Philippians 1:1 - 18: Finding Joy

 Introduction
This week we are starting a new series going through the book of Philippians.  I am really excited for this series because I love to teach books of the Bible verse by verse.  I believe this to be the best way for Christ followers to see the true context in how and why a certain book was written and then determine how it applies to us today.  It may come as a surprise, but scripture is often misquoted or taken out of context in order to fulfill an agenda, condemn someone or give false hope and this is not what scripture is intended for.  You have heard the old real estate mantra that goes, “location, location, location” the biblical mantra should be “context, context, context.”  
 
In our series my goal is to read, teach, and preach through Philippians with context in mind.  Now, this does not mean that this will be a history lesson, (although there will be some historical data I will talk about to set up how the letter can be better understood) but that it will be a series where we can look at the context, and determine how we can benefit from it today.  
 
As a way of introduction, I think it is important to look at the three themes the letter to the Philippians may pose to the church today.  

1. Philippians is about Christian unity.  Paul talks about the importance of church unity for their Christian witness and so they may be able to stand together during trying times.
2. Philippians says much to us about suffering.  It does not answer the question of why does suffering happen, but Paul does show us that the Christian experience can endure suffering and still have joy.
3. Philippians talks about how the church can and should relate to the sinful world outside.  We live in a hostile world spiritually, politically, and culturally.  The Christians natural inclination is to retreat and shelter from the world, but this is not what God calls us to do.  God desires that we engage in and not embrace the world.  We have hope and we have the joy of the Lord because of Jesus; thus, we need to engage by sharing the joy of the gospel to a world that is hostile to Christianity.

 
The City of Philippi
Philippi was a city that was rich in tradition and unique in culture.  It is located in Macedonia about 800 miles east of Rome.  It was in 42 B.C. at the Battle of Philippi where Mark Antony and Octavius defeated Brutus and Cassius (Julius Caesars assassins) that Philippi became of Roman province.  Many Philippians were descendants from the soldiers who settled there after the battle.  As a result, Latin was the common language in Philippi and thus kept the Roman characteristics such as architect and Caesar worship.
 
The Philippian Church
Paul’s second missionary journey, after he chose Timothy to come with him, took him to the city of Philippi.  According to Acts 16, Paul met with “God-fearing” women by the river and one woman named Lydia was in the group meeting for prayer.  They met by the river because there was no synagogue in Philippi.  During this encounter Lydia and her household were baptized and she invited Paul and his companions to her home.  It was not unusual that women were given prominence in Macedonia and in Philippi, thus it was not surprising that the first Christian converts were women and the early church met in Lydia’s house.  It was here that the first church was established in Philippi.  Interestingly the nucleus of the church was formed by a group of women around 49 A.D.  Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke established the church and they stayed in Philippi for some time.  We are not sure how long, but it was enough to form and establish close friendships with them and the community of believers.
 
It was during this time that Paul and his companions (excluding Luke) left Philippi at the request of the city magistrate as a result of casting out of a demon from a young slave girl and an ensuing riot, which led to their imprisonment, which also led to the conversion of the Philippian jailer.  By the time Paul left it is probable that the house church consisted of Lydia and her family, the jailer and his family, and perhaps the slave girl.  It appears this church was Paul’s favorite.  They were generous to him and supported his missionary journeys and were faithful in their support when others could not or would not support him.
 
The Letter to the Philippian Church
Some time has passed since the events of Acts 16.  It is probable that Paul visited the church on other occasions not recorded in Acts.  However, the letter written to the Philippians was written in early 60s from prison in Rome by the Apostle Paul.  The reason for writing this letter is in the elements of friendship and exhortation.
 
When the Philippians heard Paul was in prison, they commissioned Epaphroditus to bring money, gifts and encouragement to Paul and assist him in prison.  During his travels he became sick and nearly died, but he was able to bring the gift to Paul.  Unfortunately, Epaphroditus could not stay due to his illness, but it is very probable he gave Paul an update on the church in Philippi and according to Paul’s tone in the letter it was a positive update, but he did mention some division that was happening.  Paul was concerned the quarrels that had risen could taint their witness before the unbelievers in the city and his concern was that it would be difficult for the divided church to withstand the persecution that they continually experienced.
 
Philippians 1:1 – 18
Vs 1 – 2:  This is a traditional introduction of a letter that begins with the name of the author, the recipient, and a greeting.  Paul does not just mention his and Timothy’s name, he declares that they are servants or more literally “bond servants” of Christ Jesus.  This context shows the humility and submission the two had to Jesus.  The letter is written to all the “saints” in Philippi, namely the church in Philippi.  The word “saints” refers to the status of the believers as people of God who are set apart or called out from others and carries out the ethical responsibilities of the new covenant.  This is more than one who is a Christians in name only, but one who is actively living a life set apart from the influences of the world.  This letter is addressed to ALL the believers, and yet he wants to recognize the leaders as well.  
 
Vs 3 – 8:  The Apostle begins by telling the Philippians that he prays prayers of thanksgiving for the church in Philippi and he does so joyfully.    It is interesting to note that this joyful prayer and petition is not circumstantial.  Remember, Paul is writing from prison and his encouraging optimism is noteworthy. Paul’s joy was not rooted in feelings, emotion, or situations.
Paul’s joy was rooted in…

1.  Jesus Christ:  It would be easy and even understandable if Paul wrote his letter from a less optimistic angle.  No one would have faulted him had he not began his letter so optimistically.  Regardless, he did not base his joy on his situation, but was joyful because God was using his situation to further spread the gospel.  If only I could be as Paul…
2. Their faithful partnership (koinoinia - fellowship) in advancing the gospel of Jesus Christ.   The partnership he speaks of is the faithfulness in their practical support for Paul and in meeting the needs of others.
3. The confidence that God is going to complete the work he started in Philippi.  The work he is speaking about is founded in the salvation of the Philippians and God is faithful to complete this work he has started in them.
4. His deep affection for the Philippian Church.  Paul has a fondness and love for the church in Philippi because of their consistent partnership with them.  As I mentioned earlier the Philippians were great supporters of Paul in the areas of financial and spiritual support.  They have stood as a support to him while in and out of chains.  They have partnered with him as he defends the Gospel.  The Church has stayed faithful to Paul through thick and thin.

