The Hearing God Course at Gateway South Austin is a journey that will help you grow and deepen your relationship with God and discover His voice.
Hearing God begins not with technique, but surrender.
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” —John 10:27
God is not silent. The primary obstacle to hearing Him is not His unwillingness to speak, but our unwillingness to listen – due to distractions or not liking what we hear.
How do we discern His voice?
Remove Distractions, Listen, and Look for the Clues God Gives:
Supernatural Clues: Seeking God (Prayer) Seeking God (The Bible) Spirit of God Signs
External Clues: Sage counsel Circumstances
Internal Clues: Significance
The Purpose of the Bible
“The Scriptures are a portal into God’s presence.” – Erwin McManus
God’s voice will always align with God’s Word.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” – Hebrews 4:12
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” – Psalm 119:105
The Bible is not just information. The Bible is about transformation.
How to Read and Apply the Bible To Your Life
The Bible is human and divine (historical particularity and eternal relevance).
Understand the context and the original meaning to help you apply to your life.
Interpret the Scriptures with the Scriptures.
Read the Bible through the lens of the cross.
Discussion Questions:
What’s been your experience with the Bible – encouraging, confusing, inspiring, intimidating, or something else?
Why do you think God often uses Scripture not to give quick answers, but to shape our hearts over time?
Have you ever had a passage of Scripture feel especially timely or personal? What do you think God was doing in that moment?
How do you typically respond when Scripture challenges your preferences, assumptions, or plans?
What would it look like for you to approach the Bible this week not asking, “What should I do?” but “Who is God forming me to be?”
What is your goal this week in connecting with God through the Bible?
Whether you have been following God for a long time or you aren’t sure about God, I want to invite you to read through the New Testament with an open heart and open mind over the course of the next year!
If you are willing to pursue God, I believe you will find Him!
The 5 Part Plan:
1. Before reading each day, pray something like the following:
“God, help me know more about who You are, who You want me to be, and how You want me to live this out today.”
2. Read through the passage with an open heart and an open mind.
Observation: What stands out?
Interpretation: What is being communicated?
Application: How can you apply this today?
3. Watch the video I posted on this chapter.
Follow along with the videos on the podcast “Start Here: The New Testament” at one of the following:
12 I’m not implying that I’ve already received “resurrection,” or that I’ve already become complete and mature! No; I’m hurrying on, eager to overtake it, because Messiah Jesus has overtaken me. 13 My dear family, I don’t reckon that I have yet overtaken it. But this is my one aim: to forget everything that’s behind, and to strain every nerve to go after what’s ahead. 14 I mean to chase on towards the finishing post, where the prize waiting for me is the upward call of God in Messiah Jesus.
15 Those of us who are mature should think like this! If you think differently about it, God will reveal this to you as well. 16 Only let’s be sure to keep in line with the position we have reached.
17 So, my dear family, I want you, all together, to watch what I do and copy me. You’ve got us as a pattern of behavior; pay careful attention to people who follow it.
18 You see, there are several people who behave as enemies of the cross of the Messiah. I told you about them often enough, and now I’m weeping as I say it again. 19 They are on the road to destruction; their stomach is their god, and they find glory in their own shame. All they ever think about is what’s on the earth.
20 We are citizens of heaven, you see, and we’re eagerly waiting for the savior, the Lord, Messiah Jesus, who is going to come from there. 21 Our present body is a shabby old thing, but he’s going to transform it so that it’s just like his glorious body. And he’s going to do this by the power which makes him able to bring everything into line under his authority.
1Well then, my dear family—I miss you so much, you’re my joy and crown!—this is how you must stand firm in the Lord, my beloved people.
– Philippians 3:12-4:1
This passage is about how Jesus people need to be in the present moment.
The resurrection is worldview defining for Paul! The Creator will one day put everything right! God is the good and wise Creator and the just and loving covenant partner so then the promise is resurrection. Creation plus justice equals resurrection. We have proof of this in the resurrection of Jesus.
“We are citizens of heaven” does not mean “Jesus is coming to get us to take us there.” The Philippians were citizens of Rome where they were! They were not supposed to actually go to Rome. This phrase is more about our vocation. This is in line with Jesus’ prayer “on earth as it is in heaven.”
Psalm 8 is being quoted pointing towards Jesus, the One True Human, raising up other true humans in His image.
Phil. 3:12-16 Paul is talking about Christian maturity in the present time. Paul says his point in vs. 12, expands on it with an athletic metaphor in vs. 13-14, and then applies his point in vs. 15-16. Our present life must drawn our future reality as resurrected Messiah people. Paul has not already attained or received resurrection is what he means in Phil. 3:12 but this is obvious when we look at Phil. 3:20-21.Even in the midst of our suffering and trouble, we are to draw on this resurrected life to help us through it all. The mature among us know they are not yet mature.| Once again Paul reminds us this is all about changing how we think so that we think like the Messiah. “Stand firm” and keep in line with the message we have and the identity we have.
