SCRIPTURE: PHILIPPIANS 1
INTRODUCTION:
Philippi was located in northern Greece (called Macedonia in Paul’s day). Philip II of Macedon (the father of Alexander the Great) took the town from ancient Thrace about 357 BC, enlarged and strengthened it and named it Philippi. This thriving commercial center sat at the crossroads between Europe and Asia. In about AD 50, Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke crossed the Aegean Sea from Asia Minor and landed at Philippi. The church in Philippi consisted mostly of Gentile (no Jewish) believers. They were remembered by Paul with joy and thanksgiving because of their love and support.
The book of Philippians was written by Paul while he was in prison in Rome about A.D. 60. The Philippians sent Epaphroditus to Paul with a gift. But while Epaphroditus was in Rome, he became sick and the Philippian Christians were worried about him. After he was better, Paul sent him back to Philippi with this letter.
Paul had strong feelings of love for the Philippians. He expressed his thankfulness for the love and affection of the Philippians. While in prison, Paul wrote this letter with joy. He used the word “joy” or “rejoice” 14 times. Despite his difficult circumstances, Paul rejoiced in the Lord and urged his readers to do so. Whatever the circumstances, Paul had learned to be content, finding real joy as he focused his attention and energy in knowing Christ and obeying Him. He gave words of encouragement and instructions for living in harmony with others and in obedience to God.
MEMORY VERSE:
“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)
THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER (vs. 1-11)
PAUL THANKED THE PHILIPPIAN BELIEVERS FOR:
- Their partnership in the gospel from the first day until now and God will carry it on to completion. (v. 5-6)
- They share in God’s grace with him. (v. 7)
PAUL’S PRAYER
“That your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.” (vs. 9-11)
PAUL’S CHAINS ADVANCE THE GOSPEL (vs. 12-30)
Paul revealed that some preach the gospel insincerely out of envy, rivalry and selfish ambition but others out of love and for the defense of the gospel. But for Paul, it did not matter as long as Christ was preached. Paul committed himself to the Lord so that for him to live is Christ and to die is gain. If he was given to choose between living and dying, he was indecisive. He desired to depart and be with Christ, but it was necessary for him to remain with the believers to continue with their progress and joy in the faith.
He urged the Philippian believers to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. He encouraged them to stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose them. For Christ has granted us not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him.
THOUGHTS:
The Philippians were partners in the Good News because they contributed to the spreading of God’s message. They gave financial support to Paul while he was in prison. When we help our ministers, missionaries and evangelists through prayer, hospitality and financial gifts, we become partners with the gospel.
God promises to complete a project that he started and finish the work he has begun. When you feel inadequate or distressed by your shortcomings, remember God’s promise and provision. Instead of being discouraged, let joy fill in your heart to give you the strength to press on. The God who began a good work within us will continue it throughout your lifetime and will finish it when we meet him face to face.
Paul had a longing to see the Christians at Philippi. He also prayed for them. This was due to their love and generosity and also the unity manifested in God’s family. Do you feel a deep love for fellow Christians? Let Christ’s love motivate you to love other Christians and to pray for them. Express your love towards them through your actions.
Paul prayed that the Philippian believers would have the ability to differentiate between right and wrong, good and bad, vital and trivial. We ought to pray for moral discernment so that we can maintain Christian morals and values.
Paul considered his imprisonment as having more opportunities to spread the Good News of Christ. Even in a bad situation, Paul reached out to the Roman soldiers and encouraged those Christians who were afraid of persecution. When you are in a bad situation such as financial burdens, family conflicts, church disunity, look for ways to demonstrate your faith and be an encouragement by the way you live.
Paul demonstrated his selfless attitude even when some preachers were taking advantage of his imprisonment to make a name for themselves. Regardless of the motives of those preachers, Paul rejoiced that the Good News was being preached. This teaches us that even if some Christians serve the Lord for the wrong motives, we should be glad if God’s message is being preached.
Whether he lived or died, Paul wanted to exalt Christ. His faith in Christ had sustain him in adversity. For Paul, to live meant to develop eternal values and to tell others about Christ and help them see life from an eternal perspective. And to die would be even better because he could see God face to face. Do you have a purpose in life? Are you willing to serve God by devoting your life to what really counts, without fear of death?