PJ speaking…
Hello! Good Morning!! Before I start Bible Study, I pray and hope that y’all who deaf people who lives in Lafayette area near to church. Come and join with us to Trinity Bible Church (TBC), have deaf bible study ministry here! I’m one who leading. TBC is at 130 E Broussard Road in Lafayette. Someone informed me and thought it was in town of Broussard. No, to be clarity, it’s here in Lafayette, the road name is Broussard. So make sure y’all don’t get misunderstood. I hope y’all come here at 9 in the morning, social til 9:15 start Bible Study. We have a black background to see better, TV is in the center. My wife who’s sitting who will do the mirror interpreting for auditorium people. Sometimes my wife will mirror and sometimes my SSP will mirror as well for… Not only for me, also for auditorium. That’s way y’all can feel involved. Hope y’all feel motivation so come and join with us! Thank you!
Good Morning, Everyone! Let me open prayer, I have few prayer requests. Father, I want to pray for Annie, for a woman name Mary, and for our friend’s great niece; all three of them who health issues. I pray to You, Lord, help them, heal them, bless them, for they who go face the doctors, ask that they will find the answers of their results. God, give them comfort, heal them and their families and some supports. Also we have new members here, God bless them and there is a woman name Elaine, give her calm vibes, shes feeling anxious, she used to be an interpreter while back, now she feel little awkward, ask You to give her some calm tenses. Give her some knowledge to process and learn ASL again. Give her some ability to pick up signs again as she used to in the past as in prime time. Now let us pray for this Bible Study, ask that we will learn about inspiring letters part two. Give us some motivation and inspire in Your Words in Your letter that You wrote through Paul. Let us open our minds and hearts, be alert and ready to listen. Thank you in Jesus Name, Amen!
Let us start! Before I start with Philippians. Last week I signed “Philippians” as sign P (principal), but one of my friend told me and suggest to sign “Philippians” as sign P (Joy) or (Rejoice). Wow lot about Philippians! So I will explain why I read full of Philippians chapters, normally most of other Bible Study class will pick out of some verses, but I tell all of Chapters. The reason why I do that, for this purpose I use to inspire letters, not as a Bible Study, point to the inspiration and to show you how Paul wrote. How he talk to people. I think it’s good idea to inspire, show, read full of these chapters so you can get the idea how can we talk to other people, talk to each other as social, same of how Paul wrote. That’s why I thought and was good start. First and Second of Philippians have 60 verses. As today we talk about Third and Fourth of Philippians, only have 44 verses. It’s less so don’t worry, won’t be long like last week. I will read each two sections and make sure you’re caught up and understand, any discussions, better than last week. I’m sorry that I was keep going without stopping.
Philippians 3
“Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith. Watch out for those dogs, those people who do evil, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved. For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort,”
“though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more! I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault.”
“I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.”
“I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.”
“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you.”
“But we must hold on to the progress we have already made. Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ.”
“They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.”
Philippians 4
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work. Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement. And I ask you, my true partner, to help these two women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News. They worked along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are written in the Book of Life.”
“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”
“Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.”
“How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.”
“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty. As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this.”
“Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness. At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God.”
“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen. Give my greetings to each of God’s holy people—all who belong to Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send you their greetings.”
“And all the rest of God’s people send you greetings, too, especially those in Caesar’s household. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”
Okay now, see this how Paul wrote, how he talk to people of Philippians. Wow, really inspiring, right?! We have to copy like Paul said, pattern of your behaviors copy after mine. Meaning of copy, copy of how Paul wrote. If you write to your friends from far, or write to your loved sweetheart, or to your family. You talk to someone in person, socially, through church, or out of church, it’s doesn’t matter. We have to be more like this of how we talk. Like this, “Hello my dear sisters or brothers!” My wife is also my sister in Christ, same with my beautiful children are also my sister and brothers. Talk in positive and be supportive, be courageous. When people give a gift, thank you because I want a gift, no, because people see that what we need something. Something touch your heart and want to offer. That is awesome pleasure, not for me, for God. God sees that you want to motivation and want to see His ministry to grow. That bless God, He enjoys and God will bless you double much more. Paul want us to experience that. When we people see who is sick, or in need of help, we go and help them. That kind of life is Gospel. Gospel is not always preach in Words. Gospel preach in action also. You walk everyday, your life, how you talk, how you show as God’s light, your fruit. I want to review from Philippians in Chapter one to four. I will focus on simple and important details, but before I start, y’all have any questions or discussions?
