John Piper, in a message, “Called to Suffer and Rejoice -that We Might Gain Christ” Why did God ordain and Paul accept the losses that it meant for him to be a Christian? Paul gives the answer again and again in these verses so that we cannot miss the point. He is not passive in this suffering … More The surpassing worth of knowing Christ!
Philippians 2: 23-24….. I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also. Alec Motyer says, “Paul’s doctrine taught him that a sovereign God ruled all things: whether freedom or imprisonment, comfort or discomfort, … More Paul’s trust was in the sovereignty of God.
John Piper on Philippians 2:17-18: Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me. Paul loved this church. He loved all the churches. And he died every … More Poured Out
Look at Philippians 2:4- “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” John Piper comments in a sermon, “The Mind of Christ: Looking Out For the Interests of Others”: The word interests is a filler. In the original, it’s open-ended. All that is specified is “your own … More Piper: Looking Out For the Interests of Others
John Piper on Philippians 1:21 ….the inner essence of worship is cherishing Christ as gain – indeed as more gain than all that life can offer – family, career, retirement, fame, food, friends. The essence of worship is experiencing Christ as gain. Or to use words that we love to use around here: it is … More Piper: Go hard after God
John Piper, in a message “Don’t Waste Your Life,” The great passion of the unwasted life is to magnify Christ. Here is the text that, perhaps more than any other, governs what life is really about: Philippians 1:20-21. Paul says, “It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, … More Don’t Waste Your Life
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. —Philippians 1:16 Tom Stellar, a pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, MN, said this about the verse above, in a sermon, “God Finishes What He Starts”: This makes … More God Finishes What He Starts
Think of Christmas carols and songs, especially the ones people like to sing the most, and the people and events surrounding Jesus’ birth. We sing of angels, shepherds, Mary and Joseph, the stable, Bethlehem, Wise Men, and all the familiar details. How often do we really think about the doctrine or theology of Jesus’ birth? … More Veiled in flesh the Godhead see,Hail, the incarnate deity….
Scott Grant, in a message, “THE GOSPEL IS WORTH EVERYTHING YOU CAN GIVE IT” Philippians 4:16-19 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. [2] 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having … More Our God of lavish grace!
“I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Philippians 4:11 C.H. Spurgeon comments in “Morning and Evening, (Feb 16)” THESE words show us that contentment is not a natural propensity of man. “Ill weeds grow apace.” Covetousness, discontent, and murmuring, are as natural to man as thorns are to the soil. … More Cultivating contentment
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 