OUR FATHER  IN WHOM THE APOSTLE PAUL PUT HIS HOPE EVEN WHILE IN CHAINS

In chapter two verses 19 - 30 of Paulˋs letter to the Corinthians , the apostle Paul commends Timothy and Epaphroditus to the Philippians. Timothy was being sent to them to encourage them and also to report back to Paul on their state so that Paul would be encuraged when he heard of their condition.

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.

Epaphroditus, who was a co-worker of Paul, was also to be sent to the philippians as a trusted brother who almost lost his life in serving Paul an so Paul tells the Philippians to receive him with gladness and to esteem him.

Amen.

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OUR FATHER WHO WORKS IN US BOTH TO WILL AND TO DO HIS GOOD PLEASURE

The Apostle Paul, in the second chapter of his letter to the Philippians in verses 12 - 18, calling the readers of his letter his ˋbelovedˋ, recalling that they had always obeyed him whether he was with them or not, instructs them to workout their salvation with fear and trembling because it was ultimately God Himself who worked within them to make them to desire and to do His good pleasure.

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.

As such, when doing anything, they should do it without grumbling or being contentious so as to maintain their  blamelessness and harmlessness being faultless children of God even as they dwelt in the midst of a corrupt society as the lights of the world. Paul tells them that even as they lived this way, to cling to the word of life so that, if they endured to the end, Paul would rejoice in the knowledge that all his suffering was not in vain.

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.

The apostle invokes the concept of a drink-offering that was poured out along with the sacrifices that were prescribed in the law of Moses ( e.g. Leviticus 23 : 13) ;

And the meal-offering thereof shall be two tenth parts of an ephah of fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire unto Jehovah for a sweet savor; and the drink-offering thereof shall be of wine, the fourth part of a hin.

He compares his life to the drink offering where he was being poured out by God in the service of the faith of the Philippians and indeed he was glad to be used in this way and he encourages the Philippians to rejoice in his being poured our for them.

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.

Amen

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OUR FATHER WHO IS GLORIFIED BY THE SELF HUMBLING OF CHRIST AND HIS GLORIFICATION BY THE FATHER

In the second chapter of his letter to the Philippians from verses 1 - 11, the Apostle Paul urges them to consider whether they had at all benefitted at all from any consolation, comfort, fellowship, affection and mercy and of so, they should deliberately pursue unity in love, in purpose and in agreement in order to fulfil the Paulˋs joy. 

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.

Paul tells the Philippians not to have any selfish ambition or conceit driving their actions and attitudes but rather humility and willingness to esteem others above themselves.

To undergird his case, Paul explains that the Lord Jesus, of whom the claim of being equal with God was not fraudulent, nevertheless shed His divine form and rank and took on the form of a bond servant cloaked in the appearance and functionality of a mere man.

Even in that state, He became obedient even unto the ignominious death on a cross.  In response to this monumental act of self-deprecation to fulfill the purposes of heaven, God highly exalted Him giving Him a name that is above every name and thus every knee of those in heaven and on the earth and under the earth shall bow and ev ery tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. In all this, both the descending of Jesus and in obedience submitting to death on a cross and the ascending of Jesus and being set far above every name, God the Father is glorified.

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.

Amen.

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OUR FATHER FROM WHOM OUR SALVATION COMES

Having introduced himself and explaining his status in detention, Paul continues in his letter to the Philippians to express his own hopeful expectation that he would be released from prison by reason of the prayers of his readers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. He explained that he was nevertheless prepared for both life and death because he felt that continuing to live in the physical body was Christ and yet to die was even more beneficial to him. His only constraint in the choice between departing and leaving was that he knew that the Philippians needed him and so he sustained a confidence that he would remain to continue with them in their progress and joy of faith.

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.

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 let the Philippians  know that in either case, it was imperative that they conducted themselves in ways worthy of the gospel of Christ that they has received so that he would either witness their steadfastness and unity directly or hear of it from afar. 

The Philippians had been under persecution because of the gospel and Paul reminds them that having believed in Christ, suffering for His sake )as Paul himself did) was a privilege that was granted to them.

Amen.

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 OUR FATHER WHO MAKES ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD 

The Apostle Paul, in chapter 1 verses 12 - 18 of his letter to the Philippians tells of the paradox of his imprisonment that had been intended as a measure to hinder the spread of the gospel but had instead propelled the gospel because it made the other Christians more bold in speaking the word.

