1 Christ In The Church Lesson 2 Paul’s Greetings to the Philippians Pages 6-9 Philippians

1

Christ In The Church

Lesson 2

Paul’s Greetings to the Philippians

Pages 6-9

Philippians

2

3

.OldPhilippi

Map of Greece today

4

Why Did Paul Write to the Philippians?

One of their members, Epaphroditus, was visiting and working with Paul in Rome He was their messenger No doubt he gave Paul a status report on the

church He brought a gift from the church

Paul wanted to share his joy for them He needed to express his appreciation for the

gift To thank them for sharing in his tribulations They had helped him from their beginning He wanted them to remain faithful – to stand

fast He warned them of false teachers He encouraged them to press toward the

mark of the high calling of God, just as he was doing

5

Paul’s Greetings to the PhilippiansPhilippians 1:1-2

The Greetings:From Paul, a prisoner in Rome

He does not refer to himself as an “apostle” He was a “servant” of Jesus Christ to them

From Timothy In Rome, but he planned to visit Philippi soon (2:19) He was as “a son” to Paul in preaching the

gospel (2:22) He was with Paul and Silas on their first visit to

Philippi (Acts 16:3) when the church was established

1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

6



The Recipients:

“All the Saints” “Elders” “Deacons”

A simple organization of Christians performing the work of the church in a local setting

7


The Greetings:

Grace to you Paul desired the greatest of “favors” and

blessings for themAnd Peace

He desired a harmonious and tranquil state for their souls

Only God and Jesus Christ can offer true grace and peace


8

Paul’s Thanksgivings for the PhilippiansPhilippians 1:3

The Thanksgivings:

He had the fondest memories of them He thanked God for these memories The church was established on his first visit to

them (Acts 16) and, He visited them twice on his third missionary

tour (Acts 20:1, 6) going to and from GreeceHe had been honored by God to have the

opportunity to preach in Philippi 3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,

9

Paul’s Prayers for the PhilippiansPhilippians 1:4

The Prayer:

He felt it was a privilege, a joy, to ask God for the many blessings he wanted for them

He was always making a request for them

3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,

10

Paul’s Gratitude for Their SupportPhilippians 1:5

Their Fellowship in the gospel:

Fellowship is sharing with anotherThey shared their money with Paul –

15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. (4:15-16)

They shared even to the present time (4:18)

5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,

11



There is little doubt that they shared in the collection of money for the poor saints in Jerusalem (Acts 20:1-6) The group carrying the funds sailed from

Philippi to Troas Luke also joined them on this mission (See

the “we” again in Acts 20:6)They also shared by giving him moral

support5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,

12



Paul had used them for an example of giving In 2Cor. 8:5, the Macedonians could give so

liberally for the poor saints in Jerusalem because “they first gave of themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God”

5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,

13

Paul’s Confidence in ThemPhilippians 1:6

He had great confidence in them:

The good work that was begun in them by the Lord would continue as long as they lived

Other churches disappointed Paul, but not the Philippians

“The day of the Lord” refers to the coming of Christ at the judgment scene, or as long as they lived6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in

you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

14

Paul Had Them in His HeartPhilippians 1:7

They were partakers of Paul’s grace:

God’s grace always comes to those who do His work

10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1Pet. 4:10, 11)

7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.

15


They were partakers of Paul’s grace:

Paul and the Philippians shared in two kinds of work The defense and confirmation of the gospel Wearing the chains of a Roman prison

• The Philippians Christians were not ashamed to be identified with this prisoner

7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.

16


He greatly longed for them:

“God is my witness” means that God knew what was in his heart He was telling them the truth from his heart

Paul longed [to desire earnestly] after the brethren in Philippi with the same tender affection that Jesus showed his disciples

8 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.

17

More Prayerful Requests For ThemPhilippians 1:9-10

He prayed:

That their love may abound more and more in: Knowledge [facts about worthiness] Discernment [reaching sound conclusions

from known facts]

9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,

18


He prayed:

That they would approve excellent things “Approve” is to try or test by the scriptural

standard of right and wrong “Excellent things” are things that differ from

others for the better Those things which are approved for us by the

Lord9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,

19


He prayed:

That they would be sincere and without offense Some versions say, pure and blameless Paul wanted them to neither offend God nor

their neighbors

“Till the day of Christ” When Christ comes to judge the world, or

when you are called away from this earth

9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,

20

More Prayerful Requests For ThemPhilippians 1:11

He prayed:

That they might be filled with the fruits of righteousness

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23

gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (Gal. 5:22-23)

These same fruits are provided by Jesus Christ

11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Documents

1 Christ In The Church Lesson 2 Paul’s Greetings to the Philippians Pages 6-9 Philippians