Philippians

Examining a Joyful Letter Using CAPTOR

Group Project

Why are we often not excited about “group projects”?

CONTEXTHistorical: PaulPaul - author - author

Saints - Saints - recipientsrecipients Philippi -Philippi - location

Repetition / Restatement

Philippians 1:3-6 3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 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. 7 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. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ-- to the glory and praise of God.





Location - Beginning

Philippians 1:3-6 3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 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.

“What aspect of the fallen condition of mankind does this passage address?”



Not created to function independently Tendency toward individualism / autonomy

Genesis 2:18 The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone.

Ecclesiastes 4:7-8 7 Again I saw something meaningless under the sun:

8 There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. "For whom am I toiling," he asked, "and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?" This too is meaningless-- a miserable business!


Tendency toward individualism / autonomy

Fear of being alone


He provides Gospel Partnerships

koinonia – partnership, close personal fellowship, sharing in, participation


Nurture gospel partnerships in our lives

1. Result of Gospel Partnerships

2. Cost of Gospel Partnerships

3. Aches of Gospel Partnerships

Philippians 1:4-5 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,

What did Paul experience as a result of gospel koinonia with the Christians at Philippi?JOY

What will happen if we do not have gospel partnerships?Not experience full joy of the gospel…unhappy,

discouraged, malcontent

What deters us from nurturing partnerships / close friendships / fellowship with others in the church?Time / Over commitment

Pride

Want freedom from commitment

Hyper critical of others

What can we do to nurture gospel partnerships?





NIV Philippians 1:7 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.Material Cost

Emotional Cost

Scheduling Cost

Philippians 1:13-14 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.

What light does this passage shed on personal suffering and relationships?





Philippians 1:9-11 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ-- to the glory and praise of God.

Mature in loveBecome more discerningGrow in reflection

Documents

Philippians