Transcript

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 1-2 HCSB

Associate Producer

James from Norway

Podcast Introduction

It’s Epistles Sunday, and we’ll begin reading the book of Philippians with chapters 1-2. We’ll also have a time of prayer. And today I have a personal praise with an accompanying prayer request. I’m calling this episode “It’s A Process.”

<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Design: Jason Paschall | Photo: Vladimir Fedotov on Unsplash</figcaption></figure>

Comments on Philippians 1

Chapter one, verse six is one of my favorite promises. It’s a promise I rely on when I’m not happy with my progress as a Christian. Here it is: “I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

I haven’t seen this bumper sticker in a long time, but it used to be pretty commonplace around here: Be patient. God isn’t finished with me yet. 

I don’t know about you, but I’m not a very good example of the perfect Christian. I have what you might call some “rough edges”. It is just me, or do you know anyone else like that? Ok. Good. I’m glad I’m not the only one. 

I recently heard someone say, “If you hear someone playing Mozart badly, you don’t blame Mozart, you blame the musician.

I think if you ask the Lovely Lady LeeAnn she’d probably tell you that I’m better than I used to be. At least I hope so. What’s that? What about her? Is she getting better than she used to be? No, I can’t say that she is. She’s always been perfect!

And then in verse 9, Paul continues the thought of God continuing His work in us: “And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that you can approve the things that are superior and can be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.” 

Very few people, when they first become believers, have a radical change in their personalities. It does happen, but it’s not the rule. Most of us change over time, as the Holy Spirit works within us to conform us to who God wants us to be. It’s a lifelong process for most of us, I think. I know that He’s been working in me for over 50 years. 

So don’t get discouraged when you fall short of how Scripture tells us we should be. When you fall short of the ideal, when you feel disappointed in yourself for not being the perfect Christian, realize that that reaction is a good thing. It means that you are sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s correcting you. Use that to help you change the decisions you make in the future. It’s a process. “I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

I’m so glad God hasn’t given up on me, and that He is constantly chipping away the rough edges. 

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Steve Webb 0:00
It’s a promise I rely on when I’m not Happy with my progress as a Christian.

Steve Webb 0:12
Well, hi there. This is the Lifespring! One Year Bible coming to you from Riverside, California and podcasting since 2004. I’m your OG Godcaster. Steve Webb. This is the daily podcast where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year, today’s epistle Sunday, and we’ll begin reading the book of Philippians. With chapters one and two, we’ll also have a time of prayer. And today I have a personal praise with an accompanying prayer request. I’m calling this episode. It’s a process. Let’s get started with a word of prayer. Our Heavenly Father, we thank you so much for your word. And we asked you to teach us today as we read, we ask for your blessing, Lord, and I pray this in Jesus name, amen. Okay, let’s begin.

Steve Webb 0:59
Philippians chapter one, Paul, and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons, Grace to you and peace from God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give Thanks to my god for every remembrance of you, always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, because of your partnership in the Gospel from the first day until now, I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment, and in the defense and establishment of the gospel. For God is my witness how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And I pray this, that your love will keep on growing in knowledge in every kind of discernment, so that you can approve the things that are superior, and can be pure and blameless, and the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory in praise of God. Now, I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has actually resulted in the advance of the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole Imperial Guard and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is in the cause of Christ. Most of the brothers in the Lord have gained confidence from my imprisonment, and dare even more to speak the message fearlessly, to be sure some preach Christ out of envy and strife, but others out of goodwill. These do so out of love knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. The others proclaim Christ out of rivalry not sincerely, seeking to cause me anxiety in my imprisonment. What does it matter, just that in every way, whether out of false motives or true Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice, yes, and I will rejoice because I know this will lead to my deliverance through your prayers and help from the Spirit of Jesus Christ. My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything but that now as always, with all boldness, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For me, living is Christ and dying is gain. Now, if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me, and I don’t know which one I should choose, I am pressured by both. I have the desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better, but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. Since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that because of me, your confidence may grow in Christ Jesus, when I come to you again, just one thing, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you’re standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, working side by side for the faith that comes from the gospel, not being frightened in any way by your opponents. This is a sign of destruction for them, but of your deliverance, and this is from God, for it has been given to you on Christ’s behalf, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for him, having the same struggle that you saw that I had, and now here that I have.

Steve Webb 4:34
Philippians chapter two, if then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy fulfill my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love sharing the same feelings, focusing on one goal, Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility, consider others as more important Then yourselves, every one should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus, who existing in the form of God did not consider equality with God is something to be used for his own advantage. Instead, he emptied himself by assuming the form of a slave taking on the likeness of men. And when he had come as a man in his external form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even to death on a cross. For this reason, God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow of those who are in heaven and on earth, and under the earth. And every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is