Okay I go ahead review on Philippians One
Review Phil 1:
4: Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy
When we pray either before or after, we tend to think, make a habit to thinking of others, not only just me, all about me, me, me. I pray for me, myself, my needs, what I want, me, me, me. No, we need to think about others too, it’s important because we are family of God’s children. We’re all one together, one body, one mind, one purpose. Remember that, I read that last week. It’s important that we do think of others, but at the same time with joy. Rejoice in the prayer. Sometimes we have enemies, we feel frustration. We may feel like saying in prayer: “God, I’m sick of this person. I don’t want to pray for this person. God…” No, we can’t do that. We have to take a time and say in pray with forgiveness in our hearts. Because know God Himself is Love. The nine fruits as fruits in spirit lists: Love, Peace, Patience, Joy… Love and Joy are in same group. That’s why we have to learn as Jesus say… Love your neighbor same Love your enemy. That is Paul’s emphasis. Okay next verse…
9: I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding
That is very important, we study His Words. Watch His examples. If we keep continue doing good example, let them see us, why, because I know many of them are watching like same as children watching what parents doing. If parents argue, children see them and thought, will do the same thing with parents, parents say that they’re doing wrong, children will be confuses and puzzled, say that parents argue all the time as well. Children will wonder what they did wrong. Same idea as new people as Christian who want to learn about Jesus Christ. They were saved, newly baby Christians who will watch us who are mature Christians. We have to be on our best behavior all the time so we can help them grow. We can teach, preach, feedback to them of Words, but my action included as well. If we do the opposite, it will make us look like hypocrites so we have to be careful of what we do. That’s what Paul want to emphasize. We show, give, love continually, give a joy. Keep everything in peace. Give patience with people, even you feel like want to choke to this person. No, take a patience, with kindness, good gentleness, keep continuing to have faith, and self-control. It’s important to take a self-control.
11: May you always be filled with fruit of your salvation - the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ - for this will bring much glory and praise to God
Like I just explained earlier of how we doing, showing - that’s the fruit, clothe the righteous character in Jesus Christ, be His light. That’s explains clear as verse said, ‘this will bring much glory and praise to God’. Question is, do we give simple praise to God, just pray and praise, that’s it? No. Our actions will express our praises. Our body, our talk, our action, see our Praise was impressed, but we didn’t say any words. We don’t have to say “I praise You.” No, it’s more than that. Our body as gestures, body languages speak to express our praises God. Understand the picture clear? When I tell to the kid, I love you. People will see and say as awe we can see you Praise God through love. We support people. When people gets confuse, we can help and explains, people would say Wow you praise God!
27: Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News
Remember I just message about Gospels, not only preach in Words. Gospel preach are the way what we lives That’s what verse clearly said ‘whether I come and see you again or only hear about you’, but He knows. How He knows, because He already teach you, spread Gospel. ‘I will know you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News (Gospel)’. When I put a seed of Gospel to people, God will pour a water, I know that You will lead them to grow because I know and I work for Him. I believe in Your Words are alive. His Words are alive. God give me a bag of seeds, He give me an authority, I have a responsible, I want to share His Words. What should I do with the bag of seeds? I will give the seeds out of bag and God will take care of you. God is your water, His Words are also your water. God’s grace is like a sun. Earth is a soil. The seeds are Jesus Christ, put in the Earth. People will want water, want to learn through Your Words, feed us and teach us Your Words, pour Your water to us. Wow, we understand God’s Grace, light to us, let us grow to like a beautiful flowers and smell so great! God loves us!
Mirror Interpreting - Michelle speaking: What is Gospel?
PJ speaking: Gospel is Good News. Bible story about Jesus Christ who died on the cross for our sins and give us salvation through His Death and Resurrection. That’s the Gospel as Good News.
Mirror Interpreting - Andrea speaking: I didn’t know what the Gospel means same. Now I understand after you explains. Thank you.
PJ speaking: Some people thought Gospel means music, songs that’s it. No not always. Some Gospel can be related to songs talking about Jesus Christ Hallelujah, He died and Resurrection, He gave us Salvation, but that is also Gospel. Action in Gospel means shows love, doing because Jesus Christ already did His action. We follow Jesus’ doing as Jesus said ‘If you really want to be my followers, give up your selfish way, pick up that cross and follow Me’. That means we live in Him everyday. Remember what He has done for me and help people to see and understand; that walk in Gospel, live in Gospel, song in Gospel; all about Gospels.
