Philippians
Session 1 - Intro, Thankfulness, Prayer - Philippians 1:1-11
Paul summons the Philippians to unity as they continue to live worthy of the gospel and contend for it.
On his second journey to bring the gospel to the Gentile world, the apostle Paul helped start a church in the city of Philippi, a colony of retired Roman soldiers (see Acts 16:11-40). The Philippians became Paul’s friends and supporters for the rest of his life.
Paul’s desire is that the Philippians will gain confidence and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
Paul urges the Philippians to have the servant attitude that Jesus had. He did not grasp his high position but humbled himself even to the point of death—all for the sake of others. Our citizenship is in God’s realm and so we eagerly await the Savior’s return to us. -Thoughts from https://my.bible.com/bible/111/PHP.INTRO1.NIV
Philippians 1:1-11 - Opening Prayer
Themes: Humility, joy, hardship, hope beyond suffering, God’s glory. Like Jesus, Paul’s service to others brought him face to face with humiliation and death, but he is still confident that God will glorify himself in Paul’s suffering.
1Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:
2Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thanksgiving and Prayer
3I thank my God every time I remember you. 4In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
7It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
9And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
Points to Ponder:
The language Paul uses is extremely warm and personal in these verses, why? It could be because the Philippians supported Paul's missionary work both prayerfully and financially. Look at 3 John 6-8 for similar language.
Make a mental note of some of the things that Paul is thankful for, in Phil. 1:3–7, and the things that he prays for them, in Phil. 1:9–11. Read Paul’s prayers in Ephesians 1:15–23, Colossians 1:9–14, and 2 Thessalonians 1:3–12. Consider the similarities among these prayers? Statements like "faith is increasing" and "love for God's people is growing" are common.
Cross-Reference:
John 10:27-30 – My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all[a]; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.
Ephesians 1:13-14 – And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
2 Cor 5:10 – For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
1 Peter 1:22 – Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.
2 Corinthians 1:12 – Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace.
Philippians 2:15 – So that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.
Session 2 - Paul's Imprisonment - Philippians: 1:12-26
Themes: Hardship, death, hope beyond suffering, God’s glory.
Even if Paul’s service to the Church ended in his own death, it would be a gain because he could be with Jesus. However, like Jesus, he will continue to live, suffer, and serve in order to be a blessing to others.
Paul’s Chains Advance the Gospel
12Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
15It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.
Points to Ponder:
It is surprising both that his chains would make some bolder and that others would try to take advantage of Paul's situation to harm him further.
Typically when a person goes to prison, their concern is to get out. Paul seems more urgently concerned about the status of the spread of the gospel than about the particulars of his future. He is ready to rejoice as long as the gospel is advancing regardless of his situation.
Paul implies that God put him in prison for the sake of the gospel. We learn from this that God’s priority is also the spread of the gospel and not necessarily the worldly comfort of his people.
Paul honors Christ in life by living to spread the gospel, valuing the gospel and therefore valuing Christ above all things. He honors Christ in death by joyfully dying, knowing that he is going to be with Christ. This honors Christ that Christ is supremely satisfying and even more desirable than any pleasure this world has to offer.
Christ also suffered for the gospel. He knows what it is like to be abandoned by people you thought were your brothers, he knows what it is like to lay down his life for others. He knows what it is like to pursue the honor of another, the Father in Jesus case, even at the cost of your own.
The promise that if he dies he will go to be with Christ. The experience of Jesus using him to advance the gospel. The help of the Spirit of Christ, who sympathizes with those suffering and strengthens them to persevere. The confidence that God answers the prayers of his people.
Cross-Reference:
Ephesians 4:29 – Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
James 5:9 – Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
1
Corinthians 10:10 – And do not grumble, as some of them did—and
were killed by the destroying angel.
Proverbs 15:13 – A happy
heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.
Proverbs 17:22 – A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Romans 12:12 – Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Galatians 4:6 – Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”
Acts 28:30 – For two whole years, Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him.
