Knowshon Moreno, Middletown South Grad and Broncos Running Back in Super Bowl

Middletown South grad and Denver Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno at home to play in this Sunday's Super Bowl.

Fellowship of His Sufferings

This week we continue with our conversation Fight for Joy digging deeper into Philippians 3:10 where Paul writes, "That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death." As Christians we certainly understand the desire to know Christ more intimately and cheer at "the power of His resurrection." How does "the fellowship of His sufferings" fit with knowing Christ?

"Sufferings" includes several categories. First and foremost Paul has in mind the hardships and persecutions encountered because of following Christ. Paul reminds Timothy, "all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution" (1 Timothy 3:12). Paul is writing Philippians from prison on account of his following Christ (Philippians 1:7). In addition to physical hardship and suffering is emotional hardship for the sake of the gospel. Just like Jesus experienced loneliness in the garden the night of his betrayal (Matthew 26:40) so Paul was alone in prison abandoned by fellow Christians (Philippians 1:15-16 and 2 Timothy 4:11). Paul also experienced the suffering of physical affliction he refereed to as a "thorn in the flesh" (2 Corinthians 12:2-8).

Pastor John Piper has written an excellent short book entitled Don't Waste Your Cancer. In this book he shows how the suffering of cancer can lead to fellowship with Christ. You can download a free PDF of this book for print or as an ebook here. I also include a link to purchase this book below. While looking for the link to Piper's book I stumbled across the following testimony of Everett Wallace given at a college outreach meeting at  Indiana State University. His testimony begins 9 minutes into the video.

Don't Waste Your Cancer By John Piper / Crossway Books & Bibles * How are we called to respond when a life-threatening illness invades our bodies or those of our loved ones? On the eve of his surgery, Piper candidly writes of his prostate cancer and gently affirms that if we don't see our trials as opportunities, we will be blind to God's good plan for us. 16 pages, softcover from Crossway.

Seattle Seahawks' Making of a Champion Link

In The Making of a Champion, Russell Wilson, quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks along with Clint Gresham, a long snapper, safety Chris Maragos and offensive tackle Russell Okung share the impact Christ has on their lives both on and off the field.

In this video Clint Gresham specifically gives the gospel message and offers viewers an opportunity for those watching to make a salvation decision. “Say Jesus, I invite you into my life. I want to make you Lord of my life,” Gresham recited. “I acknowledge that I have sinned, I’ve messed up and I want to accept what you did on the cross on my behalf, so that I can have fellowship with you.”

Check out the website Making of a Champion here. 

Fight for Joy: Life Ledger (Philippians 3:8-9) Questions for Reflection and Discussion

Dig Deeper

In Philippians 3:8 the Apostle Paul using accounting terms writes “I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus.” By “all things” Paul adds to his religious heritage (Philippians 3:5-6) hardships he endured for the sake of spreading the gospel. (“for whom I have suffered the loss of all things…”) as filling up the debit side of the ledger. For Paul, his singular and all surpassing (“excellence”) gain is knowing Christ. He does not mean by this that these debits in any way merit salvation, but rather everything else in the world pales (is “rubbish”) in comparison to knowing Christ. (Philippians 3:9)

Read the Parable of the Hidden Treasure and Parable of the Pearl of Great Price in Matthew 13:22-26. How knowledge of Christ is compare to the treasure and pearl in these parables?

For what did the following individuals “count loss” for the “gain” of following the call of God on their lives?

Abraham (Genesis 12:1-9; Hebrews 12:8)--

Joseph (Genesis 39:1-9)--

Esther (Esther 4:1-17)--

Stephen (Acts 6:3-15, 7:54-60)--

Application

Take some time to inventory your “life ledger.” What are you counting loss for the sake of gain? What encouragement do the following scriptures provide for pursing Christ at all costs?

Matthew 19:28-29--

Mark 8:36--

Luke 14:33--

Memorize This

Philippians 3:14— I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. © NKJV

Quarterback Russell Wilson

The Seattle Seahawks victory over the 49ers in last Sunday’s game leads them to Super Bowl XLVIII where they will face the Denver Broncos. Prior to the game several Seahawks shared their faith in Jesus Christ and how it intersects with life on and off the football field. 

In this video Quarterback Russell Wilson opens up about his salvation story. For more from members of the Seattle Seahawks check out Making of a Champion here.

Choose Life

Fight for Joy: Knowing Christ (Philippians 3:7-14) Questions for Reflection and Discussion

Dig Deeper

The Apostle Paul begins Philippians 3, “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord.” Here again Paul emphasizes that joy for the Christian is not to be dependent on life’s circumstances but rather on a growing trust relationship with the sovereign Lord. Victory in the fight for joy is ultimately realized in relationship-- “knowing Christ.” (Philippians 3:10) The depth of our knowing Christ is determined by our answer to three questions-- 1. The ledger question: What things do I consider gain and what am I counting loss? 2. The lien question: What hindrances are there in my life that prevents me from knowing Christ more fully? And, 3. The Lordship question: Who or what determines my pursuit of Christ?

Ledger Question-- Read Hebrews 11:24-26. How is Moses’ response to the ledger question an example to follow? What insights about gain and loss are realized from the following Scriptures?

