Pastor Mike Impact Ministries

Todaywe are talking about choosing to stay for the sake of others, and we arefocusing on Philippians 1:24, where Paul writes, “Nevertheless, to remain inthe flesh is more needful for you.” Now Paul has just said in verse 23 thatbeing with Christ is far better. But now he shifts his focus from his desire tohis responsibility. He begins this verse by saying, “Nevertheless.” Inother words, even thoug...

Todaywe are looking at verse 23 of Philippians 1, where Paul writes, “For I amhard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ,which is far better.” Now remember, in verse 21 he said, “To die isgain.” He said in verse 22, that to live on in the flesh means fruit forhis labor; yet what he shall choose he cannot tell. Now he shares somethingdeeply personal—his desire: “I am...

“But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from mylabor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard pressed between thetwo, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Neverthelessto remain in the flesh is more needful for you. And being confident of this, Iknow that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy offaith, that your rej...

“For I know that thiswill turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the supply of theSpirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope, that innothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christwill be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live isChrist, and to die is gain.”   Todaywe are going to conclude our tho...

Todaywe are continuing to look at Philippians 1:19–21, where the Apostle Paulwrites: “For I know that this shall turn out for my deliverance through yourprayers and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. According to my earnestexpectation and hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with allboldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whetherby life or by death. Fo...

“ForI know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and thesupply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation andhope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, sonow also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. Forto me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Aswe think about these verses and conside...

“But the latter, out of love, knowing that I am appointed for thedefense of the gospel, what then? Only that in every way, whether in pretenseor in truth, Christ is preached. In this I rejoice, and will rejoice.” Idon’t know about you, but for me today—with the internet, all the social platforms, television programs and somany preachers coming to us in so many ways—there are many who presentthemse...

Todaywe are continuing in Philippians 1, and we are looking at verses 15 and 16.This is a very searching passage of Scripture where the Apostle Paul says: “Someindeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will. Theone preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction tomy bonds.” This is a sobering statement. The Apostle Paul is saying thatthere were so...

“I am in prison, but thesethings have happened to me for the furtherance of the gospel” (verse 12).  Nowin verse 13-14, he writes, “So that it has become evident to the wholepalace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most ofthe brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much morebold to speak the word without fear.” Paul is saying that everyone there...

Todaywe are continuing to look at Philippians 1:12. Icould not help but think yesterday, as we were finishing up the chat on thisverse, about the story of the Good Samaritan. You know that story in Lukechapter 10, where a man—a lawyer—asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” TheLord had just spoken to him about the great commandment: “To love the Lordyour God with all your heart, with all your soul, and...

Philippians 1:12   Todaywe are continuing to look at Philippians 1:12. The Apostle Paul is writing backto the church of Philippi from prison in Rome. He is in chains, and he writes, “ButI want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me haveactually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel.” You can imagine hisfriends back at Philippi are concerned. Paul is in prison. He might...

Todaywe are continuing to look at Philippians 1:12–18. Paul is talking about hiscircumstances here. Paul had other plans, no doubt, for what he thought Godwanted him to do. Yet the Holy Spirit of God had other plans for him. God hashim in prison for a purpose. We are talking about what happens when life doesnot go as we planned it.   Yesterdaywe began telling the story about Joseph. Joseph was thr...

Todaywe are continuing in Philippians 1and we will be looking at verses 12–18 overthe next few days. Here in verse 12 we are talking about when life does notgo as planned— when your plans fall apart and it seems like nothing ishappening the way you dreamed or thought God intended for your life. You mayfind yourself wondering, “What is this all about?”   TheApostle Paul could have asked that same q...

Todaywe are continuing to look at Philippians 1:9–11. This is the prayer of theApostle Paul for the saints there at Philippi. He concludes that prayer withthese words: “to the glory and praise of God.” Thatis why we were created—to praise and glorify the Lord. Everything we do—everydecision, every action, every attitude—is meant to bring glory to God. Notglory to ourselves, not recognition from ot...