Matthew 10:32 – Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.
Titus 2:8 – And soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
1 Peter 3:16-17 – Keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
Colossians 3:17 – And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
2 Corinthians 5:8 – We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
Galatians 2:18-20 – If I rebuild what I destroyed, then I really would be a lawbreaker. “For through the law, I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.1 Peter 5:10 – And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
Romans 8:18 – For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 – For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
Session 3 - Following Jesus' Example - Philippians 1:27-2:18
Themes: Hardship, humility, love, service, hope beyond suffering, and God’s glory.
Paul tells the Philippians that even though they face persecution and danger, their lives as Christians should be consistent with the truth of God in Jesus who gave himself up in love for others. Suffering because of Jesus is a way of living out the Gospel.
Life Worthy of the Gospel
27Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
Imitating Christ’s Humility
1Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
5In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Do Everything Without Grumbling
12Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
14Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. 17But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
Points to Ponder:
Paul says we are to live lives worthy of the gospel of Christ, means: unified, striving for the gospel, not afraid, embracing suffering as part of their faith.
Encouragement from Christ, comfort from love, participation in the Spirit, affection and sympathy. These are all aspects of salvation. God encourages us in sorrow in a variety of ways through the grace and promises he has given us in Christ. The experience of Christ’s love is a chief comfort. The Spirit is the means of God communicating his grace and love to us as well as uniting us together as one body in Christ. The affection and sympathy is that of Christ for us. All these phrases together paint a stirring picture of Christ’s concern for us.
Paul says we are to adopt Christ’s mindset toward each other. Skim back over verses 1:27-2:4? How do we see Christ portrayed in 2:5-11 living out the life Paul has described? Where do we see him experiencing the elements of the Christian experience in 2:1? How has Christ fulfilled the commandments in the rest of the passage?)
Christ portrayed in 2:5-11 shows He has experienced the encouragement and love of the Father. Christ participated in the Spirit, who indwelt him in his incarnation. He leaned on the affection and sympathy of God the Father trusting him that God would restore him to glory after he humbled himself and suffered the Father’s chastisement.
Christ looked to his Father to be concerned for his interests in the same way we are to look to Christ to be concerned for our interests. Since Christ trusted the Father to look out for him, he set about looking out for others. Thus Christ is not just an example of others-centered humility but an example of trust in our gracious God.
Cross Reference:
Mark 12:30-31 – Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
3 John 1:4 – I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
Romans 12:10 – Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
1 Peter 5:5 – In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
Galatians 5:13 – You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.
Matthew 11:29 – Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Colossians 1:15-17 – The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Hebrews 1:2-3 – But in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
John 5:18 – For this reason they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
John 10:33 – “We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”
Matthew 20:28 – Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
1 Timothy 2:5 – For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.
Hebrews 4:15 – For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.
Session 4 - Timothy and Epaphroditus - Philippians 2:19-30
Themes: Hardship, service, death, love.
Paul points out two fellow believers who are living after Jesus’ example. First, he commends Timothy because he puts the needs of God’s people before his own. Second, he acknowledges that Epaphroditus left his home, just as Jesus did, to serve Paul in his time of need and nearly lost his life in the process.
Timothy and Epaphroditus
19I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. 21For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. 23I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.
25But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 28Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. 29So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, 30because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.
Points to Ponder:
Christ was obedient by humbling himself to serve others, even to the point of dying on the cross for them. Paul is calling us to live lives worthy of the gospel, to suffer gladly for the advancement of the gospel, to unite as a community for the sake of the gospel, and serve one another so that all persevere in their faith and ministry.
Even if Paul is not there to hold the Philippians accountable, people ought to fear that God is still among them and conduct themselves accordingly. Additionally, just because the Philippians do not have Paul ministering to them, they still have God, which is far better. People can expect God to continue working in them to bring to completion what he started with or without Paul (1:6).
