John 16

John 16 (New International Version)


1"All this I have told you so that you will not go astray. 2They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. 3They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. 4I have told you this, so that when the time comes you will remember that I warned you. I did not tell you this at first because I was with you.

5"Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' 6Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. 7But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; 10in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
12"I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 15All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.

16"In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me."

17Some of his disciples said to one another, "What does he mean by saying, 'In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,' and 'Because I am going to the Father'?" 18They kept asking, "What does he mean by 'a little while'? We don't understand what he is saying."
19Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, "Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, 'In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me'? 20I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 21A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 22So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. 23In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

25"Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. 26In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. 27No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father."

29Then Jesus' disciples said, "Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. 30Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God."

31"You believe at last!" Jesus answered. 32"But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.

33"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."


Interesting points of Discussion:

• [See v.2] 'put you out of the synagogue...think he is offering a service to God'- Jesus forewarns his disciples of a time that is coming when they will be persecuted and thrown out of their own spiritual communities and families and even possibly killed- by the very religious leaders of the synagogues who claim to be followers of God
  
• [See v.3] 'They will do such things'- this persecution and killing of fellow Christians will be done for political reasons which have nothing to do with the purposes of God or Jesus Christ
  
• Serving God is not about following our own interests and condemning others
  
• Many people today are "culturally Christian" and seem to think they know God or Jesus Christ just because they celebrate Easter or Christmas
  
• [See v.7] 'It is for your good that I am going away'- as a result of Jesus' departure from the world we are not going to be left alone, but rather we will be sent a messenger- the 'Counselor', the Holy Spirit
  
• The Holy Spirit will play an important role in our faith by correcting our hearts, which begins with being convicted of our sins, righteousness and judgement [see v.8]
  
• [See v.9] 'because men do not believe in me'- the world desperately wants to forget that Jesus came and lived among us because he was too perfect for our standards; many want to just accept the lie that they are naturally good human beings trying their best to make things work out in a complicated world
  
• [See v.10] 'where you can see me no longer'- although the world can no longer see Jesus, the Holy Spirit will teach us that there is a clear-cut right and wrong (good and evil) even when the world tries to convince people that there is no absolute truth or right and wrong way to live life
  
• [See v.11] 'prince of this world now stands condemned'- the world will see judgement one day, namely upon those who do not believe in Jesus; yet for those who do believe, signs of this judgement are already apparent in their lives where the power of Satan is broken and furthermore they are empowered by work of the Holy Spirit
  
• [See v.12] 'more than you can now bear'- Hints at the crucifixion and how Jesus knows that they won't be able to bear the act of salvation he will perform, maybe because they are not ready to comprehend or accept his sacrifice
  
• [See v.16] Jesus tells the disciples that he will be gone for a bit but then that he will be back again soon
  
• Even though Jesus came back to see the disciples after his resurrection, the truth in today's world is that most of us will never see Jesus in this world; but seeing Jesus is less important than establishing a spiritual relationship and walking by faith, not sight
  
• [See v.23] 'will give you whatever you ask in my name'- we need to ask before we are to receive from God; prayer causes things to happen and has the power to directly influence things in this world
  
• [See v.26] 'In that day you will ask in my name'- the disciples will pray in Jesus' name after his death and resurrection
  
• [See v.32] 'you will be scattered...will leave me all alone'- Jesus refers to when he will take up the cross to make the ultimate sacrifice for all of humankind and specifically how the disciples will not follow him but instead go home and "chicken out"; it's almost like they will act like they don't know Jesus
  
• In the same way to follow Jesus we must be courageous and bold when it comes to standing up for what we believe in and to remember all that he has taught us and to never abandon Jesus no matter what the cost
  
  

John 15

John 15 (New International Version)

The Vine and the Branches
1"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

9"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command. 15I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17This is my command: Love each other.

The World Hates the Disciples
18"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me. 22If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin. 23He who hates me hates my Father as well. 24If I had not done among them what no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have seen these miracles, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. 25But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: 'They hated me without reason.'
26"When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. 27And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.