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 notes that it was becoming so accepted to have the gospel preached that some were engaging in the preaching of the gospel to remain socially relevant and so the gospel was being preached out of envy, selfish ambition, insincerity and strife. 

For Paul, he was gratified that the gospel was being preached by whatever means was possible. 

Amen.

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OUR FATHER WHO WE THANK FOR THOSE HE HAS ENJOINED US WITH

In a re-examination of the Apostle Paul´s letter to the church in the town of Philipi, we will look line by line into the precepts being communicated by the Holy Spirit.

By way of introdution, Paul begins his letter by giving his name and the name of his protege Timothy and labeling themselves as bondservants of the Lord Jesus Christ. He then indicates that his letter is generally addressed to all the saints in the town of Philippi with a mention of the spiritual and adminstrative leaders named as bishops and deacons. 

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.

The  apostle then blesses his readers by conferring grace and peace on them that he was allotted from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

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, 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 is perpetually grateful to God because of the Philippians and he discloses to them that he prays for them at every prayertime from the first day that he shared the gospel them to the time of the writing of the letter and that he was certain of the fact that the One who started the good work in them would continue to complete it on the great day of the revealing of Jesus Christ. This implies that the perfection of the saints is a continual work that will reach its perfection on the great day of the Lord.

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

Paul declares that his perspective on them is accurate because they were the ones for whom he had been imprisoned for as he defended the gospel and saw its confirmation in their salvation and as such, shared in his grace. Because of how his life was entwined with theirs, he says to them that he has a great affection for them through the sharing of Jesus Christ.

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.

Paul writes to the Philippians that he prays that they would continually grow in love, knowledge and disernment so that they would have the tools necessary to distinguish the things that were excellent and right. Paul also prayed that they would be filled with the God-given  fruits of righteousness so that they would remain sincere and without strife until the Lordˋs return.

Amen

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 OUR FATHER WHO CALLS US TO BE SEPARATE UNTO HIM

The book of Ezra ends in chapter 10 verses 16 with a listing of all the people among the priests, the levites, the singers, the gatekeepers and the families who had intermarried with foreign women during their captivity in Babylon.

18 Among the priests, the following were found to have taken foreign women for wives: Of the descendants of Jeshua, son of Jozadak, and his kinsmen: Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib, and Gedaliah. 19 They pledged themselves to dismiss their wives, and as a guilt offering for their guilt they gave a ram from the flock. 20 Of the descendants of Immer: Hanani and Zebadiah; 21 of the descendants of Harim: Maaseiah, Elijah, Shemaiah, Jehiel, and Uzziah; 22 of the descendants of Pashhur: Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethanel, Jozabad, and Elasah.

23 Of the Levites: Jozabad, Shimei, Kelaiah (also called Kelita), Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer.

24 Of the singers: Eliashib; of the gatekeepers: Shallum, Telem, and Uri.

25 Of the people of Israel: Of the descendants of Parosh: Ramiah, Izziah, Malchijah, Mijamin, Eleazar, Malchijah, and Benaiah; 26 of the descendants of Elam: Mattaniah, Zechariah, Jehiel, Abdi, Jeremoth, and Elijah; 27 of the descendants of Zattu: Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, Jeremoth, Zabad, and Aziza; 28 of the descendants of Bebai: Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Athlai; 29 of the descendants of Bani: Meshullam, Malluch, Adaiah, Jashub, Sheal, and Jeremoth; 30 of the descendants of Pahath-moab: Adna, Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, Binnui, and Manasseh; 31 of the descendants of Harim: Eliezer, Isshijah, Malchijah, Shemaiah, Shimeon, 32 Benjamin, Malluch, Shemariah; 33 of the descendants of Hashum: Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, Shimei; 34 of the descendants of Begui: Maadai, Amram, Uel, 35 Benaiah, Bedeiah, Cheluhi, 36 Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib, 37 Mattaniah, Mattenai, and Jaasu; 38 of the descendants of Binnui: Shimei, 39 Shelemiah, Nathan, and Adaiah; 40 of the descendants of Zachai: Shashai, Sharai, 41 Azarel, Shelemiah, Shemariah, 42 Shallum, Amariah, Joseph; 43 of the descendants of Nebo: Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jaddai, Joel, Benaiah.

44 All these had taken foreign wives; but they sent them away, both the women and their children.

To return to the ancestral land, it was required that they separate themselves from the foreign relationships and the children that came from those relationships. 

Amen.

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