Devotional- “Philippians Chap. 1 and 2”
by B– W— (Brother Eugene)
4-28-2000
Introduction- What has God been doing? In me? In the church? What do we need to do in the church? Why have I chosen Philippians to talk about tonight?
Chapter 1.-vs.21,27-“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain”….”Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ; so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;”
1. Paul had his priorities straight! He was content to live life to the glory of Christ and did not despair at death but instead gladfully looked forward to it.
2. Can any of us here claim to have that same self-denying dedication to the cause of Christ? If not, then why not. It is our only calling as the elect of God. We cannot accomplish this on our own. Ask God to give you that spirit and allow him to work that same self-denial in your life.
3. The church is exhorted through Paul by God to stand firm in unity of one spirit, with one mind striving together for the Gospel. We are commanded to bind together as a singular body to complete the Lord’s work. I believe the mindset that our unified spirit should maintain is “to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
4. If we, as a church, will lower our pride, set aside our own agendas, and allow God to bind us together as one body then he will give us this city and all of Oklahoma!
Chapter 2.-vs.2-4,13-“make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing out of selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look our for your own personal interests but also for the interests of others,”…..”for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”
1. What would happen if each one of us truly regarded everyone else as more important than ourselves? Would we ever fight, argue, or get angry with each other if we all maintained the same love and humility of mind?
2. If we would do away with all selfishness and empty conceit then I am convinced that not only Paul’s joy would be made complete but ours would also. Joy is a natural product of relationships in which jealousy and selfishness have been done away with.
3. We need to stop pointing fingers at those around us and admit that we all are at fault for placing ourselves before others. God will change us only to the point where he is allowed, and no further. If we will individually give God our spirits then he will unite us together as one spirit with one goal.
4. In your personal time, pray Psalm 139:23-24,”Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way found in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.” In praying this prayer you will give God the opportunity to do what he always wants which is to “work and will in you for His good pleasure.”
Conclusion- The one prayer that we can pray in any and every situation with faith that what is perfect and good shall indeed be accomplished is to cry out in all sincerity “not my will, Father, but thine be done!”