God does not call us to outward behavior only but wants our hearts to be engaged in the manners of his kingdom. When our hearts are sour toward the things of God it comes through in our speech, even if we are “obeying” in our actions.
Paul describes the gospel as the word of life in the context of speaking about his own death. Paul is clinging to the “life” promised in the gospel even as he faces his own potential death. The good news that we are reconciled to God by the blood of Christ makes any suffering tolerable since we have access to endless and perfect joy in Christ.
They were genuine in their concern for the church and the lost, and the priorities of Christ had become their priorities. Paul had seen a track record of faithfulness and was willing to entrust them with significant responsibility.
Joy in the Lord and grumbling are incompatible since all grumbling is ultimately against our Lord as the sovereign ruler of all things. Joy and sorrow are compatible since you can be joyful in the Lord and sorrowful about other things at the same time. Joy in the Lord is our comfort in suffering.
Cross Reference:
John 14:15 – If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
James 1:22 – But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
2 Corinthians 13:5 – Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!
Lamentations 3:40 – Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord!
James 5:9 – Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.
Matthew 5:14-16 – You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
1 Corinthians 10:24 – Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.
Romans 12:10 – Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
Session 5 - Paul's Example - Philippians 3:1-21
Themes: Hardship, humility, hope beyond suffering.
Paul turns next to his own story as an example. He recounts the things about himself that others might regard as an impressive “spiritual resume” and says that he has renounced all of that for the sake of knowing Jesus. In other words, Paul empties himself of his own glory after the pattern of the God who came not to be served but to serve.
No Confidence in the Flesh
1Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. 2Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. 3For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— 4though I myself have reasons for such confidence.
If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.
7But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Following Paul’s Example
15All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
17Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. 18For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Points to Ponder:
The evil doers are the so-called Judaizers. They called themselves followers of Christ, thus they were able to infiltrate Christian communities. However, they advocated observing the statues of the Mosaic Law, thus obscuring and even nullifying the good news of the gospel. They trusted that their strict obedience to the Law of Moses would curry favor with God leading to salvation. Whether or not a person was circumcised became a litmus test of obedience to the Law. So Paul singles it out as a dominant feature of their anti-gospel message when he refers to them as “mutilators of the flesh”. On the other hand, the Philippians who have believed in the gospel understand their sinfulness and are trusting in Christ’s death and righteousness which they have received by their faith.
If people believe they must earn God’s favor, obedience to the Lord becomes burdensome and fearful. How can you rejoice in the lavish blessings of God, when you are never quite sure if you have yet merited them? It does not matter how great the promises of God are or how wonderful God is described if you can never be absolutely sure his goodness is yours.
Putting confidence in the flesh is trusting that one’s own righteousness merits the favor or goodness of God. Paul uses himself as an example because he excelled beyond all of his contemporaries in strict observance of the Law, but even in his achievements knew that his righteousness was rubbish before God. So if Paul’s best efforts are rubbish, then all else are discouraged from pursuing the Law as if they could perform it to God’s satisfaction and earn salvation.
The gain Paul derived from his achievements was the tentative hope that they amounted to enough good to please God. As a Pharisee perhaps he also appreciated the esteem from his contemporaries. However, as a Christian, he sees the foolishness and emptiness of the so-called “gain” he once sought. He now views his achievements as loss since the only thing they ever did was to blind Paul from his need for the gospel. They moved him further from Christ if anything, not closer.
To be found in Christ is a spatial metaphor that describes God finding us inside Jesus. Because we are inside Jesus, when God finds us, he only finds the merits of Christ’s righteousness and not our own. Therefore to be in Christ is to possess his righteousness.
Knowing Christ is having a relationship with him. The power of his resurrection is to experience the life-giving power that rose Christ from the dead. This resurrection power is currently at work in our souls. It initially gave us new life when we were born again at the beginning of our faith in Christ. It continues to be at work in every believer giving them life, transforming them to be more like Christ. When God works in us to will and to work for his good pleasure it is this resurrection power that he uses.
