Men’s Breakfast (November 2024): Philippians

The context of the book of Philippians:

Philippians is a prison epistle of Paul. He wrote this letter and sent it to the church of Philippi sometime between 60-62 AD when he was imprisoned in Rome. Acts 28 records the imprisonment for us. So Philippians needs to be read in light of that context. Paul has been imprisoned for preaching the Gospel and has been going through the court of appeals for quite some time and now has appealed to Caesar. That’s why he is in Rome. That context is important and commonly referred to and accurately applied to this book. But there is also another context that is important to consider.

Tomorrow I will be preaching on joyful perseverance and the text I will be using is Acts 16. Acts 16 is provides useful context for the book of Philippians as well. The majority of Acts 16 takes place in Roman colony Philippi during Paul’s 2nd Missionary Journey, about 10 years prior to the book of Philippians being written. I don’t want to steal all the thunder from tomorrow message, so I won’t get into all the details, but I am sure you are already familiar with that narrative anyway, so let me just remind you of a few things. Acts 16 is where Paul and Silas are preaching they Gospel and making disciples when they deliver a demon possessed girl and then get arrested and then publicly beaten and flogged by the roman authorities. And then they get thrown into the Philippi jail. And while they are in there, Paul and Silas sing psalms and hymns to the Lord and God sends and earthquake and it frees them from their bonds… rememeber that story? No doubt the people in Philippi remember it too.

So now that we have the full context of the book of Philippians, I have selected a few passages from the book to read to you, and as I do, I want you to think about them in light of this context.

Philippians 1:1–7 (NASB)

1 Paul and Timothy, bond-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 thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, 5 in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me.

Philippians 1:12–14 (NASB)

12 Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, 13 so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, 14 and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.

Philippians 1:19–21 (NASB)

19 for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Philippians 1:27–30 (NASB)

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; 28 in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. 29 For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

Philippians 2:5–8 (NASB)

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.

Philippians 2:14 (NASB)

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing…

Philippians 2:17 (NASB)

17 …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 4:1 (NASB)

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

Philippians 4:4 (NASB)

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

Philippians 4:6–7 (NASB)

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.

Philippians 4:9 (NASB)

9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:13 (NASB)

13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:20 (NASB)

20 Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Thoughts?

Close with “Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus” (See Handout)