Word@Work Phil57 - Philippians 4:21-23
Published: Fri, 12/11/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
BUSINESS AS USUAL
Phil. 4:21-23 Greet all the saints in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send greetings. All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar's household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. (NIV)
Paul is positive to the end. Why shouldn't he be? He may be imprisoned far away from the church which had provided his greatest support, but he was not downcast. These few sentences might have been the last he ever sent to them, but there is no suggestion of gloom, or self-pity. Instead he sends a great message of 'business as usual'!
All the believers in Philippi belong to God, not to the apostle; they are God's precious 'saints' (the New Testament word for people who have been made holy by the blood of Christ ... see Heb 10:14). They are His, and He will continue the work of sanctifying them, long after Paul has gone to glory, until they receive their reward (see Acts 20:32). And Paul is not isolated; he has other believers around him, and they are also praying for the church in Philippi. Furthermore, some of the new believers in Rome are part of Caesar's household. As a result of gospel preaching, the news about Jesus has got right into the imperial palace. Some who served the top man in the empire also served Jesus Christ. The future of Christianity was not just in the hands of a captive apostle, to be snuffed out at any moment: God was in charge, and had already placed His gospel so that it was unstoppable.
No wonder that Paul reminds them that the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ continued to be with them. They had all that they needed: the Word of God from the apostle, fellowship amongst themselves in the Holy Spirit, and the prospect of glory to come. Meanwhile, they should be encouraged that the gospel was continuing to burn like a forest fire through the hearts of many people who heard it. Influential people were being converted and praying for them. This is a message for the church today. Wherever you are, and however isolated you feel, God is still at work. If you have received Him (see www.crosscheck.org.uk for a fuller explanation), you are one of His saints; and He is committed to refining you so that you will be like Jesus. You are part of a worldwide network of believers (some are praying for each other on our Facebook site). The gospel you have believed is still delivering new-born believers into Christ's Kingdom. And the grace of Christ is still available for you and for them. So it really is 'business as usual' for followers of Jesus! Go with that confidence, to work and holiday, to church and family and the Lord be with you!
Prayer: Dear Lord. Thank You that through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, I am saved, am being sanctified and that I have brothers and sisters all over the world praying for me. Even when the light grows dim, You are still at work in people's hearts, and I should not fear. Help me to depend on Your grace every day and to be a gospel bearer, working with You to bring life and peace to my little corner of the world. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Paul is positive to the end. Why shouldn't he be? He may be imprisoned far away from the church which had provided his greatest support, but he was not downcast. These few sentences might have been the last he ever sent to them, but there is no suggestion of gloom, or self-pity. Instead he sends a great message of 'business as usual'!
All the believers in Philippi belong to God, not to the apostle; they are God's precious 'saints' (the New Testament word for people who have been made holy by the blood of Christ ... see Heb 10:14). They are His, and He will continue the work of sanctifying them, long after Paul has gone to glory, until they receive their reward (see Acts 20:32). And Paul is not isolated; he has other believers around him, and they are also praying for the church in Philippi. Furthermore, some of the new believers in Rome are part of Caesar's household. As a result of gospel preaching, the news about Jesus has got right into the imperial palace. Some who served the top man in the empire also served Jesus Christ. The future of Christianity was not just in the hands of a captive apostle, to be snuffed out at any moment: God was in charge, and had already placed His gospel so that it was unstoppable.
No wonder that Paul reminds them that the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ continued to be with them. They had all that they needed: the Word of God from the apostle, fellowship amongst themselves in the Holy Spirit, and the prospect of glory to come. Meanwhile, they should be encouraged that the gospel was continuing to burn like a forest fire through the hearts of many people who heard it. Influential people were being converted and praying for them. This is a message for the church today. Wherever you are, and however isolated you feel, God is still at work. If you have received Him (see www.crosscheck.org.uk for a fuller explanation), you are one of His saints; and He is committed to refining you so that you will be like Jesus. You are part of a worldwide network of believers (some are praying for each other on our Facebook site). The gospel you have believed is still delivering new-born believers into Christ's Kingdom. And the grace of Christ is still available for you and for them. So it really is 'business as usual' for followers of Jesus! Go with that confidence, to work and holiday, to church and family and the Lord be with you!
Prayer: Dear Lord. Thank You that through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, I am saved, am being sanctified and that I have brothers and sisters all over the world praying for me. Even when the light grows dim, You are still at work in people's hearts, and I should not fear. Help me to depend on Your grace every day and to be a gospel bearer, working with You to bring life and peace to my little corner of the world. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
On Monday we will begin a new series in Luke. All the previous Word@Work messages in Mark, Ephesians, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter and Philippians are available at www.beaconlight.co.uk/email
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