Saints in Christ Jesus

Phi. 1:1-2                                             Saints in Christ Jesus                                          4/28/96

ABCC

I.   Introduction                                                                                                                     #518

     A.  The church at Philippi was clearly formed by God

·        The Holy Spirit would not permit Paul to go anywhere else (Ac. 16:6-7)

·        No one in Philippi was planning a church, ONLY GOD WAS PLANNING!

B.  God’s sovereign activity does not contradict human responsibility

·        The Holy Spirit forbade Paul from entering Asia, yet he had to willingly obey

·        God called him to go to Macedonia, yet he had to willingly obey (Ac. 16:9-10)

·        Paul had to preach..; Lydia had to respond..; the jailer had to respond..(v. 14-33)

Philippians was written to & can be understood by saints ONLY (Phi. 1:1) - not to liars, fornicators, thieves, covetous, etc. = You must repent & believe in Christ as Lydia & jailer!

 - comfort, hope, encouragement, guidance, provisions, wisdom, etc. are for saints

II.  What is a Saint?

     A. A sinner to whom God has revealed the truth (Rom. 1:16-18; Gal. 3:23)

·        Truth about yourself personally (sinfulness, sins, helplessness, danger, need)

·        Truth about God Himself (Holiness, wrath, the ONLY way of righteousness thru Christ = Jn. 14:6; Mt. 11:27; love, mercy, compassion, etc.)

Saints in Christ Jesus, pg. 2

B. A sinner whom God has given the desire & power to respond to the gospel

        (Phi. 1:29; 2:13)

C. A convert who is experiencing God’s grace & peace - v. 2 (Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 5:1)

III. All the Saints in Christ Jesus

     A. Sinners converted to saints in Christ Jesus - v. 1

·        Lydia, jailer & their households, possibly the slave girl

·        Includes Paul, Timothy, overseers, deacons, every believer in Philippi

·        Christ provides leaders & submissive followers in His church

B. God converts real sinners, in real places, in His appointed time

·        Lydia was an adult, business woman; yet a lost sinner

·        The jailer was an adult, government worker; yet a lost sinner

·        The slave girl was young, demon-possessed & in ungodly employment

·        Younger & older members of Lydia’s & Jailer’s households

This amazing, diverse group of sinners all made saints in Christ Jesus AND given all His promises of comfort, provision, encouragement, guidance, love, etc. - everything necessary for life & godliness!  Are you a saint today?  If not, come to Christ NOW, believe in Him & trust Him now!  If you are, rejoice for you are the object of His love!