Philippians overview - being joyful under pressure
Paul’s letter to the young Philippian church was written as they faced much pressure, much as churches in the United Kingdom are facing problems today. Just as the Arctic ice cap is melting away, so are many churches in the west as they face an increasingly secular and hostile society.
The church at Philippi was the first Christian church in what is now Europe. Paul here demonstrates what a great pastor he was. Paul had first visited Philippi and established the church there in 51 AD. The letter was written in 61-62 AD.
The influence of godly, yet passionate, leaders can be immense.
Isobel Kuhn was to become a very effective and influential missionary to the Burmese Lisu people in China. In 1920 she attended a conference and had to share a room with the speaker whose husband had recently died when they were working in China. Isobel herself was still suffering from a broken engagement. What most touched Isobel was the way Edna longed to live for and please the Lord Jesus. The two studied the book of Philippians together, using the marginal notes in her late husband’s Bible.
Joy is a recurrent them in Philippians, the word ‘joy’ comes five times with ‘rejoice’ a further six times. The theme of joy pervades all four chapters. Isobel saw this joy being lived out in front of her by a lady who was facing difficult circumstances. Edna, the widow, clearly understood the verse:
“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13
It was obvious that for Edna knowing the Lord Jesus meant more than anything else. She could say with Paul,
“I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.” Philippians 3:8
Knowing Jesus, meant everything to Edna, as it did for Paul,
“I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.” Philippians 3:10
This surely means facing suffering and even death with the same attitude that Jesus had, knowing that something much better is to come. For Paul, this prospect kept him on course.
“But one thing I do. Forgetting what is behind, and straining towards what is ahead, I press on to the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14
Suffering is a recurrent theme in the New Testament. Peter’s first letter, written as he faced probable execution in Rome is a plea to Christians, in what is now modern Turkey, to stand firm in the faith in the face of suffering.
The ‘grace of suffering’
In Paul’s letter to the Philippians there is a key but strange verse,
“For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him but also to suffer for him; since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.” Philippians 1:29-30
The word used for ‘grant’ is based on the Greek word charis, which means grace or gift. It is a gift of God that we want to be one of God’s people when so many around us couldn’t care less about God. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, the Russian writer won both the Nobel Prize for Literature and the Templeton Prize. He spent many years imprisoned in the Russian Gulag camps in Siberia and subsequently wrote about what had gone wrong in Russia since the revolution and subsequently what is going wrong in the West, In his Templeton Prize acceptance speech he summarised the problem,
“Men have forgotten God.”
Significantly Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn’s faith came alive when he suffered in a Gulag prison. He came to ask, as every Christian does,
“Why should I be concerned about God and my salvation when so few others bother at all?”
Paul reminds us that to have faith in Christ is a gift of God. God chose us to be his representatives in a fallen world. But surprisingly he goes on to say that suffering for Christ is also a ‘grace gift’. ‘It has been granted to you’ is saying that the suffering they were facing was a gift.
Sometimes it is only when we face suffering that we begin to consider, ‘What is the purpose of life?’ and ‘Where will I go after we die?’ Unfortunately this is all too rare. People who have lived without God tend to die without God and don’t ask these essential questions. However, there are some wonderful exceptions, as facing suffering can focus our minds on what really matters.
In this letter Paul acknowledges that the Philippians were, ‘going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.’ This must refer to what happened when Paul first visited Philippi as described by Luke in Acts 16:11-40. After Lydia became a Christian there, a slave girl was miraculously healed. There was a riot against Paul, instigated by the girl’s owners, and he was subsequently stripped, flogged and imprisoned. After God’s remarkable intervention, through a violent earthquake, the jailer and his family became Christians. The magistrates then released Paul after realising he was a Roman citizen but told him to leave the city. Such problems dogged Paul and he writes, ‘and now hear that I still have.’ He was writing this letter when he was again imprisoned, this time in his own lodgings but chained between guards. However even this did not stop Paul explaining the gospel to all around him. The guards could not escape from hearing what he had to say! He wrote,
“Now I want you to know, brothers that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for the gospel. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.” Philippians 1:12-14
Oh that most Christians would follow this example. Paul can write,
“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” Philippians 1:27
Whether Paul is to be released or not, what matters is that all Christians make the advance of the gospel their priority. This is a repeated theme in this book:
“I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” Philippians 1:5
“. . . for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.” Philippians 1:7
“ . . . what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.” Philippians 1:12
“It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of good will.” Philippians 1:15
“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel.” Philippians 1:27
“. . . in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life . . .” Philippians 2:16
I was asked to speak at the funeral of Jack, a man who had become a Christian. What a joy it was to hear him say before he died,
“Please make sure you make the gospel clear as many of my friends and family do no know it.”
