Philippians 2
Believers have to have attitude of Christverses 1-4
If there be therefore any consolation in Christ – if any comfort of love
if any fellowship of the Spirit – if any bowels and mercies
fulfill you my joy
that you be like-minded having the same love
being of one accord – of one mind
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory
but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other
better than themselves
Look not every man on his own things
but every man also on the things of others
Attitude of Christverses 5-8
Let this mind be in you – which was also in Christ Jesus – WHO
being in the form of God
thought it not robbery to be EQUAL with God
but made HIMSELF of no reputation
and took upon HIM the form of a servant
and was made in the likeness of men
and being found in fashion as a man
HE humbled HIMSELF
and became obedient unto death even the death of the cross
Father’s treatment of Christverses 9-11
WHEREFORE God also has highly exalted HIM
and given HIM a name which is above every name
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow
of things in heaven and things in earth
and things under the earth
and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord
to the glory of God the Father
Paul describes proper service to LORDverses 12-18
WHEREFORE – my beloved – as you have always obeyed
not as in my presence only but now much more in my absence
work our your own salvation with fear and trembling
FOR it is God which works in you
BOTH to will and to do of HIS good pleasure
Do all things without murmurings and disputings
that you may be blameless and harmless – the sons of God
without rebuke – in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation
among whom you shine as lights in the world
Holding forth the word of life that I may rejoice in the day of Christ
that I have not run in vain
neither labored in vain
YEA – and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith – I joy
and rejoice with you all
FOR the same cause also do you joy – and rejoice with me
Timothy’s service describedverses 19-24
BUT I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly to you
that I also may be of good comfort – when I know your state
FOR I have no man likeminded – who will naturally care for your state
for all seek their own – not the things which are Jesus Christ’s
BUT you know the proof of him – that – as a son with the father
he has served with me in the gospel
him therefore I hope to send presently
so soon as I shall see how it will go with me
BUT I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly
Epaphroditus’ service describedverses 25-30
YET I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus – my brother
and companion in labor – and fellow soldier – BUT your messenger
and he that ministered to my wants
FOR he longed after you all – and was full of heaviness
because that you had heard that he had been sick
for indeed he was sick nigh unto death
BUT God had mercy on him
And not on him only – BUT on me also
lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow
I send him therefore the more carefully – that
when you see him again – you may rejoice
And that I may be the less sorrowful
receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness
and hold such in reputation
because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death
not regarding his life
to supply your lack of service toward me
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies (4698 “bowels” [splagchnon] means inward affections, intestines, compassion, one’s innermost self, seat of feelings, or sympathy)
DEVOTION: Is there any encouragement in Christ? Is there any comfort in Christ? Is there any personal relationship with the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer? Is there any inner affections found in the body of Christ, the church? Is there any mercy shown by fellow believers for each other?
Paul is asking questions that all have a positive answer for those who are believers or at least should have a positive answer. If we ask the right questions we will know the right answers. Paul asked the right questions and we are to supply the right answers.
The believers in the first century had many times of persecution. They were being hunted by Jewish zealots to bring them back into the fold or put in jail. There were many false religions in every city which Paul went into to win people to Christ and so there were the believers of these false religions after all of the Christians. One of major problems facing Christians was the Romans who wanted them to worship the Emperor. So they were familiar with many false religions that didn’t have all of the blessings of Christianity.
In the church all the things mentioned by Paul were present. There was a unity in Christ that the other religions didn’t have. We have the same thing today if we are obedient to HIM. Each church should have all these characteristics.
CHALLENGE: If your church has these characteristics missing pray for the LORD to allow the Holy Spirit to move in the church so that these characteristics are found.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 2 Fulfil you my joy, that you be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind (4861 “one accord” [sumpsuchos] means united in spirit, being united in the same character, affections, and especially mindset as another, harmonious, like-minded, or similar in sentiment)
DEVOTION: Paul wants to be happy with the actions of those who are serving the LORD faithfully in the church at Philippi. He bases their service on the service Christ gave when HE came to this earth.
