Commissioned

Q2. (4:11-13) What is the basis of Paul's contentment? The basis of Paul's contentment is his faith in Christ Jesus that He will provide for his needs. Does this contentment undermine ambition? No, this contentment does not undermine ambitions but rather ignite our faith and trust in God. What is necessary for us to achieve this kind of contentment? We achieve this kind of contentment when we take our focus off the world and strive to live in the Will of our Lord concerning us.

Q1. (4:11-12) How can a "prosperity doctrine" threaten Christian ministry? When the "prosperity doctrine" is focusing only on the material wealth of the world that is purchased with money it can threaten Christian ministry as those who are not matured in the word may go off thinking that everyone who is a Christian should be prosperous financially. We must not only stress financial prosperity but also spiritual prosperity, which when we have it causes us to be contented in whatever state we're in. To what prime motivation in us does such a teaching often appeal? Such teachings often appeal to our flesh. We are motivated in that the more we have the more we want. In balance, what does the Bible teach about poverty and riches? Jesus taught that the poor we will have with us always, and that was not only the pagans, but those in Christendom as well. Paul teaches that in whatever state we are in we should be content and praise God.

Q4. (4:8) Why is mind control necessary for success? Mind control is necessary for success because if you allow your mind to wander and be out of control when you need to pay attention you'll find that you've missed opportunities which would have lead you to success. An out of control mind is the devils playground, he tries to keep you from doing that which is right and keeping control is your step to success. For mental and spiritual peace? If you are not in control your thinking will wander into areas that will absord you and rob you of mental and spiritual peace. What have you decided to focus on instead of your anxieties? Instead of focusing on anxieties, find a scripture verse that promises peace and think on the promise of God. I love to recall, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." Isaiah 26:3 (KJV) Trust God and He will give you peace in the midst of anxiety. How is this working for you? It works. A few days ago I was in an underground site and felt the feeling of claustrophobia coming on. I meditated on a scripture verse and soon God's peace over came me. Thank you Lord.

Q3. (4:7) How does making our requests known to God help build a relationship and trust? Making our requests known to God help build a relationship and trust because as we do so we are saying to God, even though I know that you know all things I have the confident that if I ask you will supply an answer and our relationship is deepen as I talk to Him and He talks to me. This continuous talking back and forth helps me in the relationship to know Him and in knowing Him, to trust Him. What is God's part in the promise of peace? God's part in the promise of peace is to guard your heart and mind when we pray with thanksgiving.

Q2. (4:6) How is a request in prayer altered by the presence of thanksgiving in the prayer? A request in prayer is altered by the presence of thanksgiving in the prayer as we enter an attitude of remembering God's faithfullness, love, and power in past situations, and because of this our expectation of His answer in the present situation is covered in faith. How does thanksgiving affect our faith as we pray? Thanksgiving affect our faith as we pray because our faith is boosted and we experience God's power, presence and love in working out our situations in answer to past prays. Thus as we pray we do so in faith believing for an answer from our God.

Q1. (4:4-5) Is rejoicing in the Lord a feeling or an action? Rejoicing in the Lord is a feeling that sometimes generates an action. How should you seek to fulfill this command if you don't feel like it? We should seek to fulfill the command if you don't feel like it by surrendering to the guidance of the Holy Spirit of God who will lead you to rejoice in the Lord. There may be times when the flesh would try to dominate the spirit and tempt us into entering a state of neglecting our duties to God; it is at these times that the Spirit of God within us teaches us how to overcome and if we pay heed to His calling we will be victorious. What is the effect of rejoicing? When we rejoice in the Lord, God is glorified and delights in us. For us we find emotional peace and unspeakable joy.

Q4. (3:18-21) Why is recognizing and affirming your citizenship and allegiance vital to discipleship? It is vital to keep yon on the right path. Once you divert your eyes you will continue to be swayed by temptations. How does it keep us from the temptations outlined in verses 18 and 19? Once we keep reaffirming our citizenship we are strengthen and we continue trusting in the God of Heaven. What are the dangers of a church combining and confusing the concepts of temporal patriotism with a Christian's true citizenship? The Christian needs to know that their heavenly citizenship is priority and this should be taught and seen in the church.

Q3. (3:17) How can Paul be so bold as to ask others to imitate him? Paul can be so bold because he is imiatting Christ, in his living and that is who we are to emulate. Why are we so hesitant to do this? We find ourselves hesitant to do this because we put too much into what others may think or say about our righteous living. How does God use imitation in building disciples? Jesus' method of discipleship was to have them imitate him. When he sent the disciples out they were to do what they had seen him do. Who is likely to imitate you? Those around me, at work, in the neighbor and those at church.

