Philippians, 4:7-8 Watch Me!: Speaker: Dr. David Capes Dr. Capes begins the lesson with a detailed discussion of what Paul tells us to think about in Philippians, 4:8. A summary of what Paul tells us to think about is, whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise Dr. Capes focuses on what kind of things do you think about, what occupies your mind, what do you think about most, in order to dissect what actually ...
Oct 24, 2021
Mark continued his teachings from the book of Philippians by focusing on Chapter 4:4-6 titled Catch the Task . . . Catch the Theology. Paul was a “task theologian.” He wrote in a way that made the lessons of God memorable. He used assonance (related in sound) and chiasmus (a memorable structure). Mark shared three points in today’s lesson: 1. Rejoice: Philippians 4:4. Joy is the distinctive mark of the Christian 2. Be kind: Philippians 4:5. Paul tells us to let our reasonableness (sound judgemen...
Oct 17, 2021
Oct 10, 2021
Biblical Literacy 10-3-21 Pastor Jarrett Stephens taught from Philippians 3:17 - An Example to Follow. The Apostle Paul warns the Philippians out of love to keep their joy in Christ. Paul urges the Philippians to follow him because Paul imitates Jesus. Pastor Jarret shares key things to look for during bible study: Promises to Claim, Blessings to Enjoy, teachings to Learn, Commands to Obey, Sins to Forsake & Examples to Follow. In application, he closes with these questions to ponder: What i...
Oct 03, 2021
09/26/2021, Paul on Target Mark’s class today focused on Paul’s message to the Gentiles, as described in Philippians 3:1- 14. Mark began by developing the necessity for Paul to identify and speak directly to his “target” audience, who were Gentiles hearing the call of the Judaizers. The Judaizers, with great zeal wanted Gentiles to accept and practice Jewish Law and practice Key Jewish rituals, having them believe that this would bring them more in tune with the covenant of Abraham. Todays lesso...
Sep 26, 2021
Ironic Paul Philippians 3: 1-3 In order to understand and appreciate “Ironic Paul” one must first have a very good understanding of what Irony is and what Ironic actually means. In the chapter and verses which are the subject of this lesson, Paul uses irony to communicate his teachings. What is the definition of irony? Irony (Websters) The use of words to express something other than and especially the opposite of the literal meaning Mark opens the lesson using the lyrics from a song by Alanis M...
Sep 19, 2021
In this week’s in-depth look into passages of Philippians, Paul’s writing gives a glimpse into everyday life. Mark explains that some people put life into 3 buckets: sin, spiritual, and normal. Paul doesn’t divide life into 3 buckets. Only two. We live either a sinful or spiritual life. Mark expands on 3 focus areas in today’s lesson extracting insights into living a spiritual life according to Philippians 2:19-30. 1. Friendship - Paul challenges us to walk in Christ with hope, a confident expec...
Sep 12, 2021
Living by the Cross Mark continued his teaching on Philippians first with a contextual review of Chapter 1:27 thru Chapter 2:12-18. Paul’s theme statement throughout these verses is: Let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ (Philippians 1:27). Conduct your life like a citizen of the gospel. Mark focused on three points in these verses: 1. Paul’s Affection - He loved the Philippians. Love is faith experienced in action. 2. A Difficult Passage - Mark shares context for "work out o...
Sep 05, 2021
In today’s lesson, Mark examines Philippians 2:3-11—Christ: A Study in Contrasts. Three things to glean from these verses: 1. Jesus as God. He possessed the form of God, and He took on the form of man. Jesus is a model of humility. 2. Jesus as man. He took on the outward appearance of a man. Jesus is God’s divine love in selflessness. 3. Jesus as Lord. God raised Jesus to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, because Jesus took the lowest place to save mankind. Listen to Mark ...
Aug 29, 2021
8-22-21 Biblical Literacy Dr. Robert J. Morgan, hymn historian, shard the teaching platform with Mark in an interview and discussion about the importance of hymns in private and corporate worship. The Apostle Paul instructed the early Christians to address each other in Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Dr. Morgan grew up as a lover of God and classic hymns. He believes hymns are a Bible lesson and filled with theology. He recommends using a hymnal during devotions and Bible study. Modern music...
Aug 22, 2021
Synopis Chapter 10 – Philippians; Christ – the Paradigm Ref: Philippians 2:5-11 This lesson begins with an understanding of “Christ- the Paradigm “, and how our individual thought process influences our understanding of our relationship with Christ. First of all, what is a paradigm and why is it important to understand. Paradigm (A set of assumptions, concepts, values, and practices that constitute a way of viewing reality for the community that shares them, especially in an intellectual discipl...
