PHILIPPIANS LESSON 6


     We will begin this lesson in Philippians 4:1 "Therefore, my
brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand
fast in the Lord, [my] dearly beloved."

     In the last lesson, Paul had talked of the great resurrection as
the hope of all believers. Now he says, in light of that, stand fast
in the Lord. It is not enough for Paul to call them his brethren, he
adds that he loves them dearly. He longs to be with them again, but
that will not be on this earth. He loves these Philippians the most,
because they love God and live for Him. He is proud of them, because
of their great faith and charity. He calls them his crown, because it
was through his ministry that they came to God. He uses dearly
beloved, twice in this verse, showing the sincerity of the statement.

     Philippians 4:2 "I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that
they be of the same mind in the Lord."

     Both of these are women. There was a more prominent group of
women in this leadership than there was in Corinth or Galatia. Since
they were prominent in the running of the church, it was very
important that they be in one accord. The leaders of a church must
always be in one accord, or there will be confusion in the church.

     Philippians 4:3 "And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help
those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also,
and [with] other my fellowlabourers, whose names [are] in the book of
life."

     I believe what Paul is speaking of in the word "yokefellow" is
someone who worked side by side with him. Some believe this is
speaking of Paul's wife, but I do not believe Paul was ever married. I
believe this means they were yoked together for the common cause of
the gospel. This yokefellow would have been someone in the Philippian
church, because that would be the only way they could help these women
who worked with Paul in the ministry. Clement would be with the two
women mentioned in verse 2. Everyone who is saved should help whoever
is ministering in the church. They should all be in one accord. Having
their names in the book of life means they are saved through belief in
Jesus Christ.

     Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord alway: [and] again I say,
Rejoice."

     Paul wants them to learn the joy of serving Jesus. Christians
should rejoice more than all other people, because our names are in
the Lamb's book of life. We have heaven to look forward to.

     Philippians 4:5 "Let your moderation be known unto all men. The
Lord [is] at hand."

     The word that was translated moderation here, was translated as
gentleness in 2 Corinthians chapter 10 verse 1. II Corinthians 10:1
"Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of
Christ, who in presence [am] base among you, but being absent am bold
toward you:"   Whether it should mean be moderate in all things, or to
be gentle to all, it doesn't matter. They both are headed in the same
direction. A gentle person is moderate. I believe this moderation is
in everything in our life. Women dressing in moderation, is a very
good example of what I am speaking of. Moderation should be practiced
by men and women in all walks of our life; in what we drink, and what
we eat, and especially in the way we act. "The Lord is at hand", means
just what it says. I am looking for the return of the Lord at any
moment.
Be ready, for He comes in an hour when you think not.

     Philippians 4:6 "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by
prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made
known unto God."

     Christians should not go around wringing their hands in worry.
Worry is lack of faith. We should trust the Lord in every aspect of
our life. Supplication, in the verse above, means petition. Prayer
should not be just a time to request things of God that we want. We
should go to Him in prayer, thanking Him for all He has already done
for us. We should praise Him for who He is, and then make our request
known. God is loving and He will give you the desire of your heart, if
you love Him as He loves you. Psalms 37:4 "Delight thyself also in the
LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."

     Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which passeth all
understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

     Jesus is the King of Peace. This is the kind of peace that we
have in the midst of problems. Look at the promise that should bring
perfect peace to all believers. Psalms 91:7 "A thousand shall fall at
thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; [but] it shall not come
nigh thee." This peace passes all understanding, because it is in the
midst of the problem. Remember, with me, God saved Noah in the flood,
not from the flood. Knowing all of this, we should have perfect peace
in our mind and heart, knowing that God takes care of us. Get your
eyes off of the circumstances around you, and know within yourself
that God will take care of you.

     Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just,
whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely,
whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and
if [there be] any praise, think on these things."

     Paul is saying, keep your mind and your heart stayed on the good
things of God. Christians should not be negative. We should always
look on the bright side. There is more than enough despair in the
world without the Christians adding to it. Be positive in this
negative world, bring hope in Jesus to the lost world.  Matthew 5:16
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good
works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."  It is the
responsibility of every Christian to be a bright light, reflecting the
Light of Jesus to this lost world.  You may be somebody's only look at
what Christ is all about. Give them hope, not more despair.

     Philippians 4:9 "Those things, which ye have both learned, and
received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be
with you."

     Paul is encouraging them to go out and win souls for Christ.
Don't just be a hearer of the Word of God, be a doer of the Word of
God. I hear so many say, I do not know enough to lead someone to
Christ. If you are saved, you know more than those who are lost. Share
what you do know. If you are a Christian, walk like Christ, talk like
Christ and do Christlike things. John 14:12 "Verily, verily, I say
unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do
also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto my
Father."  If you feel that you are not capable of ministering to
others, let Christ minister to them through you.

     Philippians 4:10 "But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at
the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also
careful, but ye lacked opportunity."

     As we said earlier in these lessons, this was the only church
that Paul would accept help from. They were a poor church, but they
loved a lot. This is Paul's way of thanking them for helping him, when
they had opportunity to do so.

     Philippians 4:11 "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have
learned, in whatsoever state I am, [therewith] to be content."

     Paul probably had been a wealthy man when he was a Pharisee,
before he came to the Lord. We said earlier, Paul was not concerned at
all about things of this earth. He enjoyed whatever provision he had
and was not concerned about that which he did not have. He knew that
God would provide for all of his needs, not his greeds. The parable of
the sparrow teaches that.

