Sermon Tone Analysis

! Introduction

APLICATION**:*

—       Ask someone to read aloud 1:1-11 to refresh everyone’s memory.

—       Have someone summarize what has just been read.

1.

Paul thanks God with joy for the Philippians because they are his partners /participation /NASB in the gospel (verses 3-5).

Lets observe how they are his partners.

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What are the goals of this participation, fellowship, or partnership?

1)      1:7             to defend and confirm the gospel

2)      1:12           for the furtherance of the gospel (pioneer advance)

3)      1:27           to conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel (they way you live day-by-day),

stand fast in one spirit, striving

together for the faith of the Gospel

            4) 2:22             to have a proven character, and to serve together in the gospel

 

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How have the Philippians shown their participation, fellowship, or partnership with Paul?

1) 1:19             By praying for Paul, /“Supply of the Spirit of God” /the generous resources of God,

ministered by the Holy Spirit.

2) 2:25             The Philippians sent Epaphroditus to minister to Paul’s needs

a)      remember what Jesus said in Matthew 25:34-40

b)      note the characteristics of Epaphroditus

1)      “brother”                     “the fellowship in the Gospel” (1:5)

2)      “fellow worker”          “the furtherance of the Gospel” (1:12)

3)      “fellow soldier”           “the faith of the Gospel” (1:27)

4)      “messenger”                “living sacrifice” (4:14-18)                 

 

2.

What can we learn from 1:3-11 about how to pray for each other?

VERSES 3-6

a.       Thank God for my brothers and sisters in Christ – v.3

b.      When?

Upon every remembrance of them, always in every prayer of mine – v.4

c.

I should make request for them, in other words, pray for their needs, not only my needs – v.4

d.      Thank God for the fellowship, & participation in the Gospel of Jesus Christ – v.5

e.       Remind them that our God will finish the work, which He started!

– v.6

 

VERSES 9-11

a.

That their love would abound (overflow) more and more with knowledge and discernment – v.9

b.

That they would approve the things that are excellent, which is, not just knowing right from wrong, but choosing the excellent over the better – v.9.

Hebrews 12:1-2 not every weight is a sin, but it could hinder our walk with the Lord.

c.       Be sincere, without offense – v.10.

In other words, be the real thing and don’t cause anyone to stumble because of the way in which we live.

d.      Be filled with the fruits of righteousness – v.11.

Abide in Christ (John 15ff.)

3.

When I pray for them, what kind of attitude should I have?

V.4

 

a.

Joy

b.

What is biblical joy?

1) Joy does not depend on outward circumstances, but depends on the inward condition of the person, which is their understanding of the nature of God and their relationship with Him.

 

4.

What does Paul thank God for them for?

V.5

 

a.

The fellowship of the Gospel

c.

What does fellowship mean?

1)      “in common”

d.

What or “Who” do we have in common?

1) Jesus Christ

e.     Fellowship also means “separation”, separation from what?

1) Detachment from the world, from worldly thoughts, purposes, words, ways, etc. 

      Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers.

For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness?

And what communion has light with darkness?

(2 Corinthians 6:14 NKJV)

      Adulterers and adulteresses!

Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

(James 4:4 NKJV)

      Do not love the world or the things in the world.

If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

(1 John 2:15 NKJV)

 

5.

What is the Gospel?

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The Scriptures call the gospel:

1) The Gospel of God – because God is the source of the message.

(Mark 1:14; Romans 15:16; 2 Corinthians 11:7; 1 Thessalonians 2:2, 8, 9; 1 Peter 4:17)

2) The Gospel of His Son – (Romans 1:9); and The Gospel of Christ (Romans 15:19): Since it focuses on the saving work of Christ on Calvary.

3) My Gospel – (Romans 16:25); because in its fullness the Lord Jesus Christ has given it to him and its message must be fully embraced by the messenger (Galatians 1:11-12).

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Some definitions of The Gospel:

1)      The Good News:  This seems to be the root idea of the word in Greek

2)      The Glad Tidings:

3)      The Good Spell: Do to the fact the message has a good effect upon the mind.

4)      God’s Story: It is the story of God to save sinners.

5)      An official proclamation of victory!

This was used in times past to describe a message an army or General sent back to their King that they were victorious in battle or had destroyed their enemies, thus “Good News.”

This fits the message of the Gospel since it is the message of Christ and how He had totally defeated our enemies (sin, death, the Devil) and a message which is worthy to be spread with great joy and confidence /Romans 1:16-17!// / 

 

The Lord Jesus Christ came from heaven to die on a wooden cross for the sins of the world!

“/For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

/(Mark 10:45 cf. 1 Timothy 2:5; cf.

Phil.

2:7, 8; Is. 53:12).

6.

The Philippians have behaved as partners with Paul “from the first day [that we met] until now” (1:5), and Paul is confident of something for the future (1:6), what is Paul confident about?

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What “good work” did God begin in the Philippians?

V.6

 

1)      The Gk. verb translated “has begun” is used only here and in Gal.

3:3  --- both times in reference to salvation itself.

When God begins a work of salvation in a person, He finishes and perfects that work OUR GOD IS NOT A QUITTER!  Thus the verb “will complete” points to the eternal security of the Christrian (John 6:39, 40, 44; Rom 5:10; 8:29-39; Eph.

1:13, 14; Heb.

7:25; 12:12)

 

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Why can Paul be perfectly certain that the “good work” will be completed?

(What is the basis of his confidence?)