I Have Learned To Be Content

Philippians 4:10-23

Key Verse 4:13

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

This last part of this letter is Paul’s thank you note. He had intended to write them a thank you note because they sent him some support funds with their beloved Pastor Epaphroditus. But when Paul learned about the conflict two women leaders in the church were having with one another, Paul’s thank you note turned into a full fledged letter filled with gospel teachings on grace and truth. In this letter we find some of the most beautiful teachings of the New Testament. And after he was done giving the Philippians instructions on Christian faith and living, Paul ends his letter with an elaborate thank you note here at the end. But in this final thank … Read the rest

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Rejoice Always

Philippians 4:4-9

Key Verse 4:7

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Two women in the church, Euodia and Syntyche were divided, conflicted, broken in fellowship with each other. So, Paul asked them to agree with each other in the Lord. He couldn’t bear to see the body of Christ suffering in this way, even though the church otherwise functioned well enough. The church cannot fulfill its purpose in the Lord if there is even one member in conflict with another. This is something we have to agree on even if outwardly everything else seems to be working out well. The Lord’s body must not be divided in any way, but must be at all times reconciled and contending as one man for the … Read the rest

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Stand Firm

Philippians 4:1-3

Key Verse 4:1

“Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!”

Whatever the past may have been, Paul didn’t dwell on it, but he rather pressed on for what lay ahead in life for him. He tells us that God had promised us all that same prize if we hope and press on with him— to be Christ-like now and in the end. He encourages us to embrace the cross of Jesus and to live as those whose citizenship is not of this world but of heaven as we await the Savior’s return. Let me repeat the exact words he said: “Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live … Read the rest

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Take Such A View Of Things

Philippians 3:15-21, 12-14

Key Verse 17

“Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.”

Look at what Paul was saying to the Philippians. “I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (13-14) He is talking about the goal he had set his heart and life on reaching, which is to become more like Christ Jesus. Paul knows that he has not yet become fully Christ-like. But he does not give up nor does he look back on what is … Read the rest

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 I press on toward the goal

Philippians 3:1-14

Key Verse 3:12-14

“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 toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Paul was imprisoned when he wrote this letter. But although he was suffering, he talks about his deepest joy. He was joyful because in spite of his imprisonment, God was working to advance the gospel. He was joyful because he had in the Philippians a … Read the rest

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I Want To Know Christ

Philippians 3:1-11

Key Verse 3:8

“What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.”

Paul’s whole letter to the Philippians is really beautiful. It shows the heart of a man who has indeed known Christ Jesus personally and intimately and whose life goal was to make Christ known to others. Chapter 3 brings that out very clearly. We see in it a man who had so much going on for him before he knew Jesus. But from the moment he came to know Jesus, his life changed, and all that he knew and had to his credit became as nothing to him compared to knowing Jesus. … Read the rest

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I Have No One Else Like Him

Philippians 2:19-30

Key Verse 2:20

“I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare.”

As we have said many times over, Paul was in prison while he wrote this letter to the Philippian church. Chapter 2 began with a beautiful exhortation to them to be a loving fellowship of believers, full of compassion; united in purpose, doing nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but in humility considering others better than themselves. “Each of you” he says “should look not to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (2:4) His words to them at the beginning of the chapter are almost fictional to the unspiritual mind. Only a Christian would understand and agree to Paul’s words. Only the spiritual mind knows … Read the rest

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As You Hold Out The Word Of Life

Philippians 2:12-18

Key Verse 2:14-15

“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that 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.” 

Beautiful words of encouragement to these Philippian Christians after showing them the example of the life of Christ— his humility expressed in obedience. He wants them to imitate Christ in their lives. He wants them humble and obedient. Most of all he wants them united, for that was the problem of their church. So when we read these words, “Work out your salvation” we know that he is not talking about having them save themselves, for it is established that no one can do so. He is … Read the rest

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As You Have Always Obeyed

Philippians 2:12-13

“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed— not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence— continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.”

Paul just got done telling them about the mind of Christ. The mind of Christ is humble. The greatest aspect of our Lord’s character is humility. The Lord’s humility was expressed during his lifetime on earth in many ways. But Paul here exalts in the Lord’s humility in a song of praise that spans the limits of eternity. He sings of the Lord’s humility from eternity to eternity. He best expressed Jesus’ humility in this way: in his leaving his glory in the heavenly realm to come to the confines of our world; in denying himself … Read the rest

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The Interest Of Others

Philippians 2:1-11

Key Verse 2:4-5

“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.”

This chapter is perhaps one of the most important chapters. It has seen so much controversy because of one theological statement in verse 7. Down through the generations it has spurred division in the church, and all on account of a theory that came out of these words called the “Kenosis” theory. And the theory is that at Jesus Christ’s incarnation as a man, the verse says that Jesus “emptied himself”. And the issue of division was this: What exactly did Jesus empty himself of? Listen to verse 7 in the ESV which says: “But emptied … Read the rest

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Unity In Humility 

Philippians 2:1-5

Key Verse 2:3

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”

There is something beautiful about this church in Philippi. They are truly a remarkable church full of all the great attributes that makes a church truly a church in Christ Jesus. And Paul commends them throughout the letter for all that makes them such a truly wonderful church that they are. He is in prison. But when he thinks about them he cannot but feel joy welling up in his heart. They had always been his partners in the gospel. They had weathered some strong opposition together with Paul. They had struggled together through hardship. And they had not grown weaker over the years, but they had actually grown … Read the rest

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Whatever Happens

Philippians 1:27-30

Key Verse 1:27a

“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.”

Paul wrote to the Philippian church members who worried about his imprisonment such words as “I am in chains for Christ” (1:13). He said: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (1:21) Whether he was a free man or in prison, whether in life or in death, he let Jesus and only Jesus define and characterize his life. In other words, Christ Jesus was the meaning and purpose of his life. Christ Jesus was the reason he lived and died. Christ Jesus was the end he aspired to. Christ Jesus was the fountain of joy and peace from which he deeply drank. Nothing else in this … Read the rest

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To Live Is Christ

Philippians 1:18b-26

Key Verse 1:21

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

The last passage we looked at, verses 12-18a, Paul talked about his imprisonment for preaching the gospel. He called his “imprisonment” his “chains”. He talked about the outcome of his chains within the church community at large as well as a struggle that went on in his own heart. We observed a man in chains for the gospel, and how this man viewed his chains. We saw that he accepted them         as the sovereignty of God and viewed them as a means to further spread the gospel. And because of that he rejoiced. He saw that through his chains Christ was being preached, and that’s what matters— that’s what’s important, he says. That … Read the rest

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In Chains For Christ

Philippians 1:12-18a

Key Verse 1:13

“As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.”

Paul said many things in this letter to the Philippians— things we can take to heart. And we are looking at this letter section by section so that we might get the full effect of it and learn every detail that Paul chose to include in it. The last detail we looked at was Paul’s prayer for the Philippian believers, verses 9-11. It was a glorious prayer that we must adopt for ourselves as well as for the church. “And this is my prayer [for you]: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so … Read the rest

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Love Abounding

Philippians 1:9-11

“And this is my 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—  the glory and praise of God.”

We began the study of Paul’s letter to the Philippians last week, and we looked at chapter 1 verses 1-8. In his introduction, he mentioned many things especially about his prayers for them. He remembered them always, and so he always prayed for them as well. He did so because of their partnership with him in the gospel. The partnership or fellowship which Paul shared with the Philippian church was really special, … Read the rest

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To All The Saints In Christ Jesus

Philippians 1:1-8

Key Verse 1:5

“Because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” 

Paul’s letter to the Philippian congregation is a personal letter, not intended to be also read among the churches in the area as his letter to the Ephesian congregation was for example. Paul simply wanted to thank them for helping him when he needed help. He also wanted to them why he had a heart full of joy in spite of him being in prison awaiting trial. It’s a practical letter that encourages the congregation towards humility as well as unity. These people were truly beloved of Paul— he really loved them very much and wanted the best for them. Ever since they accepted the gospel from him, they … Read the rest

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