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CHRIST IS OUR LIFE
PHILIPPIANS 1
5-27-07
Introduction to Philippians
Philippi was a Roman colony, governed by Roman laws and subject to Roman rule. It was a
little Rome in the midst of a Greek culture, just as the church is a “colony of heaven” here on
earth (Phil. 3:20). The original city, named after King Philip, and was located in Macedonia.
The Philippian church was the first church founded in Europe and was planted by Paul in
Philippi (see Acts 16) on his second missionary journey. After Paul moved on to Thessalonica,
the Philippian believers sent him support (Phil. 4:15, and see 2 Cor. 11:9). There was a deep love
between Paul and the people at Philippi. Certainly their church gave the apostle little trouble! No
wonder he enjoyed fellowshipping with them!
One of the key themes in Philippians is joy. “Joy” is mentioned in one way or another
nineteen times in these four brief chapters. Another emphasis is the mind. How important it is
for a Christian to have the right mindset and the right attitude. Paul talks much about
remembering and thinking. We might even summarize the theme of the book as “the Christ like
mind that brings Christian joy.” In each chapter, Paul describes the kind of mind Christians
must have if they are to enjoy Christ’s peace and joy. Certainly our thoughts have a great
influence on our lives, and wrong thinking leads to wrong living. Paul teaches us much about
Christ in this epistle: Christ is our life (chap. 1), our example (chap. 2), our goal (chap. 3), and
our strength (chap. 4). As we study through this epistle, we are going to learn how to live and
act as Christians.
Polycarp, born about the time that Paul wrote to the Philippians,
wrote to the Philippians about 140 AD. Polycarp was martyred about
155 AD at the age of 86.
Polycarp 3:2
For neither am I, nor is any other like unto me, able to follow the
wisdom of the blessed and glorious Paul, who when he came among you
taught face to face with the men of that day the word which
concerneth truth carefully and surely; who also, when he was absent,
wrote a letter unto you, into the which if ye look diligently, ye
shall be able to be builded up unto the faith given to you,
I. Thanksgiving and Prayer V1-11
Phil. 1:1-11 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi,
with the bishops and deacons:
2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of
Jesus Christ:
7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds,
and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
8 For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
Certainly Paul’s circumstances were anything but joyful! He had been arrested illegally,
taken to Rome, and was now awaiting trial. There was division among the Christians there and
some were trying to make matters worse for the apostle. How was he able to have such joy in the
midst of uncomfortable circumstances? His concern was not for Paul, but for Christ and the
Gospel. Five times in this chapter he mentions the Gospel and Christ is mentioned seventeen
times! Paul looked upon these circumstances as sent by God for the purpose of exalting Christ.
To be “in Christ” and a part of the Christian fellowship is a source of joy when things become
difficult. Here is Paul, a prisoner in Rome, yet rejoicing because of the fellowship of the Gospel.
Paul says in this passage to the Philippians, I have you in my mind, I have you in my heart, and I
have you in my prayers.
Paul was not thinking about himself; he was thinking instead about the dear saints in far-off
Philippi. Every memory was a blessing to him — including the suffering he experienced in that
Philippian jail (Acts 16). As he prayed for them, he rejoiced over their salvation and growth. He
knew that what Christ had begun in their lives would be completed, for Christ is the Alpha and
Omega, the Author and Finisher of our faith. The Good Work He has started in your life, He is
faithful to bring it to fruition.
The Philippian church was composed of a mixed group of people, but they were bound
together by love. Among them were wealthy Lydia, the jailer, the slave girl (all found in Acts 16),
plus other believers, mostly Gentiles. They had shared in the Gospel ministry with Paul; their
hearts were united in their love for Christ and each other. How different they were from the
Corinthian church!
2 Cor. 12:20-21CEV, “I am afraid that when I come, we won't be pleased with each other. I
fear that some of you may be arguing or jealous or angry or selfish or gossiping or insulting
each other. I even fear that you may be proud and acting like a mob. 21 I am afraid God will
make me ashamed when I visit you again. I will feel like crying because many of you have
never given up your old sins. You are still doing things that are immoral, indecent, and
shameful.”
God had given Paul a deep love for the church at Philippi.
V8GNB, “God is my witness that I tell the truth when I say that my deep feeling for you all
comes from the heart of Christ Jesus himself.”