Aug 15, 2021
Biblical Literacy Class Chapter 9 - 08/01/2021 “ Philippians” Mark continued the study of Philippians and the theme of Philippians 1: 27-29, Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ. In this weeks lesson, Philippians 2:1-4, Mark addresses Paul explaining what is required to live a life worthy of the gospel of Christ. Such traits are manifested in common sharing in spirit, being liked minded, having love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Mark cited 2 Corinthians 1:5, for...
Aug 01, 2021
This week Mark taught Philippians 1:27-29 titled: Olympics, Horses, and Suffering - Connecting the Dots to Living the Gospel. Paul saw all of life through the prism of the death of Christ as shown in the following three verses: Verse 27: Olympics - the Gospel of working together as a team. We should conduct our lives as a citizen of the Gospel, one who follows Christ as though we are living in a kingdom outpost. Verse 28: Horses - horses can get spooked and run. Don’t be afraid to live for Chris...
Jul 25, 2021
Mark continued with his in-depth study of Philippians. This week, Paul gets personal in explaining his perspective in Philippians 1:20-26. “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Three concepts are evident in this verse. 1. To live or to die - The center of Paul’s life is Christ, who is his life’s purpose. Everything is Christ. Paul explains his reasoning further in Philippians 3:4-10. 2. The tough dilemma - Paul doesn’t earn Christ but gains Him. Paul is surrounded by stress; what is be...
Jul 18, 2021
What was Paul Thinking in Philippians 1:18(b)-19. What illuminated his mind? Throughout the lesson, Mark taught an understanding of Greek by applying the present, future and perfect verb “enses. Three considerations for Paul’s confidence while he was imprisoned in Rome: 1. Paul’s confidence – Confidence in the future because of what he’s seen in the past through knowledge and experience with hope for the future. Psalm 42-43. 2. Paul’s source of confidence – Personal prayer and intercessory praye...
Jul 11, 2021
Pastor David Fleming was the guest teacher for today’s Biblical-Literacy class on Philippians 1:12-18. In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, dark things happened to him. But Paul rejoiced in it all because it glorified God. While we may ask the question “why,” Paul offered a road map as the answer. 1. Kingdom mindset. A faith perspective in how we think. Attitude determines altitude. Readers of his letter knew what had happened to Paul. Feared for him. God was in the process. Romans 8:28 is a pro...
Jul 04, 2021
Mark continued with the study of Philippians by detailing Philippians 1:3-9 titled: The Macros and the Micros of the Gospel. Mark expanded on both the big and the small/individual picture of Paul’s writings with 3 focus areas: 1. Fellowship of the Gospel. Believers are partners in the Gospel or Good News to humans, and the roots of our foundation is in Christ. Mark compares the partnership to an aspen grove. 2. The fruition of the Gospel. Philippians 1:6, "He who began a good work in you will br...
Jun 27, 2021
Mark taught from Philippians 1:1-3—Paul’s Thank You note. Paul had been sentenced to Roman imprisonment under house arrest, which meant the Philippian church was paying to keep him out of the horrible conditions of prison. Paul thanked God for using the Philippians to meet his needs, emphasizing the word always. Listen to Mark detail the contents of Paul’s joyful letter and how his example inspires us to always thank God for what He has given us.
Jun 20, 2021
Mark continues the series Galatians: A Letter of Grace, with Part II of Chapter 15, “Spiritual Living”. Today’s lesson covers Galatians 5:16–26. For context, the Apostle Paul, who wrote many of the books in the New Testament as letters, wrote the Book of Galatians as a letter to the Church of Galatia. Mark, picks up from last week, and covers two points: the “Spirit and Flesh Explained” (v5:17-19); and “The Evidence” (v5:20-26); and then asks [us] the question “What is Spiritual living?” Mark re...
Jun 14, 2021
Mark continues his study in the book of Philippians with Chapter 2, Paul’s Unique Mindset. For context, the Apostle Paul, who wrote many of the books in the New Testament, wrote the Book of Philippians as a letter to the Church in Philippi. Today’s lesson reviews Phil 1:1, and three different attitudes Paul expresses within this first verse. Mark discusses Paul’s attitude toward God, to see how it aligns with ours, and what we can draw as inspiration. Mark also explains Paul’s attitude toward th...
Jun 13, 2021
Mark begins a new series on the book of Philippians with Chapter 1, an Introduction. For context, the Apostle Paul, who wrote many of the books in the New Testament, wrote the Book of Philippians as a letter to the Church in Philippi. In this first lesson Mark provides the background and history of the colony of Philippi. He then discusses the Greek word koinonia, which Paul uses often in the letter, and he also begins to show us how God is at work. Join us Sundays at 9:30am CST! Links below: Yo...
