Monologue of Philippians

Paul's letter to those in Philippi, was originally read from start to finish in one sitting. Often, in our retelling of Scripture we do so by extracting isolated verses from the context they were written in. As helpful as this can be, something of the essence and power of the Scripture is missed when we don't capture it in the larger context. For me personally, something powerful has transpired, as I've read through the whole book of Philippians again-and-again. Each time something new catches my attention. Another piece falls into place, bringing greater clarity to the whole.

To wrap up our series on Philippians, we did so by imagining what was in Paul's heart as he wrote to this group of followers. If Paul could have read it himself, what would it have sounded and looked like?

The following is a dramatized monologue of the Book of Philippians, that seeks to imaginatively enter into the heart of Paul and the impulse of the Spirit of God.

Monologue of Philippians_Week Fourteen from Jerrell Jobe on Vimeo.

moving withward

We were created for community. Authentic relationships with others provide a unique environment for us to experience spiritual growth. Throughout the book of Philippians, intentional relationships is an under girding theme. It is worth our time to explore how God uses intentional relationships to form us into the image of Christ.

Philippians_Moving Withward_Week Thirteen from Jerrell Jobe on Vimeo.

Shine Like the Stars

14-Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15-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 16-as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. 17-But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service. 18-So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

~Philippians 2:14-18

How we communicate and interact with one another has powerful implications for ourselves, as well as others. In Philippians chapter two, Paul links how we communicate with ourselves and others directly to our endeavors to engage the world around us with the message of Christ. Paul actually had faith that this small band of followers in Philippi could influence the world around them as they were to "shine like the stars."

Paul could have said, "try to do most things" without grumbling and arguing, but he didn't. He said, "do everything..." Interestingly, the word Paul chose for "grumbling," It's a whispering, to yourself muttering in disgust or annoyance. It's what we do under our breath as we walk away from a spouse, co-worker, sales clerk, etc when we are dissatisfied with the outcome of a conversation or something that was said. It's toxic to our souls and infective to those around us.

Often, the muttering, serves as a type of bait. We mutter something under our breath, not so much to be understood, but to be heard. Hoping that someone will say, "What was that...?" Only to give means and permission for us to vent.

Paul connects this outflow to our level of "purity" and "blamelessness," not to mention our influence on the world around us.

Christmas is a season of shopping bliss, unfortunately the bliss wears off before we can even find a parking spot. Everything beyond that can easily become a chore, a duty and a hassle. To which, Paul simply says...

...Do everything without grumbling and arguing...

Here's a further teaching on this idea from our series Philippians: Discovering God in the Midst of Life.

The Effects of Thanksgiving

One of the things that I love about children is their unending ability to simply become excited about the smallest of things. Just last night I walked in the house and shouted "Taco Rico...." (Translation: I'm home and I got tacos from Taco Rico). Within moments there were three little ones moving around the kitchen like starving vultures. My youngest let out a yip, "YEAH.... TACOS..." I could give endless examples from yesterday alone. Moments of excitement and thanks welling up from within a child.

Interestingly, as we get "older" and more "mature" one of the things we forget how to be is thankful. We become too sophisticated to be excited and too responsible to be thankful -- we simply forget. Somewhere in between mortgage payments, car loans and moving the yard we lose the wonder of a child. Thanksgiving has the ability to begin reversing these effects.

I've noticed, at least in my own life that Thanksgiving:

1. Helps bring things into perspective.

Philippians 4:6-7 says,

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

There are times in life where things just don't make sense. There are seasons were there seems to be a residual funk that lingers. Thanksgiving has a way of bringing perspective into these times. I love what Asaph wrote in Psalm 73:16-17

"Still, when I tried to figure it out,all I got was a splitting headache . . .
Until I entered the sanctuary of God.Then I saw the whole picture."

2. Thanksgiving helps us to identify God in the midst of Life.

Where's Waldo?
I enjoy looking at Where's Waldo? pictures.

In these images, Waldo is always there - somewhere. We don't always readily see him at first glance. In fact, more often than not, it takes a little searching, looking, even waiting for him to emerge from within the crowd before our eyes.

He's always in a busy scene with lots of movement, walking stick in hand.


In life, God is a lot like Waldo. He's always there in the midst of the busyness, yet its in the midst of such busyness that He becomes lost - at least to our awareness. Yet, He is still present in the midst of the chaos, if only we can pause, breath and once again become aware of His present-nearness. Paul wrote to those in Philippi that God was there in their midst, working within them, even when they were unaware.

"Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." (Philippians 2:12-13)

Thanksgiving helps us to become more aware of His presence. It helps us to identify God in the midst of life.

3. Thanksgiving helps us remember that ultimately it's not about us - but God & Others...

When I pause long enough to reflect on where God is working within my life, circumstances and relationships, I become thankful. In the midst of such thankfulness, I'm reminded that life is so much bigger than me... We all need reminding of this, sometimes more often than others. Nonetheless, in thanksgiving, we become aware of God, His provisions and the others who are a part of our life.

Forming New Grooves

Our minds are fascinating and complex.

The average human process over 10,000 thoughts a day. Interestingly it's said that, “as much as 77% of everything we think is negative and counterproductive and works against us,” writes Dr. Shad Helmstetter, in his book, What to Say When You Talk to Yourself.

This week, as we continue tracking through the Book of Philippians, we explore what the Bible says about our thought-life, the power of meditating on Scripture and its correlation to our growing to become more like Christ.

Forming New Grooves from Jerrell Jobe on Vimeo.

God is Closer Than You Think

In a recent post, I wrote about the wonder of a child in pursuit of God and how God is often closer than we are aware of.

One of my favorite authors Frederick Buechner in his book Listening to Your Life brilliantly writes,

“There is no event so commonplace
but that God is present within it,
always hiddenly, always leaving you room
to recognize him or not…
because in the last analysis all moments are key moments,
and life itself is grace.”
(Frederick Buechner)

Paul instructed the followers at Philippi to look around them and out of everything that could be observed in the world in which they found themselves to simply, find "whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise." Once they were able to begin to see these things, they were to dwell on these things.

For Paul, as Henry David Thoreau penned, "It's not what you look at, but what you see." In this text from Philippians, Paul is simply encouraging us to develop a heart to discern, an eye to see and a mind that cultivates the capacity to "think" upon these things. Unfortunately, more often than not, when we look at the world around us we are more prone to see what's wrong with it, rather than what's right. We see that which is broken, fallen and needs to be fixed, rather than that which God is presently redeeming.

If we posture ourselves as Paul exhorted, we will begin to see “every creature will be to you a mirror of life," as wrote Thomas à Kempis, "and a book of holy doctrine.”

This phrase found in Philippians 4:8 is in the present tense and imperative mood, which notes, in short that it commands a continuous action…

Further, the middle voice is reflexive which means that you yourself are to continually initiate this action and participate in the effects or results thereof.

Biblical scholar Gordon Fee in his volume one Philippians, Paul's Letter to the Philippians, points out that Paul is using language the Philippians would have known from their youth, he singles out values held with the best of Hellenism. He states,

Paul is using language the Philippians would have known from their youth, he singles out values held in common with the best of Hellenism. But as v.9 implies, these must now be understood in light of the cruciform existence that Paul has urged throughout the letter…

Paul is telling them… to “take into account” the good they have long known from their past, as long as it is conformable to Christ.

Paul is encouraging the Philippians that even thought they are presently “citizens of heaven,” living out the life of the future as they await its consummation, they do not altogether abandon the world in which they used to, and still do, live. As believers in Christ they will embrace the best of that world as well, as long as it is understood in light of the cross (Fee, 416).

The most common response to such a culture is not discrimination, but rejection. This text suggests a better way, that one approach the market-place, the arts, the media, the university, looking for what is “true” and “uplifting” and “admirable”; but that one do so with a discriminating eye and heart, for which the Crucified One serves as the template (Fee, 421).

How skilled the Church has become at "rejecting" everything, rather than exercising the discernment of "discrimination." May God help us to engage the world in which we live in with eyes to see it from the vantage point of the Crucified One.

As Jean Pierre de Caussade wrote in his book The Sacrament of the Present Moment, may “each moment is a revelation from God."

Philippians: Too Many Minds_Week Nine

Our minds are amazing and complex. This week, as we continue our study in Philippians, we explore some of the battles that play out in the arena of our imaginations. Paul said to "be anxious for nothing." In this context, what is anxiety and what's a biblical response to it?

Philippians: Too Many Minds_Week Nine from Jerrell Jobe on Vimeo.

