Enduring 'Til the day of Christ

Title: Enduring ‘til the day of Christ: A perspective from the life of Apostle Paul

Who is Paul?

give brief overview of the life of Paul

Paul started more than a dozen churches, and he’s traditionally considered the author of 13 books of the Bible—more than any other biblical writer. For this reason, Saint Paul is often considered one of the most influential people in history

A persecutor of Christians

Philippians 1:21 ESV

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Abound in love

Philippians 1:9 ESV

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,

"love” to what?

Philippians 1:8 ESV

For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.

Paul’s “love” of Christ has manifested to his life and ministry. It affects his way of life, his way of thinking, and his response to his sufferings.

Paul has abound his love for Christ more and more that it overflows for his work and love for the people of God.

Ang susi sa ating pananatili sa pananampalataya hanggang wakas ay ang ating malalim na ugnayan at pagmamahal sa ating Panginoon.

This is the foundation of our endurance in the faith.

Philippians 1:10–11 ESV

so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Every day we make decision to obey or disobey God. And our love for God will help us endure the enticement of the WORLD and its pleasure.

HOW to abound in love?

The key word is “knowledge” in verse 9.

Read and meditate God’s word. Let’s continue to desire God more in our daily living by making the WORD of God part of our daily life. Don’t let a day pass that we don’t read nor heard the word of God.

Joshua 1:8 ESV

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Psalm 1:2 ESV

but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Serve Joyfully

Philippians 1:12 ESV

I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel,

Whatever the cost, whatever the trials and circumstances, serve with joy.

Paul was in imprisonment when he wrote the letter to the Philippian church. He is suffering yet we can never see in any part of his life and testimony that he accuse God or recant his faith.

In fact, the book of Philippians has been known as the Epistle of Joy. From the book alone, 16 times the word JOY has been mentioned.

Philippians 2:14–15 ESV

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

Philippians 1:14 ESV

And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Paul, even in the midst of suffering has been more passionate and more eager to do and perform his calling.

Our suffering should not be a reason of our discouragement. It must give us endurance and joy to serve more and to trust fully on God, our source of strength.

Philippians 1:29–30 ESV

For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

Press On

Philippians 3:14 ESV

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Press-on and look forward for the prize.

Hebrews 12:2 ESV

looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Don’t let any circumstances disqualify us to the race. Don’t let your circumstances handle you, let God to handle your circumstances.

Philippians 3:18 ESV

For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.

Many has fallen away from the faith and walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.

Marami tayong dating kasama pero wala na ngayon sa pananampalataya.

Philippians 3:20 ESV

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

But for us, let us be reminded that our citizenship is in heaven and not on earth. Let us live as a citizen of heaven.

Conclude in this verse

Jeremiah 9:23–24 ESV

Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”