The phrase "resurrection of the dead" is describing something different from the power of Christ’s resurrection. Here Paul has in mind the actual resurrection of the dead at the Day of Christ. This final resurrection is the beginning of the full experience of eternal life.
We are all imperfect, so anyone who is not willing to recognize that they have not achieved perfection is blind to his own condition. Mature people have a clear sense of their imperfection along with an indefatigable drive to be more Christ-like. This drive comes from God’s power at work in their lives and the joy of knowing Christ. The mature experience God’s power and joy in the Lord, not because they are more righteous, but because they put their confidence in Christ and not in themselves.
Cross Reference:
Galatians 2:3 – Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek.
Acts 15:1 – Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.”
Romans 2:25-29 – Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. So then, if those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised? The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker. A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.
Romans 7:5 – For when we were in the realm of the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in us, so that we bore fruit for death.
Ephesians 2:1 – As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins
Genesis 17:12 – For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner—those who are not your offspring.
Matthew 16:24-26 – Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?
Luke 14:33 – In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.
Romans 12:1-2 – Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
John 17:3 – Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
2 Corinthians 4:6 – For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
Hebrews 4:15 – For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.
2 Thessalonians 2:13-15 – But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.
Proverbs 24:16 – For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.
1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:7 – But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
Hebrews 8:12 – For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.
Psalms 102:12 – But you, Lord, sit enthroned forever; your renown endures through all generations.
Hebrews 12:2 – And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
1 Corinthians 9:24- – Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
1 Corinthians 11:1 – Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
1 Timothy 6:12 – Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
James 4:4 – You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
1 John 2:15 – Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.
Colossians 3:2 – Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Romans 12:1-2 – Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Session 6 - Challenge to Live after Paul's Example - Philippians 4:1-9
Themes: Service, joy, hope beyond suffering.
Here Paul challenges two women leaders to follow Jesus’ humble example and become unified. He then goes on to encourage the Philippians to give their fears and troubles in prayer to God, who will guard them in Jesus, the one who has passed into death and back again.
Philippians 4:1-9
Closing Appeal for Steadfastness and Unity
1 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!
2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.
3 Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Final Exhortations
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Points to Ponder:
As Paul explained in Chapters 1 & 2, unity is critical for the spread of the gospel. Disagreements keep us from supporting one another in the hard work of the ministry. Paul needs to be sure that this situation will be taken care of immediately and he trusts that the church is mature enough to handle it publicly.
You don’t need to agree on everything, but agreeing in the Lord means that you value the things that you agree upon because of your shared connection to Christ more than you value the things that you disagree upon.
Paul is continuing to build a case for their connectedness. Seeing that they have both labored with Paul implies that they are ultimately about the same work of the spread of the gospel. They are both heirs of eternal life and if nothing else better learn to get along because they will be with each other forever.
Rejoicing in the Lord is rejoicing in the experience of Jesus himself. The reason you can do this always is that neither Christ nor our relationship with him ever changes, for those who are Christ’s. Even though circumstances change we can always rejoice in Jesus. Sometimes our circumstances are so painful it is difficult to rejoice in anything, even Jesus. Other times our circumstances are so good that it is hard to rejoice in Jesus because we are satisfied elsewhere. But it is always possible to rejoice in him
Most of the times our anxieties are caused by failing to recognize God in the situation. When we bring our anxieties to God, we realize that none of them are worthy of fretting over in light of the awesome power and goodness of God to us. Even if things do not fall out for us the way we pray for them, just knowing that God has been called upon to deal with the situation comforts us. Additionally, coming to God with thanksgiving reminds us that no situation is really completely bad and worth our anxiety.