Philippinas: Rythms of Life_Week Eight

“If you are weary of some sleepy form of devotion,” wrote Frank Laubach, “probably God is as weary of it as you are.”

This message explores various ways of engaging God in rhythmic seasons of life. In it, we look at the role of spiritual disciplines and a Rule of Life in the process of our spiritual transformation.

Philippians: Rythms of Life_Week Eight from Jerrell Jobe on Vimeo.

Philippians: Growing in Christ

Spiritual growth doesn’t have to be random or haphazard. Yet, it's amazing how often that seems to be the reality. Paul says some interesting things in regards to our on-going progress toward Christ-likeness.

"15-All of us, then, who are mature
should take such a view of things.
And if on some point you think differently,
that too God will make clear to you.
16-Only let us live up to what
we have already attained."
(Philippians 3:15-16)

As we continue our study in Philippians, we look at how often spiritual formation begins, as we grow in our awareness of what God is already doing in our lives.

One of the prerequistes for growth is frequently simply our ability to discern the inner promptings of God's Spirit.

Once we recognize these promptings, we can better arrange our lives in such a way that spiritual growth will be the natural byproduct.

Philippians: Training to Live Like Christ_Week Seven from Jerrell Jobe on Vimeo.

Philippians: Training to Live Like Christ_Week Six

There is a difference between trying to do something and training to do something. This week we begin to explore the difference between trying to live the Christian life compared to training ourselves toward Christlikeness.

Philippians: Training to Live Like Christ_Week Six from Jerrell Jobe on Vimeo.

Citizens of Heaven

"Whatever happens,

as citizens of heaven
live in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ."
(Philippians 1:27 TNIV)

Though Phillipi was some 600 miles away from Rome, it was still a colony of Rome. Though they lived in Philippi in Macedonia, these people were citizens of the Roman Empire. They didn’t want to speak the language of Macedonia; they wanted to speak the language of Rome. When they put their children in bed at night, they did not tell them stories of Macedonia; they told them stories of the glory of Rome.

Paul uses this unique reality of Phillipi being a Roman colony to vividly communicate to them what it meant to live as "citizens" of heaven. The good news that they could actually hope and expect to live on earth - in the here and now - as citizens of heaven.

Philippians: Citizens of Heaven_Week Five from Jerrell Jobe on Vimeo.

The Upside of Down

We live in a world that tells us to succeed at all costs.

“Do whatever it takes” they say, “to get on top?”

In fact, many give their whole life to this endeavor. In Philippians chapter two, Paul paints a vivid picture of Jesus. This image, to the early readers of this text, would stand in stark contrast to the mind-sets prevalent within the city of Philippi. To more fully understand the depth of what Paul is saying about Christ, we need to track backwards a little bit into the history of Philippi itself. In doing so, this famous passage in Philippians comes alive like never before.

The following is the fourth message in our on-going study in Philippians. In it we explore how the Apostle Paul defines success and true meaning in life and discover the upside of down.

Philippians: The Upside of Down _Week Four from Jerrell Jobe on Vimeo.

Philippians: A Prayer for All of Us_Week Three

Christianity isn’t merely a set of doctrines to be believed. Nor, is it solely interested in securing one’s eternal destination. Biblical Christianity, it’s about an organic life lived out on earth through the power of God’s Spirit. In this message, we begin to explore an ancient prayer prayed by the Apostle Paul for a group of Jesus followers. Though much time has passed since this prayer was uttered, it is as relevant to our lives today as it was 2,000 years ago.

Philippians: A Prayer for All of Us_Week Three from Jerrell Jobe on Vimeo.

Prayer: A Window into the Soul

You can learn about a person by simply listening to how they pray. Is the rhythm of their prayer rigid and saturated with words and phrases from the 1600’s. Does it feel like their talking to someone whose not actually there? Or, is it fluid and conversational.

I love the line in one of Misty Edward’s worship songs where it says,

I don't want to talk about You like You're not in the room
I want to look right at You I want to sing right to You I believe that You are listening
I believe that You move at the sound of my voice

This is how I long for my prayers to be, with the intimacy and ease of simply talking to God as if He was right there – with me. The truth is, He is. Augustine of Hippo spoke to this reality when he wrote, “God is closer to your soul than you are yourself.”

