Philippians 1:1-11
Today we are going to return to our series on Paul’s letter
to the Philippians.
Two weeks ago we talked about the book as a whole and
the theme of each chapter. We were reminded that joy is
a constant theme throughout the letter.
This morning I would like to start by giving some
background information.
We know that Paul started the church at Philippi.
If you want the full context, read Acts 15:36- Acts 16.
Paul wanted to return to all of the cities that he and
Barnabas had preached the gospel in, to check on them.
Barnabas wanted to take Mark, but Paul didn’t because
Mark had abandoned them when they were in Pamphylia.
So Barbabas took Mark and Paul took Silas. They also
brought Timothy with them.
Acts 16 tells us that the Holy Spirit prevented them from
going to several places they desired to go.
Paul received a vision to go to Macedonia, so they set
sail.
When they arrived, they went to Philippi which was a
leading city and a Roman colony.
Philippi is where they met Lydia, the seller of purple
goods. She was converted and her and her whole
household was saved.
Philippi is also where Paul and Silas were thrown into
prison for casting out the spirit of divination from a slave
girl.
And we know how that story ends. With the Philippian
jailer also getting saved and his whole household was
saved.
Let’s pause to pray and ask God to speak to us this
morning.
Greeting
Philippians 1:1-2
Something interesting about this greeting, as well as
both of Paul’s letters to the church at Thessalonica, is
that Paul doesn’t refer to himself as an apostle. Paul was
extremely fond of the church at Philippi. This is a letter of
gratitude to a church he loved.
Paul addresses the letter to the saints, that means the
believers who were part of the church.
He says that they are in “in Christ” which refers to their
relationship with Christ and their eternal position.
He also says “who are at Philippi” which is their
temporary location.
Church, we must remember that we are in Christ. Even
when we are in Azle, we are in Christ.
Once we were saved our eternal future was determined.
We are children of God, no matter where we are on the
planet.
Paul offers grace and peace to the Philippians.
Grace first because without grace there is no peace.
Grace is a gift from God that we don’t deserve, also
referred to as unmerited favor.
Peace is what comes from knowing God and having a
relationship with Him.
Peace is more than just the absence of violence, it’s the
presence of God.
Gratitude
Philippians 1:3-8
Paul writes that he thanks God when he remembers
them.
I believe God brings people to our minds for a reason.
Often it’s because they need prayer. Don’t miss an
opportunity to pray for someone when God puts them on
your mind.
Paul writes that he prays with joy.
He loves this church and is grateful for them.
He thinks of them often and when he thinks of them he
prays joyfully for them.
He’s grateful for their partnership in the gospel.
The Philippians consistently supported Paul and provided
for him even when he was in prison.
Not only did they support him financially, they prayed for
him, supporting him spiritually.
In verse 6 Paul shares his confidence that God, who
started a good work in them, will bring it to completion at
the day of Christ Jesus.
From the moment of our salvation God is constantly
working on us, making us more and more like Him each
and every day.
It’s called sanctification.
And the Bible teaches us that those who are saved will
remain faithful until the end of their life or until the Lord
returns.
John 10:27-29 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know
them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and
they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of
my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is
greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of
the Father’s hand.”
This is one of those truths that are universal. It isn’t just
for Paul and the Philippians.
God is constantly at work in our lives and He is going to
carry us along in our relationship with Him until the end.
Those who persevere are truly His children.
Next, Paul says he holds them in his heart.
Paul is grateful to the church for their support of him and
for them taking care of him while he was in prison and
defending the gospel.
Paul discusses the fellowship or koinonia that he shares
with the Philippian believers.
True koinonia is more than a potluck. It’s more than
coffee with a friend.
True koinonia is:
Serving in a ministry at church
Going on a mission trip
Sharing the gospel with the lost
Praying for God’s will to be done on earth
True fellowship is carrying out the work the Lord calls us
to together. It’s being the hands and feet of Christ.
It’s discipleship, worship and spiritual disciplines.
He writes that they are partakers with him of grace.
No matter what happens to Paul, he understands that
being in Christ allows him to have joy in every
circumstance.
Joy is an attitude, not a feeling.
Happiness is a feeling.
When things don’t go your way you aren’t happy any
more.
But when you are in Christ, you can have joy through
every situation.
Prison could not steal Paul’s joy because he is in
Christ.
The source of Paul’s joy is the Lord.
Remember when he and Silas were in jail back in Acts
16?
They were praying and singing hymns to God.
When we are in the Lord, nothing can steal our joy.
Paul expresses his affection for the Philippian saints in
verse 8.
He yearns for them with the affection of Christ Jesus.
The word yearn is how the Greek translation of Psalm 42
describes a deer who pants for streams of water.
Paul longed to see his friends again. He loves them as
Christ loves them. Many of them are his spiritual
children.
Lydia, the slave girl, the jailer.
He loves them as Christ loves His children.
Prayer
Philippians 1:9-11
Notice how Paul prays for their spiritual health.
How often do we pray only for the physical needs of
others?
We can learn a lot from Paul’s prayer.
Notice how the prayer builds on each concept.
He prays that their love would abound more and
more.
Listen to how A.W. Pink describes love:
“As you take from a fountain, still more comes. As a
spring does not keep its water to itself, so love keeps
nothing to itself, but it flows out for the use and benefit
of others. Love is selfless: its very nature is to give,
seeking to promote the glory of God and the good of
men. As fountains have their rise in hills, so love is first
in God’s heart in heaven. “We love him, because He first
loved us”
Only after we have received the love of God are we able
to love others with unconditional love.
Paul continues his prayer that the Philippian saint’s love
would abound with knowledge and all discernment.
He desires that they know God intimately so they will be
able to love the world in the same way that Christ does.
Again, we can’t love that completely unless we know the
one who is love.
Paul continues that he is praying this so that they may
approve what is excellent and be pure and
blameless for the day of Christ.
When we love like Christ and know Him personally, we
will pursue things that are excellent and we will seek to
become pure and blameless.
Paul wants the believers at Philippi to grow spiritually
because when they do it brings glory to God.
APPLICATION
Seek True Fellowship with other Believers
Pray for people when God brings them to your mind – tell
them about it too.
Find a place to serve at church
Start a bible study at your work or in your neighborhood
Reach out to someone and offer to disciple them
Pray for Spiritual Growth in the church
It’s ok to pray for physical needs, but our focus should be
on spiritual matters. Those who don’t know Christ are
perishing and we can do something about it. Prayer is
powerful.