INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF PHILIPPIANS The Epistle

INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF PHILIPPIANS The Epistle of Joy

Background… �At the end of Acts 15, Paul and Barnabas decide to begin their second missionary journey �Paul and Barnabas breakup over whether John Mark goes with them

�In Acts 16. 1 -5, It seems that Silas becomes second in command Paul recruits Timothy to make up for the loss of John Mark. �It is in this section that the infamous “we” passages begin where Luke himself joins the group. They begin in 16. 10 �So we pick up in Acts 16. 6 -12 which describes Paul’s itinerary

The four church planters… 1. 2. 3. 4. Paul Silas Timothy Dr. Luke Before we continue, I would like you to meet Miguel, a modern day church planter

Part 1 The beginning of the second missionary journey Acts 16. 6 -12

Question… What do we learn about the will of God from this section?

Life lessons about the will of God �Acts 16. 6 -10 – A basic spiritual truth is that God often directs our lives while we are on the journey rather than before we start. �God’s plan was to evangelize Asia, just not at this time. �Apparently, timing is important to the Lord

Part 2 Lydia – Philippi’s first convert Acts 16. 13 -15

1. Lydia, Philippi’s first convert – Acts 16. 14 -15 �Lydia appears to be a successful business woman with means �A worshipper of God, not a Jewish proselyte but a gentile who worshiped the true Lord

�The Lord opened her heart to make sense of what Paul was sharing �She and her household were immediately baptized �She welcomed the four team missionary group into her home as an act of hospitality

The paradox of predestination and free-will – Matthew 11. 27 -30 Verse 27 is all about predestination…. 27 All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. Matthew 11

The paradox of predestination and free-will – Matthew 11. 27 -30 Verses 28 -30 are all about free will…. 28 Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy- laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.

Question… Tell us about the day Christ opened your heart to respond to the gospel.

Part 3 The exorcism of the slave girl and pursuant jail time Acts 16. 16 -24

2. The exorcism of the slave girl – Acts 16. 16 -18 �Paul casts out the demon of a girl who was able to foretell the future �The rub was she was a money making machine for her pimp masters and they went ballistic at the loss revenues

�An irony of the situation is that the demon was proclaiming the truth of the gospel. Like Jesus, Paul wanted no part of the demon’s proclamation. It would be like an endorsement from Adolf Hitler. �As a result of loss wages, Paul and Silas end up in jail �We never hear of a post script about the slave girl. Did she receive Christ, did she not?

Question… Why don’t we hear of more demon possession today?

Part 4 The Philippian Jailer saved Acts 16. 25 -40

3. The missionary team imprisoned – Acts 16. 19 -25 �Paul ands Silas were beaten �The trumped up charge was that they were teaching unlawful customs �Paul does not proclaim his Roman citizenship at this time, but rather waits for an opportune time

�Perhaps the most remarkable incident in this entire account is the team’s ability to be singing Christians songs and praising God in the midst of immense pain and persecution.

4. The Philippian Jailer’s conversion – Acts 16. 26 -40 �About midnight an earthquake hits the area giving an opportunity for the prisoners to escape �When the jailer sees this, knowing that Rome has a zero tolerance for prisoner escape, prepares to take his life but Paul stops him

�The jailer’s heart is open to the four spiritual laws and receives Christ along with his household �The next day the city authorities want Paul to leave town, Paul declares his Roman citizenship frightening them of their lack of due process. This may have taken the heat off the new church’s beginnings.

Question… What role does a crisis play in the conversion process?