Coro Baptist Church

If you didn't pick up on Paul calling the church of Philippi to rejoice in the Lord the first time (2:18), or the second (3:1), this week we get two more reminders. According to Paul, rejoicing in the Lord is the ongoing practice of clinging to joy in the work and fruit of our salvation in Christ. That fruit is the nearness of the Lord to his people. Our rejoicing in the Lord leads to more than a good time on a Sunday morning; it is necessary for all Christians at all times and in every era. For joy in the Lord bears the fruit of gentleness and the peace of God, which equips us as representatives of the Lord in a troubled world while guarding us from any anxiety and worry we would suffer.

If you didn't pick up on Paul calling the church of Philippi to rejoice in the Lord the first time (2:18), or the second (3:1), this week we get two more reminders. According to Paul, rejoicing in the Lord is the ongoing practice of clinging to joy in the work and fruit of our salvation in Christ. That fruit is the nearness of the Lord to his people. Our rejoicing in the Lord leads to more than a good time on a Sunday morning; it is necessary for all Christians at all times and in every era. For joy in the Lord bears the fruit of gentleness and the peace of God, which equips us as representatives of the Lord in a troubled world while guarding us from any anxiety and worry we would suffer.

In the midst of this letter of confidence and joy in the Lord there is a matter among the Philippian saints which threatens to disrupt the unity of the church. Paul recognises the need to address the matter and entreats those involved to -agree in the Lord.- As the psalmist sings, -Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters dwell in unity.- And when we don't it is far from good and pleasant. But in his loving kindness the Lord has given his church all we need to be reconciled to one another, so that we can indeed, -agree in the Lord- and reflect the glory of God and live in the unity he has established for us in Christ.

In the midst of this letter of confidence and joy in the Lord there is a matter among the Philippian saints which threatens to disrupt the unity of the church. Paul recognises the need to address the matter and entreats those involved to "agree in the Lord." As the psalmist sings, "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters dwell in unity." And when we don't it is far from good and pleasant. But in his loving kindness the Lord has given his church all we need to be reconciled to one another, so that we can indeed, "agree in the Lord" and reflect the glory of God and live in the unity he has established for us in Christ.

As the old spiritual goes - "This world is not my home, I'm just a passin' through." Paul puts it this way – "our citizenship is in heaven." This truth determines both our hope of glory to come as we await a Saviour from heaven – Jesus Christ, and how we live in this world today – not with our minds set on earthly things but on Christ and the kingdom of God. Knowing where we are heading and truly belong enables us to "stand firm in the Lord" when sin and worldly pressures would have us do otherwise.

In last week's passage Paul declared his goal: "I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!" In our passage this week, Paul is quick to point out that he hadn't yet achieved his goal. He none-the-less makes it clear that he was single minded in his pursuit of it. A pursuit, however, that was only made possible because he had first been called and kept by God. To steal a verse (17) from next week, dear brothers and sisters, let us pattern our lives after Paul's and, knowing that we are continually called and kept by God, let us press on in our pursuit of knowing Christ and then experiencing the resurrection from the dead!

This is the fifth of five studies from the letter to the Hebrews. In 8:6 we are told that "the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises", and follows this statement with promises contained in the prophecy of the new covenant in Jeremiah 31:31-34. The superior nature of the way God has spoken through His Son, the creational rest in which we were created to live has been entered through Him, the Great High Priest who ever lives to incterce for us, and His once-for-all sacrifice that cleanses our conscience, all open up a way for all God's covenant promises to be wonderfully fulfilled in Jesus Christ. In this study the relational promises of a new heart and an eternal hope are opened up for us to believe and live in; loving God, knowing God and dwelling eternally with Him who is our Hope..

This is the fifth of five studies from the letter to the Hebrews.-In 8-6 we are told that -the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises-, and follows this statement with promises contained in the prophecy of the new covenant in Jeremiah 31-31-34. -The superior nature of the way God has spoken through His Son, the creational rest in which we were created to live has been entered through Him, the Great High Priest who ever lives to incterce for us, and His once-for-all sacrifice that cleanses our conscience, all open up a way for all God's covenant promises to be wonderfully fulfilled in Jesus Christ. -In this study the relational promises of a new heart and an eternal hope are opened up for us to believe and live in- loving God, knowing God and dwelling eternally with Him who is our Hope..

More than most other days of the year, as Easter approaches, people will set their minds' eyes upon Jesus and the Cross. But what will they see? Some will see him as unworthy of even their momentary attention, while others will see him as their Savior. On Easter Sunday we will hear how Paul yearns for nothing other than "to know him and the power of his resurrection." Everything else, he says, "I count as rubbish in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him." Pray that we too may be shown afresh the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus our Lord this Easter.

More than most other days of the year, as Easter approaches, people will set their minds' eyes upon Jesus and the Cross. But what will they see? Some will see him as unworthy of even their momentary attention, while others will see him as their Savior. On Good Friday morning we will hear what the Old Testament prophet Isaiah saw when he perceived Christ in a prophecy from the Lord.