Phillippians: Rejoice in the Lord Always

Philip= pians=

Rejoice in the Lord Always

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Philippians 4:4

introduction

The occasion of this epistle or letter written by Paul was that he was responding in gratit= ude to the church for a financial gift they had sent to him to assist him in his ministry of the gospel. (4:14= , 18 & 2:25)

His situation or circumstance when writing was that he was in prison.

The uniqueness of the letter is that it shows the most tender relationship between Paul and this church – far more than others.

Why? The difference obviously did not l= ie in Paul, therefore, it must have been in the Philippians. It was their attitude toward him:<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>

Appreciation for him bringing the gospel to them=

Love for Paul in their care for him=

Their heart to partner w/ Paul to advance the gospel<= o:p>

Chapter 1

Rejoice in the Suprem= acy of Christ

Exaltin= g Christ or Suffering for Christ

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The Joy of Being On Mission= for Christ

What does it matter? Just that in every way, whether = out of false motives or true, Christ is proclaimed. And in this I rejoice. (1:18)

That Christ may be highly honored in my body (1:20)

A.        Pa= ul Rejoices Because of Their Partnership in

  &nb= sp;         the Gospel       =    (v. 5)

B.       &nb= sp; Paul Rejoices Because of the Advancement of

the Gospel         (v. 12)

C.       &nb= sp; Paul Rejoices in the Hope of the Gospel

(v.= 21-23)

Just one thing: Live your life in a manner worthy of = the gospel of Christ.    &n= bsp;   (1:27)

APPLICATIONS:

It’s not about ME – it’s a= bout Christ!!!

I need to get my = focus off of ME and onto CHRIST.

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I am to be on-mis= sion to advance the name and good news of Christ!

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I should be willi= ng to suffer anything so long as Christ is proclaimed even by means of my sufferi= ng.

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I should have my = heart in heaven, and my feet on earth!

My heart and my h= ope should rejoice in my future blessedness.

My feet should be= busy serving the Lord by ministering to others.

Chapter 2

Rejoice in the Servan= thood of Christ

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Emulati= ng Christ or Service for Christ=

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The Joy of Emulating the Method of Christ

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Took upon Him the form of a servant   (2:7)

A.       &nb= sp; Laying Aside My Rights and Comforts

B.       &nb= sp; Fulfilling God’s Will and Plan

C.       &nb= sp; Sacrificing My Life to Glorify God

APPLICATIONS:

Am I always wanting to be served by others?

Am I always focusing on my needs?

I should be focusing on the needs and desires of others.

Am I willing to sacrifice to meet the needs of others?

Is my passion to = obey and please the Father to His glory?

Chapter 3

Rejoice in the Satisf= action of Christ

Experie= ncing Christ or Striving for Christ

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The Joy of the Motivation of Experiencing Christ
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But everything that was gain to me, I have considered= to be a loss because of Christ. More than that, I also consider everything to = be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. (3:7-8)

A.       &nb= sp; Knowing Christ in Righteousness or Purity

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B.       &nb= sp; Knowing Christ in Relationship or Power=

C.       &nb= sp; Knowing Christ in the Race as Our Prize

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Paul had been app= rehended or captivated by Christ on the road to Damascus. Christ possessed Paul entirely, bu= t now Paul passionately desired to know and possess Christ completely. Christ was his prize. He wanted to experience Christ in = all the fullness of all Christ was. That is why Paul was pressing on and what he was pressing toward. He had tasted that the Lord is goo= d, and he wanted the satisfaction that daily and ultimately at the end of life only Christ could provide in his own person.&nb= sp; Paul’s god was not his physical appetites – his god, the= one and only thing he desired, worshipped and sought was Christ.

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APPLICATIONS:

Is Christ my only righteousness?

Is my goal to know Him better?

Is my goal to experience His power in my life?

Is my goal to share in his sufferings?

Is my goal to fin= ish life’s race as a winner?

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Chapter 4

Rejoice in the Suffic= iency of Christ

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Enlisti= ng Christ or Sufficiency in Christ

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The Joy of Discovering the Measure of Christ

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The sufficiency of Christ for every need

The fullness, plenteousness, adequacy of Christ

The abundance, super-abundance of Christ

All the treasures of wisdom and counsel

All the treasures of power and might

All the fullness = of satisfaction, supply

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I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.      &nbs= p;   (4:13)

A.       &nb= sp; Contentment in the Sufficiency of Christ

B.       &nb= sp; Confidence in the Strength of Christ

C.       &nb= sp; Confirmation of the Supply in Christ

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APPLICATIONS:<= /span>

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Am I unworri= ed about things because I am trusting Christ as my sufficiency for life?<= /span>

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Am I trustin= g Christ for His strength in my daily struggles?

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Am I trustin= g Christ to meet all my needs – spiritual, emotional, financial, etc.?