Bible Study - Sabbath School Podcast

Keys for Contentment

Read  Philippians 4:10-13, 19. What keys does Paul reveal for a contented, happy life?

When extreme circumstances strike (hunger, illness, injury, loss), one begins to reflect on the things that really count and to dwell on the blessings that are usually taken for granted. When we are "brought low" (Phil. 4:12, ESV), "in need" (NIV), or left with "almost nothing" (NLT) is when faith rises to the occasion.

Conversely, when we "live in prosperity" (NASB), it should always be with the recognition that it could vanish in an instant (see Prov. 23:5). As both Job and Paul remind us, we brought nothing into the world when we were born, and we will take nothing with us to the grave (Job 1:21, 1 Tim. 6:7).

Note the following Bible promises:

• Psalm 23:1--"The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need" (GNB).
• Matthew 6:32--"Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things" (NKJV).
• 1 Peter 5:7--"Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you" (NLT).
• Philippians 4:19--"My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (NKJV).

And, most wonderful of all: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13, NKJV). Perhaps none of us can fully grasp what "all things" entails. Certainly, as with any request for God's help and strength, we must ask according to His will. But many times, we don't even ask for things we know fit His will. That's why James 4:2 says, "You do not have, because you do not ask" (ESV).

Here are some things we can ask for confidently because we know they are in harmony with God's will:

• Salvation for a loved one or friend (1 Tim. 2:3-4)
• Courage to share our faith (Rev. 22:17)
• Forgiveness when we confess and forsake wrong (1 John 1:9)
• Strength to obey God's commandments (Heb. 13:20-21)
• Love for those who hate and mistreat us (Matt. 5:44)
• Wisdom for challenging situations (James 1:5)
• Understanding the truth in God's Word (John 8:32)

How do you deal with the things that you have prayed for that have not yet come, or perhaps might never come?

Rejoice in the Lord--Always

Read Philippians 4:4-7. How are we to experience "the peace of God"?

After touching on, again, the need for unity (Phil. 4:1-3), Paul moves on to another theme: rejoicing in the Lord (Phil. 4:4-7).

How many times have you been stressed over things that ultimately melted effortlessly away as quickly as they appeared? For good reason, Jesus repeatedly emphasized that we should not worry (see Matt. 6:25-34, Matt. 10:19), and Peter reminds us that we can cast all our worries or anxieties (ESV) on the Lord, "because He cares for you" (1 Pet. 5:7, ESV). In fact, the increasing problems worldwide should inspire us with hope that the coming of the Lord is near (compare Matt. 24:33, Luke 21:28, James 5:8).

The antidote to anxiety in everything, including every situation, is sending up a prayer of faith (Phil. 4:6-7). Clearly, we are to believe and act on our prayer as having been answered even before we see its realization, because we are to pray "with thanksgiving." Also added is the word "supplication" (Greek: deēsis), signaling times of extremity and urgency (see, for example, Luke 1:13, Phil. 1:19, 1 Tim. 5:5, James 5:16). Our prayers are still "requests," but we can know our petitions have been received as long as we ask "according to His will" (1 John 5:14, NKJV). Then we can rest and have peace, knowing that all our requests are in God's hands.

How do the following passages enlarge our understanding of God's peace? Ps. 29:11, Isa. 9:6, Luke 2:14, John 14:27, 1 Cor. 14:33.

God's peace is something the world can never give, because God's peace comes from the assurance that we have the gift of eternal life through Jesus our Savior (Rom. 5:1, Rom. 6:23). This peace impacts every aspect of life and "surpasses all understanding" (Phil. 4:7, NKJV). It cannot be grasped by the mind alone, as the Greek word nous (minds) used here indicates.

How would you describe to someone what it means to experience "the peace of God"?

Think on These Things ...

The peace that surpasses understanding will also "guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:7, NKJV). Our inner life needs protection. Interestingly, Philippians 4:7 uses a military metaphor in connection with God's peace. The Greek verb (phroureō) is used to describe a garrison of soldiers guarding a city against invasion (2 Cor. 11:32; compare Acts 9:24).

Another very important aspect of inner peace involves living in harmony with God's will. "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them" (Ps. 119:165).

Read Philippians 4:8-9. What specific actions are urged?

