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17 November 2007
Philippians 1 v 27-30
Only one thing concerns me: Be sure that you live in a way that brings honour to the Good News of Christ. Then whether I come and visit you or am away from you, I will hear that you are standing strong with one purpose, that you work together as one for the faith of the Good News, and that you are not afraid of those who are against you. All of this is proof that your enemies will be destroyed but that you will be saved by God. God gave you the honour not only of believing in Christ but also of suffering for him, both of which bring glory to Christ. When I was with you, you saw the struggles I had, and you hear about the struggles I am having now. You yourselves are having the same kind of struggles.
How can I endure suffering?
Have you ever seen the Indiana Jones movie where he's on one side of a huge chasm and has no way of getting across except to step out in faith on to nothing? In the movie, Indiana first throws some sand out into the air in front of his feet and he watches as it settle on an invisible stepping stone. This gives him the confidence to take the first step and then the next and eventually he make it the whole way across!
Paul knows that in the Christian life, stepping up to take on challenges for Jesus is the very proof that we will overcome those challenges. He knows that it's as we step out on to nothing, that Jesus will hold us up and support us all the way to where he's leading us!
Paul wants his readers to step out by living for Jesus, standing strong, uniting in purpose, sharing the good news and not to be afraid of the opposition. Here are some good questions to ask ourselves regularly based on what Paul says here:
How am I living my life for Jesus?
How am I standing strong for Jesus in difficult situations?
How am I united with other Christians for encouragement?
How am I sharing the good news of Jesus with others?
Father, thank you that you sent your Son, Jesus to suffer a horrific and brutal death and to rise again, blazing a trail back to you so we could follow in his footsteps. May my suffering be like his, may my will and attitude be like his and may my victory be like his too. Amen!
Written by Dave Pegg
Philippians 1 v 27-30
Only one thing concerns me: Be sure that you live in a way that brings honour to the Good News of Christ. Then whether I come and visit you or am away from you, I will hear that you are standing strong with one purpose, that you work together as one for the faith of the Good News, and that you are not afraid of those who are against you. All of this is proof that your enemies will be destroyed but that you will be saved by God. God gave you the honour not only of believing in Christ but also of suffering for him, both of which bring glory to Christ. When I was with you, you saw the struggles I had, and you hear about the struggles I am having now. You yourselves are having the same kind of struggles.
How can I endure suffering?
Have you ever seen the Indiana Jones movie where he's on one side of a huge chasm and has no way of getting across except to step out in faith on to nothing? In the movie, Indiana first throws some sand out into the air in front of his feet and he watches as it settle on an invisible stepping stone. This gives him the confidence to take the first step and then the next and eventually he make it the whole way across!
Paul knows that in the Christian life, stepping up to take on challenges for Jesus is the very proof that we will overcome those challenges. He knows that it's as we step out on to nothing, that Jesus will hold us up and support us all the way to where he's leading us!
Paul wants his readers to step out by living for Jesus, standing strong, uniting in purpose, sharing the good news and not to be afraid of the opposition. Here are some good questions to ask ourselves regularly based on what Paul says here:
How am I living my life for Jesus?
How am I standing strong for Jesus in difficult situations?
How am I united with other Christians for encouragement?
How am I sharing the good news of Jesus with others?
Father, thank you that you sent your Son, Jesus to suffer a horrific and brutal death and to rise again, blazing a trail back to you so we could follow in his footsteps. May my suffering be like his, may my will and attitude be like his and may my victory be like his too. Amen!
Written by Dave Pegg