At the cremation service later he even paid for copies of the evangelisic book ‘Cure for Life’ to be given to those attending.
The Pressures
We do live in a world full of suffering. We will all suffer at times. Yet the joy of living to please our God and Saviour supersedes all these problems.
External pressures from the world
There will be fierce opposition from the world. What Christian has not been openly ridiculed in conversation, ‘I thought you Christians would/should . . .’ Discrimination against colour is disapproved of but discrimination against Christians is becoming increasingly common in our society, yet few speak against this. We must determine not to be frightened, or to weaken, but to press on living with and for Christ.
“ . . . I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you.” Philippians 1:27
Paul himself was under immense pressure. He was imprisoned, with the risk of execution. Rival preachers were making his life a misery, particularly as he felt so strongly that the church must remain true to the gospel and apostolic priorities.
Internal pressures from within the churches
All churches will face divisions within both their denomination and within the local church. Locally there will always be tensions, often based on personality clashes and different priorities for the church. Such things are nothing new:
“Do everything without complaining or arguing . . .” Philippians 2:14
How many denominations have openly turned against the teaching on sexuality taught in the Word of God. This again is nothing new. The early churches faced much pressure from Christians who longed for the church to follow Jewish laws and not the apostles. Paul was outspoken against such heretical leaders because he knew that there are certain areas on which no compromise can be entertained:
“Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the spirit of God, who glory in Jesus and who put no confidence in the flesh.” Philippians 3:2-3
Today there are many within the church who want to move us away from apostolic priorities. We must be on our guard against those whose agendas are not those of Christ.
“For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things . . .” Philippians 3:18-19
In the Philippian church there were the usual internal factions too. Two key gospel minded ladies in the church were at loggerheads:
“I plead with Euodia and Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these ladies who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel . . .” Philippians 4:2-3
These interpersonal disputes do not mean that individuals are not Christians because Paul continues,
“Whose names are written in the book of life.” Philippians 4:3
The early church was not all sunshine, it was beset with just the same problems that we face today. The way to resolve tensions is not to take sides but to decide what path will most benefit the advance of the gospel.
Persecution
In the television series ‘Dad’s Army’, the farcical Corporal Jones keeps finding himself in trouble. However his repeated catchphrase, ‘Don’t panic, don’t panic’ has an underlying sense. We are called to be in the world as Christ’s representatives, but that is precisely where the problems are. We must learn not to panic but act in ways that will please God.
If a Christian in Philippi was invited out to dinner, the toast at the end would often be to the emperor and everyone was expected to say,
“Our Lord and Saviour,”
Obviously a Christian couldn’t say that so it is no surprise that people began to gossip about the Christian’s loyalties to the state! The same is increasingly happening in the west. If a Christian affirms what the Word of God teaches, that marriage can only be between a man and woman, he can be accused of going against the state and the way society is moving. Yet Paul says something very striking:
“For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him but also to suffer for him.” Philippians 1:29
It is so easy and very common for people to think that when problems or hostility comes our way it is because God is displeased with me. But look again at this verse. Just as our faith in Jesus is a gift of God, so is the gift of suffering for him! When a Christian looks back to when he or she first turned to Christ, many ask, ‘Why me? Why did I, from all my friends feel the need for Christ?” It is certainly not because we are special. The Bible simply answers, ‘Because God chose you.” (John 15:19, Galatians 1:6, Ephesians 1:4,11, 1 Peter 2:9, Amos 3:2)
If a person loses his job because of his commitment to Christ or is ridiculed in some way, then similarly it is not the result of God’s anger but must be seen as a privilege. If a Christian is having a smooth ride through life it could mean they are not speaking up for Christ as they should. To be a Christian is risky. Didn’t Jesus say after telling people that he was going to Jerusalem to be killed,
“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” Mark 8:34-38
Paul has this same longing for the next generation of Christians in Philippi. Paul himself was deeply committed to Christ. He could say,
“For me, to live is Christ, to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21
What better motto can anybody have? There is a time when we should stand up for what is right. Early in Queen Victoria’s reign a dinner was held in a luxury house in the west end of London. After the ladies withdrew the conversation became crude and vulgar. One man said nothing till he suddenly asked the servant to call his carriage. With great courtesy he turned to his host and apologised for his early departure, adding,
“. . . but I am still a Christian.”
