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Philippians Lesson 5

The past few weeks, David started a Bible study on the Epistle of Philippians (New Testament) in our church on Wednesday evenings.

Here is the note for the introduction for the lesson: (Please see attachments for the study guides for each chapter in PDF).

Philippians

1. Author: The Apostle Paul
2. Setting: Written from a prison in Rome, around 60-62 A.D.
3. Occasion: Paul was in prison in Rome… about ten years after he had founded the Church in Philippi, and about 3-4 years after he had last visited there. Apparently (4: 10), he had begun to wonder if they had forgotten him. Then Epaphroditus arrived from far away Philippi with an offering of money. Paul was deeply touched. Epaphroditus had nearly lost his life in the journey. Paul sent him to Philippi with this beautiful letter to express his thanks for their gift.
4. Key Text: Philippians 3:10 “My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.”
5. Key Term: “Joy.” Forms of the word “joy” and the verb “rejoice” occur 16 times in this short letter. Philippians is the biblical book that most extensively defines and describes joy.
6. One-Sentence Summary: Knowing Jesus Christ is much more joyful and important than anything else because God has exalted Jesus, the crucified Servant, with the name above every name.
7. History:
   1. Named for Philip Il of Macedon (father of Alexander the Great).
   2. In Paul’s day, it was a Roman colony located at the southeast corner of Europe in “Macedonia” in Biblical days; now in the northeastern part of modern-day Greece.
   3. It was a strategic city on the Great Northern Highway between the East and the West, noted for its gold mines.
   4. This was Paul’s first European Church, founded around 51 A.D. in the early part of Paul’s second missionary journey. Lydia and the Jailer were among the first converts. Luke, the beloved Physician, was its pastor the first 6 years. It may have been Luke’s home, where he practiced medicine. Luke must have had a hand in the development of the unspotted character of the Church. As far as we know, the Philippian Church was one of the purest of New Testament Churches. For more on the background of the founding of the Church at Philippi, see Acts 16:6-40.
8. Read Acts 16:6-40 and look at its location on the map.
9. Look at the ancient Philippi archaeological book.

Sources:

1. The Jeremiah Study Bible” by Dr. David Jeremiah
2. “Halley’s Bible Handbook” by H.H. Halley
3. “Ultimate Bible Guide: A Complete Walk-Through of All 66 Books of the Bible” from Holman Reference

Attached study guides for Philippians 1, 2, 3 & 4

Philippians Lesson 1

Philippians Lesson 2

Philippians Lesson 3

Philippians Lesson 4

Creel Summer 2019 Prayer Letter

Reading:John 3:1-21

Key verse: v.16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

The apostle John wrote the story of Jesus meeting Nicodemus. Jesus told Nicodemus about being born-again in the Spirit. Nicodemus wanted to understand more.

Nicodemus asked Jesus, “How can these things be?” (v.9).

Jesus replied, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know how these things?  Jesus further explained these concepts to Nicodemus in verses 10-14.

Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a leader of the Jews, and a teacher of the Law. He knew well the Scriptures. He was supposed to know all the words of God written by the men of God in the Old Testament. However, he still missed the point. He knew the Messiah was coming. He heard the teachings of Jesus and saw the miracles He had done. But Nicodemus still wanted to be sure who Jesus was. So, Nicodemus came to Jesus by himself to get to know Jesus for himself.  Even though Jesus had experienced rejection from many of the Pharisees, He still answered Nicodemus’ questions. Jesus knew the heart of Nicodemus – that he was seeking sincerely. So, Jesus patiently revealed to Nicodemus the heart of God.  Jesus explained to Nicodemus the love of God for everyone – all the people of world.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17)

Jesus clearly showed the truth and the way to Nicodemus – the truth that God loves everyone – all the people of the world, Jews, Gentiles, etc.

The way to God is to believe in His Son Jesus Christ. God sent Jesus from heaven to this world, not to judge or punish us, but to save us.

Jesus made the way for us to come to God and be part of His Kingdom plain and simple: Believe in Him; believe that God sent Him to save the world.

Reflection:  God loves the world.  God loves everyone in the world so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to give us all eternal life.  For God so loved everyone – that that includes you and me.

Prayer:  Thank You Father for your love for me.  Thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to give me eternal life, that I may live with you forever, for all eternity.  Please help me share your love with everyone you lead me to today.

Your Thoughts:

Your Prayer: