Project: Philippians

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

(Phil 2:2)

I hate to break it to you, but YOU are WRONG!

(Now, let me explain what I mean...)

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

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

(Phil 1:30)

As we close out the final verse in chapter one of Philippians, we do so on a note that might at first sound terribly disheartening. It's the bleak pronouncement from Paul that if you think life is hard now, don't worry: it's gonna get harder! What kind of verse is that, right here in the middle of the "Epistle of Joy"? Well, come on a journey with me today, and we'll discover how "suffering" is something that some people sign up for ON PURPOSE. Because sometimes the agony of the battle is is overshadowed by the noble cause that makes it all worthwhile.

~~~~

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

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

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

(Phil 1:29)

Have you ever received a "Care Package" in the mail? When I was in college, every once in a while I would receive a gift through the Post sent from loving friends back home. It would be filled with all sorts of pictures and goodies that would remind me that I was loved. Sometimes, as a joke, they would wrap the gift horribly -- make it look as ugly and unappealing as they could. Of course, that didn't spoil the delight of what was inside. In fact, it just made it better, somehow. Ah! Good memories!  

So, as it turns out, your Heavenly Father loves to give good gifts, too. In fact, He's the absolute Master of gift-giving. The problem is, not all of His gifts are packaged in a way that looks appealing or desirable. Some of them seem so harsh you might even be tempted to send it back unopened -- if it weren't for the fact that you know the heart of the One who sent it. It's a Care Package. With your name on it. From God. 

So, the only question is: how will you respond?

~~~~

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

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

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

(Phil 1:28)

I've got a mug on my office desk. It's black with gold letters that say, "I've got this. - God." It is a daily reminder that I need way too often. (Because I so often lose sight of it!) In my defense, though, I've got a whole lot of days in my life that are filled with obstacles and attacks. (I imagine you probably do as well.) So, it's no wonder that once in a while (or perhaps more frequently than we'd like to admit), we get a bit flustered and frazzled by the shrapnel that comes flying our way. And in those moments, it's not too surprising that our faith starts to buckle under the pressure. 

But, you know what? God's got another plan in mind for you, my friend. He wants to introduce you to something He calls, "Courage." Courage under Fire.

~~~~

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

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

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

(Phil 1:27)

I'll be perfecty honest: I feel unworthy. Unworthy to have a podcast audience. Unworthy of the countless blessings in my life. And absolutely unworthy to be a blood-bought child of God. (And if you think I'm being too hard on myself, just ask my kids and they'll set you straight!) Maybe you can relate. When I try to measure up to the standard set by Jesus, I come away seeing nothing but my bucket-load of flaws, foibles, and failures. So, truth be told, it gives me more than a little consternation when I come across a verse like the one we're studying today. The one where the Apostle Paul says, "Yeah, so, the most important thing I want you to remember is this: LIVE WORTHY!" But, as audacious as that command is, I've got to admit, it makes sense. If I am the recipient of the most gracious and generous gift in the universe, I sure reckon that I ought to live like it. 

The only questions is: How??

~~~~

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

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

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

(Phil 1:27a)

Ladies and Gentlemen, may I have the honor of introducing you to the very first command in the book of Philippians? That's right: after a full year of episodes, we are just now encountering our very first imperative. And it is not only the first, but I believe in some respects it is the most important instruction in Paul's mind, because he will spend the rest of the book explaining what it means. 

And it all comes down to your IDENTITY.

~~~~

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

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

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

(Phil 1:12-26)

Sometimes you can study the trees so much, you miss the forest. So today, we're going to step back from our microscopic study of individual words and verses, and take a sweeping survey of the majestic landscape that we've covered in the last dozen verses. 

And like I did in an earlier episode, I've also mixed in a couple dramatic readings accompanied by music from my Ukrainian friend, Zakhar Valaha. You can find more of his music at https://open.spotify.com/track/33TvM2VE7XvNZOCVmX4Pcv?si=f0a842e5e1f44265

~~~~

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

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

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

(Phil 1:25-26)

Every Sunday when you set foot inside a church building, what is your goal? What's your purpose for being there? Are you there just to sit and soak? Are you there for the teaching? for the worship? for a weekly dose of encouragement or catching up with old friends? What if I told you that's NOT what church is for? Paul had something entirely different in mind whenever he showed up at the local congregation. He was there ON MISSION. Tune in today to find out what his mission was.

~~~~

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

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

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