Philippians 1:18-26 (NASB)

¹⁸ What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, ¹⁹ for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, ²⁰ according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. ²¹ For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. ²² But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. ²³ But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; ²⁴ yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. ²⁵ Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, ²⁶ so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.

Theme: Jesus is the Meaning & Purpose of Life

1. Meaning of “to live is Christ”
2. Motivation(s) to “live Christ”
3. Warning about not “living Christ”
4. Applications on how to “live Christ”

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Philippians 1:27-30 (NASB)

27 Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; 28 in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. 29 For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

Theme: The Gospel is worth the church’s battle for unity within its walls & suffering from persecution outside its walls.

Two humbling qualities that should characterize the life of the church and the lives of citizens of Heaven:

1) Our suffering in solidarity for the Gospel (verse 27)
2) Our solidarity in suffering for Christ (Verses 28-30)

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Philippians 1:18-26 (NASB)

18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. 23 But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; 24 yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.

Theme: The Christian’s greatest desires in life are to exalt Christ, to be with Christ, and to serve Christ’s people.

3 Heart-Stirring Reflections on why we as Christians should want to live.

1) Our Joyful Anticipation: Christ being magnified through your life (1:18b-20)

2) Our Win-Win Situation: Bearing fruit for Christ in life or Being with Christ in death (1:21-24)

3) Our Purposeful Predilection: Serving Christ for the spiritual growth & joy of others (1:25-26)

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1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (NASB)

13 Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love.

5 Straightforward Imperatives from our Loving Heavenly Father to His Faithful Sons (and Daughters):

1. Be on the Alert
2. Stand Firm in the Faith
3. Act Like Men
4. Be Strong
(verse 13)

5. Let everything you do be done in Love (verse 14)

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Philippians 1:12-18 (NASB)

12 Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, 13 so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, 14 and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. 15 Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; 16 the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; 17 the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice.Yes, and I will rejoice.

Three perspectives on life that the Church will clearly see when Christ & gospel are at center:

1. The Christian life priorities making gospel progress, no matter the circumstances (verses 12-13)

2. The Christian life encourages others to more boldly preach the gospel (verse 14)

3. The Christian life cares more about gospel proclamation than self-reputation (verses 15-18)

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Philippians 1:9-11 (NASB)

⁹ And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, ¹⁰ so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; ¹¹ having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Theme: The What and the Whys of Your Prayers for Each Other

I. The “What” (or, the Petition)

1. For abounding, discerning Love – v. 9

II. The “Whys” (or, the Purposes)

1. To gain ability to choose what is best in life – v. 1:10a
2. To grow in genuine blamelessness before the Lord – v. 1:10b
3. To glorify God with overflowing fruit – v. 11

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Philippians 1:3-8 (NASB)

³ I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, ⁴ always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, ⁵ in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. ⁶ For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. ⁷ For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. ⁸ For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.

Theme: Four Principles of mature Christian fellowship in which all Christians should strive to grow together

1. Mature Christian fellowship is grounded in prayer to God for each other – vv. 3-4, 9-11
2. Mature Christian fellowship is blessed by partnering in gospel ministry together – vv. 5, 7
3. Mature Christian fellowship is helped by trusting God’s perfecting work in each other – v. 6
4. Mature Christian fellowship is marked by profound affection for each other – vv. 7, 8

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Philippians 1:1-2 (NASB)

¹ Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: ² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Things Paul is Thankful for in this church

Why Paul Wrote the Letter

• To report his circumstances
• To express his appreciation for their gift
• To encourage them in their partnership in the Gospel
• To warn them about false teachers

Christian joy through having a Christ centered, Gospel focused mind

All believers are saints

Therefore we should act like saints

The establishment of the church at Philippi during Paul’s second missionary journey

• The response of Lydia – Acts 16:13-15
• The attack by Satan – Acts 16:16-21
• The salvation of the Philippian jailer – Acts 16:22-24

Paul’s greeting to the Philippians – Philippians 1:2

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1 – How does one become a child of God?

John 1:10-13

2 – Adoption – An act of God whereby He makes us members of His family.

3 – Abba, Father

Mark 14:33-36; Rom 8:14-17; Gal 4:1-7

4 – Privileges of being adopted

Rom 8:1-14

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Review:

• Propitiation
• Substitution
• Justification
• Forgiveness

Theme: The Truth of Who We are as Christians

Your Identity is in Jesus Christ

Eph 1:3-19; 2:5-7, 10, 13-19
Rom 3:24; 6:4, 23; 8:1, 29-30
1 Cor 1:30
2 Cor 5:13, 19, 21
Phil 3:20
Col 1:13; 2:10
1 Pet 2:5-9

We are in the Sphere of Christ

Eph 1:6
Rom 6:1-7
Col 3:1-3
2 Cor 5:14-17
Gal 2:20
Col 2:6; 3:12-14

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