As we finish our look at the book of Philippians, we look at the importance of attitude in the face of adversity. We are all different people facing different challenges, if we live in a community of harmony and humility, we can live joyfully regardless of our life circumstances. Ultimately, we are reminded that it is not enough to just say we are something (i.e. Christian), we must also be the face of that to which we claim.
Today we are shown how God uses mothers to reflect certain parts of his own character. Through the sharing of four individuals, we see various perspectives highlighting the importance of mothers in the world as well as in the church.
We don’t get to choose our families. And yet often they are the closest people we’ve got. In the same way, we don’t get to choose our spiritual family. We’ve got to find a way to love one another. After all, deep love for one another is the only way people will be able to tell that we are from one spiritual family.
Today we reflect on and celebrate the events which took place around 2000 years ago. Tony reminds us that the truth of the bodily resurrection of Christ is one of the most important parts of our faith. For, as Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 15 if these events are not true, then where is our hope and what is the point of our faith at all?
When God is going to do something, He will supply what is needed even if we don’t know where it will come from and might not be what is expected. The Jews of Jesus’ day were expecting a warrior king but got an itinerant preacher. We are challenged to ask ourselves, “If I was there for the events of Matt 21:1-11, who would I be in the crowd and where would I stand?”
New citizenship always requires certain prerequisites for those hoping to acquire it and these should form our actions and mindset. In Philippians (3:15-21), Paul reminds us that how we conduct ourselves matters, ultimately, we need to ask ourselves, is our mind on earthly things or are we focused on the hope of heaven?
In Philippians 3, Paul tells us about the importance of knowing Christ. Just as there are different levels of intimacy with those around us, there are also different levels of intimacy with Christ. Paul reminds and encourages us that we should desire such a level of intimacy with Christ that knowing him is worth more than all other things/knowledge in the world.
Philippians 2 teaches how disunity comes from self-interest and how the church requires a deeper connection than just a social club. Paul uses two examples to describe what servants of Christ look like and reminds us of the importance of bringing others’ interests above our own.
In the books of Romans and Philippians, Paul admonishes the disciples to shine like stars in their warped and crooked generation. When it is dark, is when stars are seen the best. Disciples of Christ can shine like stars by holding onto the word of life, and by conducting themselves in a manner worthy of Christ.
In Philippians, Paul reminds us of the importance of reflecting Jesus’ mindset in how we react to the world around us. The world’s mindset is peace through strength; Jesus’ mindset is peace through humility. Just as Jesus (though fully God) did not elevate himself, we too must humble ourselves so that God may be glorified in us.
