Philippians 1:1-11 Fellowship in the Gospel

Introduction

....

While this introduction is very much like

Paul’s other greetings in other books

there is some features that prepare us for what this book is about

Philippians 1:1–2 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: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

This common and beautiful greeting!

Reminds us of the grace and peace we believers have received

It is what unites us together!

Because we are His Children!

but Paul takes it a step further with bondservant

he say he and Timothy are slaves of Jesus

we should know that Paul is writing this as a prisoner most likely in Rome

He doesnt give his greeting as Paul, prisoner of Rome,

In Eph 3:1 Paul says “I, Paul the prisoner of Christ Jesus”

but here in Philippians

“Bondservant of Jesus”

If you think about it

here is Paul a slave of Jesus

the guy has given his life all for Jesus for many years!

he is now

in prison.

He is in some serious circumstances

Situations definitely not ideal

Yet this book in no way carries

a woe is me attitude

Instead this is one of the most joyful books ever written!

Often writing about Jesus

with his mind so set on Heaven through this book

His circumstances is not stopping him from rejoicing, thanking,

and expressing love for this church!

he loves this church

verse 1 says this is being written to the

saints, bishops, and deacons in Philippi

so the believers, the leaders, and the servants of the church in Philippi

show map

which sets for us an example of love

we all should have for each other.

John 13:35 NKJV

35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

But remember that our love and our fellowship

doesnt come from nothing

but because of the gospel!

Hebrews 10:24–25 NKJV

24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

So today as we look at verses 3-11

we will see the beauty of having fellowship in the gospel

Thankfulness (Philippians 1:3-5)

Philippians 1:3–5 NKJV

3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,

For (“epi”) their fellowship in the Gospel

Fellowship - koinonia -

so what this means is that their is a bond we all have over the gospel

We share the same Savior

We share the same hope

The same Lord

The same Heaven

The same commands

The same Word

The gospel brings us together there is fellowship.

and for this fellowship

note 2 things that come from that for Paul

2 things:

Thanks God in ever remembrance of them

Paul and this church have a history:

So while this letter comes in response of the gift

He reacts in joy over them, and over Jesus ,

He doesn't say thanks for the the gift here, while he is no doubt thankful.

He is first thankful for them!

So this church in Philippi and Paul got a history

and through this letter we really see the love he has for them

Making prayer requests with joy for them

we will see what this prayer is later

There is so much joy exuding out of this book

that you almost forget Paul is imprisoned

this book also is like a missionary support letter

where he shares an update about himself

yet he also gives encouragement, correction, and key reminders for spiritual growth.

Confidence in God’s Work in You (Philippians 1:6)

Philippians 1:6 NKJV

6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

d. He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ: When Paul thought of the beginning of God’s work among the Philippians (from the first day), it was natural that he also thought of the day when that work would be complete. Paul also expressed his confidence in God’s ability to complete that work.

i. It was indeed a good work begun in the Philippians and in all believers. “The work of grace has its root in the divine goodness of the Father, it is planted by the self-denying goodness of the Son, and it is daily watered by the goodness of the Holy Sprit; it springs from good and leads to good, and so is altogether good.” (Spurgeon)

ii. Because this good work was begun, Paul was confident of its completion. God is a worker who completes His works. “Where is there an instance of God’s beginning any work and leaving it incomplete? Show me for once a world abandoned and thrown aside half formed; show me a universe cast off from the Great Potter’s wheel, with the design in outline, the clay half hardened, and the form unshapely from incompleteness.” (Spurgeon)

iii. This work in the believer will not be finally complete until the day of Jesus Christ, which in context has the idea of the second coming of Jesus and our resurrection with Him. “Holy Scripture does not regard a man as perfect when the soul is perfected, it regards his body as being a part of himself; and as the body will not rise again from the grave till the coming of the Lord Jesus, when we shall be revealed in the perfection of our manhood, even as he will be revealed, that day of the second coming is set as the day of the finished work which God hath begun.” (Spurgeon)

Anyone we have fellowship in the gospel with

we can have confidence that as God saved the,

is this of salvation or of works?

God is the one who brought us to Him.

He will keep us

He will bring us to Him.

God saves and God keeps them.

Isnt a great thing that it is not on us?

Love (Philippians 1:7-8)

Philippians 1:7–8 NKJV

7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. 8 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.

there is some verse in Phil that shows that they also suffered maybe this is the reference?

greek word here comes from word koinia that means “fellowship”

again we see the fellowship in grace / gospel

Prayer for Spiritual Growth (Philippians 1:9-11)

Philippians 1:9–11 NKJV

9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

this prayer consists of __ things:

Love to abound in knowledge and discernment

approve things that are excellent

sincere without offense

filled with fruits of righteousness.