Paul was warning Christians to watch out for people who claim Christ but don't live Christ.
They are people who are constantly indulging their fleshly appetites.
Unless they told you they were believers you would never know it by their actions.
Prov 23:21 - drunkards and gluttons.......drowsiness clothes them with rags.
Thanksgiving lunch - time for a nap!
Food is fuel and is supposed to give us energy, but when you overeat your bodily energy is used to break down the food. Your body ceases to function the way it's supposed to function.
When you indulge your appetite we cease to function the way we're supposed to function.
Applied Physically - When we're asleep we can't work, and if we don't work we don't make money, and if we don't make money we end up in POVERTY just as Proverbs 23:21 tells us.
Applied Spiritually - It takes work to grow in the spirit, but if we indulge our flesh we won't experience the profit of working to grow our spirits, which ultimately leads to poverty of spirit (not poor in spirit) - we'll be "broke" spiritually.
If we control our appetites God will control our destinies.
Just start with the small stuff - learn to say "no."
Philippians 3:17-19 (10/10/14)
Appetite
October 10, 2014 • Benham Brothers
Philippians 1:3-8 (9/27/18)
September 27, 2018 • Benham Brothers
* Married couples should apply these verses to their relationship. * Imagine how your spouse would respond if you wrote a letter like what Paul wrote to the Philippians. * It starts off with him thinking fondly of them. Notice his thoughts: * 1) Thankful (vs 3) - gratitude breaks down emotional walls. * 2) Prayerful (vs 4a) - your spouse is your top priority in prayer. * 3) Joyful (vs 4b) - if you don’t feel joy you need to re-joy by giving of yourself to your spouse (like Hannah). * 4) Fellowship (vs 5) - “friendly association, especially with people who share one’s interest.” Be buddies and do things together. * 5) Confidence (vs 6) - trusting that God is doing something in your spouse and He can be trusted. Also granting trust to your spouse. * vs 7a - Paul recognizes it’s right to think these things of those he’s ministering to. * 6) Empathy (vs 7) - “we’re in this together.” Turn toward your spouse. * 7) Affectionate (vs 8) - we need to long for our spouse with loving affection. Appreciation leads to affection.
Philippians 1:9-10 (9/23/16)
September 23, 2016 • Benham Brothers
• Paul is talking about growing in maturity - he wants believers to mature in their love for Christ and others. • The proper sign of our maturity is two-fold: • 1) We can discern between good and evil. • 2) We can discern between good and best. • We are not to remain infants as Hebrews 5:13-14 says. • We shouldn’t only know God as Father but not friend, counselor, and guide. • A toddler may call every four-legged animal a “bow-wow,” but in time they should be able to discern between a dog and a cat. • To “distinguish” is a mark of maturity.
Philippians 1:12-14 (10/12/22)
October 12, 2022 • Benham Brothers • Philippians 1:12–14
* In life we have both blessings and burdens. * When Satan is in charge, blessings become burdens. * When God is in charge, burdens become blessings. * What’s true about both is that they aren’t ultimately about you! * God made us to be conduits, not cul-de-sacs. * When we are operating under God: * Blessings flow through us to others. * Burdens are converted to blessings for others. * Let’s look at our role regarding both. * Blessings - As God gives to us, we should be looking to give to others. Why? * Because the foundation for love is to give. * “For God so loved the world that He gave…” * When we give we connect to God. * KEY - when God gives us something good (wisdom, knowledge, experience, etc) and He asks us to give it away, don’t balk! * We often say, “I don’t have anything to offer.” * That’s a slap in God’s face. * Let Him use you to do good things. * Burdens - As we go through tough times, we should be looking to help others. Why? * Same reason as above - the foundation for love giving. * The burden is converted to a blessing for others if you find peace in the pain. * A mindset of “I’m going to get through this so I can help others” is the secret to finding that peace. * Paul is in jail - he wrote most of his letters when his freedom was taken away. * Look how he responded: * Vs 12-14 - courage is contagious. * Paul converted his burden to a blessing for others - both believers and unbelievers. * Look at the result: * People were encouraged (vs 14) - courage is contagious! * People got saved (vs 4:22). * Vs 4:21-22 - Bible Knowledge Commentary: * Those who belong to Caesar’s household were probably those who had come to Christ as a result of Paul’s house arrest. This probably included soldiers and relatives of Caesar’s household.” * There were saints in Caesar’s palace because Paul was put in Caesar’s prison! * The stuff that happens to you is so that something can happen through you for others. * So don’t fret where God puts you, just be faithful right where you are!