Paul recounts the fellowship that has developed with the church at Philippi as they not only accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ, but also became partners with him in the work of the ministry. Paul encourages them to continue, to…
Tag: August
But Now He Is Useful To You
Philemon is a unique letter because of its very personal nature. The life of Onesimus had been transformed as he accepted Christ, but in the eyes of the world, he was still a runaway slave. Onesimus could never fulfill his…
Speak the Mystery of Christ
As Paul closes this letter he turns attention from the false teachers to the true gospel and says in Colossians 3:1–2 “seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the…
The Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge
Paul is in prison, likely in Rome where it says in Acts 28:30 “So he stayed two whole years in his own rented house, and welcomed all who came to him”. But he was not free to travel as he…
Understand What the Will of the Lord Is
Many people look at the world as it is and think this is the way God created it to be. What we see now is the fallen world. What we see now is the world influenced by good and evil.…
Strengthened with Power Through His Spirit
Paul has rehearsed the gospel message. He has reminded them that God, in Christ has broken down the wall of separation between Jew and Gentile and we are all in Christ, as he said in Ephesians 2:22 “built up together…
The Hope of His Calling
The church in Ephesus is now six or more years old and they are a mix of Jews and Gentiles. But they are also still in the midst of a pagan religious center. This is the city where the crowd…
Because of the Hope of Israel
Jesus appeared to Paul after he was imprisoned in Jerusalem in Acts 23:11 And the next night the Lord stood by him and said, “Have courage, for as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify…
The Progress of the Gospel
Paul lived his life for the gospel since he encountered the Lord on the road to Damascus. And now, after all of his missionary journeys, he went back to Jerusalem knowing this trouble was waiting for him. But Paul was…
I have Done No Wrong
Paul has been delivered to the Roman Procurator Felix in Caesarea after a plot to kill Paul is uncovered in Jerusalem. Felix was no stranger to rebellion from the Jews and was charged with keeping peace in the region. Paul…
But I Indeed Was Born A Citizen
Our citizenship matters. Where we were born and how we were raised comes with certain rights and privileges. Sometimes these rights are violated, even when we have done nothing wrong, as it was here with Paul. Paul has acted uprightly,…
The Brothers Welcomed Us Gladly
Paul is greeted “gladly” by the first group he meets as he arrives in Jerusalem but the welcome is not so warm as he meets with James and the elders the next day. Paul tells them of his success with…
Bound By The Spirit
Paul is led by the Holy Spirit to return to Jerusalem and he has been working in the Gentile Churches to bring a gift with him. This was not the first time Paul had brought a gift, but this time,…
Contend Along With Me in Your Prayers
Paul tells them again to, in Romans 15:2 “please his neighbor for his good, for the purpose of edification” and that they should, in Romans 15:7 “accept one another, just as Christ also has accepted you”. We are the members…