Interesting points of Discussion:

• [See v.5] 'I am the vine; we are the branches'- Jesus should be the center of our lives because without him we are weak and lacking; many people today claim that living life to the fullest on their own is the way to go but Jesus seems to be saying that we actually won't be living life to the fullest unless we live it in him
  
• Making Jesus the center of our lives requires us to obey God's commands [see v.10]
  
• [See v.6] 'like a branch that is thrown away and withers'- when you don't allow Jesus to be the center of your life, you will struggle to grow spiritually and to fulfill God's will for your life
  
• We did not choose Jesus but he chose us [see v.16] to give us a destiny and a purpose- to work toward bearing 'fruit that will last', that is, eternal goals, with the final destination being Heaven
  
• And if we do accept this offer by remaining in God's will for us, we may ask and receive "anything"- wow, it sounds too good to be true, doesn't it?
  
• Jesus seems to be saying that being hated by the world isn't a bad thing because it means that he has chosen us [see v.19]
  
• [See v.2] 'every branch that does bear fruit he prunes'- God takes us through a maturation process in which He cuts off whatever is unnecessary or "infecting" the tree so that we will become even more fruitful; in another words, He "cleans" up our lives by refining us
  
• [See v.8] 'showing yourselves to be my disciples'- bearing the fruits of the Holy Spirit- peace, love, joy, attitude of praise, humbleness, is what glorifies God; being a believer in God is not about words or thoughts but ultimately your actions which are a result of those fruits produced
  
• The Holy Spirit is our helper sent by God who is the 'Spirit of truth' [see v.26], the truth about the Father and the Son, so that we may better understand who Jesus is and what he did
  
• [See v.13] 'he lay down his life for his friends'- just as Jesus laid down his life for us we should love each other and put our necks on the line for each other; this sacrificial love is shown by listening and paying attention to those who need God's word, giving, encouraging, teaching, etc.
  
  
  
  
  

John 14

John 14 (New International Version)

1"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4You know the way to the place where I am going."

Jesus the Way to the Father
5Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"
6Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."

8Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."

9Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? 10Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. 12I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit
15"If you love me, you will obey what I command. 16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— 17the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."
22Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?"

23Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

25"All this I have spoken while still with you. 26But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

28"You heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. 30I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, 31but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.
"Come now; let us leave.


Interesting points of Discussion:

• [See verse 1] 'Do not let your hearts be troubled'- Jesus comforts his disciples
  
• [See verse 27] 'Peace I leave with you; my peace'- More comforting here from Jesus as he emphasizes the peace that he will bring to the world
  
• He tells them not to be afraid; one way to interpret this could be to see it in terms of life itself- that it won't turn out perfect and that there will be trouble but by resting in God's peace you will have nothing to be afraid of
  
• What is this 'peace' and what is it that the 'world gives' that Jesus says he does not give?
  
• Jesus said that this is 'my peace I give you'- that rather than being found in ourselves it is given to us as a gift from God through Christ; in another words, we cannot find this 'peace' by looking inside ourselves and setting up our own assurances ("I will be okay") and expectations ("I'll be fine") based on what we think will bring us peace
  
• If you take what the 'world gives'- material possessions, desires and false hopes, you will be left with no peace at all but with more worries and doubts and endless waiting or longings for things you covet
  
• Many times, people look to drugs, alcohol, sex, addictions, etc. to provide a false sense of peace instead of looking to God; instead of dealing with their issues as the Holy Spirit convicts them to, they continue to sin until the Spirit has become so weak that they are no longer able to feel God's correcting movements in their heart
  
• [See verse 26] 'Holy Spirit...will teach you all things'- the Holy Spirit is our 'Counselor' who guides us and talks to us so that we can apply the teachings of Jesus to our lives; the Spirit gives us the power to recall, discern and hear God's voice
  
• [See verse 6] 'I am the way'- only through Jesus and by knowing him do we know God; the idea of the Trinity is presented here with: (a) Jesus being the 'way' to access the Father and Heaven, (b) Jesus being the 'truth' which is the word of God and the fulfillment of it (prophecies of the Savior) and (c) Jesus is the 'life' that allows to be free from sin which causes spiritual death (and eventually eternal separation from God which is the second death) and instead empowers us by pouring out the Holy Spirit (giver of life) on those who accept him
  