 God desires that our lives producefruit.   Taketime to read the entire chapter of John 15. It is in this chapter that Jesus isin the upper room with His disciples, and one of the things He speaks of thereis abiding in Him. If you abide in Him, He says that you will bear fruit. Inverse 5, “I am the vine, and you are the branches. He who abides in Me, andI in him, bears much fruit; for without Me y...

Todaywe’re looking at Philippians 1:9–11. These verses teach us how to pray. Paulprayed these words for the believers at Philippi. This is a powerful prayer—aprayer that we can pray for each other. But I think it is also a prayer that weneed to understand can be applied even to ourselves.   Todaywe want to look at this phrase: “that you may be sincere and withoutoffense till the day of Christ”. Ti...

Todaywe are continuing to look at Philippians 1:9–11. This is a prayer that theApostle Paul prayed for the church at Philippi—for the believers there. He waspraying that God would help them be the best they could be for the glory ofGod. Oftentimes we ask the question: How do I pray for my family? How do I prayfor my friends? How do I pray for my pastor? My friend, there are severalprayers in the N...

Todaywe are looking at Philippians 1:9–11. Here we have a prayer that Paul prays forthe believers at Philippi. Remember Paul is in prison. He is in chains back inRome. Many people would think, “Wow, you must feel useless. You are in prison. What can you do?” My friend, you can pray. Paul prayed and he sent a letter tothese people—his friends, the church at Philippi—to encourage them.   Thereis nev...

Notice the next words: “ in knowledge ” —that their lovewould abound in knowledge.   Nowthis is very important, because all love is not the same. Some people have whatwe might call an emotional love or emotional affection for someone. I amconvinced that this is what Peter had when he began following the Lord. He sawsome miracles and was excited about the external. As he began to follow theLord Jes...

Weare continuing to look at Philippians 1, and today we begin looking at verses9–11, where the Apostle Paul tells us how he prayed, and what he prayed for,when he prayed for the Philippian believers. Remember, he had already said thathe gave thanks for them in every prayer of his (v. 4). So Paul was someone whofaithfully prayed specific prayers for these dear people. What do we pray forwhen we pra...

Todaywe are moving on to verse 8 of Philippians 1. The Apostle Paul has already toldthem in verse 7, “Inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense andconfirmation of the gospel, you are partakers with me of grace.” We havebeen talking about being partakers with him of grace. We are partners togetherin the grace of God as we serve the Lord Jesus Christ wherever we are. TheApostle Paul is in pri...

Ihave good news. They have finally scheduled the surgery for May 7th. On top ofthat, it will be an in-and-out procedure. It is not highly invasive. They willperform the surgery, and when I wake up and begin to feel a little better, Iwill be able to get in the car and come home. Please continue to pray that everything goes well.   Now,we are looking at Philippians 1:7. In the previous verses the Ap...

Myfriend, I am convinced that this is the day that Psalm 118:24 propheticallypoints to—that day, the first day of the week when Jesus Christ came out of thegrave victorious over death, sin, the devil, and hell itself. Jesus rose fromthe dead, alive, never to die again, eternally living because He is the eternalGod.   Thisis the day that the Lord has made. That very special day 2,000 years ago, whe...

Thisweekend, at Easter time, we have been considering the suffering of our LordJesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. He endured a horrendous, terrible crucifixion foryou and for me. He died in our place for our sins.   TheScripture teaches that just as Christ suffered, we also are going to suffer. That is what Philippians 1:7 hints at, I believe, as the Apostle Paul tells thechurch at Philippi, “I...

Todaywe are focusing on verse 7, where we see a pastor’s heart: “Just asit is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart,inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of thegospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.”   TheApostle Paul was once a persecutor—a zealous persecutor—of the church. You readabout this in Acts chapters 7-8. He was standin...