How to Live Gracefully

DT: Paul addresses the Church in Philippi with great humility, appreciation and grace towards them.

Aim: We will interact with others with humility and prayerfully.

Introduction: Paul is the author of this epistle. He writes it while imprisoned in Rome. He sends this letter to a church in Philippi. There were several purposes:

(1) The simplest purpose to imagine is that, having a deep affection for the Philippians (cf. ), he wanted to write them.

Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 43: Philippians (Revised) Paul’s Purposes for Writing Philippians

(2) Paul wrote also to bring them up to date on the news about himself, about his present situation, and about the prospects for his future, namely, that he was in danger and was suffering but was at the same time rejoicing and optimistic (1:12–26; 2:24).

Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 43: Philippians (Revised) Paul’s Purposes for Writing Philippians

(2) Paul wrote also to bring them up to date on the news about himself, about his present situation, and about the prospects for his future, namely

(2) Paul wrote also to bring them up to date on the news about himself, about his present situation, and about the prospects for his future.

Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 43: Philippians (Revised) Paul’s Purposes for Writing Philippians

(3) Paul wrote to inform them of the erroneous but seductive tenets of some menacing ideas and to plead with them to follow him and his teaching as a pattern for living rather than to follow these teachers (3:2–21).

(3) Paul wrote to inform them of the erroneous but seductive tenets of some menacing ideas and to plead with them to follow him and his teaching as a pattern for living rather than to follow these teachers (3:2–21).

Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 43: Philippians (Revised) Paul’s Purposes for Writing Philippians

(4) Paul wrote to encourage the Philippians to stand firm for the faith of the gospel

(4) Paul wrote to encourage the Philippians to stand firm for the faith of the gospel

Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 43: Philippians (Revised) Paul’s Purposes for Writing Philippians

(5) Paul wrote the Philippians to tell them about Epaphroditus, their messenger whom they sent to minister to his needs.

(5) Paul wrote the Philippians to tell them about Epaphroditus, their messenger whom they sent to minister to his needs.

(6) Paul wrote them to correct division within their ranks.

Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 43: Philippians (Revised) Paul’s Purposes for Writing Philippians

(6) Paul wrote them to correct division within their ranks.

Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 43: Philippians (Revised) Paul’s Purposes for Writing Philippians

(7) Paul wrote to exhort the Philippians to rejoice irrespective of circumstances (Phil 2:18; 3:1; 4:4).

(7) Paul wrote to exhort the Philippians to rejoice irrespective of circumstances (; ; ).

Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 43: Philippians (Revised) Paul’s Purposes for Writing Philippians

(8) Paul wrote them to express his thanks for their gift of money (presumably it was a money gift; it may have been help of another kind, e.g., clothing) to ameliorate his situation in prison (4:10–20).

(8) Paul wrote them to express his thanks for their gift of money (presumably it was a money gift; it may have been help of another kind, e.g., clothing) to ameliorate his situation in prison (4:10–20).

Transition: Within these purposes, Paul exemplifies the level of humility he has in Christ and presents us with the opportunity to emulate his behavior.

Paul Became a Slave to Christ

Philippians 1:1–2 ESV

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Explain Doulos - one who has no rights. Paul describes himself as a slave. His work is that of his master’s. Here the instance of slave is not by force but it is by intentional choice. Paul’s example of being a slave is that of one who relinquishes his own agenda and motivations and lives the agenda and motivations of his master.

Becoming a slave of Christ’s is done more in action than it is in word. Those who have become Christ’s slave bear a spirit of humility which will not allow us mistreat others. So it is with Paul, as he addresses this church. A church he planted and taught, yet he addresses them with graciousness and humility.

So it is with Paul as he addresses this church. A church he planted and taught, yet he addresses them with graciousness and humility.

The Slave of Christ Honors Others

The Slave of Christ Encourages Others

Illustration: A young man was feeling distracted

with many of the things in the world, that he felt kept him for being fully committed with God. He felt tired off fighting with his flesh; he sought to rid himself of his distractions, so he joined a monastery. He asked one of the wise and old monks, “sir since you have been here and in sole concentration do find yourself still wrestling the devil?” The monk replied, “No I find myself wrestling with God.” The young man exclaimed, “You wrestle with God? How could you ever look to win that battle?” The monk said, “No my son, I look to lose.”

t him

for being fully committed with God. He felt tired of

fighting with his flesh; he sought to rid himself of his

distractions so he joined a monastery. He asked one of the

he

wise and old monks, “sir since you have been here and in

Transition: We must rack up on some losses.

sole concentration do find yourself still wrestling the

devil?” The monk responded, “No I find myself wrestling with God.” The young man exclaimed, “You wrestle with God? How could you ever look to win that battle?” The monk said, No my son, I look to lose.”

...

I look to

lose.

Application: Have you surrendered to Christ? Is Christ your master. Do you see yourself as a slave of Christ?

Paul Prayed with Joy for Others ()

Philippians 1:3–5 ESV

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.

Philippians 1:3–5 ESV

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.

While it is clear that Paul is expressing his deep thanks for the generosity of this Philippian congregants, we cannot fail to recognize Paul’s consideration and deep concern for them as a God’s people.

a. He Prayed Continuously for Them

b. He Prayed with Gratitude for Them

for fellowship

for partnership

c. He Prayed for Their Success

d. He Prayed with Sincere Affection Towards Them

Illustration: The story is told of a young girl who said, “Lord, I am not going to pray for myself today, I am going to pray for others.” But at the end of her prayer she added, “And give my mother a handsome son-in-law!” We just can’t seem to end a prayer without asking for something for ourselves!

The story is told of a young girl who said, “Lord, I am not going to pray for myself today, I am going to pray for others.” But at the end of her prayer she added, “And give my mother a handsome son-in-law!” We just can’t seem to end a prayer without asking for something for ourselves!1009

Michael P. Green, 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2000), 272.

Application: Remember others in your prayers. Make a prayer list and add someone to it daily. Pray for others daily. Do it with Joy! Don’t see it as a chore, see prayer as an opportunity and a privilege.

Transition: Paul demonstrates what it means to live gracefully through both humility and prayer. Lastly . . .

Paul Valued Others

Philippians 1:6–8 ESV

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.

a. He wanted them to see Jesus (v6)

b. He saw them as his partners

c. He Loved them deeply

Illustration:

Application: See the potential in others. Become a partner to the church for the sake of Christ.