The Work of the Body on Earth
Introduction: The Book of Philippians is found in a very unique place in your Bible. If you look at the book before Philippians you would find the Book of Ephesians and if you look after Philippians you will find the Book of Colossians. The epistles to the Ephesians and the Colossians bear a strong resemblance. In both of these epistles we find the church as the body of Christ and the Lord Jesus Christ as the head of the body. In addition to this we find key words like mystery, hid, treasure, and riches. So here we have the epistle to the Philippians sandwiched in between Ephesians and Colossians. Surely we will find references to the church as the body of Christ or Christ as the head of the church and key words such as mystery, hid, treasure, and riches. Well we don’t find that at all, as a matter of fact the only thing we find is one use of the word riches. So how does Philippians plug in here. In Philippians we find key words like mind (s) (8 times), minded (2 times), likeminded (2 times), think, thinketh, thought, choose, remembrance, know, known, knowledge, understand. These words are very much associated with the brain. The brain is in charge of helping all of the members work together and hence we have our connection with Ephesians and Colossians. The Book of Philippians is very much a practical book on how the body of Christ is to operate on earth. Once we understand this, we can dig in and find some of the things that we ought to be doing as the body of Christ. So let’s take a look at the epistle to the Philippians and see what the Lord would expect from us.
- Our Love (Philippians 1:9They shall come all for violence: their faces shall sup up as the east wind, and they shall gather the captivity as the sand.
See All...) - Process
- In knowledge
- In all judgment
- Product
- That ye may approve things that are excellent (Philippians 1:10And they shall scoff at the kings, and the princes shall be a scorn unto them: they shall deride every strong hold; for they shall heap dust, and take it.
See All...) - Our Conversation (Philippians 1:27
See All...) - The Old Conversation (Ephesians 4:22-24 [22] That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
[23] And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
[24] And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
See All...) - The New Conversation
- As becometh the gospel of Christ (Philippians 1:27
See All...) - Is in heaven (Philippians 3:20
See All...) - Is to be holy (1 Peter 1:15But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
See All...) - Our Esteem (Philippians 2:3For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
See All...) (Romans 12:10Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
See All...; Ephesians 4:1-3 [1] I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, [2] With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; [3] Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
See All...) - Our Murmurings (Philippians 2:14For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
See All...) (Jude 1:16These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.
See All...) - Our Message (Philippians 2:16Thou art filled with shame for glory: drink thou also, and let thy foreskin be uncovered: the cup of the LORD's right hand shall be turned unto thee, and shameful spewing shall be on thy glory.
See All...) - The Object to Hold Forth
- Not a man
- Not a movement
- But a Book
- Hold it Forth (2 Timothy 4:2Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
See All...; Titus 1:3But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;
See All...) - Our Rejoicing (Philippians 3:1A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth.
See All...) - Not in the flesh
- Not because the beat of the song was right
- Not because you have plenty of money
- In the Lord (Philippians 4:4
See All...; 1 Thessalonians 5:16Rejoice evermore.
See All...; James 1:2My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
See All...; 1 Peter 1:6-8 [6] Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: [7] That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: [8] Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
See All...) - Our Confidence (Philippians 3:3God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise.
See All...) - Not in the flesh
- In the Lord
- Our Intimacy (Philippians 3:10The mountains saw thee, and they trembled: the overflowing of the water passed by: the deep uttered his voice, and lifted up his hands on high.
See All...) - The word “know” in the Bible is a term of intimacy. This is one of the beauties of the King James Bible
- Knowing Christ
- By Crucifixion (Galatians 2:20I am crucified with Christ: neverthless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
See All...) - By Crucifying the World to you (Philippians 3:8Was the LORD displeased against the rivers? was thine anger against the rivers? was thy wrath against the sea, that thou didst ride upon thine horses and thy chariots of salvation?
See All...) - Our Stand (Philippians 4:1
See All...) - Our Thoughts (Philippians 4:8
See All...) - True things
- Honest things
- Just things
- Pure things
- Lovely things
- Things of Good Report
- Virtuous Things