God at Work

by David Gibson Christians need encouragement! This is evident from the abundance of Bible passages designed to build up and motivate. Certainly, we need all the commands and all the warnings of the New Testament, but thank God also for all the verses that say, in essence, “Your efforts to do right are well worth…

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Personal Sacrifice and Service

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Personal-Sacrifice-and-Service.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Philippians 2:17-18   I.         Paul often discussed the topic of unity in his letters to the various churches.             A.        Unity based having the same goals and the same standards – Romans 15:5; I Corinthians 1:10; II Corinthians 13:11; Ephesians 4:1-3; I Thessalonians 5:11-15             B.        Paul’s letter to the Philippians is…

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People Are Just Like Me

by Doy Moyer People often assume that others will act, react, and operate on the same basis that they do. If some are liars, they will assume the same of everyone else. If they operate “in the shadows,” they will assume the same of others. If they are the envious type, they will assume that…

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Spiritual Maturity

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Spiritual-Maturity.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Philippians 3:8-17   I.         What is your goal in life?             A.        Life is short. You don’t have time to accomplish everything that is available to you, so what do you desire most to obtain?             B.        For Paul it was to be like Christ and obtain heaven – Philippians 3:8-11                         1.         The design of…

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The Self-Emptying Jesus

by Doy Moyer One of the most intriguing, discussed, and challenging texts in Scripture is found in the statement made by Paul in Philippians 2:5-8: “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be…

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Out of Context

by Andy Brenton II Opinions 4:13 Philippians 4:13 is one of the most well-known New Testament verses, but it’s also notoriously misused. After telling his audience that he’s experienced both poverty and affluence, the Apostle Paul writes these well-known words: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Many of us have seen…

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Should it be “should bow” or “will bow” in Philippians 2:10?

Question: Philippians 2:10 says that every knee “should” bow. I have misquoted that several times and I have heard others do the same, by saying that every knee “will” bow. What, in your understanding, is the text teaching? Answer: It is rendered “will bow” in the NASB, but reading my Greek books it looks like…

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Can you explain Philippians 3:10?

Question: I am still studying all about fellowship. It is a very interesting study. Now I think I understand what you have been saying that fellowship (koinonia) is a noun and it helps to think of it like we do the word “friendship.” So if two people are friends, they are friends based on their…

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The Prison Letters

Text: Colossians 4:7-18   I.         Near the end of Paul’s third journey, he visited churches to gather funds to relieve the famine stricken brethren in Judea. – I Corinthians 16:1-9             A.        Several of the churches sent representatives to travel with Paul – II Corinthians 8:16-24             B.        Several of these men are named in Acts 20:1-4. Take special note…

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How does Philippians 3:10 relate to family?

Question: How do I tie Philippians 3:10 in with marriage, family, and parenting? Answer: “Yes most certainly, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them nothing but refuse, that I may gain…

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