PHILIPPIANS 3:1-11

​¹ Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.
² Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. ³ For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— ⁴ though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: ⁵ circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; ⁶ as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. ⁷ But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— ¹⁰ that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ¹¹ that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

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TEN POINTS TO PONDER

Lasting joy comes from the Lord. Joy that flows from anything else will not last.

Legalism is the prideful fruit of constant comparison. Legalism is the creation of standards I can use to congratulate myself while condemning others.

The more rules you live by, and the more rules you hold others to, the more likely it is that you are depending on your own strength rather than Jesus’

The two words most used in this passage are “Christ” and “flesh”. Only one of these can make us righteous, and yet they are constantly at war within us, trying to gain and keep our confidence.

This passage asks a simple question: “What do you think makes you a good person?” If you answer with anything you’ve done, you’ve missed the point. The only correct answer is, “Jesus makes me a good person.”

In verse 8, Paul counts all of his good works and accomplishments as rubbish. The word he actually wrote was “σκύβαλον,” which is a much more vile word than rubbish or garbage. A modern equivalent would be “crap” or even a similar, less appropriate word.

In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve tried to hide from God. In Revelation 20, everyone who has ever lived is found by God. At the end, when you’re found, you will either be found “in Him”, in which case you will be considered righteous. Or you will be found “without Him,” in which case you will be considered wicked. How will you be found?

“You can’t take it with you” is a phrase about more than just possessions. You can take your accomplishments or good works with you. Not a single thing you have done is enough to make the smallest difference at the entry gates of heaven.

All the good works in the world are wicked sins if they keep me from Christ.

Paul begins by talking about joy and ends up talking about knowing Jesus. These two belong together. Everything in the middle of this passage is the stuff that often gets in the way, and most of it is his own accomplishments and status.

QUOTES FROM A SERMON I NEVER PREACHED

In my sermon notes/preparation archive, I searched for “legalism”. I found the notes for a sermon that was ready to preach, but that I had pulled the week before. I never got around to delivering that sermon. Here are a few poignant, but maybe helpful, quotes I found:

• The kingdom of heaven is received, not achieved.
• Legalism is an effort to control people whom God has not given me authority over or responsibility for.
• The Pharisees were obsessed with minutiae and man-made rules. They viewed it as faithfulness to God, and they judged, condemned, and avoided anyone who didn’t agree with them or act like them.
• The followers of Jesus should never make it difficult for people to come to Jesus
• When we gatekeep the kingdom, we miss the entire point of the kingdom. The point is not to guard, protect, or preserve something. The point is to know a person.

Click on the image to download the DiscipleQuest PDF

The DiscipleQuest PDF includes 7 days of verse study prompts. You can use these seven studies to dig deeper into what the Bible teaches about legalism:

• Galatians 2:16
• Ephesians 2:8-9
• Matthew 23:25-28
• Colossians 2:20-23
• Luke 18:9-14
• Romans 3:20
• Titus 3:5

Use these questions as journal prompts or as conversation starters with a group of friends or a Bible study group:

Where do some people commonly look for confidence, identity, or significance? Which of these temptations do you see most often in your own life?

Think about a time when something you thought would satisfy you didn’t deliver what you expected. What did that experience teach you about where lasting fulfillment is found?

In verses 1–3, Paul contrasts two groups of people. What characteristics distinguish those who truly belong to God from those who are merely relying on external religious activity?

In verses 4–6, Paul lists several reasons he could have been proud of his spiritual résumé. Why do you think Paul spends time describing these accomplishments? (Think about this: if you don’t measure up to Paul, how can you possibly measure up to Jesus?)

According to verses 7–11, how did Paul view his own accomplishments, and what does he now consider to be of greatest value?

Which of Paul’s former sources of confidence are most similar to the things people rely on today? How can good things become substitutes for trusting Christ?

What do you think it means to truly know Christ rather than simply know facts about Him? What words did Paul use that help us understand what goes along with knowing Jesus?

Is there an achievement, role, habit, possession, relationship, or personal strength that has become too important in your life? What would it look like to hold that thing with open hands and place Christ above it?

Where and to whom have you been trying to prove yourself? Do you need to? What would it look like to treasure Jesus more than your accomplishments?

PHILIPPIANS: Line by Line

3:1-11 Don’t Let Legalism Steal Your Joy

1a. Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord.

Whenever Paul says, “finally” you know he’s about to reveal something important. Here, he reveals the big idea for the entire letter. “Rejoice in the Lord”. He doesn’t say to rejoice in your circumstances or your victories, or your relationships. If you find your joy in those places, it will eventually disappear. But if you find your joy in the Lord, it will always be available.

1b. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is afe for you.

