The PHILOSOPHY of Christian Living ‑ Phil 1:21 - "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." What does this mean to us as Christians? Cf. Phil. 1:20,23
*It corrects and enhances the purpose of our lives
*It corrects and enhances our attitude regarding our witness
*It corrects and enhances the biblical view of materialism
*It corrects and enhances the reality of being in glory
For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 Cor. 5:1
Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 2 Cor. 5:6,8
The PATTERN for Christian Living ‑ Phil 2:5 ‑ "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." What does this mean to us as Christians?
*It challenges God’s people to have a godly purpose for living
*It challenges God’s people to respond correctly to others and to God Himself
*It challenges God’s people to think with biblical maturity
*It challenges God’s people to view Christ as the great example of honoring the
Father
But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Matt. 20:26-28
If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. John 13:14-15
Rom. 15:5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
1 Cor. 10:33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
1 Cor. 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
The PRIZE for Christian Living ‑ Phil 3:10, 14 ‑ "That I may know Him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being make conformable unto His death… “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." What does this mean to us as Christians? Cf. Romans 6:6-11
*It changes the focus our lives to a more ambitious goal
*It changes the focus our lives to accept tribulation and suffering properly
*It changes the focus our lives to present ourselves sacrificially to God
*It changes the focus our lives to a greater determination and perseverance
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Rom. 8:37
1 John 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
2 Cor. 1:10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;
2 Cor. 4:10,11 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
Col. 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
The PRAYER For Living ‑ Phil 4:6, "Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."
What does this mean to us as Christians?
*It conveys an attitude of continuous need
*It conveys an attitude of peace, rather than worry
*It conveys an attitude of thankfulness for what God has provided
*It conveys an attitude of trust in God’s provision
Isa. 57:2 He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.
1 Pet. 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Matt. 7:7,8 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
The PEACE for Christian Living ‑ Phil 4:7, And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. What does this mean to us as Christians?
*It contributes to the calmness of our spirit in difficult
circumstances
*It contributes to the greatness of our peace for all to see
*It contributes to the security of our mind
*It contributes to the trust of God for our soul and mind
Job 22:21 Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.
Ps 29:11 The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.
Isa 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
The POWER For Christian Living – Phil. 4:13, I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. What does this mean to us as Christians?
*It correlates to a greater level of serving
*It correlates to a greater growing confidence in God to work through us
*It correlates to a greater focus on Christ in our labor
*It correlates to a greater awareness that the glory is Christ’s, not ours
Rev. 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from Henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
Gal. 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
John 15:4,5 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
2 Cor. 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;