Hi Everyone!
In the last sermon, we covered the history of Paul, his First and Second Epistles to the Thessalonians, which were written during his Second Missionary Journey and his First and Second Epistles to the Corinthians and his Epistle to the Galatians, which were written during his Third Missionary Journey.
Today, we will discuss Paul’s Epistle to the Romans, which he also wrote during his Third Missionary Journey, as well as his Epistles to the Colossians, the Ephesians, and the Philippians, which were all written while Paul was in prison in Rome from 61 to 63 A.D. The Epistle to the Hebrews will be dealt with separately, as will Paul’s Pastoral Epistles to Philemon, Timothy and Titus.
Remember that YAHSHUAH Jesus the Christ called Paul “a chosen vessel to Me, to bear My name before the Gentiles (Nations), and kings, and the children of Israel: for I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake,” as found in Acts 9:15 and 16.
As a result, remember what Paul went through for his calling and preaching The Gospel of the Kingdom and our Our Lord and Savior YAHSHUAH Jesus the Christ. Paul was whipped five times with thirty-nine stripes (not forty – for he was a Roman citizen); beaten with rods three times; stoned once; shipwrecked three times; spent a whole night and day in the deep; as well as being in danger from rivers, robbers, fellow countrymen, the wilderness, at sea, and among false brethren, just to name a few, and then he was ultimately martyred by being beheaded at the behest of Emperor Nero.
Today, we will discuss the last of the Epistles written during his Second Missionary Journey – The Epistle to the Romans, which was written from Corinth in the Spring of 58 A.D.
The Epistle to the Romans is divided into three main sections:
Doctrinal: The Gospel of God as found in Chapters 1 through 8 with the following ten subsections:
Introduction to the Gospel
The Gospel Defined
The Universal Need for the Gospel
The Basis and Terms of the Gospel
The Harmony of the Gospel with the Old Testament
The Practical Benefits of the Gospel
The Triumph of Christ’s Work over Adam’s Sin
The Gospel’s Way to Holy Living
The Place of the Law in the Believer’s Life
The Holy Spirit as the Power for Holy Living
Dispensational: The Gospel and Israel as found in Chapters 9 through 11 with the following three subsections:
Israel’s Past
Israel’s Present
Israel’s Future
Dutiful: The Gospel Lived Out as found in Chapters 12 through 16 with the following eight subsections:
In Personal Consecration
In Serving through Spiritual Gifts
In Relation to Society
In Relation to Government
In Relation to the Future
In Relation to Other Believers
In Paul’s Plans
In Appreciative Recognition of Others
There are many important verses in this Epistle so much so that the whole Epistle should be quoted and read here! However, here are some of the very most important verses to remember from Paul’s Epistle to the Romans:
Romans 1:16 through 18 states, “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of the Christ; for it is the Power of God for salvation to everyone who believeth, to the Judaean in the first place, and also to the Greek. For by it there is revealed a justification of God’s appointment because of belief, that we may believe. As it is written, ‘But the just shall live because of belief:’ for the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of the men, who by unrighteousness repress Truth.”
Romans 1:19 through 32 discuss Father YAHWEH’s judgment on a nation because of sin.
First, He turns the nation over to a sexual revolution.
Next, He turns the nation over to a homosexual revolution.
Finally, He turns the nation over to a reprobate mind – a transexual revolution.
Romans 2:11 states, “For with God there is no respect of persons.” In other words, it doesn’t matter who you are, Father YAHWEH will still judge you if you sin and do not repent.
Romans 3:9 through 12 states, “What preference then have we? None at all. For we have before charged both Judaeans and Greeks with being all under sin; as it is written, ‘There is none righteous, no, not one. There is none who hath understanding. There is none who seeketh God. They are all gone aside; They are all together become vile; There is none who doeth good – no, not one.’”
Here, Paul is quoting from Psalm 14.
