Devotions

able to cope

Posted on January 31, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

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able to cope

Philippians 4:10-14 (JDV)

Philippians 4:10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it.
Philippians 4:11 I don’t say this due to my need, because I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself.
Philippians 4:12 I know both how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content – whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need.
Philippians 4:13 I am able to cope with all things through him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:14 On the other hand, you did well by partnering with me in my hardship.

able to cope

The prosperity gospel folks have so abused this text that it will take a nuanced translation to rescue it from their grasp. Paul is not encouraging people to think big and aim high. He is not arrogantly claiming to be able to do anything. He is a missionary, and he is thanking the Philippian congregations for supporting him financially. They partnered with him during his time of great need — even hunger at times. There were years when Paul was not able to support himself financially because he was imprisoned. During those years he depended completely on the help visitors and coworkers sent by congregations like those in Philippi.

There had been years where Paul had a successful ministry among the congregations because he was free to concentrate on his teaching and encouragement while at the same time providing for his own needs through his bivocational ministry of tent-making.

Because God has taught him contentment and trust, and because of the help God gave him through his supporters, Paul was able to cope with anything.

Lord, give us the spiritual strength that will help us to cope — to be content in times of plenty and times of hunger.

Posted in blessings, contentment, poverty | Tagged Philippians 4 | Leave a comment

unlocking joy

Posted on January 30, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

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unlocking joy

Philippians 4:4-9 (JDV)

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Philippians 4:5 Let your restraint be known to every human. The Lord is near.
Philippians 4:6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:8 Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable – if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy – dwell on these things.
Philippians 4:9 Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

unlocking joy

We don’t always feel joyful. How can we rejoice always? Is it even possible? Sometimes we feel like being joyful, but it is like the joy is locked up inside us, and we cannot free it.

Paul’s advice for the Philippians is not a generic joy, but a specific, particular joy. Paul told them to rejoice in the Lord always. How do we unlock this kind of joy? Here are some guidelines:

Joy in the Lord is not ecstatic, unbridled emotion. It is joy characterized by restraint.
Joy in the Lord comes from hearts and minds guarded by peace.
Joy in the Lord comes from dwelling on morally excellent and praiseworthy things.
Joy in the Lord comes from following the good example of spiritual leaders.

Lord, help us to live right, so that we can be joyful always.

Posted in joy, leadership, peace, Uncategorized | Tagged Philippians 4 | Leave a comment

coming to agreement

Posted on January 29, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

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coming to agreement

Philippians 4:1 So then, my dearly cared about and longed for brothers and sisters, my joy and crown, in this manner stand firm in the Lord, dear cared about ones.
Philippians 4:2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be in agreement in the Lord.
Philippians 4:3 Yes, I also ask you, true partner, to help these women who have contended for the gospel at my side, along with Clement and the rest of my coworkers whose names are in the book of life.

coming to agreement

Wikipedia* includes this statement in its article on these two women:

“Not surprisingly, Euodia and Syntyche are chiefly remembered as two people who had an argument, and their names are most commonly associated with disagreement. However, for some commentators, as also for some church institutions, there is further significance in the implied leadership role of the two women within the Philippian church. This leadership role, which some have suggested included ordained ministry, is taken to be implied both by Paul’s interest in their argument, and by the language used by Paul in addressing their disagreement.”

Yes, I can see that. Anyone who Paul claims has contended for the gospel at his side is certainly a church leader. Why should we be surprised to find female church leaders anywhere? The Holy Spirit, who empowers people for ministry, was poured out on the poor and the rich, slave and free, Jew and Gentile, male and female.

Both of these women had influence in the Philippian congregations, so it was important that they set their differences aside and come to agreement for the sake of God’s kingdom and their mission.

Lord, help us to find unity, so that your mission is not hindered by our stubbornness.

______________________

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euodia_and_Syntyche

transformers

Posted on January 28, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

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transformers

Philippians 3:15 -21 (JDV)
Philippians 3:15 Then, let all of us who are mature think these thoughts. And if you think other thoughts about anything, God will reveal this also to you.
Philippians 3:16 In any case, we should be in line with whatever truth we have arrived at.
Philippians 3:17 Join in imitating me, brothers and sisters, and pay careful attention to those who live according to the example you have in us.
Philippians 3:18 You see, I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many are living as enemies of the cross of Christ.
Philippians 3:19 Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory is in their shame. They are focused on things of the land,
Philippians 3:20 but our citizenship is in the sky, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 3:21 He will transform the body of our humble state into one like his glorious body, by the achieving energy that enables him to subject everything to himself.

transformers

There is a series of movies out in which the heroes are machines who transform themselves into (of all things) other machines. Paul encouraged the Philippians to think of themselves as transformers as well. He said that there are some among them that are trying to prevent the transformation. These are false teachers whose god is their own stomach. These are focused on the land — the present humble state, and they are enemies of the cross of Christ. They need to be avoided, and their teaching rejected.

But Paul encouraged the Philippians to stay true to the truth, and the Lord would transform them into something permanent. The others — the ones who are Christ’s enemies — will not become permanent. Their end is destruction.

