apostle Paul, writing to the Galatians in chapter 1 verses 18 - 24, speaks of his return from Arabia after which, three years having passed, went to Jerusalem to see Peter and James. As he travelled in Syria and elsewhere, he was unrecognizable to the people in the churches in those regions and so as he stood incognito in their midst, he would over-hear them speaking of the man they had heard of who once persecuted the church but now was preaching the very faith he had been trying to destroy.

Paul was an instrument of the glory of God because of his conversion from an enemy to a fervent supporter of the cross of Christ.

18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. 20 (Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.)

21 Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ. 23 But they were hearing only, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God in me.

Amen.

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OUR FATHER WHO REVEALED JESUS TO US BY HIS GOOD PLEASURE

Continuing in chapter 2 verses 11 - 17 of his letter to the believers in Galatia, the apostle Paul explained his apostolic credentials.

He let them know that the gospel that he delivered to them did not come from another man by teaching or impartation but rather was revealed to him through Jeus Christ.

Paul uses his history of being a zealous enemy of the church to highlight how profoundly he was altered when the Son of God was revealed to him.

Paul writes of how he had been separated unto Godˋs pleasure and purposes even while in his motherˋs womb. This calling was to preach the gospel to the gentiles and he did not verify this with the other apostolic leaders of the church but rather went to Arabia on a spiritual journey of revelation and even when  he returned, went to Damascus and not to Jerusalem where the original apostle congregated.

11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.

13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. 14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, 16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

The Apostle Paul had an encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ that instantly changed him into a fierce and tenacious advocate for the faith in Christ.

Amen.

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OUR FATHER WHO RAISED JESUS  FROM THE DEAD

The book of Galatians chapter 1 verses 1 - 10  contains the Apostle Paulˋs introduction of himself as an apostle sent by God along with a along with a blessing of grace and peace from God the Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ of whom Paul reminded them made it possible for us all to be saved from the present evil age by surrendering His life according to the will of our glorious God and Father.

1 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead), 2 and all the brethren who are with me,

3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

After his prologue, Paul immediately challenges the Galatians for their quick departure from the truth of the gospel of grace at the behest of those who wanted to pervert the gospel of Christ.

6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

Paul emphasizes to the Galatians that any gospel that varied from the gospel he first delivered to them was a false gospel even if he himself ot am angel from heaven presented it to them. Paul goes as far as to curse any person or angle who brought a false gospel to replace the one they received.

10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

The apostle Paul was blunt wirh the Galatians because he told them his only aim was to please God and not men and he could claim the title of bondservant of Christ because he served his master Jesus with no allegiances to any man.

Amen.

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OUR FATHER WHO SUPPLIED ALL OUR NEED ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES AND GLORY

In finalizing his letter to the Philippians in chapter 4 verses 10 - 23, the Apostle Paul speaks of how much he celebrated the Philippians for resuming their support for his ministry.

He mentioned that there was a gap in their provisioning cause by the lack of opportunity to convey help to him but he assured them that he had learned how to content with little or with a lot.

In the warp and woof of a life that veered from lack to plenty and back again, Paul tells his readers that he could do all things through Christ who strengthened him even to being able to survive both feasts and famines.

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

Paul is especially pleased with Philippians because even when others were not helping him, they went out of their way to send send him the provisions he needed and Paul called these efforts a sweet smelling aroma and an acceptable sacrifice before God for which a credit would abound to their account.

Paul then concludes his letter by honoring God by attributing eternal glory to Him and he also passes greeting from those who were with him to the Philippians. He then blesses them with the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

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

Amen.

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OUR FATHER WHO IS NEAR

Philippians chapter 4 verses 1 - 9 records the Apostle Paulˋs concluding remarks in his letter to the believers in the believers in the city of Philippi. Speaking with fondness and endearment towards them, he encourages them to remain steadfast in the Lord.

He makes special mention of the women who helped him in the work of the gospel and he requested that they be looked after and he declares that their names, along with his fellow workers, are in the book of life.

