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Bing and Bob took the “Road to Morocco” … and “…
Rio”.
Let’s follow Paul and Silas on the Road to Philippi.
And an interesting and instructive journey it will
be. See Acts 16:1-13.
* * * * * * * * * * *
1. PHILIPPI’S PAST HISTORY
356 BC Originally
a part of the Kingdom of Thrace, it was conquered by Philip II of Macedon. He renamed it after himself.
A victorious Octavius makes Philippi a Roman colony
(Acts 16:12). Most of the population
are soldiers from the recent war. The
citizens of Philippi are tax exempt.
Those born there automatically become Roman citizens. Roman law is used … and Roman dress and
language and coinage. Philippi becomes
a ‘miniature Rome’.
……………………………………………………………………………………………….
2. PAUL’S MINISTRY
Alexander the Great had journeyed from Philippi to
conquer the world for his own glory.
Paul journeyed to Philippi to conquer the world for
Christ.
Alexander went eastward … Paul westward.
Alexander went in bronze armour with swords and
shields. Paul went in the ‘whole armour
of God’, armed with the ‘Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God’
(Ephesians 6:11, 17). Alexander left
death and destruction in his wake … Paul left hope and joy and the message of
Life Eternal.
* * * * * * * * * *
Acts 16 records the journey. From Syrian Antioch through Asia Minor to
Troas. Then by ship to Samothrace (off
the coast of Gallipoli) and on to Neapolis.
The gospel has arrived in Europe for the first time!!
But Paul (and Silas and Timothy and Luke) do not
tarry at Neapolis … they press on 10 miles inland … on the Road to Philippi.
Here the gospel is planted in the heart of Lydia, a
wealthy merchant woman. And in the
heart of a slave girl. And a Roman
prison guard. Three stratas of society
… the rich, the slave, and the middle class.
And we have here three different nationalities … a lady from Thyatira in
Asia Minor, a Greek slave-girl, and a Roman citizen. And, we might add, a Jewish preacher!
They become “all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).
…………………………………………………………………………………
3. THE
PRESENT RELEVANCY
For our conversation is
in heaven; from whence also we look
for the Saviour (3:20).
Dr Moffat translates it … “We are a colony of
Heaven!!”
Just as Philippi was a far-flung outpost of Rome …
so the church is a far-flung outpost of Heaven. We live by Heaven’s Laws.
We dress in accord with Heaven’s standards … not the world’s! We speak like a citizen of Heaven ought to
speak. We act like citizens of Heaven …
“Thy Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” At least, we ought to.
The church is a colony of Heaven!!
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“The loveliest letter Paul ever penned” is how one
commentator describes this Epistle. We are away from the smoke of controversy
and the din of combating heresy. Apart
from one small problem in the Philippian church, it is a joy to the heart of
the apostle.
And that word “JOY” is a keynote
struck throughout these chapters.
Read the Epistle through at one sitting and count
the number of times “joy”, “rejoicing” and “gladness” appear. And write your answer here ________.
* * * * * * * * * *
Paul writes from Rome where he is under house-arrest
(Acts 28:30). He is chained to a Roman soldier (Philippians 1:13; 16). He may
be sentenced to death when the trial takes place (2:17). And he is
rejoicing!! (1:18).
* * * * * * * * * *
1. THE
PRAISE HE BESTOWED … 1:1-8
It is about ten years since Paul planted the church
at Philippi and he has never been able to return and visit them. But he recalls with joy that first meeting
(Acts 16:12 ff) and has prayed for them ever since (vs. 3-4).
Some pastors have their church on their mind all the
time, some on their lips, some on their nerves … but Paul had this church on
his heart (v. 7).
………………………………………
2. THE
PRAYER HE OFFERED … 1:9-11
There are four things here for which he prayed …
(a) That
their Love will deepen … v. 9
(b) That
their Discernment will sharpen … vs. 9b-10a
(c) That
their Holiness will be open … v. 10b … for all to see … and that those who do see
it will give God the glory.
(d) That
their Spiritual fruit will ripen … v. 11 … “the fruits of righteousness”
(KJV) will be cultivated by the Divine Gardener.
And
every victory won,
And
every thought of holiness
Are His alone. (Harriet Auber)
…………………………………………………..
3. THE
PLIGHT HE SUFFERED … 1:12-18.
