WEBVTT 00:00:00.520 --> 00:00:03.700 Hello, this is Father Paul, and I'm glad we're 00:00:03.700 --> 00:00:05.740 taking this journey together to read the Bible 00:00:05.740 --> 00:00:09.500 in a year. Today we begin reading the first of 00:00:09.500 --> 00:00:11.859 four epistles that St. Paul wrote while imprisoned 00:00:11.859 --> 00:00:15.039 in Rome. His epistle to the Philippians, chapters 00:00:15.039 --> 00:00:32.140 1 through 4. Chapter 1 Jesus Christ. I thank 00:00:32.140 --> 00:00:35.520 my God upon every remembrance of you, always 00:00:35.520 --> 00:00:38.320 in every prayer of mine, making requests for 00:00:38.320 --> 00:00:41.359 you all with joy, for your fellowship in the 00:00:41.359 --> 00:00:44.420 gospel from the first day until now, being confident 00:00:44.420 --> 00:00:47.899 of this very thing, that he who has begun a good 00:00:47.899 --> 00:00:50.539 work in you will complete it until the day of 00:00:50.539 --> 00:00:53.679 Jesus Christ. Just as it is right for me to think 00:00:53.679 --> 00:00:56.659 this of you all, because I have you in my heart, 00:00:56.960 --> 00:00:59.579 inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense 00:00:59.579 --> 00:01:02.920 and confirmation of the gospel, you are all partakers 00:01:02.920 --> 00:01:06.120 with me of grace. For God is my witness, how 00:01:06.120 --> 00:01:08.540 greatly I long for you all with the affection 00:01:08.540 --> 00:01:12.340 of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your love 00:01:12.340 --> 00:01:14.879 may abound still more and more in knowledge and 00:01:14.879 --> 00:01:17.400 all discernment, that you may approve the things 00:01:17.400 --> 00:01:20.000 that are excellent, that you may be sincere and 00:01:20.000 --> 00:01:23.109 without offense. till the day of Christ, being 00:01:23.109 --> 00:01:25.269 filled with the fruits of righteousness, which 00:01:25.269 --> 00:01:27.609 are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise 00:01:27.609 --> 00:01:30.790 of God. But I want you to know, brethren, that 00:01:30.790 --> 00:01:33.069 the things which happened to me have actually 00:01:33.069 --> 00:01:35.510 turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, 00:01:35.670 --> 00:01:38.250 so that it has become evident to the whole palace 00:01:38.250 --> 00:01:41.049 guard and to all the rest that my chains are 00:01:41.049 --> 00:01:43.709 in Christ. And most of the brethren in the Lord, 00:01:43.790 --> 00:01:46.829 having become confident by my chains, are much 00:01:46.829 --> 00:01:50.129 more bold to speak the word without fear. Some 00:01:50.129 --> 00:01:53.250 indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, 00:01:53.290 --> 00:01:56.230 and some also from goodwill. The former preach 00:01:56.230 --> 00:01:58.849 Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, 00:01:59.109 --> 00:02:02.230 supposing to add affliction to my chains, but 00:02:02.230 --> 00:02:04.750 the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed 00:02:04.750 --> 00:02:08.090 for the defense of the gospel. What then? Only 00:02:08.090 --> 00:02:11.289 that in every way, whether in pretense or in 00:02:11.289 --> 00:02:14.310 truth, Christ is preached, and in this I rejoice, 00:02:14.550 --> 00:02:17.719 yes, and will rejoice. For I know that this will 00:02:17.719 --> 00:02:20.039 turn out for my deliverance through your prayer 00:02:20.039 --> 00:02:22.479 and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 00:02:22.740 --> 00:02:25.479 according to my earnest expectation and hope 00:02:25.479 --> 00:02:28.240 that in nothing I shall be ashamed. But with 00:02:28.240 --> 00:02:31.340 all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will 00:02:31.340 --> 00:02:34.319 be magnified in my body, whether by life or by 00:02:34.319 --> 00:02:37.159 death. For to me to live is Christ and to die 00:02:37.159 --> 00:02:40.199 is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this 00:02:40.199 --> 00:02:43.500 will mean fruit from my labor. Yet what I shall 00:02:43.500 --> 00:02:46.360 choose I cannot tell you. For I am hard pressed 00:02:46.360 --> 00:02:49.240 between the two, having a desire to depart and 00:02:49.240 --> 00:02:51.719 be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless, 00:02:51.939 --> 00:02:54.259 to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 00:02:54.400 --> 00:02:57.219 And being confident of this, I know that I shall 00:02:57.219 --> 00:02:59.819 remain and continue with you all for your progress 00:02:59.819 --> 00:03:02.800 