(A Study of the Letter of Philippians)
Greetings Ministry Partners
Philippians 1:1-2
The love bond between Paul and the Philippian believers may have been stronger than the one he had with any other church. It was in large measure because of the joy that their love brought to him that the theme of Paul’s letter to the Philippians is joy. The depth of their relationship with him encouraged the apostle during his imprisonment and added to his joy. He was concerned about their unity, their faithfulness, and many other important spiritual and practical matters. But his overriding concern was that their sorrow over his afflictions would be tempered by their joy over his faithfulness to the Lord and the great reward that awaited him in heaven. Paul wanted them not to be sad, but to share in the fullest measure his deep, abiding joy in Jesus Christ. It is a noteworthy testimony to the maturity of the Philippian believers that, although Paul warned and encouraged them, he made no mention of any theological or moral problem in the church at Philippi. That also brought the apostle joy.
MacArthur, John: Philippians. Chicago : Moody Press, 2001, S. 11
Paul opens this letter in his typical fashion of writing with a greeting to the church at Philippi. In this greeting he identifies himself and Timothy as servants writing to all the saints and leaders. Paul’s priority of writing is not to warn against any potential danger in the church or coming to the church. He didn’t write because false teachers infiltrated the church at Philippi. There was no immoral wrong taking place in the church. No church fights during business meetings. No firing of a pastor or excommunication of a member. The only problem we see in the church of Philippi is in chapter 4 between two women Euodia and Syntyche. But the argument was short lived because after verse 3 we hear no more about it.
This church and leaders had one thing in common, furthering the gospel. What an amazing church! This church is broke, afflicted, struggling, and worried about their founder/leader who’s in jail. Yet, they kept the priority a priority….furthering the gospel.
In spite of his difficult circumstances as a prisoner in Rome, Paul is rejoicing. The secret of his joy is the single mind; he lives for Christ and the Gospel. Paul rejoiced in spite of his circumstances, because his circumstances strengthened the fellowship of the Gospel (Phil. 1:1–11), promoted the furtherance of the Gospel (Phil. 1:12–26), and guarded the faith of the Gospel (Phil. 1:27–30).
The word fellowship simply means “to have in common.” But true Christian fellowship is really much deeper than sharing coffee and pie, or even enjoying a golf game together. Too often what we think is “fellowship” is really only acquaintanceship or friendship. You cannot have fellowship with someone unless you have something in common; and for Christian fellowship, this means the possessing of eternal life within the heart. Unless a person has trusted Christ as his Saviour, he knows nothing of “the fellowship of the Gospel.” In Philippians 2:1, Paul writes about “the fellowship of the Spirit,” because when a person is born again he receives the gift of the Spirit (Rom. 8:9). There is also “the fellowship of His sufferings” (Phil. 3:10). When we share what we have with others, this is also fellowship (Phil. 4:15, translated “communicate” in KJV).
So, true Christian fellowship is much more than having a name on a church roll or being present at a meeting. It is possible to be close to people physically and miles away from them spiritually. One of the sources of Christian joy is this fellowship that believers have in Jesus Christ. Paul was in Rome, his friends were miles away in Philippi, but their spiritual fellowship was real and satisfying. When you have the single mind, you will not complain about circumstances because you know that difficult circumstances will result in the strengthening of the fellowship of the Gospel.
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Eph 6:21). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.
Paul’s greeting to the Philippian church is more than saying: “hello”, “dear madam or dear sir”, “to whom it may concern”. This greeting sets the tone for the letter to the church at Philippi and serves as a model for us to follow:
Keep furthering the gospel as a priority!
The question to ask ourselves is what does it take to insure furthering the gospel is our priority:
I. The Character of Ministry Partnership – v. 1a – Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus…
Paul identifies himself and Timothy as servants of Christ Jesus. Interestingly, I found out something worth mentioning as well.
The Greek name “Paul” meant “little.” There have been several theories about the origin of his name: (1) a nick name describing his physical height, the second century tradition that Paul was short, fat, bald, bowlegged, bushy eyebrowed and had protruding eyes is a possible physical description of Paul. (2) Paul’s personal spiritual evaluation in passages like I Cor. 15:9; Eph. 3:8; I Tim. 1:15, where he calls himself “the least of the saints”.
“Timothy” means “honored by God” or “honorer of God.” He was converted on Paul’s first missionary journey to Derbe/Lystra (cf. Acts 16:1). Paul invited him to join the missionary team on the second missionary journey. He became Paul’s faithful apostolic representative and trouble-shooter (cf. Acts 16:1–17:14; 18:5–19:22; 20:4; Rom. 16:21; I Cor. 4:17; 16:10; II Cor. 1:1, 19; Phil. 1:1; 2:19; Gal. 1:1; Philm. v. 4; and two books, I Timothy and II Timothy. Paul sent him specifically to Philippi to help the church (cf. Acts 19:22; Phil. 2:19–24).
When looking at Paul and Timothy, I believe we find a working definition for the character of ministry partnership that is God honors those who don’t think much of themselves. This is true because Philippians chapter 2: 3-4 says: Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each one esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests but also for the interests of others. Therefore,
a. Servanthood is Teamwork for a Joyful Partnership – Paul and Timothy
We do not see ministry teamwork only here in this text but we see ministry teamwork throughout the NT.
For Jesus calls twelve men to join Him in the work of ministry
John the Baptist had his disciples to join him in ministry work
After the resurrection of Jesus, the disciples had themselves and Mary and Martha to do ministry work
In Acts chapter 4, Peter and John were arrested for preaching the word of God
In Acts chapter 6, Peter tells the people to choose 7 men to serve tables so they can spend time prayer and word
In Acts Chapter 12 we see Saul (Paul) and Barnabas appointed to return to Jerusalem to fulfill their ministry.
