Scriptural Highlights

• Paul encourages the Philippian Saints to follow Jesus Christ.
• Paul reminds the Colossians that redemption comes only through Christ.
• Paul teaches the Colossians what they should do as the elect of God.
• Paul encourages Philemon to be forgiving toward Onesimus.

Philippians

1. Introduction:
• Written during Paul's first Roman imprisonment.
• The faithful members in Philippi had sent Paul aid, and he wrote to thank them and encourage them in living the gospel.
• Bruce R. McConkie: "Philippians is not a mighty dissertation, one to shake the earth or serve as a guidepost to Christendom, but it. is a sweet and refined statement into which a number of gospel doctrines are woven. And our Bible is greatly enriched by its presence there."  (DNTC 2:525)

1. V29: "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake".
• Bruce R. McConkie: "When the saints suffer persecution for righteousness' sake, they stand in the place and stead of Christ and are receiving what the ungodly would heap upon the Son of God were he personally present." (DNTC 2:530)
• Persecution often comes as a part of being the Lord's people.
• Joseph Smith: "You are not as yet brought into as trying circumstances as were the ancient Prophets and Apostles. Call to mind Daniel, the three Hebrew children, Jeremiah, Paul, Stephen, and many others, too numerous to mention, who were stoned, sawn asunder, tempted, slain with the sword, and wandered about in sheep skins and goat skins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented, of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and in mountains, and hid in dens, and caves of the earth; yet they all obtained a good report through faith; and amidst all their afflictions they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to receive persecution for Christ's sake.

    "We know not what we shall be called to pass through before Zion is delivered and established; therefore, we have great need to live near to God, and always be in strict obedience to all His commandments, that we may have a conscience void of offense toward God and man."  (TPJS, pp31-32)
• Joseph Smith: "Those who cannot endure persecution, and stand in the day of affliction, cannot stand in the day when the Son of God shall burst the veil, and appear in all the glory of His Father, with all the holy angels." (TPJS, p42)

• V12: "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."
• WHAT DO YOU THINK PAUL MEANT WHEN HE TOLD THE PHILIPPIANS TO WORK THEIR SALVATION WITH "FEAR AND TREMBLING"?
• When I look at the scripture from glance, I perceive someone keeping the commandments because they are afraid of the negative consequence of not doing so.  Is this what Paul meant?
• Joseph Fielding Smith: "We know that the Lord is merciful and kind and that he does not rejoice in causing fear in the hearts of the righteous; nor does he command them to approach him in the spirit of fear in the sense in which this term is usually interpreted. It is true that the wicked will fear and tremble before him in that great day of judgment and that he is angry with the wicked, and dreadful fear and trembling will fill their hearts at his coming. The fear spoken of in these passages is in connection with the spirit of obedience". (Answers to Gospel Questions, 2:2)
• David O. McKay:  "'Work out your own salvation' is an exhortation to demonstrate by activity, by thoughtful obedient effort the reality of faith. But this must be done with 'fear and trembling;' that is with a consciousness that absolute dependence upon self may produce pride and weakness that will bring failure. With 'fear and trembling' we should seek the strength and grace of God for inspiration to obtain the final victory.

    "However, to work out one's salvation is not to sit idly by, dreaming and yearning for God miraculously to thrust bounteous blessings into our laps. It is to perform daily, hourly, momentarily, if necessary, the immediate task or duty at hand, and to continue happily in such performance as the years come and go, leaving the fruits of such labors either to self or to others to be bestowed as a just and beneficent Father may determine." (CR, April 1938)

1. READ 3:7-11.  All things a loss for Christ.
• PAUL TOLD THE PHILIPPIANS THAT HE HAD SACRIFICED ALL THINGS FOR CHRIST.  WHAT HAD HE SACRIFICED?
• His position as a Jewish leader.
• The comforts of home and family.
• Wealth.
• His life.
• WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS WE HAVE SACRIFICED?
• Many of the things and pursuits of the world.
• Time.
• Money.
• WHAT MIGHT WE YET NEED TO SACRIFICE TO KNOW CHRIST AND BECOME ONE WITH HIM?
• Our sins.
• Pride.
• Joseph Smith:  "Sacrifice is the crowning test of the gospel.  Men are tried and tested in this mortal probation to see if they will put first in their lives the things of the kingdom of God. (Matthew 6:33.) To gain eternal life, they must be willing, if called upon, to sacrifice all things for the gospel. 'If thou wilt be perfect,' Jesus said to the rich young man, 'go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.'

