Perspective

Perspective---1

NOW WHAT?

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. Philippians 1:2-7

• We all have what and don't understand the why.
• God always has a why behind the what.
• I don't have to understand the why to trust God in the what.

TWO QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN LIFE IS HARD

1) NOW WHAT?

Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Philippians 1:12-13

2) SO WHAT?

It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Philippians 1:15-18

• Tis gar plen (tis gar plane): What does it matter? So What?



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

Perspective---2

A DIFFERENT WAY OF THINKING

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Philippians 2:1-2

phroneo (fron-eh'-o); to set your affection on, to think, to be single-minded.

• HOW YOU THINK DETERMINES WHAT YOU BECOME.
• IF YOU THINK LIKE JESUS THOUGHT, YOU'LL LIVE LIKE JESUS LIVED.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Philippians 2:3

tapeinophrosune (tap-i-nof-ros-oo'-nay); modesty, humility of mind, lowliness of mind.

Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. Philippians 2:4-7

• PLEASING GOD ISN'T ABOUT SELF-PROMOTION BUT SELF-ABANDONMENT.

doulos (doo'-los); a slave, servant. Permanently devoted to do the will of another.

• SERVING IS NOT WHAT I DO. A SERVANT IS WHO I AM.

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death- even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest plave and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of Fod the Father. Philippians 2:8-11

• MY JOY ISN'T BASED ON WHAT HAPPENS TO ME, BUT WHAT GOD IS DOING IN ME AND THROUGH ME.

But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. Philippians 2:17

Perspective---3

SEEING FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE

• WHAT YOU'VE EXPERIENCED DETERMINES WHAT YOU SEE.

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. Philippians 3:1

THREE DANGERS ALL BELIEVERS NEED TO SEE

1) SEE THE DANGERS OF LEGALISM. (False guilt, and false confidence).

Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. for it is we who are the circomcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh- though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more. circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. Philippians 3:2-6

2)SEE THE DANGERS OF WORLDLY DISTRACTIONS.

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ... Philippians 3:7-8

skubala (skoo'-bal-a); what is thrown to the dogs, refuse, dung.

...and be found in [Christ], not having a righteous of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ -- the righteous that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:9-11

3) SEE THE DANGER OF SPIRITUAL COMPLACENY.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14

Perspective---4

A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE ON WORRY

• WORRY IS A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Philippians 4:4-5

WE DON'T HAVE TO WORRY

1) ABOUT WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN WE KNOW WHO'S IN CHARGE.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Finally, brothers, whatever is true...noble...right...pure...lovely...admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9

2) ABOUT WHAT WE HAVE WHEN WE KNOW WHO TRULY SATISFIES.

I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through [Christ] who gives me strength. Philippians 4:10-13

Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

In the Lord I take refuge... Psalm 11:1

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. Psalm 118:8

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved. Acts 16:31