In Christ, Part IV

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Note: Paul gives us four important words in Philippians 2:1. They are encouragement, comfort, fellowship (common sharing) in the Spirit and tenderness and compassion, which I am treating as one.

TENDERNESS and COMPASSION. Because we have been given the gift of salvation we are “in Christ” we are to show these character traits, encouragement, comfort, fellowship, and tenderness & compassion towards one another.

The reason we are to treat others in this manner is because Christ viewed us through the lens of these four traits. He lived His life as a source of encouragement, He gives us comfort in that as our High Priest, He understands everything we have, are or will go through. His constant present with us, via the Holy Spirit provides fellowship and He treats us with the tenderness and compassion of a shepherd.

I’ll try not to gross you out but the word “tender or tenderness” in the biblical language of Greek can sometimes refers to our inner most being or to be more explicit, our bowels.

The ancients believed that extreme emotions, such as extreme anger or extreme love came for the most inner place of our being. At some point, many simply expressed the idea that these four traits were to come from our hearts, which has been cleansed by the washing of blood through Jesus’ death.

Sometimes the word for compassion was translated as “mercy.” We are to show mercy to one another since mercy was shown to us by God when He sent His One and only begotten Son, Christ Jesus.

All four of these traits are intertwined. The closer we draw to God the closer He draws to us. This means we receive more encouragement, more comfort, more fellowship, and more tenderness & compassion. Therefore, the more we receive the more we can extend these same things to one another.

And they will come from deep within rather than be a superficial show.

I love what Jesu said in John 7:38 “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” (NIV)

The opposite of these four traits are explained to us in Philippians 2:3-4. This list includes things such as “selfish ambition, conceit.” We are to look out for the interests of others and live out of humility.

The little song we all learned as children in Sunday school, “Jesus, Others, and You” was the way to spell “JOY” is still true today.

May you receive all things in the tenderness and compassion of Christ and then allow these four things to flow out of you everywhere you go.

Always in Pursuit!

Don

In Christ, Part III

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Note: Paul gives us four important words in Philippians 2:1. They are encouragement, comfort, fellowship (common sharing) in the Spirit and tenderness and compassion, which I am treating as one.

FELLOWSHIP. I love the word fellowship. The dictionary defines fellowship as “friendly relationship,” “companionship,” or a “community of interest.”

Think about this for a minute: friendly relationship, companionship, a community of interest with God the Holy Spirit. What a thought.

God desires fellowship with us. Therefore, God sent His Son. He was the only sacrifice that would bring reconciliation between God and man.

The implication of Genesis 3:8 is that it was not unusual for God to come into the Garden in the cool of the day searching for Adam and Eve. Again, the idea here is that God enjoyed fellowship with Adam and Eve. We would assume they enjoyed fellowship with God as well.

When we accept Christ as our Savior, we are “in Christ.” When we are “in Christ” we begin fellowshipping with God, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This was due to the work of Christ on the cross and because of His work today, making continual intercession at the right hand of God on our behalf.

59 times in the New Testament the phrase “one another” appears. It is used to address our relationship with one another, fellowship. We are to love one another, pray for one another, bear one another’s burdens, serve one another, be kind to one another, be patient with one another and encourage one another.

I love fellowship with God. I love fellowship with the people of God. Fellowship recharges my batteries. I was not created to live in quarantine. Neither were you. We need each other. We need fellowship. Find someone or better yet, several “someones” you can be in fellowship with. You will be better for it and they will too.

Always in Pursuit!

Don

In Christ, Part II

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Paul gives us four important words in Philippians 2:1. They are encouragement, comfort, fellowship (common sharing) in the Spirit and tenderness and compassion, which I am treating as one.

Comfort. The world at the time of Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi was full of uncertainty. They suffered from earthquakes, disease, famines, and war. Sin was rampant and many Christ followers suffered great persecution.

Many turned to false gods, many turned to the use of ancient magic to control circumstances in their lives. But they found no comfort in these things.

Paul writes throughout this letter that circumstances must not be allowed to dictate joy or our attitude. We must always choose joy and never live “under the circumstances. We must always choose to serve rather than be served. We must always put Jesus first, others second, then ourselves. This was the formula for joy!

