Philippians 2:12-18
- What word connects Paul’s commands here with Christ’s example in the previous verses?
- What should the Philippians continue to do?
- What are the Philippians to do according to verse 14?
- What do Christians argue and complain about?
- How do you argue and complain?
Sometimes in married life I don’t know how to resolve and argument. I don’t know how to deal with tension. I think one thought about an issue and my wife thinks the opposite. Can I then complain about her to other people? Should I lose my temper and argue with her in ways that are demeaning? We may feel better for a while if we argue and complain. However, the issue is still unresolved and the negative thoughts (founded or otherwise) about our spouse are spread further into the community. We need to wait for the Lord and look for ways to bring His peace and harmony to our relationships.
Going Deeper
Observation
- What have the Philippians always done?
- For whose good purpose does God work in the Philippians?
- With what should we work out our salvation?
- In what kind of generation do the Philippians live?
- What word do the Philippians hold out that causes them to shine like stars?
Interpretation
- How is obedience a strong theme in the lives of Jesus and of the church at Philippi?
- If God works for his own interests, why isn’t that selfish?
- If John writes that ‘perfect love casts out all fear’, how can we also work out our salvation with ‘fear and trembling’?
- How does Deuteronomy 32: 4-5 relate to this passage?
- How does the word make a Christian more alive?
Application
- Are you conscious of being disobedient to God in any area of your life (especially maintaining unity)?
- How could you measure more of your life as to whether it serves God’s good purpose rather than your own?
- How awe inspiring, knee-knocking, and stomach churning is your view of God? How could that e increased?
- Watch the WGN news and list the stories that would support the idea that we live in a crooked and depraved generation.
- When you are overworked, tired, confused, and sad – how can you reflect on Philippians and get to a place where you are glad and rejoice?
Plymothian 