Before the Philippians can complain that Paul is saying the same thing (“rejoice”) over and over, he reminds them that repetition is a good thing, not a dangerous thing. Sometimes, we can be so eager to “dig deeper” or uncover new truths, that we risk not living out the simpler, more obvious thing. It is of no benefit to a Christian to learn more and fill their head with knowledge if their life clearly lacks joy.

2. Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.

Paul is using circumcision as a representative of all manner of legalism. These phrases bring to mind the words of Jesus in Matthew 23, where he confronted the Pharisees’ legalism, calling them hypocrites, snakes, and a brood of vipers.

3a. For we are the circumcision…

Those who claim the law for salvation may be ethnically Jewish, but they are not spiritually Jewish. They have rejected their Messiah (who was the fulfillment of the law personified). Now, a new people have been grafted in to the family of God.

3b. …who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh –

Three markers of a true child of God are that they are not relying on their own works, their salvation was made possible by Jesus, so they do not glory in themselves, and they are indwelled by the Holy Spirit which makes it possible for them to offer up worship that is pleasing to God. Obedience to the law is nowhere to be found and has nothing to do with salvation.

4a. though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more.

No one had a better understanding of the desire to be saved by the law than Paul. He’s about to list all of his qualifications. If salvation were something that could be earned, Paul would have earned it. Not only did he have a deep knowledge and understanding of the law, but he was also passionately committed to obeying every detail of it.

5a. Circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews;…

If completing a checklist was the route to righteousness, Paul would have been ahead of everyone. Not only did he check every box, but his parents checked off every box for him. 

5-6. as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a prosecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

He was the right kind of person, giving the right kind of effort, to gain the right results. If the law was the standard, then Paul was perfect.

7. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

Anything that distracts us from Jesus (no matter how good it might be) is a loss. It counts in the debit column. All the good works in the world are wicked sins if they keep us from Christ.

8a. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

Paul is repeating himself again. That means this point is important. The accomplishments, the possessions, the promotions, and anything else that feels like a “win” is actually a devastating loss if I think it makes me righteous or if it causes me to take my eyes off of Jesus.

8b. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish…

Paul had likely been born into a wealthy family. He lost that. He had been the top student at the top school. He let go of that. He was famous and could have leveraged that fame for influence. He didn’t. He lost and let go of everything the world calls valuable. He esteemed the world’s riches to be nothing more than steaming garbage.

8c. In order that I may gain Christ…

We are not ready to be connected to Jesus until we are ready to be disconnected from everything else. Salvation from Christ cannot be gained while we try to save ourselves.

9a. …and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law,

At the final judgment, we will be found. We will either be found having tried to be righteous on our own (and having failed miserably), or we will be found with nothing on our own to claim, but being wrapped up completely in the work of Jesus.

9b. but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith – 

Paul unpacks this concept in much greater detail in Ephesians 1-2. Only Jesus is righteous. No other human has ever lived who was righteous. Therefore, righteousness can only be received from Jesus. I cannot earn it or purchase it or even steal it for myself.

10a. That I may know him…

Verses 4-9 were a parenthetical statement. Paul is now picking back up from verse 3. He is fully aware that the knowledge of Christ is only possible through the work of Christ, not through anything Paul does or has done.

10b….and the power of his resurrection…

New life is possible through Jesus’ resurrection. More effort, better effort, new effort are not enough. But when I stop trying on my own, and link my life to what Jesus has already done, I can find the power for a new life.

10c. …and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

When I experience suffering, it reminds me that I do not have control. It reminds me that this life is temporary. It reminds me that this life is broken and a better life awaits me. It reminds me that I have contributed to the brokenness of this life. And it inspires me to patiently wait on Christ for resurrection. As I walk through suffering, He walks through it with me, and He promises to bring me out on the other side having been changed and shaped into the person He created me to be.

11. That by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Paul is confident that no matter what life may throw at him (by any means), he will receive his final reward. Not because of what he has done, but because of what Jesus has done for him.

PHILIPPIANS 2:1-11

1So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,^a 6who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,^b 7but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,^c being born in the likeness of men. 8And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

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10 POINTS TO PONDER

IF your relationship with Jesus has created any change in your own life, THEN your relationship with Jesus should change your relationships with others. Our relationships should generally be improving as we grow in our connection with Christ.

Paul gives two lists in verses 1 and 2. It’s helpful to dig into these lists and ask them how I’ve received the items in verse 1 and how I will accomplish the items in verse 2.

All of God’s commands to us flow out of His character. If we obey them, we’ll be more like Him. The Bible commands us to be “one-minded” because the Trinity is one-minded. The 3-in-1 is perfectly unified and perfectly submitted to one another.

