October 01, 2023

PHILIPPIANS: NO PAIN, NO GAIN

October 01, 2023

Dr. Dondi E. Costin

Today, as we transition from Galatians to the Book of Philippians, we welcome the new President of Liberty University, Dr. Dondi Costin, to the pulpit. His message includes the statement, “The secret to the Christian life is that there really are no secrets to living the Christian life.” This weighty statement is so true. If you are a studied student of God’s word, you will love the time you spend reading of and growing in knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ; it will be evident as we live our daily lives. The periods of prayer as we commune with God will shine on our faces. Our conversations will be filled of the daily benefits He has bestowed upon us, and the fruit of the Holy Spirit living in us will be pouring out of us at all times as we love God and love people—especially those who are unlovely. May we live glorifying Him!

Focal Passage: Philippians 1.

IDENTITY: See what God sees in you when you look at yourself (1:1-2):

  • Read Phil. 1:1-2. How does Paul’s opening to the church at Philippi differ from most of his other greetings? Why did Paul have so much affection for the Christians at Philippi?

If God was writing a letter to you, would it contain intense affection, or correction?

  • Why does Paul not defend his apostleship to these believers? What is a “bondservant” in the context in which Paul uses the term? How can we be bondservants today?
  • Who are the saints in the church? Are we called to be saints? What does “saint” mean? What other Biblical word means “set apart”? Can you be a saint if you are not a believer? How has the world corrupted this word?
  • What does God see in you? Can you write down a list when you get home, as to what you think He sees?

COMMUNITY You cannot thrive as a Christian all by yourself (1:3-11):

  • Read vv. 3-6. What do you “hear” when you hear these verses read? Read Acts 4:32-35., When the church was first formed, how did the people live? Why do we need each other as we live our lives in Christ? Read Prov. 18:1. What is the basic reason?
  • Read verse 7. Where was Paul when he wrote to the Philippians? Read vv. 8-11. His deep longing for their company comes through. Is there anyone you miss with the longing Paul was feeling as he was wishing for their presence to be with him?
  • All of us know people who have cut themselves off from church. Why is this not God’s best for His children? How can we—the church—change this situation?

RESILIENCY: Say what God says about your situation when you talk to yourself (vv. 12-18):

  • Read vv. 12-18. What does the term resiliency mean? In this passage of Philippians, how does Paul indicate he has made resiliency his keyword?
  • Have you become aware that the mental health of the global population is becoming worse and worse? In America, over the past decades when mental health challenges are climbing, what is happening in schools that would explain this phenomenon to Bible-believing persons? How is this rebounding on the children in our schools?
  • Are you more able to handle what the world is throwing at you today, than five years ago?

GALLANTRY: Be courageous in your convictions regardless of the cost to yourself (vv. 19-26):

  • Read Phil. 1:19-24. What is Paul saying here? What does it mean to be “gallant”? We tend to think of that as an old-timey term, but the concept of being brave—or having courage—no matter what the outcome for yourself—is as old as war itself! Was Paul saying he was brave, no matter what Rome did to him? Will God be with us? Explain.
  • How about you? As we see the world heading away from Jesus Christ, will you be brave, having the strength of mind to keep going in spite of danger to yourself?

CONSISTENCY: Your life is not just about yourself (vv. 27-30):

  • What is consistency? If you’re a parent, did you find it hard to be consistent with your children? Where are some daily areas where we need consistency, and why? How do we develop that consistency?
  • What are some areas where your consistency results in your testimony? Who is watching you to see if you follow your Christian principles at all times?
  • Read vv. 27-30. Is Paul saying, “Whatever happens, stand firm”? Can you say it better?

CONCLUSION:

Do you recall your days of parenting, when—if you were exceedingly tired—your answers to most “May I…?” were “No!”? Other times, if you were rested or in a better mood, your answers may have been different. Aren’t you glad God does not administer His actions based on emotion, as we may have done? He is always faithful, always caring, always loving, correcting when necessary, but never inconsistent.

How can we apply these five principles (Identity, Community, Resiliency, Gallantry, and Consistency) to our daily lives? We are always being watched by non-believers, many of whom want to see us fall on our faces, not because they hate us, but because we are an indictment to them, that they need to give their lives to Jesus Christ. Until that happens, they will watch us, hoping we slip up. It is not for ourselves that we need to persevere! It is for the cause of Christ, that He gets the praise and glory when we live our lives, daily carrying our cross, giving up everything to love Him and love people—and living our lives so well they can find nothing bad to say about us.

 

By Sandy Day

October 01, 2023

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