The Sum of it All
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Philippians
Philippians
Brief History of Philippi
Acts 16
χαίρω: rejoice, be glad (χάρις: grace)
Chapter 1
Philippians 1:6
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. God is at work in you, for those who have come to the faith.
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.
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.
Paul’s focus is on how God is continually active in the lives of 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 (accomplished, brought to an end) and by grace we participate in His work.
God is at work in you! 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 the outcome of your calling brings you fulfillment, then thanks be to God. Your mission ought to be aligned with God’s calling in life. If it is not, there needs to be some heart work involved.
Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
“Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
Paul’s reminder to the church in Philippi and to us today, is that Christ is at work, everyday of your life.
Philippians 1:9
Paul prayed that their love would overflow.
The idea of overflow, is also understood as growth. Some bible versions use the word abound but this does not quite grasp the nuance of the Greek. To abound means to have a large quantity or amount.
However, Paul’s prayers is, not just have a large amount, but to overflow, to grow continually. The agape love Paul’s describes is a love that bonds Christians to God and to one another.
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
“By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Jesus’ command was one of love. That everyone who followed Him, would have overflowing love. This overflowing love, would demonstrate to the world how different we really are. We want people to be attracted to Christ, the greatest way to accomplish this is through love.
The antithesis of Christ’s overflowing love is worldly love or self-seeking love. When it becomes about you and what you need. That everyone is here to fill your love tank, make you the center of attention.
So how do you know how to love rightly? First, you have to have the Spirit of God. Knowledge of love can only come from God above. Without God, love does not exist.
Paul’s charge to the Philippian church was to demonstrate their love to all those around us. This is the same calling you have today. Let your love overflow, seeking the good of others above your own.
Philippians 1:21
Perhaps one of the greatest one liners in this letter. For within these nine Greek words, lies a treasure trove of wisdom and purpose. The fortitude of faith found here sets your foot alighted on the right path.
Repeat Verse.
Not, “For me to live is me, father, husband, soldier, government, athlete, etc...
Chapter 2
Philippians 2:3
Do nothing from selfishness
Do nothing from empty conceit
With Humility...
Consider one another as more important than yourselves
Be in tune with the needs of others. Sometimes this is difficult, which is why it is important to pay attention, to listen.
To have a healthy sustainable church, it is important to consider how to serve, not how to be served.
Philippians 2:7
Two things in verse seven which are not debated at most levels within theology. 1) God took the form of a bond-servant, and 2) God took on the likeness of man.
Regarding the form of a bond-servant, Christ was omnilowly, that is, He became a slave to the Father, within His humanness. He was a servant to the Father, for humankind’s sake.
Philippians 2:3-5
Regarding the second reason, He was born in the likeness of man. It was necessary for our sakes that Christ was a human. For He became our servant and our mediator before God.
Not only did He come to the earth in omnilowly form. His creation, His own people rejected Him. They have been rejecting Him for hundreds, thousands of years!
I have thought about this. In the OT, the foreigners, outsiders, those not of Israeli heritage, already rejected God in their sin.
“He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
“If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.
God is not responsible for your sin. He did not cause your sin and He doesn’t make you continue to sin.
Jesus came to love the creation and to demonstrate His ultimate love by dying on the cross. To act unselfishness as a sacrifice for your sins.
Philippians 2:12
This brings us to the theological discourse on cooperation between God’s divine will and human agency.
God’s grace enables the transformative power of His will in our lives as we obey. And as we obey we demonstrate God’s work within us.
Work out your Salvation...
Paul taught the Philippian church to demonstrate God’s work in them to others. This is our outward calling to the world and our community.
Philippians 2:14
We are to value others as more important than ourselves. When we complain and argue, it can be more about pride and our own selfishness. Within this church let us seek the good of one another.
How many things ought we do? “ALL THINGS.”
If you enjoy your time at New Life Community Church, if you want this church to flourish into the future and be a light. Then it just might mean doing some things you are not comfortable doing. It may mean going out of your comfort zone. I can tell you this, serving in areas of need brings great satisfaction as you are living out what Christ has called us to do.
Chapter 3
Philippians 3:7-8
Anything that Paul thought was gain for him, his heritage, his background, his identity. He saw as loss. Why?
