Philippians 1

PhilippiansPhilippiansUnity and Service to Unity and Service to

OthersOthers

Philippians 2

““I have to keep turning back to I have to keep turning back to this little epistle to correct my this little epistle to correct my wayward mind. It teaches us so wayward mind. It teaches us so much about the mind of the much about the mind of the disciple of Jesus.”disciple of Jesus.”

– – L. A. Mott, L. A. Mott, Christianity Magazine, Christianity Magazine, January 1985 January 1985

Philippians 3

Philippians – Service to Philippians – Service to OthersOthers

• 1:1-2 – To all the saints in Christ Jesus• 1:3-11 – I have you in my heart• 1:12-26 – To live is Christ, to die is gain• 1:27 – 2:4 – Let your conduct be worthy of

the Gospel• 2:5-11 – Let this mind be in you• 2:12-18 – Work out your own salvation• 2:19-30 – Hold such men in esteem• 3:1-7 – I have counted loss for Christ• 3:8-14 – I press toward the goal• 3:15-21 – Let us be of the same mind• 4:1-7 – Be anxious for nothing• 4:8-13 – Think on these things• 4:14-23 – I have all and abound

Philippians 4

Purpose for the LetterPurpose for the Letter• Thank them for their monetary gifts

while he was imprisoned in Rome ( 4:10; 14-18)

• Reassure Them of His Welfare (1:12, etc)

• Concerning Epaphroditus (2:25-30)•They were concerned about him•They might have expected Timothy instead

• Paul’s Great Concern for their Welfare– External Threats to Unity

• Pagan Society (1:27-30)• Judaizers (3:18; 3:1ff)

– Internal Threats to Unity (2:14; 4:2)• “one” ; “same” ; “same mind”

Philippians 5

TESTIMONY EXHORTATIONS

Key VerseDespite Imprisonment

"For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain (1:21)

Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ (1:27)

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus (2:5-11)

Have no anxiety about anything (4:6-7) I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am (4:11) I can do all things (4:13) My God shall supply all your needs (4:19)

LIFE IN CHRIST Christ our LIFE Christ our PATTERN Christ our GOAL Christ our SUFFICIENCY

MOTIVES Glorify Christ (1:20) Be Like Christ (1:27) Gain Christ (3:8) Be Content In Christ (4:11)

SPIRIT Supply of the Spirit (1:19) Fellowship in the Spirit (2:1) Worship by the Spirit (3:3) Grace through the Spirit (4:11)

JOY REJOICE REJOICE REJOICE REJOICE

In fellowship of saints 1:3-11)In the Ministry for the Saints (2:1-18)

That your hopes are in Jesus (3:2-16) Always over all things (4:4-9)

Over Afflictions (1:12-30)In Fellowhip of Timothy and Epaphroditus (2:19-30)

That your citizenship is in heaven (3:20) In bounties of God's people (4:10-19)

KEY WORDS Day of Christ, In Christ, Rejoice, Gospel, Spirit, Mind, Love, Joy, All, One.

EXAMPLES

THE CHRISTIAN LIFE - AN ABIDING JOY (2:17-18)

PHILIPPIANS: LIFE IN CHRISTKey Verse 1:21, 27

Philippians 6

Striking PassagesStriking Passages• 1:21-26 – to die is Christ but to live is

gain…• 1:27 – Stand firm…• 2:5-11 – Let this mind be in you which was

in Christ• 3:7-11 – Things that were gain to me I have

counted loss for Christ…• 3:12-16 – I press on…• 4:4-7 – Rejoice in the Lord always• 4:8-9 – Think on these things• 4:11-13 – Whatever state I am in , I have

learned to be content…

Philippians 7

Vital StatisticsVital Statistics• Authorship: Apostle Paul

– Paul does not feel the need to mention his Apostleship.

• Setting: Paul Wrote From Prison in Rome.– Acts 28:30-31; Phil 1:7, 13-16; 4:22– Important, given the fact of how many times

Paul mentions “joy” and “rejoice” while he is in prison

• Recipients: “To all the Saints in Christ Jesus in Philippi”

• Date: A.D. 61-63• Key People: Paul, Timothy, Epaphroditus,

Luke– Timothy played a large role in helping the Philippians

Philippians 8

Background:Background: Acts 16; 20; Paul’s 2nd and 3rd Missionary Acts 16; 20; Paul’s 2nd and 3rd Missionary JourneysJourneys

MacedonianProvince

Philippians 9

PhilippiPhilippi

AmphipolisApollonia

After Leaving Philippi, Paul visited Amphipolis, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, and Corinth.

Philippians 10

•Located in Modern GreeceLocated in Modern Greece

•Original Name: “Crenides” Original Name: “Crenides” (small fountain) because of (small fountain) because of the number of springs in the number of springs in the area.the area.

