"LIFE IN CHRIST - PHILIPPIANS"

Background Info –

Author – Paul (Prison Epistle)

Date – 62 AD

Audience – Church at Philippi

Theme – Life In Christ

Key Verse

Philippians 1:21 NASB95

21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Philippians 3:1 NASB95

1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.

Philippians 4:12 NASB95

12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.

Key Chapter (2)—The grandeur of the truth of the New Testament seldom exceeds the revelation of the humility of Jesus Christ when He left heaven to become a servant of man. Christ is clearly the Christian’s example, and Paul encourages, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (2:5). Wilkinson, B., & Boa, K. (1983). Talk thru the Bible (p. 407). T. Nelson.

Chapters - 4

Verses - 104

Words - 1,626

The church at Philippi was the first church Paul founded in Macedonia.

This is the second of four Epistles that is written from prison. In fact Philippians is not addressing a specific problem that has arisen within the church at Philippi. Rather, it is written as a thank you letter as well as a challenge for the believers to continue to seek to become Christ like.

“Philippians was not written because of any crisis, but to express Paul’s affection for them, his gratitude for their gift, (if we were to study the book in detail we would find that the church in Philippi sent him aid on two different occasion once when he was in Rome and once when he was in Thessalonica) his encouragement concerning their Christian growth, his admonitions against false teaching, and his thoughts about his circumstances.” Wilkinson, B., & Boa, K. (1983). Talk thru the Bible (p. 405). T. Nelson.

Proposition - As we look to God’s Word today we are going to see that as God’s children we will 1) think like Christ, 2) act like Christ, and 3) we will rejoice in Christ.

1. Think Like Christ -

Mind of Christ -

Philippians 2:5–8 (NASB95)

5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,

7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

“have attitude” - (phroneo) - verb, present, active, imperative, second person, plural - finite verb - think; set one’s mind on

Sense: to think thus - to dispose the mind in a certain way

We must stop here and ask ourselves a question – “How did Christ think?”

He did not go around with a big head saying I am God.

He did not take advantage of the fact that He is God.

He made Himself nothing, taking the form of a bondservant.

Rather than getting a big head and puffing Himself up because He is God on the contrary He was servant.

His attitude was how can I serve others today. Jesus was obedient in all things. His attitude was how can I obey my Father.

Is your life demonstrating the mind of Christ?

Are you taking advantage of the talents that the Lord has gifted you with?

Are you seeking to be obedient to the Lord in all things?

Knowledge of Christ -

Philippians 3:1–3 NASB95

1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you. 2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; 3 for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh,

“Dogs” (kyon) - noun, accusative, plural, masculine - dog

Sense: dog - any kind of dog; usually wild, unclean kinds. - (religious corrupter)

The term dog is a metaphor - it has the idea of a person of impure mind, specifically referring to the Judizers. These groups of people are going around saying that you must do good works in order to be saved. They are mutilating the flesh by saying that you must do these things in order to be saved.

Paul’s is telling the church at Philippi to think like Christ in this area. In other words he wants them and us to know the Scriptures so well that when someone tries to mutilate the flesh by teaching something contrary to the Bible we already know what the Bible says cause we have studied it.

Dwell on Christ -

Philippians 4:8 NASB95

8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

Paul commands us to dwell on things that are appropriate in Christ’s mind.

How do we determine what and what is not appropriate to think on?

Is there a specific standard or is that up to us to decide individually?

2. Act Like Christ -

Standing Firm in Their Faith -

Philippians 1:27 NASB95

27 Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

Paul has told the church at Philippi that they are to think like Christ and as they do that they will stand firm. That is they will not be persuaded by what people say.

Call to Humility -

Philippians 2:3–5 NASB95

3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,

Lights in the World -

Philippians 2:14–16 NASB95

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing; 15 so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.

Strive for Christ-likeness -

Philippians 3:15 NASB95

15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you;

What’s your goal in life?

Prayer -

Philippians 4:6–7 NASB95

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

If we are thinking like and acting like Christ then we WILL rejoice in Christ.

3. Rejoice in Christ -

Uses of the word “rejoice”

Philippians 1:18 (NASB95)

18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,

Philippians 2:17 (NASB95)

17 But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all.

Philippians 2:18 (NASB95)

18 You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.

Philippians 2:28 (NASB95)

28 Therefore I have sent him all the more eagerly so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may be less concerned about you.

Philippians 3:1 (NASB95)

1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.

Philippians 4:4 (NASB95)

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

Philippians 4:10 (NASB95)

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity.

Use of the word “joy”

Philippians 1:4 (NASB95)

4 always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all,

Philippians 1:25 (NASB95)

25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith,

Philippians 2:2 (NASB95)

2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

Philippians 2:2 (NASB95)

2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

Philippians 2:29 (NASB95)

29 Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard;

Philippians 4:1 (NASB95)

1 Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.

Why do we rejoice in Christ?

So What??

Are you thinking like Christ?

Are you acting like Christ?

Are you rejoicing in Christ?

2 Corinthians 13:5 NASB95

5 Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?