Philippians: Pressing Onward in the Gospel
Through Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi, we will be encouraged to joyously make progress in living out our heavenly identity. Central to our progress, is the necessity to joyously stand firm in Christ and be united in love and purpose amidst opposition, trials and apathy. The letter is profoundly Christ-centered in that the imperative to joyously stand firm and be united is consistently build upon the indicative of the gospel. Finally, we should keep in mind that thanksgiving permeates the whole of the letter. It’s important to keep this theme in mind because it reminds us that this is primarily an admonishment to keep doing the good we are already doing more and more.
Much of our mental energy as humans is expended on worry. How do you get rid of it? Clearing your mind won’t do; you need to replace your worrisome thoughts with something else. If you want peace, focus on the good.
Resources:
Philippians (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament), Moises Silva
Lectures on Calvinism, Abraham Kuyper (Lecture 4: Art)
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Given the incredible riches we have in Jesus, one response is appropriate: Stand firm. Don’t go anywhere else, whatever the temptations may be! Here we see 4 aspects of standing firm, culminating in true peace.
Resources:
Philippians (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament), Moises Silva
A Praying Life, Paul Miller
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Who we watch in life goes along to determining the direction we take in life, the kind of people we become. Is your life heading in the right direction? In this passage we see the only direction to lasting glory is toward Christ, so we must imitate those who are running toward him.
Resources:
Philippians (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament), Moises Silva
Why We Love the Church, Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck
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In the book of Philippians, we’re told over and over again to rejoice, because it is safe to do so in any situation, and because there are so many enemies to it. Here we address a big one head on: The “legal spirit,” where I do what I do in order to gain favor with God (or someone else).
Resources:
Philippians (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament), Moises Silva
The Whole Christ, Sinclair Ferguson
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We imitate those we honor, so it’s vitally important that we honor those whose examples lead to our flourishing and not our decay. In this passage, we’ll see the qualities of those worthy of honor: Those who honor Jesus, the Master who became a slave for his subjects.
Resources:
The Steward Leader, Timothy Keller
Books on Church History, John Piper
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Christians are people who have come to know God as their father, and God now intends to use them to bring more people into his family. That said, we often struggle to explain to others why having God as Father is a joy. In this passage, we look at how God enables us to show others what He is like.
Resources:
Philippians (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament), Moises Silva
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Paul has laid out a lofty ideal in chapter 2: That we be like Jesus, laying down our privileges to meet the interests of others above our own. This comes naturally to none of us, so there is work left to be done, and in this passage we see that our work is involved in that, though only made possible by God’s.
Resources:
You Can Change, Tim Chester
The Mortification of Sin, John Owen
The Glory of Christ, John Owen
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Christians are to adopt the humility of Jesus toward one another so that at the proper time God may exalt us.
Resources:
Philippians 2:5-11
NIGC, Philippians, by Peter O’brien
http://www.desiringgod.org/messages/and-all-the-earth-shall-own-him-lord
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The kind of unity needed to strive together for the gospel is only possible when we forget ourselves and count others more significant. As Alec Motyer says, while that is a natural overflow of the gospel, it doesn’t come naturally. How can we just forget ourselves? Union with Christ is the answer, and we’ll see why in this passage.
Resources:
Philippians: Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Moises Silva
The Message of Philippians: Jesus Our Joy, Alec Motyer
Life Together, Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Total Church, Tim Chester and Steve Timmis
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This passage begins with a command to “live as citizens”…of the gospel. To be a citizen of the gospel is to identify with the gospel community and gospel mission, even in the face of opposition. In this sermon we see how, and God’s good news when it brings suffering.
Resources:
Philippians: Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Moises Silva
Total Church, Tim Chester and Steve Timmis
Suffering and the Sovereignty of God, 2005 Desiring God Conference Messages
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The biggest question we can ask, and the one we cannot avoid, is what is my purpose in life? Here we see we’ve been given a purpose by God: the honor of Christ.
Resources:
Risk is Right, John Piper
Making Sense of God, Timothy Keller (Chapter 3 especially)
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How can we have joy in any situation in life? If what’s most important can be advance in any situation. In this passage, we’ll see Jesus and his gospel are of utmost importance, so we can rejoice.
Resources:
Philippians: Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Moises Silva
The Message of Philippians: Jesus Our Joy, Alec Motyer
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In this passage we get a glimpse through Paul’s prayer into what Paul, and ultimately God, wants for us, his people. We’ll see that God’s ultimate desire and our ultimate joy climax in a life that results in God’s praise and glory. Does God’s desire match ours? How can it?
Resources:
Philippians: Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Moises Silva
The Message of Philippians: Jesus Our Joy, Alec Motyer
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After a greeting, we turn to a passage where thanksgiving is in view. Thanksgiving helps us see what God has given us, and directing it to God reminds us of who has given it. We’ll see here that thanks is appropriate to God because he’s given us gospel partnership, and is committed to finishing the good work he’s begun in us.
Resources:
Philippians: Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Moises Silva
The Message of Philippians: Jesus Our Joy, Alec Motyer
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An introduction to our new sermon series. Paul’s letter to the Philippians challenges us to reimagine our identity, our culture, and our God.
Resources:
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