The Beloved Philippians

Introduction

Today, we are beginning a study of the book of Philippians. To understand this book, we need to understand a little bit about the history of the city.

Location

Philippi is located nine miles from the Aegean coast and the port of Neapolis. It was nestled on three sides by mountains, and was inhabited around 360 BC.

Philippi & Rome

Between 168-167 BC Philippi was conquered by the Romans and became the first part of the what would become “Macedonia.”

Those living in Philippi were granted ius italicum—which meant they were exempt from land and poll taxes. Furthermore they could buy and sell property and were protected by Roman law.

Religion

The religious influences were varied. They were a polytheistic— or many gods—people, and were influenced by the gods of the Thracians, Egyptians, and the Greek and Roman deities. They also had shrines that demonstrated their Roman emperor worship. One of the unique differences of Philippi was the lack of the monotheistic Jewish influence.

Christianity in Philippi

According to Acts 16, Paul received a vision of a man from Macedonia calling for him to come (Acts 16:8-10).

Acts 16:8–10 NIV84

So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

He landed in Neapolis and journeyed the nine miles inland to Philippi where Paul began to preach. He exercised a demon out of a slave girl which angered her owner. This landed Paul and Silas in jail after they sustained a beating. While they were in jail, they prayed and sang, and it was then that God opened the prison doors, and released the shackles from their hands and feet.

This lead to the conversion of the Philippian Jailer. When the authorities learned that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they asked them to leave the city. Nevertheless, a church was planted.

Threw the years, the church at Philippi had been a huge supported of Paul. They had sent several gifts to him.

Now, Paul is in Rome, in prison. So with this background, I want to encourage you to turn with me to the book of Philippians, and we’ll begin with verse 1.

The Book’s Introduction

Philippians 1:1–2 NIV84

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Author

The first verse tells us that this letter is from Paul and Timothy. Nearly all Biblical scholars agree that the Apostle Paul is indeed the author.

These two men are further describes as servants of Christ Jesus.

The Recipients

The first verse also tells us that this letter was written to all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi. Paul also includes the overseers—the pastor/teachers, and the deacons—those who serve within the church.

Paul’s Greetings

Paul wishes these saints will experience God’s grace—His loving mercy, kindness that we don’t deserve. And His peace—God’s calm assurance that He has everything under control.

Now, here’s the key. Grace and Peace come out of our personal relationship with God the Father that comes from our connection to Jesus Christ.

Question 1: In your relationship with God, do you experience His grace, and His peace?

Paul’s Thanksgiving

Paul beings by expressing his thankfulness for the church at Philippi.

Philippians 1:3–6 NIV84

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 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.

Paul gives God thanks for this church all the time.

Question 2: Do you give thanks for the people in your church? All the time?

Paul says, “I ALWAYS pray with joy.”

Question 3: When you pray for people in the church, do you ALWAYS pray with joy?

His joy comes from their partnership with him.

And Paul is confident that God is going to carry out the good work that He began in them, carrying it out to completion.

Question 4: Can you trust God to complete His plan in you?

Philippians 1:7 NIV84

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.

Paul says it is right for Him to feel so strongly about this church, because in their partnership they are helping him to defend the faith, and they share in God’s grace with Paul.

Philippians 1:8 NIV84

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

Paul concludes his thankfulness by telling his reader how much he longs for them and misses them.

Paul’s Prayer

This next section is one of my favorite passages, and a prayer that I often pray for myself and for others. Look at verse 9.

Philippians 1:9 NIV84

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,

Paul has a prayer for this church, and it’s a prayer that we need for our church, and for each of us.

Love may abound more and more. Our unconditional love should abound—grow, continue in abundance, overflow—more and more.

In knowledge—knowing facts.

In depth of insight—knowing how to use those facts (or wisdom).

Philippians 1:10 NIV84

so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ,

So that we may be able to discern—examine, test, or approve—what is best.

NOTE: if there is a “best” it implies that there is a “good,” “better,” and “best.” It also implies that there is a “bad,” “badder,” or “worst.” Most of the time, Satan doesn’t trap me between good and bad (although he can). Most of the time he trips me up between good and best, or better and best.

We all have a limited time on this earth and we need to choose what is BEST!

Choosing what is best will also keep us pure and blameless until Jesus Christ returns.

Philippians 1:11 NIV84

filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

And we will be filled with the fruits of righteousness. Some of these characteristics are described for us in Galatians 5:22-23.

Galatians 5:22–23 NIV84

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

This is what righteousness looks like. It is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

So What?

God wants us to experience grace and peace through our relationship with Jesus. Each of us should experience God’s grace in the simple fact that He has pursued a relationship with us!

We experience His peace when we can trust Him even when we don’t understand the circumstances around us.

God’s grace and peace comes when we have an attitude of thanksgiving about those in the church with us.

Having this kind of attitude—of love for people—leads to a life of joy.

God is in the process of completing His plan for each of our lives!

Each of us needs to take Paul’s prayer to heart. We need to grown our love through knowledge and depth of insight.

We need to work at discerning and picking what is “best” and not settle for anything less that God’s best!

And finally, we need to live our lives so that we are pure and blameless until Jesus takes us home or until He returns.