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flippin’ thru philippians (Part 1)
Philippians 1:1-11
Background
The Letter of Philippians was written to the Church (The community of Christians) in Philipi. At the time of this writing, Philippi was part of the Roman Empire and had been for some time. The Apostle Paul had previously established a Church in Philippi during His 2nd missionary journey. And now several years later, while imprisoned in Rome, He writes to the Church there to thank and encourage them. This letter was written around 61CE, just six years before His death.
Introduction
Once again remember that at this time, there were no Bibles, no quick emails sent out to the Church in mass form. Someone would take these letters and deliver them. The leaders of the church would then read them to the other Christians in the community there. Usually these letters would eventually get passed around to other communities as well.
It is important to know that we are not alone. We are not alone in our faith in Christ, and also not alone in our suffering, especially for the sake of the gospel. If this past year has taught us anything, it is the ill effects of isolation. We are designed and we thrive better while in community. So, let this be a reminder to you, that you are not alone. This is why theunderground416 was started. This is a way for us to come together as we seek to find the light of hope within this dark world, and then to share that light with others. This is the essence of the stories found within the pages of Scripture.
Philippians 1:1-11 (NASB)
Thanksgiving
1 Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus,
To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons:
v1
Paul is addressing His audience, the saints (Christians) in Philippi. The Apostle Timothy, or someone, often wrote down the letters that Paul would dictate. The Apostle Paul had failing eyesight to the point that sometimes he would have someone else write the letters down for him. Overseers and deacons were the leaders of the local church.
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,
4 always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all,
vs 2-4
Paul is letting them know that they are in his thoughts and that He remembers them in prayer. This is a good reminder to us to remember and pray for others as they pray for us as well.
5 in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.
v5
Participation in the gospel? What is this about? I thought I was just signing up to get forgiveness? My friends, it goes a lot deeper than that. Yes, in your participation in the gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ, there is forgiveness and salvation offered. But it does not stop there. It is the beginning of your journey, not the end. It is all about transformation that works within you propelling you to share that good news (gospel) with others. It is not an easy road to travel. There will be hardships along the way, and yes, even suffering for Christ and the sake of the gospel. This letter was written by Paul while in prison for sharing this good news of redemption. Do not think that you will get an easy pass. It will cost you. But also understand that the rewards are far greater than anything we might endure.
6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
v6
The word “perfect” in this case is referring to “completion”. We are reminded that the work that Christ started within us will be completed. That He is faithful to work in us and will not give up on us. Sometimes we may feel and fear that we have drifted too far off the path. But take comfort that Christ has not and will not leave you. Oftentimes, it is because we have walked away by our own choosing. This is where the kindness of Christ comes in. Christ will complete this work in you as you stay connected to Him, So if you are feeling disconnected, then reach out. You are not alone in this journey.
7 For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me.
v7
Are you seeing a connection? Not only are we participants in the gospel, and in suffering, but also the grace that comes with the good news of Jesus. This is encouraging news that we are forgiven and also why we offer forgiveness to others.
8 For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.
v8
Again, the Christian walk is not one of isolation. This especially rings true in recreant times. We all feel lonely at times. Here we read that Paul is longing for community, for some encouragement while also encouraging them. Let us be reminded to encourage and reach out to others as well.
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment,
v9
Real knowledge and discernment. What is that about? There are many things that can distract and confuse us, and yes even within the church. This is why we are working through the scriptures. as we gain knowledge and also discernment in our understanding. We may need to relearn some things. I know I have had to relearn a lot, and that is ok.
10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ;
v10
Here is where we need to hold on to the things that are excellent and focus on those things. Sincere and blameless? Yes. This is the work that Christ will complete in us as we rely on Him for understanding.
11 having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
v11
Fruit of righteousness? righteousness means to be in “right standing” So as it applies here, We are made righteous (right standing) because of faith in Christ Jesus. This work within us frees us to live a life of service and love to others as we have also received love.
Conclusion
Let us be encouraged that Christ will complete the work that He started in us. And let us encourage others in their journey, in their “participation of the gospel”. We are not alone in this. May we show compassion and love to others.
Blessings to you.
Notes and Further Study
https://my.bible.com/users/3ministry
https://my.bible.com/bible/100/PHP.1.NASB1995
Text used is:
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
1995 Translation
Cultural and background information:
NIV Cultural Background Study Bible
Copyright 2016 by Zondervan
Further Study
https://bible.org/seriespage/introduction-background-and-outline-philippians
theunderground416
Matt. 4:16 (CSB)
The people who live in darkness
have seen a great light,
and for those living in the land of the shadow of death,
a light has dawned.