Phil. 3:17-4:1 As the new covenant people, we are to imitate Paul rather than the people who play fast and loose with ethics. If there comes a clash between their loyalty to the civic authorities and their loyalty to Jesus, we need to go the way of Jesus. Humility, chastity, and generosity are the virtues of Messiah people even though this was not part of the Roman culture. Paul’s heart was broken by those who were headed towards destruction. Perhaps he was thinking of the pagan society or the Judaizers. Most likely, his heart was broken by those who were supposed to be following Jesus but had turned away and were drifting back into a pagan lifestyle. In their thinking they set their mind on earthly things rather than the ways of Jesus and His Kingdom. They were living as if there was no heavenly kingdom. The created world is good as God’s creation, but we are not to worship the creation.
We must be careful to avoid “easy-believism” or offer assurance of salvation to all who raised their hand in an emotional moment as a child. We want to communicate clearly what the invitation of following Jesus means – becoming Messiah people who experience new life and bring new life. Jesus is the Savior, the Lord, and the King.
Jesus will come to deal with the problem not to take us away from it! He will come to complete the work of new creation!
When He comes, He will transform those who are Messiah people who are still alive and resurrect those have been with Him waiting for this glorious day of the Lord!
Christology opens up to give us a vision of humanity becoming what God had always intended. God already has our new body ready! God already knows the glorious and unique person He created me to be! Because of the promise of the resurrection and new creation, we are currently just a shadow of our future selves. We will be “glorified” which means installed as the royal priesthood of God’s new world. “Glorified” does not mean far away from earth in a far off place as glowing souls.
And then the reality of this broken world interrupts this beautiful vision of the new heaven and new earth…
2 I have a special appeal which goes jointly to Euodia and Syntyche: please, please, come to a common mind in the Lord. 3 (And here’s a request for you too, my loyal comrade: please help these women. They have struggled hard in the gospel alongside me, as have Clement and my other fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.) – Philippians 4:2-3
Though we don’t know why Euodia and Syntyche are in conflict, we absolutely know this situation as we have all faced this. Paul wanted them to reframe how they are thinking and think more like Jesus.
4 Celebrate joyfully in the Lord, all the time. I’ll say it again: celebrate! 5 Let everybody know how gentle and gracious you are. The Lord is near.
6 Don’t worry about anything. Rather, in every area of life let God know what you want, as you pray and make requests, and give thanks as well. 7 And God’s peace, which is greater than we can ever understand, will keep guard over your hearts and minds in Messiah Jesus.
8 For the rest, my dear family, these are the things you should think through: whatever is true, whatever is holy, whatever is upright, whatever is pure, whatever is attractive, whatever has a good reputation; anything virtuous, anything praiseworthy. 9 And these are the things you should do: what you learned, received, heard and saw in and through me. And the God of peace will be with you. – Philippians 4:4-9
The God of peace wants people to be reconciled as He is the God who reconciles! (See also Romans 15:33) The eschatological reality of Jesus being with us should shape how we live.
Get the transformed mind and other things will fall into line; therefore, rejoice! Celebrate! Followers of Jesus are to be celebration people! Celebration rinses the mind of the nagging doubts and fears. Celebration opens new neural pathways for God to do His new thing in us and through us! The world around should know us gentle and gracious!
Paul tells us not to worry about anything (even though he often expresses his anxieties in his letters). This is a spiritual discipline we need to continue to work out in our lives. God will translate our stumbling prayers into what we really need. He is with us! He is the Source of our peace!
Phil. 4:8-9 There are lots of virtues we should pursue. Celebrate God’s goodness wherever we find it in our world AND have a commitment to the holy way of Jesus as Paul was trying to live out as an example to them. Both are important!
We can become slaves to our screens. Most of the world is telling us other things to be thinking about (fake news and conspiracy theories) other than the One who is Truth.
Paul’s example (along with Timothy and Epaphroditus) includes holiness, kindness to the poor, a knowing of Jesus, and a witness to the world.
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I in turn may be encouraged by getting news about you. 20 I have nobody else of his quality: he will care quite genuinely about how you are. 21 Everybody else, you see, looks after their own interests, not those of Messiah Jesus. 22 But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a child with a father he has worked as a slave alongside me for the sake of the gospel. 23 So I’m hoping to send him just as soon as I see how it will turn out with me. 24 And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come very soon as well.