Romans 3:20 through 24 states, “Because no flesh can be justified before Him by works of Law; for by Law there is a knowledge of sin, now therefore, independently of Law, there is made manifest a justification of God’s appointment, attested by the Law and the Prophets – even a justification, of God’s appointment, by faith in Jesus Christ, for all and upon all who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”
Romans 3:28 through 31 states, “We conclude therefore that man is justified by belief independent of works of Law. Is God the God of Judaeans only? Is He not also [the God] of the Nations? Yes, of Nations also: since it is one and the same God who will justify circumcision because of belief and uncircumcision by the same belief. Do we then by this belief make Law void? No, by no means: on the contrary, we establish Law.”
Romans 4:3 states, “For what saith the Scripture, ‘And Abraham believed God and it was reckoned to him for righteousness.’”
Here, Paul is quoting Genesis 15:6.
Romans 4:7 and 8 states, “Happy they whose iniquities are forgiven; and whose sins are covered: Happy the man to whose account the Lord will not charge sin.”
Romans 4:13 states, “For the promise that he should be heir of the world was not made to Abraham or his seed, during Law, but during the righteousness of belief.”
Romans 5:18 through 21 states, “Therefore as by one transgression there was a sentence of condemnation for all men; so, by one acquittal there is an adjudication of life for all men. For as by the disobedience of the one man, the many were ranked as sinners, so also by the obedience of the other man, the many will be ranked as righteous. Now the Law came in a little way, so that transgression abounded, but where sin abounded, favor super abounded, that as sin had reigned by death, so favor might reign by means of a justification for everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Romans 6:12 through 16a states, “Therefore, let not sin reign in your mortal body, so as by the appetites thereof to serve sin; nor deliver up your members to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but deliver yourselves up to God, as brought to life from the dead, and your members to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but deliver yourselves up to God, as brought to life from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness for God. For sin is not to have dominion over you, as you are not under the law, but under favor. What then: shall we sin because are not under Law, but under favor? No, by no means.”
Romans 7:12 states, “So that the Law is indeed Holy, and the Commandment is Holy, Just and Good.”
Romans 8:1 states, “There is then no condemnation now to them who are in Christ Jesus and who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
Romans 8:28 through 31 states, “And we know that all things are working together for good to them who love God – to them who according to a previous purpose are now actually called. For those whom He foreknew, even these He marked out beforehand to be of a form the same as that of the image of His Son, that He might be a first born among many brethren. And those whom He marked out beforehand He actually called, and those whom He called, even these He acquitted, and those whom He acquitted even these He glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Romans 8:35 through 38 states, “Who shall separate us from the love of the Christ? Shall tribulation or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, ‘For Thy sake we are killed all the day long, and accounted as sheep for slaughter.’ We indeed in all these things are more than conquerors by means of Him who hath loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created being shall be able to separate us from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans Chapter 9 deals with True Israel’s Past.
Romans Chapter 10 deals with True Israel’s Present.
Romans Chapter 11 deals with True Israel’s Future.
Romans 12:1 and 2 state, “Therefore I exhort you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living, holy, acceptable sacrifice to God as your rational, religious service; and be not conformed to this world; but transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may know experimentally what the will of God is, which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 13:11 through 14 states, “Furthermore, as we know the season, that it is now high time for us to rouse from sleep, for our deliverance is nearer now than when we first believed: The night is far spent; the day is drawing on; let us therefore put off the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light; and let us walk as in daylight, in a becoming manner – not in revels and drunken debauches; not in dalliance and wantonness; not in strife and envy; but put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh to fulfill its desires.”
Romans 14:7b through 9 states, “For none of us liveth to himself, nor doth any die to himself. For whether we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord; so that whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and the living.”
As one can see, Paul’s Epistle to the Romans sets forth the foundation truth for all Christian doctrine, that of justification by faith, as no other Book and/or Epistle in Scripture does. It contains a detailed and systematic exhibition of the doctrines of Christianity. No wonder Martin Luther called Romans the chief Book of the New Testament!
Now, we will discuss the three Epistles which Paul wrote from Rome while being imprisoned for the very first time, which were written from 61 to 62 A.D. – Paul’s Epistles to the Colossians, the Ephesians, and the Philippians.
