Circumstances and Attitudes

 Philippians 1

Today we begin a new four week series on the book of Philippians.  To most of us, it is a familiar book.  It is one where we can go for encouragement and perspective on our circumstances.  It is a book from which we have committed verses to memory.  In chapter 1 (v.6), “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it [carry it on to completion] until the day of Christ Jesus.” 

Then in chapter 2 (v.3-4), “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

And then from chapter 4 (v.5-7, 8, 11-13, 19), “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.”

“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

“My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

And finally, chapter 4 verse 4, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”

This verse ties into one of the key themes throughout Philippians, “Joy!”  Paul writes, “Regardless of circumstances.  Regardless of how things may appear.  We have cause for rejoicing.  Christians should not walk around moping or anxious.  Our hearts should be filled up with the joy of the Lord.  We should have confidence in Christ to handle all our problems.”

When we even come to the fact that Paul is writing a joy filled letter to the Philippians at all.  It should cause us to rejoice in the power of Christ to change lives.  But before we talk about that, let's pray and ask the Lord to fill us with joy at what he has done, what he is doing, and what he will do.

Lord Jesus, you are the source of all confidence and hope.  We have joy knowing that you are the author and perfecter of our faith.  Nothing that happens to us is a surprise to you.  You know all things.  You are working out our circumstances for our good.  Speak words of encouragement today from the book of Philippians.  Fill us each one with your Holy Spirit we pray.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

A couple of observations about the city of Philippi:  Its existence and prosperity as a city was due to gold mines nearby.  It was “founded” by Philip of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great.  He conquered a Thrasian colony there in 356 BC, renaming it Philippi.  Eventually, it was conquered by the Romans, but retained the name Philippi.

Fast forward 300 years to the time after Julius Caesar.  Julius Caesar was murdered, and there was a power struggle (civil war) following that.  A large battle took place near Philippi between the forces of Octavius and Marc Antony (heirs of Caesar) and the forces of Cassius and Brutus (partisans of the Republic).  With Octavius and Marc Antony victorious, Octavius would go on to become Augustus Caesar.  The city of Philippi was made a Roman city, legally becoming Roman soil.  Soldiers who fought for Octavius, the new Augustus Caesar, were rewarded by receiving land in this new Roman city.  The city itself was governed by two officers appointed directly by Rome.

Philippi was an important city.  It was a wealthy city.  It was a Roman city.  But, it was not a very large city.  Excavations show a large forum, a large theater, and large monuments, but the urban area itself was small in comparison.

Fast forward another 80 years to Paul's arrival in 50 AD.  You can read the details in Acts chapter 16.  I'll summarize the story there.  Paul was in Asia Minor.  They were traveling through the middle portion, strengthening and encouraging the churches in Phrygia and Galatia.  The Holy Spirit prevented them from going west in Asia Minor (Asia, the area near Ephesus).  Then, it says the Spirit of Jesus prevented them from going north in Asia Minor (Mysia and Bithynia).  No doubt Paul and his companions were a little confused what to do, where they might go next.  They passed by Mysia and ended up in the northwest coast of Asia Minor at the port of Troas.

It's kind of a “now what?” moment for Paul.  God closed a couple of doors but had not opened another one yet.  Paul has a vision and sees a man standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”  They sail for Neapolis which was the nearest port to Philippi about 8 or 9 miles away. 

Luke describes Philippi as a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia.  Luke also says something quite interesting.  In Acts 16:12, he writes, “And we stayed there several days.”   Arguably, the visit in Philippi lasted at most a few weeks, but certainly not months.

Usually, Paul would go first to the Jewish synagogue when entering a new city.  Apparently, there are too few Jews to have a synagogue, so the Jews would meet somewhere outside on the Sabbath.  Paul meets Lydia there.  She is the first person to be saved in Macedonia. 

After Lydia and her household are baptized, Lydia invites Paul and his companions to stay in her home.  It seems as though Paul wanted to politely decline or not impose, but she persuades Paul and his companions saying, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.”

Paul picks up an unwanted follower after that.  A demon-possessed girl begins following Paul whenever she sees him, calling out “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.”  Isn't it interesting that the demons knew exactly who Jesus was and that they knew exactly what Paul was doing?  Wouldn't it be incredibly frustrating and maybe even embarrassing to have someone following you down the street, yelling after you.  Initially, Paul takes no action, but after several days over and over Paul becomes so troubled that he says to the demon, “In the name of Jesus Christ, I command you to come out of her!”  And, at that moment, the demon leaves.