Paul always took time to pray for people; his prayer here is that they might live full lives. An
empty Christian is a tragedy! He prayed that they might be full of love and discernment; that
they might be faithful in their daily walk; and that they might be fruitful in Christian service.
II. Christians Triumph in Suffering V12-19
Phil. 1:12-19 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out
rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;
14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word
without fear.
15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do
rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
Notice how Paul describes all the suffering he had been through; he calls these trying events
“the things that have happened unto me” (V12). Most of us would have gone into great detail
about shipwreck and chains, but not Paul. His desire was to honor Christ and promote the
Gospel.
Paul put Christ first, others second, and himself last.
Were there chains on his wrists? These were his “bonds in Christ.” Were his enemies causing
trouble by their selfish preaching? “So what? They are preaching Christ!” Were his friends
worried about him and praying for him? “Fine! This will exalt Christ!”
III. To live is Christ; To die is gain V20-26
Phil. 1:20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all
boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.
23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.
25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of
faith;
26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.
Was there a possibility that he might die? “Then Christ will be magnified by life or by death!”
This is the single mind — putting Christ and the Gospel ahead of everything else.
When we take Christ into every circumstance, we will have joy. Paul was not the prisoner of
Rome; he was the “prisoner of Jesus Christ” (Eph. 3:1). The soldiers chained to his wrist were
not guards; they were souls for whom Christ died. Paul had a “captive audience,” and from V13
and 4:22, we can conclude that he won some of them to Christ. The single-minded Christian
does not allow circumstances to overcome him; he or she turns those circumstances into
opportunities to magnify Christ and win souls.
B. He put others second.
Selfishness always breeds unhappiness. Paul had joy because he loved others. He prayed for
others, encouraged others, and sought to bring joy to others. Paul’s “heaven on earth” was
helping others! While he longed to be with Christ, he eagerly yearned to remain and help these
believers grow in Christ.
C. He put himself last.
His body was not his own; his future was not his own; his reputation was not his own. In
contrast, when we put ourselves first, it always brings misery. Whenever difficulties affect our
lives, we should always be sure that we have the single mind that says, “Lord, whatever comes, I
want Christ to be glorified.” This is the secret of Christian joy.
IV. Exhortation to steadfastness V27-30
Phil. 1:27-30 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you,
or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for
the faith of the gospel;
28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of
salvation, and that of God.
29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
There are battles to fight in the Christian life, and Paul warns here about the enemies that
would attack us. New Christians go through these three stages: (1) they become sons or
daughters in the family (the fellowship of the Gospel); (2) they become servants (the furtherance
of the Gospel); and then (3) they become soldiers (the faith of the Gospel). Satan is out to defeat
the church, and Christians need to have the single mind to face him and “fight the good fight of
faith.” Paul gives several encouragements here to help the Christian defend the faith of the
Gospel.
A. “You are not standing alone” (V27).
How wonderful it is to know that others are standing right with us as we fight the battles of
life. There is no substitute for the unity and harmony of the Christian church. Satan is the great
divider and destroyer; Christ is the uniter and builder.
B. “You are on the winning side” (V28).
“Don’t let the enemy frighten you!” Paul counsels. “He knows he’s losing and you’re
winning!” The unity and faith of the believers is an “evident token” (clear omen or sign) to the
enemy that he is going to lose.
C. “It is a privilege to suffer for Christ” (V29-30).
It is wonderful to believe on Christ and receive the free gift of salvation, but there is another
gift: the gift of suffering for Jesus’ sake. 3:10 points out that our suffering is in fellowship with
Him; Acts 5:41 it speaks of the disciples that were rejoicing to be counted worthy to suffer for
His Name. What a privilege to follow in the long line of such saints as Paul as we suffer for Jesus’
sake!
But, whatever happens, a Christian should always act like a Christian. “Let your behavior be
such that it can be identified with the Gospel,” Paul states in V27. Someone once asked Gandhi,
“What is the greatest hindrance to Christian missions in India?” Gandhi replied, “Christians.”
Such criticism may also apply to Christians in other lands besides India. Even in the midst of
battle, we must behave like Christians. In the midst of trouble, Paul showed quiet confidence. He
was confident that the Philippians would continue in their Christian walk (V6); he was rejoicing
that his trials had given the believers in Rome new confidence (V14); and he was confident that
he would come through these trials and be restored to his friends again (V25). This is the
blessing of the single mind — that joyful confidence in God, knowing that He is in control of
circumstances. Christ is our life. AMEN