Sunday, March 18, 2018 pm
STUDIES IN PHILIPPIANS (3)
Paul’s Thankfulness
Philippians 1:3-8
a.
Thankfulness
(gratitude) is a fundamental quality in our lives as Christians.
Philippians 4:6 – in our prayers, in everything with thanksgiving we
turn to Him.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us that in everything we are to give thanks.
Colossians 3:17, Whatever you do, in word or deed, do all in His name,
giving thanks to God…
1 Timothy 2:1, giving of thanks be made for all men.
b.
For every remembrance
– precious memories.
Memories can be a good thing or a bad thing.
Often times it depends upon what we want to remember and our
mindset. How many cling to
bitterness rather than blessings?
How many only see the thorns and fail to smell the roses?
Paul dwells upon the goodness of brethren he has been privileged to work
with and help, AND who have helped him.
Paul’s memories were pleasant.
That doesn’t mean that every memory was good (he was beaten and
imprisoned in Philippi, and asked to leave by magistrates), but Paul
CHOSE to remember or find the good in what happened.
How do we seek to remember our brethren?
Do we have “selective memory”?
What are we doing to make how
others remember us pleasant?
NOTE: This is NOT implying we ignore what is wrong or bad, but don’t
such define who we are.
c.
Frequently
– always, in everything giving thanks, giving thanks always (Ephesians
1:16, 5:20, 1 Thessalonians 1:2, etc.).
In our prayers, let us never forget to thank God for all He has
done for us. “Count your
many blessings”.
d.
Making requests
– thankfulness begets request.
Do we pray “for one another”?
1 Timothy 2:1 calls for us to pray for all men.
James 5:16 calls for us to pray for one another.
An interesting passage in 1 Samuel 12:23, where at King Saul’s
coronation, Samuel says, Moreover,
as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in
ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right
way.
Ephesians 6:18 speaks of not only praying always, but with supplications
for all the saints
e.
For you all
- Paul is not selective about WHICH brethren he prays for and remembers.
Sometimes, the ones that need our prayers the most are those who
the worldly would say deserve it the least.
f.
With joy –
again, this is not something Paul dreads to do.
He will gladly intercede for others.
In the case of the Philippians, as noted, he has great cause to
be joyful as he prays.
a.
For your fellowship
- What is fellowship?
Sharing, or having something in common.
We sometimes use the term, “joint participation”.
This is a deeper that just
sharing something you have.
It is an association involving close mutual relationship. We are a
spiritual family. There is a
bond there.
The root form of this word is found 6 times in Philippians – here and in
vs. 7 (partakers); 2:1 & 3:10 (fellowship); & 4:14 & 15 – shared.
b.
It is in the gospel
– that which binds us together.
Christ is to bring us together.
He broke down the middle wall of separation (between Jews and
Gentiles) – Ephesians 2:14-16.
This is but ONE example of this bringing us together.
Galatians 3:27-28 – you are all one in Christ Jesus.
John 17:11 – in Jesus’ prayer, also 20-21.
1 Corinthians 15:1 – Paul declared the gospel, “which you also received
and in which you stand.”
Philippians 1:27, Only let your
conduct be worthy of the gospel
of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may
hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind
striving together for the faith of the gospel,
c.
This fellowship was
“from the first day until now” – whether Paul speaks of his
reception into the home of Lydia (Acts 16:15),
OR their continued support on more than one occasion as Paul took
the gospel to Europe and beyond (Philippians 4:15-16), and even while in
prison as Paul writes they have helped him (Philippians 2:30), and
possibly 2 Corinthians 8:1 – churches of Macedonia.
a.
Confident
- Persuaded or convinced.
Something or someone that you accept with complete trust, or have a
sureness about.
The Greek word used here is found 6 times in this letter showing Paul’s
confidence – Phil. 1:14 – brethren have become confident, 1:25 – Paul is
confident he will remain (though he desires to depart and be with the
Lord), 2:24 – trust in the Lord; 3:3-4 (2x) – we should have “no
confidence in the flesh”.
Confidence demonstrates relationship that has been proven.
b.
His confidence in God
– He who
has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus
Christ. God doesn’t fail
– He will accomplish His purpose in all things (cf. Ephesians 3:11,
His eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus)
He can preserve us too (not in the OSAS way), but He can deliver us – 1
John 1:7 – if we walk in the light…, 2 Peter 2:9, 1 Corinthians 10:13;
Romans 8:37 – in all things we are more than conquerors…
WHY have confidence in God? He works:
i.
Through His word –
Hebrews 4:12;
ii.
By making us better (if
we are willing) – James 1:2-3, Romans 5:3-5;
iii.
Through our brethren –
cf. 2 Corinthians 7:6; Hebrews 12:12-13 – we are to strengthen each
other
iv.
Through His Spirit – in
whatever way the Holy Spirit works in us (it is NOT miraculous) it can
give us strength – Romans 8:1, 11, 13-14, etc.
v.
Ephesians 3:20 – He is
able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think…
c.
His confidence in these brethren;
i.
I have you in my heart – deep seated, not superficial and genuine.
There was nothing artificial about Paul.
ii.
Both in my chains and in the defense
(apology – to make the case for) and confirmation (to make something
known as certain, vindicate) of the gospel – they had proven themselves.
Defense same as - 1 Peter 3:15, Philippians 1:17 – appointed for the
defense of the gospel.
iii.
Partakers with me of grace – this is yet another description of that which binds us
together. We are “of like
precious faith” (2 Peter 1:1).
Be reminded that a part of “grace” that Paul experienced was
the proclamation of the gospel to the Gentiles (the rest of the
world) – Ephesians 3:2, 8 – Philippi would have been a mostly Gentile
city (remember there was no synagogue there – as Lydia and other women
were worshipping by a river).
iv.
Thus, God would complete the good works begun in them
d.
Their fellowship with
him was a source of his confidence – vs. 7 –
partakers with me – a form of the Greek word for fellowship.
HOW wonderful to have a relationship with our brethren that gives
us confidence to stand up for them and for God.
This is so needed in our godless world.
ANOTHER reminder of why we need each other and how we need to
cherish this relationship.
a.
Greatly longing for them
– in this we continue to see the relationship and love Paul had for and
with these brethren. Paul is
just affirming this is not superficial.
In fact, he even declares
God as his witness – for
one like Paul, this is not the superficial, blasphemous misuse of God’s
name we hear so often now (e.g. “I swear to God…”).
b.
With the affection of
Jesus Christ
– the word affection is a reference
to the bowels (KJV) (inner organs), which in ancient times was regarded
as the seat of emotions. We
might translate it, “tender mercies”.
He cared for them in the way that Jesus Christ cares.
Jesus so loved us He left heaven (Philippians 2:5-8), He gave
Himself for us – John 15:13
How is our affection for one another? 1 John 3:16,
By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also
ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
Thus Paul describes his relationship with his brethren in Philippi.
May we examine ourselves and learn from his example.
In our next lesson, we will notice what Paul prayed for.
HOW thankful are we for our brethren?