Philippians 1_1_11

Philippians 1:1-11

Title: Finding Joy in Difficult Times part 1 “Fellowship of the Gospel”

Intro: "Joy is the flag which is flown from the castle of the heart when the King is in residence there."

This letter is full of joy and happiness despite that Paul has been falsely arrested with the purpose of squadushing his message of hope that Christ charged him with. In this letter Paul does not tell us to be happy or how to be happy/full of joy (16x) but he is unmistakably happy. But, I am convinced that we can look at Paul’s life during this time of tribulation and see that it wasn’t his circumstances that produced joy but it was his life in Christ Jesus. The Gospel brought joy to him!

The secret to his joy was his single mind; HE LVES FOR CHRIST AND THE GOSPEL! (Christ is named 18x in chapter 1 and the Gospel is mentioned 6x). “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (1:21)

This is the attitude that say’s “It makes no difference what happens to me, just as long as Christ is glorified and the Gospel is shared with others.

Paul rejoiced in spite of his circumstances, because his circumstances strengthened The Fellowship of the Gospel (1-11), Promoted The Furtherance of the Gospel (12-26), and Guarded The Faith of the Gospel.

Perhaps, we would find great joy regardless of our circumstances if we were “Single Minded” for the Gospel of Jesus.

CPS: Today I want us to see that a source of Paul’s joy was The Fellowship of the Gospel and perhaps today we can find joy as Paul did in fellowship.

Paul found Christian joy in the midst of difficulty because his fellow saints were in his mind(1-6)

EX: Paul was not thinking about himself during this difficult season in his life, He was focused on the Lord and his brothers and sisters in Christ, who were in partnership with him in the Gospel. Perhaps, if we think of our brothers and sisters in Christ, during our difficult seasons we will find joy.

He was THANKFULL (Main Verb) for every memory of those in Philippi!

Thanks - ĕucharistĕō, yoo-khar-is-teh´-o = to be grateful, to express gratitude towards another.

His memories (By the water with Lydia, in the streets with the slave girl, in the jail with Silas (Acts 16)

He found joy in FELLOWSHIP of the Gospel (He wasn’t alone!) with those in Philippi!

Fellowship - kŏinōnia, koy-nohn-ee´-ah; partnership, i.e. participation

Their salvation

Their Growth (They knew how to demonstrate Christian love)

Sent love offerings to him

Sent Epaproditous to minster to him

App: It was a source of joy to Paul to know that God was still working in the lives of his fellow-believers at Philippi. After all, this is the real basis for joyful Christian fellowship, to have God at work in our lives day by day.

Are you in unbroken fellowship with the Lord and your brothers and sisters in Christ. If not your Christian Joy is nonexistent!

Paul found Christian joy in the midst of difficulty because his fellow saints were in his heart(7-8)

EX: They were a mixed group of people bound by love. They shared in the grace of the Lord and Paul had great affection for them. Paul’s love was not something he merely talked about; it was something he practiced. He considered his difficult circumstances an opportunity for defending and confirming the Gospel, and this would help his brethren everywhere.

His Christian FEELINGS towards those in Phiippi

KJV - Think, NASB – Feel - phrŏnĕō, fron-eh´-o; literally to interest oneself with, to set affection on.

He loves those in Philippi

Partakers of grace with him

He was suffering on their behalf. (Eph. 3:1)

He longs for (Misses them) those in Philippi

App: Paul’s joy was wrapped up in his love for the saints of God, those partakers of God’s grace with him. Perhaps we can find joy even during difficult seasons by pouring out love on our fellow worshipers. Christian love is not something we work up; it is something that God does in us and through us. It was not Paul’s love channeled through Christ; it was Christ’s love channeled through Paul. Christians who practice love always experience joy; both come as a result of the presence of the same Holy Spirit. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy” (Gal. 5:22).

Paul found Christian joy in the midst of difficulty because his fellow saints were in his prayers(9-11)

Paul found joy in his memories of the friends at Philippi and in his growing love for them. He also found joy in remembering them before the throne of grace in prayer.

ILL: In The OT the high priest who went into the holy of hollies wore an ephod with a 12 stones set it the chest of the ephod. These 12 stones represented each tribe of the people Israel. He carried the people over his heart in love, and so did Paul. Perhaps the deepest Christian fellowship and joy we can experience in this life is at the throne of grace, praying with and for one another.

His PRAYER (main verb) for those in Philippi

That their love would abound (Prayer for Maturity) (9)

Ill: a cup of water in the sink and the water flows over the top! Love in excess!!

That they would approve the excellent things (10a)

That they would have mature Christian Character (10b)

That they would have mature Christian Service (11)

1e: filled with fruitfulness.

Conclusion: Paul’s Christian joy was not due to his circumstances; after all, he was imprisoned unjustly. Instead his Christian joy was found in his devotion to the Lord and his love for the people of God. Perhaps during difficult seasons in our lives we should focus our minds not on our hurts but on God’s halleluiahs, being thankful for the work He has done in us and around us, focusing our minds on Christian service and the partnership we have with other Christians.

Paul’s example to us in the text is, the single mind lives for Jesus and the spread of the Gospel to others. He thought of his brothers in Christ, loved his brothers in Christ, and prayed for his brothers in Christ.

Since this brought joy to Paul in midst of a very difficult time it will bring joy to us as well.