Epistles of Paul 102

The epistle to Philippians is a very encouraging epistle, basically motivating us to live a Christian life through Christ and to be united. Now, Paul starts the epistle with a very encouraging note in verse 6, in which he says that, and I just read verse 6, chapter 1, being confident of this very thing, that he who has begun and would work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

That is very encouraging because in the end we'll be there, provided you and I don't turn our backs to God. So God will help us. We have nothing to fear. God will back us up, and he is with us. And in the end, it's everything to God's glory and praise. Then a little bit further in verse 12, he says, I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel. And so the situation that people, as we know, in Jerusalem, turned against him, the Jewish community, and that it also turned, it all turned towards or in favor of the gospel.

Because through that, the gospel is was now going to Rome and to the leadership there. And so regardless of whether some were putting pressure on his work, on God's work that he was doing through Paul, or whatever trials people were creating, it all worked out for good. And so Paul says that he's not upset about that, but he's rejoicing, as we read in verse 18, because he says, what then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached.

And in this, I rejoice, yes, and I will rejoice. So whichever way, whether it's because people are persecuting him, or whether people are backing up him, that is Paul. And this is applicable to today for the work in the church. In whatever situation, Christ's gospel, that's God's gospel, that is the gospel of the kingdom of God, is being preached. As we say in the world, any marketing is good. And that is basically, in the end, the truth, one way or another, is out there for people to see. And in verse 19, he says, for I know that this will turn out ultimately for my deliverance.

So he knew that he would, in time, be delivered out of jail through their prayers and obviously through God's power. The Spirit of Christ, as he refers to the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, which obviously is God's Spirit, because there's only one Spirit. It's the same Spirit, God's Spirit, God's power. It's the same power, the same essence from God that you and I receive. So this message was an encouraging one to the Philippian brethren because they were also going through some degree of trials. And the lesson is applicable for us as well.

We should not and we must not and we ought to not to be afraid or terrified by our adversities or our difficulties or our challenges. They were suffering, the Philippians. Many of us suffered one way or another. And the Philippians were suffering not because they did evil, but they suffered for Christ as Paul had suffered for Christ. And very possibly in the future, some in the church will have to suffer for Christ as well as the times get more difficult.

And who knows what persecution will get in the church? You never know. But then he concludes, reaches the conclusion of this first chapter, starting in verse 27, where he says, not only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ. And so even though we go through these trials, we have these challenges, we have these difficulties, our conduct needs to be worthy of the gospel. We've got to be a light. We've got to be an example. And then in verse 20, 29, he says, for to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.

And so it is something quite often we don't think. When we go through sufferings and trials, we go through these for Christ's sake. And that is that he is saying, yeah, and he said, for you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe Him and therefore to follow Him and to do what He says and He wants us to do, to do the Father's will, but also to suffer for His sake. And so this is where we stopped the last time. Now we move forward to chapter 2, and the section we're going to cover today from verse 1 through to verse 13, this small section of chapter 2, is a very deep and most significant section of the Bible.

Now, not saying it is only very deep and significant section of the Bible, but it is one that is very profound and of extremely important meaning and that we need to understand. And so Paul continues saying, look, we are suffering in the context you suffer. God has given us this, as he says, has granted us to suffer on behalf of Christ. But it says now in verse 1, therefore, if there is any consolation, in your margin on your Bible may say, if there is any encouragement.

The Greek word 3874 is paraclesis, similar word to paraclitos, which is one of a helper or consolatory approach or encouraging approach. And so if there is any encouragement, it says in Christ, if any comfort of love. So if there is any encouragement or exhortation or consolation in Christ's name, if he has any meaning to you, if there is any comfort of love, the love for each other that helps to alleviate the sufferings of those that are persecuted, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any intimate relationship with us, between us and with God, by as Christian brothers and sisters.

So if there is any genuine, godly relationship by having the same mind, the same intent, the same spirit. And then it says, and if any affection and mercy. In other words, tender emotions, in some translations, puts it as balls, balls of mercy. In other words, tender emotions and mercy, that is compassion. That means if we empathetic towards one another, as we go through our different trials and difficulties, and as we hear of people suffering, we pray for them. We show them that fellowship of the Spirit.

We mourn with them. We feel their feelings. We are with them in difficult times and good times. So we care for one another. And we pray for one another. And so if there is any encouragement in these things, first to fulfill my joy. In other words, make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love being of one accord of one mind. And so we all need to be like-minded, like having the same mind as Christ's mind is.

