Pastor Mike Impact Ministries

Paul moves from what he inherited to what he personally achieved. Listento what he says: "As to the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecutingthe church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless." Thesewere not things that were given to Paul. These were things he worked hard toattain. If anyone could have earned a right standing before God throughreligion, dedicatio...

Eachof these statements would have been highly valued by the Judaizers of his day. They believed that these things gave a person standing before God. Paul isabout to show that they do not. First, Paul says he was "circumcisedthe eighth day." This means that Paul was not a convert to Judaismlater in life. He was born into a faithful Jewish family that obeyed the Law ofMoses. According to...

Paul does something very interesting. He anticipates an argumentfrom the Judaizers. They might say, "Paul, you tell people not to trust inthe flesh because you do not have anything in the flesh worth trusting."   SoPaul responds in verse 4: "Though I also might have confidence in theflesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I moreso." In other words, Pau...

Today, we are goingto look at the second mark of a genuine believer: “We rejoice in ChristJesus.”   NoticePaul did not say we rejoice in our accomplishments. He did not say we rejoicein our denomination. He did not say we rejoice in our church attendance. Rememberwhen Jesus sent out the seventy-two, two by two, and they came back reportingwhat they had experienced. They said they had seen this and...

"For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit,rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh." Ibelieve this verse is the key verse for this entire chapter. As we talk aboutthe spiritual mind, Paul here gives three distinguishing marks of a genuinebeliever.   Howdo you know if your faith is real? How do you know the difference between trueChristianity and mere...

Paul repeats the word beware three times here. It is as thoughhe is sounding a spiritual alarm. He is saying, “Watch out! Be careful! Payattention!” He uses such strong language because false teaching isdangerous.   Paulis warning the Philippians about a group of false teachers known as theJudaizers. These men seemed to follow the Apostle Paul everywhere he went,spreading their false doctrine. The...

Paulbegins this chapter by saying: “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is not tedious to me, but for you it is safe.” Now, when Paul says, “Finally,” he is not ending the letter. In fact, hestill has two full chapters to go. The word simply means “furthermore” or “forthe rest.” Paul is introducing a new section of this wonderful book.   Thefirst thing Paul s...

Today we are going to finish Philippians 2 by looking atverses 28 through 30 where we are talkingabout risking everything for Christ. That is exactly what Epaphroditus did.   Aswe have read through this chapter, we have seen how Jesus Christ lefteverything in heaven. He gave up His rights, came down to earth, made Himself aservant, and became obedient even to the death of the cross. As a result, G...

Today we are continuing in Philippians chapter 2, lookingspecifically at verses 26–27. We are talking about Epaphroditus, a wonderfulservant of God from Philippi who was in Rome ministering to the Apostle Paul. We are going to find in this passage that he became very sick and almost died. Whenwe think about Epaphroditus, we are reminded of the four illustrations Paulgives us in Philippians 2 about...

Today we are continuing in Philippians 2, and we are lookingat verse 25, where the Apostle Paul writes: “Yet I consider it necessary tosend to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier.” Thisman appears only briefly in Scripture, yet he teaches us a tremendous lesson.   Epaphroditusno doubt lived in the area of Philippi. He was a follower of Christ, anexemplary Christian, and...

Today we are continuing in Philippians 2, looking at verses22–24.  Here Paul gives us a beautiful statement anda wonderful description of Christian service. He says of Timothy, “As a sonwith his father, he served with me in the gospel .”   Noticethat Paul does not say Timothy served under him. He says Timothy served withhim. There was a deep relationship between these two men. Paul had becomeTimot...

Today we're looking at Philippians 2:22. Here, the ApostlePaul is talking about Timothy. Paul writes: "But you know his proven character ,that as a son with his father, he served with me in the gospel."   Oneof the most valuable qualities in the Christian life is proven character. Noticethat Paul did not praise Timothy primarily for his gifts, talents,intelligence, or abilities. He p...

Today we will be looking at Philippians 2:21. But before wetalk about that, let's remind ourselves what the book of Philippians is about. The book of Philippians is about the joyful mind and the secure mind. TheApostle Paul is teaching us something very powerful. Before we can claim inchapter 4, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthensme," we first must practice what istau...