Selfish ambition drives me to do whatever I think is best for myself. Selfish conceit drives me to do whatever I think will make me look best to others. In contrast, humility causes me to want others to look best, and counting them as more significant causes me to want to do what is best for others.

I cannot be of one mind with others if I demand that they have the same mindset as me. We can only be of one mind with each other if we all assume the mindset of Christ.

Jesus’ actions in John 13 are a mirror image of Philippians 2:6-8. Jesus knew He was God. He laid aside his outer garments and replaced them with a towel. He poured out water. He took the posture of a servant and humbled himself by washing the disciples’ feet.

The words of Lucifer in Isaiah 14 are the exact opposite of Jesus’ actions in Philippians 2:6-11. Lucifer fell from heaven, and Jesus chose to leave heaven. Lucifer said, “I will ascend”. Jesus said, “I will descend”. Lucifer said, “I will raise my throne.” Jesus said, “I will humble myself.” As a result, Lucifer was brought down to the pit, but Jesus was elevated to the throne.

Jesus was God. The word “form of” is used three times in this passage, and each time it does not mean “looked like” but means “actually was.” Jesus actually was God. Jesus actually became a servant. Jesus actually became a man.

At the end of all things, all people will acknowledge that Jesus is God. For some, it will be a painful and dreadful moment as they realize their doom. For some, it will be a joyful and relief-filled moment as they realize the fullness of salvation. Which will it be for you?

The oneness of mind in verse 11 is the secret to one-mindedness in verse 2. When our mindset is that Jesus is Lord, we have no room to fight with one another. We are not trying to force our way, we are all working together for Jesus’ way.

13 PRACTICAL STEPS TO PUT OTHERS FIRST

1. Listen more than you talk.

2. Listen to understand rather than listening to respond.

3. Check your motives.

4. Pay attention to what is going on around you.

5. Assume others are acting in good faith or with good motives.

6. Smile more often.

7. Catch people doing good things, and call them out for it.

8. Regularly tell people why you admire them.

9. Forgive.

10. Pray for your enemies and do good for those who mistreat you.

11. Send a handwritten note simply to encourage someone.

12. Focus your energy on meeting someone else’s needs instead of your own.

13. Give something away every day.

Click on the image to download the DiscipleQuest PDF

The DiscipleQuest PDF includes 7 days of verse study prompts. You can use these seven studies to dig deeper into what the Bible teaches about humility:

• Micah 6:8
• James 4:10
• Psalm 25:9
• 1 Peter 5:5-6
• Proverbs 11:2
• Romans 12:3
• James 4:6

Use these questions as journal prompts or as conversation starters with a group of friends or a Bible study group:

When have you found yourself in a difficult situation because you weren’t paying attention?  How did you fix it?  What did you learn?

As a group, read Ephesians 5:15-21.

What do you think it means to “be careful how you live?” (Some translations say, “pay attention to your life”)

How can someone make the most of every opportunity in life?  How does a Christian do this differently from someone else?

Verse 18 compares two different ways of living.  Being controlled by “wine” leads to evil deeds.  What does the life of someone who is controlled by the Spirit look like?

Read verses 19-20. Use your own words to describe what these verses say about the spirit-controlled life.

What is your first reaction when you hear the word “submit”?

What are some negative responses people have to the idea of submission?

Someone who is controlled by the Holy Spirit will submit to others. Discuss the following questions about submission.

• What do you think it means to submit?
• To whom should you submit?
• To whom should you not submit? Why not?
• Are there times when submission is wrong?
• What is the hardest thing about submitting to someone else?

Read Philippians 2:5-11.  In what ways did Jesus submit?

How does our submission make us look like Jesus?  How does our submission demonstrate our relationship with Jesus?

What is one area of your life that would benefit from a more submissive attitude?  How will you work on this?

PHILIPPIANS: Line by Line

1-11: Choose the Same Mindset as Jesus

1a. So if there is any…

The next few phrases are a list Paul is using as a motivational tool. He is going to give some very clear action steps, but before he does that, he wants to remind the Philippians of all the benefits they have received because of their faith.

1b. …encouragement in Christ,

Even in dark times (see chapter 1), we can be encouraged because we know that we belong to the One who will ultimately win.

1c. any comfort from love,

Knowing we are loved by God is the source of all comfort. We know that He is able to do all things, and He always knows what is best. And because He loves us, we know He wants what is best for us. So even when things don’t seem best, we can be comforted that He is in control and He knows what He is doing.

1d. any participation in the Spirit,

When Jesus left, He promised that all of His followers would receive the Holy Spirit as a guide in life. When we are willing to open ourselves to the work of the Holy Spirit and participate in what He is calling us to do, we discover the life we were created to live.