Paul introduces Philippians 4:8-9 with "furthermore" (GNV) and a list of six virtues, followed by a succinct summary of them and encouragement to imitate Paul's example. This closing cross-cultural exhortation fits well within the Greco-Roman setting of Philippi, with its dual emphasis on virtue and example. Interestingly, though, the focus is on biblical virtues, which is quite obvious from Paul's omission of the four cardinal Greek virtues (prudence, justice, temperance, and courage).

1. True--not accidentally, the list begins with the cardinal biblical virtue of truth, which Jesus ("Truly, I say ...") and the whole New Testament frequently emphasize (see, for example, Acts 26:25, Rom. 1:18, 1 Cor. 13:6, 2 Cor. 4:2, Eph. 4:15, 1 Tim. 3:15, James 1:18, 1 Pet. 1:22, 1 John 2:21).
2. Noble--the Greek word refers to a personal virtue (compare its other uses in 1 Tim. 3:8, 11; Titus 2:2, where it is translated as "reverent" in the NKJV).
3. Right--this virtue is defined by God's righteous character (compare its use in Phil. 1:7).
4. Pure--thought and action flowing from God's justifying righteousness received by faith (see 1 John 3:3).
5. Lovely--aesthetic beauty, seen widely in God's creation.
6. Admirable--"kind and winsome and and gracious" (AMPC).

Paul gives two further qualifications, lest a pagan meaning be imputed to any of these virtues: "if anything is excellent or praiseworthy" (Phil. 4:8, NIV), we are to think on these heavenly virtues. Then, to remove all doubt and potential misunderstanding, Paul calls us to practice what we have learned, received, heard, and seen from his own example (Phil. 4:9).

"Stand Fast in the Lord"

Read Philippians 3:20-21. How does Paul vividly describe what Christian "citizenship" looks like?

Unlike the enemies of the cross, who "set their mind on earthly things" and have no greater god than their bellies (Phil. 3:19), Christian citizenship is in heaven, and our ruler is Jesus Christ Himself. To underscore the point, Paul highlights the need for "these humble bodies of ours" (Phil. 3:21, NET), subject to disease, deterioration, and death, to be transformed to be like Christ's glorious resurrection body.

How do the following passages describe the glorified state?

• Job 19:25-27
• Luke 24:39
• 1 Cor. 15:42-44
• 1 Cor. 15:50-54
• Col. 3:4

In the end, through Jesus, death, "the last enemy," will be destroyed (1 Cor. 15:26). And that is our greatest hope, the ultimate promise that we have been given in Jesus--not only the end of death but a whole new body, even a "glorious body" (Phil. 3:21, ESV).

In a book about how to find "salvation" without God, which argued, rather foolishly, that overcoming the fear of death is "salvation," author Luc Ferry does admit that Christianity "enables us not only to transcend the fear of death, but also to beat death itself. And by doing so in terms of individual identity, rather than anonymity or abstraction, it seems to be the only version that offers a truly definitive victory of personal immortality over our condition as mortals."--Ferry, A Brief History of Thought (New York: HarperCollins, 2011, Kindle edition), p. 90. Quite an admission, coming from an atheist.

Thus, for Paul, our heavenly citizenship includes the promise of the resurrection and eternal life in a whole new existence that we can barely imagine now.

Why is the promise of eternal life so crucial to all that we believe? What could this world possibly offer that's worth forfeiting what Christ offers us?

Role Models

All of us have, at one time or another, found people we admire and want to emulate. For children, it's especially important that they have good role models. Ideally, this would be their father and mother. As they grow, they will find other role models, perhaps connected with their chosen career or even in biographies they have read. They can also learn how various Bible characters dealt with challenges and compare them to their own life experiences.

Unfortunately, in today's media, bad role models abound. We are bombarded with clickbait--stories detailing the salacious problems and messed-up lives of celebrities. Paul's readers in Philippi, though of course not dealing with the internet, nevertheless faced similar challenges.

The fact is, the world Paul lived in was very corrupt, immoral, and evil, as is ours today. There has always been--and always will be, at least until the end--more than enough evil to go around. The question for us is: How do we respond to it?

Read Philippians 3:17-19. How are good and bad role models described in this passage? What keys are given to distinguish between them?