Many of us ask, “Where is God?” But that’s like asking the location of air or the direction of sunlight. The divine Presence is not a “thing” that is “out there.” Lovers abide in God and God in them. “For then the soul is in God and God in the soul just as the fish is in the sea and the sea in the fish.” (Catherine of Siena)

“Every time I get into an automobile,” writes Albert Haase in his book coming Home to Your True Self. “I look at those words printed on the bottom of the passenger side-view mirror: ‘Objects in mirror are closer than they appear.’ That speaks of the divine Presence. God is closer to us than we have ever imagined or dreamt. Genesis portrays Adam and Eve experiencing the divine Presence in the evening breeze (Genesis 3:8).”

Have you ever paused long enough to listen to yourself pray?

Do you find yourself praying about the same things over and over or the same type of things?

When you pray, is there a sense that God is in another room or is there an awareness that He is right there with you?

Last night in New Community, we explored Paul's prayer for those in Philippi:

“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)

What can we learn about talking to God (prayer) by reading and reflecting on Paul’s prayer for the Philippians?

How do your prayers compare to Paul’s?

Philippians: Gotta Start Somewhere_Week Two

This week in New Community we began to explore God’s intention for us to experience personal transformation. Many of us desire to set a goal or change in some area of our lives.

Unfortunately, most of us hit a speed bump because we simply aren’t sure how or where to start. In this message, we continue our study in Philippians with the teaching “Gotta Start Somewhere.”

Philippians: Gotta Start Somewhere_Week Two from Jerrell Jobe on Vimeo.

Notes, Audio & Weekly Engagement Reflections can be downloaded here or here.

Philippians: We're All in This Together_Week One

This is the first message in the new series at Palm Valley Church's (Wednesday Nights New Community Gathering) "Philippians: Discovering God in the Midst of Life."

The Apostle Paul had a special and unique relationship with those at Philippi. He's heart was full of "affection" and "longing." In the first message of this new series on the Book of Philippians, we begin to explore the context in which the letter was originally penned, the posture of those who first recieved it and some initial reflections we can begin to ponder as it relates to us nearly 2,000 years later.

Philippians: We're All in This Together_Week One from Jerrell Jobe on Vimeo.

Reflections are available to download.

Audio available to download.

Human Intentionality & Divine Initiative

Yesterday, as I was reflecting on Paul's journey to Macedonia and what later became the establishment of the church in Philippi.

As I was reading, I was struck by an interesting reality to Paul's journey and the events that surrounded the church at Philippi's conception.


Luke's account of Paul's journey in Acts 16 is filled with an interactive exchange that seems to be indicative of God's intention for all of our lives. Pay close attention to the intentionality of Paul and the initiative of God's Spirit present in the following passage.


Acts 16:6-10

“6-Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7-When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8-So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 9-During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10-After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.” (Acts 16:6-10 TNIV)

The back-story of the church at Philippi is filled with this interactive exchange between of human intentionality and divine initiative.

“human intentionality” and “divine initiative”

Even the Letter of Philippians itself is filled with this reality.

Here's a couple of the verses where this is present in Paul's letter.

"For I know that through your prayers (human intentionality) and the help given by the Spirit (divine initiative) of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance." ~1:19

"Continue to work out your salvation (human intentionality) with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you (divine initiative) to will and to act according to his good purpose." ~2:12-13

"Do not be anxious (human intentionality) about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests (human intentionality) to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds (divine initiative) in Christ Jesus. ~4:6-7

Embedded in the subplot of this Letter is the simple truth: This life was intended to be lived with-God. We have a part, God has a part, and true biblical spirituality is the interactive exchange of both of those. Our response in faith to the Spirit and the Spirit's response to our faith.

Paul's ambition, it seems, is that we continuously grow in our awareness of God's present nearness and involvement in our daily lives. The Book of Philippians, in part, in simply about discovering God in the midst of life.

Philippians: Discovering God in the Midst of Life

After four days of travel, the family and I safely arrived Saturday night in our new home of Mission, Texas.

We've experienced a great couple of days spending time together, getting settled in, starting Micah in school, not to mention myself, becoming acclimated to the awesome group of people I get to work alongside.

Tonight at Palm Valley Church ,we embark on a new teaching series. We will be spending the rest of the fall trekking through Paul's New Testament letter to the Philippians.

The more I've reflected, pondered, prayed through and studied this ancient letter, the more relevant, powerful and applicable it has become to the day in which we now live. I'm looking forward to the next series of Wednesday nights in New Community as we explore the powerful text.