Philippians: Paul's "Stairway to Heaven"?

I am very grateful for all of the wonderful people in my life and, like Paul, it brings me joy to pray for those who need healing and strength. I also have a lot of awesome Christian brethren like @Magenta and @Pilgrimshope who share our love for the "fellowship in the gospel" that we enjoy, and it brings deep enrichment into our lives. We can be confident that God will complete the "good work" the Holy Spirit is doing within us as we long for "the day of Jesus Christ."

As a Classic Rock connoisseur, I've noticed how great artists and bands reach the pinnacle of their success through long, hard work that culminates in creative breakthroughs like The Eagles' "Hotel California", Leonard Skynyrd's "Free Bird", and Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven". When I look at these bands and artists in particular, I can pick out one piece that represents the climax of their work much like King David's Psalm 23 in the Old Testament.

I think the Apostle Paul's letter (epistle) to the Philippians is his masterpiece. Not to take away from any of the other epistles, which are all excellent and important contributions to the New Testament, the writing of Philippians is divine. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Paul channels his love and appreciation for this congregation in one of the most uplifting pieces of scripture in the entire Bible.

Philippians is one of Paul's "Prision Epistles" along with Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon that were composed around A.D. 62. The Philippian church was predominately Gentile, and they were very generous and supportive of Paul's mission and ministry of spreading the gospel. The affection and gratitude Paul has for the Philippian Christians comes through quite strongly in his love letter to them, and chapter 4 contains one of the greatest summaries of the gospel ever composed:

Philippians 4:4-8

New King James Version

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

5 Let your [a]gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

I felt the need to dive into Phillipians again and bask in the great writing from one of my favorite writers, the Apostle Paul. I'm looking forward to this study and taking in your insights as well in our ChristianChat Community.

Thanks be to God!

SF

I think EPH might oughta nudge it out

During this Thanksgiving Day celebration here in the United States, we certainly have a lot to be thankful for as God's people, and the apostle Paul has a thanksgiving focus within his letter to the Philippians:

Philippians 1:3-6

New King James Version

Thankfulness and Prayer

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;

I am very grateful for all of the wonderful people in my life and, like Paul, it brings me joy to pray for those who need healing and strength. I also have a lot of awesome Christian brethren like @Magenta and @Pilgrimshope who share our love for the "fellowship in the gospel" that we enjoy, and it brings deep enrichment into our lives. We can be confident that God will complete the "good work" the Holy Spirit is doing within us as we long for "the day of Jesus Christ."

There are many ways we can express thanks to God like expressing joy for the life we have in Him. Rejoicing is a way to release that joy to please our Lord and bring hope, joy, and peace to others as well.

Philippians 2:14-18

New King James Version

14 Do all things without [a]complaining and disputing,[b] 15 that you may become blameless and [c]harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

17 Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.

Paul reminds us from Jesus that we should "shine as lights in the world" and rejoice in each other and the Lord:

Philippians 4:4-7

New King James Version

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

5 Let your [a]gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Joy in its expression of rejoicing "with thanksgiving" in "prayer and supplication" yields that "peace of God, which surpasses all understanding." Thank you so much dear sisters and brothers in Christ for your fellowship, prayers, and rejoicing we share in our Lord. And, thanks be to God for the new life He has given us in Christ to share the gospel of His Kingdom with those who receive our light as Thanksgiving offerings and sacrifices to our Father in heaven!

“O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: For his mercy endureth for ever.

O give thanks unto the God of gods: For his mercy endureth for ever.

O give thanks to the Lord of Lords: For his mercy endureth for ever. “
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭136:1-

“O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: For his mercy endureth for ever.

O give thanks unto the God of gods: For his mercy endureth for ever.

O give thanks to the Lord of Lords: For his mercy endureth for ever. “
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭136:1-

Praise the Lord

Good, but what about making the man look like an Indian on the Trail of Tears?

“Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55:3‬ ‭

life and joy

“I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭15:7‬ ‭

Or tears and captivity

“But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD's flock is carried away captive.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭13:17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The last Scripture prompts the idea of portraying Jesus as the Indian with the verse, "Jesus wept".