25 But I did think it was necessary to send Epaphroditus to you. He is my brother; he has worked alongside me and fought alongside me; and he’s served as your agent in tending to my needs. 26 He was longing for you all, you see, and he was upset because you heard that he was sick. 27 And he really was sick, too; he nearly died. But God took pity on him—yes, and on me as well, so that I wouldn’t have one sorrow piled on top of another.
28 This has made me all the more eager to send him, so that you’ll see him again and be glad, and my own anxieties will be laid to rest. 29 So give him a wonderfully happy welcome in the Lord, and hold people like him in special respect. 30 He came close to death through risking his life for the Messiah’s work, so that he could complete the service to me that you hadn’t been able to perform.
-Philippians 2:19-30
Paul commends Timothy and Epaphroditus to the Philippians. Timothy had traveled with Paul to Philippi in the past and the Philippians had sent Epaphroditus with the money for Paul. Perhaps Paul was making sure the Philippians knew that Epaphroditus had not stolen the money since he had not yet returned! Instead he had gotten sick but was now better.
Paul’s Judean Context The Judaizers wanted the Gentiles to follow the law starting with getting circumcised in order to become followers of Jesus. Paul refers to these Judaizers as “dogs.” Jews often called Gentiles “dogs.” Paul also says they are doing bad works rather than good works as they suggest. Paul says they are not the “cutting round people” but the “cut off people.” He may be referencing the way the priests of Baal mutilated themselves when going up against Elijah. Paul insists followers of Jesus are the circumcision and children of Abraham! (See also Romans 2:25-29) Followers of Jesus have access to the Spirit of God and none of this has anything to do with moral good works or ethnic heritage. This happens because of what Jesus has done for us and our faith in His faithfulness.
Justification and Being in Christ Paul deals with this more in other letters, but he includes this here as well. The word “righteousness” is a HUGE word that has picked up lots of baggage along the way. Does it mean covenant faithfulness and loyalty or moral goodness? It means those things and so much more!
So then, my dear family, it comes down to this: celebrate in the Lord! It’s no trouble for me to write the same things to you, and it’s safe for you.
2 Watch out for the dogs! Watch out for the “bad works” people! Watch out for the “incision” party, that is, the mutilators! 3 We are the “circumcision,” you see—we who worship God by the spirit, and boast in Messiah Jesus, and refuse to trust in the flesh.
4 Mind you, I’ve got good reason to trust in the flesh. If anyone else thinks they have reason to trust in the flesh, I’ve got more. 5 Circumcised? On the eighth day. Race? Israelite. Tribe? Benjamin. Descent? Hebrew through and through. Torah-observance? A Pharisee. 6 Zealous? I persecuted the church! Official status under the law? Blameless.
7 Does that sound as though my account was well in credit? Well, maybe; but whatever I had written in on the profit side, I calculated it instead as a loss—because of the Messiah. 8 Yes, I know that’s weird, but there’s more: I calculate everything as a loss, because knowing Messiah Jesus as my Lord is worth far more than everything else put together! In fact, because of the Messiah I’ve suffered the loss of everything, and I now calculate it as trash, so that my profit may be the Messiah, 9 and that I may be discovered in him, not having my own covenant status defined by Torah, but the status which comes through the Messiah’s faithfulness: the covenant status from God which is given to faith. 10 This means knowing him, knowing the power of his resurrection, and knowing the partnership of his sufferings. It means sharing the form and pattern of his death, 11 so that somehow I may arrive at the final resurrection from the dead.
– Philippians 3:1-11
Phil. 3:1-11 Paul is talking about how God’s covenant people are to live. He is not talking about what we must do to get to heaven as so many Westerners think. The inner heart of covenant status is to KNOW JESUS! This is the beating heart of our relationship.
The meaning of “pistis Cristou” is “the faithfulness of the Messiah” rather than “faith in the Messiah” as what is meant so our “faith in the faithfulness of the Messiah” is the more accurate meaning.
Resurrection is the Jewish aspiration! No one else believed this (and really only the Pharisees within Judaism held onto this hope). God has done for Jesus what He promises to do for all of His children. Belief in Jesus makes us Messianic people. Jesus expressed and lived out a new way to be human which meant fully surrendered to God including giving His life. Jesus lived out and experienced the Messianic obedience of the cross, the Messianic vindication of the resurrection, and the Messianic enthronement of the ascension.
Paul sets aside his elite Jewish status to be a Messianic man. Perhaps he is hinting at the need for the Philippians to set aside their special Roman status. Paul goes through his “insignia of honor” which was a common thing to do in their culture. He lists 7 things – 6 of which had nothing to do with his own moral goodness.
Paul tells his own story to communicate that even he had to die to the law so that he might live for God. He is wanting to see others like him come to faith in Jesus as well. He is not boasting! He is inviting others like him to follow Jesus as the Messiah.
