Daily Bread Pastor Mike Anderson

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,   19  for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. The word for “rejoice” is word “charis” in the Greek language.  It appears seven times in the book of Philippians, as indeed "joy" is the main theme of Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Notice it is Paul’s decision to rejoice that gives him confidence in his eventual deliverance.  Although we are given "joy" as one of the gifts of the Spirit, we still need to "rejoice", or "choose joy" every day.  20  I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. Paul isn't expressing an overly high view of himself but expects and hopes to have courage to give Christ glory through his suffering.   " Paul lived his life not to pr...

  Paul’s Chains Advance the Gospel 12  Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. Paul writes in Romans 8:28 that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called to His purpose.  His being imprisoned is one of the great examples of this.   " God didn’t waste Paul’s time during the Roman imprisonment. God never wastes our time, though we may waste it by not sensing God’s purpose for our lives at the moment." (Guzik) 13  As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.   Paul didn't need for everything to be perfect to preach the gospel.  It was often messy and it still is today. Though he was in chains physically, it became clear that his real servitude was to Christ.  His witness led to the conversion of some people, including the palace guard.  14  And becau...

7  It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I  am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with  me.    We see Paul's heart for the Philippians.  Though he was a man of towering intellect, he also had a shepherd's heart.  Paul did not only have a heart for them, but "carried" them in his heart.  While Paul makes a defense for the gospel and confirms its truth, and they participate in it with him.  The fellowship between Christians is one of the greatest things we enjoy as the body of Christ, no matter what denomination.  8  God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. Paul's love for them is not a human love and affection, but the love of Christ.  He yearns for them  with the affection of Christ Jesus . The word rendered affections ( splanchnon ) in the first sense refers...

Today we begin my favorite New Testament letter, Paul's letter to the Philippians. Philippi was located in Macedonia, which was also home to ancient Greece.  Paul's  letter to them was written near the end of his imprisonment in Rome.  Most of the other  New Testament letters are addressing different issues in the early church, whereas  Philippians is a thank you letter to the Philippians for their generous gifts for the work of the church.  Paul also writes several epic verses for their encouragement while he is  still in prison.  Many of these are more than worth us memorizing today. They have  served me well! 1  Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,   To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons.  The church was founded by Paul on his second missionary journey.  Paul identifies he and Timothy as servants (literally bond-servants or slaves) o...

18  And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.   Since this section is connected to the previous section in one long sentence, we might say "prayer" is another part of the armor of God.  There is a temptation for all of us to try and fight our own battles with our own strength.  Praying is essentially asking God to give you the power and strength to fight your enemy with God's power.   The power we get in prayer comes from the Holy Spirit who lives inside of us.  People sometimes worry about praying a perfect prayer or an intelligent sounding prayer, but all that matters is that it is a Spirit led prayer.    19  Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,   Since Paul is in prison, he needs their pra...

  As Paul ends his letter to Ephesians he finishes with a call to stand strong as a soldier in battle.  All of the equipment he mentions to protect the believer is equipment used in battle.  He will introduce the nature of our battle which is spiritual and the nature of our enemy who has some power and authority in the spiritual realm.   "He says the walk of a Christian is not a walk in the park but a walk in the mine field.  And this battle will last your entire life ." (verse by verse) 10  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.   Before we think about the battle with our enemy, we need to assess our current resources.  Most important as a believer we have the Lord on our side.  Might is inherent strength. Power is using that might.  God has given us both in Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.   11  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. N...

Paul moves from instructions for married couples to two other sets: kids and their parents, and slaves and their masters.  First, we start with parents and their children.  Note this is another instance of authority as was the case for a husband and a wife. 6  Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.   Paul is very straightforward. Children obey your parents, as a result of you relationship with the Lord.  Your obedience to your parents is part and parcel of your obedience to God. They are inseparable which is why it is so important. 2  “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise—   Of course this is not new in the bible, as it is the fourth of the ten commandments.  This first one after the first three commandments, which are all related to how we worship, honor, and obey God.  Since is it the first commandment after these, we see how important it is.   3 So th at it may go well w...

Paul moves into the practical application about what he has taught so far, into the end  of chapter 5 and into chapter 6, as he talks about  how your faith in Christ affects how  your  marriage and parenting.  The bible gives us  direction in all areas of our lives.  If  the  bible is trustworthy to deliver us the story of salvation is it not trustworthy in all of  its  other applications?  When you think of how many troubled or broken  marriages, I think if we applied these principles, Christian marriages would have a much better chance of success and would  be a  great  example to the world.  Instructions for Christian Households 21  Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. At the core of all of this upcoming teaching is this first principle.  We are to submit to one another because of our relationship with Christ and who He is as the Son of God.  There is no rank in rela...