Participation in the Gospel
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Philippians 1:1-6
Philippians 1:1-6
Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including 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 offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all,
in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus.
Influencers
Participation Trophies
Paul was a true influencer that pointed people to Christ.
Philippi, its name derived from Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great, became the capital of the Greek Empire in the 4th century BC. After Philip’s death, Alexander continued his father’s vision of making Philippi a showcase of Greek culture. By the 2nd century BC, the region came under the control of the Roman Empire.
During Paul’s travels, Philippi was a significant city. Archaeologically, it is one of the most thoroughly studied cities from that era. It was into this diverse cultural setting that Paul, Silas, Luke, and others entered (see Acts 16:9–40). Paul and his companions visited Philippi during his second missionary journey, likely in the early 50’s AD. Historical records suggest there was no synagogue or established Jewish presence in the city at the time.
Most scholars believe Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians from Rome during his first imprisonment, around the early 60’s AD. The primary reason for the letter appears to be Paul’s gratitude for the church’s generous gift and their role as a model of a healthy Christian community. Additionally, Paul intended to send the letter back with Epaphroditus, due to the strong bond of admiration between him and the Philippian church.
Philippians is perhaps of the most quoted of the Pauline corpus.
Perhaps of all the letters Paul wrote, one could argue that this is on of the most personal. As such, it reads more of a letter which appears to be disjointed in parts without a strong flow of discourse or thought. Much as if we were writing a letter today. Nonetheless, Paul was ordained by God to produce such a letter sharing his deep admiration for the saints in Philippi.
It is an example for us today, to revel in and pay close attention to. For in the letter is found a myriad of convicting truths that we miss in our daily calling as church, as a body of believers. If you truly belong to Christ, if you truly are saved, than you would follow the same heart as our past brothers and sisters and Paul. We are slaves to Christ, bound to Him and He to us.
Paul’s letter to the saints in Philippi, is a letter written to those whom he has a deep admiration for. Some consider his writings as a type of friendship letter. And, it definitely carries those undertones. But, as you will see, this letter goes deeper than that, perhaps even deeper than the love one might have for a brother or sister. Paul exudes the love of Christ to those in Philippi.
Another aspect of the letter is the call to moral behavior. In the 1st century, in Philippi, the Greco-Roman world, ethics were derived from the philosophers: Socrates, Hippocrates, Plato, Aristotle.
For Christians, are ethics come from Scripture. Yes, the culture imbues some of the ethical principles from Scripture, but is muddied by philosophy, syncretism within westernization and the vast religions that plague our world.
American and the world over have no real, no true moral compass, for the world seeks its own and devours those opposed to it, namely Christians.
The church in Philippi had no moral upbringing that aligned it with Scripture. Paul’s letter to the Philippians sought to exhort and encourage their moral and ethical behavior which they exhibited. He also corrected and taught where it was necessary.
Verse 1
This letter, from Paul, includes his spiritual son, Timothy. Paul includes Timothy because is in ministry with Paul. It could be that Paul also regards Timothy as a leader, with a spiritual investment into the lives of his fellow Christians.
Bond-Servants is a common opening which Paul used in his letters. It means they belong to Christ, that is where their identity is. They have chosen to be bonded to Him, permanently. They have chosen to serve Jesus Christ with all their hearts.
Participating in the Cause
Being a bond-servant means you surrender to Christ. Christ ought to be embodied in all you do. We belong to Him and He has given us His Spirit to indwell in our lives, guiding each one of us to do His will.
“We do not make terms with Christ; we surrender to Christ. We do not compromise with Christ; we submit to Christ. Christianity does not mean being interested in Jesus Christ; it means taking the same oath [of total loyalty] as princes take to the king or the queen in a coronation ceremony...” William Barclay, taken from somewhere. (1967)
Application: If you have chosen Jesus Christ as your Savior, and have chosen to follow Him, then you have bonded yourself to Him and He to you.
I think we miss this often. We want to use Jesus Christ as a Safety Net. Remember Galatians 5:13
For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.
“For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.”
Paul addressed the letter to the saints in Philippi. The term saints connects believers the Old Testament and God’s chosen people Israel. They are are holy and set-apart. They belong to God and have been consecrated by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ.
Used in: Romans, Corinthians, Ephesians, Colossians,
The overseers and deacons were also emphasized. Why?
Overseers (episkopos) - in charge of overseeing the flock and protecting it from evil, false prophets, false teachings.
Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
Deacons (diakonos) - these are the helpers of the church who are charged with carrying out the ministry of the church. Especially as it regarded widows and the poor.
