This week’s message, WHY AM I HERE: Pastor Cecil A. Thompson October 2, 2016

Here is this week’s message “WHY AM I HERE?” based on Philippians 1:12-14:

¹² But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, ¹³ so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; ¹⁴ and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become

confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

PASTOR CECIL A. THOMPSON TUMWATER CHAPEL MESSAGE OF THE WEEK PHILIPPIANS 1: THE BIRTH OF THE CHURCH 09.25.2016

PHILIPPIANS ONE

THE BIRTH OF THE CHURCH   09.25.2016

⁹ And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, ¹⁰ that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, ¹¹ being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

1. What things does Paul pray for the church at Philippi?
2. Is there something that can be added to love?
3. What things does Paul want the church to approve?
4. What are the fruits of righteousness?

Are they the same as the fruit of the Spirit? Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”

What is the ultimate purpose of the fruits of righteousness?

¹² But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, ¹³ so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; ¹⁴ and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

¹⁵ Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: ¹⁶ The former^[b] preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; ¹⁷ but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. ¹⁸ What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.

1. What does Paul want the church to know about his being in prison?
2. How should we look at the calamities in our own life?
3. How does the entire palace guard feel about Paul’s confinement?
4. What effect has his being in prison had on most of the brethren in the Lord?
5. Are there some who pervert the preaching of Christ?
6. What effect do they suppose inflict on Paul?
7. Are there some who preach the gospel from goodwill?
8. What do those who preach out of love know about Paul?
9. What is Paul’s conclusion about the matter?

19 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For[c] I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, 26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.

1. What confidence does Paul express in verse 19?
2. What part does the church play in his deliverance?
3. In what way can we be involved in the ministry of others today?
4. Does Paul have a concern about his witness?
5. In what way does Paul express his feelings about life and death?
6. What does life or death hold for Paul?
7. Which does Paul prefer?
8. What confidence does Paul express in verse 25?
9. How would you define progress and joy of faith? Do you have it?
10. What does Paul desire that the church pray for him?
11. Does Paul anticipate seeing the church again?

PASTOR CECIL A. THOMPSON TUMWATER CHAPEL MESSAGE OF THE WEEK PHILIPPIANS THE BIRTH OF THE CHURCH 09.25.2016

PASTOR CECIL A. THOMPSON TUMWATER CHAPEL
MESSAGE OF THE WEEK PHILIPPIANS THE BIRTH OF THE CHURCH 09.25.2016 
PHILIPPIANS
The birth of the church (about 50 AD)
Acts 16
6 Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. 7 After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. 8 So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.
11 Therefore, sailing from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day came to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. 14 Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. 15 And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us.
20 And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, “These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city; 21 and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.” 22 Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. 23 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. 24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. 27 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. 28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”
29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.

TUMWATER CHAPEL: SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 18TH - PASTOR CECIL A. THOMPSON (Continuation) Philippians CHAPTER ONE

Philippians CHAPTER ONE

 PASTOR CECIL A. THOMPSON (Continuation)

¹Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: ² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.   

³ I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, ⁴ always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, ⁵ for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, ⁶ being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; ⁷ just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. ⁸ For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.

STUDY QUESTIONS 

1. What does it mean to be a bondservant? v. 1
2. Who do these bondservants serve? Who is their Master? v. 1
3. What does it require to be a saint? v. 1
4. Where are these saints located that Paul is writing to? v. 1
5. What categories of people does Paul mention? v. 1
6. What does the word of “grace” mean? v. 2
7. What does the word “peace” mean? v. 2
8. Where do blessing originate? v. 2
9. What does Paul do whenever the thinks of the church at Philippi? v. 3
10. What request does he pray for them to receive? v. 4
11. Does Paul pray more than once for the saints in Philippi? v. 4
12. What is Paul’s attitude in making this request? v. 4
13. How often does Paul Pray for the church at  Philippi? v. 4
14. How does Paul involve this church in his ministry? v. 5
15. When did this collaboration begin and where is it now? v. 5
16. What is Paul confident about? v. 6
17. What is your definition of the “good work” mentioned here?
18. Who is responsible for the “good work” at Philippi? v. 6
19. When will the “good work” be completed? v. 6
20. What does “the day of Jesus Christ” mean? v. 6
21. Does that include us today?
22. Is it right for Paul to have these feelings for this church?  v. 7
23. Where does Paul have this church? v. 7
24. What are the extremes of the gospel that Paul mentions? v. 7
25. In what ways can we be partakers in the gospel today?
26. In what ways are we called to suffer for the gospel?
27. How would you rate the amount of suffering you are doing for the gospel?
28. How would you define the terms “defend” and “confirm”? v. 7
29. How does “grace” play a part in our ministry? v. 7
30. Who does Paul say is witness of his love for the Philippians? v. 8
31. Do we share the same love for our church that Paul did?
32. Are words ever enough?
33. In what meaningful ways can we demonstrate our love for our church?

TUMWATER CHAPEL: SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 18TH - PASTOR CECIL A. THOMPSON (Continuation) Philippians CHAPTER ONE

Philippians CHAPTER ONE

¹Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: ² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.   

³ I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, ⁴ always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, ⁵ for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, ⁶ being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; ⁷ just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. ⁸ For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.

STUDY QUESTIONS 

• What does it mean to be a bondservant? v. 1
•  
• Who do these bondservants serve? Who is their Master? v. 1
•  
• What does it require to be a saint? v. 1
•  
• Where are these saints located that Paul is writing to? v. 1
•  
• What categories of people do Paul mention? v. 1
•  
• What does the word of “grace” mean? v. 2
•  
• What does the word “peace” mean? v. 2
•  
• Where do blessing originate? v. 2
•  
• What does Paul do whenever the thinks of the church at Philippi? v. 3
•  
• What request does he pray for them to receive? v. 4
•  
• Does Paul pray more than once for the saints in Philippi? v. 4
•  
• What is Paul’s attitude in making this request? v. 4

TUMWATER CHAPEL: SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 11TH - PASTOR CECIL A. THOMPSON (Continuation) Philippians CHAPTER ONE

TUMWATER CHAPEL: SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 11TH - PASTOR CECIL A. THOMPSON (Continuation)

Philippians CHAPTER ONE

¹Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: ² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.   

³ I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, ⁴ always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, ⁵ for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, ⁶ being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; ⁷ just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. ⁸ For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.

STUDY QUESTIONS 

• What does it mean to be a bondservant? v. 1
•  
• Who do these bondservants serve? Who is their Master? v. 1
•  
• What does it require to be a saint? v. 1
•  
• Where are these saints located that Paul is writing to? v. 1
•  
• What categories of people do Paul mention? v. 1
•  
• What does the word of “grace” mean? v. 2
•  
• What does the word “peace” mean? v. 2
•  
• Where do blessing originate? v. 2
•  
• What does Paul do whenever the thinks of the church at Philippi? v. 3
•  
• What request does he pray for them to receive? v. 4
•  
• Does Paul pray more than once for the saints in Philippi? v. 4
•  
• What is Paul’s attitude in making this request? v. 4