The Book Of Philippians | Bella Vista Church of Christ

The Book Of Philippians

The Book Of Philippians
Randall Caselman
2/23/97 pm

The Book Of Philippians

Philippians 1.21, 27; 2.5-8, 14; 3.13-14; 4.8-8,11,13


Our study tonight is the Book of Philippians. This is Paul’s favorite church, his sweetheart church in the city of Philippi. Access a Bible and turn with me to Acts chapter 16. Acts 16 contains Luke’s historical account of the establishment of this N.T. church.

FIRST, THE CITY OF PHILIPPI.
The city of Philippi was located on a fertile plain about nine miles inland from the Aegean Sea, Northwest of the island of Thasos. Luke says in New Testament times Philippi was regarded as the chief city of that part of Macedonia.... You see that in Acts 16.12. Even though Thessalonica was actually the capital of the Roman province, it was Philippi that held the place of prominence in Macedonia. The infamous Egnatian Way, which crossed the Roman province of Macedonia from sea to sea, bisected the city of Philippi.

The city was named Philippi the father of Alexander the Great who gave it his name about 356 B.C. The city was a military town guarding the highway.  It was in Philippi that Brutus and Casssius, two of the murderers of Julius Caesar, were defeated by Octavian and Mark Anthony. This battle ended the old Republic of Rome and began the Roman Empire in 42 B.C. Octavian was the first emperor called Agustus. He was emperor when Jesus was born. The city was known for its silver and gold mines located nearby, which had been worked from ancient times. However long before New Testament times, the mines were worked out and the precious ores gone.

It is noteworthy that, while there were Jews virtually everywhere in the Mediterranean world, there were few in Philippi. We know this because there was no synagogue found there. Little remains of Philippi today, four columns stand at the lower part of the city site and there is a portion of the old highway.

NOW, LET’S TALK ABOUT THE CHURCH AT PHILIPPI.
The Philippian church was begun as a result of the Macedonian Call which Paul received in a vision in ancient Troy, known as Troas, on his second missionary journey.

This would have been in 51 or 52 A.D. Luke tells us in acts 16 that the Holy Spirit had made it impossible for Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke to preach in the region of Asia and Bithynia. No doubt anxious about what to do, and where to go next, Paul has a vision of a man in Macedonia calling for him to come preach the gospel to them. Feeling this was a direct message from God, Paul and company leave the next morning for Macedonia and the city of Philippi. This was the first recorded preaching of Christ on European soil. They arrive in Philippi in verse 11 of Acts 16.

On the Sabbath they make their way to a river bank where some ladies are worshipping. Lydia, a seller of dyed fabrics from Thyatria in Asia was the first known European convert to Christianity. A few days later Paul encountered a slave girl who was a fortune-teller and he cast out an occult demon from her. This resulted in he and Silas being arrested. They were beaten and thrown into prison.  About midnight there was an earthquake and the prison doors were opened. The jailer, seeing that his prisoners had escaped, was about to take his own life. Paul says, wait, we are all still here. That night, this jailer and his household were baptized into Christ.

The next morning Paul was released because the town officials discovered that he was a Roman citizen and it was against the law for a Roman citizen to be beaten without a trial. The town officials, fearing that Rome would find out about their mistake, ask Paul to leave, which he did. Luke remained with this new church, while Paul and the others continued on toward Thessalonica. Luke may have remained in this church for several years, which may account for what appears to be the remarkable stability of the Philippian church. This church was the first, and a continual monetary supporter of Paul’s missionary efforts on European soil.

OK, LET’S EXAMINE THE BOOK OF PHILIPPIANS.
The book of Philippians was written some ten or eleven years later in about 62 A.D.  It was probably written from Rome during Paul’s first imprisonment there, making it one, of what we refer to as the Prison Epistles. Proof of the place and time of the writing is evidenced in three statements in the letter.

First, Paul mentions his imprisonment in Philippians 1.13.
Secondly, he refers to the palace or Praetorian Guard
Thirdly, he refers to there being Christians in Caesars household.

The occasion of the writing seemed to be that the church in Phillipi had found out about Paul’s imprisonment in Rome. They were anxious and concerned so, to get firsthand information on Paul’s condition, the church dispatched Epaphroditus to Rome for information. They also sent money to Paul to cover his immediate needs.  When Epaphroditus saw that Paul’s material needs were much greater than the size of the Philippian gift, he stayed on in Rome, working to raise more money. In doing this Epaphroditus became very ill and almost died. We find this information in Philippians 2.25 through 30. Word of his illness somehow reached Philippi and caused even more concern for the church. Meanwhile, God had healed Epaphroditus totally so that he was well enough to return to Philippi. Paul used Epaphroditus’ return as an occasion to write his letter, so that Epaphroditus could take it with him.
* The original purpose of the writing was to insure this church that Paul was OK.
* The second was that even though the church thought that the apostle’s ministry had been brought to an abrupt end by his imprisonment, Paul assured that them that God was still using the episode for the advancement of the gospel. We see this in 1.12-30.
* Thirdly, there appears to be some amount of disunity in the Philippian church caused by a couple of women to whom Paul appeals to manifest humility and to correct the situation. This is found in 2.1-4 and 4.1-3.
* He wanted to inform them of Timothy’s imminent visit in 2.18-21.
* He wanted to explain Epaphroditus’ work, illness and healing.
* He wanted to warn them about the Judaizing teachers 3.1-4.1.
* He prescribed truth that would give them mental and emotional stability to replace their anxiety. 4.4-9.
* He wanted to thank them for their financial assistance 4.10-21.
* Then finally he wanted to greet them all. 4.21-23