Vs 9 – 11:  Paul now describes how he is praying for them.  He is praying that their love may abound more and more.  In increasing their love for one another they will increase in knowledge and discernment.  The knowledge he speaks of refers to their general knowledge of God and how to obey his command to love one another.  When they have and maintain this love, they will not only understand how to love one another, but how to make moral decisions based on God’s will, and thus how to discern and not be led astray from teachings.
 
12 – 14:  The reason the Philippian church sent Epaphroditus to Paul was to support him and to check on his living situation.  They wanted to alleviate his suffering and find out how he was really doing.  Paul assures his readers that he is in fact do fine despite his current situation.   Even though he is in prison, this has not stopped his mission of proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ.  In reality the opposite is true. His current situation is actually working to advance the Kingdom of God.  The gospel has advanced as the imperial guard and all around him now know that Paul is not your ordinary prisoner.  His suffering, chains, and situation has not affected Paul’s attitude at all.  His joy is found in Jesus and he has found ways to embrace his chains and suffering and this spoke volumes to the those around him.  People saw his faith was real and rooted in something higher than his current situation.
 
Not only is Paul’s faith contagious to those around him in prison, but also to the believers where he has given them great encouragement to give them confidence and boldness in preaching as well.   The progress of the gospel swept through the ranks of those who work and live around Paul’s imprisonment, so there is no need for the Philippians to be concerned for Paul.
 
Vs 15 – 18: However, not everyone who is emboldened to preach are motivated for upstanding reasons.  One group preaches from envy and rivalry, and the other preaches out of goodwill.  The one group preaches out of envy.  These are those who are annoyed by others’ successes and desiring that they don’t get what they desire.  It is hard to imagine that there would be people who were jealous of the successes of others who proclaimed the Gospel, but it was real and remains an issue today.  Unfortunately, there are pastors who are envious of others’ successes in ministry that their motivation is to try to thwart or discredit other ministries simply out of envy.  One pastor may see the success of another pastor and desire that his church would not continue to succeed.  He may go so far as to try and undermine the ministry, the pastor, or the church. These individuals are motivated by rivalry and envy. 

But Paul is assuring his readers his motivation is of genuine and from goodwill.  His motivation is to see Christ proclaimed in truth and rejoice when this happens.  
 
Finding Joy In
As we have looked at the opening to the letter to the church in Philippi our challenge is in determining what our take is?  Joy is the word that jumps out at us throughout Philippians.  So, the question for us today is, how and where do we find joy in our lives and in this world today?  We can take some advice from Paul in the first part of Philippians.
  

1. Praying For One Another – Prayer has and always will be an important tool for Christians.  I believe when we, like the Apostle Paul, can take our eyes off of ourselves and focus our prayers on others, then we can find true joy.  When you and I pray for one another we will find joy.
   
   
2. Sharing the Gospel, even when you don’t feel like it.   God is continually opening doors and giving us opportunities to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.  We need to be sensitive to the voice of God so we can share his gospel when he does give us opportunity.  Sometimes we don’t feel like sharing the gospel for whatever reason (fear, embarrassment, laziness, or etc.) and it is during these times we need to be more aware of God’s voice.  Obedience to God is a joyful thing.  Nothing is more fulfilling or joyful than knowing you are in God’s will doing his work for the Kingdom.  
   
   
3. Our circumstances.  Circumstances or situations usually dictate our feelings.  If things are going the way we planned, or things just seem to be positive we tend to feel more positive, joyful, or happy.  When things go poorly, or not the way we expected we tend to more negative, unhappy, or depressed.  This is natural.  However, the Apostle Paul shows us that we should not allow circumstances to dictate our joy.  Paul was a prisoner, and he was in chains.  He couldn’t do what he wanted to do, but he still found joy in his circumstances.  Paul’s joy went beyond his circumstances, his joy was rooted in Jesus.  He was not going to let his present circumstances, whether positive or negative, hinder his joy in the Lord.
   
   
4. Rejoicing and weeping together.  How do you feel when you see others succeed in life?  Does it make you jealous?  Does is make you envious? I believe jealousy and envy are the two silent killers of joy.   So many people get wrapped up and bent out of shape focusing on the successes of others that they slowly allow bitterness, strife, and anger creep into their lives.  Or our envy kills us when we relish in someone’s failure.  I am reminded of this on the magnet on the refrigerator in the fellowship hall that says, “God if you can’t make me thin please make my friends fat.”  Now, I know it is intended to be funny, but let’s be honest sometimes this rings true for some of us.  We see others doing well and we are not, and we want them to pull them down into our misery.  Or we see someone struggling and having difficulty and we want to savor in their hardship.  This is not how God calls us to live.  We need to celebrate with others and be happy for them when God blesses them in some or another.  We are to do as Romans 12:13 – 18 says, “Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.  Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation.  Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Give careful thought to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes. If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”  
   
   ​Joy can be found in celebrating successes with others and joy can be found when we share in each other’s pain because it is in the good times and in the hard times that peace can be found in Jesus Christ.