Philippians

[Pilgrum]

I have been a Christian for over 35 years now. I tend to read mostly older Puritan materials. But also, newer theological books and commentaries. Other than a little morning news with my Stepfather who lives downstairs from me. I do not watch TV, I do not go to the movie theatre, and only once in a while I might watch a documentary if it's something that I find interesting. So, most of my time is spent reading and studying and prayer, lots and lots of prayers. I am disabled so I have time on my hands. And I want to use my time and my knowledge to share some of God's Word and to bring Him so honor and glory.

Anyway, I went out with my Pastor the other day and I told him I wanted to start a blog and I would like to do the blog the way he preaches, which is expository. I have never done any expository studying on my own but I am looking to go deeper in my studies. I want to learn more about God and I want to do this on my own instead of reading everybody elses books and commentaries.

He thought this was a great idea. He told me I have plenty of knowledge and to dig deeper into the word by doing an expository study would be great. So, that is what I'm attempting to do. And while discussing this with a friend, my friend suggested I have several blog posts ahead before I go live. Which I thought was a very good idea so that's advice I'm going to take.

Anyway, my Pastor and I spoke about where to start. He asked me if I had any favorite books of the Bible and I told him yes, 3, Galatians, Ephesians and Philippians. He suggested I start with Philippians.

I must say, this study is a lot harder than I expected. I am trying to be very thorough in my study. It is really just a personal study, but I want to share it too (thus the blog).

I already have a new and better appreciation for the work my Pastor does to prepare a sermon each week. I've been working at this now for just over a week. I have the intro finished. I'm now working on the salutation, and just the 2 verses are taking a lot of time. Wow! How does he do this every week? It certainly is a gift of God as well as a lot of hard work. But, I also already am noticing a blessing by doing this kind of Bible study. I know I will be no where near as good as my Pastor, but slow as I may be, I am trying to be thorough.

And it is my hope that I do not get discouraged with the time I spend in this one book because I would like to do other books as well.

I have grown so much sitting under my Pastor's expository preaching and teaching that I wish to find some of my own gems from studying the Word of God. And since this will be my first expository study, he gave me some advice and tips. I know also, if I get stuck anywhere he will help me. I have all the books I need too. But man, I spend hours going over some of this stuff. It's amazing at how deep the Word of God really is.

Anyway, that's all. Just thought I would share that. If anyone is so inclined, I wouldn't mind some prayer for doing this study. And the blog is only secondary, my goal is simply to dig into God's Word more deeply.

Also, not sure if I mentioned this or if it's in my profile, but I am a reformed Baptist. Holding to the 1689 LBCF, which we are doing an expository study of this for our Sunday School class.

Blessings to you all;
Pilgrum

 

[Pilgrum]

http://bible-truth.org/ExpositoryBibleStudy.html

Here's a link to help with Expository Bible Studies.

 

[Iconoclast]

http://bible-truth.org/ExpositoryBibleStudy.html

Here's a link to help with Expository Bible Studies.

Thanks for sharing the helpful link and welcome to the BB...

 

[Van]

3:1 Finally, my brothers and sisters,1 rejoice in the Lord! To write this again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.

2 beware of the evil workers, beware of those who mutilate the flesh!3 4 the ones who worship by the Spirit of God,5 exult in Christ Jesus, and do not rely on human credentials6 7 If someone thinks he has good reasons to put confidence in human credentials,8 I have more: 3:5 I was circumcised on the eighth day, from the people of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews. I lived according to the law as a Pharisee.9 3:6 In my zeal for God I persecuted the church. According to the righteousness stipulated in the law I was blameless. 3:7 But these assets I have come to regard as liabilities because of Christ. 3:8 More than that, I now regard all things as liabilities compared to the far greater value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things – indeed, I regard them as dung!10 – that I may gain Christ, 3:9 and be found in him, not because I have my own righteousness derived from the law, but because I have the righteousness that comes by way of Christ’s faithfulness11 – a righteousness from God that is in fact12 based on Christ’s13 faithfulness.14 15 to experience the power of his resurrection, to share in his sufferings,16 and to be like him in his death, 17 to attain to the resurrection from the dead.


Keep Going Forward

3:12 Not that I have already attained this – that is, I have not already been perfected – but I strive to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus also laid hold of me.18 19 I do not consider myself to have attained this. Instead I am single-minded:20 Forgetting the things that are behind and reaching out for the things that are ahead, 21 I strive toward the prize of the upward call of God22 in Christ Jesus. 23 If you think otherwise, God will reveal to you the error of your ways.24 25 that we have already attained.26


27 brothers and sisters,28 and watch carefully those who are living this way, just as you have us as an example. 3:18 For many live, about whom I have often told you, and now, with tears, I tell you that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ. 29 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven – and we also await a savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 30 into the likeness of his glorious body by means of that power by which he is able to subject all things to himself.

Lacking as I do human credentials, I like this passage. Having been made faultless (thus spiritually perfect) I still am aware of my sinful thoughts and actions which are continually set aside by the washing of regeneration. We are to strive to become more like Christ, even though our ticket is stamped.

 

[ReformedBaptist]

Praise the Lord. It's great to have another Reformed Baptist on the board. I look forward to reading the study. Working in the word is indeed hard work. It's tiring to the mind and painstaking. Yet, as you found, very rewarding. A good preacher probably puts in 15-20 hours or more in preparing a 45-1hr message, not counting the time he takes to bathe it in prayer and to simply be on his knees before the Lord.

I am encouraged to hear about all your praying. What a blessing that is to those for whom you pray. I love the puritans also. My shelf is mainly made up of them as well thanks to the faithful work of Banner of Truth. I am also encouraged by your manner of life, removing from worldly entertainments (even if they are lawful) that you might have more time for prayer and study.

Thank you for sharing my brother. I will pray for you and look forward to reading the things you write.

 

[Van]

Apparently the meaning of "human credentials" escapes those who salute another "Reformed Baptist." LOL Rejoice in the Lord seems like rejoicing in His word, rather than putting confidence in the flesh. That would line up with being a safeguard against following someone other than Christ.

 

[Martin Marprelate]

Pilgrum,
I wish you every blessing in your plan to start a Christian blog. I've been writing one for nearly six years now, and though the readership has never been particularly large, I've had readers from all over the world, including Saudi Arabia, and one or two people have written to tell me they've been blessed, and that makes it totally worthwhile.

Post a link when you've got things going. Thumbsup

 

[Pilgrum]

Van; I only serve the Triune God. I only posted where I stand in my faith so others will know. I do not see anything wrong in that. If it bother's you, then I'm sorry. But I'll not apologize for admitting to be a Reformed Baptist. I have run the gamut from Pentecostal, to Prosperity, Wealth & Health. God has blessed me to grow over the years as He never let go of me. I would have quit on Him after some of my experiences, but He loved me enough to keep me from leaving my Faith. I do not see how that can be counted or looked upon as "human credentials". I don't claim to be a Pastor or Theologian so my only credentials are what Christ has bestowed upon me.

Martin; thank you very much. I will post a link when I go live. I appreciate the encouragement, and I will also check out your blog as well.

Blessings.
in Christ.

 

[Van]

No one criticized you for "admitting to be a Reformed Baptist." No one asked for an "apology." "Being a Reformed Baptist" is a human credential. Being a born anew believer in Christ is a divine credential. Christ bestowed you as "new creation" born from above indwelt with the Holy Spirit. Once we are actually born anew, our faith is protected by the power of God. We are being kept for an inheritance reserved in heaven for us. Rejoice in God's word, not the inventions of men.