Complete Submission to the Lord Jesus Christ

Joy in Complete Submission to Christ

Book of Philippians 1:18-30

My pastor recently preached a sermon on "Doing My Little Part". Some examples were:

1) The brick walls. A wall of bricks of any size begins with just one brick. If I do what the Lord has called me today then I can be one of those bricks in the salvation plan of God. That would be my ministry!

2) The Bible. The Bible is the most important Book on the face of this earth but the Bible consist of 66 books and each one of those books has in it the Word of God and the same message from start to finish. We need all 66 books to have the complete message of God. Not bits and pieces.

3) The United States is a great nation. Within the United States there are 50 states. Without every state doing its part how can we say we are united but being united is what makes us a great nation. America is more divided now than at any other time in its history. Most people know what truly caused that division (not slavery), yet those lessons are forgotten. It is a fact that a handful of people cannot dictate the actions of the many without division and then failure. Which is the goal of those who finance this division!

Even the Christian Church is divided because some handful of so-called Christian leaders have chosen to say God has become a liberal and abandoned His truth, when God is neither liberal nor conservative, God is just God and He never changes nor will He ever change from the completed Words He has given us. If God changed every season, how could we trust Him. Which again is the goal of those who push this agenda.

As Christians, all have our little part to do in the salvation plan of God!

It is also a fact that no one can face the wiles of the Devil on their own!

As we ended last week’s lesson the Apostle Paul gave us these words:

Php 1:17 But the other of love, "knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel".

Paul joined the other 11 Apostles and said, we must defend the "Gospel", the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

What is the "Gospel"?

1) The Gospel is in fact all 66 Books of the Bible.

2) The "Gospels" are in fact the first 4 Books of the New Testament. (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John)

3) The "Gospel" is the history of the birth, the life, the works, the death, the resurrection, the ascension, and the doctrines of Jesus Christ!

4) The "Gospel" is the revelation of the "Grace of God"!

5) The "Gospel" is the salvation plan of God, presented from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21

It is called the Gospel of God. Rom 1:1 (all 66 books)

Rom 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, "separated unto the gospel of God".

It is called the Gospel of Christ. Rom 1:16 (the four Gospels)

Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of "the gospel of Christ": for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

It is called the Gospel of salvation. Eph 1:13 (The works of Jesus Christ and the promises of God)

Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, "the gospel of your salvation" in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

The truth is we must never allow the circumstances of this world to come into our lives and prevent us from serving the Lord!

Let's begin:

*****Php 1:18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

Paul was in bondage in Rome and he would remain that way for at least two years.

Much of that time was spent chained to a Roman soldier, so Paul could only witness to one man at a time.

We can just imagine that not many Roman guards were easily impressed by anyone such as Paul.

They had one duty and that was to make sure Paul did not escape or it would cause their own death.

We can just imagine how Paul took advantage of this truth because death is a reality for every soldier!

Later Paul was placed under house arrest in his own hired house with no freedom to leave.

Yet even in all these circumstances the "Gospel" was spreading in Rome.

In fact, the talk of the town was the Lord Jesus Christ.

John Bunyan, also in bondage for preaching the "Gospel" said: "I never had in all my life so great an inlet into the Word of God as now. Those Scriptures that I saw nothing in before are made in this place and state to shine upon me. I have seen that here which I am persuaded I shall never in this world be able to express"

In Paul's case, we know that many who had stayed behind closed doors became bold enough to preach the truth of the "Gospel" more openly.

Paul also expressed a great desire to study all the Scriptures again even after all his years as a missionary.

2Ti_4:13 The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.

We also know that there were many who were envious of Paul and used this same boldness for evil saying that Paul was locked up for things other than the "Gospel".

And of course, just as today, there were also many who rose up in dispute of the "Gospel"!

Paul said whether in pretense or the truth, Jesus Christ was the talk of Rome and Paul could rejoice knowing that even under these circumstances he had continued to do the best he could to further the Gospel of Jesus Christ, allowing Paul great joy under dire circumstances!

One of the greatest acts of God is to take something that was intended for evil and make something good come out of it.

While in Jerusalem, and many other nations, including Rome, there were many trying to stop the spread of the Gospel, God had a better plan!

The only thing that can stop the "Gospel" is when we quit being witnesses for the Lord, when we rebel against the "Great Commission"!

This brings to mind the story of Joseph in the Book of Genesis.

Gen 50:20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

God has His way of doing these things!

We also know that Paul, by the Holy Spirit gave us most of his epistles while in bondage in Rome.

It is always our job to speak out the "Grace" of God no matter our circumstances.