1e. any affection and sympathy,

As members of the family of God, we receive these gifts from our brothers and sisters. We are bound together in ways no one else can experience because we are One in Christ.

2. complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

In John 17, Jesus prayed that His followers would be united. Here, Paul is making the same plea. He wants all of us to work together for the same goal. He isn’t saying we should all be exactly alike, that would be contrary to what he writes elsewhere. He is saying we all should have the same priorities, the same goals, and the same pursuit. When we get to verse five, he’ll make it clear that the only way we can all have the same mindset is if we all submit our own mindset and take on the same mindset which is the mindse of Jesus.

3. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, 

The most natural behavior in life is to pursue what we want or what we think will make us feel good. Humans are born selfish, and they live selfishly unless someone or something intervenes. If we are all to have the same mindset, then none of us can have a mindset fixed on ourselves.

3b. but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

The key to humility is to think about yourself less often, and the key to avoiding selfishness is to think of others more than you think of yourself. To count someone else as more significant than myself means I am willing to sacrifice my own needs and desires so that their needs and desires can be met. Of course, this is what Jesus did for us, and so this is what we should do for others.

4. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

The interests of others doesn’t necessarily mean whatever they want. It means we pay attention to what is in their best interest. In every relationship, we should be thinking, “What can I say or do to add value to the life of this person?” Or even better, “What can I do or say to help this person grow to be more like Jesus?” 

5. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

Notice first that this is plural. It is a command from Paul to the entire community. It is something we should be working on together. We are not in this alone. Notice also that Paul’s command is to choose your mindset. You cannot control every thought that enters your mind, but you can control which ones you hang on to. Paul is challenging the Philippians (and us) to only hold on to the thoughts that Jesus would hold on to. He is commanding us to narrow our focus and fill our minds with whatever Jesus would focus on.

6a. who, though he was in the form of God,

Being in the form of God does not mean that Jesus just looked like God. This is a chronological term that anticipates the incarnation. In the next verse, the Son of God will take on the form of man. But before He took the form of man, He was in the form of God. Paul is clearly saying, “Jesus was God.”

6b. did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,

The highest position one could ever attain (it actually cannot be attained) is to be God. And yet, even that was something Jesus was willing to let go. Consider the picture of grasping. We grasp for much in life; pleasure, possessions, position, popularity, and more. Almost all that we grasp for is the result of selfish ambition or seeking after our own interests. The example of Jesus is to let go. If we want to have the mindset of Jesus, we must learn to let go of the things to which we cling most tightly.

7a. but emptied himself, 

Much ink has been spilled in theological books, and many words have been spoken in theological debates about what this phrase means. Here’s what we know:

• Jesus gave something up when He became a man.
• Jesus remained God when He became a man.
• Both are true and we should never try to elevate one over the other.

Even though He was God, Jesus was still subject to the trials and suffering of this world. Even though He was man, Jesus was still the master over nature and humanity. However we understand this phrase, the point is that Jesus let go of something amazing in order to become something much less amazing.

7b. by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

Jesus himself said, “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve.” Mankind exists to serve God. Yet, Jesus chose to switch roles, from the One who is to be served, to the one who is to serve. He deserves to have us serve Him. He chose to serve us. The example for us is plain. Sometimes we must let go of what we think we deserve so that we can serve others.

8. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Jesus’ humiliation gets progressively worse in this verse. It’s not bad enough that God became man, he also was willing to obey other men (the ones who created Him). That’s not enough, the giver and maker of life chose to give up His life, at the very hands of those to whom He had given life. And to cap it off, He receives death via a tortuous, humilitating process that was reserved for the worst of the worst.
There is no limit to what Jesus was willing to endure in order to serve us. Consider what that means for the mindset we should have with one another.

9. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,

Verses 10-11 deal with more of the specifics of the name that is bestowed on Jesus. In this verse, Paul is simply pointing out that Jesus returned to the place He started. Notice the movement of the entire passage. Jesus was in the form of God. Jesus took on the form of man. Jesus submitted Himself to death. Jesus was exalted (He returned to where He started). After His work was done, He returned to His rightful place, ruling creation alongside and united with the Father and the Spirit.

10. so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

A name that is given (see verse 9) is one that reveals character, accomplishment, and sometimes position. In the next verse, we’ll see three names, but in this verse we see how people will respond to these names. They will bow. Everyone will bow. The name given to Jesus reveals that He is superior over all. He has gone from humiliated suffering servant to ruler over all.

