A life to remember
Phillippians • Sermon • Submitted
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Some will ask the question “What is the joy of the Lord really”
Is it a feeling? No
It’s a choice
“One ship drives east & another drives west, With the same wild winds that blow. It’s the set of the sails, not the strentgh of the gales, That determines where the ship will go”
We live in a time of great fear, sadness and anxiety...
And thats just in Life in genral
To be a follower of Jesus is no easy thing, because we have a world system that is positioned against God’s word and his followers
God’s people need to be reminded of the incredible that God has given his people to live and tonight we’re going to began to talk about it...
This
About the Author:
Paul the apostle is one of the greatest men in all the bible
Because of his accomplishments for the kingdom of God
God would use him greatly to bring the gospel to the Gentles (Non Jews) he’s one of the big reasons we are Christians today
Because what his life represents
God can save anyone
Once named Saul of tarsus
He was what we would call a young phenom in the ways of Judaism…devoutly religious…yet in error
He was intelligent, he had great position, and was appointed to take down the this every growing grow of people called Christians
He was public enemy number #1 for the church
1 And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
2 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him.
3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
Then He would have an encounter with Jesus and his life would be radically changed…from Church ravager…to Church planter
Acts
1 And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
1 And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
2 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him.
About the City
The city of Philippi in Macedonia was the gateway between Asia and Europe. Named after Philip II of Macedon (the father of Alexander the Great), the city was officially made a Roman colony in 42 BC after Marc Antony and Octavian defeated Julius Caesar’s assassins, Brutus and Cassius, in a battle near the city.
Paul founded the church about 11 years before he wrote this letter (AD 50–53)
It was the first Christian church established in Europe.
“The Marvel of the Christian Life: Love ()
An Overview of the books would go like this...
The Marvel of the Christian Life: Love ()
The Main thing in the Christian Life: Love ()
• The Model of the Christian Life: Christ ()
The Model of the Christian Life: Christ ()
• The March of t
The March of the Christian Life: Forward ()
Excerpt From: Skip Heitzig. “The Bible from 30,000 Feet™.” Apple Books. https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-bible-from-30-000-feet/id1233862428
1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,
1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
“• The March of the Christian Life: Forward ()
The Marks of the Christian Life: Peace and Joy ()”
•The Marks of the Christian Life: Peace and Joy ()”
So the rest of what we need to know we’re see as we journey through the book...
1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:
Who’s Paul?
Paul the apostle is one of the greatest men in all the bible
Because of his accomplishments for the kingdom of God
God would use him greatly to bring the gospel to the Gentles (Non Jews) he’s one of the big reasons we are Christians today
Because what his life represents
God can save anyone
Once named Saul of tarsus
He was what we would call a young phenom in the ways of Judaism…devoutly religious…yet in error
He was intelligent, he had great position, and was appointed to take down the this every growing grow of people called Christians
He was public enemy number #1 for the church
Then He would have an encounter with Jesus and his life would be radically changed…from Church ravager…to Church planter
The traditional view is that Paul wrote this while imprisoned in Rome
Who’s Timothy?
Timothy was a young and gifted men from the town of Lystra, though he was raised in a godly house hold, was inspired by Paul’s devotion and passion for God
He began to travel, and assist him in whatever way was needed
Paul would refer to him his son in the faith...
In this introduction we learn…we see an identity, an address, a mission…Servant, in Christ, Phillipi
Look at Pauls’ greeting..
But I do want you to notice here…Paul refers to 3 truths that exist about every believer…We have an Identity, we have an address, we have a mission field...
But I do want you to notice here…Paul refers to 3 truths that exist about every believer…We have an Identity, we have an address, we have a mission field...
1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:
In this introduction we learn…we see an identity, an address, a mission…Servant, in Christ, Phillipi
Servant of God was their Identity
Paul was a lot of things, He was a teacher, He was a church planter, When was writing letters to discipline people he would call himself an apostle by the will of God…But here Paul calls himself a “Servant of Christ
This word is the greek word “Dulos” and it simply speaks of someone dedicated to a life of servitude to a master
Thats who Paul and timothy were…and thats who we are
App: In this world, you may get the chance to do a lot of things…To manage a business, to teach, to play sports, to raise kids, to minister at a church or abroad…but those things are just your function, not your identity
But it’s always important to remember that
We are Servants of Christ…in every situation...
Never see your function as your identity…because when your function changes…it will shatter your identity
You identity is this...
I’m loved by God
I’m forgiven
I’m a dulos
So we have an identity, but we also have a spiritual address...
So we have an identity, but we also have a spiritual address...
