Maintaining a Faithful Church

Philippians 3:17-4:9

A faithful church follows good examples (17).

A faithful church weeps for the unfaithful ones who have become enemies of Christ (18).

A faithful church minds those things above, glorying in God and not in their own shame (19).

A faithful church remembers her citizenship and her King (20).

A faithful church, with a mind presently in Christ’s image, anticipates receiving bodies “fashioned like unto his glorious body” (21).

A faithful church stands securely and unmoveably in the Lord Jesus (1).

A faithful church works to resolve personal clashes and differences by being “of the same mind in the Lord” (2).

A faithful church helps those who help others in the work of the Gospel (3).

A faithful church joys and rejoices in the Lord, always (4).

A faithful church is appropriately patient and gentle because of the near closeness of the Lord (5).

A faithful church does not suffer anxiety, thanks to her thankful reliance on God (6).

A faithful church is kept by Jesus and God’s incomprehensible peace (7).

A faithful church thinks thoughts that mesh with the character of God (8).

A faithful church does according to the lives of faithful leaders, thereby enjoying God’s peace (9).

Are you (a contributing member) in a faithful church?

This kind of likemindedness loudly, clearly, and insistently calls us to be of the same mind in our humble consideration of each other, in our humiliation for another’s benefit, in our unflinching commitment to the Gospel, and in our desire to put Jesus absolutely first. (Being of the Same Mind)

“Enemies of the cross of Christ . . . who mind earthly things” (Philippians 3:18,19).

I find myself asking, Is it really that narrow?

Those who have their minds captured by earthly things are enemies of the cross of Christ?

Adapted from To What Do I Pay Attention?

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

If I ran my thoughts through these screens, how much would be discarded?

Even more important is whether or not I will decide to use the screens.

Read the rest Needed: Thought Screens

We heard of your faith (Colossians 1:4)

Between me and at least three other brothers in our church there exists a chasm. This chasm has been dug by some practical, philosophical, and/or theological differences.

Despite our oneness on a whole host of other issues, the differences strain our relationships.

What if God inspired someone to deliver us a message? And what if we could agree on the divine origin of the message? And what if the message were along the lines of the one the Apostle Paul delivered in Philippians 4:2?

“I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.”

I wonder how in the world I/we would go about obeying the message.

Read the rest: Get Along?

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