    "A religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary [to lead] unto life and salvation; for, from the first existence of man, the faith necessary unto the enjoyment of life and salvation never could be obtained without the sacrifice of all earthly things." (Lectures on Faith #6)
• We all go through struggles as we determine to follow the Master.  Consider the struggle of John Butler, an early Latter-Day Saint, as he decided to join the Church.  He wrote: "On Friday, the next day, I was lying on my bed reading and resting my mind. I traveled back over my past history and was thinking from the first time that I had serious reflections up until the time that the voice spoke to me and told me to stand still and see the salvation of God and that would be truth. And the voice of the same spirit said, 'This is truth that you have been hearing, now choose or refuse.'  Now I was at a standstill to know what I should do. I saw the sacrifice I had to make in losing my good name and also what little property I had that it would go to if I joined these Mormons, but then it was the truth that we had heard and the elders were sent of God to preach the true and everlasting gospel. What could I do? I had promised the Lord that I would serve and obey him and even lay down my life for the gospel's sake if necessary. And what was my property against my life, why nothing at all, and if I lost my good name it would be to gain a better one. So while I lay on my bed, I covenanted with my Eternal Father to obey the first choice. I then felt better and to rejoice that I was so blessed of God. I then felt the spirit of God to rest down upon me with this testimony that it was right."  (John Butler Autobiography, BYU-Special Collections, p8)
2. READ 3:13-14. Paul presses toward the mark.
• WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM PAUL'S TELLING HOW HE PRESSED FORWARD TOWARD ETERNAL LIFE?
• He forgot the negative things in his past - his sins and mistakes.
• Paul was a persecutor of the church, possibly an accomplice in the martyrdom of Stephen.  This must have weighed heavily on his heart and yet he was able to put that behind him.
• How often do when dwell on the things of the past and let them slow our progression down?  Paul did not dwell on the things of the past.  He could not change them.  And we cannot change the things in our past.

    A few weeks ago I made reference to the movie series, Back To The Future.  In each of those movies, Doc and Marty went back in history and did some minor tampering with events which changed the course of their present.  We cannot do that.  We do not have time machines that enable us to visit our past and alter our mistakes.  What we can do is learn from our mistakes and follow the example which Paul so nobly set, to press forward to that which lies ahead, our great eternal goals.

1. V8: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
• HOW CAN WE APPLY PAUL'S COUNSEL IN PHILIPPIANS 4:8?
• What is our goal?  To become perfect and obtain eternal life.
• Paul gives us an important key to assist us in achieving this lofty goal.  After listing a number of virtues he says to "think on these things".
• What kind of things?  Things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, or any virtue.
• Proverbs 23:7: "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he."
• Many years ago James Allen wrote a little book based on this scripture entitled, As A Man Thinketh.  Consider a few of his thoughts:
• "Every act of a man springs from the hidden seeds of thought, and could not have appeared without them."
• "A man's mind may be likened to a garden, which may be intelligently cultivated or allowed to run wild; but whether cultivated or neglected, it must, and will, bring forth."
• "The soul attracts that which it secretly harbors; that which it loves, and also that which it fears, it reaches the height of its cherished aspirations; it falls to the level of its unchastened desires".
• "...during the process of putting himself right, he will find that as he alters his thoughts toward things, and other people, things and other people will alter toward him."
• "A man can only rise, conquer, and achieve by lifting up his thoughts."
• "Dreams are the seedlings of realities."
• Our eternal goal is to become like our Heavenly Father.  According to this counsel, our mental focus must be on the that which will lift and inspire.  As Mr. Allen stated: "The soul attracts that which it secretly harbors."  How can we believe that we are aspiring to the things of eternity, when within us we are longing for the things of this world?
• In Lesson 33, I spoke of the power of a single seed thought and how it became the catalyst for running a marathon.  That first thought was the beginning of a series of thoughts that propelled me through weeks of difficult training and finally to the finish line.  During the months of training, my thoughts were focused on running.  Almost every morning, while taking a shower, I reviewed my training run from the previous day.  I kept a running journal.  While sitting on the bus to work, I read running magazines.  I watched televised marathons, such as the New York City marathon.  At least every other weekend, I joined fellow runners at a road race.  I discussed running with friends.  Was there any question that I would finish the marathon?  Not really.  Not only had I invested the physical effort, but much of my thinking for months focused on running.  Are we investing that kind of mental effort in the things of eternity or are we investing that effort elsewhere?  Consider again one of Mr. Allen's ideas:  "A man's mind may be likened to a garden, which may be intelligently cultivated or allowed to run wild; but whether cultivated or neglected, it must, and will, bring forth."
• In the most recent General Conference, Elder Boyd K. Packer spoke of controlling our mental or thought environment.  Consider a few of his words:
• "As the years passed I found that, while not easy, I could control my thoughts if I made a place for them to go. You can replace thoughts of temptation, anger, disappointment, or fear with better thoughts--with music."
• "Thoughts are talks we hold with ourselves. Do you see why the scriptures tell us to 'let virtue garnish [thy] thoughts unceasingly' and promise us that if we do, our 'confidence [shall] wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon [our] soul[s] as the dews from heaven' and then 'the Holy Ghost shall be [our] constant companion'."
• "The scriptures are full of help on how good can influence your mind and evil control you, if you let it. That struggle will never end. But remember this:

 

 
 
 

          All the water in the world,
          However hard it tried,
          Could never sink the smallest ship
          Unless it [gets] inside.