This letter was most likely a call to their leadership. He wanted them to pay special attention to his words. He wanted them to lead the way and be an encouragement to the believers in Philippi.
Verse 2
A common greeting by Paul. Grace and peace come from God and Christ. It comes to those who are in His name.
First, God acknowledged the Father, as should be with all things. He is the author of life and in Him all things hold together.
Second, He acknowledged the ‘Lord’ Jesus Christ. This is important for two reasons. One, Paul points to the deity of Christ as one with the Father. Grace and Peace come from the Trinitarian Godhead. They do not have varying degrees of grace and peace, it is the same. To receive grace and peace from the triune God is a blessing and to be received with gratitude.
The second reason Paul said ‘Lord’ and not just Christ Jesus or Jesus Christ, is because it appears to be a deliberate call to worship Him alone and not the Imperium (The Imperial Family).
The Greek word for Lord is kurios.
When written as Jesus Christ our Lord or Lord Jesus Christ, it appears 265 times in the New Testament. In 85 verses. Paul used one these terms in all but one letter; his letter to Titus.
In Paul’s letter to Titus, he called Jesus Christ our Savior. In that instance Paul also called God our Savior. Paul’s letter to Titus had a differing focus on leadership, which is why added that he was an apostle, showing his authority given by Christ.
Lord in the OT - 6,877 times in the OT. YHWH (Tetragrammaton).
For this reason also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
The title is attributed to Jesus himself in John 13:13, 14; in John 20:28 Jesus accepts the title “My Lord and my God!”11 White, R.E.O. 1988. “Lord.” In Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible, 2:1346. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.
Augustus - 27 BC - 14 AD - 1st Roman Emperor and referred to as Lord
Caligula - 37-41 AD Insisted on being called Lord
Domitian - 81-96 AD - Insisted on being called Lord and God Dominus et Dues
The point of all this was that Jesus is Lord. The Lord Jesus Christ. Calling Jesus Lord created an antithesis of the Roman and Jewish Hierarchy. For the Romans, Christians asserted that a man, and not one from noble or kingly heritage (at least as far as they were concerned), was being heralded as on equal playing ground as the Emperor. And although Jesus had already ascended, He was still referred to as Lord, for He was alive and active.
To the Jews, only YHWH was Lord, not the man Jesus from Nazareth.
2 Cor. 4:5 - Jesus is Lord
For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants on account of Jesus.
If someone says there is Jesus or Here is do not follow him
Verse 3-4
God is thanked for those in Philippi. Imagine thanking God for the people in your life.
Application: It is important to give God gratitude for those in our lives. Especially those who display and share His Gospel truth to others. I can pinpoint people in this room who I know make a difference for the Gospel and cause for Christ. For you, I thank God.
When you pray let Paul’s example be recalled to mind. Thank God for the work of Christ being done.
Participation in the Gospel
Verse 5
Paul’s prayers acknowledged the Philippians participation in the Gospel. They were active in showing the love of Christ to others. They were active sharing the truth of the Gospel.
Remember, they most likely did not have a copy of any of the New Testament. No Gospel letters from Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. They had the truth of the Gospel Message. And that is how they lived their lives.
Application: Imagine if it was that simple? Pretend for a moment you had no Bible, you had no sermons, no worship, no building, no conferences, no camps, no Bible Studies, no youth group, etc.
What would you have? What would you be armed with my brothers and sisters? The TRUTH!
Everyday you would live out the truth. I want you to leave this building, this worship service today with that. Imagine this church and every church building no longer existed, how would you live out the Gospel each day? Would it be for self, or would it be for Him? Would you show His love? Would you share His truth?
Participation in Good Work
Verse 6
Paul knew Christ would continue to work in their lives for the good of the Gospel, for the truth. God is always working for the good of believers.
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
This statement by Paul focused the attention on what God did and continually does with His saints. God began a good work among the saints, from then until now, and ultimately until He returns, it will all be completed. His good work will be completed and we get to join in that good work.
This is point, we get to participate in the good work of the Lord. God works in and through us. For His purposes, not our own.
This may be a big wake up call for many of you. God did call you to do good work so you will be fulfilled and have purpose. He called you to good work because it brings Him glory and emphasizes His name among the world.
If that calling brings you purpose, then you grasp what it means to be His bond-servant, as was Paul and Timothy and others. It is a blessed by-product of serving Him.
Conclude with a call of things to come in the book of Philippians. Create Interest.
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
Do all things without complaining or arguments;
Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision;
But whatever things were gain to me, these things I have counted as loss because of Christ.
Not that I have already grasped it all or have already become perfect, but I press on if I may also take hold of that for which I was even taken hold of by Christ Jesus.
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