It is because of what Christ did and is doing that Paul would like all believers to agree wholeheartedly with each other. He wants the church to fellowship together in unity. There needs to be agreement on the basic teaching of the Word of God. There are issues that it seems there can never be total agreement on regarding the standards God has set for us during our lifetime. These can be issues of order of service or types of activities but not regarding issues of sin and salvation.
With agreement people can work together on projects that bring glory to God. When believers work together it pleases God. When believers work together the world sits up and takes notice.
We want the world to realize that even though there are different denominations there can be cooperation when the Word of God is honored. There are many denominations that genuinely believers cannot fellowship with because they are not honoring the LORD and HIS commands.
CHALLENGE: God needs to give us wisdom to see the difference and work with those who are Biblically sound.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world (Deut 32: 5 uses the same phrase crooked and perverse; 4646 “crooked” [skolios] means curved, perverse, wicked, unfair, surly, or forward)
DEVOTION: In the Old Testament we find the same phrase as we have in this chapter. There is nothing new under the sun. Each generation has been wicked and perverse. Every nation has been unfair and perverse since the fall of man.
In the days of Noah it was so perverse that God destroyed the world except for eight humans. HE used a worldwide flood to cleanse the earth of all those who would not follow HIM. HE promised HE would never do it again. HE gave the rainbow as a sign of HIS promise to mankind. The sign has been perverted today. It is not longer a sign of the promise of God but of a movement away from God.
Paul was telling the Christians that Christ came to a perverse generation. He was telling them that they were living in a perverse generation. We are living in a perverse generation. What are we supposed to do? We are to shine as lights in our wicked and perverse nation. We are to live blameless and harmless lives. Does that mean that we will live sinless lives? NO!! There has only been one who was sinless and they crucified HIM.
We are to show the world that there is a difference between those who follow the LORD and those who follow another master. If we as Christians have the example of Christ, then we know that we have consolation in Christ and comfort of love and fellowship of the Spirit. Isn’t that great news!!! Let our light shine in our dark world.
Remember that God is working in us (those who are followers of Christ) to will and to do HIS good pleasure. So the life of being a light is not going to be easy. It will be rewarding but not easy. None of the servants of God had it easy in the Old Testament or New Testament.
The history of the church shows that those who genuinely followed Jesus didn’t have it easy. God is with us through each storm HE allows in our lives. Those outside of Christ DON’T like us. Sometimes even those who claim Christ DON’T like us.
CHALLENGE: If you are presently going through a storm – TRUST HIM!!
: 27 For indeed he was sick nigh to death; but God had mercy on him, and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. (1653 “mercy” [eleeo] means compassion, to show leniency and compassion toward something or someone, to feel pity, to help one afflicted or seeking aid, to bring help to the wretched, or to show kindness by beneficence or assistance)
DEVOTION: Remember that not all sickness is because of sin in a person’s life. Here is an example of someone who was really sick to the point of death but God spared him.
He was a servant of Paul on his missionary journeys. He was with Paul in prison. He gave himself to serving Paul to the point that he was sick. Paul would have told them if the sickness was because of some sin in his life.
We can serve the LORD faithfully and still have times of sickness. Sometimes HE uses these times to give us a chance to refresh ourselves for future service which is what it seemed to do for Epaphroditus.
Our responsibility is to take care of our body, so that, we can use our energy in HIS service. If committed to service God will bless our motives and actions. Prayer was answered on his behalf.
God is a merciful God as all times but Paul was especially thankful for the healing received by his fellow servant. We should be praying for our fellow workers and their health. We should rejoice when the LORD shows mercy to those we love.
CHALLENGE: Our responsibility is to also be a thankful people. Remember to thank God for the little things as well as the big things HE does for us and those around us.
