You People Are Awesome! Series

I. Intro

A. Who likes to look at pictures in family photo albums? Are there some photos that make you smile every time you look at them? What about every time you think about them?

B. We enjoy singing here so much—whenever people ask us what we do, we tell them—but among all the things we’re part of, we love mentioning Creekside specifically

C. Background / Setting

1. Philippi (Greece) was orig. Krenides; changed to Philippi by Philip II of Macedon in 4th c. B.C.

2. In 42 B.C. Mark Antony & Octavian defeated Brutus & Cassius at the Battle of Ph.—ended the Roman Republic and founded the Roman Empire

3. Became a “retirement community” for veterans of the Roman army; Philippians were Roman citizens

4. This church was founded by Paul on his 2nd missionary journey (Acts. 16:12-40)

a. Lydia, a wealthy merchant, was the early patron

II. Greetings! (vv.1–2)

A. Paul is not alone—he has Timothy there, in the flesh (v.1)

1. “Servants”—not obligated as slaves, but willing

B. Paul is addressing the leadership (v.2)

1. “Saints”—All those who were believers

2. “Overseers”—pastors / elders (leaders)

3. “Deacons”—those who serve the church (not leaders)

III. Thank God for You! (vv.3–6)

A. Paul opens with thanks every time they cross his mind

1. In most other letters, if he mentions being thankful for them, it’s when he is praying—but Philippi, it’s just automatic—they give him such joy

2. “with joy”—it’s not effort; Paul doesn’t have to grudgingly pray for Philippi

3. “Partnership”—or “fellowship” or “participation”—they weren’t just cheerleaders, they were fellow evangelist “teammates,” and had been from their founding—they didn’t wait to attend seminary!

4. “until now”—their service to him didn’t lose intensity

B. Paul is confident in their faithfulness because of God (v.6)

1. “I am sure of this”—not “I’m betting on you,” or “You won’t let me down,” but almost speaking beyond the present: “I regard this as already a done deal”

2. “He”—because God is the one doing the work, not people

3. “who began a good work”—specific reference to salvation

4. “will carry it on to completion”—salvation isn’t the moment of conversion, it’s a believer’s whole life

5. “until the day of Jesus Christ”—not the day of judgment, but the day when salvation is complete and we are with Jesus for our glorification

IV. You Guys are Awesome! (vv.7–8)

A. Paul felt fully justified in this praise (v.7)

1. “It is right”—fair; Paul felt they had earned His respect

2. “in my imprisonment”—they never deserted him, and he knew it, because…

3. “partakers”—the Philippians sent money and Epaphroditus, who at least brought Paul their love in person

4. “defense and confirmation”—either specifically in the first phase of his trial in Rome, or generally of his ministry

B. Paul felt an emotionally deep connection with them (v.8)

1. “yearn”—epipotheo: “epi” meaning “super” or “over;” “potheo” meaning “desire”; Paul really loved these people and missed their actual presence with him

3. “affection”—we would say, “deep down,” but this actually means “down in my guts”—pretty deep!

V. Keep Being Awesome! (vv.9–11)

A. Paul wants them to feel toward each other and to the ministry of the gospel what he feels towards them (v.9)

1. “knowledge”—Biblical love is not empty sentimentalism; it’s deeply rooted in and regulated by Scripture

2. “discernment”—the ability to use your knowledge and distinguish right from wrong, true from false

B. Paul wants them to keep embracing righteousness (v.10)

1. “Approve”—make information pass the smelter, like a gem, for authenticity

2. “excellent”—not just identify the right things, but the best things

3. “pure and blameless”—genuine and authentic, like pottery that had never been broken (broken pottery, even when glued well, will show cracks in the sunlight)

C. Paul wants them to be filled with righteousness (v.11)

1. “the fruit of righteousness”—or, the fruit righteousness produces: be righteous, and you’ll bear the fruit of…

2. “Jesus Christ”—our salvation is continued and bears the fruit as evidence of His work in us

VI. Conclusion

A. Make it your mission to leave an indelible imprint of love in the minds of everyone you interact with

B. Remember to pray for each other—it will help you be a positive influence to righteousness if you’re showing it

C. Take what you know about Jesus and act it out—let Him bear His fruit in you for others to enjoy