and joy of faith, that your rejoicing for me 00:03:02.800 --> 00:03:06.039 may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming 00:03:06.039 --> 00:03:08.759 to you again. Only let your conduct be worthy 00:03:08.759 --> 00:03:11.319 of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come 00:03:11.319 --> 00:04:01.789 and see you or am absent, Chapter 2. Let each 00:04:01.789 --> 00:04:08.650 of you look out not only for his own interests, 00:04:08.870 --> 00:04:11.969 but also for the interests of others. Let this 00:04:11.969 --> 00:04:14.539 mind be in you. which was also in Christ Jesus, 00:04:14.819 --> 00:04:17.660 who, being in the form of God, did not consider 00:04:17.660 --> 00:04:20.899 it robbery to be equal with God, but made himself 00:04:20.899 --> 00:04:24.180 of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, 00:04:24.259 --> 00:04:26.620 and coming in the likeness of men, and being 00:04:26.620 --> 00:04:29.379 found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself 00:04:29.379 --> 00:04:33.100 and became obedient to the point of death, even 00:04:33.100 --> 00:04:36.579 the death of the cross. Therefore God also has 00:04:36.579 --> 00:04:39.160 highly exalted him and given him the name which 00:04:39.160 --> 00:04:42.069 is above every name. that at the name of Jesus 00:04:42.069 --> 00:04:45.670 every knee should bow, of those in heaven and 00:04:45.670 --> 00:04:48.589 of those on earth and of those under the earth, 00:04:48.730 --> 00:04:50.990 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus 00:04:50.990 --> 00:04:53.769 Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. 00:04:54.329 --> 00:04:57.029 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, 00:04:57.050 --> 00:05:00.009 not as in my presence only, but now much more 00:05:00.009 --> 00:05:03.069 in my absence, work out your own salvation with 00:05:03.069 --> 00:05:05.949 fear and trembling, for it is God who works in 00:05:05.949 --> 00:05:08.509 you both to will and to do for his good pleasure. 00:05:08.949 --> 00:05:11.410 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 00:05:11.430 --> 00:05:14.370 that you may become blameless and harmless, children 00:05:14.370 --> 00:05:17.069 of God, without fault, in the midst of a crooked 00:05:17.069 --> 00:05:19.810 and perverse generation, among whom you shine 00:05:19.810 --> 00:05:22.810 as lights in the world, holding fast the word 00:05:22.810 --> 00:05:25.470 of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of 00:05:25.470 --> 00:05:28.430 Christ that I have not run in vain or labored 00:05:28.430 --> 00:05:32.129 in vain. Yes, and if I am being poured out as 00:05:32.129 --> 00:05:34.310 a drink offering on the sacrifice and service 00:05:34.310 --> 00:05:37.029 of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you 00:05:37.029 --> 00:05:40.089 all. for the same reason you also be glad and 00:05:40.089 --> 00:05:42.970 rejoice with me but i trust in the lord jesus 00:05:42.970 --> 00:05:45.930 to send timothy to you shortly that i also may 00:05:45.930 --> 00:05:48.949 be encouraged when i know your state for i have 00:05:48.949 --> 00:05:52.310 no one like -minded who will sincerely care for 00:05:52.310 --> 00:05:55.490 your state for all seek their own not the things 00:05:55.490 --> 00:05:58.470 which are of christ jesus but you know his proven 00:05:58.470 --> 00:06:01.709 character that as a son with his father he served 00:06:01.709 --> 00:06:04.670 with me in the gospel Therefore I hope to send 00:06:04.670 --> 00:06:07.470 them at once, as soon as I see how it goes with 00:06:07.470 --> 00:06:10.829 me. But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall 00:06:10.829 --> 00:06:14.069 also come shortly. Yet I considered it necessary 00:06:14.069 --> 00:06:17.149 to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow 00:06:17.149 --> 00:06:19.589 worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger 00:06:19.589 --> 00:06:22.209 and the one who ministered to my need, since 00:06:22.209 --> 00:06:24.709 he was longing for you all and was distressed 00:06:24.709 --> 00:06:27.550 because you had heard that he was sick. For indeed 00:06:27.550 --> 00:06:31.069 he was sick almost unto death, but God had mercy 00:06:31.069 --> 00:06:34.019 on him, and not only on him, but on me also, 00:06:34.199 --> 00:06:37.139 lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore 00:06:37.139 --> 00:06:40.439 I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see 00:06:40.439 --> 00:06:43.639 him again you may