Philippians 1

PhilippiansPhilippiansUnity and Service to Unity and Service to OthersOthers

Lesson Two: The Lesson Two: The SalutationSalutation

Philippians 2

The Mind of ChristThe Mind of Christ• Regarding Brethren• Regarding Adversity

• Regarding Life and Death• EXEMPLIFIED

• Regarding Obedience• Toward Self

• Regarding Righteousness• Regarding Maturity

• Regarding Peace• Concerning Contentment

Philippians 3

UnityUnity

• 1:27 – Stand Fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel.

• 2:2-4 – Be like-minded … look out for the interests of others.

• 4:2 – Be of the same mind

Philippians 4

““Rejoice in the Lord always, Rejoice in the Lord always, and again and again

I will say, Rejoice!”I will say, Rejoice!” 4:44:4•Rejoice: to feel Rejoice: to feel veryvery happy or show happy or show greatgreat happiness about somethinghappiness about something

•The term “joy” and “rejoice” appears 15 The term “joy” and “rejoice” appears 15 times in the lettertimes in the letter

•Do we show the world we rejoice in the Lord Do we show the world we rejoice in the Lord always? always?

•How?How?

Philippians 5

What we can gain from PhilippiansWhat we can gain from Philippians

Our mind as a disciple is Our mind as a disciple is the mind of a servant (gr. the mind of a servant (gr. doulos: “slave”)doulos: “slave”)

Only in Christ can we find Only in Christ can we find real joy.real joy.

Jesus is equal with God Jesus is equal with God but humbled himself, to but humbled himself, to the point of death, to the point of death, to save men from their sins.save men from their sins.

There is nothing in this life that should There is nothing in this life that should take away a rejoicing spirit.take away a rejoicing spirit.

Others? Others?

Philippians 6

Paul’s Contact With Paul’s Contact With PhilippiPhilippi• Paul’s 3rd Missionary Journey AD 57

– On his way back to Jerusalem with an offering to help the poor saints in Judea.

– Acts 19:21-22; Acts 20:1-3; 2 Cor 1:15-17; 1 Corinthians 16:5-6

• Paul Receives Financial Help From Philippi– Phil 4:15-16 – At least two times they sent

help

• Macedonia Helps the Poor in Judea– 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 – Their deep poverty

abounded , but they gave beyond their ability, because they first gave themselves to the Lord.

Philippians 7

Paul’s relationship to the Paul’s relationship to the Philippian churchPhilippian church•They were in fellowship They were in fellowship

from the beginning in the from the beginning in the furtherance of the gospel furtherance of the gospel 1:51:5

•They were partners in They were partners in his afflictions; 4:15-16his afflictions; 4:15-16

•They were the only They were the only church helping him church helping him financially; 4:15financially; 4:15•They had sent Epaphroditus to him as a They had sent Epaphroditus to him as a messenger and helper; 2:25messenger and helper; 2:25

Philippians 8

Intensely PersonalIntensely Personal and Christ-centered and Christ-centered

• Perhaps a father to his spiritually-begotten children

• Perhaps a big brother or uncle to younger family members

• At the least, a Christian friend to his fellow Christians of like faith and experience

• 100 uses of first person pronoun• Christ or equivalent used some 58 times

Philippians 9

““Paul often uses the self-Paul often uses the self-designation “designation “an apostle of Christ an apostle of Christ JesusJesus” in the salutations of his ” in the salutations of his letters to indicate the capacity in letters to indicate the capacity in which he writes. But evidently this which he writes. But evidently this note of authority was not thought note of authority was not thought necessary in this warm and friendly necessary in this warm and friendly letter to such close friends.”letter to such close friends.”

– – L. A. Mott, L. A. Mott, Christianity Magazine, Christianity Magazine, January 1985 January 1985

Philippians 10

Servants of Jesus Servants of Jesus ChristChrist

• From “doulos”, indicating spiritual, moral, & ethical subjection (maybe even bondage)

• A relatively unique phrase usage by Paul that sets the tone for the rest of letter

• Quite possibly meant to imply a shared relationship with the Philippian Christians

• Most certainly sets up Timothy for his planned visit (s)

Philippians 11

… … to the saints in to the saints in Christ JesusChrist Jesus

• From “hagios”, indicating separation from sin and dedication to God

• Typical phrase Paul used in his salutations

• With 4:15ff, perhaps indicates Paul’s perception that despite their diverse beginnings, these Christians have come together as a church

Philippians 12

… … with the bishops and with the bishops and deaconsdeacons

• From “episkopos”, meaning overseer as indicated in I Tim 3:2 and Titus 1:7

• From “diakonos”, meaning servant as indicated in I Tim 3:8

• So the letter was for everybody, both as individuals and as …

ONE UNITED CHURCH!

Philippians 13

Grace to you and peace Grace to you and peace ……

• Again, a typical phrase of Paul’s salutations

• From “chairo”, meaning to rejoice, and considered a typical Greek greeting

• From “eirene”, indicating a sense of rest and contentment

• The source of these blessings both God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

Philippians 14

PhilippiansPhilippiansUnity and Service to Unity and Service to

OthersOthers

Lesson Three: Lesson Three: The Mind of Christ The Mind of Christ

Regarding BrethrenRegarding Brethren