Jun 06, 2021
Dr. David Fleming, Director of the Lanier Foundation, delivers the final lesson of the Biblical Literacy series Galatians: A Letter of Grace, with Chapter 17, “Closing Arguments”. Today’s lesson covers Galatians 6:11-18. For context, the Apostle Paul, who wrote (or dictated) many of the books in the New Testament as letters, wrote the Book of Galatians as a letter to the Church of Galatia. Paul begins this final passage with a closing argument directed at the people trying to distort the gospel;...
May 30, 2021
Mark continues the series Galatians: A Letter of Grace, with Chapter 16, “Family Talk”. Today’s lesson covers Galatians 6:1-10. For context, the Apostle Paul, who wrote many of the books in the New Testament as letters, wrote the Book of Galatians as a letter to the Church of Galatia. Moving into Chapter 6, Mark chose this title because we are going to read what Paul says about families (about the idea of a family). In the lesson Mark explains the passage with three ideas: ‘Family talk’ (Gal 6:1...
May 23, 2021
Mark continues the series Galatians: A Letter of Grace, with Chapter 15, “Spiritual Living”. Today’s lesson covers Galatians 5:16-26. The Apostle Paul, who wrote many of the books in the New Testament as letters, wrote the Book of Galatians as a letter to the Church of Galatia. In Galatians, Paul addresses living with and without the Law because he is writing to both Jews and Gentiles in the Church of Galatia, and the Gentiles have not lived under the Law. The church needs practical guidance abo...
May 09, 2021
The Apostle Paul, who wrote many of the books in the New Testament as letters, wrote the Book of Galatians as a letter to the Church of Galatia. In this lesson, Mark emphasizes three points about “freedom” from Paul’s letter. The first point, ‘The Seduction of self-justification’ (Galatians 5:7 – 5:12), Paul notes that the Galatians were running well, but also noticed they have been “hindered from obeying the truth (v7)”. He sees the subtle influence of the enemy and the law, and how they are mi...
Apr 25, 2021
Mark continues the series Galatians: A Letter of Grace with Chapter 13, “Can one fall from Grace?”. In today’s lesson Mark looks at the practical side of Paul’s letter, covering Galatians 5:2-6. The Apostle Paul, who wrote many of the books in the New Testament as letters, wrote the Book of Galatians as a letter to the Church of Galatia. In this passage, Paul reminds the Galatians to “pay attention”, and be careful about using circumcision to exemplify the idea of following the law to be right w...
Apr 18, 2021
Mark continues the series Galatians: A Letter of Grace with Chapter 12, “Finishing Theology”, which covers Galatians 4:12-22 -5:1. The Apostle Paul wrote many of the books in the New Testament as letters. The Book of Galatians is one such letter written to the Church of Galatia. Paul typically divides his letters into two parts: the first part - theology, and the second part - practical. Mark’s lesson today discusses, “The Reality of the Letter” (4:12-20), “An Allegory” (4:21-27), and “The Summa...
Apr 11, 2021
Mark continues the series Galatians: A Letter of Grace, with Chapter 11, “Mr. Analogy” aka Paul. The Apostle Paul, who wrote the Book of Galatians to the Church of Galatia, was a master at using metaphors and analogies in his writing. Galatians is built around the question, “how are we ‘okay’ with God?”. Mark takes us through Galatians 4: 1-11 and shows us some of Paul’s analogies to help answer this question. Join us Sundays at 9:30am CST! Links below: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/U...
Mar 28, 2021
Mark continues the series Galatians: A Letter of Grace with Chapter 10, Review. Up to this point, Mark has looked at Galatians, Chapter 1-3, by examining the nuances of the language and Greek translation used in the chapter. Paul wrote to the Church of Galatia with a strong reminder of the Gospel message. Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was resurrected - this overwrites the law. In this week’s lesson, Mark steps back to look at the chapters and provide a broader view of Paul’s wr...
Mar 21, 2021
Mark continues the series Galatians: A Letter of Grace with Chapter 9, Three Pictures of the Law, Galatians 3:21–29. Mark provides a brief review because in Galatians, Paul is writing to the Church of Galatia. He reminds the Galatians of the Gospel meaning; Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was resurrected. The context for this lesson is to understand that all the laws and rules we follow or think you should follow, do not make us righteous before God. With that said, then, “what’s...
Mar 14, 2021