That young man had much to lose, so acting in such a way could have been costly. He had obtained double firsts at Oxford in both classics and mathematics, had become a Member of Parliament when only 21 years of age and was already recognised as an up and coming politician. He needed friends at this stage in his career. His name was Robert Peel. He was later to become a very popular Prime Minister. His action at that dinner was not done to make himself look better than others but to remind his friends, at a huge potential cost to himself, that God is not to be trifled with.
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Philippians The Fellowship of the Gospel
The letter of Paul to the church at Philippi is not all about ‘joy’ although this is a large aspect of the letter. It is about joy when facing adversity. Paul was imprisoned in Rome, chained to soldiers of the Imperial Guard, and facing a capital charge. So the joy he is speaking about is that deep-seated peace and satisfaction that the Lord Jesus has everything under control.
Gentile believers in Christ did not have to be circumcised or follow Jewish regulations in order to be saved. This was a critical decision and meant that Gentiles could now become equal members of the Christian church with Jews, but it resulted in considerable opposition from some Jewish Christians who felt that their Jewishness was being undervalued. Paul was spurred on to continue the work for which he had been called.
Paul and Barnabus separate, Paul being joined by Silas on his second missionary journey and they were joined by Timothy when they passed through Lystra. They began by revisiting the churches that were founded on his first missionary journey and then planned to visit Bithynia, which is now northern Turkey, facing the Black Sea. However this plan was thwarted by God. As they were staying in Troas, by the mouth of the Dardanelles Luke joined them. Paul was then given a vision of a man in Macedonia appealing to them to ‘Come and help us.’ Paul had no doubt about what they most needed to help them,
“ . . . concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.” Acts 16:10
There is nothing that people need more than to understand who made this universe and what he has done for us in Christ.
Philippi
So they set sail to Neapolis and then walked the nine miles to Philippi. This city had around 10,000 inhabitants. The city was built on a narrow shoulder of rock and was crowned by the Acropolis. The city overlooked the Via Ignatia, the main route from Rome to the Eastern Empire. It had been founded in the mid fourth century BC by Philip of Macedonia and it was named after himself. This Philip was the father of Alexander the Great. Philip employed the great philosopher Aristotle to train Alexander from the age of 13.
In AD 42 Mark Anthony and Octavius (later to be called Emperor Augustus) defeated the forces of Brutus and Cassius who had been involved in the assassination of Julius Caesar. Later, in 31 BC Augustus defeated Mark Anthony at the naval Battle of Actium and so became the undisputed leader of Rome.
Philippi became a Roman town, the only language spoken was Latin. The inscriptions found in the town were exclusively in Latin, no Greek was permitted. The citizens wore Roman clothes. The leadership and the aristocracy were all Roman. The town was called ‘Little Rome’. This meant that Greek speakers were an underclass.
The Gospel of Christ Spreads
Yet it was to the Greek speakers that Paul came primarily to help, these would be the tradesmen and construction workers. Paul’s usual custom when visiting a new town was to go first to the synagogue of the local Jews. In the book of Acts this is mentioned five times. In Philippi however there were so few Jews that there was no quorum (ten men) for a synagogue. He did discover that a group of god-fearing, Gentile women met every Sabbath by the river outside the city walls and the group went to meet them. Just fifty yards from the city.gate flows the river Gangites and it is possible to go to the exact place today. There the band of Christians expalined the Christian gospel and one lady, Lydia, committed herself to Jesus Christ.
“The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.” Acts 16:15
Then she and her whole household were baptised in the Gangites and she subsequently welcomed the four to stay in her house.