Q2. (3:14) What is it like to be called upwards by God? It is hearing the Holy Spirit, recognizing the conviction and come to repentence. Have you ever experienced this? What causes God's call to become dim in our hearing? This call I have experienced. It can become dim in our hearing when the call to repentence is ignore repeatedly. How can we renew our hearing of his call? We can renew our hearing of his call by daily meditating on the Word of God and communing with God. What is the content or specifics of this message or summons or call? The message is that Jesus Christ has died on the cross as the penalty for our sins. We can now come boldly to the throne of grace and there obtain grace and forgiveness for our sins.

Q1. (3:13) How can the past get in the way of our quest to know Christ? Our past can get in the way of our quest to know Christ as we spend time looking to the past instead of following the path that God has for us to travel. What do you need to "forget" so that you may focus on Christ today and tomorrow? I need to forget failures and concentrate on Christ today and prod on to tomorrow. Is there forgiving you need to do so you can grow in Christ? Christ has already forgiven, I now need to "forget."

Q4. (3:8-10) What does it mean to "know" Christ? To "know" Christ means to have an intimate relationship with Him. Does this mean to have faith? Yes, it means to have faith; faith to live by His word, faith to trust in Him. Or to have a personal relationship? That personal relationship is maintained through faith. Is it possible to have a personal relationship with Christ without faith? No, it is not possible to have a personal relationship with Christ without faith. Faith is the basis of our relationship with God, "for without faith it is impossible to please God". Is it possible to have faith without a personal relationship? No. God gave us all a measure of faith and through our feeding on the Word of God it grows and so does our relationship with God. Where are you on your quest to know Christ? Daily, I living to walk with Him and dedicating my life to be in His Will and thereby in position to get closer, and closer, and closer to Him.

Q3. (3:9) How does righteousness obtained through faith differ from righteousness obtained through law observance? Righteousness obtained through faith differ from righteousness obtained through law observance in that righteousness under law considers a person righteous because of ones own upright behavior; whereas righteousness obtained through faith, considers a person righteous because God has declared it so and as judge considers a person so. How seriously does righteous by law observance infect your congregation? Righteousness by law observance seriously infect our congregation because it keeps them in bondage to the law and trusting the flesh instead of them going to God who has declared the penalty paid and that we are righteous, in a right standing with Him. Society's view of Christianity in general? The world sees us as we see ourselves. When we submit to obtaining righteousness through the law, society will always judge us by the law. The burden that will come upon you will weigh you down untill you get up from under the weight of the law. Why is this concept of justification or righteousness by faith so difficult to grasp? The concept of justification or righteousness by faith so difficult to grasp because we feel that we have to work for something to receive it. The difficulty will shed when we trust in God and accept His power to forgive and accept that we are adopted in the family of God and made righteous through Christ death on the cross.

Q2. (3:2-6) Why isn't Paul merely neutral about his religious pedigree? Paul isn't merely neutral about his religious pedigree because in itself its worthless, it was merely head knowledge and didn't satisfy the heart. Having such knowledge causes one to be puffed up and it would be an obstacle to knowing Christ intimately. Why does he consider it loss, dung, an obstacle? Paul considered it loss, dung, and an obstacle because knowledge of the Christ who is to some and not accepting and embracing Him will profit you nothing. It is as worthless as dung, a loss and an obstacle to inheriting eternal life. In what way could your religious background be an impediment to your faith? If I allow my religious affiliation to cause me to be puffed up or proud and do not display Christ where ever I go I would have failed my Lord while boasting of which denomination or church I belong to.

Q1. (3:2-6) How does "confidence in the flesh" show up in your congregation? "confidence in the flesh" show up in my congregation as agendas and programs are made and leaves no room for the manifested power of God to move. Too much is done because of traditions. Have you ever struggled with it? Yes, I've struggled with "confidence in the flesh," but I pray God that I would overcome such transgressions and completely turn everything over to Him.

Q4. From what you've read in Philippians so far, what seems to be the Philippian church's chief problem? It seems that the Philippian church need to have leadership validated. They seems to have had a struggle in this area and Paul is assuring them that the men he is sending to them are credible. How does Paul's description of Timothy's character speak to this problem? Paul's description of Timothy's character identifies him as a leader that can be trusted and is worthy of honor. How does Paul's call to honor men like Epaphroditus speak to this problem? Paul's call to honor men like Epaphroditus is an indication that the church were not showing due respect and honor to persons who were laboring in the ministry.

Q3. (2:22) What is the significance of serving Jesus as a "slave" as opposed to serving him as a preference? To serve Jesus as a "slave" as opposed to serving Him as a preference is to say that I am given to serving Him completely, total service. What does it say about the quality of our service? In serving Jesus as a "slave," the quality of our service must be done in perfect humility. We see our service as worship to our God. Of our commitment? Our commitment in service to God must be flawless. We serve because we love Him and want to honor him in our serving. What is wrong with leaders who serve out of preference? Leaders who serve out of preference will soon find it a burden, their heart will not be in what they are doing and eventually they will find another preference.