We must always rely on the "Gospel of Jesus Christ" because it is the only truth that will lead to salvation, which is reconciling ourselves with our Holy God!

We must refuse to be envious of anyone else, as we all have our own part and God rewards according to how we do our own part and God never compares our work with what others do.

The Lord does not require big ministries but they are ok.

The Lord does not require big names.

The Lord does not require a great following or large numbers.

The Lord only requires faithfulness and effort, effort being the greatest key to rewards and not any other thing!

As our world deviates from the Gospel we need to remember the words of the Apostle John:

2Jn 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

2Jn 1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

2Jn 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

2Jn 1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

2Jn 1:11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

None of these things are open for dispute nor even discussion. The Word of God is just the truth!

Another thing that happened was that the more the Christians heard of Paul in bondage, the more the prayers for his release.

*****Php 1:19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

Paul had great joy in knowing, that the Lord Jesus Christ was the talk of all Rome.

Paul had great joy in knowing, if deliverance did not come while he was in bondage, it would certainly come when the Lord called him home!

Paul had great joy in knowing, that salvation had come to Rome. It was time for those who heard the Gospel to make that choice that we all must make.

2Co 6:1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

2Co 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

2Co 6:3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:

What is the truth of Paul that should also be true to every "Born Again" child of God?

2Ti 2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

If we cannot love the lost, we will never try hard enough for their salvation! We cannot save them but we can lead them to the One who can!

We always seem to concentrate on those who speak the loudest against the Word of God, when we need to concentrate on those who have never heard the Word of God and those who need another opportunity.

We can also realize what Paul realized, God will save us and deliver us even from criticism and opposition.

1) Because of the prayers of those who support the truth of God. (This Philippian Church would begin to pray just as soon as they received this epistle)

2) Because it is the job of the Holy Spirit to delivers us from all evil or supply all our needs as we go through such things!

Mat_6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Luk_11:4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

We seem to forget these things.

By the way for those nay-sayers, the Spirit of Jesus Christ is the same Holy Spirit, who is the Same Holy Ghost, who is the Spirit of God!

Many of God's children shudder in fright at the Holy Ghost but He has the same love of God, because He is God!

It is the Holy Ghost who was given to us "to share with us the deep things of God"

1Co 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

1Co 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

We seem to forget these things.

What should be the goal of every believer? To be like Christ! "This is being a Christian"

To be saved is one thing.

To be Christian is to be saved with Jesus Christ magnified in our own bodies!

*****Php 1:20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

To be Christian is to allow Jesus Christ to be magnified in our own bodies!

When will the rapture take place and we join our Savior while we live?

Rom 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creature "waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God".

When will we join our Savior if we die before the rapture of the Church?

2Co_5:6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

2Co_5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

We can only be bold in Christ when we are filled the Holy Spirit!

Joh_14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

Once saved we are endowed with the Holy Spirit who will never leave us for any reason.

BUT: 1) We can grieve the Holy Spirit. (We can offend the Holy Spirit)

Eph_4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

2) We can "Quench" the Holy Spirit. (Put out His flame for the work of the Lord)

1Th 5:19 Quench not the Spirit.

3) We can resist the Holy Spirit. (Stand against, or oppose Him and the ways of the Lord)(Normally before salvation)

Act 7:51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.

Just as a gas tank that needs a refill, though the Holy Spirit will never leave us, we need to pray for a refilling of the Holy Spirit at least every day but maybe before each and every decision we make!

The 12 Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ (includes Paul) all had great powers but none of those powers could be used on themselves.

They had great knowledge of many, many things of God, but they did not know all things, especially things concerning themselves!

They had to rely on the Holy Spirit and so it is with each and every Christian! (this will not ever change)

We would be fools to ever be ashamed of the "Gospel"!

We are fools if we do not follow the lead of the Holy Spirit in our lives and be available to the Lord always!

Paul had to exercise his "faith" and patience just as much as any of us do!

What is hope? The desire of some good with a great expectation of obtaining it!

We can have hope in the promises of God because we have God's guarantee that we will obtain all His promises!

Paul was a natural born leader trained to rule in Judaism and the Supreme Court of Israel, yet the Lord made Paul a humble servant of the Word of God to the people of God.

Paul was nothing until the Lord Jesus Christ was magnified in his body and guess what neither are we!

We are nothings until the Lord makes a something out of a nothing! It’s called the act of "Creation". The Lord Jesus said we must be "Born Again" to be able to see the New Heaven!

Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

We must live Christ and when this is true, then death brings eternal riches beyond our imagination! (this does not mean money)

*****Php 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Php 1:22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.

The Apostle lived and breathed the Lord Jesus Christ. (a great example for us all)

When we can travel in peace on this earth, we can cross over to the other side realizing things will actually be much, much better! (Joy)

When we can experience never ending life today and recognize that we actually have no clue of just how wonderful life with the Lord can be, we can certainly have that desire to be with the Lord. (Joy)

Death to the Christian is just saying good bye cruel world and hello to the never-ending day of glory! (Joy)

When we present our bodies as a living sacrifice to the Lord, the Lord will present each Christian to His Father as a new husband would present his perfect wife to his own farther. (Joy)

When we yield our bodies, it means all our bodies.

Jesus said:

Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.

We must give our whole body.

We must give all our mind.

We must give all our heart.

We must give all our soul.

Our Christian life can be good but our Heavenly life will be much more better!

Jesus Christ is our source of existence and our source of life!

Whatever death brings to the Christian we still know that Jesus Christ will be the Lord of it!

1Co 15:41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.

1Co 15:42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:

1Co 15:43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:

1Co 15:44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

Jesus Christ gave every breathing moment of His life to the Church surely, we can give Him all we have of our own bodies!

We cannot base our life on the things of this earth that are aging and will one day pass away, as if they had never existed!

It is only though our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ that we can be a part of that world where nothing can ever age and nothing can ever pass away.

It would be easy to say well Lord just take me on home and He would have done that when He saved us but there still some things that need to be done before we go home to Heaven.

*****Php 1:23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

Php 1:24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

Life in the glory world with the Lord Jesus Christ will be so much better that it is certainly hard to concentrate on this world but if we are part of the army of God and have lost family and friends and neighbors it could be much better for them if we stay here on this earth for a while longer!

We cannot save any of them but we certainly be available to tell them about the Lord when that opportunity presents itself!

Remember Stephen, that even while he was being stoned to death and realizing that he would die, he was still bold to deliver the message of God because he knew his death "would really be life".

Act 7:59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

Act 7:60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

We should also notice, his flesh was not dead when his breath left his body, "his flesh was dead when his spirit left his body". (this why people can be revived)

Paul's desire to be a soul winner was greater than his desire to die so that he could be with the Lord but only because we need to always leave death in the hands of the Lord!

Personally, I am so glad that Paul chose to give more time to the Church and the "Gospel".

Paul was very confident that this was the right choice! This must be the choice that we make!

*****Php 1:25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;

Php 1:26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.

Confidence comes from our "Faith"!

The chosen Apostles of God were given many powers to use in their ministry but they could not use them on themselves!

The Apostles could not see their own future no better than we can ourselves!

Act 20:22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:

As Christians if we are involved in a ministry that God has called us into, we can be sure that we are safe in the arms of God until our part of that ministry is complete. God may take us home after that. God may give us another ministry after that. God may use us in some other way. Only we can put ourselves on a shelf!

We should never desire to be put on a shelf awaiting the outcome of things that we know are coming, according to the Word of God!

Paul had a desire to be with the Lord, I do too and I am sure that would include most of us that know the Lord but we have a purpose and now is the time for that purpose!

It is all our job to take the "Gospel" as far as we can!

There is no greater joy than being involved in the "Gospel" of the Lord Jesus Christ!

We can depart this world and be with Christ. This is His promise!

We can remain in this world and be with Christ which is not as good but, Christ will still be with us always!

We must love the Lord and desire to be with Him, absolutely.

We must also love the Lord enough to do what He has ask us to do, not out of duty but out of love! (holding forth the Word of God)

Christ was willing to lay all things aside in Heaven, including His Majesty to put of the flesh of a human to die in place of our sin.

Surely, we can be willing enough to lay things aside long enough to take His message to the world beginning in our own home and our own family.

We can tell that Paul loved to see and be around other Christians.

When you are around a bunch of Christians, you may hear about families, you may hear about this evil world but the one thing that is always consistent you will hear that the answer to every problem is Jesus Christ!

*****Php 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

The best way to start a conversation with another Christian is the way we lead our lives.

Are we living like we are a citizen of Heaven? We are just pilgrims passing through this world but while we are here we are to be "ambassadors" for Jesus Christ!

While we remain in this earth we will remain in the view of the public, especially those who have never heard of Christ Jesus and even those who have rejected Him.

We owe it to our Lord to be noticed as a Christian. To be a Christian is never to be a secret lifestyle!

We must remain in a group and stand fast in the Lord! Our King is coming soon to put things in the right place instead of this upside-down world we live in now!