Then the opposition from Satan grew. A slave girl with a ‘Pythonic spirit’, who was under demonic control and was used by her owners to make money, incessantly identified the Christians publicly. What she said was true:
“These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” Acts 16:17
Perhaps it was the scornful way this was said that irritated the Christians, but after being harassed for several days, Paul acted and said to the demon:
“In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her.” Acts 16:18
At that moment the evil spirit left her. The owners of the slave girl quickly realised that their hope of making money through this girl was gone and they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them to the ‘agora’, the market place, to face the authorities. The accusation reflected the fact that Philippi was a very Roman city:
“These men are Jews and are throwing our city into an uproar. By advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practise.” Acts 16:20
The crowd joined in this anti-semitic attack and both Paul and Silas were stripped, tied to a whipping post and severely flogged by the ‘lictors’. They were then thrown into the local gaol under close guard. The two were consequently put is an inner cell in the prison with their feet in stocks. However, far from feeling depressed and defeated the two were rejoicing. They prayed and sang hymns to God. Real hymns are always addressed to God in worship. Doubtless they also took the opportunity to explain the gospel to others in the prison who were ‘listening to them’.
God was very much with his representatives and an extraordinary coincidence occurred.. There was a violent earthquake and everybody’s chains fell off and the prison doors flung open. For a prison warder to let prisoners escape was a capital offence so when the warden saw what had happened he was about to ‘fall on his sword’. Paul saw what was happening and called out,
“Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” Acts 16:28
Doubtless the warden knew something about Paul’s message, perhaps he had heard the message of the slave girl,
“These men are servants of the most high God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” Acts 16:17
He may have overheard what Paul and Silas had been saying to others in the prison. The response was dramatic, the guard rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas and said,
“What must I do to be saved?” Acts 16:30
What better question can anyone ask? The reply is one that is just as relevant to us today,
“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved – you and you whole household.” Acts 16:31
To allow myself to come under the authority of the Lord God, the Lord Jesus, is the only was to being made right with God. Clearly this apostolic message, that we have in our Bibles, all needed to be carefully explained and this is then what Paul and Silas proceeded to do:
“Then they spoke the word of God to him and to all the others in his house.” Acts 16:32
It was only then that the gaoler washed their wounds. He and his whole family were then publicly baptised as being followers of the Lord Jesus. This is remarkable as it was because Paul and Silas had been openly aligning themselves with Jesus that they had got into such trouble.
So a new church was established consisting at first of an upper middle class business lady and her family, an ex slave-girl ‘pythoness’ and a Roman ex-soldier and his family. This was not a homogeneous plant yet it became a church that was very special to Paul; he could write to them,
“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers I always pray with joy because of you partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. . .” Philippians 1:3-5
Partners in the Gospel for Christ
‘Partners’ is a key word in the book of Philippians coming in various forms five times in this book. The Greek word koinonia is a term used in business to show that people are partners in an enterprise. Today ‘fellowship’ can used loosely to denote any form of friendly meeting. Thus the ‘Wednesday afternoon ladies fellowship hour’ can simply mean a get together for a gossip, cakes and biscuits! Paul uses the term to mean a mutual commitment for the advance of the gospel. He talks about ‘the partnership of the gospel’. This is the core business of God’s church. In Tolkien’s ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’ there was this common understanding of the nine disparate members of the ‘Fellowship od the Ring’ to oppose the power of evil.
Some ten years after Paul’s short visit to Philippi (AD 60-62) he was again languishing in prison chained to guards, this time in Rome. The Philippian church sent Paul a monetary gift that was carried by one of their members, Epaphroditus. He had almost died getting to Rome to deliver the present. Paul then sent this letter to the Philippians back with Epaphroditus. It is full of gratitude and joy. He says that Timothy will be coming to visit and encourage them. He warns them against the many false teachers, ‘the dogs’, who were troubling them. But behind all this there is the repeated encourgaement and reminder that they are members of the ‘Fellowship of the Gospel’.
Paul’s Greeting in Christ
It was standard practice to include the name of the sender and that of the recipient at the beginning of a letter in those times, yet in this letter the opening is carefully tailored. He omits his title of authority, ‘apostle’ instead saying that he is a servant or slave of Jesus Christ. In little Rome, which relied so much on slavery, this was highly significant. Paul and all Christians are willing slaves of the beneficent Jesus Christ. We find total security and satisfaction by being in his service. The use of this word is intentional as he uses it once again in the letter, but this time it refers to Jesus himself,
“Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ: Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with god something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a slave/servant . . .” Philippians 2:7
Timothy is also named at the beginning but later in the letter he is an associate and not co-author. It is addressed in familiar tones to the whole church in Philippi. All Christians are called ‘saints’, it is not a term reserved for ‘super-Christians’ God has no favourites. This forshadows what he goes on to say in the letter about Christian unity. Karl Barth astutely comments,
“A hero, a genius, a religious personality stands alone. That’s not Paul. An apostle has others stand beside him, like Paul, on his own level.”
