Why Greetings Matter

⇒ Is there a real Significance to the names of Paul & Timothy?

↳ is it just the Common way that people started letters?

↳ Most likely but the Philippians didn't receive a letter from someone

whom they didn't know.

↳ Unlike the Colossians 2:1 “1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face,”

↳ The personal acquaintance naturally adds to the value & the heart in with the letter is received.

Many times we see these opening remarks in the letters and glance over them and find them to be just formalities while the rest of the letter has so much insight and authority for us to consider

However, it is all scripture that is God breathed / inspired including the greetings

So, I want to show you form this text 3 significant truths that will shape your perspective of God’s divinely inspired word

Self Reflection

Spiritual Revelation

Supernatural Reliance

In the first instance This greeting requires you to do

Self Reflection

⇒ How does Paul refer to himself And Timothy?

↳ What is their self perception?

↳ it is that of a Servants/bond-servants/Slave

↳ It is not a light (Religious/P. C) description

↳ To Paul & Timothy it clearly signifies their identity

↳ They wanted the readers (the Philippians) to clearly see the Significance of their identity/being

as a Slave/Servant/bond-Servant (Duolos)

↳ Unlike the diakones (which is listed in V. 1b) the dulos has a connotation that highlights the dependence of the subject has on the complete control of the master (Superior).

↳ The dulos (Slave) Servant) is one who knows and Submits to the absolute authority of his master and all that he is and does is completely dependent on the master.

↳ Unlike the worlds' view of this word to be chosen by God to Serve him in this way is not demeaning but a Privilege.

↳ Paul & Timothy are slaves in relation to the Master/Lord Jesus Christ

↳ Their Service is to Him and dependent on Him

↳ Everything else Paul would write to the Philippians is to be perceived in light of

this reality.

↳ Everything the Philippians know about Paul and Timothy is to be perceived in Light of this reality.

↳ Being a slave bond-servant/servant of Jesus is not a different/lower grade of Christianity.

↳ It is Synonymous with being a Christian/ disciple.

↳ Timothy is described as a disciple in Acts 16:1

Acts 16:1 (ESV)

Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek.

↳ If you're a disciple/a believer/a Christian you

are a slave of Christ.

↳ Christ is your Lord

↳ Christ is your Master

↳ Christ owns your life

↳ Your life depends and revolves aroung Jesus

↳ you serve the will of Christ (No longer your own)

↳ Sin doesn't reign in your mortal body

↳ Rom 6: 12

↳ Sin is not master over you

↳ Rom 6:14

↳ you're not a slave to sin but to righteousness

↳ Rom 6:17-18

↳ Being a Slave to God through the Lord Jesus Christ is what it means to be saved and receive eternal life

↳ Rom 6:22.

Secondly, you are to regard the content of this greeting and the rest of the epistle as a part of God’s special

2. Spiritual Revelation

As Paul looks toward his audience,we see a significant truth communicated regarding the authoritative and sufficient word of God

↳ Although we would identify ourselves individually as Servants/Slaves of Christ Jesus , God's truth is revealed/addressed in the

context of the church.

↳ The epistle/a letter holding the authority of Christ through His apostle is addressed to and given for ① All the,Saints (Hagios) → In Christ Jesus

↳those that are Set apart/considered holy/dedicated As it relates to their Connection/union/ allegiance to Jesus Christ

↳ Divine revelation through apostolic authority is directed to and for the benefit of all of the local churches and each member of each Local Church

↳ Scripture is both binding/authoritative and beneficial to those who are set apart in Christ.

↳2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,”

2 Timothy 3:16–17 (ESV)

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

↳ The one who is not united with Christ in faith and repentance the content of this letter (scripture as a whole) would be foreign and their soul can not be helped by it.

1 Corinthians 2:14–16 “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.” ↳ As the Philippian Church read this letter they were aware that its contents with all the instructions, corrections, teaching, reproof is just as applicable to those who lead the Church and to those who were serving the Church sacrificially to meet its physical needs out of Love

Thirdly, this greeting emphasizes your need for

3. Supernatural Reliance

↳As Paul's greeting Shifts its focus upwards in what seems to be a common greeting but communicates a lot more

↳ Looking at the cultural context in which the Church in Philippi existed, Paul's greeting in wishing them Divine grace that comes from God is a significant reminder of the truth that their reliance for joy/happiness/power has a supernatural source

↳ Imagine the kind of comfort & encouragement this brings to a Church who exists in a culture that is totally contrary to it.

↳ God being our Father who's concerned about us supplies His favor (undeserved) to His Church so that His Church may continue to shine His light.

↳ without God's grace the church in Philippi could not have been Planted

↳ Without His grace the Philippians could not have survived their difficult conditions.

↳The church reminded to be reliant and rejoice because God is the source of rejoicing.

↳The Church is also reminded that it continues to rely on the supernatural peace that is supplied by the Lord Jesus Christ

↳Amidst the turmoil that surrounded the Philippians (False accusations/beatings/imprisonments)

Paul reminds them that it is only the prince of peace that can bring about the harmony between themselves and guard them from anxiety Philippians 4:7 “7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:7 (ESV)

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.