Return to Recovery Homepage
Sunday Service:Due to snow and ice, today’s services were canceled. HOWEVER, let that not stop us from taking an advance look at the scriptures Pastor Brian was going to teach and apply them to our recovery.
Thursday Group (6:30-7:30)
Philippians 1:12-14 & 18-26
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. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.
As Paul writes this letter to the church in Philippi, he is literally under arrest for his ministry and in prison. The chains he refers to are literal. Let’s think, however, about the lesson he is teaching the Philippians and how this applies to our recovery.
- Each of us inevitably reaches “a bottom” sufficient to change the path we walk. Unfortunately, this is sometimes death essentially by our own hand. However, how does receiving the gift of recovery from God Himself serve as an example to others? How does this “serve to advance the gospel?”
- A part of 12th step work is to “… carry this message to alcoholics (addicts) …”. How does our “bottom” paired with God’s gift of recovery, serve as a solid foundation to speak with others.
- Paul says, “that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.” He further describes how Christ will be exalted both through his (Paul’s) life and death. Again, how does this manifest itself in our recovery. Who do you know that lived, and perhaps died, as a strong example of the power of God at work in their recovery.
- Lastly, Paul teaches the lesson that to die is to be with Christ but to “remain in the body” is to “continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith …” For an alcoholic or an addict, living a sober life is the hand of God at work. In many cases, this gift was delivered through a brother or sister, another alcoholic or addict. How does Paul view this work “in the body?” How does our work with others affect our faith and our sobriety?
Thursday evening we will discuss these questions. Give some thought to them and share them with us just as Paul is directing the Philippians to continue to work with others on behalf of Christ.