Philippians 2
February Memory Verse: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
Read: Philippians 2
Philippians 2 is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. I go to it over and over to find encouragement and strength. I’ll bet it’s one of yours too! Today is Monday, February 8th. Mondays can be a challenge some weeks. Let’s get this week started right! Read Philippians 2…
Need some encouragement today? There’s a lot of that to be found because we belong to Christ! (v.1) Need comfort? Find it in His love… (v.1) Need it in a physical form? Find it in other believers by loving each other and working together for the Gospel. (v.2) How? Be like Jesus. (WWJD – What Would Jesus Do?)
Let’s review Paul’s list:
• Don’t be selfish (v.3)
• Don’t try to impress others (v.3)
• Be humble (v.3)
• Think of others better than yourself (v.3)
• Don’t look out only for your own interests – instead look out for others (v.4)
• Be like Jesus (v.5)
Remember what Jesus did. (v.6-11). This causes us to want to shine brightly for Him! (v.12-18). So awesome, but let’s focus most of our time on the last few verses (19-30) – they’re rich! Paul’s living out what he taught us in the first part of the chapter.
These few verses teach us a lot today! Paul is in prison in Rome and awaiting trial. He writes several books from there and sends them to the churches through Tychicus. Philippians is one of those books… written to a small church in northern Greece.
Paul writes that he’s sending his son in the faith – Timothy to the little church to encourage them. Paul proceeds to give them a dossier of Timothy’s strengths.
He genuine cares about others (v.20-21)
Timothy had a reputation of genuine care for others unlike any other of Paul’s associates. He wasn’t selfish or self-centered – he cared about Jesus and loving others in His name.
He has proven himself trustworthy (v.22a)
Unlike others (like John Mark) Timothy remained faithful despite the difficulties. Paul could trust him.
He’s a servant (v.22b)
Timothy had served alongside Paul for a long time. He had the heart of a servant. Paul trusted his heart.
He loves the Gospel (v.22c)
Timothy was discipled by Paul and preached the Good News with him.
Be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:5
What can we learn from Timothy’s example today?
It’s easy to be selfish and self-centered. How can you and I show our genuine concern for others today? It may something very simple… think of a way and do it.
Pray that God will allow you to prove yourself to be trustworthy. This begins with a pure heart.
How we develop as a servant? What are some ways we can have a servant’s heart?
How can you and I show our love for the Gospel more? Who can we begin a conversation with today? How can we speak up for Jesus?
By: Tim Parsons
Read: Philippians 2
Philippians 2 is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. I go to it over and over to find encouragement and strength. I’ll bet it’s one of yours too! Today is Monday, February 8th. Mondays can be a challenge some weeks. Let’s get this week started right! Read Philippians 2…
Need some encouragement today? There’s a lot of that to be found because we belong to Christ! (v.1) Need comfort? Find it in His love… (v.1) Need it in a physical form? Find it in other believers by loving each other and working together for the Gospel. (v.2) How? Be like Jesus. (WWJD – What Would Jesus Do?)
Let’s review Paul’s list:
• Don’t be selfish (v.3)
• Don’t try to impress others (v.3)
• Be humble (v.3)
• Think of others better than yourself (v.3)
• Don’t look out only for your own interests – instead look out for others (v.4)
• Be like Jesus (v.5)
Remember what Jesus did. (v.6-11). This causes us to want to shine brightly for Him! (v.12-18). So awesome, but let’s focus most of our time on the last few verses (19-30) – they’re rich! Paul’s living out what he taught us in the first part of the chapter.
These few verses teach us a lot today! Paul is in prison in Rome and awaiting trial. He writes several books from there and sends them to the churches through Tychicus. Philippians is one of those books… written to a small church in northern Greece.
Paul writes that he’s sending his son in the faith – Timothy to the little church to encourage them. Paul proceeds to give them a dossier of Timothy’s strengths.
He genuine cares about others (v.20-21)
Timothy had a reputation of genuine care for others unlike any other of Paul’s associates. He wasn’t selfish or self-centered – he cared about Jesus and loving others in His name.
He has proven himself trustworthy (v.22a)
Unlike others (like John Mark) Timothy remained faithful despite the difficulties. Paul could trust him.
He’s a servant (v.22b)
Timothy had served alongside Paul for a long time. He had the heart of a servant. Paul trusted his heart.
He loves the Gospel (v.22c)
Timothy was discipled by Paul and preached the Good News with him.
Be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:5
What can we learn from Timothy’s example today?
It’s easy to be selfish and self-centered. How can you and I show our genuine concern for others today? It may something very simple… think of a way and do it.
Pray that God will allow you to prove yourself to be trustworthy. This begins with a pure heart.
How we develop as a servant? What are some ways we can have a servant’s heart?
How can you and I show our love for the Gospel more? Who can we begin a conversation with today? How can we speak up for Jesus?
By: Tim Parsons
8 Comments
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
This passage caught my attention today. The most hardened heart in hell that rejected Jesus on Earth will bow a knee & their tongue confess that Jesus is Lord.
Regarding Mondays being difficult days: Sometimes I think we miss golden opportunities and "on ramps" to share Jesus with coworkers and friends. When someone says "how was your weekend" or "what did you do this weekend?" we have an opportunity to tell them about our worship experience on Sunday or what we learned from God's word. Yesterday was a prime example as we studied "The Mercy Seat" from Exodus 25 and Romans 3. It was an awesome day of worship and we should be excited to share it with others. Have a blessed day JUMPSTART readers.
Great encouragement Mike and wise advice. Thank you! I hope everyone reads your comment.
Tim, you are such a consistent encourager. Thank you, once again, for your words of encouragement today. I, like Mike, love not only 10 and 11, but the whole 6-11 passage describing the awesome grace and mercy of God through His personal and ultimate sacrifice. Living in times when the arrogance of man is on full display, I look forward to that day too, Mike, when every knee will bow.
I hope everyone has a blessed day and uses every opportunity to share the love of Christ.
Thanks Lindsay! Praying for a good day for you too!
I love the focus you put on Timothy as a servant. God gifted me with a wife (Carlyn) who has a servant's heart, but that's not something that we share. It is not something natural for me. This past weekend at the marriage conference, one of the questions on the session homework was asking what character trait we would want if we could have it now, and my answer was a servant's heart. God has placed me in positions of leadership in church, at work, and in my family, so I want to model to concept of servant leadership. Is it going to be easy or natural for me? No. But with the help of Scripture (and an encouraging wife), it is what I strive to be. It will take intentionality on my part, but with the Holy Spirit in me, it is possible. I know that God calls us to serve others, so that's what I desire of myself so that I can be the servant leader God has called me to be.
Thank you so much for sharing that Scottie! To me, you're a great example of a servant, but I understand being a work in progress. I'll be praying for that. I'm blessed by you!
Oh Tim how I remember you having me memorize much of this chapter on the mission field in Brazil. Thanks for that encouragement!
I love this list:
• Don't be selfish (v.3)
• Don't try to impress others (v.3)
• Be humble (v.3)
• Think of others better than yourself (v.3)
• Don't look out only for your own interests - instead look out for others (v.4)
• Be like Jesus (v.5)
Something we we can live out each and every day and will lead us to more Gospel conversations. They will want what we have!
Now the truth comes out! I knew you liked it! After all that grief you gave me... :). Thankful for you Joey!