Our hearts are under attack by anxious thoughts. Paul pictures them as invaders. Christ stands as guard at the threshold of our minds and hearts forbidding that any anxious, unbelieving thoughts should enter. The picture of Christ guarding us is of course metaphorical. He protects us from anxiety by assuring us of God’s love for us on account of his blood, and using his authority to bring about our ultimate good.
The mind is where we sort out everything we know about Jesus and the world. If our mind is filled with lies about God or ourselves we will never be able to live the lives God has for us. The mind is the place our souls work out our passions, our designs, our values.
The person experiences God as a peace giver. This happens ultimately from believing Paul’s gospel. Paul’s life was all about the gospel. His pattern of life was a gospel-centered life.
Cross Reference:
Verses on Worry:
Matthew 6:27-30 – Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.
Proverbs 12:25 – Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.
Matthew 6:25 – Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
1 Peter 5:7 – Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Verses on Joy:
James 1:2-4 – Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Psalms 40:16 – But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The Lord is great!”
Psalms 28:7 – The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.
Verses on Thanksgiving:
Psalms 31:19 – How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.
Psalms 107:1 – Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Verses on Peace:
Psalms 119:16 – I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.
Isaiah 26:3 – You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
Isaiah 54:10 – Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
Session 7 - Closing Thanks - Philippians 4:10-23
Themes: Joy, service, God’s glory.
Paul’s imprisonment and hardships haven’t meant his ruin; rather, they are the very way God has blessed him (and others through him) and through which he has experienced God’s strengthening in any circumstance.
Thanks for Their Gifts
10I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
14Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. 17Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. 18I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
20To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Final Greetings
21Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings. 22All God’s people here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.
23The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Points to Ponder:
Paul is joyful that the Philippians have revived their concern for him through a financial gift sent with Epaphroditus.
He knows that their ability and desire to give ultimately comes from God. He probably is thankful to the Philippians, but he is more eager to express his delight that God is at work in them.
Paul is not rejoicing because he was in desperate need and suddenly things are better. He wants the Philippians to know that their gift is a cause for rejoicing because their gift shows that their faith is genuine and that they are trusting God.
He does all things through “him”, i.e. Christ, who strengthens him. As Paul moves through life, he knows that God loves him and that Christ died for him. He knows that when he dies he will go to be with the Lord. So whether he lived or dies, has comfort or suffering, he has a source of hope and joy in Christ that energizes him to fulfill any work God calls him to.
Most churches didn’t give, but the Philippians entered into a partnership with Paul to support his ministry.
Donating or Volunteering can be more about the person donating than that need. Most problems cannot be solved by quick fixes, but God does amazing things through relationships, and a commitment to tackle a problem over time. In a partnership, you give not just your money or time, but your very self. The commitment to a relationship with someone offers a source of hope, encouragement, and possibility which is absent in one-time gifts. One-time gifts and opportunities are obviously great, only partnerships are more powerful.
The Philippians gave to both Paul and God. But ultimately when we give or serve, we are serving God not men. Our ultimate motivation is to please God. This is more important than even the help that we give to each other. The first question we have to ask is not “how can I help my fellow man?” but “how can I please God?”
Paul wants to emphasize that God gets the glory for the way he pours out his riches on those who are in Christ. This helps emphasize to the Philippians and to us that God is not limited or stingy or reluctant to provide for us. He is gloriously rich and in Christ has bound himself to care for his children.
When we are generous in the name of Jesus, we give glory to God because we highlight the fact that God has been generous to us. When we make it clear that God is generous he is glorified.
Cross Reference:
Verses on Contentment:
Psalms 37:16 – Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked.
1 Timothy 6:6, 8 – But godliness with contentment is great gain. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
Hebrews 13:5 – Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Ecclesiastes 5:10 – Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.
Luke 12:15 – Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
Verses on Generosity
Proverbs 22:9 – The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.
Matthew 6:3-4 – But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Luke 6:38 – Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Romans 8:32 – He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
Acts 20:35 – In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
1 Timothy 6:18 – Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
2 Corinthians 9:7 – Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
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