Untitled Sermon

Introduction

ushers pass out Bible

Im very blessed that I get to go through one of my favorite books with you!

Paul is the author of the book as a prisoner (likely of Rome)

yet this book is filled with joy

joy/rejoice is said 14 times in this 4 chapter book.

and he cant stop talking about Jesus:

and he refers to Jesus about 40 times (Jesus 22 times, Christ alone: 19 times)

Philippians 4:4 NKJV

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

Because of Jesus we are saved, forgiven,

theres no penalty of Hell.

and so

Paul’s circumstances are not crushing him

The fact he is nearing the end of his known ministry

he isnt looking back at what was, but what is ahead!

Because what God has done for him

and what God will do is far greater

This book will challenge us to rise up above our circumstances

This book is going to push us to live like true citizens of Heaven

It is going to show us His work in our lives!

This book will give us hope

As it keeps pointing us to Jesus.

that

“His work in us continues, until we are with Jesus”

Turn Bibles over to Philippians 1

verses 1-11

Message titled “God’s Work in His people”

The first 2 verses give a greeting before Paul starts the letter

Greeting (Philippians 1:1-2)

Philippians 1:1 NKJV

1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

Paul is the writer and Timothy is with him.

This book says “I” all throughout and its referring to Paul

Paul mentions Timothy because they would have been familiar with Timothy

and Paul also says in Philippians 2:19

that he is hoping to send Timothy to them later.

but Paul is clearly the author.

and introduces himself as a bondservant.

only 4 of Paul’s letters he doesn't introduce himself as an apostle

and this is one of them.

Instead he introduces himself here as a bondservant

bondservant in NT times usually referred to

“one who was held in a permanent position of service”

but it was likely a reference to Deuteronomy 15:12–18

that meant that of his freewill and love

is committed to serve his master

So Paul in saying he is a bondservant is saying he loves his master

and of his free will is committed to serve God for life.

which is all because Jesus was first the bondservant

Philippians 2:5–7 NKJV

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

.......

verse 1: Written to

“the saints”

the word comes from “hagios” - it means to be holy

it means to be set apart from the world

specifically for Gods use.

our lives that once belonged to the world (John 15:19)

with every ungodly thing

now belongs to God

In verse 1 notice what comes after the word "Saints”...

“...in Christ Jesus”

Jesus is the perfect One

and by faith

we are in Christ

Saints, set apart.

This letter was also written to the deacons and bishops in Philippi

deacons were the servants

the bishops were overseers (teachers, and those who led the body)

Lets read the greeting in verse 2

Philippians 1:2 NKJV

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Now we read this greeting a lot through the various NT books.

but that doesn't mean it isnt important

it is because it is very important.

The greeks greeted with grace

and the Jews greeted with peace

it shows us how Christ bring us all together in Him.

All those in Christ have

as verse 5 says a “fellowship in the gospel”

and as verse 7 says “are partakers of grace”

and so all those that have placed their trust in Jesus

share in the fact that by the grace of God we have peace.