Sermon Tone Analysis
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Paul could not think of the Philippians without giving thanks to God for their fellowship in the gospel.
The word ‘fellowship’ refers to sharing or holding something in common.
We have a tendency to use the word very loosely these days.
Any gathering of Christians in which there is a feeling of happiness and camaraderie is called ‘fellowship’.
We have almost made the word synonymous with good food and a few laughs.
But that, of course, makes Christian fellowship no different from what unbelievers often enjoy.
We can be sure that the apostle had something far different—and better!—in mind.
It was more than merely enjoying each other’s company.
It was partnership.
Christian fellowship is a marvel.
People who by nature have nothing in common find a common life in Christ.
Think again of Paul’s ministry in Philippi.
Lydia the slave girl and the jailer had nothing in common until they came to Christ (Acts 16).
But the gospel of Christ made them partakers of the same life and partners in the same cause.
Because of this bond of fellowship the Philippians had supported Paul in both his ministry and his imprisonment.
They had done the former by sending gifts to him while he was in Thessalonica (4:14–16) and in Corinth (2 Cor.
11:9).
They had done the latter by sending one of their number, Epaphroditus, to minister to Paul (2:25; 4:18).
The bond of fellowship between the Philippians and Paul was so very strong that he earnestly yearned to be separated from them no longer (v.
8).
To remove all doubt from their minds about how very strongly he loved them he writes: ‘I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ’ (v.
8).
Paul could go no higher than this.
His love for the Philippians was such that it reflected the love of Christ himself.
Salvation is God’s Work
The Philippians did not begin the work of salvation in themselves only to have God come along and add a little to it.
It was entirely his work.
God provided the way of salvation through his Son, Jesus Christ, and he even enabled the Philippians to receive that salvation.
Salvation is a Good Work
Salvation lifts the sinner from eternal condemnation and ruin and makes that person part of God’s family and a partaker of God’s eternal glory.
Who would dare say that this is not a good thing?
Salvation is a Sure Work
God does not begin it and then abandon it somewhere along the way.
He does not pull his people from the flames of destruction only to allow them to slip back and be consumed.
God completes the work of salvation.
We know what it is to plan a work and undertake a work only to see it fail.
But it is not so with God.
We must not picture him looking over the redeemed multitude in eternity and saying: ‘We did fairly well.
Eighty per cent of the saved finally made it home.’
God will not have to say such a thing because all his people will make it home.
Not one will be missing!
The faithful God will faithfully complete his work!
Began is from enarchomai (ee nark koma), a compound verb meaning “to begin in.”
It is used only twice in the New Testament, both times in reference to salvation.
Paul rebuked certain believers in the Galatian churches who believed that they could finish in their own power what God had divinely begun in their lives solely by the power of His Holy Spirit.
“Are you so foolish?” he asked rhetorically.
“Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” (Gal.
3:3).
MacArthur, John.
Philippians MacArthur New Testament Commentary (MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series) .
Moody Publishers.
Kindle Edition.
Believers should rejoice in the fact that God will have a people that give honor and glory to Jesus.
Paul tells the Thessalonians that Christ is coming “to be glorified by His saints and to be admired by all those who have believed” (2 Thess 1:10).
“That day” is coming.
And that day should give us joy this day.
We learn here that salvation from beginning to end is God’s work.
God sovereignly inaugurates this work in us, opening up our hearts like He did for Lydia (Acts 16:14).
We receive this salvation by faith alone, apart from works (Phil 3:9), as illustrated by the Philippian jailer (Acts 16:31).
God sovereignly continues this work in us, as He was doing for the Philippians (cf.
Phil 2:12-13).
And God will complete this work in us “until the day of Christ Jesus” (1:6).
God started the work, continues the work, and will complete the work.
This should give us a certain JOY like we talked about last week.
It is not up to us.
It is not up to our circumstances.
It is up to God and we can trust Him to complete it.
Kent Hughes reflects on God’s goodness in keeping us:
As I reflect on my fifty plus years in Christ it is indeed God who has kept me.
It is not my grip on God that has made the difference, but his grip on me.
I am not confident in my goodness.
I am not confident in my character.
I am not confident in my history.
I am not confident in my “reverend” persona.
I am not confident in my perseverance.
But I am confident in God.
(Philippians, 28)
Believers are going home one day.
If you’re in Christ, your destination is certain.
You have something even more secure than a boarding pass to assure you; you have the promises of God and the Spirit dwelling inside of you.
The waiting may be grueling, but soon it will be over.
And we will worship.
Merida, Tony.
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