Philippians 1:28-30 - Living for Jesus

Philippians 1:28-30

Message: Living for Jesus, Living Like Jesus Part 2

Time: AD 62. One of the 4 prison epistles. 

What the Lord is Saying: This was the sermon yesterday. We showed up late for church, went in and sat against the back wall in 2 seats by ourselves. He was doing the message, making his points. His points were from 28 about the opposition that we face in the world and that it is not a reason for fear, is evidence of an approaching judgment, and is proof someone is a genuine disciple. All good thoughts. And then with 29-30 the idea of Salvation is a gift, Suffering is a privilege and Trials are to be expected. All good thoughts, but to get into it I took the verse and wrote them out myself. 

28 

in no way alarmed by [your] opponents 

    opponents are present and that is a reality, but we are not alarmed by their opposition as it is expected; makes me think that the evil and this world is contrary to the gospel and it is so; we are to keep being    a people of integrity

which is a sign of destruction for them

    their persecution is the sign of their response to the gospel; in the KJV it speaks of leading to their  perdition or their loss or separation from God for all eternity

but of salvation for you, and that, from God 

    let their alarm be to me confirmation of the truth I have and being saved and this salvation is from God; their hostility is a confirmation to me of the gospel  

29

For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake 

    Salvation is for me and persecution; the gospel is for me, on behalf of Christ and what he has done. And it has been granted so it is a privilege; Acts 5:41, Peter and John "So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name." 

not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake. 

    I am not merely a believer. There are many that think the Christian life is about believing, but rather it is about suffering. I suffer for Christ, on behalf of Christ, and with Christ. 

30

experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me

    There is a conflict between believing and suffering; Paul experienced this

and now hear in me.

Summary: It is a privilege to suffer, to join with Christ in His suffering and this clearly shows the separation between those called and those not called. 

Prayer: O God, thank you for your great words of truth and they beauty of these words. And how I am to submit to You and your ways. I see Lord that what I want in faith is sometimes contrary to this. I want everyone to end up in heaven and for there to be just different levels. But help me to not make your truth simply something that I want it to be, but help me to surrender to You and submit to You. I want to glorify You, not me. 

 

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