How can Christians have joy in the face of persecution? While in prison, the apostle Paul prioritized encouraging Christians. Instead of telling Christians avoid persecution, Paul warned of false teachers. He exhorted the Philippian Christians to rejoice in the Lord, and in the next sentence, he warned of look out for the dogs and evildoers who mutilate the flesh. With tears, the apostle described the enemies of the cross of Christ as “Their end is destruction, their god is their belly.” Paul taught these Christians to avoid the enemies’ earthly pursuits and choose to know Christ. Therefore, the apostle taught that a Christian must count all things as loss to gain Christ and know the power of His resurrection. This lesson considers how Christians must look forward to better things.

Lesson by Scott Shifferd

Recorded May 29, 2016 at the Dean Road church of Christ in Jacksonville, FL