Slaves and Saints
Notes
Transcript
Today we begin a journey through the book of Philippians. We will be on this journey through the end of May. Now you might be thinking, it’s only four chapters! Why will it take that long? It’s because this small book is power packed and has a message for us today.
It is a book that tells us,
The gospel is the basis for Joy despite suffering
Christian unity by following Christ’s example
Right standing before God available by faith in Christ alone
Having a faith that works
These aren’t things we can rush through, we need to know them well so we can live them well.
So let’s get into it,
1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Historical information about Philippi
Northern Greece - Roman
10 miles NW of port city of Neapolis
42 BC Marc Antony and Octavian won a major battle in this area against Brutus and Cassius - when it became a city***During the battle a famous cry was “Complete the once begun good work”***
settled by retired roman military (50 MILITARY WORDS IN THIS BOOK)
Religious information about Philippi
Dionysus and mystery cult was prominent (happy life now and into eternity)
Beginnings of worship to Diana (fertility goddess)
The Thracian Horseman worship (safe conduct of the soul to afterlife)
altar to Augustus
temple to 140 Egyptian gods
Church information
Acts 16 is where we see the Church settled
Gospel going to Philippi - 16:1-12
Lydia converted - 16:13-15
Demonic Girl/Prison - 16:16-24
Jailer converted - 16:25-34
Paul and Silas given freedom - 16:35-39
1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Author: Paul - 1st person / Timothy 3rd person in book
To: Saints in Christ Jesus
Titles mean things - Dr. / Judge / Pastor
Paul from the very beginning is saying three things to the readers.
1. Remember who you are.
When we come to Christ we are slaves and saints.
Paul is showing that as Christians we are slaves to Christ Jesus because we were purchased by His sacrifice. Since we belong to Him we serve and obey Him.
Saints - God’s people, holy ones of God, fellow believer, in our culture saints are thought of for things they do when scripturally saints are saints because of their position being in Christ.
2. Remember why you are.
Union with Christ.
“union with Christ is . . . the central truth of the whole doctrine of salvation. . . . It is not simply a phase of the application of redemption; it underlies every aspect of redemption” - John Murray
Airplane - Must be in the plane to get where you are going.
FCF - Union with other things to find identity.
Body Image
Nationalism
Super-Parent
Academic
Activist
We are trading our superior identity with an inferior one. Union with Christ is not just a theological truth but an incredibly practical truth.
This truth drives so much of Scripture.
Strength
Shield
Confidence
Etc.
Because we are in Christ in all circumstances, we can rejoice as God takes us through. Inferior Identities will not enable us to do that.
3. Remember how you got there.
Grace and Peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
GOSPEL
Are you in the plane or outside the plane?
Are you called a sinner or saint?
Have you traded your superior identity of being in Christ with an inferior identity?