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Isaiah 26:12verse 13
Deuteronomy 32:5verse 15
Word of lifeverse 16
Gospelverse 22
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
Godverses 6, 9, 11, 13, 15, 27
Form of Godverse 6
Equal with Godverse 6
Highly exalted Christverse 9
Gave name above every nameverse 9
Glory of God the Fatherverse 11
God works in every belieververse 13
God in mercyverse 27
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
Christverses 1, 5, 11,16, 21, 30
Consolation in Christverse 1
Jesusverses 5, 10, 11, 19, 21
Christ Jesusverse 5
Form of God the Fatherverse 6
Equal with God the Fatherverse 6
Made HIMSELF of no reputationverse 7
Form of a servantverse 7
Likeness of menverse 7
Humbled HIMSELFverse 8
Obedient to deathverse 8
Death on the crossverse 8
Father highly exalted HIMverse 9
Name of Jesusverse 10
Every knee should bowverse 10
Lordverses 11, 19, 24, 29
Jesus Christ is Lordverse 11
Day of Christverse 16
Lord Jesus verse 19
Jesus Christverse 21
Work of Christverse 30
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Spiritverse 1
Fellowship of the Spirit verse 1
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Angels bow to Jesusverse 10
Satan bows to Jesusverse 10
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Every human bow to Jesusverse 10
Every tongue confess Jesusverse 11
Worldverse 15
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Strifeverse 3
Vaingloryverse 3
Murmuringverse 14
Disputingsverse 14
Crooked verse 15
Perverseverse 15
Run in vainverse 16
Labored in vainverse 16
Seek their ownverse 21
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Consolationverse 1
Comfortverse 1
Loveverses 1, 2
Fellowshipverse 1
Bowelsverse 1
Merciesverses 1, 27
Likemindedverse 2
One accordverse 2
One mindverses 2, 5
Lowliness of mindverse 3
Each esteem others betterverse 3
Help othersverse 4
Obedienceverse 12
Work out your own salvationverse 12
Godly fearverse 12
Godly tremblingverse 12
God works in usverse 13
Blameless verse 15
Without rebukeverse 15
Harmlessverse 15
Sons of Godverse 15
Shine as lightsverse 15
Holding word of lifeverse 16
Not run in vainverse 16
Not labored in vainverse 16
Faithverse 17
Joy verses 17, 18
Rejoiceverses 17, 18, 28
Know your stateverses 19, 20
Servantverse 22
Trust in the LORDverse 24
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Church (New Testament people of God)
Belovedverse 12
Timothy – serve with Paul in the gospelverses 19-23
Epaphroditus verses 25-30
brother – companion – fellow soldier
messenger – minister
Last Things (Future Events)
Every knee should bow to Jesusverse 10
Every tongue confess Jesus Christ as Lordverse 11
Day of Christverse 16
DONATIONS:
Remember that all donations to Small Church Ministries are greatly appreciated. The treasurer will send a receipt, at the end of the year unless otherwise requested. Please be sure to make check out to “Small Church Ministries.” The address for the treasurer is P.O. Box 604, East Amherst, New York 14051. A second way to give to the ministry is through PayPal on the website: www.smallchurchministries.org. Also, if you can support this ministry through your local church please use that method. Thank you.
