God's Grace and Joy

Guy Smith

The Church at Philippi • Sermon • Submitted 5 years ago

Philippians 1:1–11

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INTRO

1 - TITLE

‘The Church at Philippi’ series focuses on the joy each of us receives when we devote our lives to God and others.

We find joy in experiencing God’s unearned forgiveness and knowing that nothing can stop him from finishing what he has already started in our lives.

God’s grace should fill our hearts with joy.

Paul wrote this letter to the church in Philippi when he was in prison, a fact that makes his theme of joyfulness throughout the book all the more pertinent.

The joy of the Christian experience is the dominant theme running through the book of Philippians. The words "joy" and "rejoice" are used 16 times in the epistle.

The Apostle Paul wrote the letter to express his gratitude and affection for the Philippian church, his strongest supporters in ministry. Scholars agree that Paul drafted the epistle during his two years of house arrest in Rome.

Paul had established the church in Philippi approximately 10 years prior, during his second missionary journey recorded in . His tender love for the believers in Philippi is apparent in this most personal of Paul's writings.

“Of all Paul's epistles, Philippians is the most consistently positive and personal. It reflects a joyful spirit. One popular exposition of Philippians stresses the importance of living joyfully in spite of his circumstances. Paul did not rebuke this church sharply, nor did he refer to any major problems in it. His warnings are of a precautionary nature. His occupation with Jesus Christ also stands out. In a total of 104 verses, there are 51 references to the Lord Jesus by name” (Thomas L. Constable, Notes on Philippians, Sonic Light, 2017,

2-12 - MAIN SCRIPTURE

Philippians 1:1–11 ESV

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

13 - TITLE

What do I have to be joyful about!?!?!? GRACE!

“Grace, particularly that which causes joy, pleasure, gratification, favor, acceptance, for a kindness granted or desired, a benefit, thanks, gratitude. A favor done without expectation of return; the absolutely free expression of the lovingkindness of God to men finding its only motive in the bounty and benevolence of the Giver; unearned and unmerited favor. Cháris standing in direct antithesis to érga, works, the two being mutually exclusive.

God’s grace affects man’s sinfulness and not only forgives the repentant sinner, but brings joy and thankfulness to him. It changes the individual to a new creature without destroying his individuality” (Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament, 1469).

direct antithesis to érga, works, the two being mutually exclusive. God’s grace affects man’s sinfulness and not only forgives the repentant sinner, but brings joy and thankfulness to him. It changes the individual to a new creature without destroying his individuality” (Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament, 1469).

1:2 Grace is undeserved blessing that comes from God; peace is well-being and contentedness rooted in the Good News and brought about by the Holy Spirit (see ). These qualities are gifts from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (see ).

1:3–11 Following his usual practice, Paul thanks God for the recipients and prays for them.

1:4–6 Paul’s joy derived from how the Philippians had joined him as partners in spreading the Good News and from his confidence that God would continue his good work in them.

1:5 Their partnership included financial support (see 4:10–20).

New Living Translation Study Bible Chapter 1

1:2 Grace is undeserved blessing that comes from God; peace is well-being and contentedness rooted in the Good News and brought about by the Holy Spirit (see Gal 5:22). These qualities are gifts from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (see Rom 5:1–2).

1:3–11 Following his usual practice, Paul thanks God for the recipients and prays for them.

1:4–6 Paul’s joy derived from how the Philippians had joined him as partners in spreading the Good News and from his confidence that God would continue his good work in them.

1:5 Their partnership included financial support (see 4:10–20).

1:6 God, who began the good work within you: God takes the initiative to work his salvation in people (see Rom 9:16; Eph 1:3–8, 11; 2:4–10), so he can be trusted to continue his work of changing people into the likeness of his Son (see Rom 8:29; Eph 4:13, 15).

1:7 You share with me the special favor of God: Perhaps their lives were blessed because of Paul’s suffering and witness; perhaps they had suffered together with him (see 1:29).

1:9–10 Love is a fruit of Christ’s Spirit within them (Rom 5:5; Gal 5:22). • growing in knowledge and understanding: In this way, believers can understand what really matters (see Rom 12:2) and live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return (cp. 1 Thes 3:12–13; 5:23).

1:11 with the fruit of your salvation … by Jesus Christ: Literally with the fruit of righteousness through Jesus Christ. • Righteous character cannot be produced by human effort; it comes only through the Spirit of Christ working in people’s hearts. • Glory and praise to God is the ultimate purpose for which God’s people live (see Eph 1:6, 12, 14).

1:6 God, who began the good work within you: God takes the initiative to work his salvation in people (see ; , ; ), so he can be trusted to continue his work of changing people into the likeness of his Son (see ; , ).

1:7 You share with me the special favor of God: Perhaps their lives were blessed because of Paul’s suffering and witness; perhaps they had suffered together with him (see 1:29).

1:9–10 Love is a fruit of Christ’s Spirit within them (; ). • growing in knowledge and understanding: In this way, believers can understand what really matters (see ) and live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return (cp. ; ).

God’s grace should fill our hearts with joy.