Philippians 1:1-2 Series

Philippians 1:1-2

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.

I have always said that the Christian when introducing themselves should always do so saying that they are a servant of Christ Jesus. I say this because if you are a Christian then this is exactly who you are and anything else that you happen to be in your life is relatively small in comparison.

The fact though that most Christians feel the need to say they are other things first prioritizes what is most important to them first over Christ. I'm a husband, I'm a father, I'm a doctor, a welder, a librarian, whatever comes out of the Christians mouth first is their priority in their life over Christ.

As a matter of fact it is telling people that you are more of this world than you are of Christ and I would say that this is the unfortunate truth with the vast majority of self professing Christians today which is why Christians have fallen short in their work for Christ. It is why Christianity is shrinking more and more every year.

1 Peter 3:15 ~ but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

We should always be making a defense for Christ when we are out in the world. How can we make a defense for Christ if people don't even know we are Christians in the first place unless we tell them? We can't. Our defense is the gospel and only the gospel, it is our only defense to the world, nothing else. Do you know the gospel?

To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:

What we are seeing within this introduction Paul is making to the church in Philippi, is an acknowledgment of church structure. The saints being the believers of this church meaning those who attend this church but are not a part of the churches hierarchy structure. Paul then mentions the overseers which would be considered pastors and elders. And lastly the deacons of the church.

This seems like a good time to give some biblical guidance on what scripture sees the break down of church looking like being many “churches” today do not follow any biblical structure.

The Saint:

A saint is a believer, one who has given their life fully over to Christ as their Lord and Savior by the hearing of the gospel and follows all the beliefs of scripture and it's commands.

The saint believes, repents, has been baptized and shares the gospel with others as it has been with them. The saint also as they mature disciples others.

The Overseer:

Overseers are a combination of pastors, elders and sometimes they are called bishops. They are a group of men qualified by scripture and ordained by God.

1 Timothy 3:1-7 ~ 3 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

Deacons:

Deacons are qualified by scripture and approved by overseers to assist in the needs of the church.

1 Timothy 3:8-13 ~ 8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless.

11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things.

12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

We will not be going through these verses in Timothy but rather just wanted to give scripture in order for those needing it to understand better what each are.