Sermon Tone Analysis

Suffering for the Advance of the Gospel

Tell story of the author of the text being on the front row as you teach.

Afterwards, they can come up and tell you whether you nailed it or completely missed the point

“Christians are, in themselves, no wiser than other men.

What they have, they have by grace.” - Cornelius Van Til

Background Information on Philippians

Paul is writing from prison

Security detail for Caesar was in rotations

Usually 6, 12, 18 month cycles

Symbol for Roman power was the praetorian guard

There were 2 designations of religion in Roman

legal religion

illegal superstition

Rome was polytheistic

When the consumed other people, they just absorbed their religion

Judaism was approved due to the lack of proselytizing

But from the very beginning, Christianity was illegal

They taught an ethic that far surpassed their neighbors

They were hated and found guilty immediately

This is Roman culture in which the church was born

The

An epistle of joy and encouragement to the Church at Philippi

Written before Paul’s impending Death

Occurred on his second missionary journey between AD 49-52

This eleventh book of the New Testament is the most personal of Paul’s letters and has been valued for its exuberant teachings on joy, which occurs sixteen times in this short letter.

One scholar has summarized the content of this letter as follows: “I rejoice; do you rejoice?” (Bengel; Hawthorne, xlviii).

The beginning of Paul’s involvement with the church at Philippi is recorded in Acts 16.

Prompted by a vision (Acts 16:6–10), Paul and his colleagues traveled to Philippi (Acts 16:12).

During their brief visit, God did mighty works and a church was established (Acts 16:40)

Conflict arose when Paul cast an “evil spirit” from a slave girl, which had previously enabled her to predict the future, while also earning a profit for her masters (Acts 16:16–24).

For this Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned.

An earthquake shook the prison and its prisoners were freed (Acts 16:25–27), to which the overseeing jailer responded, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

(Acts 16:30).

Upon the jailer’s famous conversion, he and his household were baptized (Acts 16:32).

Paul subsequently complained to the chief magistrate about their mistreatment as Roman citizens, for which they seemed to receive an apology and were entreated to leave Philippi (Acts 16:39).

After visiting the new church at Lydia’s home and encouraging them, they did depart (Acts 16:40).

Philippians is unique in that it reveals the apostle’s general satisfaction with the congregation’s progress in the faith.

Though he does address some false teaching, the thrust of the letter lies elsewhere.

In particular, the “hymn” in 2:6–11 perhaps depicts some of the most ancient of Christian creeds while serving to illustrate the need for believers to remain humble.

The letter resonates with joy, with the noun “joy” occurring five times and “to rejoice” nine.

Recap of 1:1-11

Recap of

Addresses the church of Philippi as servants of Christ

Thanksgiving and Prayer

v. 6 “Perserverance of the Saints”

v. 7 both are “partakers with me of grace”

v. 8 “yearn for you...” - reiterates Paul’s joy for his church

v. 9 “… your love may abound … with knowledge and discernment”

v. 10 Why v. 9? “you may approve what is excellent”

v. 11 What’s the reason for all this?

“filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ”

A letter of endearment for his fellow believers

Suffering Has a Purpose

What people groups did the Gospel penetrate through Paul’s imprisonment?

13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?

14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed.

Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?

14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed.

Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version.

(2016).

().

Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

v.12 Analysis

What is Paul not saying in v.12?

Why does Paul feel the need to “comfort” the Philippians in v. 12?

It may have happened to the Philippians, that they were in some degree discouraged in consequence of the persecution of their Apostle.

The design, accordingly, of this detail is, to encourage the Philippians, that they may not feel deterred by the persecution endured by him.

What is Paul NOT saying in v.12?

It may have happened to the Philippians, that they were in some degree discouraged in consequence of the persecution of their Apostle.

v. 13-14 Analysis

What groups of people did the Gospel penetrate through Paul’s imprisonment?

Immediate Company

The Roman symbol of power and strength was penetrated by the Gospel

Through the Praetorian rotations, the Gospel spread

DO NOT make a comparison between our sufferings as Christians and that of what Paul experienced

We have the Apostle Paul in prison because of the stance he took for Christ.

While their intentions were to stifle the Gospel going forward, the EXACT opposite happened.

In Mount Pleasant, SC you’re not gonna be thrown into prison because of your Faith.

Do not make that parallel.

The greatest “persecution” that you will 90% of the time just be an awkward conversation to someone who disagrees.

This immediate company involves coworkers, family, friends, classmates, etc. Don’t take this interactions lightly.

Each connection is a soul that needs to hear the Gospel.

Do you run away from any “persecution” in day-to-day life due to your Faith?

Talk about Leland’s Sermon regarding an awkward conversation.

There are two outcomes; (1) Either they listen and the Gospel is heard or (2) they reject you and you have obeyed the will of God.

Don’t treat your immediate company like a project to be completed

Do it out of love and grace for them

We have the Apostle Paul in prison because of the stance he took for Christ.

While their intentions were to stifle the Gospel going forward, the EXACT opposite happened.

Is your love for your neighbor so radical that it stands out?

Talk about Don and Lynne King and how the witness to the Syrian refugees in Jordan.

Their muslim family and friends aren’t helping them but we are.

Why do you do this?

Talk about Thailand trip and how

In Mount Pleasant, SC you’re not gonna be thrown into prison because of your Faith.

Do not make that parallel.

The greatest “persecution” that you will 90% of the time just be an awkward conversation to someone who disagrees.

You have the “keys to the Kingdom”