Read the Bible: The New Testament in a Year

Philippians 3. Day 121 - The New Testament in a Year

Episode Notes:

Today's Scripture: Philippians 3(CSB)
Podcast Homepage: The New Testament in a Year
Bible Reading Plan: Navigators Reading Plan
Contact Sean through email here: seanbailey1985@gmail.com
NTIY on Facebook: Facebook.com/newtestamentinayear
NTIY Website: www.newtestamentinayear.com

Episode Highlights:

Knowing Christ. Righteousness Through Faith. Pressing Toward the Goal.

"My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death." Philippians 3:10

Philippians 3 is a powerful reminder that nothing compares to knowing Jesus. Paul warns the church not to put confidence in the flesh, religious performance, personal background, or outward credentials. If anyone could have trusted in those things, Paul could have. He had the heritage, the training, the zeal, and the reputation. But once he truly saw Christ, everything he once counted as gain became loss compared to the surpassing value of knowing Jesus.

At the heart of this chapter is the difference between a righteousness we try to build ourselves and the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ. Paul is not saying obedience does not matter. He is saying obedience cannot save us. Our standing before God is not based on how impressive we are, how religious we appear, or how hard we work to prove ourselves. We are made right with God through faith in Jesus. That truth frees us from boasting in ourselves and teaches us to treasure Christ above everything else.

Paul then points us forward. He has not arrived, and neither have we. The Christian life is a continual pursuit of Christ, pressing on toward the goal and growing in the grace God has given us. Philippians 3 challenges us to ask what we are really chasing, what we are trusting in, and what we are holding onto that may be keeping us from deeper faithfulness. This chapter reminds us that our citizenship is in heaven, our hope is in Christ, and our lives should be shaped by the desire to know Him more.

Philippians 2. Day 120 - The New Testament in a Year

Episode Notes:

Today's Scripture: Philippians 2(CSB)
Podcast Homepage: The New Testament in a Year
Bible Reading Plan: Navigators Reading Plan
Contact Sean through email here: seanbailey1985@gmail.com
NTIY on Facebook: Facebook.com/newtestamentinayear
NTIY Website: www.newtestamentinayear.com

Episode Highlights:

The Humility of Christ. Working Out Your Salvation. Shining as Lights.

"Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus." Philippians 2:5

Philippians 2 takes us straight to the heart of what it means to follow Jesus. Paul calls the church to unity, humility, and selfless love, not because those are simply good character traits, but because they reflect the very mind of Christ. He challenges believers to do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but to count others as more important than themselves. That kind of humility does not come naturally to us. It is formed in us as we look to Jesus.

At the center of this chapter is one of the clearest and most powerful pictures of Christ’s humility in all of Scripture. Jesus, who is fully God, did not cling to His rights or use His glory for selfish gain. He humbled Himself, took on the form of a servant, became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. But the story does not end in humiliation. God highly exalted Him, giving Him the name above every name. Philippians 2 reminds us that the way of Jesus is humble obedience before glory.

Paul then turns that truth toward our daily lives. Because God is at work in us, we are called to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. This does not mean we earn our salvation. It means we live out what God has already begun in us. We are called to stop grumbling, walk in obedience, and shine like stars in a dark world. Philippians 2 challenges us to ask whether our attitude, our relationships, our words, and our service look like Jesus. This chapter reminds us that real Christian maturity is not about being noticed. It is about becoming more like Christ, serving faithfully, and pointing others to Him.

Philippians 1. Day 119 - The New Testament in a Year

Episode Notes:

Today's Scripture: Philippians 1(CSB)
Podcast Homepage: The New Testament in a Year
Bible Reading Plan: Navigators Reading Plan
Contact Sean through email here: seanbailey1985@gmail.com
NTIY on Facebook: Facebook.com/newtestamentinayear
NTIY Website: www.newtestamentinayear.com

Episode Highlights:

Partnership in the Gospel. Joy in Suffering. Living Worthy of Christ.