What is wrong with the Church today? There are so many unethical doctrines that have been substituted for the Word of God, people no longer know the truth.

Our young people are enticed into the place of worship but they are then never given the truth and they soon believe the "Gospel" is just a lie.

Until foolish people begin to consider the Word of God themselves, they will always allow those who would twist the truth into some false thing!

We need to hear of the affairs of every house of worship to see if they follow the ways of Christ Jesus.

Today the name Jesus Christ is not mentioned in some places of so-called worship because it may offend someone. (You got to be kidding me)

Those that are offended by Jesus Christ in this "Day of "Grace" have already rejected the only means of salvation!

Sad but also true!

When we live according to the Word of God (rightly divided) we will easily stand out in this evil world!

When we strive to make this world a better place, we will meet with opposition from every side but that means we try harder and never give up.

After all who can stop the Lord when He refuses to be stopped!

As far as the laws of this land, we are to serve the Lord and the laws of Heaven. If the laws of this land survive the test of the Word of God, then we must abide, if they do not, we must adhere to the law of God!

We must do everything we can to remain at peace with this world that will never know true peace.

Our job is to grow in "Grace" in our daily walk with the Lord.

This is the job of the individual but also the entire congregation of the Church.

We must remain in oneness in the love and the service of Jesus Christ.

People may see us to be strange and that is great because we are never to resemble this world!

2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

2Co 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

When we do this, we will:

1) talk right

2) dress right

3) live and conduct ourselves right

4) we will proudly declare to be a Christian

5) we will carry out the affairs of Heaven without hesitation

6) we will separate ourselves from those who call this world their true home

And we must never be terrified by the evil things we see or hear in this world!

*****Php 1:28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

We must never be ashamed of the "Gospel"!

To be honest to be timid in the work of the Lord shows a lack of "faith"!

It means we may not trust the Lord enough.

When we do not trust the Lord, we will become the prey of those in this world!

Jas 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

Jas 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

Jas 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

We must remember if we are reproached for the work of the Lord then we are doing something right!

1Pe 4:14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

When we have the fear of the Lord, there is nothing upon this earth that can bring a greater fear.

When we honor the "Gospel" and the one who holds the "Gospel" then we will strive to worthy of the "Gospel"!

When we are timid it is possible we are dishonoring the "Gospel"!

When we are timid we find it hard to stand firm in the "Gospel"!

When we are timid, the only safe place is within a body of believers who are not timid!

It is only as a team that we can overcome the evil of this world and we simply cannot quit and walk off the field!

Courage and fearlessness should be the traits of the Christian.

Many display Christ as a wimp. Jesus Christ was the adopted son of a carpenter and if you noticed the homes of that day, not many were not made from wood. Jesus Christ was a real man!

The truth of all those who persecute Christians is that they are sealing their own doom!

Christian persecution is a sign that the Christian way is real and true!

Christian persecution is to be a privilege and not a terror!

It should be a privilege to suffer for the name of Jesus Christ!

We are never to deny our Lord under any circumstance!

We are to face the same conflict as Paul.

We know it would be far better to be with the Lord but for those in our own family and those we love it may be better if we remain here a while longer.

*****Php 1:30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

We must remember Paul is teaching the Church by the Holy Spirit.

The Power of the Church lies in the Holy Spirit and the strength of the Church lies in the unity of the actions of the Church.

Satan has been at his job for a long time and no one has ever come up with a plan to defeat him except Jesus Christ, who got this plan from His Father in Heaven.

There is nothing that anyone can do that can add to the destruction of Satan beyond the Word of God.

We must surely contend for the faith!

Jud_1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

To contend is to fight, to strive, to use great effort in defense of the "Gospel of Jesus Christ".

We can take this to mean a lot of things but it is best to accept it as it is written!

The Apostle Paul never backed down from his defense of the "Gospel" and he suffered greatly for it because in many cases he stood alone.

No matter what the rest of the world is doing to stop their own persecution and giving in to the terror and the government, the safe side is still the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ.

After all, the only one I have ever known to rise from the dead and enter the glory land is the Lord Jesus Christ. It is best to see what He did and follow Him all the way to "Glory"!

Remember our strength is not in numbers, our strength is in unity, one mind for Christ Jesus!

Jas_4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

To submit is to yield to the power and the authority of our Savior and our Redeemer!

Amen

Furthering the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Joy in the Furtherance of the Gospel

Book of Philippians 1:1-17

The Church at Philippi had been established by the Apostle Paul on his second missionary journey and it was the first Christian church established in Europe.

