This teaching time was recorded using Facebook Live. Click   here  for a recording of our teaching time.
 

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Text: Philippians 1:12-18; James 1:14; Luke 23:34; 1 Timothy 1:18-20; 2 Timothy 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 5:1-5
 

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Introductory remarks: I want to confess and reestablish, right up-front, that my greatest battle is with my attitude – my great battle is in me and with me.  James says we are tempted when we are carried away and enticed by his own personal desires . . . so that makes me own my own problems.  In today’s Philippians text, Paul throws down an issue that I struggle with.  I’ll share with you some of the steps I’ve discovered, within the same text, to help me cope with my emotion around this issue.  Come take a little walk with me . . .
 
1.  Faith in the   Father   –
 
 
2.  Gratitude for the   gospel   –
 
 
3.  Grace toward the   preachers   –
 
 
4.  Joy for   Christ   –
 
 
5.  Joy for the   hearers   –
 
 
 
For further study, application and discussion:  If Paul is speaking for God – and I assume and accept that he is – then I must also respond in a positive manner, accepting this teaching, and just settle down. 
What have you heard the Holy Spirit saying to you today and what are you going to do about it? 
 

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Philippians 1:12-18  --  Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, 13 so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, 14 and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. 15 Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; 16 the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; 17 the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice.  NASU