The One Year Bible Club with Teaching
Commentary by Nick Boork
Commentary by Nick Boork
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October 3 – Philippians 4
Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. 2 I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. 10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
14 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. 15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. 18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. 21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household. 23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
OKAY, HERE’S MY TEACHING COMMENTARY
UNITY IN THE CHURCH
In this final portion of Paul’s letter to the Philippians he addresses a couple of ladies in the church that apparently were having some kind of disagreement. He encourages them to work out their issues to maintain unity in the church because if we allow division to come in among us it can destroy the church. We have to be committed to pursue the kind of unity that Jesus prayed for that is Church would manifest to the world. John 17:23 “I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.”
THE BOOKS OF GOD
Paul talks about the book of life and how he knows that his name is written there along with all of his fellow workers and obviously every born-again Christian as well. I find three categories of divine books that God has written:
Book #1 The Holy Scriptures Old and New Testament.
The Bible warns us in Revelation 22:18- 19 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” The word of God declares that the Scriptures were both inspired and written by the Holy Spirit through holy men of God and therefore the contents of the Bible are not to be added to or taken away because they are the words of God. Ref; 2 Timothy 3:15-17, 2 Peter 1:19-21
Book #2 The book of life in which all the names of the saved are written.
This is what Paul was referring to in his letter. Now this is a very fascinating subject because Jesus mentioned the book of life to the apostles in Luke chapter 10:19 “…rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” And in the book of Revelation 3:5 Jesus promised “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” The most important thing is to make sure that your name is written in the book of life and you do that by making Jesus Christ Lord of your life.
Book #3 The book of your personal life written by God.
Psalm 139:16 says “Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.” I believe this is referring to God’s plan for every individual person. Does this mean that we have absolutely no choice over what we do on earth and our eternal destiny? Absolutely not! If that were true then there is no way that God could hold any of us accountable for anything that we do. The correct understanding of this verse is that God has written a book for each of our lives but it is up to us to follow his plan and purpose for our lives. I think that when we get to heaven and we stand before the throne of God on the day of judgment our entire life will be reviewed and we’re going to see how many days we really fulfilled God’s plan for our lives and then others not so much. Thankfully, for the Christian the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses away all of our sins as we confess and repent to the Lord. We are promised to be rewarded for the good works that we do but it is up to us to pursue God’s plan and purpose for our lives every day.
PEACE THROUGH PRAYER
Paul says that we should not worry or be anxious about anything but in everything take our requests to God in prayer and his peace will fill our minds and guard our hearts as we go through life. We all have many opportunities to become worried, depressed and anxious about the circumstances that we face but if we will pray God’s peace will guard our hearts and we will surely see his answers as we trust in him.
GUARD YOUR THOUGHT LIFE
Paul encourages us to keep our thoughts and minds focused on the good things and the things of God. You know we all have a choice to either walk in the Spirit or in the flesh and the Bible teaches us that we have to make a decision because if we put our minds on the flesh we will walk after the flesh but if we put our minds and thoughts on the Holy Spirit we will walk in the things of God. Romans 8:5 “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” So we need to set our minds on Jesus Christ and the word of God and not allow negative thinking to fill our thoughts.
THE KEY TO A SUCESSFUL CHRISTIAN LIFE
This one verse of Scripture is perhaps the most important key to living a successful Christian life. Paul says in 4:13 he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him and so can you and me. This is the secret to fulfilling the call and purpose of God in our lives. We have to walk by faith trusting in Jesus for his strength every day. Notice it says I CAN DO ALL THINGS through Christ who strengthens me. In other words the key is receiving divine strength and you get that through the presence of God in prayer and His word.
SUPPORTING MISSIONARIES
Paul lived his entire life serving Jesus and traveling around the world as a missionary. He sometimes needed to work for a living to support himself making tents but he also received offerings from churches that he started and individuals that wanted to support his ministry. I have personally experienced both of these scenarios living overseas in the Dominican Republic at which time I was supported by my church, family and friends. I was very thankful for the faithful support that I received. My wife Yngris and I also lived in Singapore for over three years as missionaries. When we first went there we were self-supporting paying for all of our living expenses from our own pocket but in time, the church that we planted began to support us financially. I want to encourage you to support a missionary because when they give themselves to the work of the gospel full-time they really depend on our support and prayers. Paul considered those that supported his ministry financially as true partners with him and missionaries need our support today as well.
GOD WILL PROVIDE OUR NEEDS
In the same context of giving Paul says that God will supply all our needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. This is an awesome promise and God is faithful to supply all of our needs because there is no limit with God. Whatever you need ask the Lord to help you and you’ll see his answers because he is faithful. I can testify that I've seen God move on my behalf and supply many needs supernaturally touching other people to give and support us right when we needed it and for this I thank God. When you’re doing his work you can trust him to meet all your needs because there is no lack with God. The Bible says he is El Shaddai the all sufficient One and Jehovah Jireh the Lord our Provider!
WHAT’S THE BOTTOM LINE?
1) We need to do our best to keep unity in our local churches.
2) The three categories of the books of God are the Bible, the book of life and the book of your personal life which is the plan and purpose of God for you to for fill on earth.
3) Take everything to God in prayer and his peace will fill your heart.
4) Keep your mind set on the things of God.
5) We can do ALL THINGS through Christ to strengthen us.
6) Support missionaries that are preaching the gospel.
7) God promises to supply all of our needs and there is no lack with God!
