Philippians lesson 2

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PHILIPPIANS 1:1-26
LESSON #02
JOY AND THE PLACE WHERE I AM

• Memory verse: Philippians 1:6

• Read Phi 1:1-11 Paul’s encouragement for living the Christian life
• The heart of Paul’s prayer for these people:
• Paul requests grace and peace for the people of the church of Philippi. Why do you think he chose these two words instead of faith and hope, for example?
• People going through trials need an abundance of God’s grace.
• They also need a sense of peace which comes from an understanding that God is in control even though it may not appear to be true at the time.
• We also see that this church was in need of sincere love. (1:9) Their love needed to be mixed with knowledge and discernment.
• They needed to discern people’s works whether they were done in true love or false love. He used some interesting words to explain this idea.
• He used the words, “sincere and without offense” (10)
• These Greek words were used in making pottery. Often a potter would make an inferior pot that had many cracks in it when it was fired. To make the pot appear of good quality he filled the cracks with wax to deceive the buyers.
• Paul wants their love to be without hypocrisy, of good quality with no wax to fill in the cracks that cause another Christian to stumble.
• Paul’s praise of the saints at Philippi:
• How do we know this is a well-established church?
• In verse 1 it tells us they have bishops, elders, and deacons.
• In other words they have a working organization which includes mature believers in ministry.
• There is very little said about doctrinal error in this book.
• Paul’s encouragement to remain faithful. (5-7)
• Notice that Paul makes the tie between them stronger:
• Paul prays for them specifically every time he prays to God. (4)
• He refers to their “fellowship in the gospel” (5)
• They are all on the same team working toward the same goal: sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with others and seeing them get saved.
• They are “partakers of Paul’s grace” (7) What does Paul mean by this?
• This was the only church that gave Paul monetary support for his ministry.
• Therefore, they are bound to each other by deep love, and this church will reap the rewards of the fruit of Paul’s ministry.
• Joy, and the place where I am:
• One thing that often emotionally robs a person of joy is his location.
• Have you ever been in a place that you hated to be there? You emotionally longed to be somewhere else.
• All you could think about was that other place. Surely you would be happy there rather than here.
• Notice that Paul would rather be in Philippi rather than in prison in Rome. (8)
• Did these feelings rob Paul of joy? No. (1:4)
• Why was Paul able to maintain joy even though he was in a place where he did not want to be?
• Paul had surrendered his will to the will of God.
• It is important to know that you are where God wants you to be.
• Read Phi 1:12-18
• What negative things happened to Paul in his life and ministry? (1:12-18)
• He was imprisoned various times
• He was criticized by others because of envy and strife: (15)
• Probably some Christians wanted to replace Paul as a leader because he was restricted in prison.
• Christian maturity is when you can rejoice when someone can do what you do and can do it better! (18)
• From other books that Paul wrote, we know he was beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, chased out of town, and falsely tried in court.
• Why can Paul rejoice because of the things that happened to him?
• He has developed an eternal perspective:
• He is able to see the bigger picture, not just his very narrow situation.
• An eternal perspective lifts your focus from your current situation to God’s eternal plan.
• What do you think Paul learned so that he would be content?
• He looks for the good that can come in the location where he is.
• He learned to give thanks in everything. (12)
• Read 1The 5:16
• The gospel is still being preached even in prison.
• Remember that one of the founders of the church at Philippi was a jailor who accepted Christ when he guarded Paul before.
• Everyone knows he is in prison for preaching the gospel, even the high government leaders. (13)
• Paul’s attitude of joy is an encouragement to others who are suffering persecution. (14)

• Read Phi 1:19-26 Paul’s expectations and attitudes:
• Paul expected that the prayers of this church would help to bring him freedom from prison. (19,26)
• The word “salvation” in verse 19 means his deliverance, help, and well-being.
• However, if God did not allow his freedom from prison, his attitude is one of contentment. (20)
• How can Paul be content in prison? (20-23)
• He has faith and trust in the sovereignty of God.
• God is in control in all situations.
• No matter what happens, Jesus Christ will be magnified. In other words Paul’s whole purpose for living will be complete.
• Paul has a clear idea of his “life purpose”.
• Paul’s “life purpose” was to preach the gospel everywhere, plant churches, and nourish them.
• All Christians need to develop a “life purpose”.
• To live the life of Christ cancels the fear of death.
• Paul sees the benefit of living to continue his ministry which is a benefit to others.
• However, he sees the benefit of dying which means he goes to be with the Lord. (21-23)
• Discussion:
• What is the difference between trusting God, no matter what happens, and “fatalism” (the acceptance of all events in your life as inevitable)?
• Contentment Secrets:
• Secrets to learning contentment: #1 nurture a thankful heart.
• Secrets to learning contentment: #2 develop a “life purpose”

HOMEWORK
PHILIPPIANS 1:27-2:11
This is a self-study. Please do not send homework answers to the teacher forcorrection.

• Application of Phi 1:1-26
• To help you develop a “purpose for your life”, read the following scriptures and answer the question, “what is God’s general purpose for all Christians”?
• Eph 1:4

• Eph 1:11-12

• Eph 2:10

• Rom 8:28-29

• Rom 9:23-24

• Write here what you think is your specific “life’s purpose”:

• Preparation for Phi 1:27-2:11
• Read Phi 1:27-30
• What is mentioned in these verses that can rob a person of joy?

• Read Phi 2:1-11
• What four things have been made available to Christians? (2:1-2)

• What four things are believers told to do? (2:1-2)

• What does Paul admonish believers not to do? (2:3-4)

• What two things does Paul admonish believers to do? (2:3-4)

• What was Paul’s greatest challenge in life? (see 2Cor 12:7)

• Memory verse: Philippians 2:5