This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Focused On The Perfection Of Christ", 1/27/2013

FOCUSED ON THE PERFECTION OF CHRIST

 

Philippians 3:12-16

 

V:12. "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow

 

      after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ

 

     Jesus."

 A. We should never get to the point where we think we are perfect in the Lord.

     1. As long as we are in the flesh, we are subject to the temptation of evil.

     2. We have to continue to beat the flesh into submission.

     3. When we get up in the morning we have to put on the full armor of God.

          a. Satan is always on his job.

          b. Satan will not lose an opportunity to temp the believer into sinful behavior.

          c. Armed with a knowledge of the Word, we have the power to resist the devil.

 B. Even though we are not perfect, we should keep our eye on the goal of perfection.

    1. We should never get weary in our pursuit of being like Christ Jesus.

    2. Perfection is our goal and nothing less should be in our sights.

    3. When we are weak, and weary, Christ is our strength.

C. Christ has hold of every believer and they will not be lost.

    1.Even though salvation cannot be lost, the believer has the responsibility to

 

       continue his pursuit of Christ' perfection.

    2. With Jesus as our guide and protector, we can continue making gains on His

       perfection.

 

V:13. "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before."

 A. Don't ever get to proud of yourself.

     1. Keep a truthful assessment of yourself.

     2. Perfection is our goal but there are always gains to be made.

 B. Don't beat yourself up on past failures.

     1. You can't do anything about your past.

     2. You can't change your past, but you can learn from your past.

 C. Looking in the rear view mirror, keeps your focus off the goal of perfection.

     1. You have to let go of the past to move into the future.

     2. Meditation on past failures dampens our outlook for the future.

     3. Vain glory about past successes makes us complacent  about our need to push

         ourselves to improve.

  D. Consider how a farmer reacts to what God has done for us in nature.

       1. God gave us four seasons; spring, summer, fall, and winter.

       2. For a farmer, the spring is the time to plant.

       3. The Summer is the time when that which was planted comes into full growth

           and  is readied for harvest.

       4. The Fall is the time when that which was harvested is stored.

       5. The Winter is the time when God gives rain and snow and the land lies dormant.

           a. God prepares the ground for the spring season and the cycle starts over again.

        6. The farmer can't focus on seasons gone by, but must focus on seasons ahead.

           a. The farmer can't focus on past seasons.

           b. The farmer must focus on the possibilities of the new season.  

       7. God gives us new grace and new mercies each day for what lies ahead of us.

           a. We can't waste our time on yesterday, but we must focus on the task ahead.

           b. Yesterday is done and each day begins fresh in the Lord.

  E. What is before us is our perfection in righteousness and our heavenly home.

      1. We must never forget that there is much work to be done for Christ.

      2. In Christ is the power to succeed in all work to Glorify the Father.

      3. We are His workmanship and He made us for good works.

 

V:14. "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

 A. Good athletes never give up.

     1. A good athlete prepares himself to compete in the championship round.

     2. Christians are in the championship round and victory is assured.  

 B. The question is how do you finish the race.

     1.We have to strive toward  the high calling of Jesus Christ.

     2. God has given us a training manual, the Bible.

     3. By following the Commands of Jesus, we are pressing toward the mark.

 C. We haven been summoned by God through the Gospel of Jesus Christ to

       secure the crown of eternal life.

      1. The crown is ours through faith in the promises of Jesus Christ.

      2. Because we are grateful, we should use our time on earth to glorify the Father

          in all of our activities.

 

V:15. "Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye

      be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you."

 A. "Let us therefore, as many as be perfect."

     1. Our perfection is in Jesus Christ.

     2. If we abide in Christ, He will abide in us. John 15:4

     3. Keeping the commands of Jesus in love is abiding in Him.  John 15:10.

 B. "Be thus minded"

      1. The mind of Christ must be our goal. Phil 2:5

           a. A mind of love.

           b. A mind of forgiveness.

           c. A mind of compassion for one another.

           d. A mind of service.

           e. A mind to sacrifice for the love of Christ and the love of the brethren.

   C. The world has a mind that is different from Christ.

        1. It cannot be our will but the will of the Father.

        2. We can know the will of the Father by studying His Word.

 

V:16. "Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule,

      let us mind the same thing."