What did Christ do? What was Christ's mind? You know, for one, the Father dwelt in him. He had the mind of God. He had the attitude of God. He had the same love, the same outgoing care and sacrifice. And he was of one accord of one mind with the Father. And so we need to live the same way. We need to encourage one another to live the Christian life through Christ and to be one, to be united.

We know Christ's lost world message in John 17 verse 20 through 26. Let's just briefly look at it. John 17. When he prayed to the Father, the lost prayer recorded prayer that he did in front of the disciples. Obviously, it's not the lost prayer because in Mount Gethsemane, he then he went and prayed three times.

When he left, he went to the God of Gethsemane and then he went there in that God and he prayed. But yeah, in this lost prayer that is recorded starting in verse 20, John 17 verse 20, we read, I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in me through the awards. So Christ was praying for us that we believe in him through the War of the Apostles and we've got here in the New Testament, the War of the Apostles and the Wars of Christ in the Apostles as well as in the Gospels.

And his wish, as we read in verse 21, is that we, he says that they may be one, so that we may be one, we may be united, we may be of one accord, of one mind, may be one as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they may be one in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. This point of unity is a unique characteristic of being a true Christian, of being like God.

You know, the world has no unity. Oh yeah, there may be groups and people get together focusing on one thing or another thing, but quite often as things develop, they have arguments amongst themselves and they have a lot of strife. But what we need to have is true one accord, one mind, without strife. And this is what Christ is praying for in verse 22. And the glory which you gave me I've given them, that they may be one just as we are one. Christ is giving us the power, the power of God's Spirit, so that we may be one.

And he says, I in them and you in me, that they may be made perfect in one, in unity, and that the world may know that you have sent me and that you love them as you love me. The fact of being united, of being one, is a godly characteristic.

And that is not an easy target to achieve. I mean, we are called as an organization, the United Church of God. And we as human beings have to continuously strive to be united. And thank God that a number of us are working on that and that we are united. There may be some that aren't, but we all need to be striving and growing in this spirit of unity. That's what Christ wanted. Father, verse 24, I decide that they may, that they also whom you gave me, may be with me where I am.

That I may be all the glory which you have given me, for you loved me before the foundation of the world. In other words, Christ is praying that we may be in the kingdom within, that we may be able to see that Christ's glory, and that we may be glorified within our righteous Father. The world has not known you, but I have known you, and these have known that you sent me. And I have declared to them your name, and will declare it, that the love which you loved me may be in them and I in them.

And that love is key for us to be one, to be united. So back to Philippians chapter 2 verse 2, it says, Fulfill your joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord and one mind. That is Christ's will for us. That's what he wants. That is the theme of this epistle, that we may live the way, the Christian life, through Christ, and to be one, to be united.

And so then he says in verse 3, Let nothing be done through selfish ambition. Now, so he's saying, now comparing it to the very opposite, instead of being like-minded, being of one accord, showing humility, let nothing be done, in the words, for self-ambition. Let nothing be the opposite. That word, selfish ambition, is a Greek word, 2052, erytheia, which means factions, contention, strife, factions, rivalry. Put it another way, political parties, divisions, fictitious intrigue, having intrigue and accusations, and it's just causing division.

It is interesting that we live in an age today, when you and I watch the news, we just see division, complete division in the country, and it's so sad.

And so he says, let nothing be done through selfish ambitions. You know, he was trying to put your group or your party or your organization, be it a church organization or whatever, ahead of others. Make yourself kind of, ah, we are better. We should not be divided into parties. We should not have selfish ambition.

We should not have strife. Now remember, James, in his letter to, in chapter 3, and he asked the question in James, why are there wars among you? In James chapter 3. And then a little bit of a big party says that in James chapter 4, at the beginning of verse 1, why are there wars amongst you? It's because people have desires for their own pleasure. It's their self-seeking. They lost them and things like that. But that follows what he said at the end of chapter 3, particularly in verse 14, what he says, but if you have bitter envy and self-seeking, the same word, the Greek 2052, which is erytheia, which is that selfish ambition.

