Try to put yourself in the shoes of our brothers and sisters in Philippi. The man who planted your church has now been arrested and will face Caesar. It is no shock that they are scared and shaken. Paul here will let them know, you are shaken, you are concerned but you shouldn’t be. Christ is still King and Caesar is not! What is happening to me is making that known! Therefore, put the advance of the gospel as your highest ambition and then see circumstances and opposition in light of that ambition.
This opening section of Philippians is an explosion of joy and affection. Paul’s joy-filled thanksgiving to God, and his warm, affectionate words to the Philippians are really striking. I find it also very exemplary. While, everyone expresses affection differently, we should all affirm the importance of passion. We should passionately express our love to God in thankful prayer and worship; and our affection to others in relationships.
In Philippians 1:3-8, Paul displays his vibrant communion with Christ, and his personal love for the Philippian community, which results in his “alien like joy.” Though Paul doesn’t mention “joy” in each of the following verses, the tone is one of joy. The phrase in verse 4 “with joy” strikes the chord that runs through the passage. Paul is brimming with joy in thankfulness to God, and in love of the Philippians. To know the joy that Paul possessed, we need we too need to know the joy of (1) prayer, (2) partnership, (3) anticipation, and (4) affection. Let’s learn from Paul here.
Just how relevant is this letter? Let me ask you some questions, “Where are you going to find meaning and purpose in life?” Welcome to Philippians. Paul says, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil 1:21, ESV). Do you need Christian friendships that are deep and encouraging? This letter provides marvelous application for building and sustaining true community. Does your church need to grow in unity (what church doesn’t?)? Then read this letter. Though Paul loves this church and refers to it as his “joy and crown” (Phil 4:1), disunity exists (4:2). He provides wonderful instruction for us as we seek to unite in the Gospel.
This is our last week of our mini-study in Luke. We have been looking at Jesus’ ministry to people; how he befriended tax collectors, prostitutes, etc; and how we tells us to practice hospitality to outsiders.Luke 24 is about the resurrection. Jesus eats with his disciples after he rose from the dead, and there are many encouraging themes in this text.
