Project: Philippians

(Acts 25-26) Today we're going to hear Paul's testimony one more time. This is the third time in Luke's historic text that this story is recounted, so it is clearly an important theme to him. As we read it, I think you'll see why: it represents, in compact form, the story of the dawn of all Christianity: a light from heaven that shines down and transforms self-confident sinners into self-sacrificing saints. The miracle is that the seed that was first planted in Paul's heart is still reproducing in hearts all over the world. 

Hey! I'd love to hear from you! Reach me at: [email protected].

Music: "Most Holy Place," by Doug Beiden. https://www.beidenmusic.com/music.

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(Acts 25)

Have you ever gone to an art museum and stood in front of an awe-inspiring work of art -- a beautiful portrait, perhaps? If so, has it ever occurred to you that artwork like that doesn't just give you a view of the subject? If you look closely enough, you can see through the painting to the artist on the other side. In fact, if the artist was a true master, you can often look through the canvas right into the artist's very soul. That's my goal for today. No, I'm not the artist, I'm the observer. And today I want to take another close look at the masterpiece that the Holy Spirit has painted in the life of Paul. Because when I peer into that face, I see the face of Jesus.

I'd love to hear from you! [email protected].

Music: "Most Holy Place," by Doug Beiden. https://www.beidenmusic.com/music.

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(Acts 24)

Sticks and Stones can break your bones, but words ... can rip you to shreds! That's not exactly how the nursery rhyme goes, but it's more accurate, don't you think? Nothing hurts worse than bearing the brunt of ridicule and false accusations. It has been the weapon of bullies throughout the ages. And, as a matter of fact, it is the single most devastating weapon of the ultimate Bully: the “accuser of the brethren” — the devil, himself.

As we'll find out today, Paul was no stranger to cruel and dismissive accusations. But we will also find out today that Paul knew the single, solitary fact of the universe that can silence every accusation leveled against a child of God. Listen in today as Paul provides a magnificent demonstration of how to respond to the voice of the Accuser.

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Send me a note! You can reach me at [email protected].

Music: "Most Holy Place," by Doug Beiden. https://www.beidenmusic.com/music.

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(Acts 23)

Are you still young enough to enjoy roller coasters? I'll have to admit, the older I get, the less my rattley ol' brain can endure those metal mountains. But once in awhile I decide to "man up" and accompany my children on one of the wild rides. And I have to say: whether or not you consider them "fun", you can definitely admit that they certainly are exhillerating!

Of course, the best roller coaster designer in the universe is God, and He absolutely loves to take His children on His best rides! The Apostle Paul was no exception -- from exhilerating heights to stomach flipping drops, the Lord's plan to get his honored servant from Jerusalem to Rome (as we'll learn in today's study) was filled with twists and turns.

Of course, the same is true for all of us: whether you find yourself climbing to the peaks or going through the loopedy loops, I can assure you that God has designed your particular coaster for your absolute Good. So you might as well just throw your hands in the air and enjoy the ride!

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I'd love to hear from you! [email protected].

Music: "Most Holy Place," by Doug Beiden. https://www.beidenmusic.com/music.

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(Acts 22-23)

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I'd love to hear from you! [email protected].

Music: "Most Holy Place," by Doug Beiden. https://www.beidenmusic.com/music.

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(Acts 21-22)

Imagine working on a grand ambition for years, painstakingly pressing on towards a goal despite repeated warnings and setbacks. And then imagine finally attaining to your ultimate objective, only to watch it collapse and crumble before your very eyes. That was the experience of the Apostle Paul when he finally set foot in Jerusalem. His dream of uniting the church through a generous offering of goodwill was met with nothing but scorn and rejection -- and a near-fatal attack from an angry mob. But if you think a dis-heartening result like that was enough to push Paul over the edge into a pit of dejection, you don't know the Apostle Paul. Here's a man who teaches us how to respond to disappointment.

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I'd love to hear from you! [email protected].

Music: "Most Holy Place," by Doug Beiden. https://www.beidenmusic.com/music.

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(Phil 1:12; Acts 18-20)

Have you ever had a teacher that you got to know as a friend outside of class? If you did, I'll bet it transformed the way you listened during the classroom lessons. There's something about knowing your teacher personally that really makes you appreciate their teaching all the more. In the same way, to really understand Philippians, we need to spend some more time getting to know the man whom God inspired to write it. So, starting in today's episode, we are going to take off down another "rabbit trail" to explore some of the events in Paul's life that led up to the imprisonment in which he finds himself when he wrote this epistle.

I'd love to hear from you! You can reach me at [email protected].

Music: "Most Holy Place," by Doug Beiden. https://www.beidenmusic.com/music.

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(Philippians 1:1-11)

If you've ever gone hiking in steep hills or mountains you know that it's often easy to be so focused on the trail right in front of your boots that you forget to pause occasionally, look up, and survey the beautiful vista of the terrain you've already covered. So today I want to do just that: In this episode we're going to take a break from our normal routine of "close reading" and reward ourselves with a sweeping summary review of everything we've studied so far.

I've also mixed in a couple dramatic readings accompanied by music from Ukraine. The song is called "Psalm 138", by Zakhar Valaha ([email protected]). You can find more of his lovely music at: https://open.spotify.com/track/33TvM2VE7XvNZOCVmX4Pcv?si=f0a842e5e1f44265

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I'd love to hear from you! Reach me at: [email protected].

Intro/Closing Music: "Most Holy Place," by Doug Beiden. https://www.beidenmusic.com/music.

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 (Phil 1:11) Years ago I lived near a fruit orchard. It was one of my favorite places to visit on my daily runs. I still remember the joyful pleasure of jogging up and down the rows of those gorgeous trees, especially near harvest season. The splendid beauty and aroma of those fully-laden fruit trees always had a way of bringing peace to my soul and a smile to my face. Those hallowed halls became a sacred place for me, as I jogged along, because my prayers would inevitably stir a deep longing that my soul might someday be like those trees. My earnest plea to God was that someday my heart would be so laden with fruit that it would bring as big a smile to His face as these trees brought to mine. And, after reading today's verse, I'm convinced that Paul had something like that in his mind when he penned these words.

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Hey! I'd love to hear from you! Reach me at: [email protected].

Music: "Most Holy Place," by Doug Beiden. https://www.beidenmusic.com/music.

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(Phil 1:10b) The end of the race. The end of the road. The end of life as we know it. There is a moment of time on the edge of the horizon -- but approaching closer with each passing breath -- that will be the final curtain call for this groaning universe. It will be a day of finality: the day when cement will finally be poured into the forms that we have been shaping and building all our lives. It will be a Day of unescapable Judgement or unimaginable Joy. In the Bible it is most often called "The Day of the Lord" -- a day that was never far from the mind of the Apostle Paul. And today, I'd like to paint a picture of it vivid enough to stick in your mind forever as well. So join me as we take a brief but sweeping tour through the distant past and the distant future. But pay close attention, because the Day of Christ Jesus might not be so distant after all.

Hey! I'd love to hear from you! Reach me at: [email protected].

Music: "Most Holy Place," by Doug Beiden. https://www.beidenmusic.com/music.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.