Paul’s arrest in Rome has led to various reactions.
He is still free to preach, witness and write.
Four of the Epistles in our New Testament come from this time of
imprisonment.
(As a matter of fact, 20 of the 27 books in our New
Testament are written by men with a prison record!!) He is the talk of Caesar’s
palace … and the barracks (v. 13) … it may be that some of those mentioned in
4:22 were his recent converts!
Some Christians had been emboldened in their witness
… the example of Paul had spurred them on in their Christian commitment (v.
14).
………………………………………………..
4. THE
PASSION HE DISPLAYED … vs. 19-24
In the KJV it says …
“FOR ME TO LIVE IS
CHRIST!” (v. 21)
It simply means that Christ Jesus is everything to
Paul … his whole life is wrapped up in serving Him. It is the all-consuming passion that dominates and motivates his
life.
Whether he is executed … or set free (in which case
he will be able to help the church, v. 24) … whatever comes, he is with
Him! The word “go” in verse 23 (in the
KJV it reads “depart”) is a word used by Greek sailors. It means to ‘sail away’ from this harbour
into that haven awaiting God’s children on Canaan’s shore.
Hallelujah!!
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In our first study we met the apostle Paul …
faithful in his prayer-life for the church at Philippi, and rejoicing in his
imprisonment. It had resulted in
opportunities to witness and emboldened fellow believers to become more
involved in serving the Lord. Paul was
desirous of the death sentence … for that would mean being with his Lord (1:21)
… but he realises that there is still plenty of ministry in which the Lord may
want him involved on earth (1:25-26).
* * * * * * * * * *
Now he speaks of the Philippian church … and gives
some exhortations to them, knowing they will obey him, as usual (2:12). The
‘heart’ of this section (1:27-2:16) is EVANGELISM. We are saved to be ‘fishers of men’. Philippians 1:27 speaks of “striving together for the faith of
the Gospel …”, and our section closes with the same emphasis: “Holding forth the word of Life” (2:16).
* * * * * * * * * *
STAND FAST!! (1:27) HOLD FORTH!! (2:16)
(1:27-2:4) (2:12-16)
(a)
Harmoniously (1:27)
(a) Individually (2:12)
(b)
Fearlessly (1:28) (b) Fearfully
(2:12)
(c)
Humbly (2:3-4) (c) Boldly (2:15)
(a) His Self-humbling (2:5-8)
(b) His Exaltation (2:9-11)
…………………………………………………………………………………..
Now let us examine this in more detail …
1. STAND
FAST … for the faith of the Gospel! (1:27-2:4)
(a) The only problem with which
Paul had to deal in the Philippian church was that of two women who had clashed
(4:2). He sided with neither
party. He loved them “all” … read the
first chapter and count how many times he says just that … and write your
answer here _______.
In every chapter he pleads for HARMONY
in the church (1:27; 2:2; 3:15-16;
4:2).
In the ‘orchestra’ of the saints we may not all play
the same note, or even the same instrument … but we have the same score (of
music) and the same Conductor … and we should harmonize with each other!
(b) And
we should proclaim the “Good News” (1:27) FEARLESSLY. Do not fear what man may do to you … fear
God! (Matthew 10:28).
(c) HUMBLY … 2:3-4. Put others before self. Beware of the attitude that the Bishop
displayed when asked if he knew of a good book on “Humility”. With chest puffed out he replied, “Mine!”
A factious, frightened, full-of-oneself Christian
will never be an effective soul-winner.
…………………………………………………………
2. HOLDING
FORTH … the Gospel! (2:12-16)
(a) There
is an INDIVIDUAL aspect to all this … “Work out your OWN salvation
…” is how the KJV puts is (v. 12).
Not that we work to be saved … but we are to
work out that which God has wrought in! And nobody (humanly speaking!) can do that for you!
(b) We
are to be FEARLESS in our presentation of the gospel (1:28) … yet FEARFUL
that we may “displease God” (2:12).
(c) In this sinful world we are
to BOLDLY shine like beacon lights … telling the world that the Saviour
has come! Paul says, as any pastor
worth his salt would say: “If you do
that I’ll be rejoicing when the Lord returns!”
(2:16).
……………………………………
Now between (1) and (2) is a great passage about the
person and work of the Lord Jesus (see chart on previous page). It is full of doctrine. Theologians have waged verbal wars over
these verses and many volumes have been penned. These verses describe our Lord’s SELF-HUMBLING (2:5-8),
and his subsequent EXALTATION (2:9-11).
