Old Llantrisant Hill
Introduction
- Philippians is an easy book to understand - but it must be obeyed
- Easy to understand - hard to live out
- An encouragement and an challenge
Background
- Philippi
- Derived it's name from Philip of Macedon who conquered it about 360 BC
- Developed a good gold mining industry
- Romans took it over in 168 BC
- Became an important Roman colony in Macedonia (North Greece)
- No Synagogue there cos there were so few Jews there
- The Bible and Philippi
- First European city that Paul preached in
- Called there by a vision (Acts 16:6-10)
- Evangelised by Paul on his second Missionary Journey in AD 50 (Acts 16: 11-40)
- Luke was probably born there
- The church there was strong and generous
- Jailer converted when Paul & Silas are singing in prison at midnight
- Visited again by Paul in Acts 20
- Paul's situation when writing
- Written, probably between AD 60 and 62
- In prison, probably in Rome
- Had lost his freedom
- Constantly chained to a soldier (Phil 1:15-16 & 2:20-21)
- Lost most of his friends & family
- Aware of a few friends and many enemies
- Lost most of his possessions
Overview:
- A Call to Unity (v1-4): The Church
- A Call to Humility (v5-11): The Cross
- A Call to Shine (v12-18): The Cosmos
A Call to Unity (v1-4): The Church
- Little words but big challenge
- Simple words:
- Any (v1)
- Like/same/one (v2)
- Our joy (v2)
- Nothing (v3)
- Also (v4)
- Challenge: Make Andrew's joy complete as we obey these verses
- Big challenge:
- Like minded
- The same love
- One in Spirit and purpose (v2) - scriptural examples
- Selfless / Honest / Humility (v3)
- Put others first
- A Call to the Church for Unity
A Call to Humility (v5-11): The Cross
- Our call (v5, 10-11)
- Be like Christ
- Example of TV program: 'The Chosen'
- Be humble (v5)
- Like Christ who humbled Himself to the death of the Cross
- Worship (v10-11)
- The Son's Work in humility (v6-8)
- He gave up heaven (v6)
- He became nothing, a servant and human (v7)
- He became humble and obedient (v8)
- The Father's Work in honour (v9-11)
- God exalted Jesus - did (v9)
- Many have accepted now but everyone will bow (v10-11)
- Example of song lyrics: 'Come is the time to worship
- Challenge: today is the day of salvation
A Call to Shine (v12-18): The Cosmos
- Called to shine like stars - example
- In Salvation (v12-13)
- Our work (v12)
- "Workout your salvation with fear and trembling"
- Do this in the light of v13
- God's work (v13)
- In Service (v14-18) - Shining like stars (example)
- Doing all without complaining or arguing (v14)
- Holding out the word of life (v16)
- Being faithful in service and sacrifice (v17)
- Rejoicing with fellow believers (v18)
- Challenge:
- How bright are you shining for Jesus?
- What can we do to make our stars brighter?