Philippians Sermon Week 3 Outline

Outline:

1. Christ be Magnified

I will continue to rejoice, knowing that this will lead to my salvation

Paul is facing trial under Caesar — could be life or death

His power is in the prayers of God’s people and the Spirit of Jesus

This will give him courage to stand strong as a witness

either in life or death

His Goal — that Christ be Magnified

2. ‘to live is christ, to die is gain’

Living is Christ — his passion, purpose, reason — all that he cares about

He would choose Christ, but Christ chooses the people

Paul knows his work is not done — he will continue for their progress and joy in the Faith

this will result in Christ being magnified

What is this fruitful work? (the gospel progress)

What actually happens to Paul?

he is released and later re-arrested and martyred in Rome

Along with Peter

3. Citizens of Heaven

Illustration of Citizenship.

Philippians are Roman Citizens (We are American)

With it comes rights, privileges and responsibilities

We are ultimately Citizens of Heaven

Rights of our Heavenly Citizenship

declared righteous, forgiven of sin

United with Christ

Adopted in as Sons and Daughters of God

Realize that what we all need most has already been done for us

now we can live in light of that: Responsibilities

To die is gain

Responsibilities:

That they would live a life ‘worthy of the gospel’

What does this mean?

Generally it means living in light of what has already been done for you.

A transformed life

A life that magnifies Christ

to live is Christ

Specifically he means unity and a contending for the gospel.

Unity of mind, of spirit

Contending for the gospel

Therefore not fighting within the church (internal)

Phil 1:15-18 — True and False Motives (Envy, Rivalry and Selfish Ambition)

Phil 4:2-3 — Eudia and Syntche to agree in the Lord

On Goal — Christ be magnified

Contending with opponents of the Church

We are at war — Kingdom of Darkness and Kingdom of Light

Judaizers and Gentiles

Judaizers who cannot let go of self righteous pride — trust in the letter of the law rather than the spirit of the Law

This is no gospel it all.

Gentiles

They have their own Gods, own beliefs, own Idols.

Power, Prestige, Money, Identity

There will be opposition.

Free from Fear (Courage) — Paul models this for us (he is facing trial, praying for courage to be a faithful witness dependent on the prayers of the people and the spirit of God)

Why?

Do not be surprised by this (1 Peter 4:12-19), “don’t be surprised by the fiery trials when they come…but rejoice as you share in the sufferings…if you are ridiculed for the name of Christ, you are blessed b/c the spirit of glory and of God rests on you”

Opposition is evidence of citizenship

This is a sign of their destruction (Kingdom of Darkness)

But of your salvation (Kingdom of Light)

Privileges: Suffering for Christ’s sake.

This has been granted to you

To not just believe

but also to suffer for Christ

We are engaged in that common battle — partnered in the gospel.