Choosing The Best Series

Intro: An old dog was watching a young dog chase his tail. The young dog stopped to rest, and told the older dog, “I believe happiness is in my tail, and if I catch it, then I will have happiness!” The older, wiser dog said, “I caught mine once. . . and I found out that happiness is not in the catching, it’s in the pursuit.” In this letter Paul is cheering the Philippians and you to have joy in Jesus constant presence and persistent work in them. It is the pursuit of Christ despite the pressures of life that bring overflowing joy.

I. Paul’s greeting

A) From slaves of Christ

Choosing the best begins with our response to God. Paul was an apostle, a missionary, a preacher and writer but he chose to begin this very personal letter to the Philippians identifying Himself as a slave of Jesus Christ. Paul is no longer the proud and pompous Pharisee; he is now the bond slave of Jesus. So how do we tell if we are truly bond slaves of Jesus? Someone once said it is how we react when we are treated like one. Paul joyfully served Jesus not matter the pressure or pain and as he did with Timothy in this greeting he elevated others instead of Himself.

B) To the saints of Christ

1) This is not determined by the church

2) This is not determined by your works

3) This is determined by your reception of God’s grace (God’s riches at Christ’s Expense)

Saint comes from the word Hagios which simply means to set apart. In the Old Testament the Tabernacle and Temple were set apart for God alone. All the furnishings and utensils especially the Ark of the Covenant and the Holy of Holies were set apart. They were chosen by God for special use. There were no longer supposed to be used for common tasks. The tribe of Levi was set apart to serve God as priests. They did not inherit land because they were to devote their time and energy in serving God. The people of Israel were set apart to be his special people to take the glorious light of His person to the gentiles. To be a saint means to be set apart for God’s purposes.

C) From the source Jesus Christ

Where does lasting joy come from? It comes from our connection to God the father through Jesus Christ. Joy is the pleasure that comes from our relationship with Jesus. Joy does not come from a change in our circumstances it comes from a change in our character. In Philippians 4:11 Paul said, “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am in.”

Forty times Jesus’ name is mentioned in this letter. The center of Joy is Jesus. He is the hub and the spokes radiate out from our dependence on Him daily.

II. Paul’s gratefulness

A) As a result of the Philippians partnership in the gospel (Philippians 1:5)

The word Paul used for partnership in the Gospel is the same word we learned in Acts 2, fellowship in the Gospel. They didn’t just hear Paul’s message they helped with Paul’s ministry. It is the word translated fellowship. It does not mean food gatherings!! It means sharing common concerns, goals, lifestyles, dreams and partnering together so that there everyone in our circle of influence hears the name of Jesus and the good news of the gospel! Paul is so thankful here because the Philippians weren’t just spectators in History they were participants.

What did they share? The Philippians shared life, prayer, praise, thanksgiving, love, service, evangelism, separation from the world, and God’s great grace. The purpose is what Paul is thankful for. It wasn’t fellowship from mans point of view but it was for the purpose of Heaven coming on earth in and around the body of Christ.

B) As a result of Jesus persistent work in the Philippians

Paul’s confidence rested on God’s ability to complete His work in the Philippians lives. We too can have the confidence that God will finish His work in us. Realize Paul is calling us to confidence not arrogance. Since God is the one who completes it the work will last it will be permanent. Remember also that our entire life is an ongoing work of God’s Holy Spirit in us to transform us into the image of Jesus.

God’s goal in our life is not a lack of stress, doubt or struggle. His goal is for those things to have less and less control and impact on us as we are every day controlled more and more by His will!

How do we do this? How do we allow God to have more control over us than the circumstances that constantly surround us?