QUOTES regarding passage
1b the bowels were regarded as the seat of the more violent passions, such as anger and love; but by the Hebrews as the seat of the tenderer affections, esp. kindness, benevolence, compassion; hence our heart (tender mercies, affections, etc.) (Strong, J. (2001). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software)
Everything was to be done without complaining or arguing (v. 14). The order of the Greek words here places emphasis on everything a believer does. The present tense of the verb do suggests that this was to be done continually. “Complaining” is the translation of a word which reflects a bad attitude expressed in grumbling. The apostle may have had in mind the behavior of the Israelites who often complained to Moses and in turn to God (cf. 1 Cor. 10:10). “Arguing” reflects a legal connotation of disputing and may refer, at least in part, to the practice of going to civil courts to settle their differences (cf. 1 Cor. 6:1–11). (Lightner, R. P. (1985). Philippians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 655). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
In Philippians 2:14–15, Paul contrasts the life of the believer with the lives of those who live in the world. Unsaved people complain and find fault, but Christians rejoice. Society around us is “twisted and distorted,” but the Christian stands straight because he measures his life by God’s Word, the perfect standard. The world is dark, but Christians shine as bright lights. The world has nothing to offer, but the Christian holds out the Word of life, the message of salvation through faith in Christ. In other words, as we allow God to achieve this purpose in our lives, we become better witnesses in a world that desperately needs Christ. Apply these characteristics to Jesus and you will see that He lived a perfect life in an imperfect world. (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 78). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
2:14 without grumbling or disputing. The Gr. word for “grumbling” is a term that actually sounds like what it means. Its pronunciation is much like muttering or grumbling in a low tone of voice. It is an emotional rejection of God’s providence, will, and circumstances for one’s life. The word for “disputing” is more intellectual and here means “questionings,” or “criticisms” directed negatively toward God. (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Php 2:14). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
14. Do all things without murmurings and disputings. In a quiet, peaceful, inoffensive manner. Let there be no brawls, strifes, or contentions. The object of the apostle here is, probably, to illustrate the sentiment which he had expressed in ver. 3–5, where he had inculcated the general duties of humbleness of mind, and of esteeming others better than themselves. In order that that spirit might be fully manifested, he now enjoins the duty of doing every thing in a quiet and gentle manner, and of avoiding any species of strife; see Notes on Eph. 4:31, 32. (Barnes, A. (1884–1885). Notes on the New Testament: Ephesians, Philippians & Colossians. (R. Frew, Ed.) (p. 178). London: Blackie & Son.)
Ver. 14. Do all things, &c.] Not evil things, these are to be abhorred, shunned, and avoided, even all appearance of them, they are not to be done, even for the sake of good; nor all indifferent things at all times, and under all circumstances, when the peace and edification of others are in danger of being hurt by so doing; but all good things, all that are agreeable to the righteous law and good will of God; all those good things which accompany salvation, as hearing the word, and attendance on ordinances: all church-affairs relating to public worship, private conference, every thing at church-meetings, and which concern the discipline and laws of Christ’s house; and all things that are civilly, morally, spiritually, and evangelically good; even all things that God would have done, or we would desire should be done to us by fellow-creatures and fellow-Christians: let all these be done without murmurings: either against God and Christ, as if any thing hard and severe was enjoined, when Christ’s yoke is easy, and his burden light, and none of his commands grievous; and because their presence is not always enjoyed, and that communion and comfort in ordinances had, which may be desired: or against the ministers of the Gospel, in whose power it is not to give grace, comfort, and spiritual refreshment; any more than it was in Moses and Aaron to give bread and water to the Israelites in the wilderness, for which they murmured against them, and in so doing against God himself; or against one another, because of superior enjoyment in nature, providence, and grace; but all things, both of a moral, civil, and religious nature, with respect to God, and one another, should be done readily, freely, cheerfully, and heartily; and also without disputings; or without hesitations, as the Vulgate Latin, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions render it. Whatever appears to be agreeable to the will of God, should be done at once without dispute upon it, or hesitation about it, however disagreeable it may be to carnal sense and reason; the will of God is not to be disputed, nor flesh and blood to be consulted, in opposition to it; nor should the saints enter into any carnal reasonings, and contentious disputations, either at their public or private meetings, but do all they do decently, and in order, and in the exercise of brotherly love. (Gill, J. (1809). An Exposition of the New Testament (Vol. 3, p. 138). London: Mathews and Leigh)
One of the ways in which this lack of harmony among the Philippian saints was manifesting itself, was in murmurings and disputings. Paul had somehow gotten that fact out of an Epaphroditus whose love for his brethren back home had led him to cover up their sins. Paul exhorts them to be done with these. The word “murmurings” is the translation of a Greek word which means, “to mutter, to murmur.” It was used of the cooing of doves. It is an onomatopoetic word, that is, a word whose sound resembles its meaning. It is spelled, gongusmon (γονγυσμον). It refers, not to a loud outspoken dissatisfaction, but to that undertone murmuring which one sometimes hears in the lobbies of our present day churches where certain cliques are “having it out,” so to speak, among themselves. The word refers to the act of murmuring against men, not God. The use of this word shows that the divisions among the Philippians had not yet risen to the point of loud dissension. The word was used of those who confer secretly, of those who discontentedly complain. The word is found in a secular document reporting an interview between Marcus Aurelius and a rebel. A veteran present interposes with the remark, “Lord, while you are sitting in judgment, the Romans are murmuring.”