Paul was reminding the Christ followers in Philippi of the encouragement from being “in Christ.” He also reminded them of the comfort that was theirs. Since there was encouragement and since there was comfort found in Christ, they could rest easy knowing that a loving God was in control of the world around them. They could take comfort knowing that through Him, they would ultimately have victory. This was their and it is our hope.

This hope, found in Christ, would bring comfort to them. It also would enable them to bring encouragement and comfort to others in their time of need. Just as Paul took joy knowing that many were coming to Christ because of his difficulties, we too can take joy in being a source of encouragement and comfort.

The same God who was helping Paul and the Philippians is helping us. Always take comfort in the fact that God promised to never leave you nor forsake you. He has a plan for your life. He desires to bless you and to prosper you. His plan includes a future that is not based on your past and He plans no harm for you. Rest in His plan. Rest in the comfort that if your today!

Take comfort!

Always in Pursuit!

Don

In Christ, Part I

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Paul gives us four important words in Philippians 2:1. They are encouragement, comfort, fellowship (common sharing) in the Spirit and tenderness and compassion, which I am treating as one.

Philippians 2:1 “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,”

The use of the word “if” could and perhaps should be read as “since.” It is not a question of whether we have these things in our lives. They are present when we become a Christ follower. The only question is what difference will they make in our life?

Encouragement. Too often instead of being encouraged by the life Christ led while on the earth we become discouraged. Our attitudes are that Christ has really set the bar high for us and we will never be able to “measure up.” Part of the source for this is that we forget while He was on the earth, Christ lived fully as man.

He did not step in and out of being God. It wasn’t like he was God when He healed someone, like a man when He was tired or hungry. He came fully as a man. Paul establishes this for us in verses 5-11 of Philippians 2.

Luke gives us insight as to how He did this. Acts 10:38 “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.”

We should be encouraged by this. The same Holy Spirit that was with Jesus is with us. He has not changed. He is as powerful as He was when Jesus was walking the earth.

Take note of these three verses and be encouraged.

Hebrews 4:14-15—God understands our struggles

Ephesians 3:20—God will do more than we can imagine!

1 John 4:4–God, in you, is greater than the devil, who is in the world!

2 Kings 6:15-17—There are more with you than against you!

Psalm 118:6—The Lord is with you!

Be encouraged!

Always in Pursuit!

Don

REJOICE! Part III

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Sermon Notes

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, July 12, 2020

Text: Philippians 2:5-11

Philippians 2:5-11 is often referred to as the “Kenosis of Christ.” “Kenosis” means to “empty” or “to relinquish.” This ancient hymn of the church was sung in celebration of the Messiah (Christ) coming fully in the form of man (Jesus). He chose not to live equal to God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. Instead he chose to take on the form of a man (Galatians 4:4) and live fully dependent upon the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:38).

Philippians 1:1—Encouragement; Comfort; Fellowship; and Tenderness & Compassion

These four things are ours, as Christ followers, because we are “in Christ.” I will be writing about these four things on my blog this week. You can read my comments at: http://www.donmcgarvey.com

#1–Philippians 2:5-8—

          “Let this mind”—

          Messiah’s existence prior to becoming a man—

          Messiah came as a “bondservant”—

          Messiah did not come to the earth to be served. He came to serve–         Matthew 28:20; Mark 10:45.

#2–Philippians 2:9-11—

If we truly desire joy in our lives, we need to serve God first, serve others next, and then allow God to “exalt” us to the place He has established for us to be.

To Live Christ, to die gain.

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This past Sunday, I taught out of Philippians 1:21 “For me to live Christ, to die gain.”

I’d never taught on this verse because it always bothered me. The reason is bothered me was that most everyone I heard teach on it, talked about how much they were looking forward to “the gain.” All I heard was that they were looking forward to dying. I wasn’t. I didn’t want to die. I still don’t want to die.

I love life. I love being a husband, a father, a pastor, and a friend. I love teaching the Word, writing a blog. I love eating good food, laughing with friends, I love taking walks with my wife and watching folks grow in their own walk with the Lord.

