From Prison With Joy

New Series in Philippians “FATH TO LIFE”

The Apostle Pauls letter to the Church in Philippi (the leading city in the district of Macedonia)

Different than most epistles (most letters Paul is confronting and correcting major issues)

But this letter is full of joy, gratitude, love, Praise for the Church at Philippi

They are being faithful…even though he knows first hand there is persecution for them there…

Background:

READ V1-2

Paul (with Timothy) wrote this epistle around 62AD (during his first imprisonment in Rome)

And he is writing this to them a little over 10 years after the church was planted

Planted by Paul around 50 AD (ACTS 16)

Acts 16:6-10. Macedonia Vision- Paul in Troas…gets a vision of a man from Macedonia pleading with Paul to help them…Paul gets up immediately and heads for Macedonia for the Lord had called them to preach the Gospel there.

End up in Philippi (leading city) and plant the first church in Europe

Philippi was Roman city, hardly any Jews, NO synagogs, GENTILE Dominant

Timothy, Paul, and Silas in Philippi…Go to find a place by a river to pray

Meet a woman named Lydia (seller of purple, wealthy) Gospel shared…her and household saved …Church in Philippi born!!!

Wasn't all rainbows…few days later…Paul and Silas cast a demon out of a slave girl (fortune teller)…

Acts 16:17–18 “crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.”

owners mad ($$$)…have them stripped, beaten, thrown in prison…

Persecution came!!!

They begin to worship!!!

The Lord comes, shakes the prison, chains fall off…set free…guard comes…suicide attempt…stop him...whole family saved!!!

THIS IS A REALITY WHEN YOU ARE SHARING THE GOSPEL IN A GENTILE AND PAGAN LAND

BUT the church sustained and now Paul is writing to a 10 plus year old church in Philippi…

HE IS WRITING TO THEM IN JOY!

Though he is imprisoned…

Pauls in a terrible situation...and yet...

Philippians 1:3–4 “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy,”

Paul in a bad situation…the Philippians send a man named EPAPHRODITES with aid for Paul and to report on how they are doing…

Paul hears how well they are…

I WANT TO TAKE OUR EYES OFF OF PHILIPPI AND PUT THEM ON PAUL FOR A MOMENT

Look how Paul is responding…

Reflecting on something that gives him joy…ANY OF US DO THIS??

Where is Paul finding Joy?

In Gospel Partnership (v5)

First thing…obviously he is getting a report of gospel advancement…

But ALSO…Contributing to the needs of the saints

Philippians 4:15–16 “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.”

Paul is joyous that they are partnered with him in the spreading of the gospel!!!

SEND NETWORK

In Gospel Promise (v6)

Not the good work of man…but the good work of the Lord in every believer!

“He who began a good work in you” (Sanctification)(talk about this further in a moment)

I KNOW “HE will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ”

The whole bible points to this day…from genesis to Revelation all pointing to “the Lords day” “the day of the Lord”

2 Corinthians 5:10 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.”

1 Corinthians 1:4–8 “I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The Lord began a good work in us the day we gave our lives to Him…and He always finishes His work

THIS BRINGS JOY TO PAUL

In Fellowship with the Body (v7-8)

One body of Christ…

Partakers of:

-Grace

-Imprisonment (IM NOT ALONE IN THIS CELL)

-Defense and Confirmation of the Gospel

“Yearn” Great desire to be with them

ITS RIGHT FOR ME TO FEEL THIS WAY!

Galatians 6- Bear one another's Burdens…love the church with the love of Christ

Its weird that a yearning can bring joy…

DO YOU FEEL THIS WAY ABOUT THE CHURCH???

A life without fellowship is lonely…

God has provided you with bearers and supporters (brothers and sisters in Christ)

to shepherd…to rebuke…to train…to serve to love and be loved by you

Paul experiences it and longs for more of it…looks forward to a day when they are all together in heaven!!!

As we continue on…he discusses how he desires this love for the saints to grow…READ 9-11

In Sanctification for Glorification (v9-11)

Sanctify- to purify

-Abounding love

-Knowledge

-Discernment

SO THAT:

-You approve what is excellent

2 places here where I think the KJV translation is better…

-Be pure and blameless (KJV “without Offense”) means smooth road...nothing to strike against

NOT talking about salvation…but sanctification

1 Corinthians 3:11–15 “For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.”

When the fire comes to purify…we want only gold, silver and precious stone!!!

AGAIN not for JUSTIFICATION BUT for SANCTIFICATION…NOT TO EARN BUT TO LIVE OUT…

In fact look what Paul says in v11…

“Filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus”

You are already filled with righteousness…that righteousness is bearing fruit through the Spirit in you…

Paul says continue to live out this life until the return of Christ!

-ESV “for the day of Christ” …KJV “till the day of Christ”

This progressive sanctification is something that is happening until Jesus returns…Constantly being refined by Gods word and the Holy Spirit

ALL OF THIS TO THE GLORY AND PRAISE OF GOD!!!

GROWTH IN GODLINESS THAT BRINGS GLORY TO JESUS!!!

PAUL SAYS THIS IS ULTIMATLEY WHERE THIS JOY IS COMING FROM!!!! GLORIFYING JESUS THROUGH A LIFE LIVED FOR HIM

BIG IDEA: Even in the worst of situations we can experience joy through a life lived with, in, and for Jesus and His glory.

Are you experiencing Joy???

John 13:34–35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.””