We must not miss Paul's love toward those with whom he disagrees--he weeps over them! Notice also that he doesn't call them his enemies but "enemies of the cross of Christ" (Phil. 3:18). Paul recognized that much larger issues were at stake, namely, how the cross breaks down barriers and places us all on the same level, as sinners in need of a Savior (see Eph. 2:11-14).

Also, not to be overlooked is how Paul urges the Philippians to focus on the good examples, not the bad; to observe carefully those whose manner of life is much like his own. Interestingly, Paul uses similar language in warning the Romans to "note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them" (Rom. 16:17, NKJV). The deceivers in Rome are described as those who "do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ but their own belly" (Rom. 16:18, NKJV).

Though, of course, Jesus is the only perfect pattern, there are others who, at least in certain areas, could be good role models. At the same time, what kind of role model do you present to others?

Sabbath Afternoon

Read for This Week's Study: Phil. 3:17-4:23, 1 Cor. 15:42-44, John 14:27, Ps. 119:165, Job 1:21, 1 Tim. 6:7

Memory Text: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God" (Philippians 4:6, NKJV).

This week's lesson concludes our study of Philippians, and it is packed with valuable lessons and maxims for daily living. It seems that many of the high moral values that guided the apostle Paul's life are found in the closing verses of the epistle. Similar to the teachings of Jesus, which focus on the inner person, what Paul shares with us are secrets to living a joyful Christian life.

Even when things don't go the way we would like, which happens more often than we would like, we don't need to be worried or anxious or discouraged. Instead, there are principles that will help us find inner strength to face the challenges that life brings, and thus we can experience a settled and lasting peace that only God can give. The present and the future are in His hands, and He will supply everything we need.

Most important, we need not place our hopes in earthly systems of government, which regularly disappoint us. As Christians, we are citizens of God's heavenly kingdom. And with that citizenship comes privileges, wonderful privileges. And responsibilities, too.

* Study this week's lesson to prepare for Sabbath, February 14.

Further Thought: "He who would build up a strong, symmetrical character, he who would be a well-balanced Christian, must give all and do all for Christ; for the Redeemer will not accept divided service. Daily he must learn the meaning of self-surrender. He must study the word of God, learning its meaning and obeying its precepts. Thus he may reach the standard of Christian excellence. Day by day God works with him, perfecting the character that is to stand in the time of final test. And day by day the believer is working out before men and angels a sublime experiment, showing what the gospel can do for fallen human beings."--Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 483.

"Those who wait for the Bridegroom's coming are to say to the people, 'Behold your God.' The last rays of merciful light, the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of His character of love. The children of God are to manifest His glory. In their own life and character they are to reveal what the grace of God has done for them.

"The light of the Sun of Righteousness is to shine forth in good works--in words of truth and deeds of holiness."--Ellen G. White, Christ's Object Lessons, pp. 415, 416.

Discussion Questions:

1. Dwell more on this question of rejoicing in the Lord. Notice that it is not saying to rejoice in your trials (though that's biblical too) but in the Lord. Why is it so important to always keep before us the Lord, His goodness, His power, His love, and His salvation? How would doing that greatly benefit you amid the inevitable trials of life?
2. Notice how the above quotations describe the role of grace in producing the "good works" we do as Christians. Why is this function of grace so important as we look forward to the soon coming of Christ? That is, though we are not saved by good works, are we really saved if we don't have them?
3. Dwell more on this idea of not having confidence in the flesh. What does that mean? Why should we not have confidence in it? Is not our flesh a gift from God?

Just One Thing--Knowing Christ

Read Philippians 3:10-16. What are some of the main points Paul makes in this passage?

Surely there is nothing more important than knowing Christ, which guarantees in the end that He will know us and acknowledge us before the Father (see Matt. 7:21-23; Matt. 10:32-33). How do we know Him? Through His Written Word--reading it and living it. We cannot know Him face to face as the disciples did. But interestingly, despite that knowledge, they still failed to comprehend His words, underscoring our need of the Holy Spirit to guide us (see John 16:13). The more we know Him, the closer we come to Him, because we experience "the power of His resurrection" (Phil. 3:10), which raises us to "newness of life" (Rom. 6:4, NKJV).

Another way we come closer to Jesus is through "the fellowship of His sufferings" (Phil. 3:10, NKJV). Every trial faced, every painful experience borne, helps us to know and appreciate more what Jesus went through for us, and also to understand Him and His will more clearly.