The Epistle to the Colossians is divided into two main sections:
The Doctrine of the Pre-Eminence of Jesus Christ as found in Chapters 1 and 2 with the following five subsections:
Paul’s Salutation
Paul’s Thanksgiving and Prayer for the Believers
The Glories of Jesus Christ Who Is the Head of the Church
The Ministry Committed to Paul
Jesus Christ’s Sufficiency Against the Perils of Philosophy, Legalism, Mysticism, and Asceticism
The Believer’s Duty to the Pre-Eminent Jesus Christ as found in Chapters 3 and 4 with the following five subsections:
The Believer’s New Life Putting Off the Old Man and Putting on the New
Appropriate Behavior for Members of the Christian Household
The Believer’s Prayer Life and Witness by Life and Speech
Glimpses of Some of Paul’s Associates
Paul’s Greetings and Instructions
Here are some of the very most important verses to remember from Paul’s Epistle to the Colossians:
Colossians 1:16 through 23 states, “Because all the things which are in the Heavens and which are on the Earth were created by Him – the visible and the invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers, they were all created by Him, and for Him; therefore He is before all, and they are all kept in consistence by Him, and He is the Head of the Body, namely of the Congregation. He who is the beginning is a first born from the dead that in all things He might be pre-eminent. Because all the plentitude was pleased to dwell in Him, and by Him to reconcile all to Himself, He having by the blood of His Cross – by Himself, brought them to be at peace, (Whether they be the things on Earth or the things in Heaven,) hath now therefore brought you, who were for a time alienated, and enemies in your minds by wicked works, to a state of reconcilement by the Body of His Flesh – by His Death, to present you Holy and without blemish, and exempt from accusation in His sight, provided you continue in this belief, grounded and settled, and are not moved away from the hope of the glad tidings which you have heard, which have been proclaimed to this whole creation under Heaven, of which I Paul was made a minister.”
Colossians 2:8 though 12 states, “Be on your guard, that none may make a prey of you by their philosophy and vain deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the elements of the world, and not according to Christ. Because all the plenitude of the Deity resideth substantially in Him, therefore you are complete in Him who is the Head of all principality and power; in whom also you have been circumcised with a circumcision made without hands – with the putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh – with the circumcision of the Christ; having been buried with Him in that baptism in which also you were raised with Him by your belief in the mighty power of God, who raised Him from the dead.”
Colossians 2:13 through 16 states, “When you were dead in the trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh He raised you to life with Him, having freely forgiven you all those trespasses – having blotted out the hand-writing which was against us by the Ordinances; that which was adverse to us He removed out of the way – having NAILED THIS TO THE CROSS – having divested Himself of the principalities and powers, He exposed them to public view when He triumphed over them on it”
The LAW was NOT nailed to the Cross – The Ordinances were! Hence, the LAW still applies today. Unfortunately, today, most churches and pastors preach that the Law, which includes the Commandments, Statutes, and Judgments, was also nailed to the Cross. So, when YAHSHUAH Jesus the Christ returns to this Earth, just what LAW is He going to use to judge us with? According to Psalms 19 and 119, His Law is PERFECT!
Colossians 3:1 through 9 states, “Since you then have been raised up with the Christ, seek the things which are above, where the Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your affections on the things above and not on the things of this Earth. For you have died, and your life is hid with the Christ in God. When the Christ, our life, shall appear, then shall you also appear with Him in glory. Mortify, therefore, with regard to your members which are on Earth, fornication, uncleanness, inordinate passions, wicked desire, and that licentiousness, which is idolatry, on the account of which things the wrath of God is coming on the children of disobedience, and in which even you yourselves walked formerly when you lived among them. But now lay ye aside also all these things, anger, wrath, malice, detraction, obscene discourse out of your mouth. Lie not one to another.”
See also Galatians 6:19 through 21 for the sins of the flesh.
Colossians 3:10 through 12 states, “Having put off the old man, with his deeds, and put on the new man, which is renewed for knowledge after the image of Him who created it, where there is not Greek and Judaean, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman, but the all, and in all, Christ; put on therefore as Chosen of God, Holy and Beloved, bowels of tender mercies, gentleness, humility, meekness, long suffering, bearing with one another, and forgiving one another.”
See also Galatians 6:22 and 23 for the fruits of the Spirit.
