Taken from Philippians 1:1

Paul and Timothy considered themselves to be bondservants of Jesus Christ...They were willing to lay down all they were that they might serve the One that had done so much for them.

Today we'll begin our study in the book of Philippians and this week we'll look at an introduction to Paul's relationship with the church in Philippi. This letter written by Paul as he was on house arrest in Rome is a great encouragement to believers today that no matter what happens we can walk in the joy of Jesus.

Cross References

Introduction

2 Corinthians 11:23-28

Philippians 2:5

Verse 1

Philippians 2:20-22

Exodus 21:1-6

Philippians 3:7-8

Verse 2

Ephesians 2:8-9

Verses 3-4

2 Corinthians 11:28

This week we'll see a prideful king named Belshazzar come to his end...We'll see that he has no regard for God Almighty as he mockingly uses the utensils from the Lord's house to party. Then suddenly a hand will appear and write several ominous words that no one can interpret. Daniel will be brought in to deliver the message that the Babylonian kingdom was over and we'll see that the very same night it comes to pass.

Cross References

Verses 2-4

Daniel 5:22

Verses 10-12

1 Peter 3:15

Verses 22-23

Psalm 115:4-8

This week we'll conclude our study through the book of Acts. We'll see Paul and those with him crash land on the island of Malta where they will spend some time ministering and then we'll see Paul finally make it Rome where he will also minister to all who came to him.

Cross References

Chapter 28

Verses 3-5

Matthew 20:28

Philippians 2:5-8

Verse 6

Mark 16:17-18

Verses 11-16

John 17:20-21

John 13:34-35

Philippians 1:12-13

Verses 23-24

John 5:39

This week we'll see the Lord take the world's most powerful man and in a moments notice allow him to become like the beasts of the field. We'll talk about pride today and how the Lord always resists those that are proud...and we'll see the Lord bring this man to a place of recognition in his life that God is the authority in this world and He sets whoever He wishes on the throne.

Cross References

Verses 10-12

Daniel 2:37-38

Verse 13

Hebrews 1:14

Verse 19

Jeremiah 29:4-7

Verses 28-33

Proverbs 16:18

James 4:6

Proverbs 16:5

Taken from Acts 26:28 as Paul speaks to King Agrippa. This was a king that was close to making a decision for Christ and yet he refused to believe.

This week we'll see Paul begin his journey to Jerusalem and he'll be on a boat under the authority of a Roman centurion. We'll see pretty quickly though that problems will arise and the Lord will eventually redirect Paul for a whole new ministry on an island called Malta.

Cross References

Verses 19-23

Psalm 16:10

1 John 2:3-4

Verses 27-38

Psalm 24:18-19

Tonight we'll be looking at Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego as they go through perhaps the most difficult challenge that they faced in their lives. The king of Babylon will have a golden statue made and all who are present are commanded to bow and worship it...Those who refuse would surely die. We'll see these three men choose to honor the Lord God Almighty and God will show up big in their lives.

Cross References

Introduction

2 Corinthians 4:7-10

1 Peter 1:6-9

Verses 2-7

Revelation 13:15-18

Verses 16-18

Luke 22:41-42

Matthew 16:24-26

Verses 26-30

Matthew 7:13-14

Check out this 2 minute encouragement that talks about the power of your personal testimony.

This week we'll see Paul eventually use his right to appeal to Caesar as he faces seemingly endless trials. He'll speak to several more powerful individuals in the area and we'll see that Paul once again uses his testimony to speak to others.

Cross References

Chapter 25

Verses 9-12

Philippians 1:21

Verses 13-21

1 Corinthians 15:13-17

Chapter 26

Verses 1-3

Philippians 1:12

Verses 17-18

John 8:12