Lord, we surrender to your power to keep us in your truth, and await our transformation at your return.

Other posts covering Philippians 3:15-21

https://www.afterlife.co.nz/2020/11/termination/

https://www.afterlife.co.nz/2014/07/to-die-is-gain/

https://jeffersonvann.com/2014/07/11/to-die-is-gain/

https://www.afterlife.co.nz/articles/annihilationism/

https://www.afterlife.co.nz/2015/10/embarrassing-lessons-in-ministry/

https://jeffersonvann.com/2011/05/14/excursus-hell-is-permanent/

https://www.afterlife.co.nz/2018/01/set-apart-destruction/

https://hence4th.org/2019/05/14/set-apart-for-destruction/

https://www.afterlife.co.nz/2011/07/problem-of-hell/

https://jeffersonvann.com/2011/07/17/solving-the-problem-of-hell/

https://jeffersonvann.com/2013/01/29/acst-56-the-saved/

https://hence4th.org/2019/03/12/assembly-body-bride-the-saved/

https://www.afterlife.co.nz/2018/05/pauls-sky-and-land-references/

Posted in destruction in hell, glory, sanctification, second coming | Tagged Philippians 3 | Leave a comment

his invitation — our goal

Posted on January 27, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

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his invitation — our goal

Philippians 3:9-14

Philippians 3:9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ – the righteousness from God based on faith.
Philippians 3:10 My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the partnership of his sufferings, being conformed to his death,
Philippians 3:11 assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead.
Philippians 3:12 Not that I have already reached the goal or am already complete, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead,
Philippians 3:14 I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s high invitation in Christ Jesus.

his invitation — our goal

God’s high invitation is not an invitation to heaven. Lots of people think that is the goal of the Christian life, but it was not Paul’s goal. He told the Philippians that his goal was a personal relationship with Christ, even sharing in his sufferings, so that he might reach the final stage of that partnership — sharing in his resurrection from among the dead.

Some teach that all Christians already share in that resurrection — that it is a spiritual resurrection which ensures that we will survive death. Paul would have none of that foolishness. He admitted that he had not already reached the goal.

God calls each one of us to a journey, and the ultimate destination of that journey is not a life in the clouds. It is a permanent life. That life will begin not when this one ends, but when Christ returns to raise us from the dead.

Lord, we have responded to your heavenly invitation. We make it our goal know you and the power of your resurrection.

new math

Posted on January 26, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

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new math

Philippians 3:1-8 (JDV)

Philippians 3:1 From now on, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. To write to you again about this causes no trouble for me and is a safeguard for you.
Philippians 3:2 Watch out for the dogs, watch out for the evil workers, watch out for those who mutilate the flesh.
Philippians 3:3 You see, we are the circumcision, the ones who worship by the Breath of God, brag about Christ Jesus, and do not put confidence in the flesh –
Philippians 3:4 although I have reasons for confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more:
Philippians 3:5 circumcised the eighth day; of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew from Hebrews; regarding the law, a Pharisee;
Philippians 3:6 regarding zeal, persecuting the congregation; regarding the righteousness that is in the law, blameless.
Philippians 3:7 But everything that was a plus to me, I have considered to be a minus because of Christ.
Philippians 3:8 More than that, I also consider everything to be a minus in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of him I have suffered losing all things and consider them as dung, so that I may gain Christ

new math

Paul was able to think clearly about his past, and focus on staying true to the gospel in the present, because he recognized the principle of the new math. All of his former accomplishments registered as a minus on the ledger. All of his respectable pedigree that he inherited, being born at the right time in the right place, to the right parents — that accounted for nothing as well. In fact, it too was a minus, because if he trusted in it, it would keep him from trusting Christ. The gospel of grace does more than just put us all on a level playing field. It makes us all losers, and totally dependent on God for deliverance. But the good news is that God takes losers, and introduces them to his Christ. Knowing Christ turns our losing into winning, because gaining him has surpassing value.

Father, thank you that we are losers, who have found the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus our Lord.

selfless servants

Posted on January 25, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

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selfless servants

Philippians 2:19-30 (JDV)
Philippians 2:19 Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon so that I too may be encouraged by news about you.
Philippians 2:20 You see, I have no one else of like disposition who will genuinely care about your interests;
Philippians 2:21 all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 2:22 But you know his proven character, because he has served with me in the gospel ministry like a son with a father.
Philippians 2:23 For this reason, I hope to send him as soon as I see how things go with me.
Philippians 2:24 I am confident in the Lord that I myself will also come soon.
Philippians 2:25 But I considered it necessary to send you Epaphroditus – my brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier, as well as your missionary and servant to my need –
Philippians 2:26 since he has been longing for all of you and was distressed because you heard that he was sick.
Philippians 2:27 Indeed, he was so sick that he nearly died. However, God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow.
Philippians 2:28 For this reason, I am very eager to send him so that you may rejoice again when you see him and I may be less anxious.
Philippians 2:29 For this reason, welcome him in the Lord with great joy and hold people like him in honor,
Philippians 2:30 because he came close to death for the achievement of Christ, risking his life to make up what was lacking in your ministry to me.

selfless servants

Paul had told the Philippians that they should have the same attitude as Christ, who “humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death” (2:8). He put us ahead of himself. Now, Paul gets the chance to brag about two of his fellow missionaries, who demonstrated this kind of selfless obedience as partners with Paul in his ministry. Timothy is commended because he genuinely cares for the interest of the churches. Epaphroditus remained committed to his mission even after he became deathly ill. These are the kind of servants who make their master proud, because they understand his heart.

