PHILIPPIANS LESSON 1

     We will now begin the study of the Epistle to the Philippians
which Paul wrote to them. There are several opinions of the time this
was written, but most agree it was written somewhere between 60 and 64
A.D. We may assume from this that Paul was under house arrest, when he
wrote this from Rome.

     We will find many different things about this church and the one
in Corinth. In fact, the first church meetings here, were held in
Lydia's home. Actually, Lydia and her family were the first converts
to Christianity here. We will find that Paul had been instructed
directly from God to go to this area, because they needed help. There
was no synagogue in this area, and the women were praying out at the
river bank where they washed. They were there on the sabbath, and Paul
went thereand brought them the good news of the gospel. It seemed
Lydia was very prominent in the work here in Philippi. The first man
that was brought into the church here, was the Philippian jailor and
his family.

     This city was said to be a Roman city in Greece. This made this
church a Gentile church. There was not the problem with the Jews here,
because they were not prominent in worship here. Both Latin and Greek
were spoken here. This was a poor church, but one that gave generously
to help Paul. This was the only church that Paul would take help from.

     In this church we see ministry of the women more prominent than
in the other churches. Paul, on one occasion, tells the church people
to cooperate with the women that had ministered with him.

     We will now begin the verse by verse study in Philippians 1:1
" Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints
in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:"

     Paul has a much more personal approach to this church than to the
church in Galatia, Ephesus, or the church at Corinth. For some reason,
he felt more at ease and personal with these Christians than with any
of the others. All formality was dropped in this letter. This does not
mean that Timothy wrote this letter, but that Timothy was in
agreement.  Notice, they have recognized their position with Jesus
Christ as His servants. Paul is saying, in this, that he is free of
sin, but servant, or slave to Christ. I Corinthians 7:22 "For he that
is called in the Lord, [being] a servant, is the Lord's freeman:
likewise also he that is called, [being] free, is Christ's servant."
The letter is written to all believers in Christ at Philippi. It seems
that they had set up an order in the church of bishops and deacons at
this time. "Bishops" overlook the spiritual aspect of the church as
elders do today, but "deacons" have the job of looking to the
financial needs of the church. So many people want to be known as the
deacon of a church, without realizing the responsibilities that go
with it.

     Philippians 1:2 "Grace [be] unto you, and peace, from God our
Father, and [from] the Lord Jesus Christ."

     This benediction that Paul begins with in his letters, let us
know beyond a shadow of doubt that this is a Pauline letter. Grace, of
course, is unmerited favor. When this grace is applied by God to our
lives, it brings perfect peace. The salvation plan was from the
foundation of the earth. The Father, Word, and Holy Ghost were all in
on the planning from the beginning. The Word took on the form of flesh
and saved us. He tore the veil in the temple from the top to the
bottom and opened the way directly to the Father for us. You might
say, that Jesus, with His crucified body, and shed blood, reconciled
us to the Father. In fact, Jesus paid the price for us to be sons of
God.

     Philippians 1:3 "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,"

     Paul is like a loving parent to these people who came to the Lord
through his ministry. He is so pleased with the results from this
church, that every time he thinks about it, is pleasant to him.

     Philippians 1:4 "Always in every prayer of mine for you all
making request with joy,"

     Paul is saying that, it is no chore to pray for them. He has only
pleasant thoughts of them. His heart is full of joy when he thinks of
their relationship with God.

     Philippians 1:5 "For your fellowship in the gospel from the first
day until now;"

     Paul is thanking God for their desire to help spread the gospel.
It appears that this enthusiasm for the gospel was from the very
first. We will see as we go on, that Lydia insisted on Paul using her
house as a place of ministry immediately after she first met Paul.
It is wonderful to be able to fellowship with Christian friends, but
to fellowship in the gospel means that they studied of God when they
were together. They shared in the Word of God and in the work of God.

     Philippians 1:6 "Being confident of this very thing, that he
which hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of
Jesus Christ:"

     I have said several times before, that God will not call you to
do any job that He does not equip you to do. The anointing of God on
you to do a specific job is never taken away. God will not leave you
half way through the job. Romans 11:29 "For the gifts and calling of
God [are] without repentance." We see in this, that the call of God
never goes away. If He called you to do a job, the call is still there
until the day you die. He will stay with you through thick and thin
and give you whatever strength you need to complete the job. God never
turns away from us. Sometimes we give up and turn away from Him. The
day of Jesus Christ is the day we die, or are carried away into
heaven.  We will find all through the years of work for the Lord that
all He wants for us is our willingness to use the ability that He
gives us to His glory.

     Philippians 1:7 "Even as it is meet for me to think this of you
all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and
in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of
my grace."

     Paul loved the church at Philippi. He knew that they believed as
he did. He knew that God had given him grace to suffer imprisonment
and, also, to preach the gospel in whatever circumstance he found
himself. Paul, also, knew that these Philippians were full of that
same grace. He had every confidence in them that they would live in
the grace of God as he had taught them. It was pleasant for Paul to
think of them, because he knew they were sincere in their belief. He
knew that some small problem that might arise would not stop them from
following the Lord Jesus. He felt their love for him and for the Lord,
even while he was in chains.