A third way we come closer is by pressing onward "toward the goal" (Phil. 3:14, NKJV). What is that goal? It translates a word used only here in the New Testament (skopos). It refers to the finish line of a race and the prize awarded the victor. Paul calls it "the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:14, NKJV). Just as Christ, through His death and resurrection, ascended upward to heaven, God invites us to receive the same heavenly reward--eternal life.

Obviously, we have not attained that yet. We will not be perfected in the fullest sense until our "lowly body" is transformed "that it may be conformed to His glorious body" (Phil. 3:21, NKJV). But by knowing Him and inviting His presence into our lives every day, we press on toward the goal of being like Jesus in every way possible now. This is the "one thing" Paul focused on, too. Just like running a race (see 1 Cor. 9:24-27), we pay no attention to where we've been or who trails us. Our single focus is on the things that lie ahead--that heavenly prize that awaits us. The image here is vivid: a runner's full focus on the goal, straining every muscle and leaning forward to reach the finish line.

Why, in your walk with the Lord, is it so important to not keep looking back, at least back at your sins and failures, but instead to look ahead to what you have been promised right now in Christ?

The Faith of Christ

Paul's main point must not be missed. There was a wonderful exchange that he experienced on the Damascus road, trading his old, law-based life for the presence of Christ Himself--"that I may gain Christ and be found in Him" (Phil. 3:8-9, NKJV).

To be found "in Him," that is, in Christ, is an interesting expression. Read Ephesians 1:4, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Colossians 2:9, and Galatians 2:20. Based on these passages, what do you think Paul means by this idea?

Paul's reference to being in Christ has been widely discussed. Not surprisingly, perhaps the best explanation of it comes from Paul himself: "That in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth--in Him" (Eph. 1:10, NKJV). That has been God's purpose from the start. And Paul makes clear how that happens: "You are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption" (1 Cor. 1:30, NKJV).

Being "in Christ" comprehends everything that the plan of salvation encompasses, from the dawning of our spiritual intelligence (wisdom), to justification by faith (righteousness), to preparation for heaven (sanctification), and finally to glorification at the Second Advent (redemption). Salvation is Christ's work from start to finish--for us and in us. Thus, by gaining Christ, we have everything we need.

Read Philippians 3:9. What two things does Paul contrast, and why is this contrast important to always remember?

As Paul came to realize, having one's "own righteousness" is not real righteousness because the law cannot give life (see Gal. 3:21-22); only Christ can, through faith. And not just any faith. After all, the devils believe and tremble (James 2:19). The only saving faith is "the faith of Christ." Only His faith has obeyed fully and can obey. (The Greek word for faith, pistis, also means faithfulness.) So, if we are in Christ and He lives in us (Gal. 2:20), then we live by His faith through our faith in Him.

The Things That Matter

As yesterday's study pointed out, the things that previously made Paul proud were actually hindrances to faith because they blinded him to his need of Christ. Paul uses the language of commerce, gain and loss, to describe his spiritual ledger prior to faith. Although we don't like to think about it much, every human being has a "spiritual ledger." Previously, Paul's ledger was measured by the Jewish values of the time rather than by the biblical values as taught by Jesus.

After his conversion, his spiritual ledger looked very different because its scale of values dramatically changed, from the "currency" of Judaism to the "currency of heaven."

"He who came down from heaven can speak of heaven, and rightly present the things which form the currency of heaven, on which he has stamped his image and superscription. He knows the danger in which those are placed whom he came to uplift from degradation, and to exalt to a place beside himself upon his throne. He points out their peril in lavishing affection upon useless and dangerous objects. He seeks to draw the mind away from the earthly to the heavenly, that we may not waste time, talent, and opportunity, upon things that are altogether vanity."--Ellen G. White, in The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, July 1, 1890.

In the world of first-century Judaism, Paul had been a rapidly rising star until, by becoming blind at the sight of the glorified Jesus on the Damascus road (Acts 9), his spiritual eyesight was corrected, and he saw clearly.

John 9 tells the story of another man who was blind and then saw Jesus clearly. Jesus said He came into the world so "that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind" (John 9:39, NKJV). How might this principle be applied to your own life?