The Scripture makes it very clear that as we focus on purity we experience power from above. Paul stressed this in his final letter to his understudy Timothy. “Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter [i.e., “iniquity”], he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work” (2Ti 2:21). How? The process is simple: God the Father works through the Son. The Son works through the Holy Spirit. The Spirit works through the Word. The Word works through the believer. The believer works through living faith.
Gene Cunningham - May 23, 2003
Profiles in Providence #8
Philippians are Paul's "joy and crown" (Phi 4:1). Five crowns possible as part of our rewards: (1) Imperishable crown (1Co 9:25); (2) Crown of life - abundant life in eternity (Jam 1:12, Rev 2:10); (3) Crown of Joy - witnessing crown (1Th 2:19, 1Pe 3:15); (4) Crown of Righteousness (2Ti 4:8) - finishing the race by what He does in us ; Crown of Glory (1Pe 5:4) - ministry crown. "Content" means sufficiency borrowed from Greek stoics (Phi 4:11-13). 3 steps to contentment: (1) "I have learned" - discipleship (Phi 4:11); (2) "I know how" (Phi 4:12) - skill of wisdom - living life God's way; (3) "I can do all things" (Phi 4:13) - "can do" (the power of God) "strengthening" our lives (giving us ability). (Ecc 10:10). A sharp axe is wisdom.
Conference notes for this series can be found [HERE]
Scripture References: Philippians 4:12, Philippians 4:11, Philippians 4:11-13, Revelation 2:10, James 1:12, Ecclesiastes 10:10, Philippians 4:1, Philippians 4:13
From Series: "Philippians - Profiles in Providence - Florida 2008"
Philippians 1:12 starts out "Now I want you to know brethren that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the Gospel". It's a key verse in the letter Paul wrote to those faithful believers while he was in chains.