 A. What we have already obtained is God's favor through faith in Jesus Christ.

     1. We have already obtained eternal life.

     2. We have already obtained a place in heaven.

     3. We have already obtained the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ.

     4.  We obtain each day God's grace and mercy.

     5. We have already obtained kingdom blessings.

  B. Because we are children of the King, we ought to walk worthy of the King.

    1. Our daily thoughts ought to be the thoughts of the king.

    2. Our daily walk ought to reflect Christian values.

 C. Joy and peace is ours through our relationship with Jesus.

  

 

 

 

 

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Life In Christ Jesus", 1/20/2013

LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS

 

Philippians 3:5-11

 

V:5. "Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee."

 A. The Apostle Paul gave us his genealogy and his education as a true Israelite.

     1. He had all the elements to be elevated in the Jewish System.

     2. Because of his Hebrew ancestry, he enjoyed every advantage of being a Hebrew.   

 B. He was trained in the law by the best teacher of that time (Gamaliel).  Acts 22:3

 

V:6. "Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless."

 A. Based on his training and understanding, he did everything to comply with the law.

    1. He jealously guarded the law and persecuted the church because he believed it to

 

       be against the law.  Acts 22:4

    2. Paul lived what he believed.

 

V:7. "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ."

 A. Paul admits that his ancestry, training and education was a gain to him while

      he was in the world.

    Defn: lost= zemia= detriment ( the idea of violence)

    1. But when he met Jesus, he gave all his worldly desires.

    2. He had to lose his worldly gain to gain Jesus.  Matt 19:21

        a. Not only was it a lost but he suffered hardships as a result.

        b. He was stoned and left for dead in one city, beaten and jailed in another and

            falsely accused and imprisoned in Rome.

        c. Paul concluded that his suffering for Jesus gave him his greatest delights.

        d. In our weakness, Christ provides strength.  2 Cor 12:9

    3. He gladly gave up his worldly desires for Jesus.

    4. Things are temporary, but Jesus is eternal.

 B. Paul realized that his soul was more important than the esteem of man.

    1. Paul concluded that to seek the esteem of man was violently detrimental to him.

    2. God hates the proud.

    3. Eternal separation from God is violence to the soul.

 C. Paul did not say that family, education and training was not important.

     1. These things do not provide salvation but they are part of who we are.

     2. We must study the Word to know Christ and to be useful in the ministry.

     3. Our history, education and training should be used to glorify God and not us.

     4. Paul did say, he would rather lose everything to gain Christ Jesus.

     5. What we have gained in life, we gained because of Christ Jesus.

         a. All that we have should be used to His glory.

 

V:8. "Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ."

 A. When Paul confessed Christ as Lord and Savior, he lost all of his official and social

      standing in the Jewish hierarchy.

     1. Before Christ, he was a Pharisee held in high esteem.

         a. Both of his parents were Hebrew with no mixing of other races.

         b. He was from the tribe of Benjamin who could trace their descendants back to

             Abraham.

     2. After accepting Christ as his Savior, he was considered a traitor and was hunted

         down to be killed.

     3. Paul was not focused on his personal circumstances, but his eternal status

 

        with Christ.   

 

   B. Paul considered his knowledge of Christ more important than his status and

 

       position in the World.

     1. The word "lost" in this verse has the idea of violence.

     2. Paul considered any hindrance to his love for Christ as violence.

     3. He considered every worldly loss as his gain for Christ.

         a. Paul considered anything he suffered as a result of his love for Christ, as gain.

  C. Paul considered his worldly pursuits before Christ as dung.

     1. The word "dung" means that which is worthless or what you would throw to a

 

         wild dog.

     2. We have to be careful to not let our stuff become our god.

  D. Every Christian suffers lost for Christ.

      1. There is a change in our thoughts, habits and our focus.

      2. Our thoughts become more spiritual and less worldly.

      3. We are careful to give God the praise for our successes and thanks for our

 

          failures.

      4. We dedicate our time to serve others rather than ourselves.

      5. We are careful to fellowship with other Christians.

      6. Every lost is a gain in our relationship with Jesus.

 

V:9. "And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith."

 A. Now that we are in Christ, our focus should be His will.   

     1. It is not any goodness in us but the blood of Jesus that covers our sins.

     2. Paul was trained in the law and perfect in it's execution.

         a. Yet Paul knew the law could not provide the righteousness of God.

         b. Paul concluded that righteousness is obtained  only through faith in Christ.       

