Philippians 3-4
Secrets of Glory, Peace
and Contentment
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Psalm 150:1-6 The Finale of Praise
Let Everything That Has Breath
1 Praise the LORD!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens! 2 Praise him for his mighty deeds;
praise him according to his excellent greatness!
3 Praise him with trumpet sound;
praise him with lute and harp! 4 Praise him with tambourine and dance;
praise him with strings and pipe! 5 Praise him with sounding cymbals;
praise him with loud clashing cymbals! 6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD!
Application
God is worthy of our greatest praise. How do you praise Him?
Prayer
Awesome God of heaven and earth, I praise You for giving me life and the purpose to glorify You; may I do so with my words and works, for You are worthy. Amen.
TMS Titus 3:5 Needing Mercy, Regeneration, and Renewing
Observations
Salvation is not reformation (“I need to do better next time”) but regeneration (“You must be born again”). One doesn't ease into being a Christian by doing Christian-like things, or committing random acts of kindness, but by accepting Christ as God's provision for one's sins. Verses 7-8 say we're justified by His grace (not our works), and those who have believed should give attention to good works. This is parallel to the pattern Paul taught in Ephesians 2:8-10. The washing isn't regeneration, any more than the renewal is the Holy Spirit. The one preposition “through/by” (dia) controls them both, which with the genitive, gives the means by which something happens. The only other use of “washing” is Ephesians 5:26, where it refers to Christ sanctifying and cleansing the Church by the word. A common use of the genitive is source, so the washing is that which comes from or is sourced in our regeneration, and the renewal is that which is sourced in the work of the Holy Spirit. Paul is viewing the whole of our salvation as originating in God's mercy and power (not our works), and He gave us the Holy Spirit so that we could do the works that please Him, and become heirs. See comments on Titus 3 for more.
Application
We're saved, cleansed and regenerated not because we were doing such great deeds of righteousness, quite the contrary, the fact that we needed mercy, cleansing, regeneration and renewing indicates that we were in pretty bad shape to start with.
Prayer
God, I praise You for Your mercy, and all that it prompted You to do for me; please guide me into receiving all You desire to do for me. Thanks. Amen.
Philippians 3-4 Secrets of Glory, Peace and Contentment
Paul balances out the model of Christ gaining glory through His obedience (see Chapter 2) with his own example of focusing on the goal of gaining the prize of God's glory for his faithful service. He doesn't focus on the past, but on the future glory God has for him, by doing the present will of God. This is the mindset of a mature believer. Paul also passes on the secrets of peace and contentment and having God meet all your needs in the last chapter, all causes for rejoicing. However, to rejoice in the Lord is to rejoice in Him, and what He will do in glorifying His saints, not in temporal externals.
Philippians 3 The Mature Go for the Glory
Righteousness through Faith in Christ
1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. 2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.Pressing on toward the Goal
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.Citizenship in Heaven
17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.Application
Mature believers forget the past and go for the gold of God's glory.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thanks for Your model and that of Paul in putting aside the past to serve others in anticipation of eternal glory; may I be faithful to follow that example. Amen.
Philippians 4 Secrets of Peace and Contentment
Rejoice in the Lord
1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. 2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.The Generosity of the Philippians
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 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. 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.Final Greetings
21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household. 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.Application
The secret to peace and contentment is to focus on God and the things that are pleasing in His sight, having Him meet our needs with His abundance.
Prayer
God, thanks that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, and that You will supply all I need to do Your will, every moment of every day. Amen.
Digging Deeper
God in a nutshell: God supplies peace, needs, and glory to those rightly related to Him.
Build-a-Jesus: Jesus strengthens those in union with Him, so they can do God's will at all times.
Us in a nutshell: We need to put our maximum effort into being pleasing to God if we want to receive the prize of His eternal glory. If we focus on the things that are virtuous and praiseworthy, we will also receive the blessing of the presence of God Himself. Good deal!
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