Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

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.

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.

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?’

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

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.

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.

And the Paul reveals that the Philippians good work and partnership is really God at work.

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.

john 15:1

john 15 1:11