11. and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Three names of are given here, and all will recognize that these three names are descriptions of Jesus’ accomplishments, character, and position. The name “Jesus” is the human name which He assumed. The name “Christ” is His role as divine Messiah. He was the fulfillment of all the Old Testament prophecies, beginning in Genesis 3:15 all the way to His birth. Finally, He is Lord. This is the word for King. He is king and ruler over all the universe.

PHILIPPIANS 1:27-30

²⁷ Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, ²⁸ and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. ²⁹ For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, ³⁰ engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

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10 POINTS TO PONDER

Paul’s singular command in this passage is simple. Your life should reflect what Jesus has done for you.

The “manner of your life” or how you “conduct yourself” essentially consists of what you do, what you say, how you respond, and how you relate. These four actions comprise the vast majority of your life.

According to Paul (in Romans 1:16), the Gospel is the power of God for salvation. It is the finished work of Jesus that makes it possible for us to be reconciled to God. Without Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, salvation would be impossible.

Jesus suffered for you. Living worthy of His Gospel means choosing to suffer for Him.

“So that” is an outcome statement. The way we live has outcomes. Our actions, words, and responses impact people around us, often in ways we never notice. We should daily consider what the outcome of our life has been on the people around us.

When you live “worthy of the Gospel,” you will bring pride to your spiritual mentors, silence the opponents of the Gospel, and demonstrate the power of Jesus to save us and change us.

Those who live “worthy of the Gospel” will stand together for the Gospel, will strive together to share the Gospel, and will not allow fear to deter them.

If you truly believe the Gospel, your lifestyle is guaranteed to invite suffering, sacrifice, and opposition. Your perseverance through these challenges is evidence of true belief.

Suffering is a gift God gives us. If we receive it well, it will draw us closer to Jesus, make us look more like Jesus, and point others to Jesus.

Someone who lives a life worthy of the Gospel is convinced of their salvation through Jesus, connected to the people of Jesus, committed to follow Jesus through suffering, and courageous in the face of opposition.

GOD IS NOT THE AUTHOR OF EVIL. HE IS THE EDITOR.

Several years ago I made the statement that “Everything we have is a gift from God.” I went on to suggest that even our life life’s circumstances (good and bad) are a gift from God. Later, I received a super kind email asking if I would explain that concept a little more. I think this is a pretty common issue that people wrestle with, so here are some excerpts from my answer to him.

Please understand that I am NOT writing this as an ivory tower theologian or as a behind-the-pulpit preacher. I am a fellow pilgrim who has seen the swamp of despair and has endured the abuse of Vanity city. I have days when I am certain God has given me a burden better suited for someone else, and yet those same days are often marked by unmistakable interventions of his gracious provision. My life’s journey is not resolved. In fact, it is decidedly unresolved and often I would be happy to give back the “gifts” God has deemed me worthy to receive….

Do I really believe that EVERYTHING is a gift from God? Am I saying that God is the author of evil?

I am absolutely not excusing the terrible actions of sinful people. Much of the suffering in our world is a direct result of terrible decisions being made by sinful people. However, while I believe God hates the pain which is present in our world, I don’t think that sin or the suffering it causes is surprising to God nor does it worry Him. I might not use the words “God caused it”, but I am comfortable saying God is “in control” of it.

I look at James 1 as one of the passages which really inform my perspective on this issue. I believe that the “good and perfect” gifts of James 1:17 are likely the trials of verse 2 (which lead to perseverance and completeness).

Like much of life, trials are best understood in the rear view mirror. Today’s life circumstances may not feel like a gift, but for those who faithfully endure, a fuller understanding of God’s goodness is waiting.

Joseph is a great example of this truth. I’m sure there were many points when his life situation didn’t feel like a gift. However, when he saved his family’s lives, he gained a completely new perspective on his past suffering.

I know you may deal with suffering and pain that is likely far beyond what Joseph did. I hate that. I think God hates that. I know He hates the sin that has caused that. Yet, I have full confidence that He is capable of intervening (beyond what we could imagine), and that He will use life’s darkest moments to bring glory to Himself and in so doing allow us to experience resolution and wholeness (in this life or the next).

God is not the author of evil, but He is the editor!

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Click on the image to download the DiscipleQuest PDF

The DiscipleQuest PDF includes 7 days of verse study prompts. You can use these seven studies to dig deeper into what the Bible teaches about holding on to belief:

• Revelation 2:10
• Hebrews 10:23
• Colossians 1:23
• Romans 1:16
• 2 Thessalonians 2:15
• Galatians 6:9
• 2 Timothy 4:7

Use these questions as journal prompts or as conversation starters with a group of friends or a Bible study group:

What is your favorite song? Why do you like it?

What is a song that inspires you?

What is a song that comforts you?

