PHILIPPIANSPaul’s letter of joy - INTRODUCTION

Life Applications in Philippians

12 things Paul tells ME that apply to MY life today

Pick the top 3 you need to work on (I know you want to improve all of them but you can’t do all of them at once)

From those top 3 pick the most important one that you are going to start working on RIGHT NOW (TODAY)

1. Be joyful at all times.

4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice.

2:1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with 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 purpose.

3:1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord!

2. Don’t be anxious or worry about anything. Pray about it because God has it under control and he will give you peace

4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything…make your requests known to God…the peace of God will guard your hearts and minds.

3. Think about and dwell on the good stuff in life (truth, nobility, and what is right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthly)

4:8 Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things

4. As you are generous, God will be generous as well and meet ALL of your needs (not your wants).

4:15-18 describes the many times the Philippian church gave generously to Paul’s ministry.

4:19 And my God will meet ALL of your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus

5. You can do ALL things.

4:13 I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.

Can be either I can do all things because Christ gives me strength or I can do all things through Christ which is what gives me strength.

6. God began something great in you and He will continue growing you until the work is completed at the second coming of Christ.

1:6 … that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

7. Preach the Gospel of Christ.

1:18 …The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

This is a command not an option. Motive is not as important as preaching

the Gospel. 1:15-18

8. It may be better to be in heaven with Christ, and that will happen, but while you are here, work for Him.

1:21-22 . For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me.

What is the only thing you can’t do in Heaven that you can do today?

9. Stick together as one and don’t be frightened because you WILL suffer.

1:27-29 …stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him…

10. Don’t do anything selfish and consider other people interests as well as your own. 2:3-4 Do nothing out of selfish

ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

11. Do everything without complaining and arguing. 2:14-16 Do everything without

complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life

12. Watch out for evil people and don’t put your confidence in yourself, your things or “the rules”

3:2-3 Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil... For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—

3:8-9 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith

Key Verses

Chapter 1:21

For…

Key Verses

Chapter 1:21

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Key Verses

Chapter 2:3

Do…

Key Verses

Chapter 2:3

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

Key Verses

Chapter 3:8

What…

Key Verses

Chapter 3:8

What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ

Key Verses

Chapter 4:13

I …

Key Verses

Chapter 4:13

I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.

SMALL GROUP TIME

Life Applications in Philippians

12 things Paul tells ME that apply to MY life today

Pick the top 3 you need to work on (I know you want to improve all of them but you can’t do all of them at once)

From those top 3 pick the most important one that you are going to start working on RIGHT NOW (TODAY)