Philippians

Introduction

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Pre-teaching Prayer

Context for Philippians

Philippians is a letter written by Paul to the church of Philippi.

Let me give you a few historical facts about the city of Philippi:

It was a city located in modern day Greece (picture)

It was a prosperous and important ancient city because of its trade and location on the coast, as well as it’s mining of gold

Most natively inhabited by the Thracians

Later overtaken by the Greek empire

Only to be overtaken by Rome a few hundred years later

Differences in cultures led to a wide array of religions:

Some were crude and barbaric involving animal and human sacrifices

Many Greek and Roman cults

Rome later classified all religions into two categories: legal and illegal

Religions had to be approved by their government

Most religions of people they conquered were deemed legal

During the time of the early church, Christianity was thought to be sect of Judaism, so it was considered safe

As it’s differences became more apparent, it led to conflict and for a decision to be made

Alright… so there’s an ultra-brief history lesson on Philippi.

But where does it come into play in Scripture?

In Acts 16 Paul is on his second missionary journey. He was a missionary sent out from Antioch and was lead by the spirit to leave Asia and cross over into Macedonia, modern day Europe, where Philippi was located.

Acts 16:6–10 (CSB)

6 They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia; they had been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 When they came to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 Passing by Mysia they went down to Troas. 9 During the night Paul had a vision in which a Macedonian man was standing and pleading with him, “Cross over to Macedonia and help us!” 10 After he had seen the vision, we immediately made efforts to set out for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Then continuing on… we see their arrival to Philippi.

Acts 16:11–15 (CSB)

11 From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, the next day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, a Roman colony and a leading city of the district of Macedonia. We stayed in that city for several days. 13 On the Sabbath day we went outside the city gate by the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and spoke to the women gathered there.

Paul looked for a temple (place of prayer), but did not find one

The establishment of a synagogue required at least 10 Jewish men, which they must not have had as only women are mentioned being gathered

14 A God-fearing woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, was listening. The Lord opened her heart to respond to what Paul was saying. 15 After she and her household were baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.

Lydia, the first converted Christian in Philippi!

The following verses of Acts 16… 16-24… is a story of Paul and Silas being thrown into prison for casting an evil spirit out of a woman.

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The complaint against them was… verse 20-21, “They are Jews and are promoting customs that are not legal for us as Romans to adopt or practice.”

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In verses 25-34 we see that Paul and Silas are imprisoned, but that God shakes their chains loose, frees them, and uses them to lead a jailor and his family to salvation.

Then in Acts 16:40, last verse of chapter 16, it says...

Acts 16:40 (CSB)

40 After leaving the jail, they came to Lydia’s house, where they saw and encouraged the brothers and sisters, and departed.

Brothers and sisters… whether that is just Lydia’s family and the jailor’s family, we do not know… but a church whether formed in it’s fullness or not, was being built in Philippi… planted by Paul and Silas.

Now… this was all around A.D. 50

Paul makes one more missionary journey where he visits Philippi around 7 years later.

Mentioned very briefly in Acts 20

Acts 20:5–6 (CSB)

5 These men went on ahead and waited for us in Troas, 6 but we sailed away from Philippi after the Festival of Unleavened Bread. In five days we reached them at Troas, where we spent seven days.

This trip to Philippi was likely short, and to help raise money to give to the church in Jerusalem.

Paul ends up going to Jerusalem, there are riots in temple, Paul is accused, ends up appealing to Caesar in Rome, where he goes and is imprisoned. All of this, if you are interested… is found in Acts 21-28.

And it is here… where Paul writes this letter to the church at Philippi.

So… we have a historical foundation and a Biblical foundation.

Now let’s read our text

Scripture

Philippians 1:1–11 (CSB)

1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus: To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons. 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you, 4 always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 Indeed, it is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, 10 so that you may approve the things that are superior and may be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.

Alright… now, what we’re going to do is look at theses verses. And we’re going to hit every single one. Let’s go back and start with the greeting.

Philippians 1:1–2 (CSB)

1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus: To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons. 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Just a couple things to notice:

How does he describe himself (the author)? Servants of Christ Jesus - expound

Who is he writing to?

all the saints - members of the church at Philippi

overseers and deacons

Which means this is for all believers, including you!

With what heart is the letter written? grace and peace from God the Father and Son - acknowledging the deity of Jesus

Reminder that we don’t graduate from the gospel

This is a greeting for the whole letter

Now… moving on to verses 3-11, we see three remarks from Paul and three reasons for the remarks

Thankfulness

Starting with verses 3-4, we see the first remark

It says, “3 I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you, 4 always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer...”

Paul is expressing his thankfulness for them

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Paul then shares the reason he is thankful

Verse 5 goes on to say, “5… because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.”

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Confidence

Moving on to verse 6, we see the second remark Paul makes

It says, “6 I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus.”

Paul is expressing his confidence in them

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Paul again shares his reasoning

Verses 7-8 go on to say, “7 Indeed, it is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.”

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Prayerfulness

Moving on again to verse 9, we see Paul’s final remark

It says, “9 And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment...”

Paul is expressing his prayerfulness with them

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Again, look at the reasoning he gives in verses 10-11

It says, “10…so that you may approve the things that are superior and may be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.”

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Invitation/Closing Remarks

Paul expresses his:

thankfulness for them

confidence in them

and prayerfulness with them

And he expresses this because of their:

active partnership in and defense of the gospel

To have a church filled with this relational

Holy Spirit led