The problem for Paul comes because this slave girl was able to predict the future by which her owners earned a great deal of money.  Now that the demon is gone, no more predicting the future, no more money for the slave owners.  The owners seize Paul and Silas and drag them into the marketplace to face the authorities.  There is a crowd now and they all get in on the act of accusing Paul and Silas, saying “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.”  The magistrates order Paul and Silas stripped and beaten.  After a severe beating, they were thrown into prison with special instructions to the jailer to guard them carefully.

Hearing these instructions, the jailer puts them in the inner cell and shackles their feet in the stocks.  What do Paul and Silas do?  Mope and complain?  No, they pray and sing hymns to God while the other prisoners were listening to them.

About midnight there is an earthquake.  It was a special earthquake that opens the prison doors and everyone's chains come loose.  The jailer sees the prison doors open, he pulls out his sword to kill himself because in ancient Rome a jailer who allowed a prisoner to escape was required to take their penalty.  Paul shouts, “Don't harm yourself!  We are all here!”

The jailer then asks, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”  Paul and Silas reply with the shortest presentation of the gospel.  “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.”  Then, they speak the word of the Lord to him and his household.  The jailer takes them, washes their wounds, and immediately he and all his family are baptized.  They go in the jailer's house and he feeds them, “filled with joy because he had come to believe in God.”

At daylight, the magistrates send officers saying, you can go.  Paul says no, they will not go quietly.  They were publicly beaten without a trial even though they are Roman citizens.  The officers return and the magistrates were alarmed because laying hands on a Roman citizen without a trial was a crime punishable by death.  The magistrates themselves come to appease and escort them from the prison, and request them to leave the city.  Paul and Silas return to Lydia's house, meet with the brothers to encourage them, and then they leave Philippi.  That's it.  Just a few days or at most six or eight weeks, and the church was started.

About 5 years later (after long stays in Corinth and Ephesus), Paul returns to Macedonia on his way back to Jerusalem spending 3 months in Greece.  Because of a plot against him, Paul goes back through Macedonia rather than sailing straight for Syria and Jerusalem.  And those are the recorded travels of Paul at Philippi, likely 2-3 months in total for three visits.

And yet, Philippi becomes a vibrant and giving fellowship.  We will read about Paul's heart for the Philippians in just a moment, but in addition to these travels we do see the hand prints of the Philippian believers.  In Romans 15, Paul writes about the gifts he has received from Macedonia and Achaia.  In II Corinthians 11, Paul writes about the brothers from Macedonia supplying his needs so that Paul could preach the gospel without being a burden to the Corinthians.  Finally, in the end of Philippians, we catch a glimpse of the depth of the Philippian church’s support to Paul.

"Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need.  Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. " Philippians 4:15-17

Again and again, the Philippians sent gifts and those gifts were hand carried by men who served and helped Paul like Epaphroditus.  This was a church that was a joy and blessing to Paul.  Yes, he loved all the churches.  Yes, he laid down his life for all.  But this letter reflects no deep doctrinal battles.  His letter contains no rebuke or reproach.  There is no battle over the leadership whether by corruption or immaturity or impurity.  Because of this relationship, I would tend to think that the Philippians were nurtured by Paul for years and they had leaders with deep training and maturity.  But we've already discussed how this was not the case at all.  Paul barely had mere days with them, but such a church was the result.  How did it happen?

This betrays my carnal thinking.  I get stuck in my thinking with respect to the physical world.  I tend to look at cause and effect in the light of my available resources.  Thursday night I was talking to Carl, and he caught me completely flat footed standing in the midst of my own worldly thinking.  There was a situation he had heard about.  A believer had made a break from a sinful situation, but then decided it was too hard.  The believer had returned to the sinful situation.  Now, I was thinking to myself, “Yes, that is a hard situation.  What can be done?”  Carl says, “I wish I could get in there to speak into that situation.  I'd really challenge that believer that their view of God is too small.”  God can supply all our needs according to his riches in glory.  We do not have because we do not ask.  How often do I have a hard time with problems when I try to solve them apart from God?