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

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.

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

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

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. 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.

The apostle strongly encouraged the Philippian believers to rejoice at all times, let gentleness be their hallmark and to expel anxiety from themselves but instead, submit all their specific needs to God in prayer and doing so would let the unfathomable peace of God guard their hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 

In other words, the office of the Christ that administrates all the affairs of the kingdom of God, would actively respond to rejoicing and gentleness and the suppresion of anxiety by providing a shield of  supernatural peace in them as they prayed for what they needed.

Paul then prescribes the kind of thoughts that they should meditate upon:

• Things that were true
• Things that were noble
• Things that were just
• Things that were pure
• Things that were lovely
• Things that were of good report
• Things that were virtuous
• Things that were praiseworthy

The apostle also assured them that if they practiced the things that they learned, received, heard and saw in Paul, God would be with them in His capacity to as the provider of peace and wellbeing.

Amen.

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OUR FATHER WHO REVEALS OUR ULTIMATE DESTINY TO US

The third chapter of the Apostle Paulˋs letter to the Philippians, from verses 12 - 21, records his admission that he had not yet attained the perfection for which God had laid hold of him but he revealed to his readers that to get closer to that goal, he forgot what was behind with its regrets and glories and pressed forward toward the prize of the ascendant call of God in Christ Jesus which is ultimate and eternal role that a person could attain to in his relationship with God.

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

Paul, addressing the mature people in Christ among his readers, instructs them to keep in mind the ultimate purpose of being alongside God in eternity and if they couldnˋt imagine it, Paul assured them that God would reveal this to them but in the meantime, as far as they had attained far towards perfection, they should continue to walk by the same rule of unity.

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.

The apostle calls on the Philippians to follow his example because he was set in place as pattern for them. He tells them this because there were many who became enemies of the cross of Christ and who would end in desctruction because they set their minds on earthly things rather than on heavenly things.

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. 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.

Paul likens heaven to a country that believers were citizens of and whose king, the lord Jesus Christ our Saviour, was eagerly awaited by those who were citizens of that country but lived on the earth.

Paul also reveals a mystery; The Lord Jesus, by His great authority and power over all realms, will transform our temporal bodies into glorified bodies. These bodies will be eternal and they will be capable of transending limitations that we had in our temporal bodies. Further, we will remain tripartite beings where we will made up of a glorified body, a renewed mind and born again spirit but we will have the scars of the earth imprinted on our glorified bodies like the Lord Jesus did when He showed his hands to His disciples after he ressurected. We will also retain the fragrance of the earth of our original selves by which our unique identity will be augmented.

Amen.

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OUR FATHER WHO SET US FREE FROM THE LAW

In Paulˋs letter to the Philippians in chapter 3 verse 1 - 11,  he begins to conlude his thoughts by instructing his readers to rejoice in the Lord. He told them that his letters to them were for their safety and he warned them of agents of darkness who would bring false doctrine into their midst and cloud up the true gospel with a return to the  law and the traditions of men which were only mere shadows. 

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! 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: 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.

To make his case, the apostle Paul demonstrated that if the law was the standard to follow, he, more than any other man, was qualified to claim righteouness from the law for he had followed it from the time he was born.  He had all the credentials to certify his rigteousness including having descended from the Israelite tribe of Benjamin and having undergone every rite that was prescribed in the law and further to that, as an adult, he had been zealous in the defense of law of Moses to the degree where he was prominent among those who persecuted the church.

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

Paul said that he counted all the righteousness under the law that he could claim as loss in comparison to the exeedingly high level of perfection of knowing Christ Jesus his Lord for whom he had abandoned all the things of his former life. 

He abandoned the credentials of his own righteousness in exchange for the righteousness from God by faith so that he would know God and know the power of His resurrection and share in His sufferings parallel to Jesusˋ death.  This pathway was the one that would allow him to attain to the resurrection of the dead.

Amen.

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