PRAYER TO APPLY THE WORD OF GOD TO OUR LIVES
ORDINATION
We provide Ministry Credentials and Ordination through Diamond Ministerial Association. Click to learn more and apply! http://www.diamondinstitute.org/ordination
ONLINE COURSES
For Bible courses and ministry resources see our online school Diamond Institute. Enroll free today! http://www.diamondinstitute.org/enroll
Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. 2 I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. 10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
14 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. 15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. 18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. 21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household. 23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
OKAY, HERE’S MY TEACHING COMMENTARY
UNITY IN THE CHURCH
In this final portion of Paul’s letter to the Philippians he addresses a couple of ladies in the church that apparently were having some kind of disagreement. He encourages them to work out their issues to maintain unity in the church because if we allow division to come in among us it can destroy the church. We have to be committed to pursue the kind of unity that Jesus prayed for that is Church would manifest to the world. John 17:23 “I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.”
THE BOOKS OF GOD
Paul talks about the book of life and how he knows that his name is written there along with all of his fellow workers and obviously every born-again Christian as well. I find three categories of divine books that God has written:
Book #1 The Holy Scriptures Old and New Testament.
The Bible warns us in Revelation 22:18- 19 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” The word of God declares that the Scriptures were both inspired and written by the Holy Spirit through holy men of God and therefore the contents of the Bible are not to be added to or taken away because they are the words of God. Ref; 2 Timothy 3:15-17, 2 Peter 1:19-21
Book #2 The book of life in which all the names of the saved are written.
This is what Paul was referring to in his letter. Now this is a very fascinating subject because Jesus mentioned the book of life to the apostles in Luke chapter 10:19 “…rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” And in the book of Revelation 3:5 Jesus promised “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” The most important thing is to make sure that your name is written in the book of life and you do that by making Jesus Christ Lord of your life.
Book #3 The book of your personal life written by God.
Psalm 139:16 says “Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.” I believe this is referring to God’s plan for every individual person. Does this mean that we have absolutely no choice over what we do on earth and our eternal destiny? Absolutely not! If that were true then there is no way that God could hold any of us accountable for anything that we do. The correct understanding of this verse is that God has written a book for each of our lives but it is up to us to follow his plan and purpose for our lives. I think that when we get to heaven and we stand before the throne of God on the day of judgment our entire life will be reviewed and we’re going to see how many days we really fulfilled God’s plan for our lives and then others not so much. Thankfully, for the Christian the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses away all of our sins as we confess and repent to the Lord. We are promised to be rewarded for the good works that we do but it is up to us to pursue God’s plan and purpose for our lives every day.
PEACE THROUGH PRAYER
Paul says that we should not worry or be anxious about anything but in everything take our requests to God in prayer and his peace will fill our minds and guard our hearts as we go through life. We all have many opportunities to become worried, depressed and anxious about the circumstances that we face but if we will pray God’s peace will guard our hearts and we will surely see his answers as we trust in him.
GUARD YOUR THOUGHT LIFE
Paul encourages us to keep our thoughts and minds focused on the good things and the things of God. You know we all have a choice to either walk in the Spirit or in the flesh and the Bible teaches us that we have to make a decision because if we put our minds on the flesh we will walk after the flesh but if we put our minds and thoughts on the Holy Spirit we will walk in the things of God. Romans 8:5 “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” So we need to set our minds on Jesus Christ and the word of God and not allow negative thinking to fill our thoughts.
THE KEY TO A SUCESSFUL CHRISTIAN LIFE
This one verse of Scripture is perhaps the most important key to living a successful Christian life. Paul says in 4:13 he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him and so can you and me. This is the secret to fulfilling the call and purpose of God in our lives. We have to walk by faith trusting in Jesus for his strength every day. Notice it says I CAN DO ALL THINGS through Christ who strengthens me. In other words the key is receiving divine strength and you get that through the presence of God in prayer and His word.
SUPPORTING MISSIONARIES
Paul lived his entire life serving Jesus and traveling around the world as a missionary. He sometimes needed to work for a living to support himself making tents but he also received offerings from churches that he started and individuals that wanted to support his ministry. I have personally experienced both of these scenarios living overseas in the Dominican Republic at which time I was supported by my church, family and friends. I was very thankful for the faithful support that I received. My wife Yngris and I also lived in Singapore for over three years as missionaries. When we first went there we were self-supporting paying for all of our living expenses from our own pocket but in time, the church that we planted began to support us financially. I want to encourage you to support a missionary because when they give themselves to the work of the gospel full-time they really depend on our support and prayers. Paul considered those that supported his ministry financially as true partners with him and missionaries need our support today as well.
GOD WILL PROVIDE OUR NEEDS
In the same context of giving Paul says that God will supply all our needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. This is an awesome promise and God is faithful to supply all of our needs because there is no limit with God. Whatever you need ask the Lord to help you and you’ll see his answers because he is faithful. I can testify that I've seen God move on my behalf and supply many needs supernaturally touching other people to give and support us right when we needed it and for this I thank God. When you’re doing his work you can trust him to meet all your needs because there is no lack with God. The Bible says he is El Shaddai the all sufficient One and Jehovah Jireh the Lord our Provider!
WHAT’S THE BOTTOM LINE?
1) We need to do our best to keep unity in our local churches.
2) The three categories of the books of God are the Bible, the book of life and the book of your personal life which is the plan and purpose of God for you to for fill on earth.
3) Take everything to God in prayer and his peace will fill your heart.
4) Keep your mind set on the things of God.
5) We can do ALL THINGS through Christ to strengthen us.
6) Support missionaries that are preaching the gospel.
7) God promises to supply all of our needs and there is no lack with God!
PRAYER TO APPLY THE WORD OF GOD TO OUR LIVES
ORDINATION
We provide Ministry Credentials and Ordination through Diamond Ministerial Association. Click to learn more and apply! http://www.diamondinstitute.org/ordination
ONLINE COURSES
For Bible courses and ministry resources see our online school Diamond Institute. Enroll free today! http://www.diamondinstitute.org/enroll