So much of this is grounded in the Christology of Phil. 2:6-11 and Jesus’ invitation to “take up your cross and follow me.”
Just as Jesus did not consider his equality with God as something to exploit, Paul does not consider his elite Judaism heritage as something for him to exploit. These “successes” are not considered “loss.”
Phil. 3:8-11 The personal cost for Paul included losing his family and comfort or identity in his ethnic heritage. But all the loss was worth it to be with Jesus! Paul experienced Jesus’s love for him. There is a deeply personal note of friendship and understanding that Jesus is the King! The Lord of the whole world! The promised Messiah! All that was honoring to him in the past was now just like trash, what you find in the dump.
Knowing Jesus is deeply personal, but it should not remain private. We are to be those who proclaim this opportunity to others! We are to live as royal family and ambassadors to the world as Jesus is King of the whole world!
Roman emperors exploited their power. Jesus, the True King, suffered for us.
If you are in Messiah then you are part of the innermost circle of God’s people. That’s how Paul knows we are the circumcision. We have covenant status with God (diakosune) because of the (pistis) faithfulness of the Messiah himself and our faith in Him. We now have the courage and confidence to be the Messiah’s people in our broken and dark world. We live joyfully in our world rather than hiding in a corner from the world.
The Messiah’s people do not need to wait to find out what our status in with Him. When Paul writes “that I may be discovered in Him” (Phil. 3:9), this is a declaration of his present status not just something to come in the future.
We are not like the Judean community whose identity is based on ethnicity but the Messianic community whose identity is based on who Jesus is and who we are in Him.
We cannot allow ourselves to be sidelined! We are in Him – the One who is King of the whole world! The One whose Kingdom is here!
Now, my dear family, I want you to know that the things I’ve been through have actually helped the gospel on its way. 13 You see, everybody in the Imperial Guard, and all the rest for that matter, have heard that I am here, chained up, because of the Messiah. 14 My imprisonment has given new confidence to most of the Lord’s family; they are now much more prepared to speak the word boldly and fearlessly.
15 There are some, I should say, who are proclaiming the Messiah because of envy and rivalry; but there are others who are doing it out of good will. 16 These last are acting from love, since they know that I’m in prison because of defending the gospel; 17 but the others are announcing the Messiah out of selfishness and jealousy. They are not acting from pure motives. They imagine that they will make more trouble for me in my captivity.
18 So what? Only this: the Messiah is being announced, whether people mean it or not! I’m happy to celebrate that!
Yes, and I really am going to celebrate: 19 because I know that this will result in my rescue, through your prayer and the support of the spirit of Messiah Jesus. 20 I’m waiting eagerly and full of hope, because nothing is going to put me to shame. I am going to be bold and outspoken, now as always, and the Messiah is going to gain a great reputation through my body, whether in life or in death.
21 You see, for me to live means the Messiah; to die means to make a profit. 22 If it’s to be living on in the flesh, that means fruitful work for me. Actually, I don’t know which I would choose. 23 I’m pulled both ways at once: I would really love to leave all this and be with the Messiah, because that would be far better. 24 But staying on here in the flesh is more vital for your sake. 25 Since I’ve become convinced of this, I know that I will remain here, and stay alongside all of you, to help you to advance and rejoice in your faith, 26 so that the pride you take in Messiah Jesus may overflow because of me, when I come to visit you once again.
27 The one thing I would stress is this: your public behavior must match up to the gospel of the Messiah. That way, whether I do come and see you or whether I remain elsewhere, the news that I get about you will indicate that you are standing firm with a single spirit, struggling side by side with one united intent for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not letting your opponents intimidate you in any way. This is a sign from God: one that signifies their destruction, but your salvation.
29 Yes: God has granted you that, on behalf of the Messiah, you should not only believe in him, but also suffer for his sake. 30 You are engaged in the same struggle which you once watched me go through; and, as you now hear, I’m still going through it.
If we are God’s people, why are we suffering?
The world is so full of signs of goodness and fruitfulness, yet why do things go so badly at times?
You can switch that question around and ask: in a world so dark and broken, why is there so much good?
Popular culture in the 1st century and 21st century says: “Experience is what you get when you don’t get what you want when you want.”
Some troubles you can address and some you cannot so put the latter out of your mind (Phil. 1:10)
Paul references popular culture but he takes us into a new world – the Kingdom of God!
The Gospel, the Jesus movement we are all part of, is more important than whether he lives or dies. Paul is not the hero of the story of Acts. The Gospel is the hero, and once it arrives in Rome we know it will go out to the rest of the world!
What we need to learn to do is what the surrounding culture is saying to the challenges of life but think it through afresh through the Good News of Jesus. Jesus is with us at the darkest points.
