This week we will be reading and studying two prison epistles of the Apostle Paul. The books of Philippians and Colossians. In Philippians, it’s all about the joy! Enjoy and be blessed.
Philippians 1: Greeting
1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thanksgiving and Prayer
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,
4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy,
5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel.
8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.
9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,
10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
The Advance of the Gospel
12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel,
13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.
14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will.
16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defence of the gospel.
17 The former proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.
18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
To Live Is Christ Yes, and I will rejoice,
19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance,
20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honoured in my body, whether by life or by death.
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labour for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.
23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.
24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.
25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,
26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,
28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.
29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,
30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.
Philippians 2: Christ's Example of Humility
1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,
2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
3 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Lights in the World
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
14 Do all things without grumbling or questioning,
15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labour in vain.
17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.
18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.
Timothy and Epaphroditus
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you.
20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.
21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.
22 But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.
23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me,
24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.
25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need,
26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill.
27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious.
29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honour such men,
30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.
Things to think about…
1. You may remember how this church at Philippi started. By a women’s bible study along the banks of the river at Philippi as recorded in Acts 16. We now see Paul addressing the saints, as well as the deacons (ministry leaders) and the overseers (elders), Phil 1:1. So clearly men were added to the church after the Philippian gaoler got converted. The main word in this book is ‘joy’ vs 4. It’s interesting that Paul began this church by being in prison and now here is writing to the church from prison but it is with a sense of joy that he writes. Have you ever been in a situation which felt like a prison? How did the Lord use your ‘imprisonment’ to extend his gospel? Did you have any experience of joy through it?
2. In Phil 1:12-18 we see Paul’s imprisonment has extended the gospel to the whole Roman guard. This imperial guard, Phil 1:13 – about 900 men. These were directly linked to the Caesar and the Roman Senate. What do you think Paul means in Phil 1:17, 18? Should it matter what motives we have when we preach the gospel? It certainly should, but the gospel and the salvation of souls is the higher need, regardless of the heart or intent. Unfortunately, there is a good amount of messages from pulpits in the western church that do not speak about sin, righteousness and judgement. Can this be truly described as the gospel. I am struggling to say yes. The gospel is the good news. What makes it good news? It means that someone has been saved from the bad news, that we are all under judgement and condemned to an eternal hell without the grace of Jesus saving our souls. This message needs to be preached and unfortunately it is lacking in our generation. Hence, we see large (and small) weak churches, filled with weak Christians. Is the holy Spirit in these churches? You have to wonder. Some churches can have the Holy Spirit removed, Rev 2:5 “I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.”. One wonders whether it would be noticed if He was removed, such is the self will and personally cults in churches. Was the Holy Spirit in the church in Sardis Rev 3:1 when Jesus said of them “You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead”. I fear that label may be given to many churches in our generation. As well as “because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked, I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich”. Rev 3:16-18. God have mercy on us.
3. In Phil 1:19-30 we see some of the attitudes that Paul had when he was reflecting back on his experience of being taken into the third heaven. Paul was not afraid of leaving the body, because he knew where he was going having had his ‘revelation’ many years before. What propels you? How is your belief in Christ personal? Do you have the confidence of a certain sure weight of glory that will be your inheritance when you depart this life? Paul knew this for a certainty and that gave him all the confidence needed to share the gospel with boldness.
4. Paul speaks about his joy and being full by seeing Christ fully formed in the Philippians through their unity and love, Phil 2:1-11. I praise God when I see joy, unity, truth, grace and peace within the church. I am thankful to God where this fruit is clearly on display in churches. Very little brings me more joy.
5. In Phil 2:12-18 Paul asks that we have no reason to be fearful as we live as lights holding up the word of life, vs 16. Even if we are being poured out as a drink offering. What is the greatest thing you fear in this life? Consider Paul’s answer, in Phil 2:18.
6. Have a look at the words that Paul speaks regarding Timothy and Epaphroditus in Phil 2:19-30. Even though Paul is being ministered to directly by the Holy Spirit, the Lord still uses these godly men to be a support to Paul. I thank Gpd for Pastor Ric and the elders at CBC. They are a great encouragement to me. Give thanks for those who have been a support to you in your faith walk. Why not encourage them today with a text or phone call…or better yet, a visit in person. It is interesting to note that Epaphroditus was not instantly healed of a disease that brought him close to death, Phil 2:25-27. He was healed gradually through the prayers of the saints. Theology that says we should be instantly healed, or that there is a lack of faith in every instance where there is moderate or no healing is not only false at its core, but also evil and anti-Christ.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Life groups Wednesdays. Ric Benson group Wednesday night 6:30pm.
Pastor Jay has started the young adult’s life group looking at “what is a cult” Sunday week.
Prayer Points
1. Keep praying for Anna and the Playgroup, pray for more families to be reached.
2. Conflict in Israel and Ukraine.
3. Church finances to cover all expenses. Budget presently not being met.
4. Pray for Kids@Church, Life groups. Young Adults.
5. Mathys has a prayer time at church on Wednesday afternoons, 5:00pm in the church cafe. He would be happy for you to join him and to send prayer requests.
6. That we be bold in our witnessing for Christ. Pray for a heart to see those around you to be saved. Pray for the blessing over the new pastoral care and hosting program.
7. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to increase.
Praise Points
1. Tad’s health getting better all the time.
2. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Playgroup 9:30-11am on Friday.
2. Combined church prayer meeting Tuesday 4th June 7pm at Chuwar Baptist Church.
3. Young Adults study after church Sunday week – “What is a cult?”.
4. Wednesday evening prayer at church 5:30-6pm
5. Life Groups Wednesday 6:30pm at church.
6. Kids@Church every Sunday.
7. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
8. Tune in again this week on our YouTube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for May...
Q. 20. How do you know that you have a soul? A. Because the Bible tells me so.
