Joy In Jesus Part II
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Handout
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Introduction
Introduction
I. Greetings 1:1-2
I. Greetings 1:1-2
a) Unity in Christ
We mentioned last week that Philippians was written by the Apostle Paul and how it was customary in that time to begin a letter not only with who they were writing to but also to mention who the letter or epistle was from. So not only to whom but also from whom.
Sinclair Ferguson writes “ ..at first glance the opening words read like any other letter Paul wrote…Yet it is worth pausing to read Paul’s words again, for everything he says is weighted with significance.” Indeed they are. We will dissect the significance of Paul’s words more in a moment but first I want to mention that Paul not only states his name but also employs some title or role. Most typically it was “Paul, an Apostle” but here as also in Romans he refers to himself (and Timothy) as a servant.
Paul not only states his name but also employs some title or role. Most typically it was “Paul, an Apostle” but here as also in Romans he refers to himself (and Timothy) as a servant.
This is no doubt a more humble and warm greeting than in many of Paul’s letters and his occasion for writing is most certainly a more pleasant one.
Let’s look at the significance of the words Paul uses in just these first 2 verses to describe the recipients of this letter.
i. “Saints”
Paul address this letter to “all” the saints in Philippi. Saints most literally can be translated as holy ones or set apart ones. This is a term the New Testemant uses to describe all Christians.
7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus:
The term saints doesn’t just refer to a select group of super Christians whom the church recognizes by canonizing them. It is only through being in Christ that they are saints, it is not a personal achievement or status that an elite few Christians make it to.
Saints - one separated from the world and consecrated to God; one holy by profession and by covenant; a believer in Christ (; ; ; ; ).
Easton, M. G. (1893). In Easton’s Bible dictionary. New York: Harper & Brothers.
ii. “in Christ Jesus”
This term certainly seems to be one of Paul’s favorites for describing Christians. There are actually only 3 occasions in the New Testament where the term “Christians” is used and it was the term given to us by non-Christians.
26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
It’s a term that we don’t have record of Paul ever using.
It’s important to remember that all those who are in Christ were once in Adam (). Adam was an individual but he is representative of the whole human race.
“Jesus is, for Paul, the ‘second man’ and ‘the last Adam’. He came to do all that Adam failed to do, and to undo all that Adam did through his fall.
iii. They are “at Philippi”
This may not seem to unique or relevant but it comes immediately after addressing them as in Christ. He says in Christ and at Philippi.
SF “the Christian lives in two different orders of reality at the same time. We belong to Christ. As Paul will later say, ‘our citizenship is in heaven’ (3:20), not here on the earth. Yet for the moment we live in a sinful environment. Here we are called to live as alien residents…Our [speech] and lifestyle make others say, ‘Now, where do you belong?’
19 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.
Christ said that His kingdom is not of this world and again Paul states here in Philippians that our citizenship is in heaven. Christians are in the world but not of the world.
iv. They are “with the overseers and the deacons”
Paul addresses them as a congregation not just a bunch of individuals. This is a biblically formed congregation in accordance with what we see laid out in the pastoral epistles (1 & 2 Timothy and Titus).
The term Overseer or sometimes translated as Bishop is describing the ministry of leadership. The office of bishop, overseer, pastor, and elder are the same office described with different terms.
Deacons is literally translated as table waiters. The qualifications of a deacon are very similar to that of an elder/pastor but with a different role or ministry. Deacons serve the church in many practical ways.
So all of that in just the 1st verse. We spent some time on that first verse as it sets the tone for the entire letter. Paul’s affection and love for this congregation is very evident and I think worth pointing out all the terms Paul used to refer to them by.
Verse 2 also contains much but we will move through that a little quicker not because it’s less significant but in the interest of time.
In summary Paul is affirming the grace and peace they already have in Christ and yet desiring for them to have and experience even more.
We also have a picture of the Holy Trinity portrayed here. The Father and the Son are mentioned explicitly and the Holy Spirit is implied as it is the Spirit who applies the grace of God to us and indwells us with the “peace that surpasses all understanding”
Thanksgiving and Prayer 1:3-11
Thanksgiving and Prayer 1:3-11
Prayer - Paul thanks God, with much joy, because of the Philippians partnership in the gospel. What is likely in view here is the Philippians financial support.
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 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. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 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. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 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. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.
philippians 4:10-20
Question: What do we think of when we hear “Partnership in the gospel”?
(not on handout) Questions: What is the Gospel? What is the definition of “Gospel”?
Paul views gospel ministry as all encompassing. Not just knocking on doors, passing out tracts, or preaching in the pulpit.
Question: What are some very practical ways we can serve that might be considered partnering in the gospel?
I think that all of our Christian service can and should serve in some way to strengthen the church, it’s people and it’s testimony, and that whether directly or indirectly serve to further the cause of Christ and the Great Commission.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
And the Paul reveals that the Philippians good work and partnership is really God at work.
6 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.
SF “Paul assures the Philippians that he has every reason to be joyful. It is not as though their Christian faith depends ultimately on him or his ministry to them. It has a firmer, more reliable foundation than that. That good work ofrthe lifelong transformation of these believers has it’s origin in God. He began a good work in them (v. 6), and , Paul argues, what God begins God completes.