• The word 'truth' can seem a bit ambiguous and too broad in scope yet here the 'truth' is the not just the partial truth or a fact; it is the complete truth in all its entirety- who God is, who we are and what we need to do to be saved from misery, hopelessness and death
  
• [See v.19-20] 'I am in my Father'- Jesus tells them that soon he will no longer be with them physically but that God will be with them through him, that is, Jesus invites us into the love relationship he has with the Father by hinting at the possibility of realizing that we are "in him" who is in the Father and he who is in the Father is "in us"
  
• This invitation of love is not only relational but also requires us to make an effort to obey Jesus' teachings which is the word of God [v.23-24]
  
• [See verse 26] 'will remind you of everything'- the Holy Spirit is our helper from God; we don't have to do it all on our own
  
• [See verse 28] 'Father is greater than I'- in a way Jesus is humbling himself before God even though he is the same as God in nature
  
• How is God 'greater'?
  
• God is the Creator of Life who came first and initiated everything by spoken words and Jesus was the One who was later on sent literally as the living Word
  
  
  
  

John 13

¹It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.^[a]

²The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. ³Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; ⁴so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. ⁵ After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

⁶He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"

⁷Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."

⁸"No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet."
Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."

⁹ "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"

¹⁰Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." ¹¹For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

¹²When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. ¹³"You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. ¹⁴Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. ¹⁵I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. ¹⁶I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

¹⁸"I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: 'He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.'^[b]

¹⁹"I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He. ²⁰I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me."

²¹After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me."

²²His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. ²³One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. ²⁴Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, "Ask him which one he means."

²⁵Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?"

²⁶Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. ²⁷As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.

"What you are about to do, do quickly," Jesus told him, ²⁸but no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. ²⁹Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the Feast, or to give something to the poor. ³⁰As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.

³¹When he was gone, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him. ³²If God is glorified in him,^[c] God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.

³³"My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.

³⁴"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ³⁵By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

³⁶Simon Peter asked him, "Lord, where are you going?"
Jesus replied, "Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later."

³⁷Peter asked, "Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you."

³⁸Then Jesus answered, "Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!

Discussion:

• Act of Love greatly demonstrated by Jesus washing the disciples feet. It is great act of humility to which Jesus calls us to do likewise as stated in verse 14 'Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you should also wash one another's feet.' Does this mean to literally wash each others feet? This brings in the thought of King or God washing your feet. Wow, helps one understand the initial reaction Peter has to Jesus gesture. Is it easier to humble oneself to receive such great love when there is reciprocation?
• How does Jesus demonstrate love to His disciples in other times? We realize that apart from the call of each disciple on individual basis, we mostly see Jesus serving the crowds with the help of His disciples. The people receive miracles in their midst, as well as being met at their point of need such as the feeding of the 5,000 with bread and fish. Jesus relates to the disciples in more intimate way as shares meal with disciples with breaking of bread. Also, Jesus provides greater teaching following the relay of parables that shows closeness shared with His disciples.
  
• How do we relate to Jesus portraying love as parent/child relationship?
  
• How do we show our love to those close to us?
  
• v17 - v18 Jesus chooses Judas yet he does not have the best role to play. How much of his will was Judas able to express in the betrayal of Jesus given it was a fulfillment of scripture? We find that Judas hardly questions as there is no questioning following Jesus indication of him as the betrayer in v.26 - v.27. This brings to light the importance of seeking to quest further into God's word with question. Would Judas fate have been different with question or was he used to reveal God's glory? How can we relate his betrayal to Peter's of denying Jesus three times as stated in v.38? Did Judas know what he was doing? How evil was Judas? Does Judas make it to heaven?
• How can we be weary of following Judas' fate today? Judas' weakness was his love of money as illustrated with question of anointing Jesus' feet with perfume by Mary in John 12. He was so close to Jesus yet he did not realize the move of God's power. We see this a question of faith and the importance of not being simply more conscientious at the beginning but even more as one grows. Here an illustration of how the devil uses our weakness to cause harm. We are encouraged not to give the devil a foothold. We also realize the need to have the Holy Spirit to fully understand Jesus' teaching.