I saw a sign at a church just this week.  The sign said, “Prayer, your steering wheel or your spare tire.”  Immediately, I started, “Lord, I am praying to you because I am a spiritual minded person …”  No seriously, I was prompted to pray, but my prayer was that God would forgive me because I very easily can fall into the trap of not looking to God, depending on God, as I know that I am utterly dependent to.

How did that church of Philippi spring into existence?  How did that church at Philippi mature into a body which supported Paul's missionary journeys and Paul's needs while in prison?  It's the Spirit of God, the power of God working mightily in the lives of people who are yielded, who are available to Him.

Let's start now and take a look at the first chapter of Paul's letter to Philippians.

 

"Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:  Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."  Philippians 1:1-2

Notice Paul's frequently used salutation there “Grace and peace to you.”  Grace comes before peace.  Until you experience the grace, the free gift of salvation in Jesus Christ, you cannot and will not experience peace.

"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,"  Philippians 1:3-5

Just as we've already discussed, the Philippians were not just an isolated church in northern Macedonia.  They were partners in the gospel.  It gives us the opportunity to reflect.  What is our relationship to the gospel?  Do you consider yourself a partner in the gospel?  If you feel like that's not the case, there are many ways to partner in the gospel.  Obviously, telling unbelievers about Jesus is partnering in the gospel, but there are other ways.  Prayer, like the ones on the Bridgeman's prayer card, this is a way to partner with them in the gospel.  Financially, we can support our church here and other missionaries.  If that's not something you've thought of before, I encourage you to think, “How am I a partner in the gospel?”

"… 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 1:6

This is a promise that applies to all those who are saved.  Once we are saved, the Holy Spirit is placed inside us both as a deposit guaranteeing our heavenly dwelling (2 Co 5:5) and comforting and strengthening and transforming us into his likeness.  A great memory verse.

It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me.  God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.  Philippians 1:7-8

There is a sweetness and joy here between Paul and the Philippians.  He is not speaking of the future perfection that we will all experience in Christ.  He is speaking of a present joy and longing.  If he could, he would go to them.  And in his absence, Paul prays for them.

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ,  filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and praise of God.  Philippians 1:9-11

This is a peculiar expression for me.  “Love abound more in knowledge and depth of insight.”  How can love have knowledge and depth of insight?  It got me to thinking about my relationship with my wife.  I love my wife.  I've loved her since before we were married.  But sometimes, when I think back to what my love was like in the beginning of our marriage, I kind of smile and laugh almost.  When you start to get older, and your hair starts turning grey and you go back and look at your wedding pictures, you think, “Look at those children who got married.”  In the same way, my love on our marriage day, was somewhat immature.  I was confident that I wanted to take a vow.  I wanted to be together until death do us part, but I did not really have understanding of the depth of her love for me.  And in reality, our love had not been tested by time and trial, therefore our love did not have depth.  Basically, at that time our love was a commitment.  Now, six kids and 16 years later, that love has been proven out by experience.  In fact, my love for my wife abounds because I know and understand its depth.  I have trust and confidence in that love.  As a result, I love her more.  That makes me want to do things that please her and bring her joy.

Our relationship with God is quite different.  The big difference is God's love for us.  It has already been proven.  Jesus gave up his life in heaven, was willing to be born as a man, live a sinless life in the midst of temptation, suffer and die on the cross.  The Father was willing to turn away from Jesus and pour out his wrath against sin onto a perfect sacrifice.  God's love for us is proven.  We have the record of it in the Bible.  We have hymns and songs that sing his love.  We have the Spirit in us that testifies his love.  We don't have to wait years and years to trust God.  The proof is there.

Paul is praying for genuine love to develop and mature in the Philippians.  If you truly love God, you will be able to see things as he sees them, knowing what is best and making the right decisions, not falling into sin, but walking pure and blameless.  If we develop our love for God by obeying and praying, we will experience a confidence which will not disappoint.

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 Christ.  Philippians 1:12-13

We come now to Paul's circumstances.  This letter was written from Rome after the events in the book of Acts.  Paul appearing before the Governor Festus appealed to Caesar while he was being held in Caesarea north of Jerusalem.  You remember his incredible journey to Rome being tossed about in a storm and shipwrecked.  Then, bitten by a poisonous snake, he survives.  Finally, he reaches Rome.