If you have that self-seeking, that and bitter envy in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. And then skipping a verse in verse 16, for where envy and self-seeking exist, again, the same word, self-seeking, where there is this strife, this faction, this political party-like division, these factions, then wherever that exists, there's confusion in every evil thing there. Also in Galatians, we know in Galatians chapter 5, it's talking about works of the flesh. And then, and the works of the flesh, in Galatians chapter 5, it mentions a number of them, starting in verse 19. Now the works of the flesh are, and it lists a number, but look at in verse 20, when it says, contensions, they are contensions.

That is works of the flesh, which are self-ambitions, which are these strifes, these fights, one against another. Look at also in verse 16 of Philippians chapter 1, the very book or epistle we're reading, and we mentioned briefly a little while ago, that they had these problems, and some of these people had put Paul in this situation that he was in. And here in verse 16 of chapter 1, he says, but some, the former, preach Christ from selfish ambition.

In other words, they are affection, they are creating division, they're creating strife. And he says, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains, but and so, again, he's using this word a number of times. He's about being careful that we don't have factions, that we don't have divisions and parties, my group against your group, or whatever it is.

Or, as we read still in verse 3 of chapter 2, he says, let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit. Now, conceit is a word meaning empty glorying, vain glory, trying to impress. What does that mean?

It's boastfulness, it's pride, especially over something that is not worthy of such pride. For instance, the pursuit of honor for yourself or oneself rather than giving glory to God. It's an attitude of showing off one's achievements, possessions, or qualities to feel superior. It's an attitude of seeking attention and praise more than doing something genuinely valuable.

Conceit is caring more about being seen as great than actually being and performing that is worthy. So, it's just more about an image or a show showing off. So, our attitude should be different than that. It should not be one of selfish ambition or conceit, as we read in verse 3, but in loneliness of mind, our attitude should be one which is humble, which has loneliness of mind. We need to look at others better than ourselves. Think about it. Why do people sometimes kind of think that they're better than others? Because they're actually starting to judge other people. We've got to be careful. Because how does God judge? Does God judge by outward appearance? Of course not. He judges by the heart. And so, the question is, do we know other people's hearts? Do we know how another person thinks? The other person's motive? The other person's attitude? No, we don't. And so, we need to be humble. We all are human. We all fail. And so, we must not compare ourselves with ourselves because we all have sins to overcome.

And so, we need to know that God does not judge you, does not judge me, by what talents we have.

In other words, oh, I've got more talents. It doesn't make one any better. God judges you and I by what we do with what we have.

God judges us by not the number of talents, but God judges or rewards us by what we do with what we have. In other words, by what we have in the heart and how we apply it.

So, who are we to say that we're better than somebody else? Nobody. So, continuing here now, in verse 3, let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility, in loneliness of mind, let each esteem others better than themselves. Let's esteem. Let's submit to one another.

Verse 4, let each of you look out not only for your own interests or his own interests, but also for the interests of others. And so, we need to be concerned about others.

For instance, not being busybodies, but being concerned for others, not meddling in other people's affairs.

But we've got to be careful with that. We are not kind of concerned, in a way, what other people are doing, so that then we are starting to offer our unwanted opinions or advice, or even spreading gossip. So, that we've got to be careful. So, we are concerned for others, but for their good, for their... to pray for them, to help them, to ask God to help them in whatever situation they encounter. They're counting through a trial. We're not there to judge. We're there to pray and ask God to help them to overcome whatever problem they're going through.

But the opposite is we must not be inquisitive about other people's private matters. We must not interfere in situations that don't concern us. We must not be gossiping. We must not be opinionated about other people's choices and tell them what to do without being asked. We've got to be careful, but we have to be concerned positively and encouraging way to them.

So, we now move on to verses 5 through 11. And this section is the one that is really very, very important as well. And in verse 5 says, let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. What is the mind that was in Christ Jesus? Christ is the ultimate example of humility, of service, and of outgoing care and love for us. And it gives it specifically, says, who being in the form of God.

Now, the word being, ya, it's a Greek word 5225, wirpako, stresses the essence of a person. It's not just the verb to be, but it actually, that was his essence, his nature, his state, that Christ is his very character, his unchanging character. That was one that is a godly, a god character, a character of God.

And so he says, being in that character, in the very form of God, his state, is a state of what he is. He was God. So he was God. And he says, they're not considered robbery to be equal with God. The word robbery is arpagamos, 725, 725, which literally means robbery, which means plunder, robbery. I quite often, in modern terms, I explain to people, it's like it was not identity theft, says they're not considered robbery.