The heart of the letter is clear, there must be church unity:
“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel.” Philippians 1:27
Our Purpose is Christ
Evangelism, partnership in the gospel, goes alongside a real caring for other Christians, both are fundamental,
: . . . because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,” Philippians 1:4
“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.” Philippians 2:1-2
“Each of you should look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:5
“Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 2:5
Paul longs to encourage these Christians to work hard for the glory of Jesus Christ.
“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed - not only in my presence but now much more in my absence – continue to work our your salvation with fear and trembling. . . .” Philippians 2:12
Paul lifts up the example of two key workers. Timothy,
“I have no-one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare . . . Timothy has proved himself . . . he has served with me in the work of the gospel.” Philippians 2:20-22
Epaphroditus is described as “My brother, fellow-worker and fellow soldier . . .” Philippians 2:25
However the obvious focus of the letter is Jesus Christ. No other name occurs in this letter more than that of Jesus, his name comes seven times in the opening 11 verses!
Paul’s description of Jesus given in the famous Carmen Christi passage sets Jesus up as the greatest example for us to follow:
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:5-11
If we find living as a Christian is easy, something is wrong. I was once asked to lead a midweek Christian Basics course in a large local Roman Catholic Church. Attendance was remarkable. At the last evening there were around 120 present. After the first evening an Irish lady came up to talk to me, saying
“Thank you so much. That was wonderful. I don’t know why everybody isn’t a Christian . . .”
I smiled and nodded appreciatively, but then came the bombshell,
“ . . . after all, all God wants is one hour a week!”
I had clearly failed to make it clear that a Christian is someone whose whole life is committed to Christ. True worship occurs every hour during the seven day week. The book of Philippians is about people who are in fellowship with Christ and therefore in the ‘fellowship of the gospel’. We are co-citizens in heaven because Christ has given to us his perfect righteousness. Without the gift of being counted righteous no-one can enter heaven.
Joy is given to those serving Christ
The presence and service of Christ always gives great joy and peace. This whole letter sparkles with this joy that the imprisoned Paul experiences.
“I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel.” Philippians 1:5
“The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.” Philippians 1:18
“ . . . I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith.” Philippians 1:25
“Then make my joy complete by being like minded.” Philippians 2:2
“Even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.” (In Greek joy comes four times in these verses) Philippians 2:17-18
“ . . . so that when you see him (Epaphroditus) again you may be glad . . . “ Philippians 2:28
“Welcome him in the Lord with great joy.” Philippians 2:29
“Finally my brothers, rejoice in the Lord.” Philippians 3:1
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4
“I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me.” Philippians 4:10
In addition Paul longs for them also to experience the peace of God that coes as we learn to rejoice in all he is and all he has done for us.:
“Rejoice in the Lord, . . . with thanks, giving present your requests to God . . . And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7
What a wonderful promise this is, one that the Lord Jesus wants all Christians to experience. We need to train our minds to think like Paul. Everything is in our Lord’s hands, we need fear nothing, not even death if we are active in fulfilling our Lord’s commands and are partners in sharing the gospel with others. Joy is so infectious. Robert Louis Stevenson once said,
“When a happy man comes into a room it is as if another candle had been lighted!”
When the spirit of gladness and thankfulness rules our hearts, light springs up all around us to dispel the darkness and gloom. An elderly Christian lady was suffering for many months with painful illness. She said to her pastor: "
“I have such a lovely robin that sings outside my window. In the early morning, as I lie here, he serenades me.”
Then, as a smile brightened her thin features, she added,
“I love him, because he sings in the rain.”
That is the most beautiful thing about the robin. When the storm has silenced almost every other songbird, the robin sings on – it sings in the rain. That is the way the Christian who is with Christ should live. Anybody can sing in the sunshine; but Christians should sing on when clouds pour out their rains, for Christ is with us. We should sing in the rain.
