Daily Bread Pastor Mike Anderson

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Those God has chosen us and set us apart as holy, we respond by developing our character. Paul says, "clothe yourselves, which assumes we play a role in become the type of person Jesus would be if he would be if would be if he were us. The five qualities his lists are similar the fruits of the Spirit, which Paul lists in Galatians 5:22. Importantly these fruits are developed IN US, as we allow the Holy Spirit to run our lives.  Notice all of these character qualities are lived out in both the church and the world. We develop Christlikeness as we love others as ourselves. All of these qualities are the same qualities that Jesus

  Click Here to Read or Listen to Colossians 1 Introduction to Paul's letter to the Colossians Paul had never been to Colossae, so this is somewhat of a person introduction. He wrote this letter around the time of 60-61 A.D., which is about 30 years from his death and resurrection. The purpose of the letter is what we call the doctrine of "Christology", which is the teaching of the true nature of Christ. The Colossians were dealing with false teachers who said Jesus was not truly God. Of course, this is the foundation of our belief, because if Jesus is not God then he would have had to die for his own sins and wouldn't have been the sinless sacrifice. As such Jesus with God in the beginning and part of the Creation process. We also need to keep the doctrine of Christology always before us. Almost every heresy in the pastor 2,000 years had to do with an incorrect doctrine of the person of Jesus.  1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our br

Click Here to Read or Listen to Philippians 4 Closing Appeal for Steadfastness and Unity 4 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!  2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. Paul reaffirms his love for the Philippians and calls them his joy and crown. Paul clearly considers this church as one of the best churches in the 1st century. This is why it is so good for us to memorize some of the verses in this short but prolific letter. He also urges Euodia and Syntyche to be of the same mind. Apparently they had a disagreement. They were both women, which affirms the role women played in the early church. Lydia was the key person who help start the chu

Click Here to Read or Listen to Philippians 3 3 Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. 2 Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. 3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence. Again Paul tells the Philippians to "rejoice in the Lord" . There's that word "joy" again. Our joy is "in the Lord", or " from the Lord" . Jesus is the true source of joy.  Paul addresses what he calls " mutilators of the flesh ". These were Christians who were requiring male Gentile Christians to be circumcised, because they were not circumcised as a Jewish babies. We also call this "legalism", where after starting with the Gospel, Christians can tend to go back t

Click Here to Read or Listen to Philippians 2 Imitating Christ’s Humility 2 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In this chapter Paul talks about the humility of Christ, and how we should become like-minded. Note our choice to be a humble person is based on the benefits we have already received by being united with Christ. Christ offers us encouragement, comfort, love, fellowship, and unity of our spirit and mind.  It is out of the deep sense of gratitude that Paul asks us to make his joy complete. Note, Paul is made complete by the growth of the Philippians to

Click Here to Read or Listen Book of Philippians - Introduction Paul's letter to the Church at Philippi is probably my favorite book of the bible, save John's gospel. The basic purpose of Paul's letter is to thank the Philippians for their gift that they gave to support the church in Jerusalem. There are many memorable verses in this book, which I will be highlighting as we go along. Paul gives us an insight into what motivates him to be " sold out " for the gospel. 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  2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Usually when I start my sermon out, I start with the greeting Paul uses for his letter to the Philippians, "Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." This is a great greeting to give to anyone. Paul states that he is co-writing this letter with Timothy,

  Click Here to Read or Listen to Ephesians 6 6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” After giving instructions on marriage, Paul continues to give practical guidance for households. He reaffirms the fourth commandments for children to honor their father and mother. This is the first commandment, after the first three which all refer to our relationship with God. We might call this our vertical relationship. Commandments four through ten deal with how we are to treat one another. We might call these are horizontal relationships.  The first horizontal relationship he mentions is how we treat our parents. After all, they are the ones responsible for us being here. Bottom line is we are to honor our parents. We are to obey them and treat them respectfully. As they get older, we should take care of them, as

Click Here to Listen to or Read Ephesians 5 5 1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.  3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them. Paul continues the practical application of the theological principles and promises he laid out in chapter 1-3. Usually we hear him say, " Follow Jesus' example" , but