I like the life story of Glen Cunningham. When he was eight years old, his legs were badly burned in a schoolhouse fire. The doctor said he would never walk again. He claimed Isaiah 40:31 as his life’s verse. “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with […]
This chapter begins with the word “finally.” Paul was not closing his letter, but was literally saying “the remaining”, showing that he was changing subjects. So far he has spoken about the need for Christlikeness. Now he warns them to beware of false teachers (v.2). These false teachers are like dogs. Mr. Lightfoot in his […]
As pastor of this church, I have felt a heavy burden over the need for a new pastor. Now that the Lord has provided Pastor Tweedie for our church, I am greatly relieved. In our text, the Apostle Paul was carrying a burden as well. He both needed a messenger that he could send, and […]
When I was a teenage boy, we cleared a path for a new fence through thick bush on our home farm. The fence was 400 metres long. It took months to complete the work and to put up the new fence. It was hard work, but eventually we accomplished the job. In our text this […]
When we lived in PNG, I occasionally took hikes into the jungle, but never alone. I always followed an experienced leader. He knew where he was going and how to return. I didn’t. The Philippian Christians were having difficulty with unity. They needed an example to follow. Christ was that perfect example. Paul challenged them […]
Some people live for fishing, others for racing, or boating, or camping, or football, or even gambling. For what do you live? If someone carefully watched your life for a month, for what would they say you live? The Apostle Paul was a man dedicated to the cause of Christ. He could honestly say, “For […]
When we feel like the road of life has become a steep slippery mountain path, and the winds of criticism are against us, and a load of burdens is on our back, we will be tempted to get a bad attitude. We have all been there. In our text, Paul was there. Paul, however, was […]
In 1 Corinthians 10:31, we read, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” How can we glorify God? Our text tells us how. Transition Read Philippians 1:9-11. As Paul prayed, he showed the Philippians and us what is needed so we can glorify God. Our […]
A minister [of a large church] was praying at the bedside of a dying woman. “Wait a moment,” she said, as he started to rise from his knees. “I want to pray for you.” Very tenderly, she prayed with her hands upon his head. “For ten years, ever since you became my pastor, I have […]