             Rom 3:22

 B. Jesus is the author and the finisher of our salvation. Heb 12:2

    1. The death of Jesus on the cross is the atonement for the sins of the world.

    

       Rom 3:25

    2. His shed blood continues to cover our sins.

    3. We are justified before the Father through our faith in Jesus Christ.

    4. The Righteousness of Jesus is imputed upon all believers. Rom 4:22-24

 C. The faith we have in Jesus originated in Jesus.

     1. No man can come to Jesus unless he is drawn by the Father. John 6:44

     2. Each believer was given to Jesus by the Father. John 6:37

 

V:10. "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death."

 A. "That I may know Him."

     1. To know Jesus is to suffer with Him.

     2. We cannot understand the suffering of Jesus unless we experience some suffering

 

        in our lives.

     3. We cannot know the love of Jesus unless we love others unselfishly.

     4. We cannot understand the compassion of Jesus unless we are compassionate

          toward others.

     5. We cannot understand the forgiveness of Jesus unless we are able to forgive.

 B. "That I may know the power of his resurrection."

    1. Jesus died on the cross, was raised on the third day and is now seated at the right

        hand of the Father.

    2. We have hope in the resurrection powers of Jesus.

     a. Jesus said to his disciples that He was going back to the Father to prepare a place

         for us.  John 14:2

     b. Jesus also said, "Where I am, there you will be also."  John 14:3

 3. "That I may know the fellowship of His suffering."

     a. Suffering for Christ identifies us with Him.

     b. Jesus gives each believer gifts to be used in edifying the body of Christ resulting

 

        in glory to the Father.

     c. The believer should labor with his gifts to serve others.

     d. Jesus said that "The poor will always be with us."

     e. There is always work to be done for Jesus.

     f. The world will know we love Jesus when they see us love one another.

D. "Being made conformable unto His death"

    1. The greatest desire of a believer ought to be an imitation of Christ.

    2. Jesus sacrificed his life for us.

    3. It is the duty and the obligation of the believer to sacrifice his life for Jesus.

       a. Luke 17:33 states,  "Whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it, and whoever

          

          loses his life will preserve it. "

       b. The greatest freedom of a believer is to be a slave for Jesus.

 

V:11. "If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead."

  A. What we believe as Christians is that life in the spirit with Christ begins with

        our death on earth.

      1. We have to keep in mind that earth is not our home and that we are just passing

          through.

      2. Heaven is our home which we have already been positioned with our first belief

          in Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

  B. All believers will be resurrected with an immortal body at the second coming of

       Jesus Christ. 1 Cor 15:54, 1 Thes 4:16-17.

 

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "An Inmitation Of Christ", 1/13/2013

AN INMITATION OF CHRIST

 

Philippians 2:5-11

 

V:5. "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus."

 A. What is the mind of Christ?

    1. Christ is love.

    2. Christ is forgiving.

    3. Christ is patient.

    4. Christ is long suffering.

    5. Christ is compassionate.

    6. Christ is righteous.

    7. Christ is eternal life.

B. Paul suggested that we imitate Christ.

   1. We were made in the image and the likeness of God ( Elohim)  Gen 1:26

   2. Our hearts ought to reflect the heart of Christ.

       a. Out of the heart flows the issues of life.  Prov 4:23

       b. We should always be in harmony with Christ.

   3. Our motives and actions ought to imitate Christ.

       a. Our lives will be most productive if we are in unity with Christ.  John 12:23

       b. Christ took on humanity and performed the most lowest office to benefit us.

       c. As Christ did, we must become a servant to benefit others in the body.

 

CHRIST SEVENFOLD SELF HUMILIATION

V:6. "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God."

  #1

  A. He rendered His claim of being equal with God.

       1. Jesus and the Father are one.

       2. Yet Jesus did not see a problem with giving up His equality with the Father for

 

           our  salvation.

 B. Form = morphe= shape, nature.

     1. Jesus has the same nature of the Father.

        a. He is Spirit as God is Spirit.

        b. He is the great I Am.

        c. He is Alpha and Omega.

        b. He is divine.

     2. Jesus was with God in the beginning.  John 1:1

 

V:7. "But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men."

#2.

 A. He made Himself of no reputation.

     Defn: made= kenoo= make empty, void

     1. Jesus is God and the creator of all things.  

     2. He took off His robe of glory to become common with us.

     3. He made himself empty of His glory.

     4. He volunteered to empty Himself before He came down out of heaven.

 

#3.

