An overview of Philippians

The Joy of a Christian

Philippians 4:4

Philippians 4:4 KJV 1900

4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

Have you ever

Found yourself in a difficult circumstance?

Had someone treat you unfairly?

Lost a favorite possession?

Had an occasion to worry?

If so, you’ve experienced the four things that steal our joy.

Circumstances – things go well, we’re happy; not well, we’re not happy

People – someone gets a little snippy or accuses you of doing something you didn’t do, goodbye joy!

Possessions – friend or neighbor borrow a tool and forget to return it? Child break a favorite plate?

Worry – perhaps you have a test coming up that you aren’t prepared for…

Background of Philippians

Paul is on the second missionary journey and receives a vision from a man of Macedonia - Acts 16:9

Acts 16:9 KJV 1900

9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.

He visits there around 51 AD

Things go well for a short time, then Paul and his companion, Silas get thrown in jail (Acts 16:19-24 ) for casting a demon out of a slave girl.

Acts 16:19–24 KJV 1900

19 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, 20 And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, 21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans. 22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. 23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: 24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

Since they are Roman citizens, things didn’t go well for the town government that let them be locked up, so they were asked to depart in a hurry

Timeline

Some 12 years later, Paul is in Rome, writing to the Philippians from jail, not a free man, but a prisoner. Not a good circumstance!

He was arrested illegally and been humiliated and now he was awaiting trial in Rome and, depending upon the outcome of that trial, faced certain death. What a cause for worry if there ever was one!

While he waits, we find him writing a letter to the Philippians. His reasons for writing this letter are as follows:

Opening Up Philippians Paul’s Letter

(1) to report on his circumstances;

(2) to express appreciation for their concern for him and a gift they had sent to him by Epaphroditus;

(3) to assure them that Epaphroditus, who became ill while with Paul, had ministered satisfactorily to him and was now well enough to return to them;

(4) to urge them to fulfil various duties;

(5) to warn them about the ever-present danger of false teachers.1

Rejoice in the Lord

Philippians is a book full of joy – at least 19 times (joy, rejoicing, gladness)

Philippians is a book with the secret of lasting Joy, the mind – 16 times (mind, think, remember)

It has been said like this: “the secret of Christian joy is found in the way the believer thinks—his attitudes”.

Proverbs 23:7 tells us that as we think, so we are.

Proverbs 23:7 KJV 1900

7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; But his heart is not with thee.

Philippians explains the mind the believer must have to experience Christian joy in a world filled with trouble

Four attitudes that maintain your joy

The Single Mind (Philippians 1)

Paul says in 1:21 “for me to live is Christ, and to die is gain”

For Paul, it is all about Christ, he is single minded.

Out of 104 verses, Christ is mentioned by name or pronoun 61 times.

He is a prisoner not of Rome, but of Christ

The chains are my bonds in Christ

He is “set for the defence of the gospel”

Christ was the lens through which he saw his circumstances, not the other way around.

The Submissive Mind (Philippians 2)

Paul puts Christ first, others second, and himself last (JOY)

The Christian doesn’t expect to be served, but rather to serve.

The joy-filled Christian considers others good to be more important that his own plans and desires

Luke 14:11

Luke 14:11 KJV 1900

11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

The Spiritual Mind (Philippians 3)

Paul’s perspective - Philippians 3:8–9

Philippians 3:8–9 KJV 1900

8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

The non-christian perspective - Philippians 3:18–19

Philippians 3:18–19 KJV 1900

18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

The contrast – v20: “for our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ”. Our view is heavenly, not stuck here in the dirt.

Jim Elliot, missionary to the Auca Indians (a cannibal tribe that killed him) said: “he is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” His was a life sold out for Christ and not for the things of this earth!

Keeping up with the Jones’, the American dream, the idea that “he who dies with the most toys wins” steals our joy when we focus on these things rather than Christ

The Secure Mind (Philippians 4)

“Worry is actually wrong thinking (the mind) and wrong feeling (the heart) about circumstances, people, and things.” -- Wiersbe

If our mind is single, submissive and spiritual, we shouldn’t have too much trouble with worry. However, we still need something to guard the gates so that worry won’t enter in.

Philippians 4:7

Philippians 4:7 KJV 1900

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Keep – a military term meaning to “stand guard” or “garrison”

Consider the resources described in Chapter 4:

God’s peace (1-9)

God’s power (10-13)

God’s provision (14-23)

So, we have the peace of God guarding us (v7), the God of peace guiding us (v9).

The secret of God’s victory over worry then, is:

Practice right praying (v6-7)

right thinking (v8)

and right living (v9)

How then shall we live in Joy, in light of these things

Be sure you are a Christian

Admit your failures – double minded, proud, worldly minded, filled with worry

Surrender your mind to Christ daily – pray for a single, submissive, spiritual and secure mind

Look for opportunities to put your mind to work

A new Christian was talking to her pastor –

“I told the Lord that I wanted Philippians 1:21 to work in my life, and guess what happened? I ended up in the hospital!” The pastor then asked “Did you then look for opportunities to further the gospel, the way Paul did in Rome?” Her face clouded. “No, I guess I didn’t. I spent most of my time complaining.”

– W.Wiersbe Adapted from Be Joyful (Philippians) by Warren Wiersbe