PHILIPPIANS

It is not easy to give a Subject to this Epistle. It is, Letter-like, about a number of things. However, as it was occasioned by the reception of an Offering of Money from one of Pauls's Churches, to help support him in his Foreign Missionary work, we call it a Missionary Letter.

It was written to thank the Philippians for the gift they had
sent Paul and to strengthen these believers by showing them that true joy comes from Jesus Christ alone. The time period was approximately A. D. 61, from Rome during Paul's imprisonment there.

Paul and his companions began the church at Philippi on his second missionary journey (Acts 16: 11-40). This was the first church established on the European continent. The Philippian church had sent a gift with Epaphroditus (one of their members) to be delivered to Paul (4:18). Paul was in a Roman prison at the time. He wrote this letter to thank them for their gift and to encourage them in their faith.

The key verse in this book is in Chapter 4:4 ~Rejoice in the Lord, and again I say rejoice.
The key people in this book are Paul, Timothy, Epaphroditus, Euodia, and Syntyche.

Although Paul was writing from prison, joy is a dominant theme in this letter. The secret of his joy is grounded in his relationship with Christ. People today desperately want to be happy but are tossed and turned by daily successes, failures, and inconveniences. Christians are to be joyful in every circumstance, even when things are going badly, even when we feel like complaining, even when no one else is joyful. Christ still reigns, and we still know him, so we can rejoice at all times.

How did Paul end up in chains in a Roman prison? While
he was visiting Jerusalem, some Jews had him arrested for preaching the Good News, but he appealed to Caesar to hear his case (Acts 21:15-25:12) He was then escorted by soldiers to Rome, where he was placed under house arrest while awaiting trial----not a trial for breaking civil law, but for proclaiming the Good News of Christ. At that time, the Roman authorities did not consider this to be a serious charge. A few years later, however Rome would take a different view of Christianity and make every effort to stamp it out of existence. Paul's house arrest allowed him some degree of freedom. He could have visitors, continue to preach, and write letters such as this one.

Timothy was with Paul in Rome when Paul wrote this letter. He traveled with Paul on his second missionary journey when the church at Philippi was begun. Paul observed that most believers are too preoccupied with their own needs to spend time working for Christ. Just as a skilled workman trains an apprentice, Paul was preparing Timothy to carry on the ministry in his absence. Paul told the Philippians that when he learned of the court's decision, he would send Timothy, to them with the news, and that he was ready to accept whatever came.

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After Paul considered everything he had accomplished in his life, he said that it was all "worthless" when compared with the greatness of knowing Christ. This is a profound statement about values. A person's relationship with Christ is more important than anything else. To know Christ should be our ultimate goal. No amount of law keeping, self-improvement, discipline, or religious effort can make us right with God. Righteousness comes only from God. We are made righteous by trusting in Christ. He exchanges our sin and shortcomings for his complete righteousness (2 Cor.
5:21 ~For He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him).
When we become one with Christ by trusting in him, we experience the power that raised Him from the dead. That same mighty power will help us live morally renewed and regenerated lives.

When Paul wrote, "so that somehow I can experience the resurrection from the DEAD," he was not implying uncertainty or doubt. He was unsure of the way that he would meet God, whether by execution or by natural death. He did not doubt that he would be raised, but attainment of it was within God's power and not his own. Paul knew that he may die soon, but he had faith that he would be raised to life again.

Paul had reason to forget the past---he had held the coats of those who stoned Stephen, the first Christian martyr (Acts 7:57, 58, Paul is called Saul here). Paul challenged the Philippians to pursue Christlikeness by following Paul's own pattern or example. This did not mean of course, that they should copy everything he did; he had just stated that he was not perfect (3:12). But as he focused his life on being like Christ, so should they. The Gospels, may not yet have been in circulation, so Paul could not tell them to read the Bible to see what Christ was like. Therefore, he urged them to imitate him, which was a testimony to Paul's character.

Finally, in chapter 4, Paul wanted the church to have joy.
There were two women, Euodia and Syntyche who were having a disagreement. Paul was reminding them because they belonged to Christ, that they should settle things, These two women had been workers for Lord in the church, and Paul reminded them that there was no need for a disagreement to be unreconcilable. In verses 4-9, he says "Always be full of joy in the Lord, I say it again --- rejoice. Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything, Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear friends, Let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep lovely and admirable. Keep putting unto practice all you've learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing and the God of peace will be with you.....

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Do You Have Joy.

Do you have joy?
Is your life filled with sorrow,
Give them to the Lord,
Look for a brighter tomorrow.

Do you hold on to past sins?
Worrying about the waste.
Toss them away and never fret,
Jesus Christ will always forget.

Bring your cares to the cross,
He bought them there,
Forever to be lost.
Your sins are forgotten dross.

There's joy in following Jesus,
Every moment of the day,
There's joy in trusting him,
Don't wait too long and delay.

There is peace in store,
For your heart and your soul.
Following Jesus, what a joy!
He will make you spotless and whole.

Find the joy that Jesus gives,
Give Him your heart today.
Just one glimpse of His Dear Face,
Will be worth it all one day!

Written by Shirley Barr
October 16, 2005
All Rights Reserved

MUSIC: 'CENTER OF MY JOY'
Sequenced and performed by Samuel Tolbert