 B. He took on the form of a servant.

     1. Jesus came down from heaven to become a servant to all mankind.

     2. He could have set Himself up as a king on earth for the world to serve Him.

         a. He set Himself up on earth to be a servant to the world.

         b. Only by being a servant could He be the salvation of man.

     3. He laid aside the glory He had with the Father before the world was.  John 17:5

         a. He laid aside the splendor of Ruler, King of Kings, Lord of Lords to be a

 

             servant to all men. 1 Tim 6:15-16

#4.

 C. He was made in the likeness of man.

    1. Likeness= homoioma= form, shape

    2. He is God, but He formed Himself in the shape of a man to identify with us.

        a. His spirit was clothed in human flesh and blood.

    3. Before Jesus was incarnated to human flesh, He placed His Word in the hands of

 

        the  Jewish nation.

       a. Jesus in the flesh was the living example of the Word for the World to see.

       b. Jesus is the light of the world that only believers can understand.  John 17:14

#5

V:8. "And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."

 A. He fashion Himself as a man.

      1. He was God, yet He took on all the infirmities of human flesh.

      2. He was born of a woman by the power of the Holy Spirit.

          a. Laid in the womb for nine months.

          b. Grew in stature, shape and size as ordinary men.

      2. God in the spirit needs no food, clothes of shelter.

      3. God in the spirit does not get tired or sleep.

      4. Jesus became man and subjected himself to all these needs.

#6

  A. He humbled Himself.

      1. He humbled himself first to the Father then to man.

      2. Even though He is equal to the Father, He subjected Himself to the will of the

          Father.

      3. He took the lowly position in the body of a man.

          a. He is the parent of all mankind, yet He submitted Himself to human parents.

      4. He subjected Himself to the laws and rules of nature and man.

      5. He was above all law, yet submitted to the laws and traditions of man.

      6. He was the author of all the commandments and He kept them all.

 B. He is the creator of the universe and is every where in it.

     1. Yet He centered Himself in one place.

 C. He is eternal life.

     1. Yet He channel His life into one body.

 D. He "kenoo", made Himself nothing so we could have everything good.

      1. He is the good shepherd. We are his sheep

      2. Jesus the good shepherd has an intimate relationship with us.

          a. Through His suffering as our shepherd, He knows our suffering and

              comforts us.

#7.

  A. He became obedient unto death, even the death the cross.

      1. He committed no sin, yet He allowed Himself to be judged as a sinner by sinful

          men.

      2. Wrongly convicted, He sacrificed His life on the cross for the atonement of the

 

           sins of the whole world.  Heb 2:17

         a. No one took His life, He gave it up freely.  John 10:18

         b. He is the unblemished lamb whose shed blood satisfied God's demand for

 

             justice.

     3. Death on the cross was considered just punishment for the worst criminals.

         a. He counted Himself among the worst so we could have the best.

 

HIS EXALTATION

V:9. "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name."

 A. As a reward for His humiliation, God the Father elevated Him above all others.

     1. As a result of Jesus supreme sacrifice, God (theos) elevated Him to the supreme

         position.

        a. He is raised to the throne of glory.  Heb 1:3

        b. He is seated at the right hand of the Father.  Mat 26:64

        c. He is the mediator between God and man.    1 Tim 3:5

  2. He is given a name above every other name.

        a. No other name can be compared with the name of Jesus.

        b. He alone is the Redeemer of mankind.

        c. He alone is Savior.

        d. He alone is the Christ, the anointed one.

        e. He is the only begotten Son of God.

        f. He is the only one who laid down His life and took it up again.

        g. He is the only one we can call to forgive sin.

        h. In Him is all grace and mercy.

 

V:10. "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth."

 A. It is God's design that every one honors Jesus.

     1. Just the mention of His name should cause us to give Him praise.

         a. He is our King, our Prophet and our Priest.

     2. The name Jesus means, Jehovah is salvation.

         a. Jesus is what His name suggest; our salvation.

         b. No other name deserves or can claim this honor.

 B. All things were made by Jesus and is His glory.

    1. The heavens and the earth are the glory of Jesus.

    2. The rocks cry out the glory of God.

        a. Man can dig up a rock, but can't make one out of nothing.

        b. Man can only marvel at it's composition and structure.

