Joint Heirs Adult Bible Fellowship Philippians, Week 3, Php. 1:1-8 November 1, 2015 Tim Powell, Teacher Philippians: The Elements of Joy Part 2 Philippians 1:1-8 Introduction: What is the key to joy? Seeing yourself as bond-servant of Christ. Definition of Spiritual Joy: The settled conviction that regardless of circumstances, God sovereignly controls the events of life for the believer s good and God s glory, which results in joy, peace, and contentment in every circumstance of life. I. We Must Be a Bond-Servant of Jesus Christ and See Ourselves as That in Every Circumstance. 1 We see that Paul has such joy. As he is our mentor, we want to look at what is going on in his life at this time. Here are some possible reasons for Paul's joy: o Faced fierce and unrelenting opposition, both from Gentiles and unbelieving Jewish countrymen (2 Co. 11:23-30) o Aroused the ire of Damascus s Jewish population so that they sought to kill him o Forced to flee by being lowered down city wall at night in a basket (Ac. 9:20-25 o Forced to flee from Iconium (Ac. 14:5-6) o Pelted with stones and left for dead at Lystra (Ac. 14:19-20) o Beaten and thrown into jail at Philippi (Ac. 16:16-40) o Forced to flee from Thessalonica after his preaching touched off a riot (Ac. 17:5-9) o Forced to flee from Berea (Ac. 17:13-14) o Mocked and ridiculed by Greek philosophers at Athens (Ac. 17:16-34) o Hauled before the Roman proconsul at Corinth (Ac. 18:12-17) o Faced Jewish opposition (Ac. 19:9; 20:18-19) o Faced rioting Gentiles at Ephesus (Ac. 19:21-41; 1 Co. 15:32) o About to sail from Greece to Palestine when a Jewish plot against his life forced him to change his travel plans (Ac. 20:3) 1 MacArthur, John F (2001-08-01). Philippians MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Macarthur New Testament Commentary Series) (Kindle Location 653). Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition. 1
o Met Ephesian elders at Miletus and declared, Bound in spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me (Ac. 20:22-23). o When he got to Jerusalem, he was recognized in the temple by Jews from Asia Minor, savagely beaten by a frenzied mob, and saved from certain death when Roman soldiers arrived on the scene and arrested him (Ac. 21:27-36). o While in custody in Jerusalem, the Jews formed yet another plot against his life, prompting the Roman commander to send him under heavy guard to the governor at Caesarea (Ac. 23:12-35). o After his case dragged on without resolution for two years and two Roman governors, Paul exercised his right as a Roman citizen and appealed to Caesar (Ac. 25:10-11). o Shipwrecked in a violent storm, Paul arrived at Rome (Ac. 27-28). o As he wrote Philippians, the apostle was in his fourth year of Roman custody, awaiting Emperor Nero s final decision in his case. Yet despite the circumstances of both writer and recipients, joy permeates Philippians, so much so that it may be called the epistle of joy. II. We All Need To Have an Encourager by Our Side. Paul had the fellowship of Timothy. III. Paul s Life Was Ministering to and Really Caring for Others (the Church of Philippi) (Php. 1:1, 3, 4, 7-8) A. Paul ministered to the saints Ro. 4:22-24 Those who have accepted Jesus are saints in Christ. Saints God sees us as righteous even though we are still sinners. B. Bishops (overseers or elders) and deacons 1 Ti. 3 describes these roles. Bishops are leaders who oversee church functions. Deacons provide practical service. 2
C. Philippi Ac. 16 Paul and Silas, beaten and imprisoned in an inner cell, were singing praises to God. A great earthquake opened all the cell doors, but Paul and Silas did not leave. Because of this, the jailer believed, and hos whole family were converted and baptized. Paul was always thinking, praying for and involved in their welfare. (Php. 1:3, 4, 7, 8) The Lord opened the heart of Lydia to receive Him. The map shows Paul's 2nd missionary journey which brought him to Philippi. This was the beginning of the church in Philippi. Trusting the sovereignty of God in every circumstance brings peace. In the midst of suffering, the attitude of your heart makes a difference because you will either serve or be bitter. 3
IV. Paul Was Immersed in God s Grace and Peace. (Php. 1:2) A. Grace rather than justice is given the believer, and it is this saving grace that gives us peace with Him. Rom.6:23 For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life. Christ did for us what we could not do for ourselves! B. We have peace with God, but we also have peace in our hearts given to us by God. Otherwise, we would be under God's wrath and judgment. Peace is a fruit of the spirit. Jn. 14:27 Jn. 16:33 Php. 4:6-7 It is that peace, joy, and contentment because we are bond-servants of Christ (an attitude), but it is also a gift from God. V. Paul Was a Thankful Man. (Php. 1:3-5) You can never have lasting joy, regardless of the circumstances, if you are not a thankful person. o Why is that statement true??? o 1 Th. 5:18 In everything give thanks for this is the will of God... o Definition of Spiritual Joy: The settled conviction that regardless of circumstances, God sovereignly controls the events of life for the believer s good and God s glory, which results in joy, peace, and contentment in every circumstance of life. VI. Paul Did Not Let His Immediate Circumstances Control His Attitude. Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% our attitude. Charles Swindoll Php. 4:11-13 4
Application: You cannot have real joy without being a bond-servant of Christ. It is important to have close fellowship with fellow believer(s) for encouragement. It is important to minister to and be involved with others. You cannot have real joy if you let circumstances control your attitude. You cannot have real joy without being immersed in God s grace and peace. You have a choice to think on the disappointments or be thankful. It will take a mindset. It will take obedience to Christ. 5