Powerful points from Prison. 3. Philippians Rejoice in the Lord

Transcription

1 Powerful points from Prison 3. Philippians

2 Powerful Points from Prison

3 MJ2 AD Acts 16

4 AD 57-62

5 The Roman colony of Philippi. The great Roman road, the Via Egnatia, visible in the centre of the photograph, brought Paul to Philippi from the nearby port of Neapolis.

6 Powerful Points from Prison

7 Powerful Points from Prison

8 Gangites River, Philippi Powerful Points from Prison

9 Therefore, sailing from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day came to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some days. And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshipped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay. And she constrained us. (Acts 16:11-15) Powerful Points from Prison

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11 And he brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? So they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household. Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. (Acts 16:30-33) Powerful Points from Prison

12 Acts 16 vv Ecclesial Members Lydia and her household vv The cured slave girl? vv The Jailor and his household Powerful Points from Prison

13 Philip II of Macedon

14 Conquered by Rome in 168 BC made four districts in Macedonia Two battles fought at Philippi in 42 BC when Anthony and Octavian conquered Brutus and Cassius. Anthony and Octavian then disbanded their armies and settled the veterans in Philippi Made a Roman Colony (Acts 16:21)

15 Powerful Points from Prison

16 Paul 1:4 prays with joy 1:18 rejoices that Christ is proclaimed 1:25 will remain, for the Philippians joy in the faith 2:2 asks the Philippians to complete his joy 2:17,18 is glad and rejoices with the Philippians 2:28 sends Epaphroditus, that the Philippians might rejoice 2:29 tells the Philippians to receive Epaphroditus with joy 3:1 tells the Philippians to rejoice in the Lord 4:1 tells the Philippians they are his joy 4:4 tells the Philippians twice to rejoice in the Lord 4:10 rejoiced in the Lord at the Philippians concern for him x 18

17 Powerful Points from Prison

18 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 (Philippians 1:12 13) For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain (1:19 21)

19 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for His sake, having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me. (Philippians 1:27 30)

20 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me. (Philippians 2: 5-8,12-13,17 18)

21 Problems at Philippi? Reference in Philippians Problem 1:28 Adversaries Roman they brought them to the magistrates, and said, These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city; and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe (Acts 16:20-21)

22 The Roman Colony of Philippi Powerful Points from Prison

23 Jesus Christ is Lord! Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (Phil 1:2) and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (2:11) Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe (3:1) Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ (3:8) x 15

24 Problems at Philippi? Reference in Philippians Problem 1:28; 3:2-3 Adversaries Roman and Jewish And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there (Acts 16:13)

25 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh (Philippians 3:2 3) For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God (Romans 2:28,29)

26 1. Circumcised 2. Stock of Israel 3. Tribe of Benjamin 4. Hebrew of Hebrews 5. A Pharisee 6. A Persecutor of the church! 7. Righteous by the Law 1. Righteous by Faith 2. To know Christ 3. To know the power of his Resurrection 4. The fellowship of his Sufferings 5. To be conformable to his death 6. To attain to the resurrection of the dead 7. To become like him! Philippians 3:4-21

27 Problems at Philippi? Reference in Philippians Problem 1:28; 3:2-3 Adversaries Roman and Jewish 1:27; 2:2-4,14; 3:15-19; 4:1-3 The possibility of falling out with one another and thus endangering their fellowship in Christ

28 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel (Philippians 1:27) Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life (Philippians 4:1 3)

29 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross (Philippians 2:5 8)

30 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9 11)

31 Heaven For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to his glorious body, according to the working by which he is able even to subdue all things to himself (Philippians 3:20 21) Earth Jesus Christ, the Apostles and Prophets Under the Earth Those under the earth will bow the knee to Christ (Phil 2:10)

32 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel (1:27) Fulfil my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind (2:2) Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind (3:15,16)

33 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you (Philippians 4:6-9)

34 Meditate on these things Things that are lovely Truth Justice Good Reports Virtuous things Praise Noble ideals Purity

35 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you (Philippians 4:9)

36 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:11 13) Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweetsmelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen (4:18 20)