•Ancient city named after Ancient city named after Philip II, King of Macedon Philip II, King of Macedon (Alexander the Great’s (Alexander the Great’s father) 358 BCfather) 358 BC

•Roman colony since 168 BCRoman colony since 168 BC

•Battle of Philipi between Battle of Philipi between Mark Antony and Octavian Mark Antony and Octavian (Augustus) defeated Brutus (Augustus) defeated Brutus and Cassius (who killed and Cassius (who killed Julius Caesar) in 42 BC Julius Caesar) in 42 BC during Rome’s 2during Rome’s 2ndnd Civil War. Civil War.

•Wealthy city of Commerce Wealthy city of Commerce situated near a key highway situated near a key highway and the River Gangitesand the River Gangites

Background: History of PhilipiBackground: History of Philipi

•Roman Colony – Very Loyal to Rome

A Miniature RomeRoman LawRoman Customs

•Magistrates – Supreme Authority

•Many Gold and Silver MinesMany Gold and Silver Mines

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Paul Visits Philippi (Acts Paul Visits Philippi (Acts 16)16)• AD 52 on His 2nd Missionary Journey

• Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke• Paul wanted to go to Asia but was prevented

by the Holy Spirit (Acts 16:6)• Paul receives the Macedonian Call (Acts 16:9)• Paul finds no Synagogue but joined a group of

women gathered for prayer on the Sabbath.• Lydia is Converted! (Acts 16:14-15)• Paul Performs a Miracle on a Demon

Possessed Slave Girl (Acts 16:16-24)– Paul and Silas are beaten and thrown into Jail!

• The Jailer is Converted (Acts 16:25-34) – Vs 30-31– Paul and Silas are “Singing Hymns” in jail after being

beaten!– An Earthquake Frees them, but they do not escape– Paul stops the Jailer from Killing Himself

• The Magistrates Try to Free Paul and Silas (35-40)– Paul Now Reminds them of Roman Law and they Apologize

Philippians 12

PhilippiansPhilippians

Background:Background: Acts 16:6-40 Acts 16:6-40

LydiaLydia

JailerJailer

Images: © Michael Martin, www.NTImages.com & Bibleplaces.com

Gangitis River

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Paul’s Contact With Paul’s Contact With PhilippiPhilippi• Paul’s 3rd Missionary Journey AD 57

– On his way back to Jerusalem with an offering to help the poor saints in Judea.

– Acts 19:21-22; Acts 20:1-3; 2 Cor 1:15-17; 1 Corinthians 16:5-6

• Paul Receives Financial Help From Philippi– Phil 4:15-16 – At least two times they sent

help• Macedonia Helps the Poor in Judea

– 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 – Their deep poverty abounded , but they gave beyond their ability, because they first gave themselves to the Lord.

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PhilippiansPhilippiansPaul’s relationship to the Philippian Paul’s relationship to the Philippian churchchurch•They were in fellowship They were in fellowship from the beginning in the from the beginning in the furtherance of the gospel furtherance of the gospel 1:51:5

•They were partners in They were partners in his afflictions; 4:15-16his afflictions; 4:15-16

•They were the only They were the only church helping him church helping him financially; 4:15financially; 4:15

•They had sent They had sent Epaphroditus to him as a Epaphroditus to him as a messenger and helper; messenger and helper; 2:252:25

Philippians 15

““Rejoice in the Lord always, Rejoice in the Lord always, and again and again

I will say, Rejoice!”I will say, Rejoice!” 4:44:4•Rejoice: to feel Rejoice: to feel veryvery happy or show happy or show greatgreat happiness about somethinghappiness about something

•The term “joy” and “rejoice” appears 15 The term “joy” and “rejoice” appears 15 times in the lettertimes in the letter

•Do we show the world we rejoice in the Lord Do we show the world we rejoice in the Lord always? always?

•How?How?

Philippians 16

UnityUnity

• 1:27 – Stand Fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel.

• 2:2-4 – Be like-minded … look out for the interests of others.

• 4:2 – Be of the same mind

Philippians 17

What we can gain from PhilippiansWhat we can gain from Philippians

Our mind as a disciple is Our mind as a disciple is the mind of a servant (gr. the mind of a servant (gr. doulos: “slave”)doulos: “slave”)

Only in Christ can we find Only in Christ can we find real joy.real joy.

Jesus is equal with God Jesus is equal with God but humbled himself, to but humbled himself, to the point of death, to the point of death, to save men from their sins.save men from their sins.

There is nothing in this There is nothing in this life that should take life that should take away a rejoicing spirit.away a rejoicing spirit.

Others? Others?