The G.E.P.C Study – PHILIPPIANS 1 – Part Two

Going Through Paul’s epistles to Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, and Colossae

INTRODUCTION: We can look at disappointments, set-backs, failures with a dejected attitude and feel like giving up, giving in to disillusionment, discouragement, even bitterness. At such challenging times in our lives, we must come back around to acknowledge that the LORD is sovereign, that He has a calling and a course for each one of us His children.

NO OBSTACLE WILL BE ABLE TO KEEP GOD’s WILL FROM OUR LIVES AS WE TRUST IN HIM, YIELD TO HIM, FOLLOW HIM!

The apostle Paul was on a roll; his missionary work was flourishing! People were getting saved left and right! But then something happened that brought his work to a screeching halt: yet it didn’t keep the LORD from working through others!

This apostolic letter is one of a few “prison epistles” (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon and 2 Timothy) that, if Paul was never arrested, he might not have had the time to write them (as he was blazing from the Middle East into Europe with the Gospel of Jesus Christ). In this one instant alone, we can see where GOD brings blessing out of what appears to be an obstacle.

Continuing on now with Part 2 of Chapter One…

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TRIUMPHANT TRILOGIES – Examining JOHN 12,13 & 14

Examining JOHN 13 – Part TWO

Introduction: Just as first impressions are lasting ones, so too are last words most impressionable. Timothy understood this when his father in the faith, apostle Paul wrote his last letter to him (2 TIMOTHY).

These are among the last words that our LORD would speak with His disciples prior to the Cross and His death. Yet unlike Paul, the apostles didn’t hear the last from Him! As the saying goes, “You just can’t keep a good man down!” Only in this case, we’re talking about the ONLY Good Man ever to be born (MATT 19:17)!

At this point in the chapter, the apostles are baffled by the LORD’s statement, “One of you will betray Me.” That must have really rocked their world! Imagine how they all must have looked at one another, completely mystified! I can picture Judas however, averting any eye contact with the others…

JOHN 13:23-27
23 Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24 Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke. 25 Then, leaning back on Jesus' breast, he said to Him, "Lord, who is it?" 26 Jesus answered, "It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it." And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27 Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, "What you do, do quickly."

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GOD’s PERFECT PLAN: The GOSPEL – Part 2: A Series Exploring The Biblical Overview

INTRODUCTION: We continue now in this study, observing and tracing the plan that GOD has set forth to proclaim and initiate the Gospel Agenda, though Satan did his best to run interference and prevent it from taking place.

He failed, and this demonstrates GOD supreme authority and sovereignty!

He tried to prevent “the seed” from crushing him by goading Cain (I have no doubt he did!) into murdering his brother Abel. When that didn’t work, Satan used a tactic that many find quite bizarre!

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Ch. 1 in JOSHUA: CONQUERING The ENEMY, INHERITING The LAND PART ONE

INTRODUCTION: The great Leader and Law Giver of Israel, the one that GOD used as the Deliverer of the Hebrew slaves died. Up to that point, Joshua was accustomed to a supporting role to Moses. He was also placed in charge of Israel’s armies.

Towards the end of his ministry Moses was called by GOD to meet Him at the Tabernacle of Meeting. And he was told to bring Joshua with him…

NUMBERS 27:18-23
18 And the LORD said to Moses: "Take Joshua the son of Nun with you, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him; 19 "set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation and inaugurate him in their sight. 20 "And you shall give some of your authority to him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient. 21 "He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire before the LORD for him by the judgment of the Urim. At his word they shall go out, and at his word they shall come in, he and all the children of Israel with him-all the congregation." 22 So Moses did as the LORD commanded him. He took Joshua and set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation. 23 And he laid his hands on him and inaugurated him, just as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses (See also DEUT. 31:3-8; 14-23).

After a rather significant, serious blunder on the part of Moses, the LORD ended his career, stating that he would not lead Israel into the promised land. That mission would go to Joshua (NUM 20:11-12).

If you’ve ever been asked to fill the shoes of your mentor, someone that you’ve held the highest respect for – you know something about how Joshua must have felt. Even Scripture itself states that there was never another prophet like Moses (DEUT 34:10). How could Joshua possibly live up to that?

This is why GOD had to keep reassuring this man (JOSH 1:5-9).

This story begins at the riverfront of the Jordan, where Joshua and Israel are about to crossover into Canaan land…

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Study in PROVERBS 25:1-9 About KINGS, COURTS, CONUNDRUMS & CORRUPTION

Introduction: True Wisdom in the Christian is born of the Holy Spirit; we can't have wisdom without GOD and His Word of Truth.

As we continue to go through Proverbs, let's understand that we are just as dependent on GOD for real wisdom as we are for salvation!

PROVERBS 25:1-2
1 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied: 2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

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The G.E.P.C Study – PHILIPPIANS 1 – Part One

Going Through Paul’s epistles to Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, and Colossae

INTRODUCTION: Philippi was, early on in Roman history, a city held in high esteem, having a port nearby and considerable gold mines that were still profitable. Paul the apostle left Troy and entered into Europe on his second missionary journey, due to a vision he received from GOD and first preached in Philippi (located in the province of Macedonia) and established the first church in the region, starting with a convert by the name of Lydia, an affluent woman, a trader in fabrics and dyes.

We read about Paul’s time in Philippi in ACTS 16:12-40.

It was during his first internment in Ephesus (or possibly Caesarea or perhaps even Rome) that he wrote this epistle to the Philippians. While he was quite hopeful for a release, it was far from a certainty. This might have meant an end to his ministry had not the LORD intervened!

Doctor Luke was from Philippi (but most likely born in Antioch) and probably attended a school there where he studied medicine, which would explain his affinity for this city and the church there. He joined the missionary team that the apostle assembled and helped to minister to the relatively new church but then remained behind to continue ministry there when Paul and Company moved on. Note the “we” in ACTS 16:10 – implying that the writer of ACTS (being Luke himself) – joined the team but then remained in Philippi once Paul moved on by the “they” in ACTS 17:1. There’s textual evidence that Luke rejoined the team on two subsequent occasions.

Paul returned to visit Philippi after he left Ephesus, again traveling to the region of Macedonia (2 COR 2:12-3; 7:5) and once more sometime later (ACTS 20:3). The apostle maintained regular communication with the Philippian church by way of messengers as well (ACTS 18:5; 19:22; 2 COR 11:9; PHIL 2:25).

The theme for this epistle has long been known as “joy in the midst of suffering” and we will see this theme again and again through this letter.

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