DEAD FLIES IN THE PERFUME (18 OF 21)
by Jerry Vines
Scripture: Philippians 4:1-3
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Dead Flies in the Perfume (18 of 21)
Series: Joy Book
Jerry Vines
Philippians 4:1-3
I think you will agree with me, having studied through the book of Philippians, that the church at Philippi was one of the most pleasing and pleasant churches in the entire New Testament. I think we could very well argue the case from the verses we read in this letter that it was Paul's favorite church. All the way through the book of Philippians, as he writes to them, there is the fragrance of love, and you are aware of the fact that every time he even thinks about this church, his heart is filled with joy.
In the first chapter, for instance, in verses 3 and 4 he says, ''I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making requests with joy.'' You find that note all the way through the letter. It is a love letter by the Apostle Paul, the pastor, to this wonderful, sweet, precious congregation of believers in Philippi.
As I have read that and studied that this week, I thought about the churches the Lord has enabled me to serve. The Lord has blessed me. I've had wonderful churches. I've had loving congregations. God has enabled the churches I have served to grow and to win people to Christ. I think about those churches with joy, but now having spent over 23 years as your pastor here, when I think of you there is no greater joy anywhere I've ever had than the joy I have experienced here. You are, indeed, my joy. You are, indeed, a pleasant fragrance to my life.
That's the atmosphere that Paul has immersed himself in as he writes this love letter to the church of Philippi.
As you read about this church you will be aware of the fact that there is a fragrance about this church. In John 12 we are told about Mary anointing the feet of the Lord Jesus with expensive perfume. The Bible says about that passage, ''And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.'' There was a pleasing fragrance, a perfume about that scene. ...
Series: Joy Book
Jerry Vines
Philippians 4:1-3
I think you will agree with me, having studied through the book of Philippians, that the church at Philippi was one of the most pleasing and pleasant churches in the entire New Testament. I think we could very well argue the case from the verses we read in this letter that it was Paul's favorite church. All the way through the book of Philippians, as he writes to them, there is the fragrance of love, and you are aware of the fact that every time he even thinks about this church, his heart is filled with joy.
In the first chapter, for instance, in verses 3 and 4 he says, ''I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making requests with joy.'' You find that note all the way through the letter. It is a love letter by the Apostle Paul, the pastor, to this wonderful, sweet, precious congregation of believers in Philippi.
As I have read that and studied that this week, I thought about the churches the Lord has enabled me to serve. The Lord has blessed me. I've had wonderful churches. I've had loving congregations. God has enabled the churches I have served to grow and to win people to Christ. I think about those churches with joy, but now having spent over 23 years as your pastor here, when I think of you there is no greater joy anywhere I've ever had than the joy I have experienced here. You are, indeed, my joy. You are, indeed, a pleasant fragrance to my life.
That's the atmosphere that Paul has immersed himself in as he writes this love letter to the church of Philippi.
As you read about this church you will be aware of the fact that there is a fragrance about this church. In John 12 we are told about Mary anointing the feet of the Lord Jesus with expensive perfume. The Bible says about that passage, ''And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.'' There was a pleasing fragrance, a perfume about that scene. ...
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