Read Acts 16:16-40.

If you were Paul or Silas, how would you feel about being wrongfully thrown in prison. What would you say to the other prisoners or to the guards?

If you were convicted and imprisoned falsely, how would you feel about God? What would you say to Him?

What are some other ways (besides prison) that people seem to suffer undeservedly? When have you felt like you were suffering for something you didn’t do?

Why do you think Paul and Silas sang? What types of songs do you think they sang?

When the earthquake hit and the prison doors opened, why do you think Paul and Silas didn’t leave? Would it have been wrong for them to leave? Do you think they were simply looking out for the good of the jailer?

What was the ultimate result of their selflessness? Do you think we would see more people accept Christ if we acted more selflessly in the world? Why or why not? How might our response to suffering cause others to reconsider their opinion of Jesus?

How do you need to respond to this study? Is there someone you need to act more selflessly toward? Do you need to respond differently to suffering?

How can this group help you in this process?

PHILIPPIANS: Line by Line

1:26-30

27a. Only…

Paul is shifting gears from talking about himself (where he is, what he is doing, why he is doing it) to talking about the Philippians. He wants them to respond appropriately to what he has said. By leading with “only”, he is preparing them to hear something very important, something that should be a singular focus in their lives.

27b. Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ…

The gospel of Christ is that Jesus lived a sinless life, died an unjust death, and rose victoriously to claim victory over sin and death not only for himself but for all who believe in Him. Paul wanted the Philippians to live in a way that honored what Jesus had done for them. In other words, the way Jesus lived should impact the way we live. The fact that Jesus died for us should cause us to live for Him. The reality of Jesus’ resurrection should shape our daily words, attitudes, and decisions.

27c. … so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,

Paul wanted the Philippians faith to be legendary, so that he would hear about it even in Rome. He points out to them the formula for this kind of legendary faith. 1) they must “strive” for it. It takes consistent hard work. It doesn’t just happen. 2) they must strive together for it. We cannot follow Jesus on our own, we need to be in community with other believers who can encourage us and correct us as we go. 3) they must stand firm. There will be difficulties. There will be opportunities and temptations to quit. We must decide now that we will stand firm so that when the storms of life come, they do not shipwreck our faith.

28a. and not frightened in anything by your opponents.

Those who closely follow Jesus will always face opposition. The instructions from verse 27 are the antidote to fear. Keep working. Work together. Stand firm.

28b. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction,

Those who oppose the Gospel will, at the end of all things (the day of Christ), be opposed by God. When we stand firm and strive together in the face of opposition, we symbolize the future victory over evil that will one day be finalized by God. We are a warning of the judgment to come.

28c. but of your salvation, and that from God.

In verse 6, Paul said that God completes everything He starts. Our perseverance in the face of enemies is a part of that process. God, through the power of the Holy Spirit in us, is saving us daily from the power of sin. He is the one who gives us the strength to stand firm and keep striving. However, as Paul has already pointed out, one of the primary ways He provides this strength is through His church. When we don’t connect with other believers, we cut ourselves off from one of the most easily accessible sources of God’s strength.

29. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,

No one likes to hear this, but one of the ways God strengthens and saves us from the power of sin is through suffering. When we endure suffering, we are like Jesus, because no one endured more suffering than Him. But God uses that suffering to refine us and shape us so that our entire life will look more like Jesus.

30. engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

The Philippians watched Paul suffer. They saw him get thrown in jail unjustly. Now they are aware that he is once again suffering in prison. Paul is reminding them that God used that suffering for good and He will continue to use suffering for good. And if God used Paul’s suffering for good, He will use the Philippians suffering for good. Therefore, when they face opposition, they can confidently stand firm and strive together, because they know God is in control and has a good plan.

MARK 13:1-37

1And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” 2And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”

Signs of the End of the Age

3And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, 4“Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” 5And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. 6Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. 7And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. 8For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.

9“But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. 10And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. 11And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 12And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. 13And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

The Abomination of Desolation

14“But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15Let the one who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter his house, to take anything out, 16and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. 17And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! 18Pray that it may not happen in winter. 19For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be. 20And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days. 21And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. 22For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. 23But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.

The Coming of the Son of Man

24“But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

28“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 31Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

No One Knows That Day or Hour

32“But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33Be on guard, keep awake.^a For you do not know when the time will come. 34It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants^b in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. 35Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows,^c or in the morning— 36lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. 37And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”

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10 POINTS TO PONDER

When studying difficult portions of the Bible, don’t be too obsessed or concerned by the complex ideas you read. Allow the plain things to interpret the not so plain things. Look for the main ideas and let them be the foundation to understand the secondary ideas.

