Philippians 1:1-11

Philippians 1:1-11

Week 4

Read 1:1-11.

Paul is writing the letter but it is obvious that Timothy was with him.

TIMOTHY (Person) Paul’s convert and companion, whose name means “one who honors God.”

The relationship between these 2 men would make a great study. Paul considered himself as Timothy’s spiritual father even though Timothy was a 3^rd generation Christian. His grandmother’s name was Lois and his mother’s name was Eunice. But his father was a Greek. (2 Tim 1:5)

Even though he grew up in a Christian home it is believed that Timothy was converted as a result of Paul’s ministry.

Paul refers to him as “my true child in the faith” (1 Tm 1:2);

Paul mentored this young man by allowing him to accompany him on his missionary journeys. He spent time with him. He taught him by words and by example. When he felt he was ready he left him to pastor the church at Ephesus.

First and Second Timothy are Paul’s letter to Timothy and were written by Paul to encourage him as a young pastor in that church.

Paul invested in the life of Timothy.

He poured into him, not just knowledge and theology but affection and training and love. A true mentoring relationship; and time and time again you will see Timothy giving back to Paul, much as a son would.

He is someone that Paul can count on. A mentoring relationship goes both ways. You shouldn’t enter into a relationship like that for what you can get out of it. You need to realize that you need to give back as well.

I want to encourage you to pursue mentoring relationships.

Recognize your need to be a learner but also be ready to give back as Timothy did.

And be willing to begin a relationship where you are the mentor. Make room in your life to develop connections with those younger than you.

Paul describes both he and Timothy as servants of Christ.

What is lowly to the world is exalted in the kingdom of God.

The letter is written to the saints at Philippi.

Saints means “set apart,” or holy ones.

What are we set apart from?

We are set apart from this world. Once we enter into a relationship with Jesus we belong to another world, another kingdom.

What are we set apart for?

We are set apart to be holy and live holy lives.

He also makes it clear that this letter is written to those in authority in the church, the overseers and deacons.

He opens the letter by talking about how thankful he is for the Philippians and because he is thankful he is able to have joy and pray with joy.

Why is he thankful for the Philippian believers?

~ I. He is thankful for their partnership in the gospel.

Why is their partnership important?

        Because Paul cannot do the work of the ministry alone!

        Once we receive Christ and we grow in our faith, it is critical that we become partners in the gospel. This is true fellowship that we participate in the work of the ministry.

Think about it this way. Right now, you spend a lot of your time taking care of the needs of your children. When they are newborns, you expect nothing of them.

When you have just one child, you treat them differently than when you have more. A first born without a sibling stays younger a lot longer than a first born that has another sibling soon after.

Why is that?

Because you have the time to focus on just one but as successive children come, those first born not only have less of your attention but you are expecting them to “do the work of the ministry.” Even if it is to bring you baby’s diaper or put the pacifier in so baby will stop crying. Depending on the age you may ask them to watch the baby while you jump in the shower. And then you expect them to pick up their toys.

As they get older they get to participate more and more “in the work of the ministry.” Why, because you are still tending to the youngest.

And this is not a bad thing. This is a good thing. They learn to wait and serve and love others. They are growing into mature members of your family.

As I write this in my bedroom I can hear Sophie in the kitchen putting away the dishes in the dishwasher. Not because I asked her to but because she is a partner with me in ministry.

That is partnership. One of the things that I have noticed about the new generation of Christians is their consumer mentality. Often they will choose their church based on how they like the preaching or the worship. Or they will choose based on the youth group or the children’s ministry.

How often does one choose based on where their gifts are needed and can be used to benefit the church?

How often does one think about the fact that being a member of a church is a partnership and in a partnership both members must participate in “doing the work of the ministry?

Paul has confidence that this will continue.

Where does his confidence come from?

His confidence comes from God.

II. Paul is also thankful that God began a good work in the Philippian believers and He will complete the work that He began.

What work did God start?

~the work of salvation

That of making us new creations. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

What work does God need to complete?

He will bring His new creation to completion.

As fruit ripens on a tree our faith will ripen and bear fruit that will last.

Just as it takes time to ripen fruit it takes time for God to perfect us and make us holy.

Phil 3:12-14: “Not that I have obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me…..

This verse should give us great hope, even when we feel like we are making little progress in the holiness war. Maybe we are combating our tongue or our temper or fears. God is faithful He is constantly working in us.

When will God’s work in us be complete?

In the day of Christ Jesus. That is the day when Jesus comes again at the end of the world. Then we will be complete.

III. Paul is thankful that they share in God’s grace.

The Greek word for grace is Charis which means God’s favor bestowed on sinful man with no strings attached. No strings attached. Nothing can be done to earn this. They share in the fact that God loves them, has saved them and is perfecting them.

This is what all believers have in common.

We have done nothing to deserve this favor, we have all been given the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and therefore we have everything we need for “life and Godliness!”

God doesn’t leave us to ourselves to be made perfect. He participates in our spiritual growth.

Paul’s gratitude and affection for the Philippian church leads him into the next section of the letter which is his prayer for them.

Let’s take a look at Paul’s prayer.

Verses 9-11:

What does he pray for?

That their love (for Christ) would become knowledge (about Christ) that their knowledge about Christ would lead them to insight (into His will) so that they could become discerning.

What does discernment mean?

According to Dictionary.com:

to distinguish mentally; recognize as distinct or different; discriminate: He is incapable of discerning right from wrong

In order to discern what is best and be pure and blameless you must add to your love, knowledge, to your knowledge, insight and to your insight discernment (wisdom)

Where does wisdom come from?

It comes from knowing God’s word.

As you gain access to all these things you may be pure and blameless. Does that mean you will become perfect? No.

What does verse 11 say?

It says that we will be filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus.

What is the fruit of righteousness?

Galatians 5:22-23

Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control.

Such fruit magnifies God, not self. So a life that exhibits such traits is to the glory and praise of God.

How can this prayer of Paul’s impact the way we pray for each other?