We should not forget it was from Europe that the "Gospel" found its way to these United States to form a nation where the people could freely worship the Lord Jesus Christ, the God of the Bible!

We offer the freedom to worship but, the Constitution declares the freedom to worship the Lord Jesus Christ which at that time was being denied to those in Europe.

This is the Church that was established in the house of Lydia. This was a place of great poverty yet, this was first New Testament church to provide financial aid to Paul for the furtherance of the "Gospel" wherever he was.

So, as we study these epistles, we should consider that Paul was writing first to the Church itself (the Body of Christ) and secondarily to the Pastors and the church leaders.

*****Php 1:1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

Paul did not introduce himself as an Apostle to this church, they already understood this to be true. The greatest title any Christian can have is "Servant"!

God did not save us to be His servants, God saved us to be an integral part of His family. As part of the family of God we are to be servants to and of the Church and each other.

This is the task our Savior chose for us all to follow!

Luk 22:25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.

Luk 22:26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.

Luk 22:27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.

To be a Holy Ghost filled servant to the Church in the ways of Jesus Christ, is the only way to Sainthood. All other ways are fake!

It is the Saint that is eternal, the offices of bishop and deacon are only temporary and of this earth!

The Word of God never uses the word "Saint" to refer to just a select group of people!

Heb 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

BUT, a "Saint" can only be sanctified by holding to the truth of God's Word!

Joh 17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Joh 17:18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

The term "Bishop" is used throughout Paul's epistles an elder of the church. This is a person that in some way has oversight in the functioning of the church and it is the entire Body of Christ that is to appoint such persons.

In fact, Jesus Christ said He was the Bishop of our souls, because it is only Jesus that has oversight over our souls and is the Chief Shepherd of the Church!

1Pe 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

1Pe 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

Also, a fulfillment of the Old Testament Scriptures:

Psa 23:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Psa 23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

Psa 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

The Deacon is the servant inside the Church to help meet the needs of the Body of Christ. They can also be messengers, or even runners.

What did Peter say? Act_6:2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, "and serve tables".

This is the reason that the first deacons were elected and again they were elected by the "Body of Christ", not the apostles, for a specific purpose and it was never to try to dictate the ways of the Church.

Peter said to "wait on tables" a servant to the Body of Christ.

It is the Pastor who is to lead the Church in the ways of Christ Jesus and it is the "Body of Christ" that is to approve all church leaders and deacons". Of course, the Pastor must be involved in all these things!

1Co_14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

It is by God's Grace that the Church has been given this opportunity or better said, "the privilege" to take on the work that the Lord Jesus Christ has given us to do, until He returns.

It should clear to us all, we live in the time of God's "Grace"!

*****Php 1:2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Church has three main functions:

1) Assemble as the Holy Ghost filled Body of Christ to worship our Father in Heaven, Jehovah God, in spirit and truth.

2) To instruct, "born again" believers in the truth of the Word of God. Makes "babes in Christ" to be "mature Christians".

3) Make disciples of the mature Christians, to take the Word of God and the "Gospel of Jesus Christ" out into the highways and byways and the uttermost parts of this earth!

There is no doubt that Paul had Timothy with him to instruct a young preacher boy in the ways of the Church.

After all these things are working as directed, then and only then can the Church be a real help to the communities and to our nation!

All these things come by the "Grace of God"!

It is only the "Born Again" child of God that can be at peace with God, our Father, and that peace only through and by the Lord Jesus Christ!

It is because of God's "Grace" that we have been given this privilege!

*****Php 1:3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,

The true Church has delight in all things that the "Gospel" brings. This cannot happen in any place where the Word of God is not accepted for the complete truth.

God is a loving God but he is also very serious about the words He has given to us!

Rev 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

Rev 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

How can anyone ignore what God says at the risk of their name being removed from the Book of Life?

Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

It is only because they are servants of Satan!

If the entire body of Christ would quit giving in to society and politicians and this lost world, then there could truly still be a furtherance of the Gospel even in our time which is fast coming to an end!

We must remain steadfast to the truth of the Scriptures, no matter what others say!

We are already on the winning side, it is the enemy that must change their ways!

God being who He is, simply cannot fail and He certainly cannot be defeated!

We as Christians sometimes get downhearted and weary in well doing but we must never think we are the only ones in the battle.

Paul thanked God because Paul knew that this Church in Philippi was in this battle with Him!

I hope the missionaries supported by our Church always feel that we will be with them and supportive of them!

When we cannot help them financially we can certainly help them with our prayers of "faith"!

*****Php 1:4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,

We are wrong if we do not pray for our church every day! Not just our local church but for all the "Bride of Christ"!

If you love the Lord Jesus Christ enough to trust Him with your soul, then we are all in the family of God, living for Christ and sharing Christ with those that cross our path and if none cross our path then we need to seek them out.

Remember Christ died for His enemies!

We sometimes make Christianity to be a burden when Christianity is all about the Joy of the Lord!

We are to pray for those that we know and even for those we do not know!

The "fruit of the Spirit is joy"

Gal_5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Eph_5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

The Holy Spirit does not give one-person Joy and another "truth"

When the Holy Spirit moves in, He brings all His fruit with Him and shares all that fruit with us.

It is a privilege to be filled with the Holy Spirit and He will never leave us but we still need a refilling every day.

It is also a great and sometimes misunderstood privilege to go into the throne room of God with our request!

When prayer becomes a duty rather than a privilege how can we ever expect an answer to our request?

A prayer of duty is a prayer that lacks "faith" and without "faith", we simply cannot please God!

If we cannot please our Father in Heaven, then we have wasted the blood of Jesus that has washed us from our sin!

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

We simply cannot allow our mood to interfere with our relationship with the Lord! The Lord is always the same, He never changes, a great example for each child of God!

The Apostle Paul was in fellowship with all the churches that he had planted. We should still be in fellowship with all these apostles and we do that when we follow the Apostles Doctrine and not something altered by some other human.

Act 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Act 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Why the Apostles Doctrine? The Lord chose these men to start the New Testament church!

Anyone who teaches you that we are to depart from the Apostles Doctrine is telling you a lie!

We need to accept the Apostles Doctrine in the Church and accept the Prophets of God as the voice of God!

What are the doctrines of the Church? (The Church, all those who have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior)

The entire Word of God rightly divided and in context!

These are the true things of the Church in the days of the Apostles and these things are still the truth today!

These things bring joy to the Church and a joyful church will hold a people who are in complete fellowship with one another!

*****Php 1:5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;

Php 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

The mark of fellowship is a partnership. We are all (the Body of Christ) in this thing together!

Denominations are a man-made obstacle to decrease the strength of the Church!

What is the key to our fellowship?

The "Gospel" of the Lord Jesus Christ! The salvation plan of the Lord!

There are so many places that have rejected the truth of God that there is very little fellowship in the Church of today.

The one thing that brought the church together to begin with was the work of Jesus Christ!

1Co 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

1Co 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

1Co 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

The Church must never be ashamed of the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ! (It seems that the modern-day Church has become ashamed of the only Savior of this evil world) They have forgotten that our Savior, is also our Redeemer, the One who has "Justified" us before our Father in Heaven!

Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

You cannot be a true Church and be ashamed of any part of the "Gospel of Jesus Christ"!

There is no justification to those who reject the Word of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Christian fellowship begins with a Spiritual bond with our Father in Heaven and His Dear Son!

All these things must hold true to be called "The Church"!

If we cannot commit our faith and our lives to the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ there will never be fellowship in the Church!

The Church is in fellowship when we all live the same kind of life, doing the same kind of things, living, serving, bearing witness to the truth of the "Gospel"!

Why is the Church so weak in this world today? We have lost fellowship with the Holy Spirit because we have lost fellowship with each other!

The modern-day church has rejected the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ and teach some other man-made doctrine of humanity!

God says the only New Age Movement that will bring salvation, is the Old Age Movement of Jesus Christ!

Jer 6:16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

Jer 6:17 Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.

Jer 6:18 Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them.

Jer 6:19 Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it.

Why do so many think God has changed, when it is impossible for God to change.

Mal_3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not;

It is also impossible for God to lie!

Heb_6:18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

How can any so-called body of believers, believe that God has some new salvation plan that will include those who refuse to give up their sin?

It has never been this way.

This is the lie of all false religion which all such things.

Not happening!

As believers, we must be confident in the truth of the Scriptures!

Once saved, God fills and seals us with His Holy Spirit!

2Co_1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

Eph_1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Eph_4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

The Holy Spirit will never leave us and He will remain in us, even when the Lord Jesus returns to take us all home.

The Lord Jesus causes us to be "justified" and the Holy Spirit will begin to "sanctify" us and that work will not be complete until the Lord returns to "Glorify" us!

This the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who once begins His work in us, will perform it until He returns!

We should clearly understand God will never begin a work within us and then quit because some of us, (as I am), hard to work with!

It is always we that quit on God and not God that quits on us!

Therefore, it is called "Grace"! God's Riches At Christ Expense.

*****Php 1:7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.

We must remember what the Lord has said!

2Co_12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

As the Saints of God, we must persevere under all conditions! We must persevere in the truth of God's Word, there is no other way!

What had God said of the Apostle Paul?

Act 9:15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

Act 9:16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

Was it our God that caused the pain and affliction of the Apostle Paul? That answer is no. It was this world that hates the truth that caused Paul to suffer so very much.

The Lord just knew this would be true!

The entire church will share in the afflictions of the Apostle Paul when we share the truth of the "Gospel of Jesus Christ"!

So many so-called places of worship are giving in to the world and refuse to believe that the "Grace" of God is still sufficient to meet the needs of the Church.

Any body of believers who cannot or refuse to persevere in the truth of the "Gospel" are set for doom and failure and they will be held accountable for those, they take with them!

The same Saints who can persevere in these times, are the same Saints who are sealed in victory!

The entire "Body of Christ" must be closely bound to the Word of God and the Doctrines of the Apostles, including the Apostle Paul.

We must remain in "harmony" with the truth of God!

God does not change and neither should we. "We are to always hate sin"! Every "Born Again" child of God must repent of their old lifestyle!

A drunk cannot remain a drunk.

A murderer cannot kill.

A gay person must adhere to the Word of God.

The gender those were born in will remain their gender until the day they die.

No doubt those who cling to the truth will suffer in this world but if we suffer together, we can bear one another's burdens.

Gal 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Yes, the law of Christ is love but salvation cannot come to those who refuse to repent their personal sins!

We cannot love someone into Heaven, they each have to deal with God in a personal manner and then obey what God has said!

We must remain partners in the "Gospel" and not some altered version or some perversion of the Word of God!

When our Church leaders are imprisoned and mistreated, it is not time to abandon the "Gospel"!

It's pass the time to buckle on the "armor of God" and go to war!

God says this:

Rom_12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

This means that it may not always be possible!

If we cannot defend the Lord Jesus Christ, then how can we say we love Him?

We must take the "great commission" of the Lord seriously!

Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

It is those who refuse to believe they are damned, who will be the true enemy of the Christian Soldier!

We must remain partners in Christ!

We must remain partners in "Grace".

We must remain partners in the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ!

We must remain partners in the Love of God!

*****Php 1:8 For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

Php 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;

We must clearly understand the love of God.

Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

There is no salvation to anyone who rejects the Lord Jesus Christ!

To accept the Lord Jesus Christ is to accept that He is certainly God in the flesh!

This "faith" will bring this same love that we are to show to one another.

We must also clearly understand that "love" in the Scriptures is never about feelings!

Love in the Scriptures is about acknowledging the Love of Christ!

Love in the Scriptures is about the knowledge of one another.

Those we love are those we want to know in a personal relationship.

God has intended, from the time of Adam and Eve to work toward a personal relationship with each of His created human beings.

That work was completed by the Lord Jesus Christ and those who believe in the "work that the Lord has accomplished" (for our personal relationship with our Creator) will spend eternity with Him!

Those that reject the work of Jesus Christ will spend eternity in the only other place that exists and that is the "burning Lake of Fire", for this world we live in now, will not exist forever!

If we strive for that personal relationship with our Creator, then we would be very foolish not to try to please Him!

The more we love the Lord, the more we will try to please Him!

The more we love each other, the more we will encourage each other in the Lord.

It is only by that love that we can become pure and pure means: cleansed from sin, unstained by the ways of this world, with our eyes focused on the Lord Jesus Christ!

Another way to remain close to each other is to pray for one another!

Love grows in prayer!

God's love, embraced with "faith" is the power behind the Christian life and the power behind our prayers!

This is the love that will be evident to the world!

Many will accept what they see but many will reject this love as a fallacy, and nothingness, but we must never be discouraged.

True "faith" cannot exist without love!

The Scriptures are our pathway to the knowledge of the truth, doctrinal and even practical.

Judgment in this verse means perception. We must be able to discern good from evil.

We must understand the sin of immorality and that it has no place in society and certainly not in the Church.

Judgment here is discernment! Discernment is the act of distinguishing the truth from those things that are false, according to the Word of God.

It is love, based upon our "faith" in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, that we can obtain the knowledge and the judgment of the Christian life!

*****Php 1:10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;

Php 1:11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

Discernment is the power within us to perceive the differences of things and ideas and their relationship to our daily walk with the Lord.

Some ideas may seem worthy of our time, until we test them and find they are not worthy of the Lord.

Things that are excellent are the things that go beyond our own thoughts of good.