Philippians 4 Bible Study with Brian Housman 3/24/2010

Philippians 4 (New International Version)

1Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!

2I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.

4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

10I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

14Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. 17Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. 18I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

20To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

21Greet all God's people in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings. 22All the Lord's people here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar's household.

23The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.


Interesting points of Discussion:

• Q: How do you keep your praise on?
  
• A: When circumstances arise that may not look or be favorable, you are confronted with two options: a) stress about it, or b) pray about it; choose the latter and praise God, then see how God works in the situation that may reveal the reason for this situation
  
• A: Repenting and asking God for strength
  
• Words have power; when you complain you are allowing the devil to steal away your praise
  
• Without prayer and praise it becomes easier to give up and stop; a picture of praising God would look like running on a treadmill and setting the timer to going "up" because it keeps us going as we remember what God has done for us so far
  
• [See verse 2] 'be of the same mind'- Euodia and Syntyche used to work as a team for the gospel but ended up fighting with each other because they thought it would be a good way to create the entertainment that comes from being rivals
  
• [See verse 5] 'gentleness be evident to all'- treating others well is the key to happiness and the medicine to bitterness which leads to fighting and quarrels
  
• [See verse 6] 'present your requests'- There is power in making requests to God in the midst of helplessness; asking God and letting Him evaluate the situation brings peace whereas pleading in vain or questioning God can cause you to grow more frustrated
  
• When faced with trouble, keep on standing through prayer and praise
  
• Instead of focusing on your problems, seek God
  
• [See verse 7] 'which trascends all understanding'- when God is in control, his 'peace' that is given to us surpasses our understanding, i.e. it's not like the peace that comes as a result of human thought or actions whether it be through things like meditation (Bhuddism principle of emptying the mind), self-control, yoga, non-Christian spiritual disciplines or any other "how to feel good about yourself" practical advice or tips that litter magazines and books in the real world today; rather, it's a result of God moving through us, i.e. "you won't understand what's happening to you but you'll be all right"
  
• When we try to take control of the situation, things don't go well; a likely consequence of trying to handle too much on our own is distributing the blame to others around you
  
• Giving control to God begins with admitting that you cannot handle it on your own and need help; in this way you are humbling yourself in relation to God who is bigger than you
  
• 'Do not be anxious'- there is no need to be anxious because God is right next to you
  
• [See verse 8] 'think about such things'- choosing what things to put at the center of your attention- positive or negative- goes a long way
  
• [See verse 9] 'put it into practice'- Paul is stressing that it is important not only to think about the good things but also to act accordingly
  
• [See verse 12] 'secret of being content'- requires God and paying attention to the good things
  
• Paul was not thinking of what he had or didn't have; often our contentment is related to how much or how little we have
  
• The truth is, this how much/little theory doesn't stick- getting what we want doesn't make us happy because there is a constant drive for more; we will never be satisfied if we look to what we need- God will provide for us
  
• Paul didn't get comfortable and stop what he was doing (preaching the gospel) because he had everything he needed; he kept running
  
• There is only one race to the end; all the others are lies that try to deceive you into thinking you can get to your destination quicker
  
• [See verse 10] 'I rejoiced greatly'- Paul is saying to the Philippians "I'm so glad you asked if I was concerned and needed money"
  
• [See verse 17] 'be credited to your account'- looking to the interests of others leads to gains, these being "deposits in heaven"
  
• Along with prayer and praise to God, looking to the interests of others goes side by side; this doesn't seem like a race where it's about who finishes first or last but rather a race where it's about picking others up who have fallen or are struggling and making sure we all finish together
  
  
  

Philippians 3 Bible Study with Brian Housman 3/17/2010

Philippians 3 (New International Version)

1Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.

2Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. 3For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— 4though I myself have reasons for such confidence.
If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.

7But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 10I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

15All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

17Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. 18For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. 20But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.


Interesting points of Discussion:

• Paul's tone in this letter is one that is aware of his own mortality; he's likely thinking "what do they need to know before I die?"
  
• [See verse 1] Paul begins the letter by telling the Philippians to 'rejoice in the Lord'- start praising and being thankful; in contrast to the request in his last letter (Philippians 2) for them not to grumble about anything, this seems like an even bigger step forward almost as if he is saying "instead of complaining shout for joy"
  
• It is easier to rejoice if you understand Jesus' death on the cross; that is, [see Philippians 2, verse 1] 'any comfort from his love'
  
• [See verse 3] 'Watch out for those dogs'- Paul begins the letter with a cautionary warning against the enemies but also reassures the Philippians that if they follow what he has taught them they will be safe
  
• The enemies Paul is referring to are the people who tried to bring in the idea of circumcision as righteousness based on the law of the Pharisees; they are the ones who put their 'confidence in the flesh' [see verse 3]
  
• [See verse 3] 'we who are the circumcision'- Paul is telling the Philippians, who are non-Jews and thus not circumcised, that they are actually more 'circumcised' than the Jews; he seems to be implying here that you do not need to be circumcised to be righteous
  
• [See verse 5] 'circumcised on the eighth day'- in the Jewish community, this tradition of circumcision is a welcome entrance into society and what defines righteousness
  
• The wicked 'dogs' are Paul's rival preachers who are telling the Philippians that they need circumcision over Jesus
  
• [See verses 4-6] Paul tells of how his circumcision brought him Jewish knowledge and inheritance; 'as for zeal'- he would kill people for it, and, 'faultless'- he did it right
  
• [See verses 7-8] But now that he looks back on it, it was a complete 'loss'- means absolutely nothing and 'garbage'- worthless; it's like he's saying "I spent half my life running the wrong way and now I've got to make up for it"
  
• Paul had relied on his own actions and interests
  
• 'Everything a loss', 'all things'- these include freedom (not being in jail like he currently was), marriage, clout (privileges) of being a Hebrew, education, having a place to call home, being alive, goals/dreams, ego ('boast in Christ Jesus' only [see verse 3])
  
• [See verse 12] 'Not that I have obtained', 'made perfect'- God is enabling Paul but Paul is also choosing to do something on his own; he seems to be hanging onto a miracle that he was sure of and convinced of, like he's saying "Jesus did something for my sake, so I'm holding onto this because I saw him do it"
  
• The danger is in stopping i.e. "I did it"
  
• Q: When do you get the 'prize' [see verse 14]?
  
• A: When you cross the finishline. The 'goal' is the finishline and the 'prize' is the medal on the podium. You can't get the medal without finishing the race.
  
• If you run toward the 'prize', you will miss it because the 'goal'- death (which the 'dogs' avoid)- must come first in order to get to the 'prize', which is resurrection
  
• [See verse 17] 'Join with others'- this race is a team sport and one that is meant to be run together
  
• Circumcision is not the 'prize', not something that has been done in the past as was the case with Paul
  
• Paul pressed forward to something better despite the fact that he had won a race earlier in his life because the prize was short-lived; this race is longer and the 'prize' is eternal
  
• [See verse 10] 'becoming like him in his death'- like Jesus we go down and down to the lowest of lowest until we are resurrected as he was
  
• [See verse 17] Be examples and models for each other
  
• [See verse 16] 'Only let us live up to what we have already attained'- there is no finite destination but rather you are being called to a higher standard as you know more; do not lose ground on what God has called us to- keep safe on the path that we have been walking on
  
• Circumcision is a good thing but was misused to become demotivated (due to the fear of death) to pursue the final goal; the act of circumcision was comparable to saying things like "I'm baptized, I'm done", "I'm going to church, I'm finished", etc.
  
