|
For Me to Live is Christ: A Journey through Philippians Twenty Centuries ago a roving tent maker turned preacher-theologian-church planter was thrown into prison for creating a public disturbance. There he spent considerable time writing letters. One of his letters was to a group of Jesus followers in the city of Philippi – a place Paul and his missionary team caused quite a ruckus with their preaching and ministry before being asked by the local magistrates to leave. Paul left behind a diverse group of believers including a wealthy merchant and her household, a jailer and his family, and a slave girl. This fledgling church became one of his favorites and Paul writes them from his prison cell to encourage them in their faith. Surviving copies of his letter run into the millions and have been translated into many languages. The apostle would most likely be uncomfortable his writings are still be studied many centuries later. He believed firmly the gospel would move forward until the final day when every tongue would confess Jesus as Lord. And Paul maintains God’s power is made perfect in our times of weakness. His imprisoned condition does not dictate his joy and peace. Were Paul to step into a present-day gathering of Jesus followers he might wonder how his Join us at City Church this Fall as we enter Paul’s world and cautiously attempt to bring his timeless perspective on what he and the Philippians were facing into our own time. |