Aristotle saw virtue as an individual pursuit, but Paul saw it as a team sport. We discover how to live righteously in the context of community.
One way or another, Jesus the King will be exalted through it all. This would be unheard of among the pagan philosophers and the imperial loyalists.
Plato imagined philosopher/kings or a king mentored by a philosopher the way Aristotle invested in the young Alexander the Great.
How does the Gospel of Jesus address the rhetoric of the world in which we live?
Philippians 1:12-26
One of the themes is about “advancing” = “helping the Gospel on its way” (v. 12, 25) It is the Gospel itself that is advancing! This is Messiah-shaped thinking!
Paul believed the Philippian church will make progress regardless of what will happen to Paul.
Some were proclaiming the Gospel out of jealousy or rivalry (v. 15, 16)
If Paul was in prison in Ephesus when writing this then it was because everywhere he went there was a riot! Paul gets in trouble because magistrates saw his work and the communities of faith he started as subversive. These churches went against the sharp social divisions in place in the culture. Sometimes the charges against Paul were religious, sometimes ethnic (a Judean challenging Roman order), sometimes economic, and sometimes political. All had a grain of truth. In reality, Paul saw himself in chains because of the new Kingdom way of life. The elite Roman guard responsible for the prisons saw Paul’s suffering and Paul wanted to represent Jesus to them.
See the present moment in light of the Kingdom of Jesus.
The flow of this section:
Phil. 1:12-28 divides at Phil. 1:18 He begins this section with the opening of a new section with the word “actually.” The Gospel is the announcement of Jesus as Lord over new creation! This news is itself a powerful force advancing in the world. Paul sees his curious circumstances as an opportunity to proclaim this news to the guards watching him.
Some would have thought: “Paul couldn’t be a messenger of God because he is suffering so much!” Paul says: “No, think in the cruciform way of Jesus.” Most of the Jesus people are shaking off their inhibitions as seen in the phrase “speaking the word” could also mean “proclaiming the Gospel.”
Two Groups Proclaiming the News of Jesus:
Selfish and jealous messengers.
Those proclaiming out of goodwill and supporting Paul.
Paul decides that he doesn’t mind either group as long as people are talking about Lord Jesus!
So who are these selfish and jealous people? Wright does not think of them as being like the Galatian agitators or the people Paul references in Phil. 2. Some think they were nervous believers who did not want to face persecution from the civic authorities? Some think it was a rival Christian group. Chrysostom and Wright considered this group unbelievers who wanted to make life difficult for Paul by telling others what he was proclaiming about Jesus – that he had been executed and now Paul claims he is alive and the Lord.
What does Paul mean about “speaking the word”? Paul means announcing Jesus is the world’s true Lord! (Not the Western version of getting saved so you can go to heaven when you die). This is not a take it or leave it proposition like the Roman authorities would demand. It was an announcement about a new reality true in the world offering a new allegiance that gives new life!
Paul echoes Job saying this will work out towards my rescue. Philippians 1:19 quotes Job 13:16 from the Greek Septuagint translation (LXX), adapting the phrase “this will turn out for my salvation” to express hope in the face of Paul’s imprisonment.
Phil. 1:18b-26 Paul quotes the pagan culture and philosophers once again. Paul talks about coming back to Philippi which is more evidence he is Ephesus rather than in Rome because when in Rome he is wanting to go to Spain.
Paul goes against the philosophers and acknowledges that death is the last enemy. We should grieve. Death is an affront to God’s good creation. We should not grieve as those who have no hope.
Paul offers Scriptural reflection on what death might mean for him. He believes he will be vindicated by God in the end (much like Job was vindicated in spite of his accusers).
“Salvation” can mean being rescued from death in God’s new creation with a resurrected body or rescued in a moment of dire circumstances in the present. In light of the ongoing reality of the Gospel, we are not to become hopeless or despairing in light of difficult circumstances. True comfort comes from Jesus and the prayers and support of our Christian brothers and sisters. Prayer is a vital part of God’s work. Deism has confused us when it comes to prayer. Prayer isn’t just telling God what to do or what we want from time to time. God wants to work through His Son and His Spirit in the world – more specifically through Spirit-filled followers of Jesus as we bear the image of God. We are responsible agents in God’s world, partners with Him.
Paul echoes Psalm 34, 35, and 40 in Philippians 1 because his mind and heart was saturated by the Scriptures. Paul even believed being killed would work to advancing the Gospel message!
Phil. 1: 21-26 explains more about what Paul just said in the earlier passage.
