a place to rest
You have to love Fall in Portland! The leaves are changing, the weather is still nice and yet you can wear a coat if you like. The Lord is good in all things like the study this week talks about.
I know we have some guys going through some hard times now but I pray that we all hold on to Christ because the day of our perfection grows near!
Be good and I will see you all tonight.
Two year of marriage today. Wow. It just keeps getting better. Honestly, all thanks to my wife, (Ultimately the Lord of course). She is a great woman who really makes my life pretty easy!
My advice to those who are thinking about marriage: Find someone who loves the Lord, who shares the same values that you do, and who let’s you enjoy the things you like doing.
Good times.
We got back from our San Juan trip on Sunday and it was beautiful! We left the car in Anacondas, boarded the ferry and island hopped for a week on the back of the bicycles. We had a blessed time with family and friends and can’t wait to do it again next year!
Elissa and Cindy
Great first evening on Lopez
Cindy being silly
The bikes after we got off the ferry on San Juan Island in Friday Harbor
At the top of a very large hill before San Juan County Park
Me in the fetal after the ride in to San Juan County Park
Sunset at our campsite on San Juan. The orcas came in on this evening. Quite awesome.
Just when you think it’s over.
Hitting the summit on Mt. Constitution. 4.7 miles strait up, you have to love it.
We’re all pretty blessed are we not? No matter what the situation the Lord is always with us! I have a pretty great life, it is simple but honestly I wouldn’t have it any other way…
I just wanted to let everyone know (which is probably you Phil, and maybe Brett) of the good things that have been happening. I am excited because the Lord is showing me some awesome things in the Word. Not only that I feel like Elissa and I are really becoming part of a family at Montavilla. We are going out with Brett, Juliann, Mark and Jan tonight to hang out down in the Pearl, which we are looking forward to!
Phil, let’s set up a time to kick it soon outside of mens study. I would love Elissa to get to hang out with your awesome wife, I think they would get along really well.
Hope all is well with you guys…
Blessings
One of you fellas better leave a post on my site!
The last time I updated my “study” page (which was like 2 years ago) I was going through Psalms. Funny when I start up the mens site I started with Psalm 1. Hope everyone is enjoying their time blogging away!
I just posted a new page called “Answers.” Brett or Les, if you want to copy off of me for mens study, you will find them there! My main page is going to be random updates and what nots.
Review: Philippians 1:6 God’s Work
1) Read Matthew 16:13-18.
A) How would you relate this passage to this good work” that Paul was writing about?
A: The “good work” that the Lord has begun hinges on us accepting who He is. Without the acknowledgment of Christ as the Savior, there is no hope.
B) What principle of doctrine is contained in this passage?
A: Christ alone is God. There are no others beside Him.
C) Is it a work that is in an individual or a community?
A: In a sense both. The first act is us individually. We accept Christ and grace that comes with him, be we are also a part of the body of Christ. We go through that process of sanctification and become a member of the entire body of Christ.
2) Paul is confident, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the work would be completed. Why was his confidence in his Lord so great that he would not allow great suffering and deprivation to discourage him? How does this encourage or inspire you?
A: He saw that hand of God move through out his situation, plus he was taken to heaven which doesn’t hurt! Circumstance does not dictate our love for God.
Philippians 1:9-11 Love, Knowledge And Judgment
And this I pray: 1) that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 2) that you may approve things that are excellent; 3)that you may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; 4) being filled with the fruits of righteousness, 5) which are by Jesus Christ, 6) unto the glory and praise of God. (Phil. 1:9-11). (NKJV)
This is my prayer: 1) that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. 2) You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelli-gent, not sentimental gush. 3) Live a lover’s life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: 4) bountiful in fruits from the soul, 5) making Jesus Christ attractive to all, 6) getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God. (message)
1) Is there a contradiction between Ph 1:6 & verse 9 to 11 as well as between Ph 2: 12 & 2:13?
A: No. In both cases ultimately the Lord is the one who is given the credit. He is the one who stirs within us who gives us the desire to follow after the things of Him. In each case we are called to respond to Him. To work out our own salvation means we are not to worry about others but worry about our own relationship with Him.
If so, how is it resolved?
2) Paul has used the first part of his letter thanking God for his situation, including the loyal, generous love of these Philippians. In verse 9 he begins telling that he is praying about things they need to improve. What is Paul’s concern? How does God address this concern connected to our needs as well?
A: Paul wants to see growth in the things that are well pleasing to God. The Lord allows us to go through times of struggle for it builds our faith. In lean times we either learn to approve what is good or we fall back on what the world condones.
3) Can religion be taught? What hindrances are there to teaching Christianity? What is the first requirement?
A: Religion can be taught. A relationship with the Lord is something that has to be experienced. We can provide the tools the Lord has given us but you cannot teach the relationship aspect. The first requirement is accepting Christ as the Savior, (Romans 10:9)
B) Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes the pitfalls between emotion toward the Lord and head knowledge about Him. What is the balance between the two and provide examples of how we can attain that balance.
A: The balance is the action that comes from both. When the Word cuts us open and the Lord shows us a better way it is our response to his calling that determines whether or not we have found that balance.
4) Explain what Paul prayed for and why he prayed for these things.
What: 1) love may abound. 2) approve the things that are excellent. 3) sincere and with out offense till the day of Christ. 4) filled with the fruits of righteousness.
Why: 1) We all need love. It is the basis of why we do what we do, and the more our love abounds the more like Christ we are. 2) When we approve the things that the Lord loves we can encourage each other in those things drawing us further out of the world. 3) Sincerity helps show the world Christ. We are sinners but Christ is perfect and in our sincerity we He comes through. 4) When all of these things build we will have fruit in our lives of the Spirit, of Jesus. Pretty rad.
