Skip to main content

Philippians 1:12-18


Welcome back! We're continuing our path through Philippians and we're glad you've decided to join us.

Let's start with a question: How did you first come to know about Jesus? Who were the key people in your life who told you about Jesus?  For me, I'm not sure when I first heard about Jesus. But I do remember when the story of Jesus became personal for me. I was a teenager, going to Sweetwater UMC in Pearson. Brother Randy had just started preaching there. There was something in the way he told the story that made it come alive. And I fell in love with the story of Scripture. The next time we're together, I want to hear your stories.

If you're also doing the video class, please watch "Phil 1:12-18 with Prof. N.T. Wright."

Here are my notes




  • Paul challenges us to think differently and to look at situations and circumstances through the lens of the Good News.
  • Paul is in prison, maybe in Ephesus? 
  • Proclaiming Jesus as Lord is what makes the difference
  • The name of Jesus makes things happen--see Acts
  • The gospel makes the difference
  • Don't be anxious--ironically, this is part of the Good News

Stats for nerds
- I don't have a complicated system for Bible journaling. I write down what I think is most important--the things that help me to get the bigger picture and things that I think will be helpful in a sermon.
- I use Pigma Micron pens. It's what other Bible nerds suggested, and it's what Lifeway used to carry. I use the 005 size.
- I use blue for the majority of the notes because it seems the least distracting from the text.
- I use an orange for underlining key words. (I don't highlight this Bible. I have one with thicker paper that I use a highlighting system in.)
- I use black for what I think are major notes.
- This is a 1984 NIV Cambridge Wide Margin. 



Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Midweek Meditation, episode 1

Good evening church! The Coronavirus and social distancing make it impossible for us to meet this week, but we can still chat. So instead of our weekly Bible study in person, let's try this. Follow this link and create an account at Udemy. This course is free if you enroll by tomorrow, March 19th.  Watch the 3 minute course Overview video with Jennifer Loop. She'll explain how this course is put together. . Then view the 3 minute Introduction to the Letter by N.T. Wright.  Bishop Wright mentions Philippians as one of the prison letters. The prison letters are Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. Do you have a favorite letter of Paul? I love the little book of Philemon. It's a personal letter, short, and tells a beautiful story. I think the whole of Paul's theology can be seen there--Reconciliation is the heart of what it means to be part of the family of Jesus. What about you? Do you have a favorite letter by Paul? Is there some question...

A Light for All

Epiphany is when we remember the magi's visit to see baby Jesus. Epiphany means "manifestation." This day is a celebration--not because of the gifts given to baby Jesus--but because of what God has done through Jesus. Through Jesus, the divine glory has been made manifest. Through Jesus, God's glory has been made known to all. What this really means is that now the world finally gets to see what God is truly like. In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, magi from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where  is the child who has been born king of the Jews?" . . . they set out; and there ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. (Matthew 2:1-2a, 9) If you're an artistic type who's interested in Christian art, light is the traditional symbol for Epiphany. . . . the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land o...

From Anxiety to Hope

In the early winter of AD 28, an extraordinary rumor spread across the shores of Galilee. A new prophet is on the scene. God had been silent for so long. Believers had longed for a new word from God. The last prophet to speak about the Messiah lived nearly 400 years ago. Some thought prophecy was dead. Others hoped it would be revived. Many longed for a movement which would bring them a new kind of freedom. Then John appears. Crowds come to hear this voice in the wilderness. It may helpful to remember the Exodus story: When Israel left Egypt, they were ed through the Red Sea, through the wilderness of Sinai, and, finally, through the Jordan into the promised land. People were desperate for a new exodus, a new freedom. Then John appears. He tells people to turn their lives around. He calls for people to change their hearts and lives. He's not calling for a one-time event. Instead, this is a radical change of life. John is preparing the road for the Lord to return. He...