Colossians 4:5 and 6 states, “Walk in wisdom towards them who are without, redeeming the time. Let your conversation be always with courteousness, seasoned with salt, with a knowledge of how you ought to answer everyone.”
Please remember that Antinomianism is characteristic of all those who say that because we are under Grace, we can live as we please. No, we can’t!
Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians is divided into two main sections:
The Believer’s Position in Jesus Christ as found in Chapters 1 through 3 with the following eight subsections:
Paul’s Salutation
Paul’s Praise to God for the Blessings of Grace
Paul’s Thanksgiving and Prayers for the Saints
God’s Power Manifest in the Salvation of Gentiles and Judaeans
The Union of Believing Judaeans and Gentiles in Jesus Christ
A Parenthesis on the Mystery
Paul’s Prayer for the Saints
Paul’s Doxology
The Believer’s Practice in the Lord as found in Chapters 4 through 6 with the following six subsections:
Appeal for Unity in the Christian Fellowship
Program for Proper Functioning of the Members of the Body
Paul’s Appeal for a New Morality
Paul’s Appeal for Personal Piety in the Christian Household
Paul’s Exhortations Concerning the Christian Warfare
Paul’s Personal Greeting
Here are some of the very most important verses to remember from Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians:
Ephesians 1:10 through 14 states, “For the dispensation of the fulness of times, to bring all things again under one head in Christ, both those in Heaven and those on Earth – even in Him, by whom we, (having been previously marked out in a determinate manner, according to the purpose of Him who effecteth all things according to the counsel of His Will) were made His inheritance, to the end that we who first trusted in the Christ might be for the praise of His Glory; and by whom you also, when you heard the Word of this Truth, the Glad Tidings of this salvation of yours – by whom you indeed, when you believed, were sealed with the Spirit of the Promise (that Holy [Spirit] which is an earnest of the inheritance of us – for the complete redemption of the purchase) for the praise of His Glory.”
Ephesians 1:20 and 21 state, “Having raised HIM from the dead, He set Him at His Right Hand, in the Heavenly Kingdom, far above all principality and power, and might, and dominion, and every name which is named, not only in this age but in that to come; and put all things under His Feet, and constituted Him Head over all of the Congregation, which is His Body – the Fulness of Him who filleth all in all.”
Ephesians 2:8 through 10 states, “For by Grace you are saved by means of this belief. And even this is not of yourselves; it is the Gift of God. It is not because of works; so that no one can boast. For we are His Workmanship, fitted by Christ Jesus for good works, for which God had before prepared us that we might walk therein.”
Ephesians 2:11 through 17 states, “Wherefore remember that you were formerly the nations in flesh, those denominated uncircumcision by the nominal circumcision made with hands, in flesh – that you were at that time without Christ; aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the Covenants of the Promise, having no hope, and being without God in the world: but now by Christ Jesus, you, who were formerly far off, are brought near by the blood of the Christ; for He is our peace. He it is, who hath made both one, and who hath demolished the partition wall, having by His Flesh put a stop to the enmity – The Law of the Commandments [contained] in positive injunctions; that He might frame the two anew, in Himself, into one new man, making peace; and reconcile them both in one body, to God by means of the Cross, having by that slain the enmity. And being come He hath proclaimed the Glad tidings of Peace to you who were far off, and to them who were near.”
Ephesians 3:20 states, “Now to Him who is able to do infinitely above all that we can ask or conceive, according to that power which is operative in us – to Him be the glory in the Congregation, by Christ Jesus, through all the generations of the age of the ages. Amen.”
Ephesians 4:6 through 16 states, “There is one Lord, one belief, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in you all; and to every one of us there hath been granted in due measure the favor of the free gift of the Christ. Therefore, it is said, ‘Having ascended on high, He hath led captivity captive,’ and ‘He hath given gifts to men.’ Now this expression, ‘He ascended,’ what doth it infer, but that He had first descended into the lower parts of the Earth? He who descended is the same who ascended far above all the Heavens, that He might fill all; and He hath given some to be apostles, and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some pastors and teachers, for the fitting up of the saints; for the work of distribution; for the building up of the Body of the Christ, until we all come up to the unity of the Belief and of the Knowledge of the Son of God; to perfect manhood – to a measure of the stature of the fulness of the Christ; that we may no longer be infants, tossed like waves, and whirled about by every wind of doctrine, by the cheating sleight of men, by a skill in the art of deceiving: but that maintaining truth with love, we may grow up in all respects for Him, who is the head, the Christ; from whom the whole body being fitly framed together and cemented, provision is made by means of the supply of every joint, according to the proportionate operative power of every part, for an increase of the body – for building itself up in love.”