Mirror Interpreting - Cari speaking: Gospel is to demonstrate different ways. Through songs, through behavior, through words that I may or you speak to other people; explain about that God’s Gospel, all of them, not just one thing, many different.
PJ speaking: Right! Amen! I will put a star on your forehead to Cari. Thank you for expanding that. Exactly!
Mirror Interpreting: (laughing)
PJ speaking: Great! Next review….
28a: Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies
Don’t let anyone intimidated you. Some people will criticize or intimidated you. They would say “Oh you believe in Jesus Christ. Oh that Bible is so making up.” Or “Your preach is false and wrong!” Continually to criticize or mock you. We have to learn to stand strong, stand strong because we know the Gospel in our hearts. We know God’s Words inside. If I am doing something wrong, Holy Spirit will guilt us. Sometimes if I’m not sure, we will ask our mature brothers or sisters in Christ who very well known in the Bible, or ask your pastor. I would say I study the Bible, I’m not sure about that some verses, can you help me understand? Then I will understand. If people criticize me, question is do you know the Bible or not, I don’t know, but don’t let anyone intimidated us. I want to remind you, enemies doesn’t only mean people, enemies really mean in behind of enemy is devil. What I mean, people who let devil in ourselves, to our mind, be negative, be slander, or be against to other people. People themselves are not an enemies, devils are the enemies. People do have struggles, that only make us see to people, “oh you’re my enemy!” Know this some people have their own struggles too. We should not be quick to intimidated. We have to be ready and hear what people would have to speak or criticize us. We hear them, ask them if they understand this verse, understand what it means. Be ready, stand strong, ready to explain what it means instead of be afraid or intimidate. Don’t let the devil wins. Remember we have Jesus Christ in, by us and ready. Jesus say Satan, get behind Me! Always! Same way as Jesus spoke to Peter, I will die on the cross. Peter said, No, God forbid! Not allow that happening. Jesus said Satan, get behind Me! You don’t understand, you depends on human perspective, you don’t know what God’s Will or plans. Notice that Jesus didn’t say, Peter, hush! No, Jesus said to Satan, get behind Me because Peter struggled. Satan have picking on Peter’s mind, Peter would think and gain his pride and protect you. No, Peter had that struggled, that what it means, enemies are in Peter. Peter is not the enemy, Satan is. Understand that as a picture clear?
Mirror Interpreting: Cari speaking: Yes, you said that devils influence people, not the person itself. Devil influence through that person, correct?
PJ speaking: Yes like that. That is like our sinful nature inside us, our own thoughts, our opinions, nothing with Truth. Understand? Like this “My own opinions, like the devil will feed you the thoughts, ‘You’re wrong. You can protect them.’” We have to learn that Truth is above of all opinions.
Mirror Interpreting: Cari speaking: Yes. So don’t allow the pride replace of God’s Words inside. That mean we must to know God’s Words, must have the Bible’s verses inside, in our minds. So you won’t sins against God.
PJ speaking: Right! Amen! Exactly! Just like that, Yes! Because Remember in 40 days, Jesus went through journeys, fasting and hungry. Satan tempted Jesus three times. Satan use verses in wrong way. First, Satan asked Jesus, You’re Son of God, You have a power and you can change to that stone to a bread. The truth is Jesus can, but Jesus said, No as the verse said Man don’t live on bread alone, but through Words of God’s mouth. Depends on His Words. We don’t depends on Man’s world, depends on opinions or depends on philosophy. An opinions can be wrong. That’s why we have to depends on God’s Words, just like what Cari’s explanations, exactly. Second, Satan tempted Jesus and said You’re Son of God, You can jump off the highest building. Give an order to angel to come catch You like the verse says. Jesus said, No, the verse say Don’t test your God. We can’t play games with God. Let’s see, we would think and ask God say, I don’t like this enemy. God, throw a lighting and struck to this enemy. Let’s see if it will works. No, we can’t do that, don’t play games. Third, Satan tempted Jesus, look at that kingdom, I can give it to You if you bow down and worship me. What does that mean? Satan want to take the control all over of the Earth, accept the world, same as Adam and Eve who falls to the sins. When the snake fooled Eve, go ahead take a bite of that fruit that God forbid. God told Eve don’t eat that tree of knowledge Good and Evil. Eve didn’t obey and ate it. Same we see the world, we know what/which is wrong, God told us to not do that. Our flesh, our temptation feel go ahead and do it. Jesus said to Satan, Go away from Me, Satan! the Bible say we worship God only! We depends on God only, not depends on the world. We have to be careful. The verses are not to be twisted or misunderstood. That’s why we have to study the His Word with right context. If one of the verse pulled out of context and explain one verse, it’s not how it works, have to read the whole chapter to see one full picture. We don’t look through a peeking hole on the fence, and imagine it of what’s happening in full story. No, we couldn’t. God can see full picture since He’s above. God want us to depends on Him because He knows the full pictures. We can’t depends on the peeking hole, depends everything on Him.
