WE live in challenging times morally. We are not to be frightened by our opponents. We are called to have higher standards that the world. We belong to Jesus, we are His. We, the Church, are God's spokespeople in the world. we are called to stand firm.

Seeing beyond the circumstances to see how God is bringing us through the most difficult times. Life - death. We are to have a living relationship with Christ. For to me to live is Christ. When we came to Christ we died to self - sin and are made alive in Christ.Great assurance for the Christian. The best is yet to come.

One who is forgiven should be the first to forgive others. He who has been forgiven much, should forgive much, especially in the context of the Church. Those who refuse to forgive, become the slave.

this is one of Paul's prison epistles. Here in his intro he introduces the doctrine of effectual calling, telling us that it is God who moves in the life of His people. He writes to deal with the dual authorities in the church--elders and deacons. He lets the Philippian christians know he is prayer for them and introduces the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints.

The Philippians were a good people. Paul prays for them and for the Church. We have not been saved primarily for our sin, we have been saved to live for Jesus. - Eph. 2- 10-.We are to live a fruitful and productive live.-Paul Prays--1. That their love may abound more and more with knowledge and discernment.-2. to approve what is pure and excellent-3. be blameless and pure in Christ-4. be filled with with the first fruits of righteousness.-5. through Jesus be the Glory and Praise of God

Paul rejoices that the Gospel is being advanced or it is going forward.-The Gospel is making progress, even though Paul is in prison or in this case because Paul is in prison. Paul, in his letter, notes no issues with the Church in Philipi. Paul notes that he rejoices however the Gospel forward, wither through opposition or cooperation for Christ is preached.

Paul, the author of Philippians, was heaven bound. The Philippians were a good example of God's grace. Our call is effectual. It is God's mercy. Those brought to the Lord were Lydia, the jailor, and the girl possessed by the demon.

Our culture is being changed drastically. All has consequences. Sanctity of life for abortion is murder. Who is man to make the choice of aborting a life that God has made. There will be spiritual implications. Proverbs 31-8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves for the rights of all who are destitute.

The central focus on Rev. chapter 5 is the Risen Lord. It is He who is victorious , he has conquered and is King over all creation.-All history reflects Christ and the plan of redemption. He alone is worthy --to open the scroll or to redeem his people.-We need to see Jesus in all his glory- as risen, as in his love and in his wrath and judgement.

God calls us to obedience. It is not a battle between grace and law-both apply to us today. Grace leads us back to the law. The God has given us the law to show-tell us how we should live. We should not neglect the preface of the Ten Commandments- I am the Lord your God...-If we have been saved by grace, how should we then live- The law tells us.