Sermon Tone Analysis

More To Life – A Study in Philippians

I Appreciate You . .

.

Really!

Phil 1:3-8

*Intro:              *Good morning saints

                        Membership – Laurie and Sarah Rohrer

 

            What kinds of relationships bring joy?

 

Story of an older lady that went to the pastor after a service and commented on what a beautiful service it was.

As she was walking away, she told her family, “I couldn’t hear a word he said.”

Let’s get real

                        What is transparency?

Perhaps Dodger jersey

                        Clichés we say to each other – How are you . .

.

False appreciation

 

*Phil 1:3-8*

I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.

8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

Background and tone:

·         Still part of a standard extended greeting – however changed to spiritual.

·         Paul used social customs for spiritual purposes!

·         All one long sentence

·         Like writing to a child who is walking with God!

·         We can learn from Paul’s example of relationship with this church.

Characteristics of real relationships that bring more to life.

Characterization of relationship  (3-4)

/I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy/

 

            Thankfulness with joy

            Think of your relationships – are they always characterized by that?

Joy – inward rejoicing.

Joy pealed from the prison cell in Rome!

 

*A.

Have a selective memory - Choose to remember the good (3-4)*

·         Happy memories of people

·         We remember the failures and look over the good when we should be looking over the failures and remembering the good.

·         1st thought of Paul after greeting.

What is our first thought of people?

·         You can find something!

1.

Regularly

                        Every time, all my prayers, always pray

                        Thank – ongoing action – he continually thanks God for them

                        Retraining the mind – it may be hard, but keep training

 

            2.

Before God in prayer

·         He prayed for others even when in difficult times himself.

·         My God – Paul had relationship with Christ

·         I pray – present participle – continuing action – I am praying and will continue to pray

·         Who do you pray for the most?

– why?

·         How do you pray for them?

– with thanksgiving

 

            3.

Didn’t discriminate

o       All of you – unity and included everyone.

Even those in conflict.

Lydia, demon girl, prison, them sharing financially when no one else did

            Thanking God for you always in every prayer of mine for all of you, making that prayer with joy.

You choose!

It is allowing the Holy Spirit to regenerate our minds.

What do you choose to remember about people?

 

*B.

Work Together - Support Each Other in God’s Work (5)*

/because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,/

 

            why is Paul thankful and joyful?

They have partnered in the gospel.

* The gospel and work of Christ was most important to Paul

* Partnership – koinonia!

- sharing

 

            Practical support of the gospel

            This includes their generosity – gift sent with Epaphroditus to him in Rome

            More than just an attitude – practical real support.

Actions!

More than money as well!

·         Financial, worked to spread gospel with him (4:3), prayed for him (1:19)

1.      Sacrificial

/2 Cor 8:1-4           And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches.

2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.

3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.

Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints./

2.         Consistent – from the first day until now.

Later in v. 7 as well

                        Sent gifts in Thesolonica

                        Sent gifts to hurting church in Jerusalem

                        To Paul in Rome

 

            Supporting others in their giftedness

            How can you support someone else in their ministry?

Working together and going in the same direction.

A wife was talking to a marriage counselor and said she was concerned about friction in their marriage.

The counselor brought out 2 blocks.

When one is moving and the other is not, or they are moving opposite directions, friction.

Same direction, no friction!

·         Partnership in the work of God is one of the tests of a good friendship

 

*C.

Knows that God Makes the Man - Trust God to do the changing *

/6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus./

Center of chiasm

 

Good work

                        Not just the gift they gave Paul – much bigger!

Sanctification into Christlikeness

 

God alone starts the Work, God alone carries it out, and God along completes it.

Not You!

/Acts 16:14       One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God.