Because of Christ. What does it mean to lose something? To not have it anymore. Not only that, but in Paul’s language it was to put it away for ever. To throw it out. It is garbage and meaningless, compared to being in Christ.
It was not that Paul was not still those things, but he saw them as a loss to Paul: “surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus his Lord.”
Paul counted everything that was his identity, anything he would have gained from being Jewish, any aspect of his life that was not for Christ. Which would be all of it, all as a loss in exchange for knowing Christ Jesus.
Paul suffered the loss of all things. It is all still rubbish. There was nothing more important to Paul than gaining Christ.
What would you give up for knowing Christ?
All the things you have done.
All the things you have earned
All the money you have made
All the trophies, metals, certificates, degrees
All the knowledge or skills acquired
All the friends you know
All the family you have
What if He challenged you to give up something right now that is holding you back from following Him wholeheartedly?
A job, a relationship, a habit, a vice, social media, video games, games on your phone, a hobby, etc...
This is between you and God alone. You know what is holding you back from truly following Him with everything.
There is nothing more important that following Jesus Christ. NOTHING!
Philippians 3:14
The prize. He presses on for the prize. What is the prize? “The upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” If you believe, if you have faith in Jesus Christ. Then, you too, are to press on for the prize. The upward, the eternal destination, the final destination, the call of God in and through Jesus Christ.
You are on a journey, a path, a marathon, that leads to God’s upward call. If you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ. If you have not heeded the call of Christ in your life, if you have not embraced Him choosing you to be with Him, then your journey, your path, your marathon, is leading to destruction.
How many of you are just coasting? Walking the race? Run toward the prize. Live the disciplined life of a follower of Christ.
Philippians 3:20
Paul noted about our...
True Citizenship
Follow what Jesus said to His Disciples in John 15:18-19(ESV)
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.
If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
They hated Jesus first, because He is not of this world. Just as you are not of this world.
Verse 18-19 talk of those of the world, those who hate followers of Jesus Christ. Why? Because we are not citizens of the world. The world’s way of doing things is destroy those who are not citizens. Why? Because sin leads them to believe that they only want people who are like minded, who are the same. Since we are not citizens, we have been and will be forced out of the world. Through persecution.
If your citizenship is in heaven, if you belong to Christ, then world will cast you out. But, you have a permanent home, in Christ, with Him for eternity. A place where you are not an immigrant, you are not a stranger, and you are loved eternally and unconditionally.
Chapter 4
Philippians 4:4
χαίρω (chairo): rejoice, be glad
Rejoice in the Lord Always! We spoke of this a couple weeks ago. Are you rejoicing in the Lord in all things? At all times?
When you rejoice in Christ and make Him your daily focus, it sets you, and keeps you, on the path of, not just sanctification, but continued truth and trust in the foundation that is Christ Jesus.
Finding solace in who Christ is in your life, making Him the priority and your true identity in this world is a safeguard for you.
Joy can replace so many things in your life.
Philippians 4:6-7
“Joy replaces anxiety in life.” - Max Anders
Spend time with God in prayer.
Give Him thanks.
Make your requests to Him.
Philippians 4:7
It is His peace that surpasses all comprehension. We cannot fully know His peace. We cannot possibly know all that He is doing, or will do.
But it is He who guards your heart and mind. There is nothing else that can guard your heart or your mind. No amount of shear will and discipline can guard those things. No self-help book or seminar can guard your heart or mind.
Meditate on Scripture Day and Night. Pray without ceasing.
Philippians 4:13
A common verse misinterpreted. What is the context. You cannot actually do all things. You can jump off a tall building and live. You cannot breathe underwater without an apparatus You cannot live long without drinking water or eating, etc.
We will talk about this in a couple weeks, but what Paul is talking about is contentment. God will supply your needs, it is He who sustains and gives life. His strength is what carries us through to the next day.
There is an often misquoted verse from James. God will never give me anything more than I can handle. This is found in James, God will never allow you to be tempted beyond what you can bare.
Philippians 4:19
We conclude with a little glimpse into the next couple weeks sermons. And it ties into verse 4:13.
God will supply all your needs. It is through His riches and glory in Christ Jesus.