“In Christ” was their address
To all the saints in Christ Jesus v.1
Paul uses these words “In Christ” in reference to a believer 103 times in his letters...
Illustration: You know to get here today, all of us came from a different physical address
But Spiritually speaking we all and the same address…No hope blvd…Guilty street
But when we came to Jesus…though we all have different physical addresses, spiritually, we all have the same address…In Christ
Paul uses these words “In Christ” in reference to a believer 103 times in his letters…because Christians need to remember where we live now
App - Understand, this is why we can even be mentioned in the same breathe as the word Saint…is because of our Spiritual address
I’m a saint…cause I’m in Christ
Shame has been broken over my life cause i’m in christ
I don’t have to live in fear because I’m in Christ…and whatever get’s to me has to first get through Jesus…and if he allowed it, He will bring me through it.
This is also important to remember in trails…Your in Christ…whatever comes your way, has to first come through him...
So we have an identity, we have a spiritual address…but we also have a mission field
For this church “Phillipi” was their mission field
It’s always important that we understand that God has called you to a mission field
App: For Paul it was a broad mission field…
Here’s a question: where’s yours?
for some, it might be more localized…your neighborhood, your house, you school…but whatever it is…understand that God put you their to do his work..
phil 1:2-
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
So Paul these two words are mentioned in everyone of Paul’s letters to the churches…sometimes there are few other words in the between these 2 words…but he always mentions grace and peace
Pastor Chuck would always call these the Siamese twins of Paul’s writings...”Always attached to the gospel”
Always in this order
App: To know the grace of God, is to know the peace...
Now, He begins with a heart felt introduction…and I want to read the whole thing…and we’re gonna look at these cluster of verses as a whole…because I think this gives us a good sense about the letter…and Paul’s heart for these guys...
Now, He begins with a heart felt introduction…and I want to read the whole thing…and we’re gonna look at these cluster of verses as a whole...
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,
4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy,
phil 1:
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,
4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy,
5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
6 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.
7 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.
8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.
Do you get a sense of How Paul feels about these guys?…He just loves them so much...
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you v.3
I pray for you with joy v.4
It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart v.7
I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus V.8
Did you know that Philippians is the only letter that we have in the Scriptures in which Paul is not trying to correct bad teaching or rebuke bad behavior. Instead, the letter highlights Paul’s personal affection for the Philippian church and his desire for them to press on toward Christian maturity…sure there’s some instruction…but you get the sense that when he thinks about these guys...
Understand, this is no run of the mill correction letter, or some obligatory “just wanna see how your doing” letter…this letter is dripping with love...
This is the only letter we’re Paul is not trying to battle someone, or correct something,… Instead, the letter highlights Paul’s personal affection for the Philippian church and his desire for them to press on toward Christian maturity…sure there’s some instruction…but you get the sense that when he thinks about these guys...
Now, here’s the question....why did he love these guys so much? well, fortunately, we have some of the back story recorded...for the rest of the time to today, I some of the highlights of Paul’s trip to phillipi...
Acts 16:6
It began with “Closed doors”
It began with “Closed doors”
Paul Is setting out on his 3rd missionary journey and this happens…look
6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.
7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.
8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas.
Acts 16:6
I don’t know about you…but I hate it when I have a plan and the Lord says “no”
And since Paul’s human I’m sure while he’s in Troas he’s thinking…What am I even doing here?…This wasn’t the plan
But he submits to God’s “No”…and while’s sleeping look what happens...
9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
ACTS 16:9-10
And Philippi was a city of Macedonia...So here’s the picture, God was actually leading Paul…not through showing him where to go, but by showing him we’re not to go…all of God’s “No’s” were actually Guiding Paul to God’s “Yes”
9 A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps.
App: Remember that in your life, If God has said no to something, it’s not because he has nothing for you, it’s because he’s got something even better for you...
Don’t trying and open a door that God has closed...
But when these saw we’re the Lord was leading…they immediately went after it…they find in Philippi…and then God starts bring people across his path...
A Business Women
A Business Women
11 So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis,
12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days.
13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together.
14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.
Acts 16:11-
So Paul’s now in Philippi…Just as the Lord called him…and his usual plan when he entered a city was to go to the synagogue...but there’s no synagogue, which means their was not a strong Jew male presence…so he goes out to the riverside
So Paul’s now in Philippi…Just as the Lord called him…and his usual plan when he entered a city was to go to the synagogue...but there’s no synagogue, which means their was not a strong Jew male presence…so he goes out to the riverside
They see a small women’s prayer group...
They sit down and begin to talk to them about Jesus...
So here we meet this women...Lydia from the city of Thyatira. This tells us that she is likely ethnically Asian. But she has a house in Philippi. So this tells us that economically she’s very wealthy. Both Thyatira and Philippi are major metropolitan areas
11 So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis,
12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days.
13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together.
So here we meet this women...Lydia from the city of Thyatira. This tells us that she is likely ethnically Asian. But she has a house in Philippi. So this tells us that economically she’s very wealthy. Both Thyatira and Philippi are major metropolitan areas
So here we meet this women...Lydia from the city of Thyatira. This tells us that she is likely ethnically Asian. But she has a house in Philippi. So this tells us that economically she’s very wealthy. Both Thyatira and Philippi are major metropolitan areas
and look who’s here...
14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.
acts 16:
Lydia is from the city of Thyatira. This tells us that she is likely ethnically Asian. But she has a house in Philippi. So this tells us that economically she’s very wealthy. Both Thyatira and Philippi are major metropolitan areas...
a seller of purple goods v. 14
, a seller of purple goods,
Believe it or not…this means that She was at the hight of the fashion industry… Because the color purple were considered luxurious. The dyes used for making purple were expensive and highly regarded.
We see she was a worshiper of God v.14
“ Lydia has come to believe that there is one God. She listens to the teaching of the Jews, trying to grasp what it means to live a God-fearing life;”
Lydia has come to believe that there is one God. She listens to the teaching of the Jews, trying to grasp what it means to live a God-fearing life
The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul
The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul v.14
There’s a work that the Lord is doing in Lydia...As Paul is simply filling in the gaps of the gospel and how The Law, Prophets pointed to the work and the coming of Jesus
Paul’s just faithfully doing the work of a missionary…and the Spirit opens her heart...
And she believes it…look...
15 And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.
What a blessing this must have been for these weary travelers...
The Slave Girl
The Slave Girl
So this white collar, wealthy, intellectual women…she’s how the church began…but there’s other as well…a diverse group...
A Slave Girl
A Slave Girl
16 As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling.
17 She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.”
18 And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.
19 But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers.
This girl could not be more opposite from Lydia...
“Where Lydia is Asian, this girl is Greek. Where Lydia is in control, an intellect, this little girl is impoverished, enslaved, and exploited. Where Lydia is a seeker, this little girl proclaims the way of salvation. Of course, she’s doing it perhaps unwittingly, under demonic control, but she believes that salvation is available the same way the demons do. While Paul and Lydia meet in the context of a formal, orderly group meeting, Paul and the slave girl meet as she follows the missionaries around, screaming her head off. She is disruptive.”
The Slave Girl
The Slave Girl
Where Lydia is in control, an intellect, white collar...this little girl is impoverished, enslaved, and exploited.
this little girl is impoverished, enslaved, and exploited. Where Lydia is a seeker, this little girl proclaims the way of salvation. Of course, she’s doing it perhaps unwittingly, under demonic control, but she believes that salvation is available the same way the demons do. While Paul and Lydia meet in the context of a formal, orderly group meeting, Paul and the slave girl meet as she follows the missionaries around, screaming her head off. She is disruptive.”
Where Lydia is a seeker, this little girl proclaims the way of salvation. Of course, she’s doing it perhaps unwittingly, under demonic control...but even the demons know who God is…right?
While Paul and Lydia meet in the context of a formal, orderly group meeting, Paul and the slave girl meet as she follows the missionaries around, screaming her head off. She is disruptive.
And even the way Paul interacted spiritually with these 2 were different
He calmly unpacked the gospel for Lydia…appealing to her intellect, reasoning with her…he’s like Charle Campbell
With this girl, It’s tangible super natural moment…it’s kinda of messy, it’s loud, He’s like Benni Hinn...
And though we don’t read it…I would like to believe that that young girl was set free and became a follower of Jesus that day…and she became a part of this church that Paul loves so much...and I think this next verse gives us room to think that...
19 But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers.
acts 16:
Here’s the picture, her spiritual pimps…saw a changed young lady, with no hope of her ever being possessed again…Jesus is the only one who can promise that...This would Lead Paul and his companion Silas to be thrown in Jail, and this would lead us to our final person...
The Philippian Jailer
The Philippian Jailer
20 And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city.
21 They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.”
22 The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods.
23 And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely.
24 Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,
26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.
27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.
28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.”
29 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas.
30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.
33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.
34 Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.
acts
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,
4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy,
5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
6 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.
7 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.
8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.
acts 16:30:34
The memorable life is not always the safe life
The memorable life is not always the safe life
The church was diverse then and that’s still God’s plan now
The church was diverse then and that’s still God’s plan now
To love the church is to love the people
To love the church is to love the people
To love the church is to love the people