The question is:
What is it doing in the midst of this section dealing with how the
Philippians (and us!) should preach the Gospel?
3. FOLLOWING the Saviour’s Example …
He “humbled Himself” (2:7), and was willing
to leave the courts of Glory for sinners.
Even to die for them. For us ……
And that’s the kind of love for others that should
motivate us in our soul-winning endeavours.
Your attitude should be the kind that was shown to us by Jesus Christ …
2:5!!!
These verses were not penned to argue over or fight
about … but to show believers that ‘selflessness’ is to motivate our service.
* * * * * * * * * *
(Philippians 2:16)
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Again we turn to Paul’s joy-filled Epistle.
In our previous study (1:17-2:16) we saw him
exhorting the believers at Philippi to stand “united”, “in one spirit”, “with one
mind”, “of one accord” etc.!
And he confronted them with the supreme example of
the Lord Jesus who thought of the welfare of others even though it meant the
Cross (2:5-8). And that, said Paul, is the kind of attitude that should
motivate us (2:5) … “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…”
* * * * * * * * * *
Now we come to three more examples of folk who put
others before themselves ……
1. THE
EXAMPLE OF PAUL … vs. 17-18
I had a little tea party
this afternoon at three.
’Twas very small –
three guests in all –
just I, Myself, and Me.
Myself ate up all the sandwiches,
While I drank up the tea.
’Twas also I who ate the pie
and passed the cake to Me.
Unlike the little Miss in our poem, Paul was willing
to suffer, and even face death, for the sake of others. The imagery used by the apostle is taken
from the Old Testament. He speaks of
his blood being poured out like a Drink Offering. Numbers 28:7 tells of the 3 pints of wine poured over the
sacrifice in the Mosaic ritual. The
sacrificial gift sent to him by the church at Philippi (4:8) may see his
life-blood shed over it (2:17).
Paul’s reaction to this imminent death is one of joy
… as he said earlier, “To die is gain” for the Christian (1:21). And he calls
upon them to rejoice too … if that is now things turn out (2:18).
……………………………………….
2. THE
EXAMPLE OF TIMOTHY … vs. 19-24
Paul’s “son in the faith” (2:22) is a joy to his
heart.
It is Paul’s intention to send Timothy to Philippi
to minister to them (v. 19), but that all depends on how the trial goes and
whether he is put to death or released (v. 23). It may be Paul will be free to visit them personally (v. 24). In
any case, Timothy is totally committed to service others. He does not “seek his own” … but is one of
those choice saints who has “the mind of Christ” (vs. 20-21).
Others,
Lord, yes, others,
Let
this my motto be:
Help
me to live for others …
That I may live like Thee. (A. Meigs)
3. THE
EXAMPLE OF EPAPHRODITUS … vs. 25-30
Not only Paul, the likely sacrifice (2:17)
and Timothy, the faithful servant (2:22), but Epaphroditus the “fellow
soldier” (v. 25, KJV), who is described as being alongside Paul in the
“Battle” (v. 25) against evil, is another example of a believer who thought of
others.
And in the battle he nearly became a casualty. Twice Paul says that Epaphroditus was at the
point of death (vs. 27, 30).
There is no indication in this passage that God
miraculously healed this man. Paul did
not tell him to ‘claim his healing’. On the contrary, Paul speaks of his
restoration to health as an act of God’s mercy … not only to Epaphroditus, “but
to me also” (v. 27). That means Paul
was not sure if his friend would live … but he is thankful God spared him. Possibly Luke, “the beloved physician” who
was in Rome with Paul, may have given some medical assistance.
Notice that Epaphroditus was not concerned so much
with his condition as he was that his friends in Philippi were concerned about
him! (v. 26).
Now that he has recovered, Paul is sending him back
to Philippi (he was the one who had brought their gift to Paul, 4:18) … and the
apostle gives him a fine ‘reference’! (2:29).
There is a pun on the name of this man (v. 30) … but
you need to know Greek to understand it!
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In the third chapter of Philippians the apostle
gives us an autobiographical sketch:
How he was vs. 1-11
How he is vs. 12-19 and
Here is the past, present and future of the
Christian life.
