Thanksgiving and Prayer
3-11
-Their work won’t be in vain. He who began a good work will carry it on to completion. He always prays with Joy.
Paul emphasizes how they are all one body within Jesus no matter if he is in chains or defending and confirming the gospel. HIs prayer for them is that their love may abound more and they may be able to discern what is best and be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.
Pauls Chains Advance the Gospel
12-14
Paul mentions how he is in chains but he is in chains for Christ. And because of those chains other believes have become confident in the Lord.
-“We should use Pauls experience as a lesson to always see the brighter side and to know that God is using us.”-Jojo
15-18
Paul says that as long as Christ is preached whether it is for Good motive or Bad motive he will rejoice.
19-26
Paul is torn between life and death because he has reached a point where either will benefit him. He does not mind dying because he will be reunited with Christ but he also does not mind living to spread the Gospel.
-“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain”-Verse 22
-“His mission is to show Christ through him and that should be ours too”-Yvan
27-29
Paul explains to them how they will go through many struggles for Christ and God has granted them the power to endure it just as Paul did.
-“Lead by example”-Jojo
Imitating Christ's humility
1-4
Share all that God has given to you and done for you so we can be like-minded and be one body. Don’t do anything out of selfish ambition or vain conceit let it be for the interest of others and not your own.
-“Be like Jesus”-Yvan
-“Share your testimony”-Sam
-“Im third- God first,Others second, Me third.”-Jojo
5-11
In your relationships have the same mindset as Christ Jesus, Jesus although was God humbled himself and took the nature of a servant and became obedient to death. And every knee shall bow in Heaven, earth and under the earth.
“Jesus humbled himself so that the Father would exalt him”-Jayden
Do Everything Without Grumbling
12-13
Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
“God has a purpose for you, you just have to accept it”-Yvan
14-18
Do everything without grumbling or arguing. Do this so you can become blameless and pure in an evil generation. He then says that if you firmly hold to the word then you will be able to boast on the day of Christ that you did not run or labor in vain.
Timothy and Epaphroditus
19-24
-Paul hopes the Lord will send Timothy to them because Timothy is a very genuine person who has proved himself.
25-30
-Shoutout to Epaphroditus because he almost died for the work of Christ.
-“Can’t forget when God saved you”-Jayden
-Paul starts off by saying, “Keep your joy in the Lord,” and he gives a warning don’t get caught up with people who are all about rules and bragging about what they do. He says, “If anyone had a reason to brag, it’s me.” He lists his background he was a top Pharisee, followed all the rules, and was all in. But now? He says all of that means nothing compared to knowing Jesus. Because Jesus really changed the wave
-Paul says he gave up everything just to gain Christ. He doesn’t want a righteousness that comes from the law, but the kind that comes from faith in Jesus. His goal is to really know Christ like, know His power, share in His suffering, and become more like Him, even in death.
Then Paul gets real. He says, “I haven’t reached perfection, but I’m not giving up. I forget what’s behind me and keep pressing forward toward the goal to win the prize God has for me through Jesus.”
He tells the believers: if you’re mature, you’ll get this. And if you don’t, God will help you understand. But in the meantime, live up to what you already know.
-Then Paul says to follow his example and watch out there are people who live like enemies of the cross. They only care about themselves and temporary things. But we? We’re citizens of heaven. And we’re waiting for Jesus to return and change us to be like Him.
-In Philippians 4, Paul starts by encouraging the people he cares about. He tells them to stay strong in the Lord and reminds them how much he loves and values them. Then he calls out two women Euodia and Syntyche asking them to work out their disagreement and come back together in unity, like they used to serve side by side. After that, Paul reminds everyone to always find joy in the Lord. No matter what’s going on, he says, rejoice. He tells them to be gentle, not to worry about anything, but instead pray about everything. (Paul really was spitting tho yall just not listening) And while you’re praying, don’t forget to thank God. When you do that, God’s peace the kind that doesn’t even make sense sometimes will guard your heart and mind through Jesus.
-Then Paul talks about where to keep your mind. He says to focus on whatever is true, pure, right, lovely, and worth thinking about. He tells them to put into practice the things they’ve learned and seen from him, and God’s peace will stay with them. He also thanks them for supporting him, especially when he was struggling. But he keeps it real he says he’s learned how to be content no matter what. Whether he has a lot or very little, he knows how to keep going because Jesus gives him strength. That’s where that verse comes in: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Legendary legendary verse btw
Paul closes by saying he’s grateful for their generosity, and he promises that God will take care of their needs just like they’ve taken care of his. He ends the letter with greetings and a final blessing: may the grace of Jesus be with all of you.