rejoice, and I may be less 00:06:43.639 --> 00:06:46.060 sorrowful. Receive him therefore in the Lord 00:06:46.060 --> 00:06:49.339 with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem. 00:06:49.420 --> 00:06:51.920 Because for the work of Christ he came close 00:06:51.920 --> 00:06:54.800 to death, not regarding his life, to supply what 00:06:54.800 --> 00:07:02.980 was lacking in your service toward me. Rejoice 00:07:02.980 --> 00:07:05.240 in the Lord. For me to write the same things 00:07:05.240 --> 00:07:07.899 to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe. 00:07:08.220 --> 00:07:11.259 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware 00:07:11.259 --> 00:07:13.980 of the mutilation. For we are the circumcision, 00:07:14.079 --> 00:07:17.000 who worship God in the Spirit. Rejoice in Christ 00:07:17.000 --> 00:07:20.279 Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Though 00:07:20.279 --> 00:07:23.040 I also might have confidence in the flesh, if 00:07:23.040 --> 00:07:25.459 anyone else thinks he may have confidence in 00:07:25.459 --> 00:07:28.639 the flesh, I more so. Circumcised the eighth 00:07:28.639 --> 00:07:31.819 day of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin. 00:07:32.139 --> 00:07:34.620 A Hebrew of the Hebrews, concerning the law, 00:07:34.740 --> 00:07:37.500 a Pharisee, concerning zeal, persecuting the 00:07:37.500 --> 00:07:39.860 church, concerning the righteousness which is 00:07:39.860 --> 00:07:42.720 in the law, blameless. But what things were gained 00:07:42.720 --> 00:07:45.300 to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 00:07:45.600 --> 00:07:48.639 Yet indeed, I also count all things loss for 00:07:48.639 --> 00:07:50.800 the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus 00:07:50.800 --> 00:07:53.600 my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of 00:07:53.600 --> 00:07:56.339 all things, and count them as rubbish, that I 00:07:56.339 --> 00:07:59.360 may gain Christ, and be found in him, not having 00:07:59.360 --> 00:08:01.579 my own righteousness, which is from the law, 00:08:01.899 --> 00:08:04.920 but that which is through faith in Christ, the 00:08:04.920 --> 00:08:07.959 righteousness which is from God by faith, that 00:08:07.959 --> 00:08:10.240 I may know him and the power of his resurrection, 00:08:10.519 --> 00:08:13.620 and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed 00:08:13.620 --> 00:08:16.959 to his death, if by any means I may attain to 00:08:16.959 --> 00:08:20.160 the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have 00:08:20.160 --> 00:08:23.120 already attained or am already perfected, but 00:08:23.120 --> 00:08:26.160 I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which 00:08:26.160 --> 00:08:29.829 Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me, Brethren, 00:08:29.930 --> 00:08:32.750 I do not count myself to have apprehended, but 00:08:32.750 --> 00:08:35.309 one thing I do, forgetting those things which 00:08:35.309 --> 00:08:38.070 are behind and reaching forward to those things 00:08:38.070 --> 00:08:40.909 which are ahead. I press toward the goal for 00:08:40.909 --> 00:08:43.769 the prize of the upward call of God in Christ 00:08:43.769 --> 00:08:46.889 Jesus. Therefore, let us, as many as are mature, 00:08:47.149 --> 00:08:50.070 have this mind. And if in anything you think 00:08:50.070 --> 00:08:52.789 otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 00:08:52.929 --> 00:08:55.769 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already 00:08:55.769 --> 00:08:58.620 attained, let us walk by the same rule. let us 00:08:58.620 --> 00:09:02.240 be of the same mind brethren join in following 00:09:02.240 --> 00:09:06.100 my example and know those who so walk as you 00:09:06.100 --> 00:09:09.059 have us for a pattern for many walk of whom i 00:09:09.059 --> 00:09:11.759 have told you often and now tell you even weeping 00:09:11.759 --> 00:09:14.659 that they are the enemies of the cross of christ 00:09:14.659 --> 00:09:18.120 whose end is destruction whose god is their belly 00:09:18.120 --> 00:09:21.419 and whose glory is in their shame who set their 00:09:21.419 --> 00:09:24.620 mind on earthly things for our citizenship is 00:09:24.620 --> 00:09:27.570 in heaven from which we also eagerly wait for 00:09:27.570 --> 00:09:30.710 the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform 00:09:30.710 --> 00:09:33.850 our lowly body that it may be conformed to his 00:09:33.850 --> 00:09:36.789 glorious body, according to the working by which 00:09:36.789 --> 00:09:39.990 he is able even to subdue all things to himself. 