IvoryEagle

Q4. (2:17) You have gone through struggles and obstacles to your faith. If you were to look at your sufferings as a "drink offering" poured out before God, how does that honor God? How does that bring value to your struggles? DRIVEN BY BELIEF, it speaks to Romans 8:28 Everything happens for the good of those who love God and are called unto His purpose...It honors God because we believe. Because we believe we look forward with great anticipation of what God is going to do next, not necessarily now. It is all about faith. I see it as one step closer to the ultimate outcome. In that sense, I keep in mind Isaiah 55:8-11; His thoughts and ways are not like mine. If I understood it.....JUST BELIEVE!

Q3. (2:16) In what sense are we Christians to "hold fast" the Word of Life? In what sense are we to "hold forth" this Word of Life? How does this relate to the purpose of the church? WE AS CHRIST DISCIPLES MUST RECEIVE THE WORD, LIVE THE WORD AND SHARE THE WORD, FERVENTLY. WELL STATED BELOW: To ourselves as we look in the mirror; the question is: "If not me, then who?... "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!' ... Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ." (Romans 10:14-15, 17)

How does ceasing complaining and arguing enable a church to shine as stars in a dark sky? What does this shining as stars signify? Have complaining and arguing compromised your church's witness as a God-place? If so, what can you do to change this? WE ARE REPRESENTATIVES: WE MUST NEVER FORGET THAT OUR MANDATE IS TO GO OUT AND GET DISCIPLES TO FOLLOW JESUS. OUR INVITATION IS REFLECTED BY HOW WE CONDUCT OURSELVES. IT IS TRUE: "The world must see a difference in the church from any other kind of human institution. Jesus himself said, "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:35)." WHAT CAN I DO? LEAD THE CHARGE BY BEING THE CHANGE I WANT TO SEE.

TO ME, IT IS THE PRELUDE & THE PERSEVERANCE OF SIN BASED ON THE INABILITY TO GENERATE HARMONY AMONG THEMSELVES: IT IS A THREAT TO THEIR SPIRITUAL SALVATION. "The Philippians as a body are to work out their problems and come to unity. They are to produce the fruit of their salvation, that is, peace, love, and harmony in the Spirit. As individuals and a church, they are to work out the implications and lifestyle of salvation in their church community. They have had bickering and selfish ambition, a party spirit. This has to stop! Paul calls on them to obey him in this. They are to work it out "with fear and trembling,"

What do Philippians 1:23 and 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 teach about the state of Christians immediately after death? How does this comfort you? TWO LEVELS TO WIN, EITHER WAY, FOR CHRIST WE LIVE AND FOR CHRIST WE DIE. How does this energize you? Paul assures us in Philippians 1:23 that "to depart and be with Christ ... is better by far" than life in this body. WORKS FOR ME.

How can fear keep us from being a bold witness? FEAR OF RIDICULE FROM OTHERS Why does fear of people bind our tongues? CRAVING ACCEPTANCE instead of CRAVING CHRIST. How does "losing our life" for Christ's sake actually give us an abundant life? THIS IS ONLY THE FIRST & WHAT I CALL 'PROTOTYPE LIFE.' LIFE. ETERNAL LIFE IS THE GOAL What fear is keeping you from clear witness? SOMETIMES, IN OUR BOLDNESS, IT BOLES PEOPLE OVER. YOU CAN'T TEACH THEM UNTIL YOU REACH THEM. SOMETIMES ALLOWING THEM TO EXPERIENCE THE JOY OF WHO WE ARE AND ALLOWING THEM TO DISCOVER THE SOURCE OF THE JOY IS BETTER.

