Cornerstone Church July 12, 2015
“Philippians: The Backstory”
Philippians 1:1-11
Do you remember the days when individuals wrote letters or postcards?
The era before the late 1980’s when computers became more mainstream and America Online launched: “You’ve Got Mail!”
Does anyone still write letters today?
* Back in the day long distance phone calls were extremely expensive. If you go back even further people had party lines where several homes shared the same phone line!
* Instead people would write one another letters.
Letters reflected expressions from the heart written to those they loved!
* People wrote to tell others how their family was doing and share news.
* Parents wrote to college students and hoped their children would write back to let them know how they were doing.
* Individuals in the military wrote home and hoped others would write them!
* Persons dating or engaged wrote love letters to one another!
I know it was a great medium for me when I was dating Janet. She worked days and I worked nights. Cell phones were not yet invented. So I would write her a letter or note at lunch or before work started and drop it off at her house on the windshield of her car at 4:30AM when I got off work.
Now everything is different!
* People tweet sentences!
* Individual’s text endlessly with phases such as:
o BTW: By The Way!
o G2R: Got To Run!
o IMHO: In My Humble Opinion
o POS: Parents Over Shoulder
o PRW: Parents Are Watching
o LOL: Laugh Out Loud
o ZZZ: Tired or Bored!
I can give you my cell number and you can text me ZZZ after the message!
* We have become so skilled at talking, texting and tweeting while driving that we can no longer drive and so Google and others are working on creating cars that drive themselves.
* We say so much in fragmented sound bites we miss the weight or magnitude of what God has written in His Word to us!
The Apostle Paul wrote an intensely personal letter to the Saints in Philippi (his friends and co-laborers in the work of Christ).
Philippians is deeply personal to many Christians now!
* The Book of Philippians is packed with what one called, “Coffee Cup Verses!”
* You know, like the quotes on a Starbucks Cup!
…He who began a good work in you will
perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
Phil. 1:6
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Phil. 1:21
I press on toward the goal for the prize
of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Phil. 3:14
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!
Phil. 4:4
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Phil. 4:6
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Phil. 4:13
…My God will supply all your needs according
to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Phil. 4:19
SETTING AND CONTEXT:
Paul is writing this letter to the Philippians from prison in Rome.
* The time is approximately AD 61.
* This is Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome where he was under a form of “house arrest” for two years.
* I say Rome because of the internal evidence within the book:
Guarded / chained to a Praetorian Guard
Phil. 1:13 NASB so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole Praetorian Guard and to everyone else,
Paul reaching Caesar’s household with the gospel (Nero’s family)
Phil. 4:22 NASB All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.
Paul is guarded by soldiers and chained to a soldier.
Paul is allowed to receive visitors.
Paul is free to proclaim the Gospel.
Phil. 1:12-13 NASB Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else,
Paul does not know if his case will lead to his release or his death.
Phil. 1:20 NASB according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I shall not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ shall even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
During his imprisonment Paul writes: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon.
He is eventually released and during ministry trips writes: I Timothy and Titus
Paul is again arrested and writes his final book 2 Timothy and is executed.
As we investigate together the Book of Philippians we will discover these truths!
* We will catch Paul’s heart for planting churches and reaching people with the gospel!
* We will catch his heart for people (saints) the Body of Christ.
* We will learn that joy does not come from circumstances or environment.
Paul speaks about joy 15 times in this letter.
Not, “Ha! Ha!” joy!
Nor a “let’s go have fun joy!”
* It is a Joy in the midst of difficult times!
* It is a Joy in the midst of hardships and trials!
* It is a Joy in the midst of a chaotic out-of-control culture, society and world!
o Joy can only originate from a relationship with Jesus Christ as your personal LORD and Savior!
o Joy is a fruit of the HOLY SPIRIT!
Paul was in prison, unsure if he would live or die, yet he was filled with joy and was calling the Philippians to have this same confidence.
His confidence and joy did not come from circumstances but in a confidence in Who GOD is!
* His Nature
* His Character
* His Attributes
But even more important than discovering these truths, each one of us need to live out these truths in our lives now!
Phil. 1:27 NASB Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ; so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
Paul wanted the believers at Philippi filled with joy standing firm for Christ!
Cultural Christianity is just about over in America. This message is also for us!
We are called out from the world system to live lives “in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.”
PHILIPPI – WHERE IT ALL BEGAN (THE BACKSTORY):
Phil. 1:1 Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Immediately we see this isn’t a stock letter:
“To Whom it may Concern”
Phil. 1:3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, 5 in view of your participation (Fellowship) in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
Paul prays for them with great joy and affection!
* He speaks of the fellowship (koinonia) they have experienced since the beginning (when the church was planted – 10-15 years earlier)!
* Koinonia = Fellowship with God gives them a deep and abiding fellowship with one another!
Notice the intensity of Paul’s emotions and love for them.
Phil. 1:7 For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. 8 For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.
THE PHILIPPIANS ARE IN PAUL’S HEART
Paul yearns / longs for them with the affection of Jesus Christ
Long / Yearn = bending or budging under the weight of the load
“Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see,
my joy and crown…”
Phil. 4:1 NASB
It is here that we need to jump back to Acts 16
ACTS 16:11-34 (PAGE #792)
Paul’s Second Missionary journey started with a disagreement between Paul and Barnabas over John Mark.
* Paul thought he was too timid.
* Barnabas thought they should continue to mentor him.
They were both right!
* Barnabas and John Mark continued to minister together.
* Paul and Silas along with Timothy (Acts 16:1) and Luke started on their journey.
They were eager to proclaim the gospel!
* They had a plan!
* God had another plan for them!
o Forbidden by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the message in Asia
o Spirit of Jesus forbid them when they tried to go another way!
God wanted them to go fishing for souls where the harvest was ready!
Acts 16:9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a certain man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
They set sail!
Acts 16:11 Therefore putting out to sea from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and on the day following to Neapolis; 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia, a Roman colony; and we were staying in this city for some days.
PHILIPPI!
Established by King Philip II of Macedon (Alexander the Great’s Father) in 365 BC
* Named Philippi after King Philip
* Gold Mines in the area
* It became more prominent under the Romans after Mark Antony and Octavian (Caesar Augustus) defeated Brutus and Cassius at the Battle of Philippi in 42 BC ending the Roman Civil War that began after the assassination of Julius Caesar.
* It was made a Roman Colony with all the rights of Roman Citizenship.
* Military Veterans retired here.
* Via Egnatia – Roman Road ran through Philippi - still a road – Egnatia Odos (A2)
PAUL’S JOY AND CROWN – CHANGED LIVES
Acts 16:13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to a riverside, where we were supposing that there would be a place of prayer; and we sat down and began speaking to the women who had assembled.
This fit Paul’s philosophy of ministry.
* Look first for a Synagogue to proclaim the gospel.
* If no Synagogue preach to the Gentiles
Because there were not ten Jewish males in Philippi a Synagogue was not built. But what Paul and his ministry team finds is a group of faithful women.
CROWN #1: LYDIA – WEALTHY BUSINESSWOMAN
Acts 16:14 And a certain woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul. 15 And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.
Lydia is a Fasionista from Thyatira! (top of society)
* Seller of expensive purple fabric! Thyatira was the center of the indigo dye / trade
* Maintains a home in Philippi (today – Paris, London, New York)
* She is a worshiper of God! Perhaps a Gentile proselytes to Judaism.
God open her heart to respond to the word Paul proclaimed by the power of the Holy Spirit!
* Praise the LORD!
* Lydia and her household accepted Christ and were baptized!
Later a church will be established at Thyatira one of the Seven Churches in Revelation. It is possible that Lydia had a role in that church plant!
CROWN #2: SLAVE GIRL – ENSLAVED POOR
Acts 16:16 And it happened that as we were going to the place of prayer, a certain slave-girl having a spirit of divination met us, who was bringing her masters much profit by fortunetelling. 17 Following after Paul and us, she kept crying out, saying, “These men are bond-servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation.” 18 And she continued doing this for many days. But Paul was greatly annoyed, and turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!” And it came out at that very moment.
This slave girl is at the bottom of society and demon-possessed (enslaved poor)!
In our culture this might be someone trapped in human trafficking or sex trafficking.
The slave girl is crying and screaming out after the Ministry Team.
* It says Paul is Greatly Annoyed / Worn Out!
* She is doing this day after day!
Her message is true!
“These men are bond-servants of the Most High God,
who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation.”
Ministry isn’t easy!
Remember it is the sick that need to encounter the great physician!
Do you notice that Paul doesn’t invite her to a “Seminar on Crazy”?
* Not even a five part series on “How to Live a Happy Life.”
* Nor, “Six Steps to Deliverance!”
It is the power of God and the power of the HOLY SPIRIT that sets her free!
“I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!”
And it came out at that very moment.
Her deliverance got the whole town in an uproar!
* It started with her owners losing their profit.
* They incited the authorities and the crowd in the marketplace!
Acts 16:20 and when they had brought them to the chief magistrates, they said, “These men are throwing our city into confusion, being Jews, 21 and are proclaiming customs which it is not lawful for us to accept or to observe, being Romans.”
They loved appealing to their Roman Citizenship and customs. Paul later counters this in his letter to the Philippians telling them their citizenship is in heaven!
Their robes are torn off; they are beaten with rods and thrown into prison!
Acts 16:23 And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to guard them securely; 24 and he, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison, and fastened their feet in the stocks.
CROWN #3: JAILER – BLUE COLLAR-JOE!
Joe is a correctional officer on the night shift!
* He makes a good living!
* He is the man in the middle between the wealthy Fasionista and slave at the bottom!
* He clocks in, works his shift, clocks out and goes home!
* When he off work he goes fishing or coaches one of his children’s sport teams.
* When Joe gets an extra moment he watches the Golden State Warriors beat the Cavs!
He was hoping it would be a quiet night!
His new prisoners Paul and Silas were beaten, put into the inner prison, and feet chained!
In our day reactions to a difficult day of ministry might be:
* Ministry is getting too costly I better take that job selling insurance or driving a truck!
* They were unkind to me I’m not going to serve in the church again!
* I’m tired of church I think I’ll stay home or go to another church!
Paul and Silas’ response is supernatural!
Acts 16:25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; 26 and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s chains were unfastened.
The jailer has a huge problem!
* He is the job (he takes seriously what he does)!
* He knows the consequences of losing prisons!
Paul is concerned for the jailer
Acts 16:27 And when the jailer had been roused out of sleep and had seen the prison doors opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here!”
God is interested in more than just seeing Paul and Silas released!
Acts 16:29 And he called for lights and rushed in and, trembling with fear, he fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 and after he brought them out, he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house. 33 And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household. 34 And he brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, having believed in God with his whole household.
God’s power is on display!
* Protecting His servants!
* Filling them with joy!
* Transforming lives!
This is the work of the church!
This is the mission of God in a fallen world!
DO YOU SEE THE BIG PICTURE?
The power of the gospel is unstoppable!
Christ transformed these people!
The power of the gospel:
* Defies Race or Ethnicity
* Defies Class or Socio-economic level
* Defies Educational level or Aptitude!
* Defies Gender
The Gospel reached:
* Lydia through her mind
* The Slave-Girl through spirituality
* Joe the jailer through the need of his heart
Paul now 15 years later in prison and unsure if he is going to live or die writes to the Philippian Church.
* The believers there out of their poverty supported him financially from the beginning.
* The believers in Philippi out of their extreme poverty took up a collection for the saints suffering in Jerusalem!
* Paul uses their sacrificial example to spur the Corinthians to give.
2Cor. 8:1-5 NASB Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, 2 that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. 3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability they gave of their own accord, 4 begging us with much entreaty for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, 5 and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.
Paul finishes his prayer in Philippians 1:9-11
Phil 1:9 NASB And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; 11 having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
WHAT ARE WE TO TAKE HOME WITH US?
Where do people look for joy?
* In who they know?
* In what they have?
* In where they are?
PHILIPPIANS TEACHES US:
We worship Jesus Christ – Philippians 2:9-10
* He is the one we need to know!
* Do you know Him as your Savior and Lord?
Jesus is the One who supplies all of our needs – Philippians 4:19
* Our focus is not on what we possess but on the One who supplies those needs!
Our identify is found in our heavenly relationship connected to Christ – Philippians 3:10
* Even if our zip code were 90210 it would be meaningless next to the fact that our citizenship is in heaven because we have fellowship with the KING of kings and LORD of Lords!
* The saints being martyred around the world are rich beyond measure because of WHO their HEAVENLY FATHER is!
Joy comes first from knowing God, which comes, by knowing the LORD Jesus Christ as your Savior!
“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved…”
If you are a Christian and you have lost your joy ask the LORD this morning to restore the joy of your salvation!
The Ephesians lost their first-love and Christ told them to:
* Remember
* Repent
* Restore the deeds of your first-love
Besides filling you with joy (blessing you) it will bless others:
* Better witness to the lost
* Clearer witness to your family
If you constantly look like you are sucking on sour grapes or cherries how will that benefit anyone you want to reach with the gospel?
The Book of Philippians teaches us
what a mature church looks like!
The Book of Philippians teaches us
what a mature follower of Christ looks like!
Consider one or more of these prayers this morning:
* LORD, I want to know you as my LORD and Savior. I surrender my whole being to you (mind, body and soul). Save me that I might enjoy eternal life with you!
* LORD – I ask you to increase my joy!
* LORD – I ask you to increase the joy of this local Body of Believers that our testimony might shine more brightly in this community that more people might come to know you are LORD and Savior!
May we fulfill Paul’s admonition to the Philippians:
Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ; so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
Philippians 1:27