5) What is the most vital thing that Paul wanted them to concentrate on?
A: Love abounding
6) From verse 11, what should be the evident result of Paul’s prayer?
A: Action from the Lord through us.
7) What should that pure and righteous life look like?
A: People who love Jesus no matter what is happening!
8) As you read the passage and the last paragraph in the notes, what resources does God provide that enables:
A) Our love to flourish and that we will not only love much but well by learning to love appropriately.
A: The Word
B) Us to use our heads and test our feelings so that our love is sincere’
A: The Word
C) To live a lover’s life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of.
A: The Word (and meditating and praying through it)
D) Live a life bountiful in fruits from the soul.
A: The Word
E) A life making Jesus Christ attractive to all.
A: Praying through the Word, letting Him shine through us.
F) A life that gets everyone involved in the glory and praise of God?
A: The fruites of the Spirit which are found in the Word of God.
Review: Philippians1: 1-7 Saints In Christ
1) What about Paul’s attitude made him so effective as a witness can help us to understand how “Joy in Christ” should affect our testimony?
A: Our testimony supersedes circumstance. Joy in Christ has no foundation in the circumstances of the world. In fact the bible tells us that if we are to follow Christ than this world will be full of suffering, (2 Tim 3:12). Paul knows this well. He has been beaten, hated, put in prison, mocked, chained to guards and on and on… His joy is not effect by where he is or what is happening to him, his joy is in Christ alone and what He is doing through Paul’s suffering. Our testimony should be based in Jesus Christ and what He is doing and has done rather than the particular circumstance we find ourselves in.
2) What should the world see in our lives that it needs?
A: The world needs a savior. They should see Christ in us. The best part about that is we alone do not have the strength to do this. If it was just up to us to show Christ we would (and do) fail miserably! It is only when we ask Christ to work through us that He is seen. We only have to have the desire to be vessels for him. Sometimes I think Christians think it is up to them to show the world Christ and instead of letting Him lead, they push ahead without Him. There is a reason the Bible says “be still and know that I am God.” How much better off would we be if we took time to be still and let Christ do the work for us? I don’t know about you but He is quite a bit smarter and all around more fantastic than I will ever even get close to hoping to be! 
3) What principle does the Lord teach the Church in Luke 9:57-62?
A: The time to act is now. The people in these examples want to put off following Christ for their own security of sorts. “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” This world is not our home. Dang that one is a hard one to remember in practicality isn’t it?
Philippians 1:6 God’s Work
There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears. (Message)
I am convinced of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Christ. (ISVNT)
being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. (NKJV)
1) What was or is “this good or great work”?
A: Our salvation! Christ has taken our sin so we can be presented to the Father as a spotless lamb.
2) Why was Paul confident, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the work would be completed?
A: God is ALWAYS faithful. He promises us so much and has never led us astray.
3) Why do so many in the church lack that same confidence?
A: Lack of faith. We need to remember by faith we can come to Christ. With out faith we are like a ship tossed around at see (read James 1).
4) Why is this verse so critical to the comfort and encouragement that Paul wants to extend to the church at Philippi and to us (today’s church)?
A: It’s one of the biggest comforts and encouragement’s that we as Christians have. No matter what circumstances we find ourselves in, the Lord has begun a work in us and He is faithful to see this work through. This life is but a hand-breath; it is short and fleeting, we need to remember to number our days for they are short. No matter what is going on Christ is with us and heaven is waiting when this life ends.
5 How was Paul’s decision to go to Philippi made?
A: He wanted to go to Asia to preach the Gospel but the Holy Spirit did not allow it. In a dream he was given the vision of a man in Macedonia who told Paul to come and help them. As a result of that dream Paul changed course and headed to Europe.
6) What impresses you most about the paragraph summarizing the salvation and sanctification process described on pages 3 & 4?
A: The desire for change, and who is behind that desire. Most of the time Christians take credit for their successes and victories in life. I am not sure why this idea continues to thrive other than the fact we are all sinners. The Scriptures tell us plainly that we do not seek after anything good in our own strength it is only the Lord who places those desires within our hearts and He is the one who allows them to grow. When men realize that Christ is EVERYTHING, and I a mean everything, that is good and we in ourselves are everything that is bad, we can start living a life of freedom knowing that He is the living water and He is the one who leads us to the spring.
7) Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes 3 principles that are the foundation of “the Work”. List them and write a brief sentence defining each one.
A) The work is done by God alone. He is the one who is in control, we only respond to the calling He has in every situation. (And even the response is done by His grace and favor).
B) The work is good and it is “in” us, not among us. The process to our salvation starts with a birth, or rebirth in our cases. Just like a child, our rebirth must be nurtured and cared for so it can grow, gain strength and mature. Our old man is put away and replaced by this new creature in Christ.
C) The purpose of the Work. God has fashioned us in His image and grows within us the desire for Him and all things that are of Him. We grow and follow Him and His works waiting for the day of His return for the church. And what a day that will be!
8) Read 2 Timothy 2:19; 1Corinthians 3:11 and Romans 5:10. How do these verses lay the basis for confidence in this “Great/good Work”?
1. Christ died for us and in Him is life. 2. No other can lay a foundation equal to Christ, there is no other God but Him. 3. Let us put away the things of the world by His power and follow Him alone. God is good! He has set aside His life so we may be free. Read Isaiah 53. God was happy to crush His only Son on our behalf. Happy? Seriously? Do we really need anymore proof that we can and should have confidence in our God?
9) As saints in Christ Jesus, what is our privileged responsibility to the truth of Philippians 1:6?
A: To have joy in the confidence we have in Christ.