“You see, for me to live means the Messiah; to die means to make a profit.” – Phil. 1:21
Paul gives us a glimpse of where we go immediately after we die. Paul says we are “with Jesus.” Then when Jesus’ returns we will have a new resurrected body in a new heaven and new earth. This is an intermediate state. Some think there is some sort of “soul sleep,” but “sleep” is a metaphor for death. There is a new mode being with Jesus in this intermediate state. The focus is not being with our loved ones who have passed on but being with Jesus. Paul references immortal physicality at the end of Phil. 3. Jesus references this intermediate state to the thief on the cross when he mentions “paradise.” Colossians 3 references a “life hidden with Christ in God.”
Paul does not offer many details but a level of certainty of being with Jesus. Regardless the Gospel will advance no matter what happens to Paul.
Paul is convinced staying alive “at their service” would be better for the Philippians.
The reason for celebrating and comfort is knowing that the Gospel cannot be stopped regardless of their suffering or circumstances.
The main theme is that we must learn to see everything in light of the Gospel which is this world has a new Lord and His name is Jesus.
This goes beyond shallow comfort and conventional wisdom.
Paul’s message to the Philippians and to all who follow Jesus: “You too need to make sure that your public life lives up to the Gospel!”
Philippians 1 (“Kingdom New Testament” version also known as “New Testament for Everyone” version)
From Paul and Timothy, slaves of Messiah Jesus, to all God’s holy ones in Messiah Jesus who are in Philippi, together with the overseers and ministers: 2 grace to you and peace, from God our father and Messiah Jesus the Lord.
3 I thank my God every time I think of you! 4 I always pray with joy, whenever I pray for you all, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 Of this I’m convinced: the one who began a good work in you will thoroughly complete it by the day of Messiah Jesus.
7 It’s right for me to think this way about all of you. You have me in your hearts, here in prison as I am, working to defend and bolster up the gospel. You are my partners in grace, all of you! 8 Yes: God can bear witness how much I’m longing for all of you with the deep love of Messiah Jesus.
9 And this is what I’m praying: that your love may overflow still more and more, in knowledge and in all astute wisdom. 10 Then you will be able to tell the difference between good and evil, and be sincere and faultless on the day of the Messiah, 11 filled to overflowing with the fruit of right living, fruit that comes through Messiah Jesus to God’s glory and praise.
“Agape” = “self-giving love”
Paul was grateful for their generosity in spite of their poverty (which may have been the result of losing their jobs for being Jesus-followers).
Paul presents Timothy as a co-author and endorses him later in the letter. They introduce themselves as “slaves of Messiah Jesus.” This would have been shocking as slaves were at the bottom of the social order. Paul gives the Philippians the status as “saints” or “holy ones” in Messiah Jesus. They were God’s people. They were the new example of a remnant of God’s people in a dark world.
Paul was answering the question: what does it mean to be the Messiah’s people in the place where you live?
Paul had a trans-local ministry as a church planter in many places. When Paul references “overseers” and “ministers,” he is mentioning the church leaders more than specific offices or a specific organizational hierarchy.
Too often we underestimate the power of prayer and blessing. Too often this is seen as a mere formality, but Paul sees this as an important part of his ministry as we see in Philippians 1.
The blessing actually comes from God the Father and Israel’s Messiah. Paul’s formula folds Jesus inside a characteristic statement of monotheism. The blessing works through the Holy Spirit who is strongly implied throughout this letter. When God blesses with grace and peace, He gives His blessing to His people in order to bless others through His people.
Phil. 1:3-7 Paul expresses gratitude for their koinonia and his expression of his prayers for them. (Paul most likely had 3 prayer times a day which was the Jewish tradition in that day). Over and over “all” is used to communicate his hope for unity for their church. What the philosophers pursued in joy could be found through a different route via Jesus. Rather than detaching ourselves from the world like the Epicureans or cultivating your inner soul for the Platonists. For Paul the way to joy is through the way of the cross. Paul doesn’t pretend suffering does not happen. Jesus has launched his new creation, and He will return to complete that work! Joy looks back at the cross and forward through the return of Jesus. God is in the middle of this giving and receiving.
The Gospel is our shared business (Phil. 1:5). Paul is not just referring to the events of the cross but an ongoing event of announcing Jesus as the One True Lord and fulfilling the Gospel prophecies of the Hebrew Scriptures. “The Gospel” = “this whole thing we are involved in” We are to announce Jesus as Lord and display to the world what that really meant.
They may be pure, but they are up to the challenge of supporting him.
Lydia was Paul’s partner in that work in Philippi from the very beginning. This was the beginning of the work of the Gospel in Europe. Paul had a challenging time in Asia, but the Gospel message seemed to really take off in Europe.
God is a doer and a finisher. God is reliable. We can trust Him (Phil. 1:6). Paul is reinforcing God’s divine faithfulness. If something is from God then it will really last.
When God reached out powerfully to them, He transformed them when they began to follow Jesus. His Spirit changed them! And that is not the end of the story. He will continue the work to transform their body to the new body Jesus now has.