Thanksgiving- Paul’s prayer is one of thanksgiving and joy. He also prays that their love may abound more and more.
Paul tells the Philippians not only that he prays for them (v. 4) but also the content of that prayer. Christian belief (“knowledge and all discernment”) comes to expression in Christian love and in behavior that is “pure and blameless” (cf. Col. 1:9–11). The absence of love shows that supposed knowledge is worthless (1 Cor. 13:1–3), and love is itself knowledge of the deepest kind (1 Cor. 8:1–3). The seriousness of Paul’s prayer that “love may abound” among the Philippians will become more apparent in 2:1–18.
Question: Do our prayers reflect the prayers of Paul?
Do we too thank God frequently for other Christians? Do we pray for say Pastor Wayne? Or what about others churches and ministry’s?
Paul supplications (V. 9-11):
Growth in Love
Knowledge and Discernment
Holiness (the fruit of righteousness)
After this Paul again confirms God’s working in and through us. He says “The fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” So not only is our fruit in and through God, but also for the glory and praise of God.
In Christ we are not only enabled to be fruitful but supplied with the resources we need to be fruitful.
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
john 15:1
john 15 1:11
The Advance of the Gospel 1:12-18
The Advance of the Gospel 1:12-18
The Great Commission
We mentioned earlier the Great Commission. This was given by Christ prior to his ascension. It is the charge to go out and make disciples of all the nations.
Question: In the days and years immediately after Christ’s ascension, was this happening?
Not really. The church at that point wasn’t really spreading geographically.
Question: What did God use to move or “scatter” the church?
1 And Saul approved of his execution.
And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
In a relatively short number of years following the church at Philippi was founded. God used suffering and persecution to push Christians out into other lands.
In verse 12 Paul is stating something very similar, how his own suffering has served to advance the gospel.
12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel,
Through Paul’s imprisonment the gospel has advanced and became known throughout the whole imperial guard and palace. That’s amazing!
And not only was the gospel advancing to new hearers but the fact that it was happening due to Paul’s imprisonment was also serving to strengthen and encourage other believers. Paul states they were “much more bold to speak the word without fear.”
This doesn’t mean that they were without fear because they too couldn’t be imprisoned for preaching Christ but that knowing the results of Paul’s imprisonment and God’s using it to grow His kingdom they could do it and have peace whatever the consequences would be.
I asked this question last week and need to mention it again now. Does God have purpose in our suffering? Or, to phrase the question differently, Does God bring suffering and persecution on purpose?
God brings suffering for different purposes. It can be to strengthen our faith individually. It can be, just as we’ve been reading, to strengthen and give greater courage to other believers. Also, God can use suffering and persecution to move the church into missions and to bring about the fulfillment of the Great Commission.
Mixed Motives
Verses 15-18
15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
Yes, and I will rejoice,
I have to believe the “Some” in verse 15 who are preaching from envy and rivalry are some of the “brothers” mentioned in verse 14.
Why is Paul telling the Philippians this? Perhaps as a warning of what they might someday have to deal with. Amidst Paul’s expressions of joy and confidence he frequently breaks to emphasizing a negative. Paul does this again in chapter 3 (v. 2) perhaps more awkwardly.
2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.
There are some there in Rome who seem to be preaching Christ almost as if to make Paul jealous or in a evil spirit of competition. This doesn’t feel like a partnership to Paul like the Philippians ministry as it relates to Paul.
Question: Should we view our church and ministry as being in competition with others?
There is a much Paul says about that in 1 Corinthians and the answer is no. There can be a temptation to compare and even compete with other churches that we shouldn’t have.
Nevertheless Paul rejoices that Christ is being proclaimed. It’s clear that the message of Christ that is being proclaimed is not a different Christ or a false gospel but merely that motives of the messengers is an unholy motive.
These are not rival messages, since both parties preach Christ, but opposing motives and attitudes. (Paul reacted with anything but joy when others spread a message other than the gospel of grace in Christ; 3:2, 18, 19; Gal. 1:8, 9). The motive of one group is goodwill and love for Christ, and Paul’s defense of the gospel explains why they love the apostle (vv. 15, 16). The dominant motive of the other group is “rivalry” (v. 15), the very attitude against which Paul warns the Philippians (2:1–5). They preach Christ so that they themselves can seem important, an attitude quite different from Paul’s (vv. 20, 21), and they respond to Paul’s success by seeking to increase his suffering (v. 17).
This is a different group altogether from who Paul is warning the Philippians against in chapter 3
1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.
2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Despite trials, suffering and persecution Paul’s see’s all of it as from God and God’s purpose in it of advancing the gospel.
If we evaluate our current situations and role in God’s church can we too find the bigger purpose perhaps from this text? What is God using our lives to accomplish whether in our own walk with Him, or in the lives of other Christians and His church?
My purpose and prayer in this study is to help us both see and contemplate how God is using us to be partners with others in the advancement of the gospel.
I encourage you this week to be sensitive to how the Holy Spirit will apply this text to you and that we too may abound more and more in love, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approved what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ.
9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.