    3. Every living animal, plant and tree are the works of His voice.

   

V:11. "And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

 A. Confession of faith in Jesus Christ is key to the believers salvation.

     1. Jesus is Lord.

        a. Lord is the Greek word "Kurios" which the supreme authority, controller, 

           

            master.

     2. Jesus is the creator of everything, therefore the owner of everything.

 B. Everything that Jesus does is to glorify God the Father.  John 13:31-32

     1. God= theos= supreme being

     2. Father= pater= parent

 C. When we honor Jesus, we honor the Father.

     1. The parent of all of us is God the Father.

     2. The savior of all of us is Jesus the Son.

     3. The Enlightenment of all of us is the Holy Spirit.

 

We should give God praise and honor for our presence on this earth and for our

 heavenly home made possible through faith in our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.

 

 

My notes are posted on Face Book and my blog  http://www.revmmitchell.com/ministries

 

Rev. M. Mitchell

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "In Defense Of The Gospel" 1/6/2013

IN DEFENSE OF THE GOSPEL

 

Philippians 1:15-26

 

DIFFERENT PREACHERS, DIFFERENT AGENDAS

V:15. "Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will."

  A. In Church, there will be two groups of people; those who are sincere in love and

       those who promote the Gospel out of selfish motives.

     1. Those who envy the work of others are quick to find fault.

         a. They find pleasure in the trouble of other Christians as evidence that there is

             something wrong in their ministry. 

         b. They undermine the work of others for selfish gain.

         c. Because of their self-righteousness they are the source of trouble and division.

      2. Those who preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in truth and love will have their

          share

          of distracters.

         a. Our objective is not to please man but to please God.

         b. It is the will of the Father that we find the good in every person.

         c. Realizing that we all have issues, it is the job of the minister of the Gospel to

             uplift, build up and encourage the body of Christ.

  B. The Church of Jesus Christ started in strife and has grown strong because of its

       opposition.

     1. The fact that people are opposed to good work for Jesus is evidence of the 

          Gospel's effectiveness in convicting the hearts of men.

     2. Those who oppose the good work of others have taken notice of that work.

 

V:16. "The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds."

 A. The ministers of Jesus Christ are not always accepted and sometime violently  

      opposed.

     1. The Apostle Paul was in prison because religious people opposed the Gospel of

         Jesus Christ and stirred up strife against him.

     2. While in prison, those who preached Jesus for selfish motives stirred

          up additional strife against Paul to promote their views.

 B. There are those in the body who use the troubles of others for personal gain.

 

V:17. "But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel."

 A. Those who love the Lord, love the brethren and are there to support others during

      trials and tribulations.

    1. Those who know the Lord, understand that He works through the troubles of

        others.

    2. Those who know the Lord know that the defense of the Gospel breeds opposition.

    3. Those who serve the Lord with love are quick to defend those who defend the

         Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 B. We are all part of the same body; that is the body of Christ.

    1. Some are given the ministry of taking the Gospel to places where it will be

        opposed.

    2. Some are given the ministry to help and support those who face trials because of

        their defense of the Gospel.

 

ALL PREACHING OF JESUS WORKS TOGETHER FOR GOOD

V:18. "What then? Notwithstanding every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice."

 A. God can use all the ministries of Jesus Christ whether done out of truth and love or

      out of selfish gain.

     1. Those who preach the Gospel affect the hearers of the Gospel.

         a. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.

         b. It is the Word that does the convicting and the Power of the Word that saves.

     2. We can find joy in the Word whether or not we like the minister.

 B. A minister is just the vessel that God uses to draw unbelievers to Himself.

    1. There is joy in heaven when a sinner comes to Christ.

    2. Likewise, we ought to find joy, no matter who preaches the Gospel.

 

V:19. "For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ."

 A. Those who love the Lord know that trials and tribulations work to their good and to

      the good of other believers.

    1. God has prayer warriors ready to intercede on behalf of those who preach Jesus

        Christ.

    2. Those who preach Jesus Christ in truth and love have the power of the Holy Spirit

        strengthening them. 

        a. God's grace is sufficient to see His workers through any trial.  

 B. Our salvation is through the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross.

    1. What we suffer for Christ through service on earth stores treasures in heaven for

        us.

    2. Endurance of our trials and tribulations gives God the glory for the world to see.

 

NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL

V:20. "According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death."

 A. Those who love the Lord should never be ashamed of their service or their suffering

      for the Lord.

