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(Read Philippians 3:4-6) I loved playing basketball in school. In one game, I scored a couple of points toward the end to pull within one point. With only a few seconds left, I made a layup and was fouled. Those free throws could win the game. As I stood on the line to shoot, I
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(Read Philippians 3:2-3) In the last two chapters of Philippians, especially 3:1-4:9, Paul transitioned from encouragement and instruction to mostly commands. He steps up his warnings about false teachers and directives on how the church should live in Christ. Philippians 3 is all about avoiding false teachers. The attackers were the Judaizers, pushing a false gospel that demanded
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(Read Philippians 3:1) I don’t know about you, but I need multiple reminders for important dates. It terrifies me as a pastor at the possibility of being late for a wedding or funeral I am preaching. Thankfully, that has never happened, but I think about it each time I preach those. I set at least
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(Read Philippians 2:29-30) Honor is fast becoming something we’re losing sight of doing. Dishonor, it seems, gets more laughs, ratings, and views. That doesn’t make it right. In junior high, we would “talk trash” during sports. At lunch, we would “dis” (disrespect) each other in what seemed like an insult competition. To “joan on” or “burn” someone was
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(Read Philippians 2:26-28) I don’t remember my dad missing a workday because of sickness. It’s not that he wasn’t sick, he just pushed through and didn’t think about himself. He wasn’t lazy, had an incredible work ethic, and felt responsible for his family. I recall a time he had a kidney stone and passed it
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(Read Philippians 2:25) At some point, Paul would send Timothy to the Philippians. Until he could, he was not going to leave them empty-handed. He thought it was “necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier” (v. 25). the Philippians sent Epaphroditus to Paul to minister to his needs while in
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(Read Philippians 2:24) While Paul desired to send Timothy to the Philippians, he seemed to need him to stay with him a little longer. In verse 23, Paul said he would send him to them “as soon as I see how things go with me.” Perhaps Paul was concerned he would die in prison? Timothy might need to
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(Read Philippians 2:22-23) How’s your physical fitness? If you’re like me, you may struggle to exercise without a support system. I love to run, but what keeps me faithful to run is talking with other runners. The same holds for cycling, weights, and different ways to exercise. It’s also true of our spiritual fitness. I need spiritual dads, brothers, and
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(Read Philippians 2:20-21) I have had the opportunity to serve two wonderful churches as a pastor. There have been great servants of the Lord at both, and their giftings benefited the Kingdom, the local church, and my life. Some have gone above and beyond expectations and duty. I frequently say about such people, “I pray God sends 100
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(Read Philippians 2:19) Technology has made connecting with friends and family in distant places an instant reality. Last week I video-chatted with missionaries in Portugal and India. I recently counseled a couple I’m marrying through video who lives in a different state. These advancements in communication were foreign to Paul. His letter to the Philippians may have taken months
stephen R Harrison 