Some distinctive features of the book are found in:
* The intimate relationship that existed between Paul and the Philippian church.
* Within the book is a strong emphasis upon the word gospel which is found nine times.
* This book has a traditional reputation of being the epistle of joy.
* One of the greatest Christological passages occurs within the book in 2.5-11.
* In 1.21, Paul states his motivation for ministry in the church, which should be our motive also, For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

The Book of Philippians has never been seriously questioned as being canon. It has been found to be a part of every major manuscript. Some dating back to the 2nd century A.D.  It has been mentioned by such early church fathers as Ignatius, Clement of Rome, Polycarp and Irenaeus. Some of these church fathers were contemporary with the apostles.

Now let’s take a quick survey of the book by chapters. We will use the word REJOICE as our outline word.

Chapter one is REJOICE in life or death.
Read verses 20-26 with me, I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labour for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.

Paul says, as Christians, we can rejoice in life or in death, we win either way. Now, let’s go back through the chapter and see what he has to rejoice about.
* First, Paul rejoices because he has been privileged to know the Philippian Christians.  Do you see it in verse 3?  “I thank God every time I think of you. I pray for you always with joy because of your partnership with me in the gospel.”
* Secondly he rejoices that his imprisonment has opened doors to advance the gospel.  Note verse 12.
* Thirdly, in verse 14 he says, because of my chains the brethren have been encouraged to be bolder in speaking the word of God.
* Number four, in verse 19, he rejoices in the fact that the church is praying for him and that God has answered their prayers by the help given through the Spirit.

Chapter two, REJOICE in the mind of Christ.
Paul says:
* You want to know how to enjoy life?
* You want to know how to obtain unity in the family, at work and down at church?
* You want to know how to live a fulfilled meaningful life?
Here is the secret, Have the MIND of Christ.

Church, what is the MIND OF CHRIST?
* Humility,
* Submission,
* Considering others better than oneself,
* Placing the interest of others before our own,
* Being kind, tender and compassionate.

Read 2.5-8 with me, Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross!

Notice now, the results of our having the mind of Christ on the world. Verses 15-18, You may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life--in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labour for nothing. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
* Do you want to be great in the kingdom of God?
* Do you want to shine like stars in the universe?
* Do you want to be pure and blameless?
* Do you want to be able to rejoice even in persecution?
* Do you want to be rewarded at the end of this life?
Then have the attitude, the mind of Christ.

Chapter three, REJOICE in pressing on.
This chapter contains some strong language for those who would teach false doctrine.  Paul calls the Judaizers dogs, those who demanded circumcision rather than baptism as the act that makes one a child of God. They demanded, that to be justified, one had to keep certain aspects of the law. In verse 9, Paul says that, our justification is not by our own righteousness, but by the righteousness that comes from our faith in God.

Then beginning with verse 12, Paul seems to be thinking:
* Lest these people in the church at Philippi think that they don’t have to do anything.
* Lest they believe once saved, always saved, he writes about pressing on.

Listen, beginning with verse 12 and reading through verse 17, Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained. Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.

We must know tonight, that true rejoicing will only come if we keep pressing on, keeping on until the end. John was told in revelation 2.10 that the prize, the crown of life, was for those faithful until and unto death.

Chapter four is about REJOICING in any circumstances.... Rejoicing always.
Paul tells us to rejoice always and then tells us how:
* Learn not to worry about anything but ask God for your needs... Verse 5.
* Learn to control your thoughts.. Verse 8, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.
* Learn to be content whatever the circumstances... Verse 11.
* Learn that, you can do everything through him who gives you strength... Verse 13.

Philippians, what a great book for us to study.  Philippians is one of those passages of scripture that I turn and read:
* When life tumbles in,
* When things really look bad and the world is about to get the best of me.
* When doubt clouds my tomorrows.
* When I just don’t know whom to turn to

It’s the book I read, when I need something to rejoice about.  We must know that we have little to rejoice about, if we are not children of God. The good news is that we can be.  Faith, Repentance, and New Testament Baptism, forgives us all our sins and makes us a child of God. That’s something to rejoice about isn’t it? Perhaps, as children of God we have lost our joy because we have stopped pressing on and need to forget the past and get on with being God’s child. This invitation is for us to REJOICE!

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Bella Vista Church of Christ

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