This book of Philippians has so much to say to us all. How about reading it through every day for a week? It only takes 15 minutes and there is so many precious truths to be found.
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Philippians 1:3-6. True Fellowship
Broughton Fox was a well-known theologian who was a young chaplain in the Royal Navy when the whole country was preparing for the D-day landings during World War II. He was with the sailors who were focussed on invading Normandy. He wrote,
“The minds of all hands on board, regardless of rank were focussed on each other and the invasion’s success. No-one thought of his own personal interest but he thought of the interest of others and thought how he could help his shipmates in their commonly shared task.”
Years later he said,
“I remember noting in my mind that I had never been happier.”
After the successful invasion, the sailors returned to the United Kingdom but something had changed. Christian fellowship is much more than friendship, it is a group who are committed to a common goal.
“The answer was quite simple. During those months that preceded and followed D-day our thoughts had a minimum of self-centredness in them. We gave ourselves to the shared activities and objective. But once the undertaking was over we reverted to our old purposes as we normally do.”
This feeling is common to all who are pursuing a common goal and it flourishes in the common pursuit of this goal.
‘The Fellowship of the Ring’ was the first book of J.R.R Tolkien’s trilogy ‘Lord of the Rings’, coming out in 1954. It was preceded by ‘The Hobbit’ which was published in 1937. The ‘Fellowship of the Ring’ consisted of nine individuals coming from very different, even ridiculous, backgrounds. They were brought together by a common purpose. They counter-balanced the Saurons who appear as the nine Ringwraiths. From Middle Earth came four Hobbits, tiny beings with large hairy shoeless feet, named Frodo, Merry, Sam and Pippin. There were also two men, Boromir and Aragorn, warriors of the first rank, who were always dressed and ready for battle. There was one wizard, Gandolf, an elderly man who had always opposed evil, who had supernatural powers and wisdom. Then there was the elf Legolas, an archer with pointed ears and Gimli, the dwarf who stoutly wielded a battle axe.
The Elves and the Dwarfs have an innate dislike of each other, each feeling they are superior to the other. This disparate group were bound together by the mission to defeat the forces of evil and so save Middle Earth. They became inseparable and in the end the man Boromir gave his life to save the Hobbits. Ultimately the Elf and Dwarf became such good friends that Gimli was inducted into the distinguished order that was reserved for Hobbits.
The stories vividly portray the battle between good and evil, power and greed, innocence and enlightenment. Such a fellowship cannot exist unless the conditions are right – people must see that there is a battle to be won.
Paul similarly talks about the Fellowship of the Gospel:
“I always pray with joy because of your partnership (or fellowship) in the gospel from the first day until now . . .” Philippians 1:5
This fellowship exceeds all other fellowships. There is a battle going on and we are all needed to play our part. Our adversary is always looking out for discouraged stragglers, rather like a pride of lions are looking for those who are outside the herd of wildebeest or deer.
“Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, stand firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” 1 Peter 5:8-9
Paul does not have these concerns about the church in Philippi. The opening verses are a joyful acknowledgement of the vitality of this church.
“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:3-6
Friends in a Fellowship
As Paul thought about the small church in Philippi he undoubtedly would have thought of its members, Lydia and her family, the prison guard and his family, Euodia, Syntyche and Clement and others added to the church. Perhaps he smiled as he wrote,
“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel . . .” Philippians 1:3-4
This is so typical of Paul. He seldom thanks God for physical things, it is nearly always people that he is grateful for. He remains grateful even for those Christians who cause trouble., such as Euodia and Syntyche! The book of Romans was written before he had ever visited that city. However in the last chapter he mentions thirty-three individuals by name and sends nineteen greetings! Some of us may have heard of George Verwer who is now in his eighties. He was the founder and drive behind Operation Mobilisation. He also is remarkable for the way he keeps in contact with thousands of people, we had a personal e-mail from him just over a week ago. An amazing man who also demonstrates the importance of being a ‘people-matter’ person.
Joy because of Christ
Paul is so grateful for each of the people in Philippi. Verse four demonstrates the intense emotion Paul felt for these people. Note the use of the words, ‘every time’, ‘all of you’, and ‘I always pray with joy’. This note of joy is a recurrent theme in this letter, coming fifteen times in this short letter. This theme culminates with the great verse,
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, rejoice!” Philippians 4:4
What what is that thrilled Paul so much about this church? They were certainly an outgoing church. One minister said to his church,
“What we need to concentrate on is caring for ourselves first. When that is right we can think of others outside!”