Q2. (2:22) Who has come alongside you to teach you? I have not had anyone to come alongside directly to teach me in the things of the faith, it has happened as I drew from others matured in the faith. What potential leader in your church needs someone to come alongside them? Our children are all potential leaders and need to have someone come alongside them to guide them in matters of spiritual and Christian living. Do you have a person or two that you are mentoring "as a son with a father" or "a daughter with a mother"? I am mentoring someone and do plan to continue taking on others with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Q1. (2:19-21) Why was Timothy's selfless concern so rare among church leaders? Timothy's selfless concern was so rare among church leaders because unlike other leaders he refused to put his own self interest before that of other people. Timothy was genuinely concerned about the spiritual, social and economic well-being of others. He demonstrated agape love which touched Paul and caused him to use Timothy as one who can be trusted in the faith. Rather than pointing the finger at others in your church, consider yourself. What things has Jesus had to deal with in your life that has helped you to become genuinely selfless and focused on the concerns of others? Jesus has helped me to see the needy as persons who I can genuinely love and help instead of always focusing only on myself. I now see the hurt and pain of those who are poverty stricken, spiritually depraved and those who are babes in Christ and are in need of feeding from the Word of God. How has he refined you? (Of course, he is still at work in us!) I'm finding ways in which I can be a blessing in the Body of Christ. And with the help of the Lord I am bringing relief and guidance to some.

Q3. (2:16) In what sense are we Christians to "hold fast" the Word of Life? We are to "hold fast" the Word of life in the sense of daily reading and meditating upon the Word of God which is the Word of Life, so that are lives can reflect the lifestyle of a Christian. In what sense are we to "hold forth" this Word of Life? We are to "hold forth" this Word of Life by presenting it to the world in our proclamation of the gospel. How does this relate to the purpose of the church? The purpose of the Church is to present Christ to a dying world and this comes forth through the proclamation of the Word of God. Without the church doing its part in presenting the Word of God to the world, man would not have the opportunity to hear the Word and in hearing come to repentance.

Q2. (2:14-15) How does ceasing complaining and arguing enable a church to shine as stars in a dark sky? When a church cease to argue and complain the congregants will exert that energy into more constructive discipline that will cause those on the outside looking in to marvel and see them as the Church Christ died for. What does this shining as stars signify? It signifies a church that personifies the love of Christ and is visible to all who come. Have complaining and arguing compromised your church's witness as a God-place? If so, what can you do to change this? In some pockets of the church there are some who find reasons to complain, grumble and argue; try as you may there will always be some of those people in every congregation. We can only listen and if the complaint is credible, move to right the situation.

Q1. (2:12-13). In this passage, what does it mean to "work out your own salvation"? "work out your own salvation" refers to the Body of Christ doing that which will bring peace and harmony among themselves. Getting rid of sinful thoughts and actions that may cause disunity. Is this referring to salvation from sin? No, it does not refer to salvation from sin. Jesus Christ paid the price for our salvation when He was crucified on the cross. If not, what kind of salvation is it referring to? This is referring to the saints living according to the lifestyle of salvation which dictates a community in harmony showing the love of Christ.

Q4. (2:9-11) We know we're supposed to humble ourselves like Jesus did. But how can we know whether or not God will exalt us? We know that God will exalt us because Jesus himself told us, "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 18:14) Why do we get impatient with this? We get impatient with this because we like every thing done in the present. What does our impatience sometimes lead to? Our impatience sometimes lead us to sinning against God and not following His commands.

Q3. (2:7-8) Was Jesus really a human being or only pretending to be one? Jesus came into this world as a human being. What do these verses teach? These verses teach that Jesus in human form was fully God and fully man. What difference does it really make whether or not Jesus was human? As human he can identify with the struggled that we go through.

Q2. (2:6) In your own words, what does it mean that Christ didn't cling to his equality with God? Christ didn't cling to his equality with God because He came in the form of a man and endured life as a man would. He did not use His divinity to alleviate any of the pressures that any ordinary man would undergo. How specifically does this passage teach that Jesus is divine? This passage teaches that Jesus is divine, specifically, as He was equal with God, even though He did not used His divinity while in the form of a man.

Q1. (2:1-4). To achieve unity in your congregation, why is humility necessary? To achieve unity in our congregation, humility is necessary because it rids the congregants of the tendancy towards selfishness. To have a congregation where the participants are humble will gender a spirit of unity as everyone looks out for and strive to think of others above themselves. Can you give an example of how lack of humility caused a division in your church? Lack of humility can caused a division in any church because there will be important volunteered positions that a haughty person would considered to be below their standing and the body could be depraved of that service. What are you doing to bring unity in your church? To bring unity in my church, I treat everyone with loving care, regardless of their position, and in return I pray that everyone would do the same and pass the love around.