Paul adapts the “day of the Lord” when he uses the phrase “the day of Messiah Jesus.” The present life itself becomes a signpost pointing forward to that final day. Paul’s conviction is that God will complete the work because of their heartfelt support. They are demonstrating this Jesus way of living.
“You have me in your hearts” can also be translated “I have you in my hearts”. Paul was in chains, but he was living in a way to validate the power of the Gospel. It makes sense to live the way of Jesus even though it may not be what the world is expecting. Even though we do not acknowledge Caesar as Lord, followers of Jesus are model citizens. (Phil. 1:7).
Verse 7 sums up vs. 3-6 and points towards v. 8-11
Phil. 1:8-11 “Longing for all of you” = “heart tugging longing” Learning to think wisely is such an important part of the message of the Scriptures. Their love leads to “astute wisdom” which means “perceptive, discerning reality beyond superficial ideas.” How does this grow out of love? “Agape” is the new dimension of “knowing” which comes out of the Gospel. (Phil 1:9) Love for the Creator leads to loving His creation. Love is a new way of seeing and knowing and understanding the world. Love respects and celebrates all God has created – even those who are different. Paul prays that the Philippians could see to the heart of things through love for the Father. “Tell the difference between good and evil” = “discerning beyond the superficial to know what really matters and what does not really matter” (Phil. 1:10) Sincerity means total commitment rather than standing with one foot in the world and one in the Kingdom. Paul is calling for serious character development. The grace which reaches us in the Gospel is meant to transform us because of the Gospel. We are to be known for “right living” which means “displaying to the watching world the rightly ordered life” so that the world will respect and praise God. (Phil. 1:11)
Concluding thoughts: Paul’s prayers ought to invite us to similar prayers. We ought to outpace the philosophers and the empire builders. The joy which permeates this layer comes from living with self-giving love and expecting all will one day be made right when Jesus returns.
Paul’s letter to the Philippians is short but powerful. He was in prison when he wrote this letter. Even still, the Gospel is never locked up. That belief lies behind everything Paul says and does.
Times may be tough, but the Gospel of Jesus is tougher!
Pray through the letter. Read through the letter in at least 2 different translations. Our goal is to make this little letter our own that we might live differently before the watching and hostile world.
A theme in Philippians is the public life of the people of Christ. We are to make the good news visible. (Philippians 1:27).
Society is not used to good neighbors who live differently – an alternative version to be human. Not everyone will approve, and there will be persecution. People are not used to anyone like Jesus being lifted up more than the Caesars of our societies.
Philippians was a city filled with former Roman soldiers. It was a staging post for the main East to West road.
Once Octavian Caesar won the last battle of the civil war he took the title of Augustus Caesar. They proclaimed peace and prosperity for all! Their gospel was that the New Age of Ages has arrived in the new Emperor! Most knew it was a fiction, but that was the overriding narrative.
For Paul, this vision of civic life (owing allegiance to Caesar) was a farce. The true Gospel, the true Good News, had been unveiled in Jesus Himself. Jesus was the One True Savior! Jesus was Lord! The Creator, the God of Israel raised Jesus from the dead and established Him as Lord.
This flew in the face of the Roman civic system.
When people in our world say the world “God,” they have more of a Deist version in their mind. The Christian Gospel needs to communicate the completely present God who was revealed in Jesus.
Lordship, authority, power, and rule is turned upside down by Jesus. The world’s leaders don’t like rivals; therefore, they are imprisoned or killed.
Jesus was killed but rose from the dead. Paul was imprisoned.
Often prisoners starved to death because food was not provided to those imprisoned. The Philippians sent Epaphroditus with a gift to sustain Paul while he was imprisoned.
Wright and the Philippians commentary written by Hartzinger both suggest Paul was imprisoned in Ephesus. Most scholars think it was Rome.
The theme of “koinonia” is evident throughout this letter. “Koinonia” means “fellowship.” It means being family and sharing life together. This is why the churches outside of Jerusalem raised money to help the church in Jerusalem. They were all family. God’s family is a family of kindness, grace, and love.
The form of the letter:
There are several jerky transitions throughout the letter. As a result, some have wondered if this is a combination of a few letters from Paul. (See end of chapter 2 which has commendations which normally comes at the end of Paul’s letters). It is also very possible that Paul had to write in different chunks of time since his time was not his own.
Paul wants to teach the young church what to think and how to think. Followers of Jesus are to think Messianically. We have the mind of Christ! “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus” – Phil. 2:5 “All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. – Phil. 3:15 Every generation faces radical new challenges; therefore, we all need to learn to think the Jesus way.
