What has God said to you
through Philippians?

 

 

When we come to the end of a sermon series it can be good to re-read the book and consider what God has said to you.  Is there a particular verse, encouragement, or illustration?  Have you changed your mind about something?  What about God has struck you?  Has God called you to do something practical?
 
Of course sometimes we can’t remember, and that’s OK.  The Bible is like food (Matt 4.4).  You don’t always remember what you ate yesterday but it did you good.  So with the Bible - it has done us good to feed from Philippians for two months even if we’re not able to explain how.
 
But as a help for our memory the above tree captures the main fruit God was keen for these Philippians Christians to grow in.  Which might you circle and pray for through the next few weeks?   If you wanted to pray for me, mine is deep inner peace.
 
The fact that God wants his people to grow in these things says something quite wonderful about him. 

He really knows us.  So, for example, he knows how troubled and anxious we can become so he takes time to speak to us about peace.  He really loves us.  Like any parent he longs for our joy and happiness.  God wants you and I to be massively joyful!  But unlike a human parent he really knows what’s best for us.  So he won’t turn a blind eye to pride or grumbling because he knows these things eat us up.  He won’t just give us an easy life but works to help us cope and be content.  And he won’t let us focus on ourselves but calls us to serve others and his gospel - and in this find life and blessing ourselves.    
    
How surpassingly great the Lord is!