     Philippians 4:12 "I know both how to be abased, and I know how to
abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full
and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need."

     Paul had learned something, we all need to learn. He learned that
his happiness was not in the things he had, but were in God. True joy
comes from God and is a feeling inside of us, regardless of the
circumstances around us. Even the need sometimes suffered can turn
into a blessing from God. Paul's secret was that he was in this world,
but not of this world. He refused to be controlled in his emotions by
hardships around him.

     Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which
strengtheneth me."

     Every Christian should have this implanted in their heart. Things
that are impossible in the flesh are more than possible through Christ
who is our strength. The secret is realizing that it is not our
strength, but His.

     Philippians 4:14 "Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did
communicate with my affliction."

     Paul says here, even though I could have gotten along without
your help, it is good that you helped. They realized there was a need,
and they took care of Paul's need. They will be blessed of God for it.

     Philippians 4:15 "Now ye Philippians know also, that in the
beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church
communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only."

     Every person who ministers the Word of God, whether missionary
are local minister, needs a church like Philippi that will take care
of that need. Those who minister should never have to raise their own
money. They need to stay in the Word of God and prayer, and let others
who are called furnish the needs to do their job. One of the greatest
callings {in my opinion} is to have the gift of a giving heart. Paul
is telling this church at Philippi that they were the only ones who
helped him with his needs.

     Philippians 4:16 "For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again
unto my necessity."

     Paul is reminding them of the times they helped, and letting them
know that he has not forgotten their generosity.

     Philippians 4:17 "Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit
that may abound to your account."

     Paul appreciated the gift, but what pleased him the most about
it, was the fact that they had matured as Christians and were bearing
fruit. Giving freely to those in need is certainly fruit bearing.

     Philippians 4:18 "But I have all, and abound: I am full, having
received of Epaphroditus the things [which were sent] from you, an
odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God."

     Epaphroditus had brought things from the church at Philippi to
take care of Paul's needs here in Rome. They had not forgotten him,
even though he was a prisoner. He is saying, in this, I have all of my
needs met because of your generosity toward me. He, also, says he
accepts these things in his name and in the name of God. God will not
forget their generous heart either.

     Philippians 4:19 "But my God shall supply all your need according
to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

     Because they were so generous in their giving to Paul, and really
to God, God will bless them abundantly and take care of all their
needs. Give, and it shall be given to you pressed down and running
over. Notice, it is according to His riches, and He really owns it
all. You cannot outgive God. He multiplies when giving back to you,
what you have given with no hope of return. Do not give expecting to
get. Give without hope of return, and God will give you so much your
cup will not be able to hold it all.

     Philippians 4:20 "Now unto God and our Father [be] glory for ever
and ever. Amen."

     This is so typical of Paul. He ends with praises to God. This is
speaking of God the Father, God the Word {Jesus} the Son, and God the
Holy Spirit.

     Philippians 4:21 "Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The
brethren which are with me greet you."

     This, too, is typical of Paul. He sends greetings to all the
brothers and sisters in Christ, and sends it from himself and all the
believers with him.

     Philippians 4:22 "All the saints salute you, chiefly they that
are of Caesar's household."

     There is a little morsel in this. We know that Paul's stay as a
prisoner of Caesar has not been unfruitful, because he speaks of the
converts to Christianity in Caesar's household.

     Philippians 4:23 "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with
you all. Amen."

     We see in Paul's writings, that Paul begins and ends his letters
with grace. This is a benediction favorite of Paul's. I must say along
with Paul, so be it {Amen}.




















                        Philippians 6 Questions


1.  What two things does Paul call the Philippians in verse 1?
2.  What is the hope of all believers?
3.  What words show how Paul feels about these Philippians?
4.  Why does Paul love them so much?
5.  What 2 women does Paul speak to in verse 2?
6.  What instructions did he give them?
7.  Who does the author believe the yokefellow to be in verse 3?
8.  What was the yokefellow to do?
9.  What, in verse 3, did all of these people have in common?
10. When are Christians to rejoice?
11. Why should Christians rejoice more than other people?
12. Quote Philippians chapter 4 verse 5.
13. What are some things we should do in moderation?
14. What does the statement "the Lord is at hand" mean?
15. How are we to let our request be known unto God?
16. Worry is lack of _______.
17. Quote Psalms chapter 37 verse 4.
18. Who is King of Peace?
19. What is the promise, in Psalms, that should bring peace to
    believers?
20. Noah was saved __ the flood, not ________ the flood.
21. Get your eyes off the _______________ around you.
22. Quote Philippians chapter 4 verse 8.
23. Christians should not be __________.
24. Quote Matthew chapter 5 verse 16.
25. What is the responsibility of every believer to reflect?
26. Do not just be a ________ of the Word, be a _______.
27. Quote John chapter 14 verse 12.
28. When had they helped Paul?
29. Paul said, "for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am,
    therewith to be _________."
30. I know both how to be ________, and how to _________.
31. Memorize and quote Philippians chapter 4 verse 13.
32. Who was the only church that helped Paul with his needs?
33. In verse 17, Paul desired _________ that may abound to your
    account, more than gifts.
34. Who had brought the gifts to Paul from the Philippians?
35. Quote Philippians chapter 4 verse 19.
36. Who did Paul tell them to salute?
37. How do we know some in Caesar's house came to Christ?
38. Paul begins and ends his letters with what?