Lord, give us the heart of selfless servants, putting your mission and your flock first.

fourth gain

Posted on January 24, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

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fourth gain

Philippians 2:12-18 (JDV)

Philippians 2:12 For this reason, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, work out your own rescue with fear and trembling.
Philippians 2:13 You see, it is God who is achieving things in you – both to want and to work according to his good intention.
Philippians 2:14 Do everything without grumbling and arguing,
Philippians 2:15 so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are unblemished in a crooked and corrupted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world,
Philippians 2:16 by holding firm to the word of life. Then I can boast in the day of Christ that I didn’t run or labor for nothing.
Philippians 2:17 But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrificial service of your faith, I am still glad and rejoice with all of you.
Philippians 2:18 In the same way you should also be glad and rejoice with me.

fourth gain

In 1:21, Paul said that if he were to die for his faith, it would be gain. I already said there were three ways this would be considered gain. He would consider such a death “gain” for him, because it would be a witness to his faith in Christ. It would be a gain for Christ, because it would honor Christ with his body. It would also be gain for the gospel, because as Tertullian put it “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church” (Apologeticus, Chapter 50).

Here is the fourth way that a martyr’s death would be gain. Paul spoke of being “poured out as a drink offering on the sacrificial service of (the Philippians’) faith. If his death accentuated the truth of the gospel which the Philippian Christians were believing and preaching, it would be gain for him, because his whole life is centered around decalring that gospel.

Lord, may we hold firm to the gospel, so that those who gave it to us at the cost of their lives will not have died in vain.

emptying our expectations

Posted on January 23, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

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emptying our expectations

Philippians 2:1-11 (JDV)

Philippians 2:1 If then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of care, if any partnership with the Breath, if any affection and mercy,
Philippians 2:2 make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same care, united in throat,intent on one purpose.
Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.
Philippians 2:4 Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Philippians 2:5 Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus,
Philippians 2:6 who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited.
Philippians 2:7 Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of a human. And when he had come as a man,
Philippians 2:8 he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death– even to death on a cross.
Philippians 2:9 For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name,
Philippians 2:10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow– in the sky realm and on land and under the land –
Philippians 2:11 and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

emptying our expectations

Paul encourages the Philippian Christians to respond to Christ’s selfless attitude by adopting it themselves. As Grownups, we adore children for their cuteness, honesty and openness, and that helps us to overlook their innate selfishness. But as children mature, we expect them to learn to be less selfish and more considerate.

Christ did not empty himself of his divinity or his majesty or his righteousness. He emptied his expectation of getting what all those things deserve.

Christ’s choice to empty himself of all the things he deserved as God’s only Son is the ultimate example of the selfless attitude that accompanies Christian maturity. He was able and willing to look beyond what he deserved to do something for us that we did not deserve.

Lord, grant us the maturity that empties our expectation of what we deserve.

contending together for the faith

Posted on January 22, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

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contending together for the faith

Philippians 1:27-30 (JDV)

Philippians 1:27 Just one thing: live your lives worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm with one breath, from one throat, contending together for the faith revealed by the gospel,
Philippians 1:28 not being frightened in any way by the opponents. This is proof of destruction to them, but of your rescue – and this is from God.
Philippians 1:29 You see, it has been granted to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe in him, but also to endure this for him,
Philippians 1:30 since you are having the same struggle that you saw in my case and now hear in my case.

contending together for the faith

Paul told the Philippian Christians that he only wanted one thing from them. He wanted them to live their lives worthy of the gospel of Christ. He explained that they could do so by contending together for the faith revealed by the gospel, standing firm with one breath, coming as if from one throat.

It is in the context of persecution against the gospel that the Philippians could live their lives worthy of it. Paul had already been imprisoned, so his message to the Philippians came with its own illustration. He was demonstrating the kind of courageous witness that he called the Philippian Christians to mimic.

Paul says that proclaiming the gospel in such an environment of persecution is actually a gift. Not everyone will have the privilege of witnessing to Christ in this way. It is an honor.

Also, Paul says that by declaring the gospel boldly under the fire of enemy opposition, the Philippians will be proof of something called “destruction”(1:28). He is referring to the destruction the persecutors will experience at the end of the age, when Christ returns. And the rescue that the Philippians will experience will happen then, too.

Lord, give us the courage to contend together for the faith, trusting you for our ultimate rescue and vindication.

Devotions

able to cope

unlocking joy

coming to agreement

transformers

his invitation — our goal

new math

selfless servants

fourth gain

emptying our expectations

contending together for the faith

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