In Acts chapter 16, Paul and Silas have a prayer meeting in jail, freed, and a security guard saved.
In Philippians 1, Paul and Timothy are writing to the church at Philippi while Epaphroditus brings financial aide to Paul in his time of need.
The point is simple here, we need each other in ministry to be successful ministry partners.
b. Servanthood is Essential to a Joyful Partnership – Mark 13:32-34
"But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven's angels, not even the Son. Only the Father. [33] So keep a sharp lookout, for you don't know the timetable. [34] It's like a man who takes a trip, leaving home and putting his servants in charge, each assigned a task, and commanding the gatekeeper to stand watch. - Mark 13:32-34
Jesus’ final words are the ones we should study very carefully. He tells us to be constantly alert to serve Him while we are waiting, for He may return at any time and yearns to find us ready to greet Him. If we all spent as much time concentrating on how to live for Jesus until He returns as some do drawing attention by-laws, Robert rules of order, choir uniforms, financial graphs/charts, and speculation of future revelation and how it fits together, the church would be a much more loving and serving institution.
The church needs servants and not celebrities. We need workers and not wimps. We need worshippers and not entertainers.
Serve the Lord with gladness!
c. Servanthood is Dedication to a Joyful Partnership – John 12:20-26
There were some Greeks in town who had come up to worship at the Feast. They approached Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee: "Sir, we want to see Jesus. Can you help us?" Philip went and told Andrew. Andrew and Philip together told Jesus. Jesus answered, "Time's up. The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
"Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over. In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you'll have it forever, real and eternal. "If any of you wants to serve me, then follow me. Then you'll be where I am, ready to serve at a moment's notice. The Father will honor and reward anyone who serves me.
Allow me finish this first point the way I started, God honors those who don’t think much of themselves in ministry. John 12 calls us to dedicated service by following Him at all cost. Be ready to serve Him not matter what’s required to insure the work is done. And the final outcome is that God will reward the faithful servant.
II. The Companionship In Ministry Partnership – v. 1b – To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi , with the overseers and deacons
Paul identifies two (2) groups of people, saints and leaders. This is not to say one is more important than the other. This is significant because this church is so obviously focused on ministry that while leadership and membership is evident they shared a common purpose in furthering the gospel that blended together in unity and yet I believe that the responsibilities of the membership was understood at Philippi that it didn’t cause any problems as to who’s doing what in the church. Therefore, we see….
a. A Corporate Call To Ministry Partnership – “to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi…”
Saints literally means “holy ones”, those set apart exclusively for God’s service. This is not a reference to a sinless lifestyle, but the believers’ forensic (legal) position in Christ. It is always PLURAL except in 4:21, but even there it is used in a corporate context. To be saved is to be part of a family. Although the term “saints” relates to the believers’ standing in Christ, it is not incidental that the root word is “holy” . Believers are called not only to salvation, but to a progressive sanctification. Believers are predestined to “holiness”, not just heaven; to service, not privilege.
This corporate call to ministry partnership in holy service is not just for the church but also for the leaders as well. It speaks to the fact that as a church we are all called upon to live right for God and serve to Him reverently. That’s the spiritual side of the corporate call. The practical side of the corporate call is I’m responsible for you. In other words, we need to look out for each other spiritually and in service.
b. A Clear Call to Ministry Partnership
The clear call is stated with these words: To all the saints of Jesus Christ who are in Philippi, “with the bishops and deacons”. In all of Paul’s writings, when greeting the church he does not make any reference to any leaders:
Ro 1:7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Co 1:1-3 1 Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes, To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Co 1:1-21 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Colossians 1:1-2 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.
Titus 1:1-4 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began 3 and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior;
4 To Titus, my true child in a common faith:
Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
It is safe to say that church government is evident in the church at Philippi. I don’t have time to run the record of the type of leader that is needed in the church but let’s just suffice it to say that we can all be saints but we all cannot be leaders.
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, [12] for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, [13] till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; - Ephes. 4:11-13 (NKJV)
III. The Covering of Ministry Partnership – v. 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
When a church is strong, it is always full of vision and planning, and it is always working out a strategy to carry forth the gospel.
A strong church launches ministry after ministry and program after program. It is never still and never complacent neither the minds of the people nor the hands of the people. Because of this, there is always the danger of differences of opinion: differences in vision, desires, concern, emphasis, and interest. There are always different ideas as to which ministry or project should be undertaken and supported and a host of other differences.
The point is this: the more strength and activity a church has, the more attention it must give to unity. Because a strong church has more minds and bodies working, and where more people are working more differences are bound to arise. Consequently, the members must give more attention to unity.
The membership maintaining unity in the church is only one aspect of it plus as humans we are frail creatures who fights with our flesh on a daily basis resulting in our inability to maintain unity. However, God as covered us with a covering that cannot be tampered with nor will it dissolve:
1. We have a Precise Covering – Grace and Peace
Paul typically mentions grace and peace in the introduction of his letters. Grace is God’s favour and peace refers to inner serenity. The furtherance of the gospel is possible because we the favour of God on our side. In other words, nothing can stop the gospel from going forward.
Not only do we have the favour of God but the furtherance of the Gospel is protected by the peace of God. What this means is that the peace of God keeps us so the work can keep moving forward.
2. We have a Parental Covering – from God our Father
What a blessing! As a parent watches and cares for their children so God watches and cares for His church.
3. We have a Provisional Covering – The Lord Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is our provisional covering meaning from this day to eternity the gospel will still work.
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