What a foolish sentiment this is. We need to learn to be caring people both for those in the church, to encourage them and for those outside the church so that they may be saved.
The Philippians were a caring church. When Paul wrote to the Corinthian church he holds up the Philippian church as a great example of what fellowship means. Note again how ‘joy’ is a feature of this church.
“And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.” 2 Corinthians 8:1-5
When Paul wrote this letter to the Philippians he was chained as a criminal. The joy he experienced was not the result of prosperity or success. It is was na mood but an attitude of mind that came from his grasp that the Lord is in control of everything. When we have this perspective on life everything changes, this is why Paul can write:
“Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord . . .” Philippians 3:1
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4
What Paul wrote was not theoretical advice, he had learned this from bitter experience.
“But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.” Philippians 2:17-18
How we all need to understand this, our joy comes because we have an eternal perspective. Even when I am told that I have a terminal disease that joy can still radiate from me. The source of our joy is the Lord himself, as the following verses make clear.
“Welcome him (Epaphroditus) in the Lord with great joy . . .” Philippians 1:29
“Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.” Philippians 3:1
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4
“I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me.” Philippians 4:10
This is why joy can be a command. When we are trusting the Lord who has died for us so that our sin is forgiven and forgotten and we have been empowered by God’s Holy Spirit, the relationship our new attitude of mind makes joy the obvious outcome. Nothing else matters as much as this. Paul is assuring his friends who were so concerned for Paul that his joy has not disappeared. This is a repeated theme – it keeps chining. He models security and joy even when facing adversity. What a high standard he depicts, and what a challenge this is to christians everywhere.
Joy because they were Partners in the Gospel
The centre of this short passage gives another reason for Paul’s joy:
“I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel . . .” Philippians 1:4
They had grasped the commission that Jesus has given to his people.
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20
This fellowship or partnership is very real. We had the privilege of being invited to China and were thrilled to experience the bond that there exists between Christians of different background, ethnicity and language. They lived for Christ. The basis for this partnership was the threefold bond between the Philippians, Paul and the Lord Jesus Christ. The apostle John begins his first letter with the same idea:
“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.” 1 John 1:3
It is important to remember that the Greek word for fellowship, koinonia, is the root for the Greek words that are translated both ‘partnership’ and ‘sharing’
To be members of their partnership is all God’s doing and choosing.
“. . . all of you share in God’s grace with me.” Philippians 1:7
One aspect of being in this fellowship will be to suffer in the same way that Paul, the apostles and other Christians have.
“I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing his suffering, . .” Philippians 3:11
This fellowship is certainly costly:
“Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles . . . not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you only . . . you sent me aid again and again when I was in need.” Philippians 4:15-17
The Philippian fellowship rested on a close relationship with the one God, revealed in Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Paul is full of joy because he can see that the Philippian church had been involved in the fellowship of the gospel right from the day they became Christians.
“I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” Philippians 1:5
Today all true Christians are involved ion this same three way bond, we are under the leadership of Christ and his apostles and prophets as revealed in Scripture, we are in a church team whose aim is to represent God and his wishes by promoting the claims of Christ to the world. Churches must be outward looking or they will inevitably die. Forget Middle Earth. These christians shared the gospel with all they could by both what they say and how they care for others needs. The Macedonian Christians were relatively poor, yet they gave beyond their means to support gospel ministry. But first they gave themselves completely to the Lord Jesus.
Let us read these opening verses again and let them encourage us in our commitment to serving the Lord.
“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:3-6
A church minister was preaching on this passage and added,
“”Oh that everyone in our church could have this same attitude.”
There are some people who regularly jump from church to church because they cannot find what satisfies them We never will until we all understand the commitment and the cost of being committed to Christ.
How encouraging verse six is for all of us. This is God’s work in us, the work of the Spirit is to keep us labouring with and for Christ. When we meet him face to face the struggle will all be worth while.
“. . . being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
The message of the book of Philippians is clear. Gos is in control whatever problems were are facing. The Fellowship of the Gospel is far from being just a social friendship. It is like a team that are focussed on winning for the manager they love.
BVP