    1. This life is full of glorious times and troubled times.

    2. In all circumstances, we must give God the praise and the glory.

 B. We must expect that God will allow only what is best to happen to us.

    1. Some of God's best will at times appear adverse to us.

    2. Because of our hope in the Lord, the adverse will work to our good.

 C. In all things, we can boast in the Lord, for His goodness endures forever.

    1. God uses us to show the world His power over trials and tribulations.

    2. Our focus should not be life on this earth, but life in heaven.

    3. Death is not the end for a believer, but the beginning of a New Spiritual Life with

        Christ.

 

V:21. "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

 A. Facing death as a possible outcome of his trial, the Apostle Paul concluded that

      death is a gain, because he would be home with Christ.

    1. Paul concluded that if the outcome of his trial was a release from prison, he would

        live for Christ.

       a. Either way, Paul was comfortable with the outcome controlled by God.

       b. When we trust God with the outcome of our circumstances, we can be joyful.

 B. For the believer, the gain of death is heaven.

    1. Heaven is the place where tears and sorrows don't exist.

    2. Heaven is the place where praise and glorification of the Father is the only mind

        set.

 

THE JOY IN LABOR FOR CHRIST

V:22. "But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I want not."

 A. Living in joy and peace has some requirements.

     1. Proper living requires labor.

         a. Those who want to accomplish anything in life must labor in some area.

         b. They must be dedicated to the task to make a difference.

     2. Fruitful labor is serving Christ Jesus.

        a. In the end, the only labor that counts is what we do for God.

        b. If we accomplish all things on earth, but lose our souls, what have we gained?

        c. We can accomplish all things through Christ who strengthens us, and gain

            heaven.

 B. When we labor for Christ, our focus is on the gain of other believers.

      a. It is our obligation to use our labor to bring others to Christ and reconcile those

          in Christ.

      b. Surly, the work of Christ is never done.

      c. To die is to leave Christ’s work undone for others to complete.

      d. But we can take comfort that God already has a replacement when

          He calls us home.

 C. Paul saw his work for Christ incomplete, but heaven was his desire.

     a. Paul would not choose to live or die, but left the choice in the hands of Christ.

 

V:23. "For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better."

 A. The end of this Christian journey of life is better than the journey itself.

     1. The end is to be with Christ and start New in the Spirit with Christ in heaven.

 B. It was Paul's love for his Christian brothers and sisters that gave him cause to

     continue working for Christ in the flesh.

    1. Paul understood the spiritual immaturity of those he shepherded.

    2. Paul knew they needed more teaching and a deeper understanding of the Word of

        God.

 C. To live longer was to suffer more, but he was committed to the gain of his sheep.

    1. Love requires us to sacrifice ourselves for those who love the Lord.

    2. Paul understood that if he gave up his life, he would gain more in Christ Jesus.

 

V:24. "Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you."

  A. Paul was most concerned about the spiritual welfare of those in his charge.

      1. He would rather live in pain than to see God's people suffer because of lack of

          knowledge.

      2. Paul’s mission from Jesus was to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles.

         a. Whatever God has gifted us to do, we should do our best to accomplish it.

         b. We should not let our personal circumstances affect God's plan for us.

  B. As long as we have breath, we should do our best to give God our best.

      1. Paul was in prison at this time facing death, yet his concern was the life of

          believers.

      2. When our life becomes secondary to God's work, we live best.

 

V:25. "And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith."

 A. The Apostle Paul derived his confidence in Jesus Christ.

     1. He knew what work he begun in Jesus would be completed in Jesus.  Phil 1:6

     2. Paul gained his joy from the increasing faith of the believers.

     3. Paul was joyful when he saw the miracle of the preached Word bringing men out 

        of darkness and into the marvelous light.

     4. Paul was joyful when he saw the miracle of the preached Word bringing men out

         ignorance and into the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

 B. Like a mother finding joy in seeing her child grow into maturity, so we should find

      joy in seeing the lost come to Jesus.

    1. It should be our joy to testify to the goodness of God and His work in us.

    2. It should be our joy to see others increase in faith and live a joyous life.

    3. There is joy when God uses us to benefit the spiritual well being of others.

 

V:26. "That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again."

 A.  Joy is contagious.

    1. When you find joy working with others, they will find joy with you.

    2. Jesus is the reason for our joy.

       a. His joy is available to us continuously.  John 16:24

       b. Knowledge of Jesus and His promises should give us joy.