Why is our ability to rejoice so dependent upon our faith that God is in control, working even in the midst of difficulty? BECAUSE, WHEN WE KNOW THE ANSWER, THE QUESTIONS DON'T MATTER. GOD IS THE ANSWER, NOT AN ANSWER What must you believe in order to be able to rejoice in the midst of problems? I MUST & I DO BELIEVE THAT ROMANS 8:28 IS REAL What is your basis for believing that? I AM SINGLE MINDED ABOUT THE GOSPEL & I HAVE A LIFE-TIME OF EXPERIENCE

From the standpoint of witness to others, you are much more credible when you are undergoing personal struggles, stress, and problems. Why is this so? IT IS SO BECAUSE THESE ARE NORMALLY THE TIME WE DISCARD THAT WHICH IS DISPENSABLE. Holding on to our faith during trying times indicate that it is because of, not in spite of FAITH that we are strong. Why was Paul's witness so powerful? CHAINED TO HIS GUARD. EMPOWERED BY HIS G-O-D---IN THE EYES OF MAN, PAUL IS IN ONE OF THE MOST DEMEANING POSITIONS POSSIBLE. NOT ONLY PHYSICALLY IMPRISONED BUT PHYSICALLY, CHAINED TO HIS GUARD. EMPOWERED BY HIS G-O-D What personal struggle are you going through that could enhance your testimony if you handled it right? ABSTINENCE FROM SELECTED PEOPLE, PLACES, & THINGS. ENDURANCE AND SHARING THE GOSPEL TO OTHERS IN THE MIDST OF IT.

From the standpoint of witness to others, you are much more credible when you are undergoing personal struggles, stress, and problems. Why is this so? IT IS SO BECAUSE THESE ARE NORMALLY THE TIME WE DISCARD THAT WHICH IS DISPENSABLE. Holding on to our faith during trying times indicate that it is because of, not in spite of FAITH that we are strong. Why was Paul's witness so powerful? CHAINED TO HIS GUARD. EMPOWERED BY HIS G-O-D---IN THE EYES OF MAN, PAUL IS IN ONE OF THE MOST DEMEANING POSITIONS POSSIBLE. NOT ONLY PHYSICALLY IMPRISONED BUT PHYSICALLY, CHAINED TO HIS GUARD. EMPOWERED BY HIS G-O-D What personal struggle are you going through that could enhance your testimony if you handled it right? ABSTINENCE FROM SELECTED PEOPLE, PLACES, & THING. ENDURANCE AND SHARING THE GOSPEL TO OTHERS IN THE MIDST OF IT.

DISCERNMENT is maturity. We are no longer looking a notes but reconciling reality with possibilities. There is no good when excellent is available. To discern is to internalize and execute with little effort. It is all about Christ and the execution of internalized instruction. What would Jesus do is an admirable question. The real question is are you acting out of your heart or your head?

Our expectation is that God will finish what He has started in us. God is committed to do what he says and after we repent and do what we need to do to be best of our abilities, the finished work will be approved. "He who began a good work in you Philippians will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." As we see later in the letter, he is encouraging them to mature as a group." Maturity in and of itself means responsibility, accountability, and ultimately performing the ultimate task of salvation in our hearts. It is not a check list; it is a Christ list. A willing servant.

The gratitude is in the giving; it is an extension of ourselves and carries us on the journey. In addition to money, our prayers, support, and mostly the knowledge that we have their backs before, during, and after they return.

A SLAVE IS THE SAME AS THE SAINT. The major difference is that the slave is slaving by chance and coercion. The Saint is slaving by compassion and especially by choice..

When people think of spending an eternity in heaven, who do they most look forward to being with? Relatives? Jesus? What does it mean that he will reign forever and ever? In what way is he the King of Glory in your life? Personally, I expect to being with all. Forever and ever and the King of Glory over and in all things, especially my life.

Q4. (Malachi 3:2-3; 1 Corinthians 3:13-15). How does Jesus purify and refine his church? How does he purify and refine us? On the Day that fire will test your deeds, will you have anything that remains, besides your salvation? REFINING THE CHURCH: "Cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless." (Ephesians 5:25b-27) He refines us through affliction, marriage, and children. All designed to take our minds off of ourselves for others. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames." (1 Corinthians 3:13-15)