Letters from Paul: Philippians

we have been looking at the letters of Paul,

These are letters he wrote to Churches and individuals to help guide them on how best to Follow Jesus

Often as with the case of Galatians they are to try and correct a false teaching or bad behavior

Focus on doing what is good rather than trying to follow the Old Testament Law.

Sometimes they are just ment to encourage the church to do what is right as in Ephesians

To live lives worthy of our calling as Christians, Christ Followers.

TOday we are looking into Philippians

this letter was written by Paul while he was in prison in Rome.

It is a thank you letter, written as a response to the church in Philippi, after they sent Paul a gift.

We are actually going to start at the end of Philippians to see this:

Philippians 4:15–19 ESV

And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

At the end of the letter we see what prompted it, that THe Church in Philippi sent Paul a gift through their messanger Epaphroditus.

and this his his way of telling them that he recieved it.

But he is Paul, so he cant just send a letter that says “Thank you so much for helping me!” no he sends them a whole book of encouragement and teachings to help build them up all the more

And notice, this is not the first time they have supported Paul financialially.

they gave a gift when Paul first visited them

and then when he was in Thessalonica they gave him support again

and now that he is in prison they have raised some sort of fund either for bail or perhaps to buy him supplie while he is in prison.

So before we go back and get into the rest of the letter, lets look and see what prompted the generousness of the Philippians

It starts in Acts 16, when Paul is on his second missionary journey, which started out as a means to go back and see how the churches he had planted were doing, and to collect funds to support the church in Jerusalem

However on the way, PAul and his ministry partner baranabas got into an argument and went their seperate ways,

So Paul collects a couple of other people to join him, including Timothy, Silas, and Luke (the guy who wrote the book of Acts)

But then he is unsure of where to Go

Acts 16:6–10 ESV

And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

God gives paul a vision telling him to go to Macedonia (Greece) and enter into europe

Church this is huge, ebefore now the gospel had only been preached in the middle east.

Now paul goes to Macedonia

Acts 16:11–15 ESV

So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.

Lydia is the first european to Follow JEsus.

the Philippian church starts in her house.

And they are just getting started,

Paul and Sylas end up in prison in Philippi after performing a mircale

Acts 16:25–34 ESV

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.

THe church started in the home of a woman, and the house of a jailer.

And the Philipians even as a small church donated funds to be taken back to Jerusalem,

Ad evidently they also gave funds to help after the jews in Thessolica drove Paul and Silas from the city.

We will get to the thessalonians in a few weeks.

So the Philipians were always generous.

So when they hear that Paul is in Prison they send him another gift of money

And Paul writes this letter as a response.

Philippians 1:1–6 ESV

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

He starts off with his typical greeting,

Timothy is also helping write this letter.

He says he always thanks God anytime he think of the Philippians, how generous they are

And He is certain the Christ will continue to do great things with them

Then He lets them know how he is doing

Philippians 1:12–14 ESV

I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Paul is in prison, and he couldn’t be happier.

Because he has spread the gospel admist the whole prision guard

Just as he did when he was imprisoned in Philippi

History is repeating itself.

and others have begun to speak up publically, encouraged by Pauls bravery.

Church When you follow Jesus, and preach the gospel - you inspire others to speak as well. Even, and i dare say especially when faced with persecution.

Now Paul’s situation is dire, he is awaiting his day in court after all

Philippians 1:19–24 ESV

for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.

He is saying that he could be aquitted and he knows that th philippians are praying for him to be aquitted, but even if he is executed, Paul sees that as a win

Because to live is to Continue to follow Christ, and to Die is to enter into eternal life.

Church Paul and the apostles did not fear death. Paul actually welcomes the idea of execution, if it should be his time

but until it is time for him to go to heaven, he will keep bringing the kingdom of heaven to earth.

But since his execution is a very real posibillity he wants to take time to encourage the Philippians

Philippians 1:27–30 ESV

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

Do not be afraid of your enemies, for that is a sign of your salvation, because it is granted that you will suffer for the sake of Jesus.

Church we are not promised an easy life, we are in fact promised the opposite, but if we suffer, we can suffer like Paul, with Joy.

Then paul gives them advice on how to follow Christ even in their suffering

and its not what you might think.

Philippians 2:1–11 ESV

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

He tells them to look to Christ’s exmple

Christ is God,

But he humbled himself

Becoming a servant

and Died on a cross

But God has raised Christ up to the highest place

so if we follow Christ’s example, and treat others as better than ourselves, we will also be raised up in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Now that Paul has adressed how he is doing, and how the Philippians should continue to follow Christ, he lets them know how Timothy and Epaphroditus are doing - and tells them that he is sending timothy and epaphroditus to them

Philippians 2:19–24 ESV

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.

Paul plans on sending timothy, who can help explain the letter, and teach the Philippians as Paul is in prison,

But paul declares that (should he be aquitted) he will come visit as well.

Philippians 2:25–28 ESV

I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious.

Epaphrotditus was the messanger sent by the Philippians with the gift for paul, and on his journey he got deathly ill,

now that he is recoevered he is going to carry this letter back to the Philippians

Paul then warns them about the same sort of things he has adressed with the Galatians and Ephesisans, that there are some trying to twist the gospel, he warns them to beware of such people.

Philippians 3:2–12 ESV

Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

Paul says that salvation comes through Faith is what Jesus did for us, not from what we do right.

Paul has more reason than neary anyone to be confident in acheving salvation on his own, by the flesh,

But he says that it is worthless compared to Christ,

He says it is rubbish. the literal translation is excrement.

And so what does he do, he follows Jesus, trusts in him, and continues to press on towards the goal

To make Christ his as much as Christ made him his.

Finally paul approaches his closing remarks,

he gives some more advice on how to live

Philippians 4:4–9 ESV

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Rejoice Always, pray for all thing, and focus on what is good.

I had a conversation with one of you this week where it was mentioned that your mindset affects how you live, what you focus on determines your mood, and can affect those around you

Paul says to focus on what is true, honorable, just, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy.

When you focus on the good things God has done, it is easier to rejoice in what God is doing.

Philippians 4:10–14 ESV

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.

We now have come full circle back to where we started the gift the Philippians sent Paul,

Paul thanks them though he did not need the gift,

He has learned to be content in all circumstances

he can do all things in Christ

THis is about being content in every circumstance.

So church what do we learn from the Philippians

And we learn that God honors generosity.

Philippians 4:18–20 ESV

I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

When we give to those in need, or bless someone with a gift, it counts to our credit, and God will return to us his blessings.

Be thankful and content in all circumstances

We might face hard times, and some of you are going through hard times,

But with Christ we can still rejoice in spite of the hard times, because we know there is something better ahead,