Prayer: I will never be the same again, I can never return; I've closed the door.
I will walk apart, I'll run the race And I will never be the same again.
There are higher heights, there are deeper seas, Whatever you need to do, Lord do in me.
The Glory of God fills my life,
And I will never be the same again.[1] – Darlene Zschech
Fill our hearts, lives, and expressions with Your joy, O Lord. We praise and thank You, Lord, that because of Your sacrifice, we will never be the same again. We will be obedient to Your leading. Please help us to work Your plan for our lives this day and every day. We praise You, God, and know that You are our only hope of eternal life. Use us for Your glory. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Main Scripture:
I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:10-13).
Associated Scriptures:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).
Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matthew 6:34).
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Correlative Quotes:
People today are consumed by the passionate pursuit of happiness. Self-help books, motivational speakers, and advice columnists claim to offer the key to happiness, but for many people the door remains locked. Unable to control their circumstances, they find themselves instead controlled by their circumstances. When their job, relationship, or house (or, in the case of Christians, church) fails to make them happy, they dump it and look for a new one. But on the merry-go-round of life, they can never quite seem to reach the brass ring.[2] – John MacArthur
I think an important insight that I gained from studying Philippians was that of living like a Christian. This includes the call to be servants. Being a servant requires humility and Paul exhorts believers to live with selfless humility as an attitude. There is no greater example of humility than that which is found in Jesus Christ Who being God emptied Himself of His glory with the Father to associate with lowly, carnal creatures. Even though He is above all and Creator of all, He came down as a servant and willingly laid down His life for imperfect creatures that were enemies before they came to believe in Him. He entered into the world on the humblest of settings and died the most painful and humiliating death that any human has ever endured.[3] – Jack Wellman
Study:
INTRODUCTION
During our study in the book of Philippians, we have been allowed, by God’s grace, to analyze many ideas that have a serious impact on our lives as believers. Paul’s entire letter to the Philippians contains many deep theological gems. However, the overriding theme of this epistle is the concept of joy. The believer’s ability to experience personal joy is essential to living the abundant life. The believer is then obligated to express their joy to the world. These two actions are paramount to fulfilling God’s plan. Other believers and nonbelievers should see Christ’s joy in us.
A secondary emphasis in Philippians discusses the spiritual growth process and its resulting assurance to the believer. Confidence in Jesus and a dynamic belief in our salvation are vital to sustaining joy (Hebrews 10:22).
Obedience is the key to our relationship with God (1John 1:7-9). Continual conformity to Jesus is essential to our walk of faith. Following in Christ’s footsteps causes spiritual growth. Our growth as believers will allow us to experience God’s wisdom and knowledge. Greater growth in wisdom and knowledge gives us sustainable assurance.
We receive a sense of security only through a closer relationship with God. Jesus is the only way to eternal life (John 14:6). The stronger our assurance and our hope in God’s truth, the greater our joy.
KEY VERSES IN PHILIPPIANS
Salvation is the good work that the Holy Spirit has started in us. Once God starts a good work, He will finish it. The completion of our salvation will take place at the return of Jesus (1Thessalonians 4:13-18). These words are an incredible promise. They give us a feeling of complete assurance. Certainly, we can feel great joy in knowing that our salvation is secure In Christ.
I was recently diagnosed with a falling heart rate and some clogging in two of my arteries. Two stents were placed in the blocked arteries. The Cardiologist who completed the surgery predicted that opening the arteries would probably solve the slow heart rate issue.
The next day, another Cardiologist was called in. He told me that the stents had fixed the plumbing problem, but he was there to work on the electrical. Several hours later, he installed a new, shiny pacemaker. The first surgery increased the flow of blood to my heart, and the second is controlling my heart rate, keeping it above sixty beats per minute.
As I was laying in the hospital recovering from the two surgeries, I received a deeper understanding of what Paul meant when he wrote the words to this verse. I love life, and I enjoy doing the work of ministry. However, I long to be in eternity with Jesus. Near-death experiences bring us closer to that glorious time when we will see Him face to face.
We accumulate many things in this world. I saw a homeless man the other day pulling and pushing two shopping carts full of what most people would consider junk. I didn’t have a chance to talk with him, but I would imagine that he thought the shopping carts were filled with treasures.
We have a lot of baggage. We gather it over the years, and we don’t want to let it go until God touches our hearts and shows us that the things of this world have no eternal value. God owns everything, and when we leave this world, we will take nothing with us, nothing but our position in God. What counts in life is not our possessions but our position. It is all about Jesus.
Once we understand that all good and perfect things come from God, we will not glory in our achievements. One aspect of spiritual maturity is realizing that God is in charge, and we are tools in His hands. He has provided us with the physical and mental ability to carry out His will and bidding. Our reward for being obedient and giving God His due is the joy of a close fellowship with Him now and eternal life in the future.
Our strength comes from God. We are not talking about physical strength or health alone; all strength comes from God. It takes determination, courage, durability, vitality, and spirituality to survive in this life. God provides all this to His children. However, we are obligated to seek God’s goodness through prayer and to act on it with no regard for setbacks and hurdles. Nothing good comes easy.
Summary Statement:
Paul knew, as did the Philippians, that true joy comes only through humble faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ, joining us in harmony with His followers, and serving others in the name of Christ. This was the life experienced by the Philippian believers, and it is a life available to us today. Allow the joy you find in Christ to keep you from useless quarrels and divisions and to instead guide you into harmonious relationships with God’s people[4]. Charles Swindoll
Lessons within the Lesson:
As a result of this study, what are you going to do that will change your life permanently?
With the knowledge of Philippians 1:6, what impact can you have on the lives of others?
How will the commandment in Philippians 4:4 impact your attitude in the future?
How will Philippians 4:13 influence your desire to do good works?
[1] Darlene Zschech, I will Never be the same Again, Fair Use Authorization, Section 107, of the Copyright Law, songlyrics.com/darlene-zschech/i-will-never-be-the-same-again-lyrics/,
[2] The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Fair Use Authorization, Section 107, of the Copyright Law, Copyright © Moody Press and John MacArthur, Jr., 1983-2007.
[3] Jack Wellman, Philippians Commentary, Summary, and Key Verses, What Christians Want to Know, , Fair Use Authorization, Section 107, of the Copyright Law,whatchristianswanttoknow.com/philippians-commentary-summary-and-key-verses
[4] Chuck Swindoll, The Teaching Ministry of Charles Swindoll, Philippians, , Fair Use Authorization, Section 107, of the Copyright Law, Insight for Living Ministries, insight.org/resources/bible/philippians.
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