We can use observation and logic to learn because God has created an orderly universe. If creation were the result of chance and chaos, we could never trust our observations because we would have no guarantee that what we noticed would be the same next time.

Jesus wanted His disciples to understand that the end times would be recognizable even though they wouldn’t know the actual days or times.

Jesus was not sharing this information so they could grow in knowledge. He was clear about the action He expected:

• Don’t be led astray
• Don’t be alarmed
• Be on your guard
• Do not be anxious
• Endure to the end

Birthpains are “something difficult that precedes something wonderful.” The end of the world will be difficult, but it will precede the most wonderful thing to ever happen (eternity with God).

The birthpains of Christ’s second coming were inaugurated by His first coming. We are living in the times of the birthpains.

Often in biblical prophecy, the author can see events in the distant future and events in the near future. However, they cannot always clearly distinguish between the two, and they cannot always see everything that will transpire (or the amount of time it will take) between the two.

Everything Jesus predicted would happen to the disciples in their lifetime came to pass. Most of it is recorded in the book of Acts.

Because heaven and earth will pass away, and because Christ will return and make all things new; it is illogical for the Christ-follower to be defeated by the worries or the wealth of this world.

Because Jesus’ words will never pass away, they should be the source of our stability, confidence, joy, and peace in life. If we look anywhere else, what we find will not last.

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Parallel Passages to Jesus’ End-Times Teaching in Mark 13

The abomination that causes desolation.

• Daniel 9:24-27 — 24“Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place. 25Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time. 26And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed. 27And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.”
• Revelation 13:14-15 — and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. 15And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain.

Natural Disasters

• Isaiah 13:10 — Behold, the Day of the LORD is coming— cruel, with fury and burning anger— to make the earth a desolation and to destroy the sinners within it. 10For the stars of heaven and their constellations will not give their light. The rising sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light.
• Revelation 6:12-13 — When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, 13and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale.

The coming of the Son of Man

• Daniel 7:13-14 — In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. 14And He was given dominion, glory, and kingship, that the people of every nation and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
• Revelation 19:11-16 — Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

7 VERSES ABOUT MAKING GOD YOUR FIRST PRIORITY

Do you MAKE TIME for God, or do you only serve God when you HAVE TIME? This is the difference between a PRIORITY and an OPTION.

For too many Christians, God is a great option, but He is not a priority. Check out these seven verses (with commentary) to help you think through what it means to make God your first and central priority.

Mark 12:30 — “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”

If you love God, you’ll give Him every corner of your life.

Matthew 6:33 — “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Your first decision should always be building God’s Kingdom. Everything else will take care of itself.

Romans 12:2 — Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

If you always think the way you’ve always thought, you’ll always live the way you’ve always lived. Discipline your mind to think differently.

Luke 12:34 — “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Your desires will chase your treasures. If you want to prioritize the things of God, invest your treasures in the things of God.

2 Timothy 2:22 — So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

Put physical distance between yourself and anything that tempts you to drift from God.

Ecclesiastes 12:1 — Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, “I have no delight in them”;

Build lifelong habits that will help you keep your eyes, mind, and heart on God.

Psalm 37:4 — Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

The more you focus on God, the more He will change your desires so that your heart aligns with His. 

Click on the image to download the DiscipleQuest PDF

The DiscipleQuest PDF includes 7 days of verse study prompts. You can use these seven studies to dig deeper into what the Bible teaches about enduring to the end:

• James 1:12
• Romans 5:3-4
• Hebrews 12:1-2
• Revelation 2:10
• Isaiah 40:31
• 1 Peter 5:8-10
• 1 Corinthians 9:24

Use these questions as journal prompts or as conversation starters with a group of friends or a Bible study group:

What is something in your life right now that takes up a lot of your time, energy, or attention? Why does it matter so much to you?

Have you ever invested heavily in something that didn’t last (a job, possession, relationship, opportunity)? What did that experience teach you?

According to Mark 13:30–31, what does Jesus say will pass away—and what will not?

Read 1 John 2:17. What connection do you see between this verse and what Jesus says in Mark 13?

Why do you think it is so easy for people to live as if this world is permanent, even though Scripture clearly says it is not?

Read Matthew 6:19–21. What does this passage reveal about how your priorities and your heart are connected?

If Jesus’ words are the only thing that will never pass away, how seriously should you take them? How much impact should His words have on your life?

What are some of Jesus’ Words that are difficult to take literally or seriously? Why?

What is one area of your life where you may be over-investing in something temporary (time, money, energy, emotion)? What would it look like to realign that toward something eternal?

What is one specific action you can take this week to invest more intentionally in something that will last (your relationship with God, people, or eternal impact)?

