EVERY KNEE WILL BOW AND EVERY TONGUE WILL CONFESS THAT JESUS THE CHRIST IS THE LORD

Proclamation:

“Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God, The Father.”  Philippians 2:9-11 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Philippi.  Paul began this chapter by encouraging them to have the same mindset as Jesus, The Christ. (Philippians 2:1-5)  Then he reminded them that Christ left heaven and came down to earth, took on human form, humbled himself, and was obedient to the will of God, including dying on the cross. (Philippians 2:6-8)  It was because of this that God exalted Him to the highest possible place and made His name more important than every other name.  Every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus, The Christ, is Lord over all.

Application:

Our salvation is based upon our belief in Jesus, The Christ, The Son of God, and His earthly birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection. (John 3:16)  He has been exalted to the highest place and now sits at the right hand of God, The Father. (Mark 16:19, Luke 22:69, Acts 2:33, and Hebrews 12:2)  The day is coming when everyone will know that He is The Lord.  Believers will bow to Him out of love and respect, others will bow out of fear and trembling.  Everyone will not be saved, but everyone will know that He is Lord. (Matthew 7:21-23)  Only those of us who believe in Him will be saved. (Romans 10:9) 

MAY YOU GROW IN LOVE AND KNOWLEDGE AND INSIGHT

Proclamation:

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may 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.”  Philippians 1:9-11 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written in a letter by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Philippi.  After introducing himself and greeting them, Paul offers a prayer for them knowing that the good work which Christ had begun in them would be completed. (Philippians 1:3-6)  He prays that they would grow in love and knowledge and insight, so that they would know and do what is good and right to the glory and praise of God.

Application:

As believers we are to love all of God’s people, even those who are difficult to love.  However, there are some people that we need to love at a distance.  We need to learn how to love with knowledge and discernment because there are some individuals who would take advantage of us.  We need God’s help in deciding what is the best thing, and right thing to do.  If on our own we choose the wrong path, we need to confess that we made a mistake, and then turn around and head in the direction that The Lord God would have us to go.  Additionally, as we deal with people, we need to be sincere and honest.  The truth may offend some people but we should speak the truth in an effort to be helpful and therefore be blameless. (Philippians 1:10)  We should speak in such a way as to be helpful and to edify the body of Christ.  In all that we do, it should be done to the glory and praise of God. 

THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD IS THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH

Proclamation:

“But when He, The Spirit of Truth, comes, He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come.  He will glorify Me because it is from Me that He will receive what He will make known to you.”  John 16:13-14 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were spoken by Jesus, The Christ, and recorded by the Apostle John under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this chapter, John records the words which Jesus spoke to His disciples to explain why He was leaving them and what it would mean for them.  Jesus said that after He left them, The Holy Spirit would come and guide them into all truth, (John 16:13) teach them, and increase their understanding.  What The Spirit will reveal to them would not be anything new, He will help them recall and understand the things which Christ spoke to them. (John 14:26 and 16:14-15)  Jesus told them that He would soon leave and they would lament and be sorrowful for a while but their grief would soon turn to joy. (John 16:19-20 and 22)

Application:

Jesus, The Christ, had to leave.  His death was necessary to pay for our sins.  Additionally, while He was wrapped in flesh, He could only be in one place at a time, but His Holy Spirit could be everywhere all at the same time.  The Holy Spirit can guide us and teach us, each one of us as we need it, all at the same time.  We know that The Holy Spirit is working within us when we are glorifying God.  However, The Holy Spirit of God only dwells within those of us who believe in Jesus, The Christ, and have accepted Him as our personal savior. (John 14:17, Romans 8:11, 1 John 3:24 and 4:13)