The word “disputings” is the translation of a Greek word that carries the ideas of discussion or debate, with the underthought of suspicion or doubt. The murmurings led to disputes.
The words “may be” are more properly, “may become,” implying that they were not blameless at that time. They were not harmless when there were such divisions among them. The Greek word “blameless,” has the idea of “blameless, deserving no censure, free from fault or defect.” “Harmless” in the Greek text has the idea of “unmixed, unadulterated.” It was used of wine without water, and metal without alloy. It means “guileless.” “Sons” is more properly “children” or “born ones.” “Without rebuke” has the idea of “without blemish, faultless, unblamable.”
“Crooked” in the Greek has the idea of “crooked, perverse, wicked,” in the sense of turning away from the truth. “Perverse” has the idea of “distorted, having a twist.” It is a stronger word than “crooked.” “Shine” refers to the fact of appearing, not the act of shining. The word for “lights” is the translation of the Greek word used of the heavenly bodies such as the stars. How appropriate to speak of the saints as luminaries, since they are heavenly people. (Wuest, K. S. (1997). Wuest’s word studies from the Greek New Testament: for the English reader (Php 2:14). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans)
2:14 The comprehensive exhortation πάντα ποιεῖτε (‘do everything’) is here modified negatively,4 as Paul specifies the sins that apparently had been troubling the congregation, namely ‘grumblings and disputes’ (χωρὶς γογγυσμῶν καὶ διαλογισμῶν). The effect of this negative modifier is to make the exhortation more specific than the preceding injunction (v. 12), from which it naturally follows even though it is syntactically independent of it. In effect, the readers are urged to ‘Do everything without grumbling and quarreling’ as they work out their salvation with fear and trembling.
Paul’s language in v. 14 echoes that of OT descriptions of the generation of Israelites who passed through the wilderness under Moses’ leadership. In v. 15 the borrowing is even more explicit, for there Dt. 32:5 is quoted: Moses called them ‘a sinful and deceitful generation’, who were a ‘stubborn, unfaithful people’ (Dt. 32:20). They had repeatedly complained about their hardships and wished that they had never left Egypt (Nu. 11:1–6; 14:1–4; 20:2; 21:4, 5). What is the significance of Paul’s drawing on this OT language? And does it assist us in determining the meaning of his exhortation? A range of typological and theological conclusions has been drawn from the echoes in v. 14 and the citation of v. 15. J. Ernst claims that the two verses show how much the apostle was rooted in the language of the OT. The grumbling of the children of Israel against God in the wilderness serves as a warning example to Paul’s readers. Further, because of this OT background, it is argued that γογγυσμῶν and διαλογισμῶν are to be understood as ‘grumblings’ against God and ‘sceptical questionings’ or ‘doubtings’ of his promises, rather than grumblings or disputes with one another. J. Gnilka believes that different NT writers used the situation of the wandering people of God as a ‘type’ for the Christian Church in its eschatological existence (cf. Hebrews and John’s Gospel). Paul knows of this typology, as is evidenced in 1 Cor. 10:1–11, and employs it here to make ‘one long appeal for unconditional self-surrender to God in Christ’. As a variation on this G. Friedrich8 suggests that the Christian, living between Easter and the parousia, is compared to the wandering people of God in the wilderness, while E. Larsson thinks that Paul is drawing out the contrast between the Church and the ancient people of God who adopted a rebellious attitude to God’s will. Others interpret the material differently, stating that ‘the apostle appears to see his relation to his converts as parallel to that of Moses to the Israelites’.10
Most writers who stress the typological and theological links between vv. 14–15 and the generation of Israelites who went through the wilderness under Moses’ leadership interpret γογγυσμοί and διαλογισμοί at v. 14 in terms of their OT connotations, that is, ‘grumblings’ against God and ‘questionings’ or ‘doubtings’ of his promises. Yet there has been no hint in the letter so far of this kind of rebellious attitude toward God on the part of the Philippians.12
