Speaking Philippians and Colossians

 

Philippians & Colossians

Here are the "speaking the Bible" summaries for Philippians & Colossians.

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Philippian Summaries
10-9-2020

Paul wrote the letter to the saints in Philippi around 61-63 A.D. while imprisoned in Rome. He expresses his thanks to God and prayers with joy for them. He knows God will work to perfect in them what He has begun. He tells them his imprisonment has turned out for the greater progress of the gospel as his cause for Christ has become known throughout the governor's palace and most of the brethren have far more courage to speak the Word. Not all may have the best motivations, but either way Christ is preached. He says whether he lives or dies Christ will be exalted in him. It would be better for him to die and be with Christ, but better for them if he stayed, so he believes he will stay and be delivered. Either way, he encourages them to walk worthy of the gospel.

He says not to be alarmed by opponents. Not only do they need to believe, but suffer for Christ's sake. He encourages them to walk in unity and love, preferring one another over themselves and watching out for each other, not just themselves. Christ emptied Himself of His equality with God to come as a man and die on the cross. God exalted Him and gave Him a name above every name at which every knee bows and every tongue confesses His lordship.

He says to work out their own salvation in his absence. Walk as blameless children of God in the midst of a perverse generation. He will send Timothy to them as no one else cares for them as he does. Everyone seeks their own interests, not Christ's. But he believes he too will see them soon. He reminds them to beware of the false circumcision. Those who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus are the true circumcision who put no confidence in the flesh. 

He counts all he's attained in the flesh as loss for the sake of Christ that he may be found having a righteousness not from the Law but through faith in Christ. He presses on to know the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings so he may attain resurrection from the dead. He forgets the past and reaches for the prize. He encourages them to follow his example and has wept over those who are enemies of the cross of Christ. Our citizenship is in heaven and we eagerly wait for the Lord who will transform our bodies into conformity with the body of His glory.

• Our faith may bring us into times of opposition and suffering, but there's a greater good--a purpose--the message of Jesus Christ shining into dark places.
• Resurrection followed suffering and death. 
• The trials of our fleshly body and earthly circumstances will be followed by the power of His resurrection and the transformation of our bodies.
• All will bow and confess to the lordship of Jesus Christ--the name above every other name--the Highly Exalted One. 

Colossians Summaries
10-10-2020

Paul wrote the letter to the saints at Colossae about 61-63 A.D. while in prison in Rome. He thanks God for them and says he always prays for them since he heard of their faith in Christ and love for the saints. He prays for them to be filled with the knowledge of His will, to walk worthy, pleasing the Lord, and so on. For He rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of the Beloved Son in whom we have redemption and forgiveness of sin. All things were created by Him. He is before all things and the head of the church. It pleases the Father for all fulness to dwell in Him. 

Paul says they were alienated by their evil deeds, but now He has reconciled them to be blameless and holy as long as they continue in the faith. Paul was made a minister to preach the mystery among the Gentiles--Christ in you, the hope of glory. He wants no one to delude them with persuasive arguments. He rejoices in their discipline and stability in the faith. He tells them they are complete in Him where all the fulness of Deity dwells in bodily form. They are circumcised without hands, buried in baptism, raised up through faith. 

Jesus cancelled the debt of decrees against us, disarmed the rulers and authorities. He says not to let anyone defraud them by the visions they've received, delighting in self-abasement and worship of angels. They have an appearance of wisdom in self-made religion. Severe treatment of the flesh has no value against fleshly indulgence. Seek what's above, where Christ is seated, not the things of the earth. 

You have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Your body is dead to sinful behavior, for because of those things the wrath of God comes on the sons of disobedience. Put that aside and put on the new self. Christ is all and in all. There is no distinction between Jew or Greek, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free. Live in unity and love. Let the peace of Christ rule and the Word of Christ dwell richly in you. Teach and admonish one another. Wives, husbands, children, fathers, slaves, masters, treat each other as the Lord desires. Conduct yourself well towards outsiders. Paul asks that they pray for him that doors open and he makes the Word clear. 

• Thank God when you hear of the faith and love of the saints.
• Thank Him for their discipline and stability in the faith.
• Pray for them to have wisdom and knowledge of the Lord's will and to walk worthy of the Lord, pleasing Him, bearing fruit, increasing in the knowledge of Him, strengthened with all power, patient, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father.
• Pray that they are not deceived by false visions and self-made religion.
• Pray that the peace of Christ and Word of Christ rule and dwell in their hearts.
• Pray that they know of their redemption, forgiveness, and completeness in Him.
• Pray that they put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the new self which is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created them.