A few years ago, I discovered this verse was not about dying rather it was about living. Paul loved living too! I don’t think he wanted to die. He wasn’t afraid to die. He knew death had been defeated and was not to be feared. He knew that death meant he left this life and began a new life with Christ. Whatever it would be like, it would be gain.

But until the time came for his death, he was going to live. He was going to run the race. He was going to fight the good fight. He was going to press on toward the prize.

Paul wasn’t going to lay down and wait to die. He was going to live until the very last breath.

How about you? Is Christ being seen in your living? Are you fighting the good fight? Pressing on toward the prize? Are you running the race?

My friend Fredrick Aguilar posted on his Face Book page the following: “If you still have a pulse, God still has a plan. Your story isn’t over!” I don’t know if this is original with him, or if it is borrowed. But it’s good stuff, thanks Fredrick for sharing it.

Don’t quit! Keep going. God will help you to live so that one day, you will gain!

Always in Pursuit!

Don

Third Quarter Bible Reading Guide

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The second quarter Bible reading guide we’ve been using at Troy Mills Christian Church is set to expire at the end of this week. We publish our guides quarterly so the next set of readings go from Monday, July 13 through Sunday, October 18. Even if you haven’t read your Bible all year, jump right in. There is no better day to start than today!

bible_reading_guide_2020_3rd_qtrDownload

Maybe you’d like copies of the first two quarters – I’ll add them below.

bible_reading_guide_2020_2nd_qtrDownload
bible_reading_guide_2020Download

The promises of God, the stories about God moving in people’s lives, the parables Jesus told – each special aspect of Scripture is designed to show you who God is, how much He loves each of us, and what His plan is for your life. Take a few minutes to read God’s Word – and let me know if you have questions or concerns. God’s Word is meant to be life-giving, not confusing!

REJOICE! Part II

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Sunday, July 5, 2020

Philippians 1:6, 21

Bible Reading for Sunday, July 5: Psalm 33:6-12

Acts 16—the start of the Philippians church

Ten years later, Paul writes this letter to the church at Philippi to thank them for the provisions they gathered and sent him.

Paul’s prison sentence–

Paul’s command to “Rejoice!”—15 times in this letter, Paul commands the Christ followers in Philippi to “Rejoice!” Paul was not going to allow circumstances, even a Roman prison, to rob him of his joy. Joy is not happiness. Joy is not based on circumstances. Joy is based on doing what God wants us to do no matter the circumstances.

Philippians 1:6— “He who began a good work in you…….”

God will complete the work of salvation—

God will complete the work of sanctification—

God will complete the “good works” established for us to do—

          Ephesians 2:10—

Philippians 1:21— “To live Christ, to die gain”

We are to live life to the fullest until God says it is time to work no more, this our joy!

Rejoice!

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Sunday, June 28, 2020

Text: Acts 16:11-40

Bible Reading: Psalm 58

The birth of the Philippian church is recorded for us in Acts 16:11-40

I. First Convert—Acts 16:11-15

II. Second Convert—Acts 16:16-24

III. Third Convert—Acts 16:25-30

Conclusion: The Great Question: What must I do to be saved?

Familiar Scriptures from Philippians: (NKJV)

Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;”

Philippians 1:21 “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain”

Philippians 3:12 “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.”

Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!”

Philippians 4:6 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;”

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Verses from 6 PM Prayer

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I promised to post the verses I prayed during the TMCC Thursday night Prayer Time.

The theme chapter was Psalm 58. David is still running from Saul, who was trying to kill him. He expressed confidence that the Lord’s righteousness would eventually rule and reign on the face of the earth.

During my prayer, I referenced the following verses:

Psalm 118:6–The Lord is with me

2 Kings 6:15-16–More are with us than against us

1 John 4:4–Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world

Ephesians 3:20–God is able to do “immeasurably more” than we can imagine.

Let these words go deep into your spirit. The Word of God is alive; the Word of God is mighty to save; the Word of God is hope; and the Word of God will sustain us.

Be Blessed!

Always in Pursuit!

Don