We are the outcast, the misunderstood; The lonely, The broken. The sinners. The lost. Dismissed by the world; A church misunderstood. We are the ones who search for the light in the midst of utter darkness.
We are not the piously religious; Who dress in satin white, with starched collars and neatly folded hands.
But us, with our tattered clothes and dirty hands we kneel at the cross and find forgiveness.
No longer will we sit behind the safety of steepled churches and man made doctrine. The darkness doesn’t bother us, for we know it well.
Instead we will be the light in the darkness, the soldiers of the cross. We are not afraid to dig through the mud to sit underground, in the trenches of the dark, until the light breaks forth.
For we believe that all are welcome at Christ table.
So to the believer, the seeker, the curious, you are welcome.
We are not afraid of the darkness.
We know the source of light.
We are soldiers.
We are the church.
We are the underground.
Brief perspective of theunderground416
By Steve Schrock
12/17/20
The year is 67AD
The Apostle Paul has carried the message of Christ to the Roman world, even at some concern from the Jewish leaders who, led by the Apostle Peter, were spreading the message of Christ to their fellow Jews in Jerusalem and surrounding areas.
Peter and the other disciples(followers of Christ) were caught in the middle. They were Jewish citizens who were trying to share the “Gospel of the Kingdom” (Matt 24:14) with all that would hear. But their fellow citizens were in the middle of a revolt against the Roman Empire for it’s long held occupation. Just a few years later, Rome would succeed in their occupation and destruction of the temple in Jerusalem.
These Christian Jews or “apostates” (Rebels) were hunted down, tortured, imprisoned and killed. All for professing a risen Christ. That year, Peter would be captured and taken to Rome where The Apostle Paul was already imprisoned. After being tortured and beaten, Peter would then, in the like manner of Jesus, be crucified in a bloody display by the Emperor Nero.
The Apostle Paul locked in his prison cell, now painfully aware of his coming demise. And His words take on new meaning and realism, as while bound in chains He now writes … “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” (Gal. 2:20 NASB).
Later that year or the following year, and after failed attempts at winning His freedom, Paul’s fate would be at hand. Beating after beating; Torture after torture; From shipwrecks to stoning he survives all leading up to this moment. Now is His chance to deny His faith in Christ. And with His broken and beaten body, and His failing eyesight straining to pen one of his last words; With dirty blistered hands He says… “May peace come to all those who follow this standard, and mercy even to the Israel of God! From now on, let no one cause me trouble, because I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. Brothers and sisters, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.” Gal 6:16-18 (CSB).
Paul was then taken out and beheaded by Nero for his refusal to deny his faith in Christ.
But the story didn’t end and neither did the torture and outright extermination of those who bore the mark of Christian. These bands of rebels, sneaking and meeting in homes and sharing their faith with all that would hear. There were no church buildings, Even to mention the name of Christ could get you labeled a heretic. They would kill your family, cut off your head, place it on a stake, and set it on fire to light their streets.
There was no Bible. The scraps of letters and stories were preserved the best they could in hiding. The letters that the apostle Paul wrote were passed around in secret from one small group to another. They learned how to work underground.
It would be another 250 years before Christianity was a legal practice. And the very place when Peter and Paul were murdered for their faith, would now become the central place for Christianity to grow and the message to spread.
But even still, these were only isolated pockets of religious freedom to one degree or another. Even today in many places around the world, Christians are being persecuted for their faith. Other places, while not being tortured, are met with suppression and resistance.
Here in the United States, we have enjoyed the blessing of religious freedom. Some are worried that our freedoms are being suppressed and stifled, afraid the government will come in and shut down the church. Have we become so narrow minded and unbiblical, that we still think the church is a building?
You can’t stop the church. We, followers of Christ, are the church. And we have been doing this for a long time. For almost two thousand years we have met in homes and buildings and outdoors. From the street corner of a giant city to the little cafe in the middle of nowhere. From the rugged pulpit of an old tent revival to the audiences of television and media. We share the stories of faith and hope. We search the scriptures and find understanding and direction. We follow the risen Christ, our hope of salvation, and we share the gospel (good news) with those that will hear. We encourage each other in the faith and build one another up.
And just like the rebels of old who fought insurmountable odds just to whisper the name of Jesus, we will do the same. For we must! The work of Christ’s call is too paramount to ignore! We were commissioned to go and spread the gospel (Matt. 28:19-20) and that is what we will do. We only have a little while so it’s time to get to work.
We are the workers of the harvest
We are the rebels for Christ
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