Matthew 19:28-29--

Mark 8:36--

Luke 14:33--

Lien Question-- Read Jeremiah 1:17-19. How is Jeremiah’s response to the lien question an example to follow? What encouragements to lay aside hindrances are gained from the following Scriptures?

Ephesians 4:22--

Hebrews 12:1--

1 Peter 2:21--

Lordship Question-- Read Acts 9:3-19. How is Saul’s response to the lordship question an example to follow? What additional insights are gained from the following Scriptures?

Colossians 2:6--

1 Thessalonians 5:23--

1 Peter 3:15--

Memorize This

Philippians 3:14-- I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus

Fight for Joy-- Beware! Philippians 3:1-7 Questions for Reflection and Discussion

Dig Deeper

The Apostle Paul begins chapter three of Philippians with three warnings, “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of mutilation!” (Philippians 1:2, NKJ) His motivation is their “protection” (3:1), meaning literally to keep from failing or falling away. These warnings are preceded by his writing, “To write to you again about this is no trouble for me…” indicating the frequency of warnings in his teaching. In Colossians 1:28 Paul sums up his mission to teach, “We proclaim Him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom…”

Examine the following warnings by the Apostle Paul. How might heeding these warnings result in the Christian’s protection?

Romans 2:8-9--

Galatians 1:7-8--

Colossians 2:8--

2 Thessalonians 1:8-9--

Titus 1:10-11--

Throughout the Old Testament physical circumcision was viewed as an outward sign of God’s covenant with Abraham and his descendents and of Israel as the God’s people. When Paul writes in Philippians 3:3 that he no longer puts “confidence in the flesh” he is referring to the confidence he once had in the outward sign of circumcision. His confidence now is in a “spiritual” circumcision brought about by the Spirit of God through Jesus Christ.

What insights do the following scriptures provide for dealing with those who insisted on outward physical circumcision of Gentile Christians? Galatians 2:3-5; 3:14; 5:1-6; 5:7-12 and 6:12-15--

What do the following Scriptures reveal about spiritual circumcision? Galatians 5:6; Romans 3:30; and Colossians 2:11-13--

Memorize This

Philippians 3:13-14-- Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God's heavenly call in Christ Jesus. © HCSB

Fight for Joy (Timothy & Epaphroditus) Questions for Reflection and Discussion

Dig Deeper

In Philippians 1:27 the Apostle Paul sums up the main point of this epistle (church letter), “Just one thing: Live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, working side by side for the faith that comes from the gospel.” If these Philippian Christians are unsure of what this looks like in everyday life he offers Timothy and Epaphroditus as examples to emulate.

Paul includes Timothy as the co-author of Philippians (1:1).  On several occasions he described Timothy as “my true son in the faith” (1 Corinthians 4:17 & 1 Timothy 1:2) and declares of Timothy here in Philippians 2:20, “I have no one else like-minded who will genuinely care about your interests.” What insights about Timothy’s character do you observe in the following Scriptures?

Acts 16:1-5--

Acts 17:14-16, 18:5--

Acts 19:21-23--

1 Corinthians 4:16-17; 16:10--

1 Timothy 1:17-19; 6:19-21--

2 Timothy 2:1-10; 4:1-4--

The only mention of Epaphroditus is here in Philippians 2:25-30 and 4:18. In 2:25 Paul addresses him as “brother”, “coworker”, “fellow soldier”, “messenger” and “minister.” To what character qualities does each of these titles allude?

Application

Consider the circumstances surrounding your conversion to Christ. How have these circumstances uniquely equipped you for your mission? Look over the titles Paul uses for Epaphroditus in Philippians 2:25. In what ways is the Holy Spirit leading you to fulfill these roles in your life and relationships?

Memorize This

Philippians 2:13 — For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose. © HCSB

God's Dream for His Church-- Derwin Gray video & NMBC prayer points

Derwin Gray is the founding pastor of Transformation Church and former defensive back who played safety for five seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and one season with the Carolina Panthers.Many of our men will also remember him as co-host of Game Plan for Life with Coach Joe Gibbs. 

I came across this YouTube video of Pastor Gray sharing God's dreams for His church. The church is not a building but a "people on the go with Jesus." Take a few minutes to check out this video then join me in praying for our church family.   



THE CHURCH IS HIS BRIDE
Read: Ephesians 5:25-27
Pray: Individually and corporately lets make it our aim to "Live ( our lives) in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ" (Philippians 1:27) Pray that NMBC would strive to be a holy bride ready for her Groom.

THE CHURCH IS HIS TEMPLE
Read: 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Pray: For a love for God that results in worship and obedience. 

THE CHURCH IS HIS BODY
Read: 1 Corinthians 12:27
Pray: That NMBC would continue to endeavor to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our community. 

THE CHURCH IS HIS FAMILY
Read: Galatians 6:10
Pray: Let's continue to strive to help one another to live the abundant life-- faithfully encouraging, serving and praying for one another.

THE CHURCH IS HIS FLOCK
Read: John 10:4,11
Pray: Jesus alone is our Chief Shepherd. Where He leads, we will follow.

THE CHURCH IS HIS PRIESTHOOD
Read: 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Pray: Pray that NMBC would represent God to our community by lovingly and boldly sharing the Good News of new life in Christ.