00:09:42.809 --> 00:09:46.269 Chapter 4 Therefore, my beloved, and longed -for 00:09:46.269 --> 00:09:49.950 brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in 00:09:49.950 --> 00:09:53.129 the Lord, beloved. I implore you, Odia, and I 00:09:53.129 --> 00:09:56.059 implore Syntyche, to be of the same mind in the 00:09:56.059 --> 00:09:59.700 Lord. And I urge you also, true companion, help 00:09:59.700 --> 00:10:01.779 these women who labored with me in the gospel, 00:10:01.940 --> 00:10:04.299 with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow 00:10:04.299 --> 00:10:06.720 workers, whose names are in the book of life. 00:10:07.240 --> 00:10:09.820 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, 00:10:10.000 --> 00:10:12.659 rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to all 00:10:12.659 --> 00:10:16.000 men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, 00:10:16.159 --> 00:10:18.460 but in everything by prayer and supplication 00:10:18.460 --> 00:10:20.960 with thanksgiving, let your requests be made 00:10:20.960 --> 00:10:24.419 known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses 00:10:24.419 --> 00:10:26.960 all understanding, will guard your hearts and 00:10:26.960 --> 00:10:29.740 minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, 00:10:30.100 --> 00:10:32.460 whatever things are true, whatever things are 00:10:32.460 --> 00:10:35.200 noble, whatever things are just, whatever things 00:10:35.200 --> 00:10:38.080 are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever 00:10:38.080 --> 00:10:41.200 things are of good report, if there is any virtue 00:10:41.200 --> 00:10:44.159 and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate 00:10:44.159 --> 00:10:46.860 on these things. The things which you learned 00:10:46.860 --> 00:10:50.080 and received and heard and saw in me, these do. 00:10:50.539 --> 00:10:53.840 and the god of peace will be with you but i rejoiced 00:10:53.840 --> 00:10:56.879 in the lord greatly that now at last your care 00:10:56.879 --> 00:10:59.720 for me has flourished again though you surely 00:10:59.720 --> 00:11:02.659 did care but you lacked opportunity not that 00:11:02.659 --> 00:11:05.100 i speak in regard to need for i have learned 00:11:05.100 --> 00:11:08.220 in whatever state i am to be content i know how 00:11:08.220 --> 00:11:11.279 to be abased and i know how to abound everywhere 00:11:11.279 --> 00:11:14.240 and in all things i have learned both to be full 00:11:14.240 --> 00:11:17.000 and to be hungry both to abound and to suffer 00:11:17.000 --> 00:11:20.440 need I can do all things through Christ who strengthens 00:11:20.440 --> 00:11:23.419 me. Nevertheless, you have done well that you 00:11:23.419 --> 00:11:26.779 shared in my distress. Now you Philippians, know 00:11:26.779 --> 00:11:29.539 also that in the beginning of the gospel, when 00:11:29.539 --> 00:11:32.659 I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with 00:11:32.659 --> 00:11:35.379 me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 00:11:35.500 --> 00:11:38.960 For even in Thessalonica, you sent aid once and 00:11:38.960 --> 00:11:41.919 again for my necessities. Not that I seek the 00:11:41.919 --> 00:11:44.980 gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your 00:11:44.980 --> 00:11:49.029 account. Indeed, I have all and abound. I am 00:11:49.029 --> 00:11:52.429 full, having received from Epaphroditus the things 00:11:52.429 --> 00:11:55.789 sent from you, a sweet -smelling aroma, an acceptable 00:11:55.789 --> 00:11:59.090 sacrifice, well -pleasing to God. And my God 00:11:59.090 --> 00:12:01.929 shall supply all your need according to his riches 00:12:01.929 --> 00:12:05.389 in glory by Christ Jesus. Now to our God and 00:12:05.389 --> 00:12:09.210 Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. Greet 00:12:09.210 --> 00:12:12.309 every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who 00:12:12.309 --> 00:12:14.990 are with me greet you. All the saints greet you. 00:12:15.230 --> 00:12:17.629 but especially those who are of Caesar's household. 00:12:17.990 --> 00:12:20.529 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you 00:12:20.529 --> 00:12:28.169 all. Ameen. I hope you enjoyed today's reading 00:12:28.169 --> 00:12:30.490 as much as I did and I look forward to seeing 00:12:30.490 --> 00:12:32.529 you again tomorrow to continue on our journey. 00:12:32.730 --> 00:12:34.330 God bless you and have a great day.