Apart from Phil. 2:14, γογγυσμός turns up only three times in the NT, and a good case can be made for understanding each of these as references to dissatisfied grumblings against other people. Thus at Acts 6:1 the Hellenist Christians grumble against (γογγυσμός … πρός) the Hebrew Christians; the admonition at 1 Pet. 4:9 is that the readers should ‘offer hospitality to one another without grumbling’, while in Jn. 7:12 it denotes the secret talk or whispering of the people as they vacillated in their attitude towards Jesus. γογγυσμός at Phil. 2:14 probably refers to those ‘grumblings’ which promote ill will instead of harmony within the community. The plural γογγυσμῶν draws attention to ‘grumblings’ of any kind and may include complaints about other members of the congregation, its leaders, or even outsiders at whose hands they were suffering. The OT context may throw further light on our phrase: the Israelites’ complaining was directed against God, but found expression in their complaints against Moses. Is the apostle warning the Philippians that grumblings within the congregation, including complaints levelled against their leaders, are tantamount to quarrelling against God (cf. Ex. 17:1–7)? If so, then the γογγυσμοί have a manward reference, but with an ultimate theological orientation—they are grumblings against God.
Similarly, διαλογισμός is capable of either a Godward or a manward reference since it is a word that covers a wide range of meanings, from an evil thought to an anxious reflection or doubt, a dispute, or an argument. Here the term probably draws attention to the Philippians’ divisive actions, such as ‘quarrels’ or ‘disputes’ (Lk. 9:46; Rom. 14:1), presumably within the congregation (perhaps even with their leaders), and possibly with outsiders. They are to avoid such behaviour, for the lesson to be learned from the Israelites in the wilderness is that such quarrelling is against God. (O’Brien, P. T. (1991). The Epistle to the Philippians: a commentary on the Greek text (pp. 290–292). Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.)
FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
Christianity is addition; sin is subtraction. Christianity is peace, joy, salvation, heaven. Sin takes away peace, happiness, sobriety, and it takes away health. You are robbing God of the time that you misspend. You are robbing God when you spend time doing something that don’t amount to anything when you might do something for Christ. You are robbing God when you go to foolish amusements, when you sit around reading trashy novels instead of the Word of God. (p.297, “Billy” Sunday: The Man and His Message by William T. Ellis)
Jesus begins His ministry of miracles and preaching and calls His first disciples.
INSIGHT
Mark writes that after Jesus’ baptism the Spirit impels Him to go out into the wilderness, where He is tempted by Satan.
The next 40 days are enormously difficult for Jesus. It is not true that if you follow God’s will, you will have a life of ease. Often, the way of God involves circumstances in which we must trust in the Lord and draw on His truth and strength.
Jesus was the God-man. Yet His life on this earth was filled with trials He had to endure. And we should expect to encounter trials during our sojourning in this world, but we can endure if we draw strength from the One who has paved the way for us. (Quiet Walk)
GOD’S SPECIAL PEOPLE
Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation,a peculiar people.
1 Peter 2:9
The doctrine that Christians are God’s special people is given in a very remarkable way in John 17, but it is taught everywhere throughout the New Testament. It is found, for instance, in that mighty first chapter of the Epistle to the Ephesians, but especially in Paul’s prayer for the church at Ephesus. He prays that the eyes of their understanding may be enlightened. He wants them to grasp this truth with their minds and with their understanding because it is so vital. He prays that they may know what is the hope of their calling and then, second, what are “the riches of the glory of his inheritance”—God’s inheritance—“in the saints.” I want you to know, he says, and to see yourselves as God’s inheritance. I want you to grasp this idea of God’s special people. It is his prayer, above everything else, that these people might know this.
