Lessons Learned From Philippians

 

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Topic # 0710

I.  Introduction.

A.  Philippi is mentioned in the New Testament ONLY in the following places:

1.  Acts 16:11-12

a.  Paul & group convert Lydia in 16:14-15

b.  Paul & Silas convert Philippian jailer & family in 16:25-34.

2.  Acts 20:1-6

a.  Paul visited after he had been to Athens and Corinth.  He was on his way to Judea.

3.  1 Thess. 2:2

4.  The book of Philippians.

 

B.  Derived it's name from Phillip, the father of Alexander the Great.

1.  History before Phillip unknown.

2.  A city of Macedonia.

3.  Population unknown in the days of Paul.

 

C.  Became one of the most flourishing cities of the Roman empire.

1.  Principle thoroughfare from Asia to Europe.

2.  Main roads of the empire passed nearby.

 

D.  Was the first place in Europe where the gospel was preached.

1.  Paul went to the capital city - preached to Lydia.

2.  Gospel introduced to Philippi under duress circumstances.

a.  e.g., Paul & Silas jailed because of healing a girl "with a spirit of divination."  Wound up converting the jailer and his family.

 

E.  The epistle written from Rome.

1.  Paul was in bonds.  (Phil. 1:13-14)

2.  circumstances left no doubt of this.  According to 1:13, bonds were manifested throughout all the palace.  1:22 - "all the saints of Caesar's household greet you."

3.  Evidence points that Paul had been in Rome for some time.

a.  Had expectation that he would be released (although not exactly sure,) and come to them again.

4.  Commonly agreed by scholars that the book was written about AD 61 or 62.

 

F.  Design of the Epistle.

1.  To express thanks of the apostle for the favors which they had paid him.

2. To tell them that he might be released soon. (this would uplift the brethren there.)

3.  Letter sent to them by Epaphroditus.

4.  A different side of Paul is seen in this letter.

a.  many expressions of kindness and love

b.  other letters written by Paul had language of reproof.

5.  There was little in the congregation that needed rebuking.

 

II.  Lessons from the book:

A.  Unity.

1.  1:27 - 1:30 - Striving and suffering for Christ.

a.  Paul wanted brethren to:

1.  Stand fast in one spirit.

2.  Stand fast in one mind.

3.  Stand together for the faith of the gospel.

2.  In being unified, they would be less likely to be terrified of their adversaries.

a.  It is easier to be discouraged when not unified.

b.  Enemy has the advantage when opponent is not working together.

3.  Paul continues this argument on unity in chapter 2.

a.  2:1 -2:4 - unity through humility.

b.  If there is to be unity in the church, Christians must feel & show kindness and affectionate sympathy to fellow believers.  If we are not unified, then what good does it do to:

1.  have encouragement in Christ.

2.  comfort one another in love.

3.  fellowship with one another.

4.  show compassion & sympathy.

c.  Paul exhorted the Philippians to be like minded.

1.  To have the same love.

2.  To be of one accord.

3.  To be of one mind.

d.  Selfish ambition sows discord.

1.  We should do our best to not let anything be done from it.

2.  Rather than working for just ourselves, and our interest, we should work with and for one another.  Putting others ahead of ourselves.

3.  We are to look out for the interest of others as well as our own.

4. 4:2 - 4:4 - Paul urges two sisters to put away their contentions and work together.

a.  We should work to do the same.

 

B.  Humility.

1.  This idea runs through the book, but especially in chapter 2.

a.  2:3 - let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit.

b.  some people have the attitude of the Pharisees in Matthew 6:5.

1.  The bible plainly says here that if we do things to be seen by other men, it is wrong.

c.  Paul wants things to be done out of lowliness of mind.

1.  We should hold others better than ourselves.

a.  many times we do not apply this.

b.  worry about things that we want to do, not doing things for others.

d.  How hard it is sometimes to look out for others, as well as ourselves.