MARK 12:28-34

²⁸And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” ²⁹ Jesus answered, “The most important is, ​‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. ³⁰ And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ ³¹ The second is this: ​‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” ³² And the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. ³³ And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” ³⁴ And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions.

EXODUS 20:1-17

¹And God spoke all these words, saying,
² “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
³ “You shall have no other gods before me.
⁴ “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. ⁵ You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, ⁶ but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.
⁷ “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.
⁸ “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. ⁹ Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, ¹⁰ but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. ¹¹ For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
¹² “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
¹³ “You shall not murder.
¹⁴ “You shall not commit adultery.
¹⁵ “You shall not steal.
¹⁶ “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
¹⁷ “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”

10 POINTS TO PONDER

Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit, but self-esteem is not. Self-acualization is at the top of Mazlow’s hierarchy, but self-sacrifice is at the top of Jesus’ pyramid of priorities.

Satan’s lie to Eve and Adam was that if they could just free themselves from God’s “burdensome commands” then they could become just like Him.

You are made in the image of God and you are loved and valued by Him so much that He sent His Son to die for you. But on your own, you are not enough.

Prioritizing God means I fit my life around His expectations, not that I fit Him around my expectations.

Loving God with my heart means controlling my desires so that I feed the desires which align with God’s heart and I starve the desires that don’t.

Loving God with my soul means choosing an attitude that is the same as the attitude of Jesus. I don’t allow my attitude to be controlled by circumstances, but rather I control my attitude regardless of circumstancs.

Loving God with my mind means my own understanding takes backseat to God’s understanding. My experience doesnt’ determine my path, God’s wisdom determines my path My opinion doesn’t determine truth, God’s Word determines truth.

Loving God with my strength means I give God my first and best in everything I do.

Loving my neighbor as myself means I might love other people as much or more than I love myself, but I absolutely may not love other people less than I love myself.

Focusing on others means I pay attention to the opportunities God gives me to make the lives of others better.

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WHAT YOU GIVE AWAY IS A DEMONSTRATION OF WHAT YOU LOVE

The statement in the title is a very loose paraphrase of Jesus’ words:

This morning I was thinking about some other ways I might say the same thing to help me focus a little bit on what this truth means for me today.  Some of the thoughts I had were:

– If you want to know what you love, look at what you accumulate
– The words “I love you” only go as far as the action “I sacrifice for you”
– Jesus said the greatest love is that of giving one’s life away. Then He did just that.
– If you don’t keep track of it, you don’t love it.
– Your calendar, your checkbook, and your GPS history are the best record of what you love.

Of course, the greatest challenge is learning to love God more than all things.  Jesus said to love Him with all our HEART, SOUL, MIND, and STRENGTH.  So, my question for myself today is this:

In each of these areas, what can I give up as a demonstration of my love for God?

• Heart –> Do I let relationships with other people hamper my spritual growth?
• Soul –> Do my emotions keep me from living a God-honoring life?
• Mind –> Am I reading (surfing websites) that are detrimental to my relationship with God?
• Strength –> Do I have health habits that prevent me from living as God desires?

Remember: What you give away is a demonstration of what you love.

Who do you love? What are you giving away?

Click on the image to download the DiscipleQuest PDF

The DiscipleQuest PDF includes 7 days of verse study prompts. You can use these seven studies to dig deeper into what the Bible teaches making God your top priority:

• Matthew 6:33
• Romans 12:2
• Luke 12:34
• 2 Timothy 2:22
• Ecclesiastes 12:1
• Psalm 37:4
• Proverbs 3:5-6

Use these questions as journal prompts or as conversation starters with a group of friends or a Bible study group:

1. When you hear Jesus say the greatest command is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, which part feels easiest for you right now? Which part feels hardest? Why?
2. Think about your relationships this past week. When was it easy to love someone? When was it difficult?
3. Jesus connects loving God and loving your neighbor (v.31). Why do you think He treats these two commands as inseparable?
4. Why do you think Jesus places love for God as a higher value than love for others?
5. Read Deuteronomy 6:4–5 and Leviticus 19:18 (the passages Jesus is quoting). What does this tell us about what God has always wanted from His people?
6. If someone looked at your priorities—your time, conversations, and decisions—what evidence would they see that you truly love God?
7. Who is one “neighbor” in your life right now who is difficult to love? What makes loving them challenging?
8. Jesus says loving others should reflect the same kind of concern we naturally have for ourselves. In what ways do you tend to prioritize yourself over others?
9. What is one practical way you can intentionally express your love for God this week? (Examples: prayer, obedience, worship, generosity, sharing your faith.)
10. What is one specific action you can take this week to show love to a particular person God has placed in your life?