To Live Is Christ

Part 1: Partnership

Pastor Troy Jones

September 24/25, 2016

Scripture
Philippians 1:1-10 (NIV)
¹ Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: ² Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ³ I thank my God every time I remember you. ⁴ In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy ⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, ⁶ 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. ⁷ It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. ⁸ God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. ⁹ And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, ¹⁰ so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,

Observation

Paul begins his letter by expressing his deep affection for his Philippian friends. He reminds them that, in spite of whatever hardship they may be facing, the same God who started great things in their lives would continue it. Rather than see them as children, or as students, Paul sees the Philippian church as partners in faith and co-laborers in the Kingdom of God.

Historical Note

Paul founded the Philippian church in Acts 16 when he encountered a wealthy woman named Lydia. Her home would later become the meeting place of the church and she would become a patron and supporter of Paul’s ministry. Her specific mention in the book of Acts could be due to her prominence and fame in the early church. Although little is said about her in Scripture, she is a crucial personality in the young church and an example for all women of faith.

1 Paul starts his letter by appealing to the work that he and the Philippians have done together. The opening greeting of Philippians is unique throughout Paul’s other letters. What is the bond they share?

2 The reader is reminded that once God starts something, He intends to finish it. Why would this encouragement be needed?

3 Philippians is a great letter of encouragement and joy. What is the essence of Paul’s prayer in verse 10?

Application

When you apply something, you put it into practice. It’s one thing to read the Bible, it’s another thing to live it out. A practical application of what you just observed from today’s study can help you discover just how much impact the Bible can have on every situation you may face! In this section, discuss together ways you can apply what you’ve learned from the teaching and the Bible study. Then, think about some practical ways you can live out what you’ve learned.

1 Paul cleary wrote this letter to encourage the Philippian church. His opening greeting reinforces this. Share a time in your life when someone was a great encouragement to you.

2 As you read Philippians, remember that Paul is writing this letter from prison, possibly in Ephesus or Rome. How can encouraging others be a benefit in our own hardship?

3 Paul prays for wisdom and insight for his readers. Why does he want them to have these two specific gifts? What is the purpose, in Paul’s words, for this knowledge?

Prayer

Use this space to write your prayer for the week.

Notes

To Live Is Christ - Part 2 | Sat 5:00pm Pastor Troy Jones

Share