Bobby Stafford

To the Saints in Philippi Bible Study on Philippians Lesson 1

Philippians

To the Saints in Philippi
Sermon Series on Paul's letter to the Philippians

Introduction:

Let us go back to Paul’s Second Missionary Journey.  It begins at Antioch in Syria.  He and his travelling companion Silas go through Syria and Cilicia strengthening the congregations that had been established.  When they arrive at Lystra, a young Christian by the name of Timothy joins them.  The three travel west through Phrygia and Galatia.  The Holy Spirit forbids them to enter the Roman province of Asia [modern Turkey].  They then planned to go into Bithynia but the Holy Spirit forbade that trip as well.  So travelling on westward they arrive at Troas on the sea coast.  Luke joins them there.  At this point, they were probably wondering which way to go now!  But Paul has a vision in which a man of Macedonia urges them to come and help them, by means of preaching the gospel to them.  This is what they desperately needed.  They sail across the Aegean Sea to the seaport of Neapolis in two days.  Providence was at work.  The return voyage took five days!  The four of them travel inland approximately ten miles to the city of Philippi, a prominent center in Macedonia.

The city apparently contained few Jews, for there was no synagogue in it.  For reasons of preaching and evangelism, this would have been the first place to start.  Instead they went outside the city down to the riverside where the few Jews gathered to worship according to the Law of Moses.  Paul preaches to Lydia, a seller of purple, and her household.  After hearing the gospel, they are immersed.  The church at Philippi is established!

Growth of the Philippian church

After Paul and Silas were imprisoned for casting out a spirit, their jailer and his household were converted.  They, with Timothy, leave but Luke remains to work with the church there.  Quite possibly he made a living working with the medical school which was at Philippi.  He rejoins Paul as he passes through Philippi on his Third Missionary Journey.

Epistle to the Philippians

Philippians was almost definitely written from Rome toward the end of Paul’s two-year imprisonment, about ten years after the church was established.

It’s a letter of love, appreciation, affection, and gratitude to the saints there.  It is very personal in nature and probably filled the apostle with happiness to write. 

Theme:  Our relationships in Christ revolve around service.

Text:  Philippians 1:1-2  “Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” NKJV  Paul begins this letter stressing that unity in Christ revolves around service.

Body:

I.  Bondservants  lit. “slave”  Slave of whom?  Christ Jesus  Before giving their allegiance to Him, they were slaves of sin, as Paul discusses in  Romans 6:17-18. “For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.  Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to  all men, resulting in justification of life.” NKJV  But they voluntarily surrendered themselves to the Lord and became His loyal subjects.  This is to be true of all Christians, as Paul explains in I Corinthians 6:19-20. “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?  For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” NKJV  Now we are Christ’s!

II.  Saints  Those who are “set apart” or “sanctified.”  Are all who are in the church called saints?  Yes.  (Ephesians 5:25-26) “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,” NKJV  The same basic word:  In church – in Christ.  Now we are set apart for a holy purpose, to serve the Risen Savior.  (I Peter 2:9) “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;” NKJV  Holy is from the same basic word.  One vital area of service is proclaiming Christ to the world in any way we can.

III.  Bishops  Special servants:  Overseers, elders, pastors.  Emphasis here is not on position, but on the service that is to be rendered to the congregation.  Oversee souls of the flock.  (Hebrews 13:17) “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account.  Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.” NKJV  Tend or shepherd the flock.  (I Peter 5:1-2) “The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed:  Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly:” NKJV  Watch the flock. The purpose is to guard or protect it from wolves.  (Acts 20:28) “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” NKJV  So we see here, not a business organization board of directors whose sole purpose is handing down decisions but instead a group of spiritually mature Christian men who are dedicated to helping the members go to heaven.  Service!

IV.  Deacons  Also special servants, possible “those who hasten after.”  Deacons work in special capacities under the leadership of the bishops.  Areas:  education, worship service, benevolence, personal evangelism, visitation . . .  Service!

Conclusion:

Each local congregation, such as the one at Philippi, best functions when every member is actively involved in serving others; members using our abilities for the common good – good of the kingdom.  The outcome of serving others is grace and peace.  Grace – that which is lovely, appealing, favorable.  Peace – calmness in our heart in unity.  What a beautiful thought!  What a beautiful way to begin this letter!

Invitation:

Have you been sanctified?  It only occurs when a penitent believer is washed in the waters of baptism.  If so, have you let your service to Christ be neglected?

Bobby Stafford 

January 6, 2019 

Series on Philippians:  Lesson 1