          And all the evil in the world,
          The blackest kind of sin,
          Can never hurt you the least bit
          Unless you let it in.

"When you learn to control your thoughts, you will be safe." (CR, Oct. 1999)

• HOW HAVE YOU BEEN BLESSED AS YOU HAVE TRIED TO FOLLOW THIS ADMONITION FROM PAUL?
2. V13: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
• Paul had a mighty testimony and great faith in Jesus Christ.  He knew where is strength lay.
• HOW HAS SUCH A TESTIMONY HELPED YOU IN TIMES OF TRIAL?

Colissians

1. Introduction.
• Written during Paul's first imprisonment in Rome.
• The Saints in Colosse, a small city east of Ephesus, were apparently being influenced by teachings that demeaned Jesus.  In his letter to the Colossians, Paul wanted to correct these teachings, exhorting the Saints to be "grounded and settled" in the knowledge that Jesus is the Savior and possesses the fulness of the Father.
2. READ 1:12-22. Paul teaches about Christ.
• WHAT TRUTHS ABOUT JESUS DID PAUL TEACH THE COLOSSIANS?
• V13-14: Christ is the author of our salvation.
• V15: He is in the image of his father (physically & spiritually).
• V15: He is the Firstborn of the Father - the first of his spirit children.
• V16: He is the creator of all things, both in heaven and in earth.
• V18: He is the head of the church.
• V18: He is the "firstborn from the dead".
• V21: Even the wicked are reconciled to God through Christ.
• HOW DOES A YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF GOD AFFECT HOW YOU LIVE?
• It is He that we are striving to become.  How can we become like Him, if we do not have a knowledge of him.
• Joseph Smith: "If men do not comprehend the character of God, they do not comprehend themselves." (TPJS, p343)
• WHY DO YOU THINK THIS IS SO?
3. 1:23:  "If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister".
• WHAT CAUSES SOME PEOPLE TO BE 'MOVED AWAY FROM THE HOPE OF THE GOSPEL'?
• The vain things of the world.
• Sin.
• The deceptive teachings of men.  2:8: "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."
• WHAT CAN WE DO SO THAT OUR TESTIMONIES OF THE GOSPEL DO NOT WEAKEN?
• I ask this question in one form or another many times each year.  Most every gospel teacher does.  And yet as we travel through our days on this mortal sphere we are constantly being pulled and tugged in many directions.  There are many answers to this broad question.  Among that which is essential we find:
• Prayer - If we are in touch with the Lord in sincere prayer he will guide our paths and lead us  away from that which weakens our testimonies.
• Pondering - Related to prayer is the quiet, thoughtful pondering of our lives and the things of eternity.  It is in these quiet, reflective moments that we can find peace, solace, and guidance.
• Scriptures - Here we find the "iron rod" that will guide us through the tumult and confusion so prevalent in todays world., pondering, service.
• Service - "He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it." (Matthew 10:39)
4. In 2:7 Paul says that we should be "abounding in thanksgiving".  In 3:15 he says that we should be "abounding in thanksgiving".  And in 3:15 he says, "be ye thankful".  In 3:17 he tells us, "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him."
• WHY DO YOU THINK PAUL EMPHASIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING THANKFUL?
• Ezra Taft Benson: "God help us to be grateful for our blessings, never to be guilty of the sin of ingratitude, and to instill this same gratitude into the lives of our children. Someone has said that an ungrateful man is like a hog under a tree eating apples and never looking up to see where they come from. And the Lord has said, "And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more" (D&C 78:19). This great principle of gratitude, made a daily part of our lives and our prayers, can lift and bless us as individuals, as members of the Church, and as parents and families." (TETB, p364)
• WHAT BLESSINGS COME FROM HAVING A THANKFUL HEART IN ALL THINGS?
5. READ 3:16-17. Let the word of Christ dwell in your richly.
• HOW CAN WE LET THE WORD OF CHRIST DWELL RICHLY IN US AS PAUL ADMONISHED?
• D&C 1:37: "Search these commandments, for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled."
• D&C 18:34-36: "These words are not of men nor of man, but of me; wherefore, you shall testify they are of me and not of man;  For it is my voice which speaketh them unto you; for they are given by my Spirit unto you, and by my power you can read them one to another; and save it were by my power you could not have them; Wherefore, you can testify that you have heard my voice, and know my words."
• We need to learn to "feast" on the word of God.
• Sacred music.

 Philemon

1. Philemon was a resident of Colossae, a city near Ephesus.  He appears to have been converted by Paul.  Paul makes it clear in his letter that he had entertained the notion of keeping Onesimus, Philemon's runaway slave, with him, for he was a valuable friend.  Paul could not do so, however, since the young convert-slave was the property of another man (vss. 12-14). The punishment for a runaway slave was death, but Paul begs Philemon to receive Onesimus as he would receive Paul himself (vs. 17). Paul offers to make up any financial loss suffered by Philemon following the apostle's release from prison (vss. 18, 19).

Next Week

Lesson 41: 1 & 2 Timothy; Titus