Coffee Cup VersesHighlights from Philippians

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”

Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky Philippians 2:14–15 (NIV)

Today:An attitude

that will make all of life better.

Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.

As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.

And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. Philippians 1:12–14 (NIV)

Paul’s example teaches us to view every situation in which we find ourselves as an opportunity for spreading the gospel.Roger Ellsworth, Opening up Philippians, Opening Up Commentary (Leominster: Day One Publications, 2004), 25.

One of the surest measures of a Christian’s spiritual maturity is what it takes to rob him of his Spirit-bestowed joy.John F. MacArthur Jr., Philippians, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 2001), 55.

“What’s-great-about-

this?” attitude.

Three kinds of attitude

•Ain’t it awful!•We will get through this.•“What’s-great-about-this?”

William A. Ward…• The pessimist complains about the wind;• the optimist expects it to change; • the realist adjusts the sails. 

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV)

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:20 (NIV)

Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.

“What’s-great-about-

this?” attitude.

Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.

What?

Other prisoners of Christ. . .• Joseph• Jeremiah• John • John Bunyan • Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn• Charles Colson• Nelson Mandela•Martin Luther King, Jr.

Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move.

Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move.

I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers.

I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 2 Corinthians 11:25–28 (NIV)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV)

Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.

“What’s-great-about-

this?” attitude.

Why?

When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters received us warmly. The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present.

Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. Acts 21:17–19 (NIV)

The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them.

Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them.

When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him, shouting, “Fellow Israelites, help us!

This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and our law and this place. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.”

(They had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.) Acts 21:26–29 (NIV)

Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.

“What’s-great-about-

this?” attitude.

Benefits of being in prison•Gospel spread to palace

guard •Believers outside of prison emboldened•Half the New Testament books written

Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.

“What’s-great-about-

this?” attitude.