The Congregation of the Body of Jesus Christ is fully equipped with Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers for the building up of the Body of Christ UNTIL WE ALL COME UP TO THE UNITY OF THE BELIEF AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE SON OF GOD!
Ephesians 4:20 through 27 states, “But you have not thus learned the Christ; inasmuch as you have heard Him and been taught by Him, as the Truth is in Jesus, with respect to your former course of life, to put off the old man, which is corrupted by deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the Spirit of your mind; and to put on the new man, which in a conformity to God is created in righteousness and the Holiness of Truth. Where, putting away all falsehood, speak truth, everyone to his neighbor. Because we are members one of another, are you excited to anger? Do not therefore sin. Let not the sun go down on your wrath, nor give the devil an opportunity.”
Ephesians 5:1 through 6 states, “And as God hath in Christ forgiven you, be ye therefore imitators of God as beloved children. And walk in love, even as the Christ loved us, and delivered Himself up for us, as an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor. And let not fornication, nor uncleanness of any sort, nor inordinate desire, be so much as named among you, as becometh Saints; nor obscenity, nor foolish talking, nor jesting about things which are unbecoming; but rather thanksgiving. For this you know that no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor lewd libertine, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the Kingdom of the Christ and God.”
Ephesians 5:11 through 20 states, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them: for as to the things done by them in secret, it is shameful even to mention them. But all these reprehensible things are exposed to view by the light. For it is light which exposeth every thing to view; therefore it is said, ‘Awake thou who sleepest and arise from the dead and the Christ will shine upon thee. Take heed therefore how circumspectly you walk, not as unwise, but as wise, redeeming the time. Because these are evil days, therefore be not without understanding, but intelligent with regard to what is the will of the Lord. And be not intoxicated with wine in which there is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit when you are speaking to one another, when with Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs you are singing and making melody with your hearts to the Lord: and give thanks on all occasions for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to the God and Father.”
Ephesians 5:21 through 27 states, “Be subject to one another in the fear of God. Wives, be subject to your husbands as to the Lord; because the husband is the head of the wife, even as the Christ is the Head of the Congregation. He indeed is the Savior of the Body; but as the Congregation is subject to the Christ, so let wives be to their husbands in every thing. Husbands love your wives, even as the Christ loved the Congregation, and gave Himself up for it, that having purified it with the bath of the water, He might hallow it; indeed that He might present it to Himself as the glorious Congregation, having neither spot, nor wrinkly, nor any defect whatever; but that it may be Holy and without blemish.”
Ephesians 6:1 through 4 states, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right. Honor thy father and mother (this is the first commandment with a promise) that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayst live long on the earth. And you, parents, exasperate not your children, but educate them with the discipline and admonition of the Lord.”
Ephesians 6:10 through 20 states, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His Might. Put on the complete armor of God, that you may be able to withstand the wiles of the devil. Because our conflict is not barely with flesh and blood, but against the principalities and the powers – against the rulers of this dark age, against the spiritual [assaults] of the wickedness in the Heavenly Dispensation; take up therefore the complete Armor of God, that you may be able to make resistance in the evil day, and having put a stop to them all, to maintain your ground. Stand, therefore, having your Loins girded with Truth, and having on the Breast Plate of Righteousness, and your Feet shod with the Preparation of the Glad Tidings of Peace, covering all with the Shield of Faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the fiery darts of the evil one. Take also the Helmet of Salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit, that is the Word of God; in every prayer and supplication, always praying with the Spirit (being for this purpose in a continual state of watchfulness and prayer) for all the Saints.”