     Philippians 1:8 "For God is my record, how greatly I long after
you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ."

     Paul is saying that only God knows how much he believes that they
will stay with the teachings of Jesus Christ. Paul wanted them to do
as the Scripture says. Galatians 2:20 "I am crucified with Christ:
nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life
which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God,
who loved me, and gave himself for me."  To truly be a believer in
Christ, then or now, we must let Christ live in us.

     Philippians 1:9 "And this I pray, that your love may abound yet
more and more in knowledge and [in] all judgment;"

     Paul's prayer for them was that the more they learned of Jesus,
the more they would love Him. The more any of us learn about the Lord
Jesus Christ, the more we love Him. We love Him more, because we
understand more and more just exactly what He did for each of us. If
you really want to appreciate the great sacrifice that Jesus made for
each of us, study the lessons on the sacrifices in Leviticus.

     Philippians 1:10 "That ye may approve things that are excellent;
that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;"

     This , of course, is the desire of every Christian. We must
conform to God's ways, not God to our ways. The only way that we can
do what this Scripture and the one following says, is to stay in the
Word of God and find out what the will of God is. Romans 12:2 "And be
not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of
your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and
perfect, will of God." When we study the Word of God, with the
guidance of the Holy Spirit, we will know the will of God for our
lives. God wants us to have a sincere heart, and He will do the rest.

     Philippians 1:11 "Being filled with the fruits of righteousness,
which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God."

     The fruit of righteousness here, means that they will try to live
holy lives. The "fruit of righteousness" is what righteousness
produces. That would be a holy life, without spot or wrinkle. Our
righteousness is a gift from the Lord Jesus Christ. Our own
righteousness without Jesus would be as filthy rags. We must put on
the righteousness of Christ to be acceptable before God. The
righteousness that we are clothed with, is a garment of white linen
washed in the blood of Jesus. Our righteousness received from Jesus
glorifies the Father. Look, with me, just how this fruit comes. Look
with me and see what Jesus says about the fruit.  John 15:2 "Every
branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every [branch]
that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more
fruit." John 15:4 "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot
bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye,
except ye abide in me." John 15:5 "I am the vine, ye [are] the
branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth
much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."  John 15:8 "Herein is
my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my
disciples."

     Philippians 1:12 "But I would ye should understand, brethren,
that the things [which happened] unto me have fallen out rather unto
the furtherance of the gospel;"

     Paul, reminds them here, that they are not to grieve about what
happens to him. Everything that happened to him, is for a reason. The
reason is to further the gospel of Jesus Christ. It really seemed the
greater the persecution, the more the church grew. Paul had chosen to
walk this road. The Lord had told Paul that He would show him what
great things he would suffer for the gospel. Even today, it seems the
church is the strongest where it is forbidden.

     Philippians 1:13 "So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all
the palace, and in all other [places];"

     Paul was proud to be chained in the palace for Jesus. Many were
convinced of the reality of Christ by Paul being so willing to suffer
for Him. Many received Christ as their Saviour while Paul was under
arrest.

     Philippians 1:14 "And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing
confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without
fear."

     It seemed that the strength Paul showed in chains gave the other
brethren more confidence. They felt if Paul loved the Lord enough to
suffer imprisonment for Him, they could, too. It was as if he were the
example of what all believers should be willing to go through, if
necessary, for Christ. In this sense, Paul's bonds made them more
confident and bold to speak of Christ.




                        Philippians 1 Questions


1.  Who wrote the letter to the Philippians?
2.  Approximately when was it written?
3.  Where was Paul when he wrote this letter?
4.  Where were the first church meetings in Philippi held?
5.  Who were the first converts to Christianity in Philippi?
6.  Who was the first man converted in Philippi?
7.  This was said to be a _________ city in Greece.
8.  Why was there not many problems from the Jews here?
9.  What were the languages spoken here?
10. What was the only church that Paul would accept help from?
11. Who was with Paul when he wrote this letter?
12. What did Paul call himself in verse 1?
13. Who did he write the letter to?
14. Why was all formality dropped in this letter?
15. Quote 1 Corinthians chapter 7 verse 22.
16. What was the responsibility of these bishops?
17. What is the purpose of a deacon?
18. What is the blessing spoken in verse 2?
19. Who were in on the plan of salvation?
20. When was it planned?
21. What reconciled us to the Father?
22. In verse 3, Paul is like a loving __________.
23. What is Paul thanking God for in verse 5?
24. Quote Philippians chapter 1 verse 6.
25. The gifts and calling of God are without ___________.
26. Why was it pleasant for Paul to think of them?
27. What was the prayer, in verse 9, that Paul prayed for them?
28. Quote Romans chapter 12 verse 2.
29. What is the "fruit of righteousness"?
30. Quote John chapter 15 verse 2.
31. Did Paul's chains keep him from ministering?
32. What gave the other brethren more confidence?