“Hanging On in Hardship”
July 6, 2008 Philippians 1:12-30 Play
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When What is Vile is Honoured...
● material progress in Canada offset by moral threat
(Ps 12:1,8)
● Order of Canada for an abortionist / applause for
obscenities
● “What am I here for?” - need heroes we aspire to
imitate
Rejoicing Despite Stressful Situation
● imprisoned; risk of death; vocal Judaizing
opponents (1:13-21; Ac 28:30)
● but tone joyful not whining (3:1; 4:4)
Precious Partnership: Paul & Philippi
● very warm affection indicates close bond (3,7f)
● repeated financial support in Thessalonica,
Corinth, Rome (5; 4:10-18; 2Cor 8:1ff)
Valued Vision
● prayer that church have love, knowledge, insight,
discernment, purity, fruit (9-11, 27)
● put here for the gospel / important thing: Christ
is preached (12f,16,18)
● aiming to honour Christ by life or death (20f)
Puzzling Perseverance
● better by far to depart and be with Christ (23)
● sufferings granted along with believing (29; 2Tim
3:12; Ac 16:22; 1Pet 4:12f)
● ally: help given by Jesus’ Spirit (19)
● encourages others, confounds foes since not
frightened (14, 28)
To Live is Christ: A Quebec City Heroine
● remarkable contribution of Marie Guyart de
l’Incarnation to remote outpost
● endeavoured to introduce native population to
Jesus; language expert
● ‘she lived and acted only through Jesus Christ’