Running the Race – #26 Philippians 3:4-6 – although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. Philippians 3:4‭-‬6 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/php.3.4-6.NASB Yesterday we saw how we can’t have confidence in the flesh. Today, Paul makes the case that if there was anyone who would be able to have confidence in the…

Running the Race – #24 Philippians 3:1 – Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you. Philippians 3:1 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/php.3.1.NASB Rejoice in the Lord. Paul is going to be repeating himself, and that’s a good thing for the people. He wants them to understand that no matter what happens in our world, we are to find our joy in Him. We have some dire circumstances full of fear and anxiety going around right now. People are distancing themselves from others for fear of the COVID-19. No one knows what to expect or what…

Running the Race – #23 Philippians 2:25-30 – But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need; because he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I have sent him all the more eagerly so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may…

Running the Race – #22 Philippians 2:22-24 – But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father. Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I see how things go with me; and I trust in the Lord that I myself also will be coming shortly. Philippians 2:22‭-‬24 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/php.2.22-24.NASB Paul is sending Timothy, but he would much rather have gone himself. While he recognizes that Timothy represents the same things that he does, Paul deeply desires to be with the people himself. He wants to see their successes and share in the…

Running the Race – #21 Philippians 2:21 – For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:21 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/php.2.21.NASB Paul has just finished talking about the fact that he doesn’t have many people he can trust, just Timothy. Now he explains his criteria for why he can’t trust them. They are seeking after their own desires and interests instead of Christ’s. What are Christ’s interests? As we read through scripture we see in several places where God shares His desire to see Himself glorified and to see people repent and turn to Him. Are those our interests as well? Paul wasn’t seeing that in…

Running the Race – #20 Philippians 2:19-20 – But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. Philippians 2:19‭-‬20 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/php.2.19-20.NASB Paul wanting to send to the best. He was in prison and even through it all was thinking about the people of Philipi. He wanted them to have the encouragement that they needed to continue following Christ. He wanted to send Timothy to them. Timothy was Paul’s most faithful and diligent follower and he says…

Running the Race – #18 Philippians 2:16 – holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. Philippians 2:16 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/php.2.16.NASB Don’t run in vain. As Paul continues discussing what it takes to run the race of the Christian life, we see him here tell the people not to run in vain. If they’re going to run this race and consider themselves Christians and talk about how they’ve asked Christ to lead their lives, then they need to be focused on living the life that Christ has commanded them…

Running the Race – #17 Philippians 2:15 – so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, Philippians 2:15 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/php.2.15.NASB Stand apart. Yesterday we saw how important it is that we not be the complainers, the arguers, the ones who are putting things down. Today, we see the sentence continued and understand why we should not be that way. We are to be set apart. As followers of Jesus Christ, our attitude should stand apart from the attitude of the rest of the world.…