It was not any identity theft to be equal with God. So he was not identifying himself in a way that there was a robbery. But it also could be translated as he did not grasp it or held onto it as if he could not let go. So some people feel that that could also be translated that way.

So he was, as it says, he was in the form of God and not considered robbery to be equal with God, but he also did not consider it something to be held onto. He was prepared to let it go. He was prepared to let it go. And that is important for us to understand what Christ was. So let's look first about him being in the form of God. We obviously in the church understand, but sometimes there are some people that don't, and it is important to review the spirit of God. To review this point, to make sure we understand fully. And one good scripture to turn to in relation to this point is the first chapter of John, chapter one, when it says, In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God.

Now, when I explain this through various baptism counseling sessions explaining who God is and explaining this verse and explaining who Christ is, we can see three phrases. See, there's one sentence. In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God. Yeah, it's one sentence. But it's got three phrases. The first phrase is, In the beginning was the word. This phrase explains existence, that in the beginning, at the very beginning, there was Christ, He already existed at the very beginning. He was there at the very beginning. So, He existed at the very beginning. And then, the word was with God.

That is the second phrase, which talks about relationship. So, the first phrase was existence. The second phrase is, there was a relationship between the word, and as we read in verse 14 of the same chapter, John 1, verse 14, the word became flesh, which is Christ. So, the word, which is Christ, was with God. So, he had a relationship. Right at the beginning, the two were together. It's also interesting to note that when it says, He was with God in the Greek.

There is an article which says, and the word, the word, was with the God. So, the word was with the God. So, saying that the one that became Christ was with the Father. So, that is very important to understand. And then, the third phrase that we have here is, and the word was God. So, that's the third phrase, which means that the word was in the form of God, of the God-kind, just like the Father is of the God-kind.

So, the two were of the same kind, where God, God-beings of the God-kind in the form of God. So, that goes well together with what we read in Philippians chapter 2. Also, we read, then in verse 2, John 1 verse 2, that Christ was in the beginning with God. So, it makes it very clear that Christ was with God when there was the time of the creation. And therefore, it says, and then all things, verse 3, all things were made through Christ, through Him.

And without Him, Christ, nothing was made that was made. Everything was created through Christ. If we look at Colossians chapter 1, Colossians chapter 1 verse 16 and 17, Colossians chapter 1 verse 16 and 17, and just the Galatians and Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, let me get to it. Colossians chapter 1 verse 16 and 17, it says, for by Him, that's Christ, all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, where the thrones or the minions or the principalities of powers, all things were created through Him and for Him.

And He is above all things, in Him all things consist and He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead. So Christ was the one that created everything, even angels as it says, yeah. And we can see how Christ made reference to that in John chapter 8 verse 14. John chapter 8 verse 14, when He was talking about, they didn't even know where Christ had come from or where Christ would go. Look at John 8 verse 14, Jesus answered and said to them, to the Pharisees, even if I bear witness of myself, my witness is true, for I know where I come from and where I'm going.

It was in you He had come from heaven, from the Father, from being a God-being with the Father in the form of God, and He was going to go to that same quality of being, that same quality of being, of person at the right hand of God. And He says, and I know where I'm going, but you do not know where I came from and where I'm going.

He's telling them, you guys don't know it, don't understand it. And then a little bit later in verse 24, He says, therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins, for if you do not believe that I am, you will die in your sins. Note that the word He is in italics, which means it's not there in the original Greek. So He says, for if you do not believe that I am, you will die in your sins.

And then He says, hey, who do you think you are? Who are you? You know, so and then a little later we can see in verse 53 through 58, when Christ is talking about Himself, in verse 53 they asked Him, are you greater than our Father Abraham, who's dead, and the prophets that are dead?

Who do you make yourself to be? Who do you think you are? They ask in Christ. And Jesus in verse 54 says, if I wanted myself, my honor is nothing, my honor is nothing. It is my Father who honors me, of whom you say, there is your God. Yet you have not known Him, but I know Him. And if I say, I do not know Him, I would be a liar, I shall be a liar, like you.

But I do know Him and keep His word. I obey God's words. Verse 56, your Father Abraham rejoiced to see my day and he saw it. And he was glad. He saw it. Now when Jesus said, then Jesus said, big apart, then the Jews said to Him, you are not yet 50 years old and you have seen Abraham? And Jesus answered to them and said, most surely, yes, most surely, correct. And I say to you, before Abraham was, I am. Boy, did they get upset. And you can see that in verse 59. Then they took up stones to throw it in.

