When we come to the beginning to a new year we look forward
to new things, new diaries, new resolutions etc. etc. So let’s seek God on what He wants us to focus on and do.
Phil 1:1-11
My desire is that we
would have some worthy goals for 2015. This letter was written to the Philippians
by Paul. This church was planted by Paul when he was supernaturally led to
Macedonia where he met Lydia (Acts 16) and she got saved. As they stayed there
for some time, Paul had cast out a demon from a girl who used to foretell the
future and her masters would make money from it. Now this caused a huge uproar
in the city. Paul and Silas ( Acts16:22) were brutally beaten up and thrown into
jail and put into stocks.
What would your response be if this were you?
Verse 25 However Paul and Silas were singing and praises
to God. What a contrast! It’s something for
us to emulate. That, even when things go wrong we could continue to praise God.
Sadly we don’t, we get dejected, offended etc etc
The next thing we know in Acts 16:26 there is an earthquake, their
chains fall off and in v.29 we read that the jailers gets saved, takes Paul and
Silas to his house to wash their wounds. His family gets saved. V.33. Past
midnight the jailer asks to be baptized. They are then escorted out of the city.
Phil 1:1
The
mighty Paul calls himself a servant, not Apostle, miracle worker etc. Like Jesus
who did not come to be served but to serve we should have the same goal –
to grow in humility and servant hood. Not to think more highly of ourselves. We should be able to serve even when not
thanked and even serve people who are ungrateful.
Q. Who is the letter addressed to? To all the saints.
He is not just addressing the Elders, pastors or deacons but everyone. The Word of God is not just for leaders but
for everyone. This includes children. Paul addresses them as well in the letter
to the Ephesians. He addresses slaves as well.
Verse 2-5
Paul is praying for them and thanking them for their
partnership in the gospel. He was specific. This is something we could do- be
partners in the gospel. How? They accompanied him on journeys and sent money to
support him. Phil. 4:14-16. The Philippians supported him.
Q.
If Paul wrote this letter to you would he be thanking you for partnering with
him? Are we actively proclaiming the good news?
Verse6
Paul says this demonstrates that we are true believers
and he is confident that it will be completed. This is amazing!! He has begun something
and he will finish it. “No power in
hell, no scheme of man can ever pluck me from His hand”. This is a great
assurance.
However Ch2:12 “continue to work out your salvation
with fear and trembling” So is this a contradiction? God works but God wants us
to work as well. He will work in you by
the Holy Spirit to help you to work it out. So it’s divine partnership. AS
we read His word , the Holy Spirit will sit us up to applying the Word and the
Holy Spirit enables us to do it. This is how the Christian life is lived.
What would God have us do in the New Year? Often the things
that occupy our minds are temporal. But look at what Paul prays for!!
Verse 9
Paul prayed that they would grow in being a loving people.
This is not an emotional flutter of the heart. It is a
love that is a decision. It is agape love. Grow in being sensitive to people. This
love may take many forms. We are
thinking how can we bless, how can we serve.
1Cor13 we may have knowledge, prophecy etc but without
love we are nothing!
A worthy resolution is to grow in love this year. It’s
the tone of voice, your smile etc etc.
Verse 10
Paul was praying
for discernment. We have many yo-yo /crazy ball Christians. Paul wants us
to be able discern what is the best. There
are many things that we can do but what is the best? Everything is
permissible but not everything is beneficial.
AS
we study the Word of God it gives us a framework about what is best, where you
live, whom you marry etc etc.
Verse10 Pure and
blameless – Integrity is very important. Our character is important. We are
going to heaven because of what Jesus has done, because of the finished work of
the cross. However we are called to live in a manner worthy of the gospel.
Grace is not a license to sin.
Throughout scripture Paul reminds us to live for
Christ. Eph 5:1,3,4.
Verse 11. Fruit of
righteousness
Are
there good works in your life? We know that we are not
saved by good works but for good works.
If all these thing happen it will bring praise and glory
to Jesus,
This is the end result. These are wonderful resolutions to consider not just for the New Year
but till the Day of Christ!!
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