• The ultimate reward to be 'attained' is the gift of salvation [see verse 12]
  
• [See verse 15] 'God will make clear to you'- The holy spirit gives discernment
  
• There is no end to what God is doing, what is next? Ask God continually for clarification
  
• 'mature'- refers to eyesight, particularly better vision
  
• Run the race to the end for there is an 'awaiting savior' to resurrect us from the dead [see verse 20]
  
• [See verse 19] 'god is their stomach'- eat to merely stay alive; what is the point? Paul is saying "Run to death with a purpose"
  
  
  

Philippians 2 Bible Study with Brian Housman 3/10/2010

Philippians 2 (New International Version)

1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

12Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. 17But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

19I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. 21For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. 23I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.
25But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 28Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. 29Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, 30because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.


Interesting points of Discussion:

• Theme of attitude of the mind characterizes the passage, more specifically, being like-minded as Christ
  
• [See verse 3] To Jesus, 'humility' was not being equal with God and being human
  
• 'Humility' was also being obedient to death- how far would we go to be obedient ? Are we willing to sacrifice ? To be obedient despite circumstances ?
  
• [See verse 12] 'Continue to work out your salvation'- God is enabling us to do what He wants and it's up to us to work hard at it
  
• [See verse 12] 'With fear and trembling'- We have to sober up and take it seriously and be aware because even if we do work hard we may fail
  
• Paul gives this journey towards salvation a "joint effort" feel to it i.e. God and us, Paul and the Philippians
  
• In Philippians 1, Paul was more concerned about the preaching of the gospel than the underlying motivations behind it; in this passage [see verse 3], Paul makes it clear not to preach out of 'selfish ambition or vain conceit'- that is, self desires or pride
  
• Paul has higher ideas this time and gives commands instead of the hugs and kisses of encouragement he gave in the first letter (Philippians 1)
  
• Philippians are Paul's work (except the rival preachers) and he has expectations and hopes of them
  
• [See verse 4] To be humble you have to pay attention to your own problems and not those of others
  
• Timothy, who is sort of Paul's ambassador, is being cultivated as his replacement
  
• [See verses 19-23] Paul prepares the Philippians for his arrival by raising Timothy's profile by singling him out as the only one being with him in Jesus
  
• His impending arrival after Timothy has the built-up tone of "Wait until your Pops gets home"
  
• [See verse 21] Looking out for the interests of Jesus Christ seems to literally mean "Do unto others as they would unto you"
  
• Paul once again has a mentality that is comparable to that of an athletic coach; his message to the Philippians can be summed up with this statement: "I did this for you, so now go run your race"
  
• A good coach is one that believes in the kids' potential
  
• Paul's approach in this letter is more distant from God than it was in the first letter (Philippians 1), shifting the focus to his relationship with the Philippians
  
• Paul's relationship with the Philippians is a joint effort and he seems to be suggesting, "I'm doing something for you, so do something for me"
  
• [See verse 9] Jesus' exaltation by God was not preordained; rather, it was consequential because of Jesus' choices to not be God, to instead be a servant (slave) and to accept the ultimate humble act of death on a cross (restricted to the lower class)
  
• Thus, by lowering ourselves, we open ourselves up to be raised by God
  
• [See verse 17] 'Poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice'- this was a ritual where wine was poured out onto the meat to be burnt; Paul seems to be implying here, "I'm waiting for the match, it's up to you"
  
• In prison, Paul displays a surreal joy awaiting his fate
  
• Epaphroditus, Paul's messenger, thought of Paul and the Philippians when he was dying
  
• [See verse 27] 'Sorrow upon sorrow'- In much the same way, Paul thought of Epaphroditus and the Philippians (and the Philippians of Paul and Epaphroditus); everyone was looking out for the interests of the others- and behold, everything worked out and Epaphroditus did not die thanks to the Lord!
  
• Paul gives Timothy and Epaphroditus as examples of those who 'shine like stars' [see verse 15] because they embody the humbleness that Paul is preaching
  
• A way to gauge our own humbleness in our lives is by seeing how much we complain or whine- this often has a spiral effect that moves us backwards rather than forward
  
• The solution is to work together and don't argue