Paul’s roots are in Israel’s Scriptures and his target is the larger world of paganism. As a result, we shouldn’t be surprised that Paul quotes lots of passages of Scriptures and quotes from philosophers. Messianic Covenantal Monotheism was at his core.
There is quite a bit of autobiography in this letter. Paul was aware that he was an example to the Philippians of how to live the way of Jesus. He was aware of his responsibility of modeling this new way to be human.
The challenge of Philippians to us is the role of the Church to a watching world. Who is God calling the Church to be in this generation? How do we demonstrate this new way of being human to the watching world. They will be intrigued and drawn to Jesus but also opposed to us and persecute us.
Paul insists on us being people of joy. Too often we considering thinking and experiencing joy as two separate things. Paul sees them both expressed together. “Thinking joyfully” and “thoughtful joy”
In this transformative conversation, renowned theologian Dr. N.T. Wright challenges the Western church’s Platonized view of salvation and calls pastors back to the Bible’s actual vision: new heaven and new earth. Discover why understanding resurrection, not just afterlife, changes everything about how we live, lead, and witness today.
Dr. Wright unpacks Ephesians’ cosmic vision, explains how Western Christianity moralized salvation instead of vocation, and shows why the church is God’s multicultural project displaying new creation to watching principalities and powers.
🔥5 Key Takeaways:
The Bible emphasizes a transformative hope for creation, not an escape from it.
The church has a responsibility to engage in social justice and beauty.
God’s kingdom is already present and active in the world.
Misunderstandings about God’s anger can distort the gospel message.
The church should model unity and diversity as a reflection of God’s kingdom as seen in Ephesians.
JOIN US FOR OUR 2026 PASTORAL COHORT WITH N.T. WRIGHT! More info here.
THE INNOVATIVE CHURCH LEADER PODCAST AND GIVEAWAYS:
We want to help pastors experience and bring renewal through Spirit-led innovation, reaching new people, and making disciples who make disciples.
Be sure to sign up for our email newsletter at innovativechurchleaders.org/join-us for a chance to win future book giveaways and assessments!
In this episode of the Post-Christian Podcast, I interview Dr. John Anthony Dunne, an Associate Professor of New Testament at Bethel University and Bethel Seminary in St. Paul, MN. His research interests lie primarily in the New Testament, the life and letters of Paul (esp. Galatians), Christian origins, and second temple Judaism. He has written many articles and written or edited several books including:
John also serves as one of the hosts of The Two Cities Podcast, a podcast about theology, culture, and discipleship.
Top 5 Takeaways from this interview:
The Two Cities Podcast Origin & Vision – Dr. John Dunn shares how The Two Cities podcast evolved from a blog in 2011, focusing on the intersection of theology, culture, and discipleship.
The Importance of Sound Theology for Church Leaders – A strong theological foundation is essential for effective ministry in a post-Christian world, shaping not just what pastors teach but why they do what they do.
NT Wright’s Vision of New Creation – The biblical idea of new creation isn’t about escaping earth for heaven but about God renewing and restoring all things, aligning with NT Wright’s Surprised by Hope.
Living in Light of the Future – Christian ethics should be shaped by the end of the biblical story, guiding believers to live in a way that anticipates God’s restoration of all things.
Shifting from a “Ticket to Heaven” Mindset – Pastors and seminary students need to move beyond a narrow gospel focused solely on salvation after death and embrace a broader vision of bringing God’s kingdom to earth now.
THE POST-CHRISTIAN PODCAST AND GIVEAWAYS:
We help you make disciples in our increasingly post-Christian world. We discuss reaching new people and raising up leaders while removing the barriers of churchianity.
Be sure to sign up for my email newsletter at www.ericbryant.org for a chance to win future book giveaways and assessments!
The ministry’s name comes from Luke 24, where two disciples on the road to Emmaus said, “Were not our hearts burning within us as he talked with us?” This captures David’s heart for ministry – opening the Scriptures not just for head knowledge, but for transformed hearts through encounters with God.
What makes Burning Heart unique is their approach through film. As a former Anglican pastor, David saw an opportunity to leverage this powerful medium that remains largely untapped in discipleship and teaching. While we have countless Christian books available, there aren’t nearly as many high-quality film resources for spiritual growth.
The films are intentionally crafted to be 20 minutes long, making them perfect for small group discussions or personal devotional time.
Burning Heart’s newest series is called “Stories Jesus Told” about the parables, featuring modern dramatizations (see the trailer below). They’re also developing content on Genesis with theologians Amy Orr-Irving and David Bennett, exploring God’s vision for life.
For church leaders feeling discouraged, David offers this reminder: “It isn’t my job to grow a massive church or make things happen. God called me, but He loved me first. He doesn’t love me because I’m a pastor or because I make these films.”
To explore these excellent ministry resources, go here:
