December 17: Philippians 1-4

December 17, Philippians 1-4

Philippians intro from the ESV Bible: “Philippians overflows with joy and thanksgiving. Paul wrote to the church in Philippi to thank them for a gift. He reported the joyful news that Epaphroditus, who had brought their gift to Paul, had recovered from his illness and was returning to Philippi. Paul said that he had learned the secret of being content in any situation, and he told them about his situation in prison. He expressed joy that more people were hearing about Christ even if some were proclaiming the gospel with bad motives. Wanting the Christians in Philippi to be unified, he challenged them to be servants just as Jesus was when he “emptied himself” and became a man rather than clinging to the rights of his divine nature (2:1–11). Paul wrote this letter while in prison, probably in Rome about a.d. 60.

Philippians 1 Greeting. Paul wrote to the saints and leaders of Philippi, along with Timothy.

Thanksgiving and Prayer. This letter shows the heart that Paul has & his ability to equip and encourage at the same time. He said to them, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” He knew that God was at work in them and God will finish what He started in them and us. What was his prayer for them? “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” He wasn't praying for prosperity for themselves but prosperity for Christ. 

The Advance of the Gospel. The christians at Philippi were the biggest supporters of Paul - they put their money where their mouths were and supported what Christ was doing though Paul. Paul was in prison. By Paul being in prison, many who would not have probably had the chance to heart about Jesus were hearing and seeing it - God has you where He wants you. He also talked about how some preached Christ out of the wrong motives, but either way, the Gospel was being preached!

To Live Is Christ. Paul was grateful for their support and the work of the Spirit. Paul also lets us see into the battles that he is facing - he wants to go ‘home’ to be with Jesus because that will be so epic, but also wants to stay with them to help them, as they still need him. It is not like he has much of a choice, rather he is showing where his heart is and where ours should be also. How then are they to live, and us as well? “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.” Our lives are to be worthy of the name of Christ. You claim Christ, you live Christ. 

Philippians 2 Christ’s Example of Humility. We are to live like Christ in how we approach and treat others. Be selfless and humble looking to what other people need. Jesus became a man and set the example for us. But there is more, much more, “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Think about it. Someday all will confess that He is the Christ and bow before Him. All. 

Lights in the World. Everything that we do, should be directed towards God. Because “it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” It is about God and for God. So, don't complain when you are doing things, rather live a life that is blameless before God - even in and especially in light of the crookedness around us. Paul was so convinced of this that he said, “Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.” This then, is how we should live. 

Timothy and Epaphroditus. Paul wants to send Timothy to the saints in Philippi to encourage them and also that Paul would be encouraged. Timothy is a great saint who was genuinely concerned for the Philippians. He also genuinely helped Paul advance the Gospel. Then we learn about Epaphroditus. He literally almost died for the name and sake of Christ. He was to be respected because “he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.” What the Philippians couldn't do, Epaphroditus did do. 

Philippians 3 Righteousness Through Faith in Christ. I am going to use Bakers Commentary on this chapter, they did the seed thoughts again & I love that!

“Seed-thoughts of Chapter 3

(1) Christian joy can be cultivated (verse 1).

(2) Even Paul repeated himself, when necessary (verse 1).

(3) Meekness does not mean weakness. The maxim “See no evil” is in need of explanation and perhaps qualification (verse 2).

(4) No demerit is so great and harmful as self-merit (verse 3).

(5) The Christian has not truly arrived until he arrives in glory: “If only I may attain” is the language of the truly saved man. The believer is the enemy of the status quo (verses 4–14).

(6) Though justification is a once-for-all affair, the believer desires an ever richer assurance of having obtained this great blessing. Absolute perfection also in this respect is not reached in the here and now. He who spoke the words of Ps. 27:1 also spoke those of 1 Sam. 27:1. He who praised God by those of 1 Kings 18:36, 37, also uttered the lamentation found in 1 Kings 19:4, 10. And then there is the need of sanctification in all other respects (verses 8b–14).

(7) Every Christian is a true perfectionist or idealist (verses 8b–14).

(8) “We love him because he first loved us.” We take hold on him because he first took hold of us (verse 12).

(9) Divine preservation implies human perseverance (verses 12–14).

(10) Not only mulling over past failures but also gloating over past “successes” is an enemy of spiritual progress (verse 13).

(11) Those who major on minors, forgetting the real goal of the Christian life, are immature (verse 15).

(12) Be consistent (verse 16).

(13) The sensualist is not a Christian (verses 17–19).

(14) Not the intermediate state but the state of final glory in the new heaven and earth, together with all the saints, at Christ’s Return, should be most strongly emphasized in preaching and in meditation (verses 20, 21).”

Philippians 4 Exhortation, Encouragement, and Prayer. Here we learn about some awesome women, Euodia and Syntyche. They have labored with Paul in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It takes everybody working together towards the same goal in spreading the Gospel to be effective. Then Pastor Paul gives some more disciple training.

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”

“Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand”

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” 

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” 

“What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” Rejoice and let your light shine in how you live. Trust in God and petition the Lord and peace will overwhelm you. If things are above board and honest - ponder those things and God’s peace will be with you. 

God’s Provision. Thankfully enough, Bakers Commentary did seed thoughts on the rest of this chapter as well!

“Seed-thoughts of 4:10–23

(1) The Christian is neither too proud nor too thoughtless to say, “Thank you” (verse 10).

(2) Deeds of kindness resemble a tree putting forth fresh shoots (verse 10).

(3) It is easy to find excuses to cover real neglect on our own part; it requires grace to search out reasons for seeming neglect on the part of others (verse 10).

(4) One is not born with contentment; it must be learned (verse 11).

(5) Contentment is a jewel which no amount of gold or silver can buy and which does not depend on outward circumstances (verses 11, 12).

(6) The Author of true contentment is the indwelling, strength-imparting Christ (verse 13).

(7) Sharing your goods with a person in need is good and necessary. Sharing his affliction is even better. The first should be done in the spirit of the second (verse 14).

(8) Kindnesses which others have shown us in the past should be remembered and recalled (verses 15 and 16).

(9) The fruit is even more important than the gift (verse 17).

(10) The giver enriches two people: the recipient and himself (verse 17).

(11) True gifts are fragrant offerings (verse 18).

(12) When God gives us anything he does so according to (and not merely out of) his riches (verse 19).

(13) The climax of Christian speech, whether spoken or written, is the doxology. In fact, the Christian breathes doxologies (verse 20).

(14) If among the early Christians there were those who belonged to Nero’s “household,” today’s government-employees in far more favorable circumstances will have great difficulty when they try to find an excuse for failing to hear witness for Christ (verse 22).

(15) In the final analysis our entire salvation from start to finish depends on God’s sovereign favor in Jesus Christ (verse 23).”

To sum it all up: 

• We are made righteous by our faith in Christ
• Do not forget why you are doing the things that you are doing - it is for Christ. 
• Understand that your circumstances in life - they can be for His Kingdom and furthering it as well - there is no such thing in life as chance…