Consider, too, what he wrote to Timothy. Timothy was very troubled and worried about certain things that were happening in some of the churches for which he was responsible, and Paul in effect said, “Timothy, you need not be troubled, ‘The Lord knoweth them that are his.’” God knows His own people, and that means that He not only knows them, but He looks after them, He keeps His eye upon them. Then in Hebrews 2:13 these words are applied to the Lord: “Behold I and the children which God hath given me.” That is how the Lord Jesus Christ refers to Christians and to the members of His church. Peter also writes on the same theme in his epistle: “Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation,a peculiar people” (1 Peter 2:9), which means a people for God’s special interest and possession. God has chosen and marked out and separated a people for Himself.
A Thought to Ponder: Christians are a people for God’s special interest and possession.
(From Safe in the World, pp. 34-36, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
Pure Worship
Jose pastored a church known for its programs and theatrical productions. They were well done, yet he worried the church’s busyness had slipped into a business. Was the church growing for the right reasons or because of its activities? Jose wanted to find out, so he canceled all extra church events for one year. His congregation would focus on being a living temple where people worshiped God.
Jose’s decision seems extreme, until you notice what Jesus did when He entered the temple’s outer courts. The holy space that should have been full of simple prayers had become a flurry of worship business. “Get your doves here! Lily white, as God requires!” Jesus overturned the merchant’s tables and stopped those who bought their merchandise. Furious at what they were doing, He quoted Isaiah 56 and Jeremiah 7: “ ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.’ But you have made it ‘a den of robbers’” (Mark 11:17). The court of the gentiles, the place for outsiders to worship God, had been turned into a mundane marketplace for making money.
There’s nothing wrong with business or staying busy. But that’s not the point of church. We’re the living temple of God, and our main task is to worship Jesus. We likely won’t need to flip over any tables as Jesus did, but He may be calling us to do something equally drastic. (By Mike Wittmer. Our Daily Bread)
Apostasy and Prosperity
“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8)
One of the most tragic movements in Christendom today teaches that God promises to make each Christian prosper in material wealth. Suffice it to say, the Bible teaches no such thing, as seen in our text and elsewhere, but this false teaching is not new and is associated with apostasy.
Consider chapters 17 and 18 of the book of Judges, which describe a period of rampant apostasy and confusion. The chapters provide character sketches of an itinerant Levite, the tribe of Dan, and a man named Micah. First we see that Micah steals 1,100 shekels of silver from his mother, who then places a curse on the unknown thief. Micah, fearing the curse, confesses the crime. His mother tries to lessen the curse by dedicating all the money to the Lord and converts 200 shekels into an idol. Micah places the idol with his others and consecrates his son as priest, even though they are of the tribe of Ephraim. Later, he hires the Levite to be his priest and exclaims, “Now know I that the Lord will do me good, seeing I have a Levite to my priest” (Judges 17:13).
In the next chapter, spies of the Danites go to the priest for God’s blessing on their efforts to find land that they can conquer. When the marauders return, they recruit the Levite to a more prosperous position. He joins them, having stolen Micah’s idols, and establishes the tribal priesthood.
Each one in this story was confident that God would bless them materially because they had the trappings of religion. The common denominator was greed. Their desire for personal prosperity led them to a prostitution of the true worship of God. But whenever religion is “used” to justify the “love of money,” it suffers degradation. “Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24). (JDM, The Institute for Creation Research)
To be a shepherd invokes the imagery of a one who provides care, protection, nourishment, and guidance for the flock. Like the word for overseer, or bishop, the focus of this term shepherd is upon the function the leader is to perform. The leader is to protect and care for the spiritual needs of the congregation.
(p. 30-31, Developing Leaders for the Small Church by Glenn C. Daman)
Visit our Facebook page for Small Church Ministries – please invite others to join us on Facebook. Thank you. Look for the logo from the devotionals.