* * * * * * * * * *
Warren Wiersbe, in his excellent commentary, uses the
outline: The Accountant (1-11), The
Athlete (12-19), and The Alien (20-21) … and we will use that outline too.
1. THE
ACCOUNTANT
Paul puts in the DEBIT side of his
ledger all the things in which he once took pride:
·
Circumcised
the 8th day, i.e. born a Jew! Not a proselyte (v. 5)
·
Of
Israel stock … no mixed blood in his veins!
·
A
Benjaminite … the favourite son!
·
A
Hebrew of the Hebrews … still able to speak the Hebrew tongue (Acts 22:2)
·
A
Pharisee … a religious leader!
·
Zealous
… not a pew-warmer! (v. 6)
·
Blameless
… not a hypocrite …
But none of these – nationality nor orthodoxy nor
activity nor morality, or even all of them lumped together – could make him
right with God!!
Paul has some harsh words for those false teachers
who proclaim such doctrine (vs. 2-3).
Salvation is to be found in Christ – ALONE! (v. 7).
So on the CREDIT side of his ledger
Paul puts Him! (v. 8).
I sacrifice them to His blood. (Isaac Watts)
Note that Paul refers to the Judaizers (those who
were teaching the necessity of Jewish rites and ceremonies for salvation) as
“dogs” … WOW!!! (v. 2).
This was the term used by Jews of anyone outside of
their race … “Gentile dogs” was a common expression. And it meant dirty, scavenger dogs whose bite was poisonous!
And Paul uses this description and applies it to JEWS!
From
self can come no aid;
’Tis
on the blood relying,
once
for our ransom paid.
’Tis
looking unto Jesus,
the
holy One and Just;
’Tis
His great work that saves us,
It
is not Try, but Trust.
………………………………………………………….
2. THE
ATHLETE
Whereas the previous verses had to do with Paul’s
conversion – placing his trust in Christ instead of all his human achievements,
now we see his progress in the Christian life. Despite the fact that he is in
prison he is still seeking to know the Lord’s will … and do it! (v. 13).
The imagery is that of a race-track, perhaps ‘a
chariot race’, ( Blaiklock !) and Paul is ‘straining’ every fibre of his being to reach the
finishing tape and receive the victor’s crown (v. 14; II Timothy 4:8). He reminds his readers that the race is a ‘team
effort’ – we should be striving together, not striving against each other (vs.
15-16). And there are some ‘non-starters’ (v. 14), who are not even in the race
… and will not hear the King’s “Well Done!” at the end of the course (v. 19).
……………………………………
3. THE
ALIEN
The believer is not a citizen of earth on his way to
Heaven … he is a citizen of Heaven just ‘passin’ thru’’ down here! (v.
20). Moffat’s translation that we are
a “colony of Heaven” is a reminder that we should walk and talk like folk who
belong there.
One day the Lord will return and take us Home (v.
21). This body that keeps us
earth-bound will be changed … and no more subject to pain or sickness, disease
or death.
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We come to our closing study in this delightful
Epistle.
In chapter 1 we saw Paul rejoicing despite suffering, a prisoner
of Rome facing possible death.
In chapter 2 we focused upon rejoicing in sacrificial service …
the Lord Jesus, Himself, being the supreme example.
In chapter 3 Paul was rejoicing in his Salvation … past, present
and future.
Now we see him rejoicing in this fourth chapter over
circumstances … whatever they may be!
* * * * * * * * * *
1. BUT THERE IS NO JOY OR PEACE UNLESS OUR FELLOWSHIP IS
UNITED! … vs. 1-5
J
ESUS first,
O
THERS between &
Y
OURSELF last,
spells
J
O Y
in
the true sense
(a) Stay
true … v.
1. No falling back in the
Christian warfare!
(b) Be
team-oriented … vs. 2-3. Don’t fight one
another!! No falling out!
(c) Keep telling the Good News … v. 3. No falling down on the job! … and the result will be no falling off
in your JOY!
Verse 5 is another reminder of the need to ‘think of
others’, which has been a constant theme in this letter.
There is also a reminder in this chapter that not only is the local church to be united … but it is to recognise its wider unity with the Lord’s people. They are one with Paul some hundreds of miles away. He thanks them for their gifts (vs. 10, 16), and assures them that God will bless them because of it (vs. 18-19).