1.  We are a family, we should treat each other that way.

2.  Paul uses the ultimate example of humility, in that of Christ.

a.  Think about Jesus's place in heaven.  Was with God in heaven.  Bible says that he counted it not robbery to be equal with God...

b.  Sacrificed that to become a man.

c.  One thing to just become a man.  But became a man of no reputation.  Was the son of a carpenter.  Just an ordinary man from an ordinary, average family.

d.  Christ's humility did not stop there.

1.  Chapter 2:8 says that he became obedient,  even to the death of a cross.

2.  The execution reserved for the vilest of criminals.  Christ was innocent.  Not guilty of even one sin.

e.  It is in this that Christ is the best possible example of humility for us.

1.  We should follow in His example.

C.  Joy.

1.  According to 3:1 Paul says that we should rejoice in the Lord.

2.  Why should we rejoice?

a.  That we have a savior. It should be a joy that we have one.

b.  That this savior that we have is exactly what we need.

1.  He has brought us a plan of salvation

2.  He supports us through our trials.  ยป He was here and experienced the same trials that we experience.  This should give us comfort.

3.  The principal joy of a Christian should not be in:

1.  Riches.

2.  Vanity.

3.  Ambition.

4.  material things of the world.

a.  Matthew 6:19-21

4.  As Christians we should joyful of the fact that we can associate with some of the best people in the world.

5.  Many though go around looking like they have lost their best friend.

1.  You could never tell that they were happy about anything.

a.  dread to go to church.

b.  hate bible study.

c.  ashamed to do things that are pleasing to the Lord.

2.  If you are in this condition and so unhappy, why continue?

3.  We must count our many blessings.

4.  Example of Paul in Phil. 1:12-18

a.  Had been placed in prison.

b.  wasn't guarantied to survive much longer.  (he could be executed at anytime...)

c.  Yet, he was able to say that things had turned out for a good reason.  His example was made known to the palace guard, and some were saved because of it.

5.  As Christians we are faced with conditions that are nearly as severe as what Paul faced.  Do we have the attitude of Paul?  Do we have the faith in the Lord that he will deliver us from out of the way of evil?

6.  We should rejoice in the Lord.  ALWAYS.  (Count our blessings for what we have.)

 

III.  Conclusion.

A  Phil. 2:12 - Work out your own salvation with fear & trembling...

1.  Why work out salvation?

a.  Because God commands it.  It is repeated throughout the scriptures, to make a new life, enter at the straight gate, break away from sin, repent of future sins.

b.  Our own personal interest is at stake.

1.  We need to be prepared for eternal happiness.

c.  Our earthly friends cannot save us.  No one can save our soul for us.

d.  The soul requires constant effort, so it will not be lost.

2. Work involves something on our part.

3.  What does fear & trembling mean?

a.  to possess an anxiety in which one feels that he has an important interest at stake and that he is in danger of losing it.

b.  to fear that we could lose hope and perish.

c.  fear that we could succumb to temptations and allurements in the world.  It is possible that we could turn our attention away from spiritual things.

1.  take what Paul said in 1 Cor. 10:12 to heart:  take heed where you stand; lest you fall.

d.  fear that we may pass up certain opportunities that may never present themselves again, if we slack up....

e.  fear means to have a certain sense of urgency.  If a soul is lost, then all is lost.

B.  Are we working toward the things that I have mentioned today?

C.  If you are, and you are not a child of God, then what good will it do you?

1.  You must become a child of God.

a.  by:  Hearing (Romans 10:17)

b.  Believing (Mk. 16:16)

c.  Repenting of your sins  (Acts 2:37-38)

d.  Confessing that Jesus is the Son of God ("Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.  Matthew 10:32)

e.  Baptism for the remission of sins.  (Mark 16:16)

D.  Maybe you are already a child of God and are not living in a way that is pleasing to the Lord.

1.  Why not take this opportunity to come back to the Lord?

E.  The time is now.  We never know when the Lord will return.

F.  If you are subject to the invitation........