Paul makes it clear that we need to put on the Armor of God everyday for the times in which we live are evil, and this armor will protect us from the Evil One, who is the Serpent of Old, the Devil and Satan. You will note that our back is not protected by armor, but by YAHSHUAH Jesus the Christ Himself, as we go into battle. It will go hot very soon, so please make sure that you put on your Armor every day and night, as the End draweth nigh…
Paul’s Epistle to the Philippians is divided into ten main sections:
Paul’s Greeting, Praise, and Prayer
Paul’s Imprisonment, Prospects, and Plea for Perseverance
Paul’s Exhortation to Unity Based on Jesus Christ’s Example of Humility and Sacrifice
The Christlike Example of Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus
The Warning Against False Teachers
Paul’s Heritage and Personal Achievements Renounced for Jesus Christ
Paul’s Exhortation to a Heavenly Walk as Exemplified by the Apostle
Paul’s Appeal for Harmony, Mutual Assistance, Joy, Forbearance, Prayerfulness, and a Disciplined Thought Life
Paul’s Thanks for Financial Gifts from the Saints
Paul’s Closing Greetings
Here are some of the very most important verses to remember from Paul’s Epistle to the Philippians:
Philippians 1:6 states, “That He who hath begun a good work in you will continue completing it until the Day of Jesus Christ;”
Philippians 1:20 through 24 states, “But that in the most open manner, as always so now, Christ shall be magnified in my body, either by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But whether the living in flesh is for me a fruit of labor, and what I should choose, I do not know. For I am strained between the two, having a desire to depart and to be with Christ which is by far the best; but to abide in the flesh is more needful on your account.”
Philippians 2:5 through 11 states, “For let this temper of mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God did not think it robbery to be like God, but He emptied Himself – having taken the form of a servant, being in the likeness of men, and found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even the death of a Cross; wherefore God highly exalted Him, and granted Him a name which is above every name, that in the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in Heaven, and of those on Earth, and of those beneath the Earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.”
Philippians 2:12 and 13 state, “Therefore, as you, my beloved, have always been obedient, not only when I was present, but now much more when I am absent, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is working in you both the will and the power to act.”
Philippians 3:3 through 9 states, “Beware of the dogs; beware of the evil workers; beware of the concision; for we are the circumcision, who serve God in Spirit, and glory in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in flesh. Though, with regard to my having a confidence in flesh, if any other thinketh that he hath a confidence in flesh, I have greater pretensions – circumcision performed on the eighth day; a descent from Israel; of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew of Hebrews; with respect to the Law, a Pharisee with respect to zeal, a persecutor of the Congregation; with respect to righteousness which is by Law, blameless; yet what were gain to me these I have counted refuse on account of the Christ – nay more, I do therefore indeed count all things but refuse, on account of the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have given up all and account them but dregs, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having for my own righteousness, that which is of the Law, but that which is by a belief in Christ – that which is of God – a righteousness for this belief.”
Philippians 3:13 and 14 states, “Brethren, I do not reckon myself to have laid hold on it, but one thing [I do], forgetting the things which are behind, and intent on the things before, I press forward to the mark, for the prize of the call of God from above by Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:20 and 21 states, “But we are citizens of Heaven, from which we earnestly expect a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform the body of this our humble state, that it may be made conformable to His Glorious Body, according to the energy of His Power to subject all to Himself.”
Philippians 4:4 through 9 states, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I say, rejoice. Let your meekness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand: Be anxious about nothing; but on all occasions, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasseth all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds safe in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are venerable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are friendly, whatsoever things are reputable, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think of these things, and practice what you have learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me; and the God peace be with you.”
Philippians 4:14 and 19 states, “I can undergo all things through Christ who strengthened me…And my God will supply all your wants, according to His Riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Please remember Psalm 119:11 which states, “I have hid Thine Oracles in my heart, that I may not sin against Thee.” It is only then that we can be strong in the LORD!
During this upcoming Christmas Season, please remember that Jesus Christ is the reason for the season and that nothing else matters – ONLY HIM!
Get right with Him today, if you have not!
Remember II Chronicles 7:14 which states, “When My People who are called by My Name humble themselves, and pray to Me and seek My favor, and turn from their evil ways, I will hear from Heaven and forgive their sins and heal their land.”
Trust in Him today!
Justin