Review Phil 2:
Paul asked to rhetorical question and said…
1: Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from love, any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate?
That verses help us to thinking and discerning. That’s good question. Do I have right kind of love? Have an encouragement from Christ? Because sometimes when people read Bible verses, Jesus said I will give you a rest, give Me your burdens. When people read Bible through it, did not really take the Words or are you really listen and accept to His Words serious? Do you really take His encouragement serious? That is one thing we have to accept because notice some Christians say I feel burdens, frustration, having problems, don’t know what to do.
I would have to ask, do you know Bible right?
Person say: Yes I do read the Bible.
I say: Okay, do you remember what the Bible say about burdens?
Person say: Yeah, give the burdens to Him, He will give me peace.
I say: Do you believe it?
Person say: Yeah, but… I struggles.
I say: But…But…But…
Person say: Okay…But…
I say: But… that’s your excuses, but, but, but… Jesus loves you! Again but, but, but… Jesus love you.
Person: Okay, I get your point!
I say: but, but, but… Jesus loves you, you know that right?!
Person: Yes you’re right! (Smile) Got your point!
I say:… Forget your problems, give it to God! Encourage to someone and make sure to get the Words pierce to their hearts. God have His way to pierce your heart. Sometimes we show some encouragement and support, but it doesn’t mean we have some “power” to change people. Only God can change people, not us. I can’t change myself, God changes me. Sometimes some people would say: This is between God and me, but it’s okay to accept some encouragement and supports from other people. It’s okay because that is how God works through people. That is how Holy Spirit works in moves. If a person supports me and I feel inspired, that’s from Hold Spirit, not from the person. It’s the Holy Spirit who touches to my heart. Understand? I just do my job because God wants me to do and I do because I want to do it because I love Him. See how God works through among us, also see how trinity works. Lot of people get confuses about trinity and think trinity are separate. No, trinity works altogether. God gives Jesus, Jesus sacrifices, gives Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit moves through people from God’s breath. It keep going to circle. Trinity does not works separate in their own ways. They are not independent from one another. They still distinct, different meaning but works same one God. Understand, make sense? We will discuss about Trinity later. We will study more deep about Trinity because it’s very complicated lesson, hard to understand. When we get to the point, you will understand.
OOOHH, 5 mins left… will take a break for now. We will save what’s left for next time. One more, one more then we will be done.
3-5: Don’t be selfish, don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out for your own interests, but take interest in others too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
I just explained and expanded earlier, see these verses. Some people like to take the contest against me, “know better than you do.
No, I know more than you do.”
No, you’re right. You’re learning and so do I. No one is perfect til we die, enter to the Heaven, know everything, will be perfect just like Jesus. On the earth as now, we don’t know everything, not yet. That’s why we have to be humble and respect. You struggles, I struggles, everyone struggle. Maybe I may be know more than you, could be true, but doesn’t mean that I am better than you, no I am not. God puts us here to help each other. I know more, you don’t know much, it’s okay - I’ll help you learn more so you will know more, we will be the same. That’s God’s points.
I have some more left of verses, will save til next time. Didn’t realize time went out already! I’m sweating and hot! (Sniff to my arm) Asking to my wife, you have some deodorant for me later?? Ha Ha!
Anyone want to volunteer to close prayer? No one? Okay I’ll go ahead close the prayer…
Mirror interpreting: Dan speaking: For close prayer, I suggest preach an hour then you close the prayer. When you open prayer for us, next time, just let you know. It’s better for you to close the prayer, emphasizing that YOU close the prayer.
Okay thank you. I am very open and willing let other who want to volunteer or not, I always ask, but thank you. Let close prayer…
Father, I want to thank you for today. Opportunity to discuss about Philippians, inspire you, in Your Name, in Your Words. I am ready and exciting for today. As church today, we will have some people who baptize, really rejoice for today for these people who know and accept Jesus Christ, witness and testimony through water baptize. We are excited to have more people who came here today, we thank You. Praise You. I know You never forget our prayers this morning. Asking to continue to pray that we people who go through health issues. We thank you, may You bless us with wonderful beautiful Sunday in the Name of Jesus we pray. Amen!
