The Letter to the Philippians
Notes
Transcript
Philippians
This sermon series will take us through Paul’s letter to the Philippians and is for the purpose of Knowing Joy In Our Lives.
The letter to the Philippians was written by Paul during his first Roman imprisonment (60-61 AD), and was addressed to the Church which Paul loved dearly, the Church of Philippi. This was the first church planted in Macedonia during his second missionary journey. In this letter Paul writes to thank the church for sending financial support to him during his time under house arrest. He also sends a report about Epaphroditus who had brought the support and fallen ill during his stay, in this letter Paul also tells the church tp expect a visit from his protégé Young Timothy. In this letter Paul gives the church important doctrinal teachings about knowing Christ and practical advice on living the Christian life with joy.
Joy seems to be the key word in Paul’s letter to the Philippians’, Joy (noun) or Rejoice (verb) is used at least 16 times in this letter (Vs, _________ ). The Key verse in this letter is 3:10, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death. Philippians can be summed up in just a few words, knowing Jesus Christ is much more joyful and important than anything else because God exalted Jesus, the crucified servant, with the name above every name.
Chapter 1 “The Single Mind”
The Fellowship of the Gospel (vs. 1-11)
I have you in my mind (vs. 1-6)
I have you in my heart (vs. 7-8)
I have you in my prayers (vs. 9-11)
The Furtherance of the Gospel (vs. 12-26)
He put Christ First (vs. 12-21)
He put others second (vs. 22-26)
He put himself last
The Faith of the Gospel (vs. 27-30)
You are not standing alone (vs. 27)
You are on the winning side (vs. 28)
It is a privilege to suffer for Christ (vs. 29-30)
Chapter 2 “The Submissive Mind”
The Example of Christ (1-11)
The Example of Paul (12-18)
The Example of Timothy (19-24)
The Example of Epaphroditus (25-30)
He was a balanced Christian (25)
He was a burdened Christian (26-27)
He was a blessed Christian (28-30)
Chapter 3 “The Spiritual Mind”
Salvation: the Christian’s Past (1-11)
Sanctification: The Christian’s Present (12-16)
Glorification: The Christians Future (17-21)
Chapter 4 “The Secure Mind”
God’s Presence (1-5)
God’s Peace (6-9)
Right Praying (6-7)
Right Thinking (8)
Right Living (9)
God’s Power (10-13)
God’s Provision (14-23)
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!
A look into his life will shed truth to us about how we can be full of joy regardless of what circumstances we go through. In fact, at first glance at the letter we see that the mind plays an important role in Paul’s joy and in Chapter 1 we could say that “He Was Single Minded,” what do I mean by that? His concern was not for Paul but for the Gospel of Christ Jesus. Perhaps, we would find great joy regardless of our circumstances if we were “Single Minded” for the Gospel of Jesus.
In the Gospel of Christ Jesus as found in this text has byproducts which is joyous to Paul, it is the fellowship that the Gospel brings together.
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, instead he was thinking about others, those saints in Philippi 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: Perhaps joy is found by focusing our minds on others and the effects that the Gospel message has had in and through our lives!
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.
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 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.
Paul found Christian joy in the midst of difficulty because his fellow saints were in his prayers(9-11)
His PRAYER (main verb) for those in Philippi
That their love would abound
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
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 “Fellowship in the Gospel.” 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.