Why? Because they understood that He was saying He was the I Am of the Old Testament. As we read in verse 24, He's again emphasizing it. Yeah, I am. And they said, wow, you are blaspheming. So Jesus Christ was the God Being that revealed and talked to the Israelites in the Old Testament. That's what we very clearly explained. Yeah. So Jesus Christ had all the rights, all the privileges and the honor of being God.

And His attitude, as we see in Philippians, His attitude was one that He was not going to cling onto it. He was willing to come as a human being to do what? To carry out the plan of God, to fulfill the will of God, God's very purpose.

In other words, to make it possible for you and I to be in the kingdom of God. Now, think about millions of years from today that now just think you've made it. You are in the kingdom. You are glorified with Christ as the promise.

You are a being in that family. Would you then want to give it up, give it all up and just become a human being? Well, that's what Christ was prepared to do. That's what Christ was prepared to do. And we read now in verse 7 of Philippians chapter 2, it says, But made himself of no reputation. In other words, He emptied Himself of His privileges, of being a glorified Spirit being, all powerful. And He emptied Himself of that, making Himself of no reputation, became subject to our physical conditions of time and space.

He could not travel through the universe. And He became the form of a bond servant. That's what it says. Taking the form of a bond servant. Now note that in verse 6, saying that He was a being in the form of God. Now He is taking the form of a bond servant. So it's the same sort of expression. He was in the form, in the type of essence of God and is now in the same essence of a human being. In other words, He's flesh and blood. I mean, He became flesh and blood like you and I. So He took on the form of a human being in the likeness of man.

Verse 8, and being found in appearance as a man. And so we see He now, He had humbled Himself to be human. And not only that, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

So Paul explains that He was prepared to become a human being and prepared to die. And this, by the way, He knew that well before beforehand because this was part of the plan. And He knew that, that He would have to do that.

And so Paul, in this section here, verses, in these few verses of Philippians chapter 2, Paul explains very clearly the pre-existence of Christ, what He was willing to do, what He gave up and what He became.

As a result, verse 9, therefore, therefore, he says, as a result of that, God has highly exalted Him and giving Him the name which is above every name. Now this is more than just a name, but it's an office. He gave Him an office, gave Him the position, gave Him the respect through that name, the position that carries a high respect, a high respect above every other name.

Above, in other words, any other office that you can think of. Jesus Christ is higher. Jesus Christ will be above every other office, obviously, under the Father who's putting in that position. Christ is under the Father, of course. And then verse 10, that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow of those in heaven and of those on earth and of those under the earth. At some point, everybody will have to bow to Christ with renown or in the Third Resurrection. Every knee will have to bow. And I think that even those that are most rebellious will have to come to a point and say, Yes, Lord, I've sinned and my knees bend. And if they don't, as it's been said by many others, the knees will be broken, but they will bend down. Every knee will bow down to God. Now, it is interesting to note one thing. And I want to draw your attention to that, because at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow of those in heaven and of those on earth and of those under the earth. Brethren, do we know this is a quote from the Old Testament? Yes, and it's actually a quote from Isaiah 45 verse 23. So let's go to Isaiah 45 verse 23. That is an interesting note to look at that. Isaiah 45 verse 23. And we see exactly the same thing being cited here. And it says, I have sworn by myself the Word has gone out of my mouth in righteousness and shall not return. That to me every knee shall bow and every tongue shall take an oath. Now, who's me? Well, by looking at Philippians chapter 2 verse 10, it's Christ. At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, whatever your human beings alive or dead, ultimately they'll resurrect, they'll bow. And even those in heaven, that is the angelic beings, they'll bow. Every knee will bow. Every tongue shall take an oath. Now, once again, who is me? Me is Christ. But look who is talking about in verse 21, in the second half of verse 21. Let me just read from that second half. Who has told it from that time, have I not the Lord? In capital letters, which is Y-H-W-H. And there is no other God besides me. A just God and a Savior. And there is none besides me. And that is the me that is referring to in verse 23. That's Christ, to whom every knee will bow. And so, yeah, we can see in verse 21 that where it says, who has told it from that time, have I not I the Lord? Y-H-W-H. And so, yeah, we can see that it's talking about Christ, the Lord Y-H-W-H. Look at also verse 18. In verse 18 says, For thus is the Lord, Y-H-W-H, who created the heavens, who is God, who formed the earth and made it, who established it, and who do not create it in vain, in tow, in chaos. In other words, who formed it to be inhabited. He created not only not in chaos, but he created it with a purpose. And he says, who formed it to be inhabited. I am the Lord, Y-H-W-H, and there is no other. And so, who created it? You and I have seen a little while ago in John 1 verse 3 and also in Colossians chapter 1 that everything was created by Christ. We looked at that. Everything was created by Christ. So that was in John 1 verse 3 and Colossians 1 verse 16 and 17. So, it's talking about Christ. Now go back a little bit further. Still in Isaiah 45. And read Isaiah 45 verse 5, 6 and 7.