……………………………………………
2. THERE IS NO JOY OR
PEACE UNLESS OUR PRAYERS ARE OFFERED
(vs. 6-7)
.
Oh, what
peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pains we bear,
All
because we do not carry
Everything
to God in prayer.
His peace will ‘garrison’, ‘act as a sentry’, at
your heart’s door. When you are about
to step outside His will, in goes the bayonet into the conscience! And peace is fled.
…………………………………………………….
3. THERE IS NO PEACE OR
JOY UNLESS THE MIND IS FOCUSED … upon wholesome things … vs. 8-9
As a man thinketh … so is he, said wise Solomon (Proverbs
23:7).
And the things upon which we feed our minds will
influence our spiritual life.
·
Read
Christian literature!
·
Subscribe
to a Christian magazine
·
Play
Christian music
·
Attend
regularly Bible study … and church (of course!!)
Fill your mind with the things that please the Lord
– “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus …” (Philippians 2:5).
Sow a thought, reap a deed;
Sow a deed, reap a habit;
Sow a habit, reap a
character;
Sow a character, reap a
destiny!
Count the number of times Paul lays stress on the
‘mind’ in this Epistle:
_____ times!
…………………………………………………
4. THERE IS NO PEACE OR
JOY UNLESS CHRIST IS ENTHRONED (vs. 11-13)
He is the One who gives the strength to face every
obstacle.
He is the One who strengthens in the midst of the trials
and tribulations of life (v. 13).
To know that He is there … whether in sunshine or
storm … is the secret of contentment.
Rich or poor, imprisoned or free, Paul is assured of his Saviour’s love
and care … and that’s all he needs to fill his heart with joy (vs. 11-12).
A.S. Way translates these verses :
No, I have learned, in
whatever condition I am, to be independent of circumstances. I am schooled to bear the depths of poverty,
I am schooled to bear abundance. In
life as a whole, and in all its circumstances, I have mastered the
secret of living – how to be the same amidst repletion and
starvation, amidst abundance and privation.
I am equal to every lot, through the help of Him who gives me inward
strength.
Have I learned that “secret of living”? Have you?
………………………………………………..
CONCLUSION … vs. 20-23
Now unto God our Father be
glory forever and ever. Amen. Sincerely,
Paul.
P.S. Say “hello” for me to all the Christians
there; the brothers with me send their
greetings too. And all the other
Christians here want to be remembered to you, especially those who work in
Caesar’s palace.
The blessings of our Lord Jesus Christ be upon your spirits.
So Paul signs off, even sending a word of greeting
from the Christians in Rome … some of whom he probably just led to know the
Lord!
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The Epistle to the Philippians is the happiest
letter that Paul wrote.
And in each chapter he reveals to us the secret of
his JOY – a joy the world did not give and a joy the world cannot take away!
* * * * * * * * * *
1. JOY
… IN SUFFERING … 1:14, 18
Despite the fact that he is a prisoner of Rom, he is
rejoicing that other Christians are emboldened by his example (1:14).
Even those who seek to advance their position in the
church now Paul is out of the way cause the apostle to rejoice. At least they are preaching Christ!! (1:18).
And if he is put to death, that’s something to
rejoice about, for “to die is gain!” (1:21).
………………………………….
2. JOY
… IN SERVICE … 2:15-16
There is joy in serving Jesus … both for the
converts at Philippi, and the one who led them to know the Saviour.
In II Corinthians 6:10 Paul tells of how he is
“sorrowful, yet always rejoicing”!
There are things in this world of ours that sadden us (see Philippians
3:18!). But there is an underlying Holy
Spirit Joy despite all that.
………………………………………………
3. JOY
… IN SALVATION … 3:8-9
In chapter 3 Paul speaks of the great exchange he
made. All his righteousness was put on
the scrap heap. And he laid hold of
Christ’s righteousness … by faith!
………………………………………………..
4. JOY
… IN STEADFASTNESS … 4:1-4 ..
Verse 1 No
Falling Back when the burdens start pressing. Stand fast!!
Verse 2 No
Falling Out with other fellow believers! Like ‘Odious’ and ‘Soon Touchy’, as one preacher described these
two at Philippi.
Verse 3 No
Falling Down on our responsibilities of helping others.
Verse 4 And
there will be No Falling Off in our Christian Joy!!
* * * * * * * * * *
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