Let'sbegin by reading Philippians 2:19-20: "But I trust in the Lord Jesus tosend Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know yourstate. For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for yourstate." What a remarkable statement! Remember, Paul is writing from aRoman prison. He is chained to a Roman guard. He is uncertain about the outcomeof his trial. Yet...

"For the same reason you alsobe glad and rejoice with me." The Apostle Paul is inviting thePhilippians to share in his joy.   Nowthink about it. Paul is in prison, suffering and uncertain about the future. Yet he keeps speaking about joy. This teaches us something so important:Christian joy is not based on circumstances. It is based on Jesus Christ. Theworld's happiness rises and fal...

Today we're continuing in Philippians 2, looking at verse 17,where the Apostle Paul says: "Yes, and if I am being poured out as adrink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad andrejoice with you all." Paul is using an Old Testament picture ofsacrifice. In those days, wine would often be poured out upon a sacrifice as anoffering to God. Paul says that his own li...

Welcometo Pastor's Chat. Today we are looking at verse 16 of Philippians 2, whichsays: "Holding fast the word of life, that I may rejoice in the day ofChrist, that I have not run in vain or labored in vain." The phrase"holding fast" can also mean "holding forth." It paints apicture of something being extended outward for others to see. What are weholding forth? We...

"Thatyou may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in themidst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights inthe world."   Whata description of the world in which we live today—a crooked and perversegeneration. The word crooked means twisted or bent away from God's standard. The word perverse means distorted or corrupted. Does that not...

Philippians 2:14   Welcometo Pastor’s Chat. Today our verse is short, simple, and extremely convicting. We are looking at Philippians 2:14, which says, “Do all things withoutcomplaining and disputing.” What a powerful command. Paul has just told usthat God is working in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure. Now hetells us that one of the clearest evidences that we are surrendering to God...

Today, as we come to Philippians 2:12-13, we move from theexample of Christ to the everyday experience of the Christian life. Paul hasjust shown us the humility and obedience of Jesus Christ. Now he tells us howthat same mind of Christ is to be lived out in us. Listen to these powerfulwords in verses 12 and 13: “Therefore, my beloved, as you have alwaysobeyed, not as in my presence only, but now m...

We have walked together through one of the greatestpassages in all the Bible: Philippians 2:5–11. Today, we want to review what wehave been looking at over the last nine days. During these days, we have seenthe humility of Christ, the servanthood of Christ, the obedience of Christ, thesacrifice of Christ, the exaltation of Christ, and the lordship of JesusChrist. Now we come to the most important...

Today we come to the climax of the magnificent passage weread in Philippians 2:11: “that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christis Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Paul has taken us from the heights ofheaven to the depths of the cross, and now back to the throne of grace. What isthe result of it all? It is all to the glory of God the Father.   Oneday every voice in the universe will de...

Today we come to one of the most sobering and glorious truthsin all of Scripture. Philippians 2:10 says this: “that at the name of Jesusevery knee will bow.” Notice—not some knees, not many knees, but everyknee. The entire universe will one day acknowledge the lordship of JesusChrist. Right now, some people debate about Jesus. They reject Him. They mockHim. They ignore Him. But the day is coming w...

Because of Christ’s humility and obedience, Godthe Father responded. “Therefore, God has highly exalted Him”. The world rejected Jesus, but the Father exalted Him. Men mocked Jesus, but theFather crowned Him. Men nailed Him to a cross, but the Father raised Him fromthe dead and seated Him at His own right hand in glory. The resurrection andascension were heaven’s declaration that Jesus Christ is L...

“He became obedient to the point of death,even the death of the cross.”   Jesus’entire earthly life was marked by obedience. Hebrews 10:7 says: “Behold, Ihave come to do Your will, O my God.” From Bethlehem to Calvary, Jesuslived in perfect submission to the Father. In the Gospel of John Jesus made itvery clear that He did not do what He Himself wanted to do. He always did whatHis Father told Him...