I am the Lord. That's why H-W-H and there is no other. There is no God besides me. I will gird you through you. I beg your pardon. I'll gird you though you have not known me, that they may know from the rising of the sun to each setting that there is no other besides me. I am the Lord and there is no other.

I form the light and create darkness. I create peace and create calamity. In other words, blessings and cursings of God's Lord. They are blessings, peace and blessings and showers of blessings and also calamity for the disobedient. I, the Lord, Y-H-W-H, do all these things. It's talking about Christ.

Look at Zechariah 14. Zechariah chapter 14.

And I'm just giving you a few examples here to make you understand that when he talks about the Lord, Y-H-W-H, we have to read the context to determine, because the Lord means eternal, Y-H-W-H means eternal.

We have to read the context to determine who is talking about, about the Father or about Christ.

Look at Zechariah chapter 14 in verse 1. Behold, the day of the Lord is coming and your spoil be divided in your midst, for I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem.

Who's going to do that? It's Christ.

Look at verse 3. Then the Lord shall go, will go forth, again the Lord Y-H-W-H, we know it's Jesus Christ, will go forth and fight against those nations as he fights in the day of battle.

In that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, that's Christ, which faces Jerusalem on the east and on the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from the east to the west.

It's clearly talking about Christ.

And look at also at the end of verse 5.

Thus the Lord, my God, will come and all the saints with you.

And so Christ will come down from the clouds.

First he comes down to the clouds, we are risen up to the clouds, and then from the clouds we all will come down.

It was the saints, the holy ones, the ones that are set aside, who come down with Christ.

That is part of the various events of the Second Coming.

And then look a little bit further in verse 16 and 17, which Zechariah 14, 16 and 17, that will quite often make reference regarding the feast. And it says, it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came up against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the king, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of Tabernacles.

People go to Jerusalem to worship the king, and it shall be that whoever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the king, the Lord of hosts. On them there'll be no rain.

You see, so that is talking about Christ. That is talking about Christ.

And look also at Matthew chapter 1 verse 23, because at that time they will say, God is with us. Matthew 1 verse 23 says, Behold, the virgin shall be with child and be the son, and they shall call his name Immanuel, which is translated God with us.

When people go to Jerusalem to worship the king, the Lord of hosts, Christ, the Lord of lords, the king of kings, Christ, they will say, God is with us. And so, continue now in Philippians chapter 2 verse 10, we see that it's clearly talking about Christ, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

There's nothing wrong with identifying Christ in this position, because that is to the glory of the Father.

And so, continue in verse 12. Therefore, my beloved brethren, therefore, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence.

Brethren, true conversion has to do with obeying God when no one can see us.

And it says, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Does that mean we earn salvation? No.

But we have to obey God. We have to fight against our nature, as Paul describes in Romans 7 verses 20 through 23. And we've got to follow the lead of God's early spirit, as Paul also makes mention in Romans 8-14. We've got to do it individually, you and I, privately.

Before God, we have to do it. You can't do it for your spouse. I can't do it for anybody else. You can't do it for your children.

Each one of us has to study, pray, yield to God and obey. And then continue now and concluding the last verse for today. For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for his good pleasure. God is the one that works in us to willing to do. God energizes you and I with his power. And if you are struggling and going through a time in your life, or if I'm struggling, if any of us is struggling, where we feel we're floating around, we don't want to do, we feel kind of like a daisel, you and I, we need to pray to God and ask God to give us the desire and to give you and I the power to be motivated because it is God through his power that works in us to will and to do.