Luke records in Acts that Paul spent two years in his own rented house waiting to appear before Caesar.  All the while Paul is preaching the gospel “boldly and without hindrance.”  However, he his chained to a soldier from the palace guard in shifts 24 hours a day.

Paul had always wanted to go to Rome, and now, Rome is chained to Paul.  The obvious pun is, “Talk about a captive audience.”  But even the end of Acts 28, you get an idea of what it must have been like.  Paul speaks earnestly with the Jewish leaders of Rome.  He even makes reference to his chains.  This entire conversation occurs with the guard in his presence.  And as verse 13 says, it has become clear … to everyone that I am in chains for Christ.

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 1:14

Not only has the whole palace guard been impacted by the gospel.  Those who know of Paul's imprisonment now feel more the need and desire to take up the cause of Christ, sharing the word of God more, not less.

It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.  The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.  The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.  But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. Philippians 1:15-19

It is interesting to note that it is possible to do the work of God without doing the will of God.  There are ones preaching the gospel out of goodwill.  However, there are others who do not preach out of goodwill.  The other note I see in this passage is that Paul has a very deep and abiding trust in the sufficiency of Christ.  Even if the gospel is portrayed or told for the wrong reasons, the power of the message is strong enough to overcome the telling.  Now, I'm not going to tell you it's okay to portray the gospel poorly, but I will say that we should not be overly concerned about how polished we are when sharing our faith.  We can all learn.  We can all be better communicators.  But, at the end of the day, it is the Spirit of God who does the work.

Just as we talked about how the church at Philippi appeared after such a short time and became one of the key supports to Paul's ministry.   The Spirit of God is sufficient to build up the body of Christ when we are seeking him.

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.  For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.  Philippians 1:20-21

The only way death can be gain is to live for Christ.  If you live for money or financial security, then to die is to lose everything.  Likewise, if you live for possessions, cars or boats or electronics, then death separates you from those things.  To die is to lose.  If you live for another person, whether it be a spouse or child, to die is loss.  The only way for death to be gain is to live for Christ.  Living for Christ will set you free. 

And living for Christ, we look forward to death and eternal joy and peace.  Bodies that don't wear out and get sick.  No more sorrow or shame.  How does Paul express his choice?

If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!  I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.  Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.  Philippians 1:22-26

We ourselves may look forward to death, but death is a parting.  There is sorrow and loss even though it be for a season.  Paul is not “taking the easy way out.”  He will labor on in the gospel for the good of the body of Christ.

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 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved--and that by God.  Philippians 1:27-28

Paul is affirming that we do not know the future, but we do know that the promises of Christ are true.  Regardless of Paul's circumstances or even his death, we labor on in the gospel without fear or doubt.  Paul is exhorting the Philippians without telling them what to do.  They already know how to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.  The things that we know that we need to do, we need to do them, too.  The last line there offers some clue as to why persecutors of Christians often become more and more enraged.  The continued offering of the gospel without fear triggers in the mind of the unsaved that they do not enjoy the same hope.  Recognition of their inevitable destruction drives them to rage.

For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on 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

Note the couplet of “not only … but also.”   The Christian (that's you and me by the way) is appointed not only to believe but also to suffer. 

To live is Christ.  Hey, I'm okay.  I'm a Christian.  I am a disciple, a follower of Jesus Christ.  I'm in Christ.  As such, we are partners together in the gospel.  Jesus himself said “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”  (John 14:12)

It is my prayer that your love may abound in knowledge and depth of insight.  As this happens more and more, trials and sufferings for the name of Christ will become a privilege and honor for us.  And as Paul exhorted the Philippians, you will stand firm in one spirit contending as one man for the faith.

Let’s pray.

Lord Jesus, may our love abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight.  Help us to recognize how deeply you care for us.  For many of us, it is hard for us to receive the fullness of your love.  There are times that we can scarcely believe that someone like You would love someone like me.  And yet, You have demonstrated Your love to us again and again, through Your Son, through Your Word, and through the body of Christ.  Thank you for allowing us to be partners in the gospel.  Help us to “conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.”  Our hope and our joy are in You.  We pray all these things in Jesus’ name.  Amen.