Things that are of great value can be used in our own mission for the Lord.

Things that are complete are without the aid of other things in the sense of being Christ like.

Anything that could become a stumbling block to another brother or sister in Christ must be avoided!

Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

True discernment means we will choose only those things that are acceptable to the Lord!

Eph 5:10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

There are no fruits of righteousness that do not come through the Lord Jesus Christ!

What is expected of the Christian life?

1) The Christian must bear fruit.

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

2) We must bear the fruits of righteousness.

Jas_3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

3) We must bear inward and outward holiness.

Eph_4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Heb_12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

We must also understand that not every bad thing that happens to Christians is a hindrance to the Gospel!

*****Php 1:12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;

Php 1:13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;

Php 1:14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

We should understand it was the Holy Spirit and the Lord Jesus Christ who had led Paul to go to Rome.

Act_19:21 After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.

Act_23:11 And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

God will never begin a mission just to end it suddenly!

All God ask is we lead the Christian life and discern good from evil!

The imprisonment of Paul which first seemed to defend his Roman citizenship had become known as connected to Jesus Christ because it was!

Paul was no ordinary prisoner; his own captivity was a witness for Jesus Christ!

Sometimes our circumstance can overwhelm us when the Lord's intent was for these things be for His benefit!

We cannot allow ourselves to be defeated! A defeated Christian is useless to the Lord and a banner to display for our enemy.

The Apostle Paul could not claim to be innocent as was Christ Jesus but Paul was certainly imprisoned without having committed a crime!

His crime was preaching the salvation plan of the Lord!

Can you just imagine being a soldier chained to the Apostle Paul with each soldier being constantly relieved and another to take his place? The ones the Paul witnessed to, could not escape to get away from him.

It was not very long before the work of Christ to die for our sins was broadcast throughout the military of Rome.

Paul was then housed in his own house under guard and could receive all those who would hear the "Gospel".

It would not be long before Paul would stand before the supreme court of Rome and teach them the "Gospel".

Paul spent 2 years under these conditions.

Paul did never grumble or complain.

Paul did never question God and wonder why.

Paul did not become defeated and fall to pieces.

Paul did not ever curse God nor give up his "faith" in Christ.

Paul remained confident even in bondage.

Paul took this opportunity to spread the "Gospel"!

These things even encouraged the many who came to visit Paul to boldly preach the Gospel.

The truth is Christian persecution has never been able to stop the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ!

2Ti 2:9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

2Ti 2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

When we allow our circumstances to interfere with the spread of the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ, we are causing our own selves harm along with those who have not had the opportunity to meet and know the Lord!

The name of Jesus, the Messiah, was being mentioned in all of Rome.

*****Php 1:15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:

What is the truth? The motives of all those who preached and taught the Word of God were not all pure!

Some preached about Jesus Christ only because they are envious of those who preached the truth.

Some were even envious of those who twisted the Word of God and tickled the ears and had a massive following.

Even in bondage the Apostle Paul was preaching in places that reached even into the government of Rome and envy ruled some of the other preachers, even for this thing.

Many of those preached to undermine the influence of the Apostle Paul on the Christian Church!

Gal 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

Gal 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

Gal 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Gal 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

But there were also those who became bold enough to come out of their closet and preach because of the love of Christ!

*****Php 1:16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:

Php 1:17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.

There are still those today who preach the Word of God only out of concern for their own pocketbooks. They have no love for Christ and they have no love for those lost souls.

Some still refuse to deliver the sincere milk of the Word of God and still deliver the baby's formula!

1Pe_2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

Many of them may preached the truth, but not with a pure heart!

The Word of God preached with anything other than a pure heart has evil intentions!

It was because Paul was in bondage that these men were bold enough to come out in the open, yet they would twist these things around to say that Paul must be in bondage for some reason other than preaching the "Gospel".

They made Paul out to be the leader of some new sect that went against the truth of God!

Without a doubt, the true Christian of today is seen as some religious sect that go against the reality of a peaceful society.

What is the truth of God? We have the ministry of truth!

2Co 4:1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

2Co 4:2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

2Co 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

2Co 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

2Co 4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

What is the truth of preaching the "Gospel" out of envy? The "Gospel" is never to be about earthly riches.

(We must always support the truth)

1Co 9:16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

1Co 9:17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.

1Co 9:18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

1Co 9:19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

We must preach and the teach the truth of the "Gospel" without ever feeling ashamed at what the Lord Jesus Christ has done for each of us!

Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Anything other than "faith" in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ will not satisfy our Holy God!

Amen