"For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21

Philippians 1 opens with Paul writing from prison, but the tone of the chapter is not bitterness, fear, or defeat. It is joy. Paul looks at the Philippian church with deep affection because they have partnered with him in the gospel from the beginning. He prays that their love would keep growing with knowledge and discernment so that their lives would be pure, fruitful, and centered on Christ. This chapter reminds us that Christian love is not just emotion. It is love shaped by truth, wisdom, and the desire to honor God.

As we keep reading, Paul helps us see suffering through the lens of the gospel. His imprisonment did not stop the mission. God used it to advance the gospel, encourage other believers, and make Christ known in places Paul may have never reached otherwise. Even when others preached with wrong motives, Paul rejoiced that Christ was still being proclaimed. That kind of perspective only comes from a life fully surrendered to Jesus.

The heart of the chapter is Paul’s statement, “For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Paul is not being dramatic. He is showing us the center of his life. If he lives, he wants his life to be fruitful for Christ. If he dies, he knows he will be with Christ. Philippians 1 challenges us to ask what our lives are really built around. It calls us to gospel partnership, joyful endurance, and a life worthy of the good news of Jesus. Whether we are facing encouragement or hardship, comfort or pressure, this chapter reminds us that Christ is enough, the gospel is still moving, and our lives should point clearly to Him.

Ephesians 6. Day 118 - The New Testament in a Year

Episode Notes: 

Today's Scripture: Ephesians 6(CSB)

Podcast Homepage: The New Testament in a Year

Bible Reading Plan: Navigators Reading Plan

Contact Sean through email here:  seanbailey1985@gmail.com

NTIY on Facebook: Facebook.com/newtestamentinayear

NTIY Website: www.newtestamentinayear.com

Episode Highlights:

Relationships Governed by Christ. Duty and Respect in Service.  The Full Armor of God. 

"Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens." Ephesians 6:11-12

Ephesians 6 brings Paul’s teaching on the Spirit-filled life into the everyday places where faith is lived out: the home, our responsibilities, and the unseen spiritual battle around us. Paul begins by addressing children and parents, showing that obedience, honor, discipline, and instruction are not merely family values, but discipleship issues. He then speaks to servants and masters within the world of the first-century church, reminding every believer that our work, authority, service, and leadership are ultimately lived before the Lord. In every role, Christ remains the true Master.

As the letter closes, Paul lifts our eyes to the reality of spiritual warfare. Our struggle is not finally against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of evil. Because of that, we are not called to stand in our own wisdom, strength, or willpower. We are called to be strengthened in the Lord and to put on the full armor of God. Truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer are all necessary for the believer to stand firm. Ephesians 6 will help you reflect on faithful obedience in daily life, Christ-centered relationships, and the spiritual readiness we need as we follow Jesus in a world filled with real opposition.

Ephesians 5. Day 117 - The New Testament in a Year

Episode Notes: 

Today's Scripture: Ephesians 5(CSB)

Podcast Homepage: The New Testament in a Year

Bible Reading Plan: Navigators Reading Plan

Contact Sean through email here:  seanbailey1985@gmail.com

NTIY on Facebook: Facebook.com/newtestamentinayear

NTIY Website: www.newtestamentinayear.com

Episode Highlights:

Imitation of God.  Living in the Light.  Wisdom in Conduct.  Roles of Wives and Husbands. 

"Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise— making the most of the time, because the days are evil."  Ephesians 5:15-16

Ephesians 5 calls us to live differently because we belong to Christ. Paul tells us to be imitators of God and to walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself for us. This chapter reminds us that following Jesus is not just about avoiding what is wrong. It is about becoming more like Him in the way we love, speak, think, and live. We are called to leave behind the deeds of darkness and walk as children of light.

As you listen, you will be challenged to think about whether your life is marked by wisdom, purity, love, and surrender to Christ. Ephesians 5 teaches us to make the most of the time we have, to be filled with the Spirit, and to let our homes and relationships reflect the gospel. Paul also points to marriage as a picture of Christ and the church, reminding husbands and wives that love, respect, sacrifice, and faithfulness matter deeply. This chapter will help you reflect on what it means to walk in love, live in the light, use your time wisely, and honor God in your relationships.