Bobby Stafford

I Thank My God Bible Study on Philippians Lesson 2

Philippians

I Thank My God

Introduction:

In the movie “Wizard of Oz,” when Dorothy is saying her goodbyes, she tells the Scarecrow:  “I think I’ll miss you most of all.”  I’m quite sure that of all the congregations Paul was acquainted with, it would be the one at Philippi that he would say:  “I think I’ll miss you most of all.”  They were his “joy and crown” – for whom he was forever thankful.

Aim:  Let us be thankful and joyous as was the Apostle Paul, even for the adversities in life.

Text:  Philippians 1:3-18 

Body:

I.  Paul was thankful for their fellowship in the gospel.  Philippians 1:3-8 “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.  For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.” NKJV  Every time he thought of these brothers and sisters, he thanked God.  His heart overflowed with gratitude and he asked God to supply them with what they needed.  (Philippians 4:19) “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” NKJV

A.  Their partnership with Paul in the gospel had never slacked, but was constant and continual.  Since the beginning of the church in Philippi, they had supported his work both my means of encouragement and financially.  They helped him in Thessalonica, Corinth, and Rome, even when they were suffering themselves.  See II Corinthians 8.  So for years these brethren had participated in Paul’s mission efforts.

B.  They were partakers with Paul of grace.  Paul was confident that God would complete the work He began in them.  Quite possibly he refers to thought that through their sacrificial support of Paul’s mission efforts, the gospel would be preached throughout the entire region.  The effect of this work would last until the end of time.  Paul considers suffering, sacrifice, and struggling for the gospel all to be grace.  They were partakers with Paul in three ways:

1.  Chains – Imprisonment  They supported him even while he was in prison.

2.  Defense of the gospel  Yes, it does need defending.  Many of Paul’s great “defense” speeches are given in the book of Acts.  Those who lend support to defenders of the truth are partakers with them and benefit from the work they do.  (I Peter 3:15) “But sanctify the Lord God in your heart, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear,” NKJV

3.  Confirmation of the gospel  Paul’s teaching was establishing, grounding, making secure.  Since these Christians helped Paul, they also shared in the good accomplished by him in his efforts.

II.  Paul was thankful for their abounding love.  Philippians 1:9-11 “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” NKJV  The more you know about God the more you should love Him.  The more you are in the word, the more you will know about God.  Biblical love is not sentiment, not infatuation, nor is it an unguided emotion.  It is educated or shaped by a knowledge of the truth and ability to separate right from wrong.  “The apostle longed that their love might be so informed and their understanding so guided by spiritual judgment and sense that on all occasions they would be able to distinguish between truth and error in doctrine.”  Arthur Pink  This type of love would have great benefits.

A.  Approve things that are excellent.  Choose between things that area good and things that are excellent.  Life is a series of choices.  What we choose day to day will shape the course of our lives.  Recognize what is best.  Choose the best.

B.  Might be sincere – genuine, true blue, not a hypocrite  It can be held up to the light of inspection and labeled “the real thing.”

C.  Without offense – blameless, not a stumbling block to others  Their love and the results from it were bringing glory and praise to God.  We exist for this reason!

III.  Paul was thankful that his adversities had furthered the gospel.  Philippians 1:12-14 “But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the work without fear.” NKJV

A.  His imprisonment enabled him to reach many who may otherwise have not been exposed to the gospel.  “Furtherance” – cleared the way, as of one cutting through brush or trees.  “Palace guard” – elite group of ten thousand soldiers who guarded the emperor and family.  During his two-stay stay, he would have been in contact with a large number of these men.  His influence was also felt throughout the city of Rome.  It became known, far and wide, that Paul was in prison for his religious beliefs.  Regardless of where you are, try to influence those around you for good.

B.  Most of his brethren became more confident to proclaim the gospel.  Most always there are a few who shirk their duty.  Because of Paul’s hardships, the Christians became more bold to speak even to the point of being without fear.  See the far-reaching effects of Paul’s adversities and lasting good resulted.  For this Paul was thankful.

IV.  Paul was thankful Christ was being preached.  Philippians 1:15-18 “Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill.  The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.  What then?  Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached, and in this  I rejoice yes, and will rejoice.” NKJV

A.  Some preached with the wrong motives, for the wrong reasons.  It wasn’t the message that was wrong; it was their spirit in preaching it.  Even though their motives were insincere, Paul was thankful they were preaching Christ and not error. 

B.  Some preached for the right reasons.  They did it out of love for God.  As long as the pure gospel was being proclaimed, even for the wrong reasons, Paul was rejoicing in that fact.

Conclusion:

Even though Paul had been in prison almost two years for his religious beliefs, he was still thankful for all the good in the world.  So should we!

Invitation:

To be a partaker in God’s grace, one must accept God’s gift of salvation by placing your faith in Jesus as the Son of God, repenting [a changing of your will and desire], confessing, and being immersed for the forgiveness of sins.  Could you be stamped “the real thing?”

 

Bobby Stafford 

January 13, 2019 

Series on Philippians:  Lesson 2