LIFE PRINCIPLES FROM THE BOOK OF PHILIPPIANS Fact

LIFE PRINCIPLES FROM THE BOOK OF PHILIPPIANS

Fact sheet about Philippians… �Author: It was written by Paul under house arrest �Date: A. D. 62 (ten years after the church’s founding in A. D. 52) �Location of writing: Rome (Acts 28. 30) �Purpose of the book: A thank you note from Paul to the Philippians for their financial assistance But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, wellpleasing to God. Philippians 4 18

Occasion for Philippians When the Philippians heard of Paul’s imprisonment in Rome, they sent Epaphroditus with a financial gift. Epaphroditus becomes gravely ill but through God’s mercy recovers. Paul sends him back to the church of Philippi with this letter in hand, what we know today as the Book of Philippians.

Outline of Philippians 1. 1 -11 �Salutation 1 -2 �Paul gratitude for the Philippians 3 -8 �Paul’s prayer for the Philippians 911

Salutation 1 -2 Verse 1 �Paul (little) was his gentile name, Saul (ask or pray) his Hebrew name �Paul mentions Timothy because of the affection the Philippians had for him �Paul identifies he and Timothy as slaves of Christ leaving out his apostolic title

Verse 1 continued �He identifies the church members as saints meaning “holy ones” which captures one’s position in Christ over one’s daily experience �“In Christ” indicating that there was a point in time that they received Christ and “Fifty Spiritual Blessings” transformed them �Elders were the spiritual leaders – I Timothy 3. 1 -7. No individual pastor lead the church �Deacons served as service leaders – I Timothy 3. 8 -13. Also Acts 6. 1 -6

Verse 2 In his salutation, Paul desires two beautiful blessings on them: �Grace meaning God undeserved favor �Peace meaning spiritual harmony

Paul’s gratitude for the Philippians 3 -8 Verses 3 �Every time that the Philippians would pop into Paul’s mind, a smile of gratitude would over take Paul Verse 4 �Paul had a habit of praying with joyful prayers for them

Verse 5 The reason for all this was because of their track record. What about their track record? The Philippian church was in partnership (koinonia) with each other and Paul over non -Christians becoming believers and growing in their faith. They would do what ever they could to make this happen including sending Paul financial help.

Verse 6 Paul has a confidence that the same God that brought the individual Philippians to a saving knowledge of Christ did not just stop there. But God continues working in the life of every child of His to make his or her spiritual walk as spiritual perfect as the first day when He declared them to be righteous. For all Christians, our perfection is culminated at the rapture of the church.

Verse 7 Paul had this over-the-top bond of affection toward the Philippian family of God. As he faces prison and court proceedings in defense of the gospel, he felt that he was not alone but realized and experienced their spiritual connectedness as fellow grace recipients.

Verse 8 Paul was so energized by the mutual love of his Christian brothers and sisters in Philippi that he could call God on the witness stand to confirm how much he longs for them with the affection that springs forth from Christ Jesus Himself. Affection: Is the Greek “splan-chn-ois” and literally means the inward organs such as the intestines and bowels which were consider the seat of tender emotions.

Question… Is this intense Christian love and affection for other believers common among American Christians today? Perhaps when facing danger, pain, and persecution and having Christians come along side you with prayer, help, and loving support intensifies one’s love.

Paul’s prayer for the Philippians 911 Verse 9 At this point, it seems that Paul’s emotions overtake him as he writes this epistle and he bursts forth in prayer for his fellow Christian partners. The essence of his prayer is that their love would keep abounding and growing in both true knowledge and discernment.

Do you remember the Beatles song, “All You Need Is Love? ” Love without understanding can be harmful and is not the love Paul is talking about

Two words in verse 9 worth examining… �Real knowledge – Greek is epí-gn-ō-sis meaning a deep understanding acquired through an on the job experience. �Discernment – Greek is ais-thḗs-eōs perception with all the senses and the mind. Wuest defines it as, “a sensitive moral perception, and a quickness of ethical tact. ”

Verse 10 When believers possess these two smart arrows in their quiver, it enables him or her to be a “spiritual approver. ” The word approve (dok-i-máz-ō) comes from a word used for one who test metals in order to determine value and worth.

Verse 10 continued This ability to approve those things which conform to Christ’s character and His will, come from knowing God’s word and living the Christian life. Without the ability to “approve, ” the Christian flies blind. There is a purpose in all of this. It is to be most like Christ at the rapture.

Verse 11 At the time a non-Christian receives Christ, he or she is declared righteous. That is, in God’s eyes they conform to God’s character. From the time of salvation to the time of their death or the rapture, the Holy Spirit is working on changing one’s daily experience by producing the “fruit of righteousness. ” All of this brings glory and praise to God and is the very reason we were created.

Question… Do you see other believers the same way Paul did or differently?

Life Principle 1 Seeing other Christians the way Christ sees them

Question… Who is responsible for molding you into the character of Christ? The answer is found in Philippians 2. 12 -13

Apparently both you and the Lord! The believer 12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; The Lord 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

SOME EXPLAIN IT AS YOU PULLING AND GOD PUSHING

Some of us have the problem of discounting God’s role in perfecting His children. We stress the role of others in working out their own salvation to the practical exclusion of God working out His plan in the life of the believer.

PAUL’S GOOD KID AND BAD KID PHILIPPIANS CORINTHIANS

PAUL EVEN SAW THE CORINTHIAN’S AS GOD’S CLAY… 2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours: 3   Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4   I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge, 6 even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you,

7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8   who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9   God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. I Corinthians 1

Philippians 1. 6 6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

I Thessalonians 5. 24 24   Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.

II Timothy 1. 12 12 For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.